I spent the week eagerly awaiting the opening date of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets (May 26), and then spent the first hour of my day finishing and editing the newsletter, only to hit send and immediately see the other big news that Disney World had opened 2027 bookings and announced dining plan changes. Here’s what you need to know…
2027 Disney World Bookings (Thru October) Now Open
Disney World tickets, hotels, and packages through October 31, 2027 are now available for booking. This follows a recent trend of November and December bookings opening at a later time. If you’re interested in booking a trip, we recommend starting with a free consultation with Travel With Character LLC.
As you’d expect, prices went up a bit from 2026, but that’s never the whole story. Really, the story of 2026 has been Disney using deals, “small” updates around the parks, and marketing to keep the parks busy while fans waited for the 2027 debut of Tropical Americas (at Animal Kingdom) and all the other, bigger future stuff in the works.
So while rack rates continue to go up, as they pretty much always will, it’ll be the size and scope of deals that really determines how different 2027 pricing is from 2026. (FWIW, we have a post covering the cheapest times to visit Disney World based on rack rates, and 2027 will look a lot like 2026 but with the graph about 4% higher.)
As for when to visit in 2027, the goal is probably to be after the opening of Tropical Americas. If I had to guess a timeframe for that, I’d guess around Memorial Day, May 31, 2027.
That’s mostly a complete guess, but it’s based on a simple premise—a summer launch offers greatest return on investment for Disney. Summer tends to be a frustrating season for Disney World—most kids in the US are on summer vacation, but Florida is incredibly unpleasant. July and August tend not to be busy, with a lot of potential guests just sitting at home in air conditioning watching K-Pop Demon Hunters on repeat. This is why Cool KIDS’ SUMMER kicks off May 26 this year alongside several attraction re/launches.
If you’re the type to plan ahead, or if you know you’re going to want a specific hotel or room type—book that June trip now (again, Travel With Character LLC can help you understand Disney’s relatively great cancellation, change, and modify-if-a-deal-pops-up policies).
Dining Plan Changes Arrive 2027
For arrivals beginning January 1, 2027, there will be some name changes to the dining plans, plus a new dining plan option:
The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is renamed the Quick-Service Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan is renamed the Table-Service Dining Plan
There’s a new Deluxe Table-Service Dining Plan
You can read more about the existing dining plans here, and here’s what the new Deluxe Table-Service Dining Plan offers:
2 Table-Service Meal credit per night, per guest
1 Quick-Service Meal credit per night, per guest
1 Snack credit per night, per guest
and a refillable mug
This is basically the Table-Service Dining Plan (currently the Disney Dining Plan) with an additional table service credit.
We’ll update our analysis in that above-linked post soon enough, but we all know what it’ll show—Disney knows how to price these things. The prices basically always work out so that if you are efficient at maximizing credit value, you’ll “save” money.
But “save” is in quotes there because in maximizing credit value you’re often making a lot of decisions you might not have otherwise made. You might welcome those choices though, because trying new restaurants and dining experiences can be fun! It’s a fine dance between your pocketbook and Disney, and if it works for you, great!
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way. Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide!
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Be sure to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few weeks in advance. Good strategy will keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, EPCOT Lightning Lane Strategy, Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy.
Know what to ride with our guides: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, EPCOT rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our Guide to Blizzard Beach and our Guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip.