Disney World Opens 2026 Bookings, Sweetens Deal for Families with Free Kids Dining Plan. Planning a family trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth in 2026 just got a little more financially feasible. Starting April 22, Walt Disney World will open bookings for vacations through October 2026, rolling out incentives aimed squarely at families with young children. Don’t forget we still have an amazing 2025 Cool Kids Summer to get through first.
Why it matters: Disney is looking to maintain its appeal as a top family vacation destination, and these early booking perks, particularly the free dining plan for kids, could be a significant draw in a competitive travel market.
The details:
- Early Bird Booking: Guests can book their 2026 Disney World resort stays and ticket packages beginning April 22.
- Kids Eat Free: The standout offer is a free dining plan for children ages 3-9. This applies to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels who purchase a dining plan for other members of their party (ages 10 and up) as part of a package. The offer is valid throughout all of 2026.
- Stackable Savings: Disney notes that this “kids free dining” offer can be combined with other select promotions that may be introduced for 2026, potentially leading to even greater savings.
- Resort Perks Continue: Beyond the dining offer, Disney is reiterating popular perks for guests staying at their resorts:
- Early Theme Park Entry: All Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to enjoy 30-minute early access to all theme parks daily.
- Extended Evening Hours: Guests at Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts will still have access to extended evening hours on select nights in specific parks.
- Free Transportation & Parking: Complimentary transportation (monorail, boat, bus, Skyliner) and free standard parking at hotels and parks remain in place.
- Advance Access: Resort guests get an early jump on dining reservations and Lightning Lane selections, as well as the ability to purchase tickets for select special events ahead of the general public.
- Water Park Fun: Returning in summer 2026, Disney Resort guests will receive free admission to a water park on their check-in day (subject to availability, with more details to come).
The bottom line: Disney is making a clear push to encourage early bookings for 2026, particularly for families. The combination of a free kids’ dining plan and ongoing resort perks could make a Disney World vacation next year more attractive and affordable.
What’s next: Bookings open April 22 for travel through October 2026. Guests looking to travel in November or December 2026 will need to wait for those booking windows to open at a later date. Disney also highlights that special offers are currently available for 2025 visits for those looking to experience the magic sooner.
Disney World Opens 2026 Bookings, Sweetens Deal for Families with Free Kids Dining Plan
