Welcome to planDisney, Allison! I'm so glad to be able to answer a question for a fellow Texan today. I'm actually planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort for the exact same week you are, and I love that you're getting a head start on planning your dining. With that in mind, let's chat about the
Disney Dining Plan and how it might factor into making your dining reservations.
You absolutely do not need to have your dining plan purchased before you make your dining reservations. You can go ahead and book all your favorite restaurants as soon as your reservation window opens 60 days before your check-in date, and then add the dining plan to your vacation package later on. Keep in mind that a credit card is required to secure your dining reservation, but it will not be charged at the time of booking. The only time your credit card would receive a charge is if you do not show up to your reservation or you cancel less than 2 hours in advance.
That said, if you're planning to book any prepaid dining experiences, like
Cinderella's Royal Table or
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, it's a good idea to have the dining plan purchased before making those specific reservations. These restaurants require advanced payment at the time of booking, and having your dining plan in place allows you to use your Table Service meals right away rather than paying out of pocket for anything.
So, feel free to start dreaming up your perfect dining lineup now and rest easy knowing you can still add the dining plan later! Just don't wait too long, it's best to have it locked in well before check-in so everything is ready to go when the magic begins. Let me know if you need help picking restaurants, I've got lots of suggestions!
Have a magical day, Allison!
Jessica