2025 planDisney Panel Search Now Open

Disney is now accepting applications for the 2025 planDisney Panel. This is the second time in as many years that Disney has started the panel search earlier than expected. Last year, the application window opened on August 1. Before that, the search always began in September.

There’s a reason for the recent early start times. Traditionally, Disney has held panel training at either Walt Disney World or Disneyland in mid-December. Last year, training was moved to a Disney cruise. The tradition continues this year as new panelists will sail on the Disney Wish from November 11 – 15. Disney cruises are always popular, but those December Christmas itineraries are on another level. Reserving a block of cabins earlier in the season has to be easier for the planDisney staff.

Panelists will also spend one day at Walt Disney World before embarking on their cruise.

Disney also announced some updates to the panel search. In the past, panelists had to choose a specialty from the following:

• Walt Disney World
• Disneyland
• Disney Cruise Line
• Disney Vacation Club (DVC)

This year’s specialties have been expanded. Well, maybe a little. Disney asks if applicants have any experience with the following:

• Disneyland Paris
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
• Adventures by Disney

What is planDisney?

planDisney is a resource where people can ask questions of Disney experts. The experts are not Disney employees; rather, they’re volunteers. While they’re not paid, Disney does compensate them with a Disney vacation each year they’re on the panel. Additionally, some panelists take part in on-site planDisney podcasts. Recently, select members were among the first to enjoy Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Read more: Are You a Disney Vacation Expert? You Might Want to Apply for planDisney

planDisney Eligibility

I’ll let Disney cover the specifics, but here are the important requirements:

• You can’t be a travel agent or work for Disney. You also can’t be a close relative of anyone who works for Disney.
• You need to have gone on a recent Disney vacation that coincides with your specialty:
  • Walt Disney World: visited between July 8, 2023, and July 12, 2024.
  • Disneyland: visited between July 8, 2023, and July 12, 2024.
  • Disney Cruise Line: sailed between July 8, 2022, and July 12, 2024.
  • Disney Vacation Club: must have visited a Disney Destination utilizing your membership between July 8, 2022, and July 12, 2024.
• If selected for the panel, you’ll need to go on that Disney Wish cruise in November. That’s a real hardship.

2025 planDisney Round 1 Questions

At the beginning of the application process, you’ll need to select a primary specialty. You can also choose a secondary focus from the same list. Finally, bilingual applicants will be prompted to answer questions in English and their second language.

You’ll begin by answering general questions about yourself and your family. Then you’ll answer specialty-specific questions. You’ll need to practice brevity. Each answer has a 100-word limit. That sounds like a lot, but I promise you, getting under the limit will be the most stressful part of the application.

Oh, and the video. But you don’t need to worry about that unless you make it to round 2.

Walt Disney World

1. Tell us about you and your family. (Please don’t provide us with personal information such as medical information or details about your children, if any, other than their age.)
2. When was the last time you stayed at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel?
3. What is your favorite planning tip to share with first-time visitors?
4. Answer a sample question (Please answer one of the sample questions below as if it were to appear on the planDisney site.)
   • My tween is a thrill-seeker. Is there anything for them to do at the parks?
   • I’m headed to Disney World in January with some friends for an adults-only weekend trip. What are your must-dos?
   • What are the best ways to meet characters and can you actually dine with Mickey Mouse?

Disneyland

1. Tell us about you and your family. (Please don’t provide us with personal information such as medical information or details about your children, if any, other than their age.)
2. When was the last time you stayed at a Disney Resort Hotel?
3. What is your favorite planning tip to share with first-time visitors?
4. Answer a sample question (Please answer one of the sample questions below as if it were to appear on the planDisney site.)
   • What are your best tips for planning a Disneyland vacation with teens?
   • I am coming to the Disneyland Resort with my entire family, including my little one. I am worried there won’t be enough for him to do. Any recommendations?
   • I hear Disneyland Resort has some great snacks! What should I add to my snack list next time I visit?

Disney Cruise Line

1. Tell us about you and your family. (Please don’t provide us with personal information such as medical information or details about your children, if any, other than their age.)
2. How many Disney cruises have you been on in total?
3. Please provide the names of the ships and the itineraries you have sailed on.
4. What is your favorite planning tip to share with first time Disney cruisers?
5. Answer a sample question (Please answer one of the sample questions below as if it were to appear on the planDisney site.)
   • Is there going to be enough space in the stateroom for my family of 4?
   • My husband and I just booked our first Disney cruise on the Disney Wish. What are some of the highlights that we should look forward to?
   • First time cruiser here – what is Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point all about? Does it cost to visit?

Disney Vacation Club (DVC)

1. Tell us about you and your family. (Please don’t provide us with personal information such as medical information or details about your children, if any, other than their age.)
2. What is your home resort, and how long have you been a Disney Vacation Club Member?
3. Tell us why you became a Disney Vacation Club Member?
4. Have you ever stayed at a Disney Vacation Club Resort not on a theme park property? (i.e. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort?) If yes, which?
5. Have you used your points to swap out to another Disney destination (i.e. Adventures by Disney or Disney Cruise Line)? If yes, please explain.
6. Answer a sample question (Please answer one of the sample questions below as if it were to appear on the planDisney site.)
   • Can you tell me about the Member Lounges I have heard about?
   • I am a new Disney Vacation Club Member, what types of discounts or exclusives do I receive for being a member?
   • Can you explain banking and borrowing points to me?

You’ll have until July 13, 2024, at noon Eastern to submit your application. There are a couple of Facebook groups devoted to planDisney Panel hopefuls. Both have a positive vibe.

• Amazing Adventures of the planDisney Dreamers
• planDisney Panel Hopefuls!

Good luck to everyone who’s applying to be on the 2025 planDisney Panel!