If you’ve ever stepped off a Disney cruise already wishing you were booking the next one, this is for you.
Want to save hundreds of dollars on your next Disney cruise — without locking in dates right away?
A Disney Cruise Placeholder is one of the smartest (and easiest) money saving tricks Disney Cruise Line offers, but many guests don’t even realize it exists.
But be careful – you have to do this before you disembark your cruise.
Leave it and it’s too late.
If you’re sailing with Disney now or planning to cruise again, this often missed option can give you a 10% discount (and sometimes more), a refundable deposit, and up to two years to decide on your next vacation.
Here’s exactly how a Disney Cruise Placeholder works — and why you should always book one before you leave the ship.
If you’re looking for even more ways to save, be sure to read
How to Get Free Onboard Credit
How Does a Disney Cruise Placeholder Save You Money?
A Disney Cruise Placeholder is sometimes called a dummy booking, but don’t let that name fool you — it can save you hundreds of dollars.
Here’s how it works:
You place a $250 refundable deposit while onboard a Disney cruise
You receive a 10% discount on a future sailing (DCL has also recently offered more than 10% discount on select sailings).
You have up to 2 years to choose and book your cruise
Disney cruise prices almost always go up, not down, so booking early usually means:
A better price
More stateroom choices
Less stress later
A Placeholder gives you flexibility and savings.
Important Things to Know Before You Book
There are a few rules to be aware of:
- You must book a Placeholder while onboard a Disney cruise
You cannot book one after you leave the ship
Booking is easy using the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App
The Future Cruise Desk is no longer available on Disney ships, but the app makes the process quick and simple.
Placeholder Discounts & Onboard Credit (What’s Changed)
When you book a Disney Cruise Placeholder, you still receive:
10% off the current cruise rate
Reduced deposits on sailings of 7 nights or longer
However, Disney no longer offers onboard credit (OBC) with Placeholders.
In the past, guests received:
$200 OBC for sailings of 7 nights or more
$100 OBC for 3–6 night sailings
That benefit has been discontinued.
Right now you can save up to 25% on select cruises with a placeholder – you can see all the details here>
Can First Time Disney Cruisers Book a Placeholder?
No
A Disney Cruise Placeholder can only be booked while onboard, so it isn’t available until you’re already sailing.
That said, first?time cruisers still have plenty of options for saving money. Start here:
How to Save Money on Drinks on a Disney Cruise
Using a Placeholder: Restrictions You Should Know
A Disney Cruise Placeholder cannot be used for:
1 or 2 night sailings
Guaranteed staterooms (IGT, OGT, VGT)
If you’re unfamiliar with Guaranteed Staterooms, read this first:
Disney Cruise Guaranteed Staterooms Explained
With a Guaranteed Stateroom:
You choose a category, not a specific room
Disney assigns your stateroom later
Disney Cruise Placeholder FAQs
Here are some common questions I hear about Placeholders.
How long is a Placeholder valid?
Your Placeholder is valid for 2 years from the booking date.
If you don’t use it, your deposit is fully refundable — making this a very low?risk way to save.
How many Placeholders can I book?
You can book up to two Placeholders per stateroom
Can I use a travel agent?
Yes!
You can request a travel agent when booking onboard
If you already use an agent, you can link the same one
You have up to 30 days after booking to add an agent if you didn’t initially
We suggest The Vacationeer – they are experts who have actually sailed multiple times on the ships and they also give you free onboard credit. You can get a free no obligation quote here.
Are there blackout dates?
Yes. Some sailings are excluded from the 10% discount, including select holiday and peak sailings across all ships.
Disney Destiny – Placeholder Blockout Dates
- March 28, 2026
- April 2, 2026
- April 6, 2026
- November 25, 2026
- December 23, 2026
- December 28, 2026
- March 22, 2027
- March 27, 2027
Disney Dream – Placeholder Blockout Dates
- March 30, 2026
- April 6, 2026
- November 23, 2026
- November 27, 2026
- March 22, 2027
- March 26, 2027
Disney Fantasy – Placeholder Blockout Dates
- March 29, 2026
- November 25, 2026
- December 23, 2026
- December 27, 2026
- March 21, 2027
- March 26, 2027
Disney Magic – Placeholder Blockout Dates
- November 25, 2026
- December 22, 2026
- December 27, 2026
Disney Treasure – Placeholder Blockout Dates
- March 28, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- December 19, 2026
- December 26, 2026
- March 20, 2027
- March 27, 2027
Disney Wish – Placeholder Blockout Dates
- March 30, 2026
- November 23, 2026
- November 27, 2026
- December 24, 2026
- December 31, 2026
- March 22, 2027
- March 26, 2027
- March 29, 2027
Disney Wonder – Placeholder Blockout Dates
- March 27, 2026
- March 30, 2026
- November 22, 2026
- December 22, 2026
- December 29, 2026
- March 22, 2027
- March 26, 2027
- March 29, 2027
Is a Disney Cruise Placeholder Worth It?’
Absolutely.
The Disney Cruise Placeholder is one of the simplest and smartest ways to save money on a Disney cruise. You don’t need to pick dates right away, your deposit is refundable, and you have two full years to decide.
If you’re already onboard and loving your cruise, this is a no brainer.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 60 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 250,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.