October 2012...when to book?

[charlene1974]

We had such a wonderful vacation last week, that we have decided to make it a yearly event. Since my husband's bday is in November, Christmas is December, and my bday is in January, we have decided to make Disneyland our Christmas and birthday gifts to each other each year.

I was online looking and rates are about $300 more for next year than what we paid for last week. Since many of you are more familiar with booking reservations, when would you suggest we book next year's trip?

Is it possible the rates will go down for next year? We want to stay again at Sheraton Park, as we are taking our dog again and we LOVED that hotel.

Thanks everyone!

 

[skiingfast]

Are you going to do a party again?

I would wait until the summer. Rates are high right now because they aren't competing for business so far out.

 

[charlene1974]

Thanks!

Yeah, I think we will do the party again. We enjoyed the park being less busy and we were able to do all the rides we wanted that night. We had such a great time.

 

[skiingfast]

You may want to wait until July(ish) when they announce dates for 2012.

It may start the last Friday of September again which is somewhere around the 27th. The next weekend will have Gay Days. The next weekmay be the sweet spot.

 

[happyrebster]

Thanks!

Yeah, I think we will do the party again. We enjoyed the park being less busy and we were able to do all the rides we wanted that night. We had such a great time.

Us too! And that had left me pondering the same question: when should we book for next year? Does anyone know how far in advance they announce the dates for the Halloween party?

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

We're visiting in a year, too, and have the same issues. I think some of it depends on what kind of trip you're having. If you want a DLR hotel, they seem reasonable about letting you cancel and re-book if a sale comes up less than 30 days before your trip. So if you definitely want one of those three hotels and want a view room or something else particular, it might be good to get a reservation in now, so you can feel secure.
For someone like me, it looks like we're staying in a Good Neighbor, and those have harsher booking rules and also more and bigger sales, so I don't see as much advantage in booking early--except maybe if you wanted a HoJo kids' suite, just because they're so much in demand. But expect to book for $175-200 a night and then see others later booking for a good chunk less. *If* they can get the suite.
In other words, the more particular you are about what precisely you want, the earlier you should book, trading some dollars for security and getting exactly what you prefer. The more flexible you are, the more you can hem and haw and see what comes up.
I'm actually concerned that some things like tickets and character meals might go up more than they already are planned to (char meals, for example, will cost $1 per person more) if they realize they have a crushing amount of eager demand for Cars Land. I'm mentally preparing for insane crowds, since people are reporting them at the MHP this year and Cars Land might open more July or August instead of June, meaning it will be newer than I would like when we show up in October.

AJ

 

[skiingfast]

Does anyone know how far in advance they announce the dates for the Halloween party?

June or July, they usually net AP holders know when first.

As far as price changes like AJ mentioned above, I'd expect we will see them go up late May or June as Disney prepares for Summer crowds.