08-27-2012, 05:38 AM
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#1 |
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disneydreamer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Gloucester Ma.
Posts: 10
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What do you book first? Disney Package or Airfare?
DH and I have been discussing this for a few days now. We aren't even booking till January for our 4th trip in May. We know we want to go for 7 days, 6 nights and are somewhat flexible as to the dates. Anytime during the first 2 weeks is fine.
I say we should decide on a date, book the hotel package, then look for airfare. He thinks we should book airfare first to make sure we get "the best price" then book the package for those dates. Which way makes the most sense? How do you book things? |
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08-27-2012, 06:35 AM
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#2 |
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I wish I could make a living planning Disney Vacations...
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Upstate, NY-Canadian border
Posts: 790
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I always research an approximate date we want to go to WDW, then look for airfare. Airfare prices change so much depending even on days of the week, so I look for the best deals then book the air first. Then I book my WDW ressies around that.
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Me
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08-27-2012, 08:41 AM
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#3 |
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Becoming a Disney Princess
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Much farther from the Mouse than I want to be
Posts: 118
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We always book our WDW package first, then look around at different airlines and times to see what might be cheaper.
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   :      2008- First ever visit- BCV 2010- First Value Resort- ASM 2011- First Moderate Resort- POR 2013- Our 4th Visit- Heading to the ROYAL ROOMS- POR again! DISNEY WORLD WILL ALWAYS BE MY SECOND HOME! When you wish upon a star, your dreams DO come true!  The countdown is ON for our next WDW TRIP!  |
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08-27-2012, 09:31 AM
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#4 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,160
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We usually book our package first based on free dining dates or room discount. Then I stalk airfare until there is a rate I'm happy with.
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Me(43)
 DH(43) DS(18)DS(15) My Sept 2012 actual trip report All the makings of a Disaster Art of Animation - April 2013 BFF trip  Port Orleans Resort - Sept 23-30, 2012 (Group trip  )Port Orleans Resort - Dec 10-15, 2010 (BFF trip )POP Century - Sept 12-18, 2009 (Me and DS11  )Port Orleans Resort - Sept 2-12, 2008 (Group trip ) |
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08-27-2012, 09:35 AM
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#5 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 104
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I booked the airfare first.. through southwest, then sbooked the vacation later.. prices were more likely to rise for airfare then vacation itself. But, I also stalked te airline for a few months later cause if the fares drop, there are no change fees to get that extra credit :-)
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Heather M.
 If you need a miracle.. be a miracle.. me , DBF , DS (15)  , & DS (12) |
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08-27-2012, 09:48 AM
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#6 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 868
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We can fly by Southwest so the rates are almost always best when they first release the flights. We plan out when we'd like to go but then book the air first so we have the best price out and back.
Our next trip we used DVC rental so we booked the hotel already for next May. We will have to take what we can get for airfare since the arrival and departure dates are already set.
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 DW  DS (19)  DD (22) DD's BF (21)  DS's BF (20)  Aug 1990 Fort Wilderness Camp, Nov 2000 All Star Movie, Oct 2003 All Star Music, May 2005 Pop, June 2006 Pop, Aug 2007 POFQ, May 2010 POFQ, Dec 2011 Caribbean Beach, May 2013 Boardwalk  |
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08-27-2012, 06:35 PM
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#7 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 229
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always airfare first
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08-27-2012, 07:59 PM
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#8 |
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Earning My Ears
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Howell, NJ
Posts: 15
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We always do airfare first. But we do check special offers, etc first to get an idea.
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08-27-2012, 08:01 PM
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#9 |
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Earning My Ears
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Howell, NJ
Posts: 15
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Ans we always use yapta.com to check the airfare before and after we buy as well.
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08-28-2012, 08:13 AM
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#10 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 132
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If you are looking for a promotion through Disney then book the package first. The most you can save in airfare in maybe a couple hundred off what the average cost of airfare normally is for your location. If you were able to get free dining, you and your husband are saving more than $700! Even if you only got a room discount, you're still possibly saving $350. The best time to buy airfare is Tuesday afternoon no more than 2-3 months before your departure. I just bought airfare from Boston to Tampa for $178 RT and that was 2 weeks prior to me leaving.
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1978 - DL Blue Stroller!1982 - Intl. Drive1984 - Intl. Drive1986 - Intl. Drive1988 - Intl. Drive1992 - Intl. Drive1994 - Port Orleans1996 - Port Orleans2000 - Port Orleans/ Contemporary2002 All Star2006 - DTD 2013 - Pop/ Coronado Springs   |
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08-28-2012, 10:09 AM
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#11 |
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All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ATL
Posts: 359
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We book both at the same time, so we are sure a way to get there and are sure of a place to stay. Then we keep our eyes open for discounts on either room or airfare. We are also planners so we book a good 4 months in advance. We book both separately and from their direct websites. It seems to be easier to get credits later.
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08-28-2012, 11:04 AM
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#12 |
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Craving a Mickey ice cream bar!
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: England
Posts: 993
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We always book flights first, then book the condo, then tickets, then other stuff including the rental car.
We fly from England so our rates often aren't below £500, but we can earn miles on Virgin Atlantic's flying club scheme, and when you get a certain amount you can use them as miles plus money to save a little on our flights.
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08-28-2012, 11:36 AM
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#13 |
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Cajun Fireman
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Posts: 61
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Package First for me
I always book my Disney Package First (resort, tickets, dining plan) reason being is that if something comes up before the 45 day mark I can get back whatever amount I put down as a deposit. Also, airfare is usually over $500 for 2 round trip tickets; and they're nonrefundable. So I generally wait until the 45day mark to book my Airfare. After that all things are paid for and the trip is FOR CERTAIN thing
 . All that's left to do is save up some extra cash for shopping/extra spending/etc.
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08-28-2012, 11:51 AM
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#14 |
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Welcome aboard explorers- I love Mr. Ray
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Drop Off
Posts: 4,896
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Package first then airfare.
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08-28-2012, 12:01 PM
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#15 |
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Earning My Ears
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 60
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We do airfare first but after looking around for package info so we have a date range and then work within that date range. My thought process is that even if I didn't get my first hotel choice, there are plenty of ones to chose from so I know I'd find something.
FWIW, when we booked for our upcoming trip, we were looking at airfare (we are in NY and have 4 airports to chose from) overnight the airfare/flight we wanted originally went up almost $60 per person.
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