When do you start planning?

[Sue M]

We go twice a year, and always have next trip planned. We hope to book our August trip in January if we get a room % BB offer during our stay. If not then we'll wait for discounts to come out, or book using AAA room only discount, then wait for WDW discounts to come out which usually are better (with the exception of FQ, wdw is only giving a measly 5%).

[darkwing818]

We usually go to WDW at least once a year. We start planning our next trip, (usually 12 months out) on the way home after the current vacation is over.
We plan our Disney Cruises probably 18 months in advance, we try to book future cruises when Disney releases their future itineraries. Once the cruise is booked we'll plan a few days at WDW before & after the cruise.

[Belle83]

We started planning our December 2012 vacation in June 2011, so 19 months. It was basically the week we got back from our May 2011 vacation It gave us time to save, but we booked things too early (like flights) that had to be changed, which was $.

The May 2011 trip wasn't planned until I think March 2011...so 2 months.

[The Fox Menagerie]

We plan our Disney and all other vacations about 12-15 months in advance. We can allocate savings, discuss spring and summer break timing and coordinate with other key activities. Plus if we are scheduled, we can work other obligations around our trips!

[Nohal]

Since we have booked bounceback the last few Septembers we start planning as soon as we book for the next year.

[shalom]

I've been planning a trip since we took the first one -- stuff I meant to do that time we didn't get to, along with stuff I knew we wouldn't get to that I pushed to the "next trip" column before we ever got there. We plan on going every two years but so far our average is higher than that.

[TwinsFan]

I have my Disney trips planned through 2016

[Lumiere Lover]

I plan about 2 years out. It takes me that long to convince DH to go to WDW again! We go December this year, and we are already talking about a Disney Cruise in June 2014 for DS's high school graduation. It's never too early to start planning a Disney vacation!!

[TandLMommy28]

I am planning 2014 and 2015 trips right now. By planning, I mostly mean researching resorts and getting an idea of where we might want to stay. In two years we are staying off property for a family reunion. In three years, we will be back on property.

[Dizzytime]

Originally Posted by wdw lifer

I noticed a lot of different threads talking about 2013 vacations and it got me thinking. When does everyone usually start planning your next trip?

I always know we are going but don't actually plan until the discounts come out. But have done many last minute weekend back before the kids were born

I know it's different for everybody because of location (especially) and budget, too.

We come from the west coast, and since the expense is great we plan as far ahead as possible to be able to afford to go every few (3-4-5) years. With hope of targeting a particular month and year, we often try to book room only res as soon as they become available, then look for any discounts as they come out. Not easy to plan that far ahead and wish we didn't have to...but it's always worth it when we get there!

[tinkermommyof3]

Go once a year (usually Summer). Normally start planning as soon as we return from a trip. This year two booked at once as they are a little closer together.

[shalom]

Originally Posted by TandLMommy28

I am planning 2014 and 2015 trips right now. By planning, I mostly mean researching resorts and getting an idea of where we might want to stay.

By that definition of "planning", we're already planning our 2021 visit. Hubby's agreed that, the year of WDW's 50th anniversary, the two of us will be staying DVC, likely Bay Lake Towers (unless they've built something else we prefer between now and then ), and he'll actually join me for some TS and character meals. He has no sense of smell and does not get excited about restaurant food, meaning I eat out far more with the kids than I do with him, so I'm kind of excited about that.

[GreenCntryGirl]

I'm always planning the next one. Always.

[articfox676]

When staying at Fort Wilderness at holiday times you have to book a year in advance. Now on off times you can book closer to your trip.

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

When we have enough money saved up we will have DU book our WDW vacation for us, usually a year our more out. One of the many reasons we love using DU is because they continue checking for special deals put out by WDW after booking and will apply it to our reservation. So we won't lose out on them. One year we were hoping for free dining but we were a couple of weeks past the original dates given. When WDW extended the free dining through the dates we were there our DU agent got them for us.