Book now for August trip...or wait for the chance of another "Disney Deal?"

[lynninpa]

I read a post that strongly suggests waiting until late May to book an August trip because "late May is when Disney will announce any great deals," as they put it. One example was the free dining in 2005. It is tempting!

We will be going in August and will have 9 in our group and we will be picking up the tab for everyone-airfare, 3 resort rooms, parks tickets and the the dining plan for everyone. Since we are paying for everyone, the chance of getting a great deal by waiting until May to book is, needless to say, quite appealing!

On the other hand, just the thought waiting until May to book makes me nervous as we will need 3 resort rooms and ADR's for a group of 9! (tentative ADR choices:Teppanyaki, LeCellier, Crystal Palace, O Hana & Chef Mickeys)

Should we book next month for an August trip OR wait until the end of May to book?
Oh, please please! Give me your honest opinions!

[zippehsmom]

If you are going whether they offer a discount or not, I would book now. There is no penalty for booking now and then if a discount becomes available rebook with the discount.

I have always booked as soon as a I knew I was going, and if/when a discount became available I just rebooked with the discounted rate.

Oh, I would especially have my ADR's made. With a party of nine your options may become limited. Also, you can always make ADR's without having a room booked.

[lynninpa]

Originally Posted by zippehsmom

There is no penalty for booking now and then if a discount becomes available rebook with the discount.

...if/when a discount became available I just rebooked...

You have actually done this? For example...last year, you needed to book within a certain time frame for the free dining plan. Someone could have actually booked outside that time frame and then simply rebooked? Do you cancel and then call back to rebook? Disney is ok with that?!

[UnderTheMistletoe]

If you're looking for great airfare, check Southwest for May now. Today, we booked air fare for $77 each way! Our take on it (we're not sure if I can get the time in May)- not much lost if we can't... we've just paid for another trip; and we'll know soon enough about the rooms.... we're still waiting for the AP rates to publish. I'll bet if you check your August dates, you'll find deeply discounted tickets now or in the next 4-6 weeks.

I noticed a deal at Sherman's Travel for $269 pp that included airfare of Spirit and 3 nights at the Grosvenor in DTD. I forget what the travel by date was...

[Allison]

You do not have to be staying at Disney to make ADR's. So, having a room booked is not related to your ability to go ahead and make your ADR's.

[abe_bb]

Originally Posted by lynninpa

You have actually done this? For example...last year, you needed to book within a certain time frame for the free dining plan. Someone could have actually booked outside that time frame and then simply rebooked? Do you cancel and then call back to rebook? Disney is ok with that?!

We did this last year. We made our reservations through Disney in February for a trip in September. Then, about mid-may, they announced the Dining Plan. We just called Disney back, gave them our ressie number, and said we want to get the free dining.

What they did was just add the "code" to our reservation, and it automatically reduced the amount.

But, they said it wouldn't do that if we didn't call.

So if you book now, and then there is a deal, you HAVE to call or they will not change it. But if you do call, there will be no problem.

EDIT:
We didn't change dates, but we did ask - that is not a problem as long as you are still 45 days out from your vacation. At that point, there are no penalties for cancelling, so you can cancell and rebook if necessary, but most likely they will just switch your dates, no charge or fees.

[dcgrumpy]

Originally Posted by lynninpa

You have actually done this? For example...last year, you needed to book within a certain time frame for the free dining plan. Someone could have actually booked outside that time frame and then simply rebooked? Do you cancel and then call back to rebook? Disney is ok with that?!

I do it all the time. I think every trip we've taken the last few years was booked at rack rate and then changed when a discount came out.

[39CINDERELLA]

I think you will find alot of people do this. If I am paying I am doing what I need to do.