2017 Booking Strategy and Dining Question

[perchy]

The bug is back. Toying with the last week of February 2017, which stretches into the first week of March. Avoids President's Day and hopefully the princess run if they have it.

We've done early February before but we hit a cold front, and frankly it was too cold, so I'm hoping late-late February is better. But I haven't ruled out late September or early October 2016 either. Until a crowd calendar advises otherwise, February is my first choice.

Now...when should I book? Do I pick a hotel and reserve something now (by calling) and just re-book if/when a better deal comes along? The dining discount available now for the same time 2016 would be perfect for our family (four of us with kids 4 and 9 by the time of travel) if it's offered again next year. But I doubt I'd want to wait to until September 2016 to book.

How do you all do it? Yourself online or by phone? Use an agent? Hope for a PIN code?

Oh, and IF we did a dining discount and stayed at a "value" resort like Art of Animation, do they let you upgrade your dining plan? I hate AOA is considered "Value" and that it forces you into the QS dining option. It's bad enough my kids will eat chicken nuggets once a day. Spare me watching them eat that twice per day.

 

[dansdad]

The bug is back. Toying with the last week of February 2017, which stretches into the first week of March. Avoids President's Day and hopefully the princess run if they have it.

We've done early February before but we hit a cold front, and frankly it was too cold, so I'm hoping late-late February is better. But I haven't ruled out late September or early October 2016 either. Until a crowd calendar advises otherwise, February is my first choice.

Now...when should I book? Do I pick a hotel and reserve something now (by calling) and just re-book if/when a better deal comes along? The dining discount available now for the same time 2016 would be perfect for our family (four of us with kids 4 and 9 by the time of travel) if it's offered again next year. But I doubt I'd want to wait to until September 2016 to book.

What we have done the past 6-7 trips is plan, save for, and then book the trip we want. So we go when we want to go and stay at the resort we want. Then if a discount comes out and we can get the resort, room and dates we want we will book with the discount. Then take the $$ saved and either splurge on a fireworks cruise, a signature dinner or put the $$ away towards next years trip. By doing it this way we completely eliminate the hand wringing we used to do while waiting for a discount to come out.

How do you all do it? Yourself online or by phone? Use an agent? Hope for a PIN code?

I prefer to price everything out on the website then call to book. It's so cool to have the CM that's booking your vacation be as excited as you are.

Oh, and IF we did a dining discount and stayed at a "value" resort like Art of Animation, do they let you upgrade your dining plan? I hate AOA is considered "Value" and that it forces you into the QS dining option. It's bad enough my kids will eat chicken nuggets once a day. Spare me watching them eat that twice per day.

Yes, if you book a value you can upgrade to the regular dining plan from the QS option.

 

[perchy]

What we have done the past 6-7 trips is plan, save for, and then book the trip we want. So we go when we want to go and stay at the resort we want. Then if a discount comes out and we can get the resort, room and dates we want we will book with the discount. Then take the $$ saved and either splurge on a fireworks cruise, a signature dinner or put the $$ away towards next years trip. By doing it this way we completely eliminate the hand wringing we used to do while waiting for a discount to come out.

Yes, if you book a value you can upgrade to the regular dining plan from the QS option.

How did you book? Is it typical to be able to book and cancel without a penalty? I guess any penalty would be my only concern about booking "the trip" too soon. But what you are suggesting makes absolutely sense!

 

[dansdad]

How did you book? Is it typical to be able to book and cancel without a penalty? I guess any penalty would be my only concern about booking "the trip" too soon. But what you are suggesting makes absolutely sense!

I do all my research and pricing things out via the website. Then I call and book. I like doing it that way because the CM booking our trip is as excited as us! Gets us even more pumped.

You can cancel a package without penalty any time up to 45 days prior. Under 45 days until like 2 or 3 days before you lose your $200 deposit. And I think under 2 days you lose everything.