bama_ed
It's kind of fun to do the impossible-Walt Disney
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2004
- Messages
- 13,737
There's the rumor on various DIS boards (Rumors, Resorts) that 2017 rack rates will be released this coming Tuesday. That means that the on-line booking tool will then be able to accurately price and reserve a visit in 2017.
Of course, for a room-only reservation, you are always able to make a reservation over the phone (subject to the 499 day rule) into the next year before new rates are available but it will book at the current year's rates (one night deposit) and then update to the new rates once they are released. Calling early does NOT lock in the prior year's rates.
The new rates release date are important for people who want to book a package for 2017 since they can't schedule a package on-line or over the phone until the room rates are released. As FYI on the Rumors board, the 2017 Dining Plan rates are supposedly ready already.
One note: reading on the other boards the 499 day rule MAY be to the last day of your reservation (we, including me, have often said that was 499 from the check-in day but that might be wrong - I can't say for certain).
The reason I bring up the 499 day rule is that Halloween in 2017 is on a Tuesday and when rates release on June 21, 499 days from then is November 2, 2017. In other words, when rates come out on June 21, you can book out to then supposedly. Or you can call on Monday and book till Wednesday November 1. The point is we are almost on top of the max window for Halloween 2017 at the same time.
As such, that means on June 21 (if rates are released) that you probably WON'T be able to book Christmas week 2017 yet since it will be beyond the 499 day rule. And in past years it has taken Disney's IT team a few days to allow the on-line calendar to load dates/rates/availability for the full 499 day window. They have shown up within a few days though - you can always call. Wonder if they will get their act together this year.
So for you UBER planners out there, on your mark - get set - ..........
Bama Ed
Of course, for a room-only reservation, you are always able to make a reservation over the phone (subject to the 499 day rule) into the next year before new rates are available but it will book at the current year's rates (one night deposit) and then update to the new rates once they are released. Calling early does NOT lock in the prior year's rates.
The new rates release date are important for people who want to book a package for 2017 since they can't schedule a package on-line or over the phone until the room rates are released. As FYI on the Rumors board, the 2017 Dining Plan rates are supposedly ready already.
One note: reading on the other boards the 499 day rule MAY be to the last day of your reservation (we, including me, have often said that was 499 from the check-in day but that might be wrong - I can't say for certain).
The reason I bring up the 499 day rule is that Halloween in 2017 is on a Tuesday and when rates release on June 21, 499 days from then is November 2, 2017. In other words, when rates come out on June 21, you can book out to then supposedly. Or you can call on Monday and book till Wednesday November 1. The point is we are almost on top of the max window for Halloween 2017 at the same time.
As such, that means on June 21 (if rates are released) that you probably WON'T be able to book Christmas week 2017 yet since it will be beyond the 499 day rule. And in past years it has taken Disney's IT team a few days to allow the on-line calendar to load dates/rates/availability for the full 499 day window. They have shown up within a few days though - you can always call. Wonder if they will get their act together this year.
So for you UBER planners out there, on your mark - get set - ..........
Bama Ed
