2023 Room Reservations Are Now Available

[FeistyDisneyMom]

It looks like 2023 is still not available online. Just got confirmation of the dates for an event we want to go to in July. I'm guessing I should go ahead and call to reserve, but I need to do a lot of planning/budget work to figure out exactly how long we can stay, and if I wanted to bundle tickets with it or hold off on getting tickets until later. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[bama_ed]

It looks like 2023 is still not available online. Just got confirmation of the dates for an event we want to go to in July. I'm guessing I should go ahead and call to reserve, but I need to do a lot of planning/budget work to figure out exactly how long we can stay, and if I wanted to bundle tickets with it or hold off on getting tickets until later. Anyone have any suggestions?

As far as I'm aware, @FeistyDisneyMom, 2023 is INDEED not available yet online.

In the pre-pandemic days, the usual roll-out was that Disney would always allow reservations BY PHONE out to 500 days but the online booking tool was typically updated in the June/July timeframe to book for the following year online. So you could book early by phone or wait till mid-summer before to book online. Packages typically were tied to the online dates but folks could easily book room only earlier and then convert them to packages later by adding tickets.

That's what I think (I'm not a WDW employee) but book a room-only by phone and later (if you want to) convert it to a package by adding tix. At least that will lock in your desired resort on property.

Disney has had an issue of late of dropping dates off an existing reservation (they make it hard to do so) but they are happy to add on or to book a second identical reservation.

I'm sitting on 17 nights in November 2022 spread over 2 room-only reservations with six tickets of three park days for all adults which were purchased separately. Lordy I hope all my folks show up in the fall and we pull this off. They're there for a week. Me and their mom have a week prior to ourselves and a few days after they leave. Disney is not INFINITELY flexible because they don't want to be stranded at the last minute with cancelled room nights that can't be sold and tix days that can't be sold/reserved by other guests.

But this is the corner they've painted themselves into and we can only play by the rules. Or not show up.

So take what you can get by phone now and work the system to add tix and convert to a package in the future if that's what you want to do.

Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...-entry-continues-genie-only-available-day-of/

I guess this article refers to the on-line booking tool becoming available on 6/8 to book 2023. DIS Campers (and alert hotel guests) knew that you could book 2023 for several months now by phone already. At least that locked in your campsite/room and then you can upgrade/add tix or other stuff to make it a package if you wish.

Bama Ed

 

[StormyCA]

I believe that WDW is back to the rolling 500 day-from-arrival method so as of today (2/22/22) you can book arrivals as far out in 2023 as July 7. I do expect them to enable the on-line booking tool for 2023 in the not-too-distant future. Ed

Just tried to book a 'site only' for arrival 10/11/2023 and was told I'd have to call back on 6/8 as that's 500 days from departure date. So looks like whatever glitch was in the system back in Feb was either fixed or they've told the CMs to adhere strictly to policy. Interesting as I'd called 2 days ago 'just in case' and was told by the CM to call back today (5/29).

6/8 is package release day and we book a package anyway, so I guess I just have to be patient (and nervous) for a few more days. Or try the old 'call again and speak to someone different' method.

 

[bama_ed]

Whatever. I care less and less these days.

The Fort is still missing so much it once had.

1. Chip & Dale
2. Beaches on both sides of the dock
3. Foliage behind Pioneer Hall
4. The small boat to the CR and WL
5. A buffet at Trails End
6. The exercise trail to WL

And we are paying more and getting less.

Just going to get through the trip later this year.

Ed

PS - thanks for the update, Stormy.

 

[StormyCA]

Whatever. I care less and less these days.

The Fort is still missing so much it once had.

1. Chip & Dale
2. Beaches on both sides of the dock
3. Foliage behind Pioneer Hall
4. The small boat to the CR and WL
5. A buffet at Trails End
6. The exercise trail to WL

And we are paying more and getting less.

Just going to get through the trip later this year.

Ed

PS - thanks for the update, Stormy.

It's really sad when something we've loved starts to lose its shine, isn't it? Especially when it's so avoidable if things are kept in good shape and experiences aren't sacrificed for the almighty dollar. You're blessed to have so many wonderful trips and memories under your belt, Ed.

We're still relative 'newbies', next year will be (only) our 4th trip, so FtW is still 'bright and shiny' for us. Plus towing 3000 miles (one way) tends to make any destination 'your happy place'.

I'm sort of in the same space as you when it comes to DLR. As a So Cal native and frequent visitor after I moved to No Cal I have over 200 visits under my belt. But the last few have been, well, less than stellar due to the crowds, poor maintenance, and the 'rushed' feeling from CMs. I haven't been back since before the pandemic shut down. Not sure when I'll go back.

 

[StormyCA]

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah! We’re going to Disney World (and the Fort).

Got my package for Oct 2023 booked at 3am PDT this morning. Online booking didn’t work so I had to call. CM said ‘Yes’m, the campsites are different’ so I guess for some reason online wasn’t working for them. So heads up if anyone runs into the same situation.

We got just what we wanted, days, type, and park passes are done. Best of luck to all making their ressies. See ya at the Fort!

 

[bama_ed]

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah! We’re going to Disney World (and the Fort).

Got my package for Oct 2023 booked at 3am PDT this morning.

Does your timeline extend far enough for your visit to include Halloween, @StormyCA? 500 days from now would put you arriving around 10/21/23.

ED

 

[StormyCA]

Does your timeline extend far enough for your visit to include Halloween, @StormyCA? 500 days from now would put you arriving around 10/21/23.

ED

No, we head home on 10/22/23. nDH isn’t up to dealing with the crowded conditions. He enjoys it in his way, but holiday crowds would be too much. I know we’ll get some of it, but hopefully the real madhouse will start after we leave.

We normally go in Spring. We’re going in Oct so he can spend a week hang gliding beforehand in Georgia.

 

[bama_ed]

Oh, that's right - we're back to using the departure day thing.

We’re going in Oct so he can spend a week hang gliding beforehand in Georgia.

 

[garneska]

We normally go in Spring. We’re going in Oct so he can spend a week hang gliding beforehand in Georgia.

where in Georgia? North GA mountains?

 

[bama_ed]

And they're still using 500 days from arrival on the on-line booking tool..

500 days from June 8, 2022 is October 21, 2023 and I can get a price quote for arrival at WDW then ....



But not of course for arrivals a day later (October 22, 2023).




The examples above are for PO-Riverside but similarly the Fort Wilderness Campsites show Tent sites available for arrival on the 21st but nothing (yet) for arrival on the 22nd.

Bama Ed

 

[StormyCA]

where in Georgia? North GA mountains?

Lookout Mountain. I'm not sure if the flying site is in GA or TN. Looks like there's plenty to do there for me, too.

 

[StormyCA]

And they're still using 500 days from arrival on the on-line booking tool..

500 days from June 8, 2022 is October 21, 2023 and I can get a price quote for arrival at WDW then ....

View attachment 675020

But not of course for arrivals a day later (October 22, 2023).

View attachment 675021


The examples above are for PO-Riverside but similarly the Fort Wilderness Campsites show Tent sites available for arrival on the 21st but nothing (yet) for arrival on the 22nd.

Bama Ed

We booked a package and the 2023 packages 'dropped' on 6/8 at 7am EDT. That's why I was up at 4 am lol!

 

[Disneyloverliz]

I cannot wait to book Christmas 2023! August 10 is my book date!

 

[galnar]

Heads up, some types are booking up at 500 days. I was unable to book a Premium Meadow for the week after Veterans Day 2023 and it just unlocked this morning!

 

[bama_ed]

Heads up, some types are booking up at 500 days. I was unable to book a Premium Meadow for the week after Veterans Day 2023 and it just unlocked this morning!

Vet's Day (Nov 10th) is on a Friday in 2023, I see, and is part of "Jersey Week".

But after Friday, there are PM campsites available Nov 11-16, 2023 (Saturday arrive to Thursday leave). And all level EXCEPT PM are available from the 11th to the 19th (which is the Sunday starting Thanksgiving week).

So I think maybe you are bumping into the Thanksgiving week arrivers coming in on the weekend before the holiday. I know that holiday week is popular with some groups who sign contracts for a bulk number of sites that are taken "out" of publicly available campsite inventory before the 500 day rule goes into effect. Which is why the 19th may be unavailable NOW before getting to the 500 day limit (which as of today extends out to arrivers showing up 11/14/23).

That's just my working theory, anyway. So maybe book a regular Premium for all week or take the PM dates you can get and try for cancellations as they occur for the missing dates. Holidays like Halloween time, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/New Years time book up with groups and public high demand. Sadly, it is what it is.

Bama Ed

 

[galnar]

I think you are right. Can't decide if I should just keep what I have and get happy about it or put a bunch more work into getting the PM I really wanted

 

[Disneyloverliz]

I’ve decided to use a travel agent to help snag a site for dec 3-29, 2023. Is there a chance even she may not be able to get it? I’ve been counting on the fact that travel agents have better luck. My 500 days out is like august 10….right around the corner!

 

[bama_ed]

I’ve decided to use a travel agent to help snag a site for dec 3-29, 2023. Is there a chance even she may not be able to get it? I’ve been counting on the fact that travel agents have better luck. My 500 days out is like august 10….right around the corner!

When it comes to individual campsite reservations, there is no difference between a vigilant travel agent and a vigilant camping guest. The method used to secure a reservation is basically the same for either one.

The TA may have better "luck" because as a matter of survival/necessity, they try harder to secure the early reservation when the booking window opens AND, if they don't get one at opening, usually try OVER and OVER to get one if a cancellation/opening becomes available.

It's not a matter of "luck". It's a matter of persistence. I got a Halloween reservation a few years back because I was online booking at the minute the reservations for that arrival day (in late October) opened up. TA's have no "magic", no "back door access" for individual sites. Most just work hard, wake up early, and do the best they can for their clients. Groups for TA's are a separate, contract issue but for the onesie-twosie campsites, it's ever "man" for themselves.

In my opinion (of course) . Becuz WTH do I know, right?

Bama Ed

PS-Of course, I have no idea. None whatsoever.