A couple of booking questions - best time? through Disney?

[ethanwa]

A couple of quick newbie questions for Disney World....

What is the best month to book? and what is the best time of that month to book? We were thinking mid-Jan 2012 for a 10 or 12 day trip (start and end on a weekday). Is that a good time for great weather and a good price with low traffic?

Also, should we book through Disney, or can we get significantly cheaper prices elsewhere? If we book elsewhere, is there anything that we miss because we didn't book directly through Disney?

E

 

[jiminy14]

January is a pretty good time to go if you plan your trip after Disney's Marathon weekend (Jan. 5-8, 2012). The marathon weekend is very crowded and many participants and their families stay the week afterwards.
Weather is inconsistent. I have been there in January when the temps have been in the 80s and 90s and I have been there when they barely get into the 50s. On the plus side, there is much less rain at that time of the year.
It is also less crowded but you will find that there are quite a few tour groups from the South American countries there in January and February. January is South America's summer season and many of the tour groups consist of teenagers who are visiting without their parents.
I can't really advise you as to the best time to book since I am a DVC member. If you have a specific resort in mind, I would say to book it as soon as possible. Some resorts are more popular than others and book up quickly. If you do book and find a better rate or a code comes out, you can always cancel your reservation and rebook it at the better rate.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I would book as soon as you can...since you're looking at going in roughly 6 months.

As far advantages of booking through Disney versus elsewhere...I always go through Disney. Seemed to me that booking just a room through Disney and tickets elsewhere...or just tickets with Disney and a room through another website (ie expedia)...it always worked out to be such a minimal savings, it wasn't worth the hassle.

Good luck! And enjoy your trip!!