Advantage to booking early?

[Jet]

Is there any advantage to booking our rooms and/or buying tickets now for a trip for next summer? I'm wondering if prices typically go up in January so we'd lock in '05 rates.

Also, is it typically cheaper to do a package or to purchase tickets and hotel separately? We're planning to stay at the Grand Californian for three nights.

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

We went in August this summer and stayed at a good neighbor (Best Western PPI). In March I booked four nights. When we decided to extend our trip by one day, in June I booked one more night . By that time the rate had gone up $20 per night. So I got four nights at the lower price, and one night at the higher price.

Moral of the story? It doesn't hurt to book early as long as they have a liberal cancellation policy. The BWPPI allows you to cancel 72 hours before your stay.

 

[disneychrista]

By booking early your rate is generally cheaper. Rates both on site and off are based on occupancy. The lower the expected ocupane the lower the rate

For tikets you will be harged the 06 rates regardless of when you book Disneyland tikets are based pretty uh on alander years So 05 tikets are not good based the first week of January 06

 

[Edna E. Mode]

We stayed at the Boardwalk Villas at WDW Last February, and I had made the reservations the previous April. They quote you a rate at the time of the reservations but they do not guarantee it. We actually got a letter in the mail a few weeks before the trip saying that our rate went from $740 to $560. I was shocked, but it goes to show you that if you are staying at a Disney resort the price is what it is. It just depends on which "Disney" season you are traveling in, and their seasons are different than other travel destinations.
Take care,
Kelly

 

[disneychrista]

Disneyland doesn't have the same "pricing" that WDW has. For Disneyland is based on occupancy and season, not a set price per season.

So you at WDW you know in Early Dec it wil be value and you will pay value price. While at DL Early Dec may still be value season, the price you pay is in a range based on how many rooms are booked and how many they expect to book. So the earlier you book the cheaper the rate will be.

 

[zukeeper]

Also, is it typically cheaper to do a package or to purchase tickets and hotel separately? We're planning to stay at the Grand Californian for three nights.

If you book a package with AAA or DTC, you will get extra vouchers good for preferred seating at certain shows like Aladdin and Parade Viewing. If you stay on-site and book with AAA, you get unlimited fast-passes (at least in 2005 they are giving that). You can probably get cheaper by booking separately, but you'd be going through the internet and there might be a strict no cancellation policy. I always book air separately though, more flexibility with departure times and lower prices.