Air or DVC reservation first? A costly lesson.

[SpaceMountain77]

Several weeks ago, I tried to book a short stay, 4 or 5 nights, for the last week of August. I checked the member website several times a day for two weeks and SSR was the only available resort; a split stay would have required 3 resorts over 4 to 5 nights.

Now, being an advanced planner, not having a trip secured began to bother me. Since we could not book a preferred resort at WDW, we decided to book a reservation, through the Disney Collection, at the Disneyland Resort. At the time, we were thrilled to return to the Disneyland Resort as we have not been since 2011.

My booking was driven by the Disney Collection point chart, which was a mistake. During the weeks since our booking, I have diligently monitored flights from NY/NJ/PA to LAX/SNA and the lowest tickets, which have less than desirable arrivals and departures, start at $414. Flights to Orlando, on the other hand, are as low as $237. Needless to say, we did not want to spend an extra $500 for airfare and transportation (i.e., Disneyland Resort Express $50(SNA)/$60(LAX)).

This morning, we modified our reservation and booked a lake view pirate-themed room at Caribbean Beach because it was the only offering that would allow us to use the entire amount of vacation points. Although it is certainly not a good use of points, we are excited to have the opportunity to experience one of these themed rooms.

So, before you borrow in points for a last minute stay or convert vacation points to reservation points, be sure to check you preferred travel site for airfares.

 

[Anal Annie]

Several weeks ago, I tried to book a short stay, 4 or 5 nights, for the last week of August. I checked the member website several times a day for two weeks and SSR was the only available resort; a split stay would have required 3 resorts over 4 to 5 nights.

Now, being an advanced planner, not having a trip secured began to bother me. Since we could not book a preferred resort at WDW, we decided to book a reservation, through the Disney Collection, at the Disneyland Resort. At the time, we were thrilled to return to the Disneyland Resort as we have not been since 2011.

My booking was driven by the Disney Collection point chart, which was a mistake. During the weeks since our booking, I have diligently monitored flights from NY/NJ/PA to LAX/SNA and the lowest tickets, which have less than desirable arrivals and departures, start at $414. Flights to Orlando, on the other hand, are as low as $237. Needless to say, we did not want to spend an extra $500 for airfare and transportation (i.e., Disneyland Resort Express $50(SNA)/$60(LAX)).

This morning, we modified our reservation and booked a lake view pirate-themed room at Caribbean Beach because it was the only offering that would allow us to use the entire amount of vacation points. Although it is certainly not a good use of points, we are excited to have the opportunity to experience one of these themed rooms.

So, before you borrow in points for a last minute stay or convert vacation points to reservation points, be sure to check you preferred travel site for airfares.

First, I'm not sure what a "preferred resort" is exactly but as an SSR owner I get the feeling you are dogging my home resort?! Personally, I would rather stay at SSR than CB but hey. Whatever floats your boat.

Second, just wanted to say that airfare to CA is just plain high these days but you are also looking a little late in the game. I booked our airfare back in Feb. for Aug. for what I consider a more desirable departure time and we paid $224 pp one-way. Fares have risen steadily ever since. (I only booked one-way because after a few nights at DL we're going to Aulani and then Maui so I booked our return flights home as their own itinerary from Maui.) Our exact same one-way flight from DC to LAX has gone up $187 to $411 now. I also booked a one-way between LAX and HNL and that same flight has gone up by $158. Our return flights home have gone up by $235 and our little inter-island flight has gone up by $43. So all together, booking early saved us $623 pp.

Enjoy CB.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

First, I'm not sure what a "preferred resort" is exactly but as an SSR owner I get the feeling you are dogging my home resort?! Personally, I would rather stay at SSR than CB but hey. Whatever floats your boat.

Second, just wanted to say that airfare to CA is just plain high these days but you are also looking a little late in the game. I booked our airfare back in Feb. for Aug. for what I consider a more desirable departure time and we paid $224 pp one-way. Fares have risen steadily ever since. (I only booked one-way because after a few nights at DL we're going to Aulani and then Maui so I booked our return flights home as their own itinerary from Maui.) Our exact same one-way flight from DC to LAX has gone up $187 to $411 now. I also booked a one-way between LAX and HNL and that same flight has gone up by $158. Our return flights home have gone up by $235 and our little inter-island flight has gone up by $43. So all together, booking early saved us $623 pp.

Enjoy CB.

We were hoping for a savannah view room at Jambo House or Kidani Village because we wanted to spend a good portion of our vacation enjoying the activities at AKL and taking in the savannah from our balcony. By preferred resort, I was referring to where we prefer to stay.

Regarding the fares, I do realize it is late and, on occasion, I have been able to get a deal with Southwest.

My intent with this post was to follow-up on a previous post about what comes first, airfare or DVC reservation. As I tried to convey, sometimes, it helps to check airfare first.

 

[quirty30]

We were hoping for a savannah view room at Jambo House or Kidani Village because we wanted to spend a good portion of our vacation enjoying the activities at AKL and taking in the savannah from our balcony. By preferred resort, I was referring to where we prefer to stay.

Regarding the fares, I do realize it is late and, on occasion, I have been able to get a deal with Southwest.

My intent with this post was to follow-up on a previous post about what comes first, airfare or DVC reservation. As I tried to convey, sometimes, it helps to check airfare first.

For a last minute stay, I agree that booking airfare first is a good idea. But for stays booked at 11 months out, it's not usually even possible.

 

[k3chantal]

Several weeks ago, I tried to book a short stay, 4 or 5 nights, for the last week of August. I checked the member website several times a day for two weeks and SSR was the only available resort; a split stay would have required 3 resorts over 4 to 5 nights.

Now, being an advanced planner, not having a trip secured began to bother me. Since we could not book a preferred resort at WDW, we decided to book a reservation, through the Disney Collection, at the Disneyland Resort. At the time, we were thrilled to return to the Disneyland Resort as we have not been since 2011.

My booking was driven by the Disney Collection point chart, which was a mistake. During the weeks since our booking, I have diligently monitored flights from NY/NJ/PA to LAX/SNA and the lowest tickets, which have less than desirable arrivals and departures, start at $414. Flights to Orlando, on the other hand, are as low as $237. Needless to say, we did not want to spend an extra $500 for airfare and transportation (i.e., Disneyland Resort Express $50(SNA)/$60(LAX)).

This morning, we modified our reservation and booked a lake view pirate-themed room at Caribbean Beach because it was the only offering that would allow us to use the entire amount of vacation points. Although it is certainly not a good use of points, we are excited to have the opportunity to experience one of these themed rooms.

So, before you borrow in points for a last minute stay or convert vacation points to reservation points, be sure to check you preferred travel site for airfares.

This is an interesting predicament and kinda like the chicken and the egg dilemma of which came first. So far, we have always put the booking of the resorts first. We live in California so there is not much we can do about the airline prices if we want to vacation out of state or come back........ But for our first Disney cruise we chose to depart from the Port of LA which we drove to so that saved us tons not having to fly.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

On my late bookings I tend to book air first. But I am willing to stay off sight if DvC does not come through

 

[Garthilk]

I'm in this boat not sure what to do. Wanting to book a 2br in March, but don't have home resort priority anywhere in Florida. Airfare first, or reservation?

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I'm in this boat not sure what to do. Wanting to book a 2br in March, but don't have home resort priority anywhere in Florida. Airfare first, or reservation?

Based on my recent experience, I would suggest booking your airfare first and then anticipating a AKV, OKW, or SSR reservation.

 

[spruce]

It depends, usually we book 11 months then watch for the airfare deals as we get closer and book air when we think they are at the bottom. For short notice bookings we find low airfare time frames check dvc availability, buy the air and book dvc within minutes of each other holding the two reservations on different computer tabs. For example, we got rt air, direct for $138 each out of Harrisburg Pa during the end of august, flying out on Monday and returning Friday. Only four nights but that was the best fare window. Today the fare is $217 each. When we were down the end of may we paid $232 each. We bought too high though for that 11 month reservation because I saw it cheaper after booking the flights. Frontier won't credit you for a lower fare flight like swa does but for us to fly swa direct, we are driving to Baltimore instead of 20 minutes.

 

[Dacky619]

I'm in this boat not sure what to do. Wanting to book a 2br in March, but don't have home resort priority anywhere in Florida. Airfare first, or reservation?

If you are able to book at 7 months I think you'll have some choices in March (although 2 BR might be tougher). If it were me I'd book the room first and then the airfare. The OP had it much tougher trying to book August at 3 or 4 months out.

I think if I was booking for travel within 3 months I would be looking at both the resort and air fare simultaneously. Most of us that are DVC are booking waaay ahead of that though. Most know that booking a trip on short notice means you will be staying at SSR.

 

[nolanboys]

Based on my recent experience, I would suggest booking your airfare first and then anticipating a AKV, OKW, or SSR reservation.

This is what we plan on doing for March. We own at SSR but want to stay at OKW this time. Last time we went over spring break we had ur reservations but then had to tweak it for cheaper airfare. Hopefully we will be lucky again this time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Since we could not book a preferred resort at WDW, we decided to book a reservation, through the Disney Collection, at the Disneyland Resort. ...This morning, we modified our reservation and booked a lake view pirate-themed room at Caribbean Beach because it was the only offering that would allow us to use the entire amount of vacation points. ....

So you paid $95 twice for the reservation? Once for DLH and once for CBR.

 

[spiceycat]

boy - do alot of last minute trips - but did one and needed to fly - sw was having a sale and the sale make it cheaper to fly than drive (miss those days) - so did both - while was making the airline reservation very slow - was on the phone with member services getting a studio.

it worked.

if could not get a studio - would have stopped making the airline reservation.

this was when you had to call MS to even get a reservation.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

So you paid $95 twice for the reservation? Once for DLH and once for CBR.

No, fortunately, there was only a booking fee for CBR.

 

[Greysword]

In my view the real moral of this story is have the correct expectations before you book a trip; rather than, which to book first.

I think going into the transaction with the expectation that airfare from the Northeast/Midwest to Florida would be the same as fares to California was the main issue.

$414 is a good fare from the West Coast to Florida. It is close to average, if not a little less. WN (Southwest) from Portland to Orlando/Tampa usually runs in the $400-$500 out of the gate (about $160 each way). The least expensive is usually United (about $330s) and Delta (about $360s) if we catch it at the six month mark.

In this case, I would suggest simply researching airfare would be a reasonable first step, so a baseline can be set as to what is available. This would have taken very little time via an online travel agency (Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, etc), and this quick look would have set off the red flags immediately.

In addition, DISers should drop by the Transportation board, as we talk about airfares all the time.

Sorry the trip to CA didn't work out, but I know you'll have a good time at WDW.

In summary, due diligence is the moral of the story. Before booking anything, research the average price of transportation, room (DVC point costs, etc), food, and entertainment. A few minutes on each of these will provide a good ballpark figure for understanding the costs of the trip. Then once you have this foundation, then look into booking.

So you paid $95 twice for the reservation? Once for DLH and once for CBR.

One of the great perks for us West Coast DVC members; Disneyland Resort hotels do not incur the $95 booking fee!

 

[rutgers1]

Generally speaking, I book my home resort at the 11 month window and then start the airfare search. I will not go to Florida (from NJ) if the airfare is more than $250 round trip unless there is something special going on (Disney Half Marathon).

For our summer trip, I let airfare dictate the departure and arrival days. I was willing to go anywhere from 10 to 14 days, so I had some wiggle room. In the end, our round trip airfare was $160!

I know that some people have set vacation times and, therefore, don't have wiggle room. That is the case with us to some degree since we are teachers, but we would rather travel somewhere else than pay $500 round trip for airfare. If I ever couldn't find airfare less than $250, I'd just rent out my points and plan a trip somewhere else that year.

 

[Alexander]

Late bookings, I grab airfare first because I know I will find some where to stay. Otherwise, I get my resort squared away and play the airfare waiting game..do I book now or hope for a price drop...just booked air today for August, but booked OKW back in April.