airfare for last 2 weeks of December, how far in advance to purchase?

[disneyberry]

well, i probably should've asked this question last year, but i didn't know back then that my family might want to go on a Xmas-time WDW trip.
we haven't nailed down the exact dates yet, but were thinking it'd be some time between 12/17 and 1/4. basically, the weeks right around the holidays.

for those of you who have gone to WDW this time of year, how far in advance did you purchase your airfare to get the best deal?

i read another thread a few weeks ago where someone was asking the same question about general December airfares, and people were recommending 3-4 months in advance.
but, does this still apply if you're going during holiday season?

the airfares are just sky high right now for the last 2 weeks of December!

oh, and we'd be flying out of BOS or PVD probably. (the rest of my family lives up in MA)

 

[DisneyHumbug]

We flew JetBlue out of JFK last year 12/23-12/29. We purchased our tickets the first day they went on sale (I believe it was in May). The fare was very very high (465?) but we eventually got lots of credit (which my DD used up already).
Have a great time!

 

[shoes99]

I purchased from Delta Song for our trip 12/27 to 1/1/04. I paid $215 RT non stop from Newark to Orlando. The same flights are now $475 RT. I think I did ok. I purchased them on line 4/14/03, the first week that Song tickets went on sale. This is the first time we are actually flying on a holiday and I am happy to get non-stop flights.

 

[zulaya]

Know what a good rate is for your airport(s) and jump on a good price as soon as you see it. For me, for our last December trip, I bought in March.

 

[zurgswife]

I started looking into prices last Christmas for our trip during the same time frame....the prices have been high $200 to over $300....out of philly I think a good price has been $180 and a really good price has been $150 or less....I've been checking for 5 months now and no relief yet in prices...

If you are famliar with the prices out of the airport you want to travel...I suggest you be prepared to purchase at the drop of a hat....we have decided to have an adventure and ride the train....

Couldn't be the price $1120 for 6 people and our minivan....

Maybe I'll get to fly next time..

 

[dvc guy]

WE fly ever year at this time. Down to MCO on the 17th should not be a problem, fares should still be OK kids are still in school. 1/4 is last day of the extended vacation break, and fares willl be sky high. My suggestion would be to be flexible and came back a few days early.

We are booked on Song JFK-FLL-MCO 12/23 -1/2 for 215 R/t. These tickets were bought 3 months ago.

At this time of year I have paid up to 250 R/T, always booking 11 months out. If you see anything at 250 or less I would jump on it fast.

 

[disneyberry]

thanks for the replies so far.
just to clarify, we wouldn't be going the whole entire 12/17 - 1/4, LOL (i wish), but just 1 week or so some time during those dates.
we haven't decided the dates yet.

 

[seashoreCM]

Many of those dates sell out the cheapest seats very quickly, some of them 11 months in advance. You will have to check each day one by one, or use Song's web site feature to automatically find cheaper flights (Song only) on neighboring days after you do one search.

It so happened that when booking began on Song's web site, a few more cheap seats appeared on most flights including popular holiday dates.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm