Anyone else planning this far ahead? Fall 2005 trip!

[kathy68]

Hi everyone, I'm new here -- so glad I found these boards, I've learned so much already in the past few days just reading the posts!

Maybe I'm just obsessive, but I'm already starting to plan our trip, and we're not planning on going for about 18 months! I'm really just trying to get an idea of how much it will cost so we can start saving the money. This will be our first Disney trip with the kids (they are 5 and 2 now, will be about 7 and 4 when we go) and we're planning to stay onsite for the first time. So I'm a little excited!

Does anyone else start planning this far in advance? When should I book our hotel reservations -- I'm thinking 6 months to a year ahead, to be sure we get what we want. But I'm worried that if I book too early, a better deal will come along later. Any advice?

Kathy H

 

[shatzjsl]

Welcome to DIS!

My husband can't go with us on our first trip in June so we are already talking about going back in Fall 2005 so he can go. So you aren't alone!

Have fun planning!!

 

[bjsmico]

We've booked FW for late May-early June of 2005

 

[Mom2Em]

We've already booked Poly for Nov/Dec 2005...

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I think we'll be planning our next trip for Fall of '05. I just don't think we can swing another trip until then:-(. I'm a huge planner, so I never think it's too early. I honestly don't know how early you can reserve rooms. I thought I read, however, that if you book a "room only" reservation, there is no penalty for cancelling (until 5 days before???), so if a better offer came along, you could always make new ressies and cancel the old ones. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...we've never done "room only" before.

Have fun planning and daydreaming. These boards get me so obsessed that I can't wait to return to WDW!

 

[DwarfMaster]

Hi ~ I'm kinda new too! I've been reading for a while, I'm just new at the posting.

We just got back from our 1st family trip last month, and I have to say I think I'm ADDICTED! All I can think about is Disney! DH wants to head back to Vegas over the holidays, so we won't be able to get to Florida again until next fall. Forget Vegas ~ I can't stop thinking that we're going back to see Mickey! I'm already working on the details.

 

[dizagain]

I'm right there with you! I love thinking and dreaming. I'm planning to stay on-site for the first time (went last May for first family trip). I think 6 months is a good time to book - you CAN always cancel and change if a better price comes along. I know when I book six months out that my price at a moderate will be higher than I'll end up paying. We're doing the Grand Canyon this summer, and it's fun to plan, but I keep coming back to the DIS!!

 

[missypie]

I'm planning for early June 2005 also. We just returned from Spring Break, but as soon as I get all the income tax stuff to the accountant, I'm going to foce my DH to look at on line pictures of the resorts and make a decisions so I can make our reservations.

 

[Lizzydoll73]

We are planning our trip for May 2006. It will be our children's first trip. Our daughter will be 5 1/2 and our son will almost be 3. We already have reservations at POFQ. We send some money every month so we can have it paid off before we go. If a better deal comes along we will just have them modify our reservation. It's never to early to plan for Disney, that's half the fun.

 

[allforpooh]

I am planning about 2 years ahead, we currently have the following trips in the pipeline..

Williamsburg VA - 06/04
Disney Cruise - 10/04 - without DD18
Lg Family trip WDW - 3/05
WDW - 9/05
WDW - 12/05 or 1/06 - not sure when Christmas break is for DD18 college.

We usually by AP's every other year. I need to plan ahead to see how many times and when we are going to determine if a AP is worth it.

This year is our off year, so we will not buy an AP until 03/05- then I get to try and fit the schedules of 4 people into my planning- 2 working adults, a college student and a middle school student. I started planning ahead more once my DD18 went to college, and my DH said no more trips to Florida in the summer.

At first I thought I would hate all of this planning - but I have decided it is almost half of the fun....

We usually book some things a year out, but I am very careful about non refundable things..we normally do not book those more than 6mos. Hotels, and rental cars etc normally have 100% refunds for any changes more than 30 days. We saved alot of money booking the cruise a year out... Plane tickets are more of a problem, the best rates are usually non refundable.

Good Luck and have fun planning.

Denise

 

[Harambe]

I've got a trip pretty much figured out for October 2005. We are squeezing an extra trip in this September but that is short - and the October trip will be longer. Can't wait for both!

 

[kathy68]

Thanks everyone for all the replies and info! I'm glad I'm not the only one planning this early!

That's good that you can change the hotel reservations if something better comes along -- I'm thinking we'll stay at FW cabins and I don't know how many there are, so I want to book quite a while in advance.

I'm so excited -- don't know how I'll wait 18 months for this -- but I know the time will go fast anyway and I LOVE planning things like this. So I will be Disney obsessed for at least the next 18 months (and I'm sure I'll start planning the next trip as soon as we get back)!

Kathy H

 

[aladdinsgirl]

You can always book a room however many months out and if/when codes are released, you can have the code applied to your existing reservation. If this doesn't work out, you can always book the new room with the code and then cancel the old reservation.

Good luck and have fun planning--I think the planning is almost as fun as taking the vacation. Almost.

Krista

 

[mickeysaver]

I am planning my 2006 WDW vacation. I was planning on going on February or March, but Expedition Everest seems to be taking a bit long to build than projected, so we might not go until October of 2006.

Nope, I am not an obsessive planner. lol Maggie

 

[jcemom]

Me too! After our first family trip last month, I, like many here, am now addicted to Disney, lol! I am planning a trip for June of 2005 and another for October of 2005. I also have the workings of a June 2006 trip going in the back of my mind! I think I started planning before we even got home, heck, that's half the fun (almost)!

Welcome to the DIS and if you're being obsessive, at least you aren't the only one!

 

[HappyGramma]

Dec 2006 here. Working on plans for my trip in Dec 2004 right now but also starting plans for Dec 2006. I will be taking my oldest DGD with me this trip and then her sister in Dec 2006. I am also making tentaive plans for a trip in Feb 2005, adults only.
Planning the trip is half the magic and fun.

 

[donac]

As you can see by my signature it won't be until 2006. We have been there the last two summers and my husband says that he wants to wait a while before he goes again (Can you say girl's trip). We also have out oldest in college and that is where most of our money is going these days.

I wanted to go to DL in 2005 to celebrate the 50th anniv which is also our 50th birthdays but I don't see how we can fit them in. My younger son is going to the Jamboree and my husband and a friend are hoping to go as leaders (they will be choosing soon so we could use some pixie dust that they get picked. Thanks)

I am excited about 2006 to see all the new rides.

Dona

 

[mkpat]

Our family is going the first week in November 2005. 9 of us. Hopefully the crowds won't be too bad that time of year. The last two times we went were in the middle of summer (July 2002 and August 2003) and it was warm, but the crowds weren't that bad. Off the subject, but how do you get one of those countdown icons?

 

[disneydreamerinny]

Me Me Me Me Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been planning it for a few months now, but I am going in November of 2005.
I havent made any ressies yet, but I have been saving like crazy.

I cant wait!!!!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by mkpat
Off the subject, but how do you get one of those countdown icons?

Over on the technical support board, there is a thread (towards the top of the page) "get your countdowns here..."

Here's the link: Countdowns thread