Anyone Gone With Minimal Planning?

[tjlamphere]

I am a planner...I usually book our WDW vacation a good 6 months in advance...rarely onsite, usually a timeshare. Now here is my question: if we have a mild Winter next year, I may not need to get out of the frigid North for my WDW fix...but...if it is a harsh Winter, then I will want a 2 week getaway. Now, I won't be able to decide that until probably after Christmas. So has anyone has success with booking a timeshare less than 60 days out? Or even less than 30 days out??? I am thinking about not going to WDW next year, but by the time December rolls around, I will be regreting my decision and will want to book a place. I'd be looking at going between mid-February to mid-March...but am concerned that my lack of advance planning might result in not finding a place to stay. Easter next year is 3/31, so I would not go any later than 3/15, and probably earlier.

Please let me know if you have been able to book a timeshare a mere 30 - 45 days out, from where, and was it a major problem?

Thanks !!!! (From a very advance planner...)

 

[cheerky]

We don't own a timeshare but we usually stay in a condo/ timeshare resort offsite. We have booked last minute several times without a hassle. I've used bookit.com, lastminutetravel.com, condodirect and homeaway.com.... never had a bad experience nor did I have to pay big bucks!

Good luck!

 

[mikehn]

last minute bookings are a dime a dozen. I was even able to book a popular resort like wyndham bonnett creek 30 days out. Dont sweat it.

 

[tjlamphere]

Mike, that's great to know that you were able to book WBC less than 60 days out...if I may ask, who did you book through? I think we are going to play it by ear and see how our Winter is come 1/1/13 or thereabouts...at that point, or maybe sometime before 2/15/13, we will decide if we are headed South. Will be totally different for me, not doing all of the advance planning, and maybe different in a good way....spur of the moment is not all bad...and maybe I'll make out well from a price perspective.

 

[littleaussie]

I don't know about time shares but I've booked 2 Windsor Hills stays from around 20-40 days before I left. I always know the general time period I'd like to go but I don't book a place to stay until last minute. I get quotes from the WH rental site and have found excellent last minute discounts both times. They try to fill up their empty days and offer a discount.

I don't go during a busier time of year though and my experience with WH is that there were plenty of offers both times (both stays have been mid to late January).

The only downside is you usually have to pay the entire amount up front plus a damage deposit if they require one.

 

[DisLee]

Maybe just book something onsite this time around. It wouldn't hurt to change things up and you are still likely to find something available within your 60 day period.

 

[mikehn]

I got my WBC presidential suite off ebay. On any given day, you can search Ebay and get pages upon pages of properties that are renting 30-60 days out.

 

[lotus14]

If you want to book REALLY last minute, Vacation Central Florida offers WH condo deals. Sign up for the mailing list on their website. Seems like they are always offering SOMETHING 1-2 weeks out. I wish we could travel last minute. I would book that.

 

[disneysteve]

last minute bookings are a dime a dozen.

I agree. I don't think people realize how many THOUSANDS of rental units are available in the Disney area.

 

[spiceycat]

here is another source

http://www.lastminutevillas.net/

 

[iwannago!!]

Well... I'm a planner too, but things didnt' work out as I had initially hoped.

I was trying for a 2bdr timeshare over spring break... didn't happen. I ended up booking the DOLPHIN the other day for Easter Week & I booked a limo with a grocery stop on-line! Ordered tickets from undercover tourist.... DONE!

Friends asked us what we were looking forward to most about another trip to Disney...
NO CAR, NO DRIVING
NO schedule!
Letting the kids choose which park to go to, swim breaks in the afternoon, walking to Epcot & MGM!
Ahhh.... and NO wake up calls!

(but I've already updated my planning spreadsheet with our grocery list, park & show hours while we are there It isn't like I can really go without ANY plans - Geesh! )

You'll have a great time - Don't worry!