Best time to book for August 2026 from PC

[stal]

Can anyone remember when the deep discounts were released for August 2026 next year?

When do you think is the best time to book for the best price please?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

The absolute best time, barring some major industry/economic catastrophe, is when the sailings are released or as soon as possible thereafter.

 

[Girl of the South]

Or close to the sail date if the ship hasn't filled up . . . .

 

[sponica]

Just speaking from what I saw, the GT rates on the Treasure in the fall of this year were about as good as (or a little higher than) what I paid just after opening day wth a placeholder.

 

[Mommb]

If you are willing to pay the current price, the best strategy for a Disney Cruise is to book as soon as you have decided to take the cruise. As long as you are not booked in Concierge, you can cancel for a full refund up until the final payment date if you decide to book a restricted discounted fare or take a different cruise.

Once you've booked, you can watch to see if discounts are announced.

Some discounts (such as the one for Disney+ subscribers a few years ago) can be applied to existing bookings. If these discounts become available, you can take advantage of them and keep your room assignment and any onboard activities and excursions for which you have registered.
Other discounts are valid only for new bookings and require a non-refundable payment in full at time of booking. These restricted fares also do not allow you to choose a room -- you must take whichever room DCL chooses to assign you within the category you book (Inside/Oceanview/Veranda) and you may not get a room assignment until shortly before sailing.

If you're not willing to pay the current price, your best bet is to keep watching for discount offers and see if they result in a price low enough for your liking. Restricted fares are most likely to be announced after the paid in full date (and after most passengers have already booked onboard activities) but do sometimes come out earlier.

 

[SL6827]

Are a lot of these discounted rates close to the pricing of opening day or a bit higher?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Are a lot of these discounted rates close to the pricing of opening day or a bit higher?

they will generally be a bit to quite a bit higher than opening day, just depends on how deep DCL decides to cut

 

[SL6827]

they will generally be a bit to quite a bit higher than opening day, just depends on how deep DCL decides to cut

Oh, ok.

 

[SL6827]

I noticed that the March 9th, 2026 sailing on the Wish is on sale for $4,036 for a restricted fare verandah for two. Even though a regular fare verandah is $5308 for two, DCBlog has the opening price as $5320. Am I off or is this just a one off being $12 cheaper than opening day?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I noticed that the March 9th, 2026 sailing on the Wish is on sale for $4,036 for a restricted fare verandah for two. Even though a regular fare verandah is $5308 for two, DCBlog has the opening price as $5320. Am I off or is this just a one off being $12 cheaper than opening day?

may have been a change in port fees?

 

[SL6827]

may have been a change in port fees?

May have. Didn’t think of such.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Something to consider for anyone intentionally booking last minute to save $, chances are main dining will be full and you'd be stuck with late dining. Sure you can be waitlisted but I wouldn't count on it. If that's really important to you, book early. Even better, book early with an OBB.

 

[BrokeMack]

I would add that if you are FL resident or military then those discounts are almost without exception the best deals (but no guarantee they'll discount the sailing you want). If they are offered it will usually be after the PIF date so you'll have the usual last-minute risks as far as availablility.

 

[SL6827]

I would add that if you are FL resident or military then those discounts are almost without exception the best deals (but no guarantee they'll discount the sailing you want). If they are offered it will usually be after the PIF date so you'll have the usual last-minute risks as far as availablility.

I'm not planning on utilizing one, but with a cruise planned for next year in hurricane season, I'm just studying on them. Finding such very interesting as it seems Disney has more inventory on thier hands than they want.

 

[BrokeMack]

I'm not planning on utilizing one, but with a cruise planned for next year in hurricane season, I'm just studying on them. Finding such very interesting as it seems Disney has more inventory on thier hands than they want.

International travel to the US is depressed now, too. Which isn't helping as DCL inventory continues to increase.

 

[SL6827]

International travel to the US is depressed now, too. Which isn't helping as DCL inventory continues to increase.

Yes, that is part of it too.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

I would add that if you are FL resident or military then those discounts are almost without exception the best deals (but no guarantee they'll discount the sailing you want). If they are offered it will usually be after the PIF date so you'll have the usual last-minute risks as far as availablility.

It’s crazy now with the Dream and FL resident rates. They already have some for March and April available. Even during spring break time.
Treasure has some in January as well