Booking a Disney trip for dummies

[sharbear]

so I’m thinking of booking a trip for next year. I would like to stay at Pop and couldn’t find any availablility for times early 2019 so I was thinking early next November.

A couple of questions, I haven’t been in a really long time.

If I book a trip, I have to put a deposit down, can I then make payments when I have extra money? Should I book just a room and then wait to see if a discount code comes, can I switch to another resort?

If I book a room and add tickets, can I add the dining plan on later? Can I book a room, pay that off, book tickets, pay that off and then add the dining plan if I want?

Lastly, is this a bad plan? Any other ideas on how to book a trip?

Also are the resorts and WDW decorated for Christmas in early November? Or should I wait and try for early December?

TIA

 

[Lisa_M]

Yes you can pay $200 deposit and then pay down. Book everything you want up front so if price goes up you are locked in. Final payment due 30 days before check in date. November is decorated for Christmas

 

[kaytieeldr]

Should I book just a room and then wait to see if a discount code comes, can I switch to another resort?

Only if you are going no matter what. Booking a room or trip removes a room from availability. Discounts are offered to increase occupancy. When the goal occupancy is achieved (68-72% in the real world, probably higher at Disney) there is no need to offer any discount.

If I book a room and add tickets, can I add the dining plan on later? Can I book a room, pay that off, book tickets, pay that off and then add the dining plan if I want?

While you can make payments on a room-only reservation, it's not typical. You can purchase tickets separately, but unless you convert your room reservation to a package, you need to pay for them in one lump sum.

A dining plan can be added to a room-only reservation, changing it immediately to a ticketless package with the restrictions of a package.

Truly, it sounds like you would do best with a Travel Agent or Disney Specialist. You also might want to consider waiting until you don't have to make payments on individual components of the trip.

 

[sharbear]

Thanks for the answers.

I don’t HAVE to make payments but thought that if I was planning a trip a year out, why not?

I don’t know if I want to give up control of planning a trip to a Disney specialist. Would a travel agency save me money over checking things on my own? I’m not sure what a travel agent could bring

 

[tzolkin]

Just so you know, just because you already have a room booked does not mean you will be able to apply a discount if one comes out. There will have to be something available with the discount to modify your reservation.

So, if you’re going at a certain time regardless of price, go ahead and book. But if you’re going to pick dates based on when you can get a deal, I would just wait until a discount comes out and book then.

 

[LovesTimone]

Here's my thoughts since you haven't been in a really long time...
Wow are you gonna be surprised with all the changes... So much has changed and I am a AP holder and FL resident, and there are changes every time we go every couple of week... Super Exciting for you. Since the holiday decorations are up I think we might head over tonight or tomorrow night to start checking them out.

So my thoughts are just book what you want, this way you know what you are getting and everything is all set... then the fun part of planning can begin. When we are looking at booking a trip, we think location location location first... then we get that dialed in and settled, then move forward with all the other details... So if you want Pop I would go ahead and pull the trigger, and let the planning begin...

 

[Marionnette]

so I’m thinking of booking a trip for next year. I would like to stay at Pop and couldn’t find any availablility for times early 2019 so I was thinking early next November.

A couple of questions, I haven’t been in a really long time.

If I book a trip, I have to put a deposit down, can I then make payments when I have extra money?

The deposit for a room-only reservation is the equivalent of one night's cost. A package reservation requires a $200 deposit. You can pay online for the package if you booked online but you have to call in to make a payment on a room-only reservation.

Should I book just a room and then wait to see if a discount code comes, can I switch to another resort?

Why? There's no advantage to booking a room if your intention is to change later. The only time that you should book early is if the room tends to be in short supply, you are committed to your dates and you are willing to pay the rack rate. Otherwise, just sit tight and wait for the discount to come out.

If I book a room and add tickets, can I add the dining plan on later? Can I book a room, pay that off, book tickets, pay that off and then add the dining plan if I want?

A room + tickets is a package. If you book room-only and then want to add ticket and/or dining, then the room-only reservation gets canceled and re-booked as a package. When that happens, the deposit on the room-only reservation gets refunded and a new deposit for the package is required.

TBH, if your intention is to book a package, then just book a package and pay for it as you go along. There's no need to pay off one part, add another, pay it off and then add yet another. It creates an accounting nightmare.

Lastly, is this a bad plan? Any other ideas on how to book a trip?

It's not a great plan. I understand why people do it but I think you're better off putting your money in a safe savings account that is specifically targeted to paying for your vacation. That way, you always have control of your cash.

Also are the resorts and WDW decorated for Christmas in early November? Or should I wait and try for early December?

TIA

Decorating begins in early November and is completed in time for Thanksgiving. The order in which they are decorated varies from one year to the next.

Thanks for the answers.

I don’t HAVE to make payments but thought that if I was planning a trip a year out, why not?

Because then Disney has control of your money instead of you. If you have an emergency and need quick cash, it can take weeks to get the refund. Why give Disney a free loan? Hang onto your money and pay when the bill is due.

I don’t know if I want to give up control of planning a trip to a Disney specialist. Would a travel agency save me money over checking things on my own? I’m not sure what a travel agent could bring

Most TAs don't have any special discounts but a few deal in conference rates that can be much lower than Disney's advertised specials. Also, many TAs will offer a concierge service by booking your ADRs and FPs for you. They will book your airfare and set up DME. And if you have a travel issue, they will handle rescheduling and re-booking for you.

 

[sharbear]

@Marionnette thank you SO much! I just needed a few explanations.

@LovesTimone thank you! I agree. I do want to stay at Pop.

 

[_19disnA]

I don’t know if I want to give up control of planning a trip to a Disney specialist. Would a travel agency save me money over checking things on my own? I’m not sure what a travel agent could bring

Not exactly sure what you expect the Disney reservation person to do for you. When you call Disney, you already need to know what you want to book as they aren't travel agents and simply input the reservation you request. The Disney website also shows prices for the various resorts for your dates of travel. You can book it yourself online as well. Personally, I would not use a travel agent unless they offer some type of special discounts not available elsewhere. Travel Agents simply use the same websites everyone else now has access to and really add very little value to the process.

 

[afan]

@Marionnette thank you SO much! I just needed a few explanations.

@LovesTimone thank you! I agree. I do want to stay at Pop.

Metrotown Centre in

I left Pop on the 10th and it didn't have any decorations yet. The tree was up in MK and DHS had some decor. I think the trees at AK and Epcot went up the 10th or 11th.

In 2016 we were there around the same time frame and saw all park trees but Epcot and Pop never had stuff up. If you want to make sure at least the parks have stuff you need to go the 10th or later. Epcot doesn't do it until the end of food and wine.

 

[Bete]

I don't think you need to book anything yet for next November. I would try hard to do the week before Thanksgiving. More Christmas decorations will be up. Also, this week has had the free dining promotion which we love.

If you want to pay a trip down start a savings account and do it that way. Put in so much each week. Then, when a good promo comes you'll be ready to book.