Booking for 2013?

[serenitygr]

I know it's early, but we are planning to stay at the fort campsites around Thanksgiving week of 2013. I see this year it's already looking pretty busy, so I'm wondering how soon I can reserve for next year?

 

[2goofycampers]

By phone you can book 499 days out.

 

[TOGA]

And just to clarify, is that 499 days from the day you check in, or 499 days from the day you check out? I've recently seen some conflicting information so wanted to be sure. I suppose the worst that could happen is that I call too early and the reservation person tells me when I can call back.

Thanks.

 

[bama_ed]

serenitygr,

For holiday periods you should book a year out at least to be safe (although you can go to the 499 day limit <i dunno if it's checkin or checkout since i can't plan that far ahead>).

You may have to do the "book a longer period" to get the exact days you want then call back a few days after that to drop the unwanted days. You pay one night's deposit per ressie regardless of the # of nights for a plain "room" reservation (not package).

We did Thanksgiving week in 2009 and it was fun.

Bama ED

 

[serenitygr]

serenitygr,

For holiday periods you should book a year out at least to be safe (although you can go to the 499 day limit <i dunno if it's checkin or checkout since i can't plan that far ahead>).

You may have to do the "book a longer period" to get the exact days you want then call back a few days after that to drop the unwanted days. You pay one night's deposit per ressie regardless of the # of nights for a plain "room" reservation (not package).

We did Thanksgiving week in 2009 and it was fun.

Bama ED

Thanks Bama ED! I can tentatively book sometime in July- I'm hoping I can get an idea what our school schedule is like for November of 2013, and plan around teachers workshops and Thanksgiving week off- hoping to avoid missing too much school now that my kids will be a little older. If we come before Thanksgiving (about 7-8 days before) and leave the Saturday after, will most Holiday decorations be up? We don't care so much about the partys or things like that- just would love to see everything decorated!

Is it sometimes difficult to only book a campsite for 8-10 days? We've only been there once and stayed in a cabin, so I'm not sure what to expect! Thanks for your help!

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks Bama ED! I can tentatively book sometime in July- I'm hoping I can get an idea what our school schedule is like for November of 2013, and plan around teachers workshops and Thanksgiving week off- hoping to avoid missing too much school now that my kids will be a little older. If we come before Thanksgiving (about 7-8 days before) and leave the Saturday after, will most Holiday decorations be up? We don't care so much about the partys or things like that- just would love to see everything decorated!

Is it sometimes difficult to only book a campsite for 8-10 days? We've only been there once and stayed in a cabin, so I'm not sure what to expect! Thanks for your help!

Booking in July 2012 for Thanksgiving 2013 should give you plenty of time to get the ressie you want. As far as decorations, that depends.

In the theme parks like the Magic Kingdom, the Christmas decorations should already be up. I know the MK has the separate ticket event for "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" aka MVMCP. DHS has the family Christmas lights up.

As for the Fort, there are minimal Christmas decorations from WDW until the day after Thanksgiving. This would be at the very end of your trip. That being said, many campers set up some big Christmas decorations and lights before Thanksgiving and those are worth seeing. Obviously more get set up the closer you get to Christmas. But there are a few nice big decorations by campers up before Thanksgiving.

Be forewarned that Thanksgiving week get progressively full and busy and the earlier in your visit you want to get your park days in, the better it will be crowd-wise.

Bama ED

 

[serenitygr]

Thanks again Bama ED! You make it sound perfect! When we go on this next trip, we want to spend maybe 3 days at the parks- mostly to do some of the things we missed our first trip- and the other 5 or 6 days just at the Fort. My biggest regret when we stayed in February was that 10 days just isn't enough time, and some of our most magical times were just the time spent there- whether it was letting the kids swim, or watching the fireworks at the beach. And to be able to drive our golf cart around the couple days after Thanksgiving to see decorations - I can't imagine a more fun relaxing vacation! I wish there was a way to meet some of the people on the DIS board who are so helpful and seem so nice!!