Booking if unsure of dates

[Shellee999]

I'm not quite sure where to post this, so j hope this is okay. Also, I hope I can explain this correctly lol. We have an idea of what dates our vacation will be, but it can vary a day or 2 in either direction. 180 days will be coming up shortly, but I don't think we'll have the dates set by then. Can I book the entire span of when I may be there and then adjust when I know for sure? So i would book 11/5-11/15. Or do I book 2 different sets of dates, one for each possibility?

 

[bryanb]

I'd probably book one reservation to make it simpler, as long as you can get the resort and room class that you want for all of those dates. You'll need to put down a deposit for each booking that you make. Be sure to make a note of the last day to cancel or change your resort reservation(s).

Personally, I have never had an issue getting a reservation I've wanted but I understand there are some restaurants that are favorites. To be honest, I don't even know what I want to eat for lunch tomorrow, to say nothing about 180 days from now.

 

[mickeynut1]

I'm not quite sure where to post this, so j hope this is okay. Also, I hope I can explain this correctly lol. We have an idea of what dates our vacation will be, but it can vary a day or 2 in either direction. 180 days will be coming up shortly, but I don't think we'll have the dates set by then. Can I book the entire span of when I may be there and then adjust when I know for sure? So i would book 11/5-11/15. Or do I book 2 different sets of dates, one for each possibility?

You can book the one date span to cover all possibilities, but keep in mind that when you finalize your dates, you might not be able to adjust your reservation to the shorter stay. In the past, it was easy to take nights off, but Disney has changed that and the new dates must now be available as a new reservation in order to modify. You can also book your ADRs one day at a time and book the resort later once you know the exact dates. It's not the most ideal as it's nice doing them all at the same time, but like the pp, I've never had a problem getting what I want whether I booked all at 180 days or daily.

 

[Deb & Bill]

11/5 through 11/15 would include the last week of Food & Wine, plus Jersey Week and Veterans Day weekend. And might catch the hold overs from the Wine & Dine Half marathon.

 

[Shellee999]

11/5 through 11/15 would include the last week of Food & Wine, plus Jersey Week and Veterans Day weekend. And might catch the hold overs from the Wine & Dine Half marathon.

That's basically why we're going then lol. My older son has off for Election Day and Veteran's Day, and will have some half days for parent-teacher conferences. So it's an easier time to take him out of school.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I wouldn't count on editing a longer stay and would make two bookings.

 

[Babsy]

I would book both sets of dates, then cancel the one that you aren't able to use. At a busy time, it may be that availability won't be there for your room type and resort, otherwise. It is crazy to me that Disney does not allow you to easily remove a couple of nights form a reservation when/if circumstances change. I know the reasoning is to prevent 'orphan' rooms - but seriously, is Disney having a problem with occupancy? I didn't think so.

 

[dansdad]

but seriously, is Disney having a problem with occupancy? I didn't think so.

No, they're definitely not. But ever since starting to use this new system, occupancy is up 13%. So I don't see it going away anytime soon.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I would not bother booking now with unclear dates just to get 180+LoS. There are very, very few restaurants that require that lead time. Just book your restaurants as each day comes, or book them all when you are within the timeframe for all possible dates.

 

[Babsy]

No, they're definitely not. But ever since starting to use this new system, occupancy is up 13%. So I don't see it going away anytime soon.

Yes, you are undoubtedly right.

But, is the new increased occupancy a function of this policy or the economy? I know that it has caused at least one trip cancellation on our part when we couldn't get resort changes to match our changed flights. And it is one of the many changes in policy that finally decided DH and me to forgo Disney next year - for the first time in decades!

 

[dansdad]

Yes, you are undoubtedly right.

But, is the new increased occupancy a function of this policy or the economy? I know that it has caused at least one trip cancellation on our part when we couldn't get resort changes to match our changed flights. And it is one of the many changes in policy that finally decided DH and me to forgo Disney next year - for the first time in decades!

To them it's because of the new system. The amount of rooms sitting empty for one night dropped by 79%.

 

[Shellee999]

Thanks for the information. I will just book 2 separate reservations. I didn't realize the change, as I'm sure I have adjusted dates in the past. We've gone every 2 years for the past 8 years or so. Except for when they made the switch to FP+ (which was fairly easy to read about and learn), I feel like there have been so many changes that I didn't even realize happened.