Curious---how far in advance do you book?

[luvgoing2disney]

As DLR is considered more or a "local" park than WDW, I was just curious how far in advance most of you book your trips. I understand that there are occasions when last minute trips come up, but as a general rule how many months in advance of your visit do you book?

 

[PinkBudgie]

For our August trip we booked in April. Last year we booked just after New Years for end of June. If I know we want to go for sure during a certain time, I go ahead and reservations at the hotel to make sure I get my dates 6 to 4 months out. We don't stay on property though.

 

[spacemermaid]

If I'm staying in a hotel & not with friends or family, I book a few months out...way better rates that way, unless Hojo's posts a last-minute Entertainment rate.

 

[I'm mikey]

We booked our hotel the last week of may for our october vacation.

 

[MattsPrincess]

For our first trip last May, we decided to go and booked everything about three weeks out.

This upcoming trip (mid november) is more of a process. We booked the hotel late last month. Reserved a kennel spot early this month. Gonna book our character meal and tour on the first day of our window. Last step will be the tickets, as DH is military and I don't want to drop that much money before his leave is approved.

That said, I much prefer the way we did it the first time. Having this much time ahead of leaving to figure things out and think it over, etc, has proved a nuisance and our plans have been changed too many times to count due to over thinking/planning. Last time it was a whirlwind of excitement and spontaneity...this time...not so much.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I used to book 4 or 5 months out.... Now I book 7 or 11 months out.... It's hard to explain why!

 

[mvf-m11c]

We just book about a month to 3 month in advance for any of our trips to DL since there could be a lower deal on our favorite hotel BWPPI. Everytime we check out the prices at the hotel, it goes down every month and gets cheaper by the month.

 

[canadadisney]

As we have to fly to DL, it all depends on seat sales. This year we started planning on April for an October trip, only because we snagged a seat sale from Alberta Canada to San Diego for 73.00!!!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

We're considering staying at HoJo's next May, so I was considering booking within the next couple of months. I'm hoping that our dates may have Entertainment Rates, and I wanted to have the rooms already booked when and if those dates opened up.

Our nomal book-out dates for WDW are 10 months, and I think that's because I'm ready to start serious planning more than anything else. I really, really enjoy making the plans and details.

 

[silence]

We actually plan our dates based on HoJo calendar......so if I see some dates they post that I can make work, I book them right away. I have had my November (Thanksgiving) trip planned for months.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

We actually plan our dates based on HoJo calendar......so if I see some dates they post that I can make work, I book them right away. I have had my November (Thanksgiving) trip planned for months.

Looks like you've stayed at HoJo's a few times before, so I assume you've enjoyed the experience. Any tips for first timers?

 

[Littleprincess2010]

10 months We booked our hotel in April but our dates were only finalized this past week and our trip is for DD's birthday so it needed to encompass the 10th.

Booking at a hotel with no deposit required and good cancellation policies is key. With HOJO we can cancel up to 48 hours before our trip (I believe) and that leaves us open to using a different hotel should we get cold feet, which we won't because HOJO is the #1 hotel people reccommend on here for off-site.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

I booked our Dec 2010/Jan 2011 trip last week. I thought it might be early, but I wanted to purchase tickets before the price increase, and we're staying at the Paradise Pier. I was afraid to wait too long and have no rooms available to us.

 

[iKristin]

I start working on booking certain things a year out since I always plan my vacations very much in advance

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I book as soon as I have my dates and the rates are out. Sometimes that is 9-10 months in advance.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I'd say we book about 3 months in advance. One time we did a last-minute trip, but that was to work around a business trip my husband had to Los Angeles.

 

[tdashgirl]

As soon as I have an idea of when we're going next, I'll book a room at a hotel that has no deposit/no cancellation fee. There are several of those within walking distance. That way I'm sure to have a room. I'll check rates off and on - we'll switch to a Disney room if there are great rates last minute, since Disney requires a deposit.

I'll book dining as soon as the window opens, 60 days out. I like to have ressies

 

[silence]

Looks like you've stayed at HoJo's a few times before, so I assume you've enjoyed the experience. Any tips for first timers?

We LOVE this hotel. Sometimes we splurge and stay on site, but I really do tend to plan my trips around when I can get the Ent/AP rate (did you all know that you don't have to have the ENT card you can use your AP if the date is avail?)

The only drawback for me is the walk. This is because my mother has plantar fasciatis (I have NO clue how to spell this) so after a few days her feet are killing her. Well, mine to if I am being honest. We take afternoon breaks and walk back and forth, so it's 2 miles of walking not counting all the walking in the park.

I really have not had a negative experience with this hotel!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

If we are going during peak season, then we book 5 months in advance to make sure that we have at least HOJO's locked in, such as my solo Oct trip to the mouse. Off season we book 3 months out. While I'm at HOJO's in Oct, will book the hotel for our Feb/11 trip.

 

[mkarizona]

About 3 months ahead.