Does anyone know when you can start booking for 2017?

[Dismom820]

Our next trip won't be until February 2017, but we like booking it super early to be able to pay on it in little bits rather than a huge amount all at once! (it makes us feel better about dropping all that dough!) we are ready to get things going now, but they will only let us view the calendar for up to December this year soooo my question is, when do they usually open all that up? i don't want to wait forever, i'm already ready to start planning!

 

[dansdad]

If you call you can book a room only reservation 499 days out. So as of today you can book via phone, a room only reservation up until May 21, 2017.

To book a room only online or to book a package you have to wait until they release the rates for 2017. Which in years past has been around July-August.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you want to pay on it with bits in the meantime, buy Disney gift cards. You can also take advantage of various deal schemes to save 5-10% on said gift cards.

I will say that a lot can change, even at 499 days out. A number of resorts are due for refurbishment in 2017, and those won't be announced for some time yet.

 

[Dismom820]

If you call you can book a room only reservation 499 days out. So as of today you can book via phone, a room only reservation up until May 21, 2017.

To book a room only online or to book a package you have to wait until they release the rates for 2017. Which in years past has been around July-August.

oh man...ok so i have a few questions hahah if i do call and book the room only, will i be able to pay on it like i do the packages? or is that for a package only type thing? im wondering if i can book the room now, pay on it, then add in the package later...or if it would just be best to just wait all together...July-August just seems soooo far away and we wont have very long to pay on it if we are going in February.

 

[Dismom820]

If you want to pay on it with bits in the meantime, buy Disney gift cards. You can also take advantage of various deal schemes to save 5-10% on said gift cards.

I will say that a lot can change, even at 499 days out. A number of resorts are due for refurbishment in 2017, and those won't be announced for some time yet.

the whole using gift cards for stuff like this is new to me...I've gone to Disney numerous times but ive only been booking and paying for it myself the last 2 times, so its all new to me...if i buy gift cards now, how will that help if i cant book it? haha also, what kind of deal schemes are there to save on the gift cards?

 

[dansdad]

oh man...ok so i have a few questions hahah if i do call and book the room only, will i be able to pay on it like i do the packages? or is that for a package only type thing?

You will be able to pay on it, but you will have to make any payments via phone. Either by using the automated system or speaking to a CM.

im wondering if i can book the room now, pay on it, then add in the package later...or if it would just be best to just wait all together...

Room only and packages are on 2 different systems. So you would have to cancel your room only and then rebook a package. If you do that, you will need to make a new $200 deposit for the package and request a refund for any $$ you've paid towards the room only. As again, they are on 2 different systems so they can't move/transfer the $$.

July-August just seems soooo far away and we wont have very long to pay on it if we are going in February.

As @_auroraborealis_ suggested, maybe start buying Disney Gift Cards every week/month as a way to save. That's what we do and it works out nicely.

 

[Dismom820]

You will be able to pay on it, but you will have to make any payments via phone. Either by using the automated system or speaking to a CM.



Room only and packages are on 2 different systems. So you would have to cancel your room only and then rebook a package. If you do that, you will need to make a new $200 deposit for the package and request a refund for any $$ you've paid towards the room only. As again, they are on 2 different systems so they can't move/transfer the $$.



As @_auroraborealis_ suggested, maybe start buying Disney Gift Cards every week/month as a way to save. That's what we do and it works out nicely.

oh wow, i didnt realize they were on two different systems...bummer! now, i understand about the gift cards, that makes sense and that way we can "save" and book it. thanks for clarifying that!

 

[Dismom820]

You will be able to pay on it, but you will have to make any payments via phone. Either by using the automated system or speaking to a CM.



Room only and packages are on 2 different systems. So you would have to cancel your room only and then rebook a package. If you do that, you will need to make a new $200 deposit for the package and request a refund for any $$ you've paid towards the room only. As again, they are on 2 different systems so they can't move/transfer the $$.



As @_auroraborealis_ suggested, maybe start buying Disney Gift Cards every week/month as a way to save. That's what we do and it works out nicely.

there's no limit as to how many gift cards you can use on the payments? ive only used one before the in past, but i like the idea of buying a gift card weekly/monthly and then using that for when we book it, but if i have like 10 gift cards between now and then, i can use them all at my payment time?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For instance, if you get a Target Red Debit Card (not a charge card), you can get 5% off buying Disney Gift Cards. You can then use those Gift Cards like cash to pay for room/dining/souvies -- anything you might book or buy at WDW. There are additional coupons and times to save where you can get more. Near Christmas, a lot of people were stacking a gift card discount, the Red card discount, and some extra cartwheel to get 15-20% off.

There's a lot out there if you Google "save on Disney gift cards" for ideas.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

there's no limit as to how many gift cards you can use on the payments?

No limit. You might have to consolidate them at https://www.disneygiftcard.com, under manage balance. You can transfer all balances to a single card and then pay from that.

 

[Dismom820]

No limit. You might have to consolidate them at https://www.disneygiftcard.com, under manage balance. You can transfer all balances to a single card and then pay from that.

perfect! thanks for all the tips!

 

[dansdad]

there's no limit as to how many gift cards you can use on the payments? ive only used one before the in past, but i like the idea of buying a gift card weekly/monthly and then using that for when we book it, but if i have like 10 gift cards between now and then, i can use them all at my payment time?

Nope, no limit. I've paid using up to 45 cards. But as @_auroraborealis_ mentioned, you can consolidate them.

 

[nenglim]

when you are using disney giftcard to pay, can you only pay via phone? i tried online and they only allow 1 giftcard. Am i missing something?

 

[dansdad]

when you are using disney giftcard to pay, can you only pay via phone? i tried online and they only allow 1 giftcard. Am i missing something?

No, you're not missing anything. That's why I always pay with gift cards via phone.

 

[siskaren]

when you are using disney giftcard to pay, can you only pay via phone? i tried online and they only allow 1 giftcard. Am i missing something?

You can combine gift card balances onto one card here:

https://www.disneygiftcard.com/

 

[nenglim]

No, you're not missing anything. That's why I always pay with gift cards via phone.

thank you for the input. i did combine my cards at disneygiftcard.com but you can only combine up to 1 thousand. I had to call member services to buy APs for the family.