for those who already have 2009 vacations planned...

[northshoremama]

...what made you book your trip so early?

i'm looking at going in early march and i wanna book our flights but i'm wondering if the airfare will go down since march is still about 5 1/2 months away. just wondering what motivated you all to book your 2009 trip so early?

 

[merrrydeath]

Well we're driving because it will be MUCH cheaper than flying for us. I started planning early mostly because once a date is settled, I can't stop thinking about it. So I might as well plan, plan, plan.

 

[rszdtrvl]

We planned and booked our vacation already because I doubt prices will go down. I wanted to get everything set in stone so we could begin counting down the days and planning our adventure!

Plus, I wanted certain flights, which are prime flights (in fact, the cheap airfare we got is no longer available right now) and I wanted to make sure we got them reserved.

 

[azdisneylover]

We are going in April to celebrate our triplets turning 7. It's a surprise for them along with their first time to DL. I know the only way we be able to afford this trip, would to be planning in advance, and preparing any and everything. We are driving, bringing food, and planning to use every tip posted on these wonderful boards!
Happy planning.

 

[nunzia]

We're doing the Backstage Magic Adventures By Disney January 12-18th trip. We booked it almost a year ago..it was part of the 2008 dates and it was lower season and early booking so we got it for cheaper. Then we decided to go out a few days early, so are arriving on Jan 10, staying at the Grand Californian. No deals on that I'm afraid!

 

[Hollyster2]

We have a group of 10 traveling in June, and we wanted our seats together on the same flight so just booked it through Disney last month. It is good to have it done so I don't worry about it. It can be a bit tricky getting a group that size on the same flight, relatively close together AND with good flight times. Now I just have to figure out how to pay it off!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

The reason we booked so early (in May 2008 for March 2009) is because we found great airfare prices. We just booked DL hotel a week ago. Would have done it sooner except I had to wait to finalize our DVC purchase in order to use the points for the reservation.

I also like to know ahead of time where and when I will be vacationing. That way, I can be on the lookout for better prices for airfare.

 

[SeattleGirl]

We booked our March airfare from Seattle last month because the price will never get better than what we got ($79 - Alaska).

I think you have to just decide when you're ready to jump on it!

 

[godalejunior]

We booked our January trip at least six months ago (flight). It was right before flights were talked about going up. I still have not seen our flight for any less than what we paid and it is more than double now what we paid for it. When flying Alaska if you book early and the flight drops in the price, they give you a credit...so you have nothing to lose by booking early.

I just booked our hotel last week, DLH. I was holding off for AP rates and decided to go ahead and book and will call and have them adjust the ressie if they do end up coming out (they have done so the last two years so keeping my fingers crossed).

We also have a room booked at BWPPI and just got an email last week that the room rates dropped even more so we adjusted that ressie.

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

Since it is my DS birthday in March we decided early on that he will celebrate his 5th birthday at disneyland since he is disney crazy like me!

I would rather know ahead of time that all plans are set so nothing is booked up(My famous thing that happens when I always wait till the last second) We are driving because we always seem to make a bigger trip when driving down 1-5. I think airline tickets are usually better to get them early when they are cheaper because once the seats fill up then so does the price. Our hotel is willing to change the price if it goes lower too so I can book now.

 

[JJJESTER]

I booked our trip to Disneyland in August for February. We are flying in from New Orleans. It is our Mardi Gras vacation. The kids are out for the week (Feb 21-28). The airfare is not going to get any better for us. We have our flights, rental car, and hotel. With the "big" things out of the way, I can think about the "fun" things. I have piece of mind with the date set and booked.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Why leave your booking to the 11th hour? What possible gain would be there be? You only risk not getting what you want in terms of flights and hotel.

 

[trodrigue]

Hello! I am also from Seattle. My family went last year for just a short 3 days at DL on our way to AZ to see Gram. It was a bit disastrous. Ear infection, flu, twisted ankle, missed tour etc. In January, I was on our school website, and saw that they actually had the 09 school calendar, and I was looking it over and saw that 09 was the last year that we were going to have a midwinter break. The seed was planted, and then I learned about the great HOJO rates, and they actually had them up at the 12 month mark, so I was able to book the ENT rate a year in advance. Not too long after that, they took it down for Feb. and only just recently put some dates back up. So, once the room was booked, it became real. Eventually, I told my hubby and he accepted his fate. After much discussion, we decided to fly, if we were able to get airfare for less than $200 each. Otherwise we would drive.

I then I researched airfares and strategies to get great airfares. I put airfare watchdog.com as my home page, and watched it everyday. I had decided that I wanted to fly into Long Beach, if possilbe, but watched all of the airports. Finally, the day that they started booking for my dates, they also offered a fabulous airfare. $145 round trip on Alaska. I have never seen it lower than that. Our family of 4 is flying for $712 on the flights of our choice, and we got excellent seat assignments too! Woo Hoo!

And that is why I book early. Price and selection!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

^ They have already said it best. I dont see any benefit in waiting.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We are going in June and have not booked anything yet. We are not flying, so there isn't that issue. I can understand grabbing a great flight price when it comes along.

I'm still trying to decide on a hotel and I am unsure when to book it. I hesitate because the online hotel prices are non-refundable so I need to make sure nothing comes up. This is why I will be waiting until at least April and I'm wondering if I should wait until just a few weeks ahead of time and use a site like Hotwire. I'm thinking they might offer better deals closer to the time because they want to fill the room. So that would be my reason to wait a little.

 

[Disney Princess]

Most of our reasons are mentioned already. We are going for our anniversary, and it is always around Memorial Day weekend, so we wanted to watch flights early. My husband also works for a hotel corporation, and we can use the employee rate at certain hotels. They only offer so many each night, so we wanted to plan ahead to get the room we wanted.

We also booked our flights early. We found the best deal for our area on American. They also have the safety net that if they lower the price of your flights, you can get a voucher for the price difference to use on another reservation. More incentive to go again!

 

[northshoremama]

so i wanna book our march 2009 trip...and wanted to try out hojos, but just noticed that the dates for march 2009 entertainment rates have not yet been published. i called the hotel and they said that they should have the march dates in 2-3 weeks...so i guess i'll have to wait until then. i guess i could book our flight...it's $104 each way from SEA to LGB...i don't think it'll get any cheaper than that? it was $74 each way for jan and feb...

 

[jordan13402]

Portland OR to Long Beach is $119 each way right now on Jetblue, do they fly into Seattle?

 

[northshoremama]

Portland OR to Long Beach is $119 each way right now on Jetblue, do they fly into Seattle?

yes, jetblue flies from SEA to LGB...but showing at $174 (or was it $179?) one way. so alaska air is still cheaper.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

havent booked ours yet it will be late nov dec time. for my bday wdw so free day or gift card for me. Im ignoring the finacal crisses right now and not worrieing aboutm anything i know no matter what i have what i need before thrip..now were going to try to pay it off over the year that should work. and we may try dvc too)