going in January when should we book?

[mawe370]

Last we (Mom, Dad, two daughters 2 &5) we went in January. We booked everything in August (flight from WI, hotel on disney property, and park passes). I know we paid too much for everything. We do not travel much. When should we be booking things? I know Jan. is value season, but could we expect any better deals? Is there ever discounts on hopper passes (we don't plan on using the water parks)? Should we book everything seperate, or look for a package deal? Any advise would be appreciated. THANKS
Mawe

 

[mbb]

You could start looking for flights now... www.sidestep.com is an excellent search tool for flights.

As far as room/ticket discounts, you could book a "room only" now for the property and room that you would like. AP discounts - though never guaranteed - generally provide some pretty amazing rate. One person in your party would have to have an AP at check in.

Check www.mousesavers.com for TONS of really great info...

Last, but not least - post here with anything you need help with Most of us love helping others plan their vacation!!!

 

[kathmzh]

I'm going in January too! Taking advantage of the off-season rates. I find that if you book everything seperately, you will save. I plan to book my room in the fall, and hope tha a code will come out. Hopefully, I can apply it to my reservation, or make a new one with the code. Jan. is very slow, so you shouldn't be paying rack rate.

 

[mawe370]

Thanks for the info. I know we paid to much for everything last year. I did not do my homework, but it still was a great time. That why we are doing it again. As far as airfare I cannot find anyone who has any sort of special past December.
Thanks Again
Mawe

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've gone 3 times in January, soon to go for the fourth. It's funny, the first couple times I tried to book in August, only to be told that 3 hotels I was considering were already full! Tried again in October, suddenly they were all open and in all the room categories at each hotel. Wierd! Now we're DVC owners, so I've tried and been able to book already. Got the hotel I wanted (BWV) but not the view-one advantage with DVC is that there's a waiting list, so when the room type I want is available, I'll get it.

 

[akrake]

we just got a flight out on song for january it is $155 r/t with taxes & fees. we got an sog room for really cheap...& are getting annual passes so we can go back in november of '05 and get our monies' worth.
check out www.mousesavers.com

amie

 

[LMC]

You need to go ahead and book your resort now so that you can get the one you want. You can always change; disney has a 5-day cancellation policy. IF, they put out AP or AAA rates, then you can have it applied to your existing reservation then. Those discounted rooms are limited so you need to keep a check at mousesavers.com to see when the discount codes come out. Then call asap to get the rate applied. I made our Jan. ressies in July.

I don't fly so I can't offer any advice on getting great airfares.

You could always try priceline for a rental or catch a towncar service (w/ grocery stop) to your disney resort then use the disney transportation system. The towncar services are usually round trip fares and if you want a grocery stop you tell them that when you make your ressie.

 

[jxgriffi]

Our family is also going in January. I just booked the hotel and will check back in at the 30-day mark for my next discount level (CM). I have been shopping for airfare and it has been varying the last couple of weeks. I will probably end up booking this week because of how much it has change. There are 6 of us going this year (DW, DS7, DD2 + grandparents). We are staying at the ASMov. as of now. If the better discount let's us, we'll probably bump up. Also, we're planning on looking at DVC while we are there since we are in CA, it's a lot harder to buy DVC.

Not sure where the OP was from, but in the last week, from Orange County/LA area, flights have gone from $198 r/t to $250 r/t and up. They are jumping around a lot. I am going to use miles and fly out of SNA (Orange County) so that my wife and I can get free flights and we only have to pay for the kids.

Hope it helps...