Help, how and when to book, please read.

[MBlake1986]

Hi all,

OK so I am in the very early stages of planning a 2 week, Disney/ Universal vacation with my wife and four little girls for the middle of October 2015 during MNSSHP.

I want to book super early so I am sure that the room, hotel and all other reservations I want to make are available. However I do see this year that they offer great deals and discounts such at 10-30% off of the room rate during fall.

So, my questions:

1. Do I book early in order to make sure everything I want is still available, thus booking before the fall deals are released and lose those discounts, or do I wait to book until those deals come out and pray I can still get everything I want.

2. How early can one book over the phone.

3. Bonus questions (unrelated to post sorry) I have four little girls whose ages at time of travel will be between 8-3 years, I wanted to do the BBB for them, but for the big package it's $200.00 so I would be spending $800.00 on hair, makeup and costumes which is obviously not only ridiculous, but it's absurdity is even of this planet. My question, does buying the costumes and accessories before the trip and getting the less expensive package ruin the magic? Has anyone gotten the $200.00 package? Any feedback.


Thank you all for reading and any replies.

 

[Heckah]

I booked in May of this year for our October vacation once they came out with the free dining promotion.

I did have to wait a few days for my boss to approve my vacation time and that cost me staying at All Star Music.

I got a late jump on booking dining and BBB between the later booking and my original thought process of "I don't want to make reservations months in advance...I'm sure I could just walk into Chef Mickey's any random night and be fine." I still did great with booking dining, but it took a little persistence. However BBB will be at Downtown Disney as they were sold out at MK

I think you have plenty of time.

On the BBB, I booked the cheaper package and bought and Anna and Elsa dress for my 2 girls to wear.

 

[goin' goofy]

Hi there, and welcome! Hope I can help, here goes:

1. You can book your reservations now to lock in your room choice and, if a discount you like and applies to you dates comes out later, you can have the discount applied to your booking.

2. You can currently book through the end of 2015 online or over the phone.

3. On our recent trip to Disneyland we did the basic package for our daughter, without the dress, and she still got all the magic and more! She loved the experience and couldn't stop telling everyone about it when she got home.

On a side note, it sounds like you might be a little new to everything Disney has to offer. As a travel agent I would HIGHLY recommend going through a travel agency vs. booking directly with Disney. A TA will be able to answer all your questions, assist with dining and other reservations, and generally steer you towards the best vacation for your family, at no additional costs to you (our commissions are paid by Disney).

Wishing you a MAGICAL vacation!!

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

I disagree about needing a TA, you have the DIS! Lucky you, and welcome
Later Oct is better than early Oct. Your better discount will be Free Dining.
4 girls Your room options are limited.
I'd suggest two value rooms; ideally connecting. I like POP, if you can get free dining.
We're *my girl, and I* at AOA, in a Little Mermaid room this Oct! Free dining doesn't apply to us this visit :/

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

I did some major editing on my first post.
Regarding BBB, my DD has visited twice this year, so far, and several times in the past, she always gets the coach package *lowest price* and has never been disappointed, I found an awesome ebay seller, she sells Disney Parks merchandise, no clue how - I've purchased many princess dresses for my girl over the years - http://www.ebay.com/sch/Wantsnneeds4u/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

 

[ajwolfe]

I would go ahead and book now for the time you want and if/when a discount comes out just call back in and have it applied. I've done this myself a couple times and it's a smooth transaction typically.

I would also disagree about needing a TA. The DIS is a wealth of info and the more you read and know the better prepared you are for the trip; assuming you have time to do it all. We booked our first trip there with a TA and didn't have a clue what was going on. Every other trip I've booked/planned myself and have been much more successful.

 

[agavegirl1]

MBlake, I agree with previous posters to go ahead and book now to lock in your room choice. Two connecting Value hotel rooms would likely be your best bet. I just applied a discount to my reservation well after booking with a phone call a couple of weeks ago. The room had been booked for over a year.

You have all kinds of time to learn everything you need to know from the DIS. Disney also sends you plenty of "stuff" to remind and educate you as your trip approaches.

Welcome!

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

I'd consider skipping universal this first visit, your girls are little, not a whole lot for them to do there, it'll be expensive to add on.
Also, if you're closer to the west coast consider Disneyland Resort! I think it's lovely, and a better place for little ones, here's the DLR board here on the DIS - http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26 *the weather is awesome most of the time in S CA!

 

[butterfly71076]

I will agree with PP's, no need for a TA, even for a first visit! Planning is part of the fun and the Dis can help you in anyway you can think of!

I would book now and watch for discounts! You can always apply them if needed.

 

[MBlake1986]

Thanks everyone, this was a great help. My girls absolutely love Ariel so AoA adjoining rooms in the Little Mermaid area sounds perfect. I have read on here though, that while every effort is made, they cannot guarantee 2 adjoining rooms, which would really be a bummer.

If they can't guarantee two adjoining rooms then a family suite would work, just wish Little Mermaid had family suites.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

Thanks everyone, this was a great help. My girls absolutely love Ariel so AoA adjoining rooms in the Little Mermaid area sounds perfect. I have read on here though, that while every effort is made, they cannot guarantee 2 adjoining rooms, which would really be a bummer.

If they can't guarantee two adjoining rooms then a family suite would work, just wish Little Mermaid had family suites.

Would they really have to be connecting? Booking early I'd say your chances are high but so long as they're close wouldn't that be alright?
Family suites - I'd consider the All Stars, they're likely a bit cheaper.

 

[Mikie]

1) some people theorize that booking your room in advance of discounts being announced fills up the rooms and reduces the likelihood that Dosney will offer any discount (I.e. Why offer sale prices? We already have a lot of bookings!). However, I am usually pretty limited in my travel dates and pretty specific about where I want to stay and dine, so I book as soon as I know my dates, get everything I want, and just hope for the best on a discount coming up later. As PP stated, you can call when a discount is announced to have it applied to your existing reservation, pending availability (they only offer a certain percentage of rooms at discount). Little mermaid rooms are often excluded from discount offers entirely. A cool place to stay if they're in your budget and desires anyway, but rarely get discounted for some reason.

2) you can book now

3) my niece has only done the lowest package and brought a princess dress from home (maybe other accessories too? I forget) she had a fabulous experience and never asked about anything she "missed out" on, or ever had an attack of the "gimme gimmes"

 

[Alesia]

Thanks everyone, this was a great help. My girls absolutely love Ariel so AoA adjoining rooms in the Little Mermaid area sounds perfect. I have read on here though, that while every effort is made, they cannot guarantee 2 adjoining rooms, which would really be a bummer.

If they can't guarantee two adjoining rooms then a family suite would work, just wish Little Mermaid had family suites.

Before you book, make sure you're clear on terminology:

Adjoining rooms = near each other
Connecting rooms = next door to each other with a door connecting the 2 rooms.

They will not guarantee connecting rooms, but since you have more kids than adults you will get higher priority.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Hi all,

OK so I am in the very early stages of planning a 2 week, Disney/ Universal vacation with my wife and four little girls for the middle of October 2015 during MNSSHP.

I want to book super early so I am sure that the room, hotel and all other reservations I want to make are available. However I do see this year that they offer great deals and discounts such at 10-30% off of the room rate during fall.

So, my questions:

1. Do I book early in order to make sure everything I want is still available, thus booking before the fall deals are released and lose those discounts, or do I wait to book until those deals come out and pray I can still get everything I want. Book now and when the discounts come out either book online with a new discounted reservation or call and see if you can apply a discount to your existing reservation. I have had to do both.
I booked early for our 2010 and was able to apply the discount the same day the discount came available to our existing YC reservation.
I booked early our Oct 2013 stay and the day the discount came out all the discounted rooms at AKL CL were gone, so I booked a new reservation online with the discount for another resort, Poly CL. They transferred my money paid on the AKL reservation to my new Poly reservation. I waited 1hr 25min on hold with Disney the day the discounts came out and by the time I finally got a person on the phone the discounted Poly CL rooms were gone, so I was very, very glad I had booked the discounted room online.

2. How early can one book over the phone. Book now.

3. Bonus questions (unrelated to post sorry) I have four little girls whose ages at time of travel will be between 8-3 years, I wanted to do the BBB for them, but for the big package it's $200.00 so I would be spending $800.00 on hair, makeup and costumes which is obviously not only ridiculous, but it's absurdity is even of this planet. My question, does buying the costumes and accessories before the trip and getting the less expensive package ruin the magic? Has anyone gotten the $200.00 package? Any feedback. I am sorry, we have not done this.


Thank you all for reading and any replies.

Keep an eye on these boards for potential release date of discounted rooms.

Be prepared to be on the phone with Disney at 7AM Florida time and check the website for discounted rooms.

Be prepared to change resorts in order get a discounted room, the discounted rooms can go quickly and some resorts are excluded.

 

[glo1770]

Just a note... I've read plenty here on the disboards, especially about AOA since we are booked there for April of 2015. Apparently the Little Mermaid rooms never get a discount. I guess usually they don't have problems selling out those rooms so they don't offer discounts of any kind with those rooms. Don't know if that will change in the next year or not. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[BlueFairy]

As to booking ahead. Book now for whatever you can afford at rack rate. You are going to be limited due to your party size. Those limited rooms go more quickly if they are discounted, and will be snapped up quickly. Check back frequently and you may find your budget allows you a nicer discounted room. But if you are stuck without a discount you know you have what you can afford. Here is a link that will help you know when discounts have come available in recent years. Mousesavers is a great source of info. Also, read up on the dining plan costs and limitations. Peruse menus and add up what it might cost you per day to eat as a family. Then you'll know whether "Free" Dining is a good deal for your family BEFORE it is offered. You need to be prepared to act quickly when discounts become available.

We are a family that almost always comes out more inexpensively booking our rooms and tickets separately. As soon as I know my dates we book a "room-only" reservation. This locks me into a room. I can always add tickets prior to 60 days in order to do the FP reservations. Most importantly, it gives me the flexibility of changing my reservation around as I watch for discounts without worrying about when payment in full is due. The cancellation on room-only (change fees, balance due date, and cancellation penalties) are all more forgiving that on a package. Read up to know the difference, and be sure you are working with a TA (or call center agent) who is booking what you are asking for. You will be able to tell by the cancellation terms they give you.

That being said, don't purchase tickets in advance from a reseller until you are certain you're not making more changes. You may find that you need to add tickets through Disney in order to be eligible for a specific discount.

Don't worry about the BBB. Any package you choose will be great. MANY families bring a dress, shoes or whatever and add their own rather than purchasing through WDW.

As for a TA, they can also book room-only or package, make ADRs, some will watch for discounts (Dreams Unlimited Travel) and save you LOTS of time on the phone. We are very specific in what we want & I usually put my TA through the ringer. But dealing with WDW myself is too time consuming. I do my research here and let my TA do the heavy lifting.

 

[bumbershoot]

Everyone else covered disney. I'll mention Universal.

If the 8 year old is the only one in that higher age range, you might consider holding off. But if you have a 8, 7, 6 then 3, I say to go. There will be enough for the older kids, assuming they have average to taller height, and also enough for the littlest to do, especially if the family is willing to split up a little bit. There are fun play areas in both parks; my son still loves the Fievel's water play area when it's clear enough to let him play. (we won't let him play long if it's filled with little bitties, because let's face it, sometimes a 9 or 10 year old can't control his limbs, and his size plus little bitties doesn't always end well, as well know from when HE was the 3 year old being knocked flat to the ground by a 10 year old boy!) We love the ball play area behind the Curious George water play area as well; follow the footprints on the ground to find a DRY path back there.

We stay onsite at Universal and I book through this site. With your family size you'll be in two rooms or maybe they have something big enough at Cabana Bay.