Help in Deciding When to Book Disney

[Tori484]

Hey all we are having a Disneyland trip October 6-11, 2009. We haven't booked anything yet. So here is my dilemia...when do we book to get the best deals and prices? Is it better to book things separate or a package?

Right now I see deals online for hotels that end August for the book 3 get 2 nights free deal etc...so when will the deals come out that go for Oct?

We don't want to wait, but we also want to get the very best price since we are trying to save money.

Okay...another question...how much more convenient is it to stay in Disney Hotel over a Good Neighbor one? Is it worth the extra money? What things are different "perks" for the hotels?

 

[pixiewings71]

Well, I have a weekend trip the 9-11th and I've already booked my hotel. IME sooner you book the better prices you get. We don't know when or if any Oct. deals will come out. We are all waiting, rather impatiently for some of us. LOL I would imagine they would announce them any day now.

We usually stay offsite, the GN hotels we've stayed in have been great. I have a map in my favorites at home, if no one else posts Brett's map I'll get it up here when I get home so you can see what's close.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I booked my November trip 6 weeks ago and all I have seen is the prices go up. I would book your trip ASAP.

More often than not I have found booking thing separate is usually cheaper, but occasionally places like Southwest, Expedia, Costco, etc have really good deals. I would price out a package and then compare the components separately.

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

I would agree, the earlier the better for booking, but research first.
I usually book my hotel seperately, it comes out cheaper that way.

Good Luck!

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

We are going October 5th to the 9th, we booked a neighbor hotel about 3 weeks ago.
I have never stayed on property at Disneyland only WDW because for a little time we spend in our room while at Disneyland I could not justify spending that kind of money. Usually Disneyland is more of a budget trip for us and we save those on property stayed for when we go to WDW.

 

[cari12]

We are going Oct 18-22 and I have been watching the prices for the last few months. For my dates, the Disney website for the DH gives $270.00 per night. This has not changed (except once I checked and it was $305.00).
I find Expedia has the exact same rate. I have booked hotels through Expedia several times before and have had no problems.
As far as packages versus separately - separate is the way to go. On the Disney website, if I checked the price for hotel & tickets together, it was around $150.00 more than if I purchased hotel and tickets separately (from the Disney website!). I emailed them to ask what the additional charge was for and I did not get a response.
I have booked hotel and tickets through Expedia to ensure I get the DH for the dates I want but I may cancel and rebook if prices take a big drop once the current promo (buy 3 get 2 free until end of Sept) ends.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

We usually stay offsite, the GN hotels we've stayed in have been great. I have a map in my favorites at home, if no one else posts Brett's map I'll get it up here when I get home so you can see what's close.

Here you go:
http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[pixiewings71]

Here you go:
http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

Thanks, because I'm a dork and forgot to do it last night. I lvoe that map!

 

[22grover22]

We are looking to go about those same dates. I spoke with Disney reservations and right now they are offering 4th night free for GN hotel and nothing for onsite. She said they expect something to be released next week for onsite promotion.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I'm really interested to see if post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas rates drop a bit in the next week or two. DH has been hanging pretty steadily at $300 a night for the last few weeks for that time period. DGC is over $400! It's making staying at a good neighbor look really, really appealing.

 

[Pacific Northwest]

My fam and I will be there at the same time.
We booked our flight at the end of May and the prices have only climbed since then. We booked HOJO the same day and it is now completely booked for our dates. The only thing we have not done is get our park tickets. We might get the Gay Day tix since that would save us $100.
My advice: book now.

 

[disneymum58]

We will be going Oct.11 - 15. I have booked right now BWPPI and also PPH. The PPH made me put down one nights deposit. I have heard the PPH will adjust my rates if they come down later, so that is what I am hoping and will buy an AP to take advantage of lower rates. If the rates don't go down I will cancel at PPH within the time allowed and stick with BWPPI. It's best to book now and have both options open I think.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

If the rates don't go down I will cancel at PPH within the time allowed and stick with BWPPI. It's best to book now and have both options open I think.

Do a lot of people do double reservations? If so, I wonder if that creates a small glut of last minute good-deals at the various hotels?

 

[Tori484]

We booked our package and did use the Disney site. I will need to check with them though about that 4th night free thing because that wasn't offered and we did pick a GN hotel.

We still need to add our TOT tickets as well as get dining reservations...I'm so excited...now I'm scouring for outfits and all for the kids to wear. If it's not one thing it's another.