How early do you start planning?

[LuvAlphvle]

I booked our rooms as ASMo already . . . for October 2007. The lady on the other end assured me that I wasn't too early, that if I wanted a particular spot it was good to call early, but I still feel like a dork. Somebody tell me it's okay to get excited this far out??

 

[Along4theRide]

I think the planning is part of the fun! We started planning for our 1st trip about three months ago, then booked our package about a month ago for our June 2007 trip. I can't wait, but at the same time I'm having fun finding new info on the parks, dining, etc. Besides, it'll be here before you know it!

 

[olydizknee]

There is nothing wrong with a little planning! I usually start saving money for the next trip as soon as I get home, but wait until three months before the trip to book hotel or air. I usually stay offsite and go early December, so I haven't had any problems getting my favorite hotel.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We never stop planning. We seem to always have a trip in gear, a countdown clock ticking. In the last bunch of years, the only thing that makes us happy, is a trip to WDW. Since 1977 we've made it back over 38 times and we discussed it after the last trip, end of August, that we have to go back every six months. Really long to be away from the world but we do have to work. We plot and plan, just for fun cause we never adhere to our plans. We know what we like, where to go but once we get there, see the resort, always deluxe, and hit the pool with a few beverages, we seem to melt into the themeing and just go with the flow. We never make ADR's, except for the HDDR, and get in all our favorite eareries but we do make a list of where we want to put on our feed bag and try to hit them all. We go usually for 9-12 nights and that so many dinners and breakfasts, hard planning when you have more dinners and less breakfasts. It all comes out fantastic and I would take a bad day at Disney then a good day at home any day.

 

[pizza1]

Ijust put my deposit down for dec 2007 so don't feel like your nuts.I wanted a kitchen and seperate bedroom and the only thing in our price range was the FW cabins so I wanted to be sure to get one.You did the right thing. I know this year alot of people were trying for the value resorts the first week of dec and couldn't get them because of pop warner week.I look at it this way, It's one less thing to stress out about down the road.

 

[disneygal33]

I love planning my trips!! I start months in advance!!

 

[JediDan2773]

My mom and step-dad are worried right now because we're not sure where we're staying yet for our April '07 trip. Usually, we would have booked a while ago.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I live in a perpetual state of planning.

If I don't have at least 2 trips on deck I get cranky.

 

[prestonsmomma]

I started planning for Dec 06 in Nov 05 (as soon as we got home) and I'm already working on a Sept 07 DCL vacation. What can I say?? I'm a planner.

 

[klineyqueen]

I start to plan a disney trips as far in advance as possible. The planning part is a huge part of the fun for me!!!!

 

[barfownz]

I plan the day before i go.

 

[themudd4]

Plan as early and as often as possible. I am already in the works to plan for our March 2008 trip...I can't wait!!!

 

[Heironymous]

The earliest (latest?) I have ever started planning is 10 months. I prefer a full 12 months, just to get myself organized.

 

[hjd0411]

Yes, another planner here, too!! I have been planning for about 8 months now for Nov 2007!! Have to save my money, and organise time off work, etc, but I am loving the planning - you are able to find out so much more with more time to plan. Enjoy it all, and have fun on your vacation.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I love to do all the planning. I start when the park schedule comes out for the month I want to go. I check the closing times, fireworks, Fantasmic, parades etc. Then i check EMH's which will then determine which day we do what. Then i make all my ADR's. This is my system and I would make some of my friends crazy. I really try to make the most out of our days since we only go for 7-8 days. I have a 4 and 6 year old so i always plan for a break during the day.

 

[FayeW]

Too early...and then I end up missing out on deals, better accomodations, etc because I booked thingks that were non refundable!

I might as well just wait until 2-3 months before I go, since I change all our plans anyway.

 

[DisneyFairy19]

NOT at all.. I plan ahead way ahead of time..LOL..But its fun to plan early...

 

[bradisgoofy]

As DVC members we can't book any sooner then 11 months but we usually plan two years out. We have already planned on inviting all of DW sisters and brother down to stay in a Grand Villa at Boardwalk in April '08.

 

[daisy58]

I love to do all the planning. I start when the park schedule comes out for the month I want to go. I check the closing times, fireworks, Fantasmic, parades etc. Then i check EMH's which will then determine which day we do what. Then i make all my ADR's. This is my system and I would make some of my friends crazy. I really try to make the most out of our days since we only go for 7-8 days. I have a 4 and 6 year old so i always plan for a break during the day.

I do the same exact thing!! (minus the 4 & 6 yr olds--our 3 DS are grown up)
but I reserve our resort earlier..then wait for the schedules, etc.

 

[Smileybug]

Start planning as soon as you decide to go. (yay, going to disney) Even if it is just making an outline of what you want to do.