How early to book rooms? (Wilderness Lodge in 2009)

[lucincia]

DW and I are thinking about taking her parents to WDW/WL for their 40th wedding anniversary in Nov/Dec of 2009.

1) How early should we book the room?

2) We will have grandparents, DW, moi, and by then DD11 and DD7. Thinking about getting 2 standard rooms. Any other good options at WL for a party of this size but still give enough privacy to everyone?

I know this is advanced planning, but doesn't hurt to start early, right?

 

[spiceycat]

in the VWL part - get a 2-bedroom. It sleeps 8. I would ask for a dedicated with 2 queen beds. the lock off has only one queen bed and a double sleeper sofa.

if you rent from Disney - Jan, 2009 - should be fine.

if you rent from a DVC member - Nov, 2008 is the date.

 

[blessedby3]

I always book our room as soon as we know we are going. Usually thats anywhere from 6 mos to 1 year out. If you are wanting the WL standard rooms, I would book it at a year out. We did this for our trip this past Dec. (booked it in 12/05). The CM said that there are not very many standard view WL rooms. We needed 4 and I also wanted the AAA discount. We got them, but like I said I booked a year out.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

It's never too early to start planning!

You will definitely want to book 2 rooms. The WL is a great choice! Standard rooms will be the least expensive and you can request connecting or adjoining so the grandparents are close by.

 

[lilyv]

So, if I'm hoping to book WL (room only) Oct 2009 (with-fingers crossed-AAA rate) when can I call? Will Disney just charge me one nights stay at the current rate, and then settle up later when they set 2009 rates?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[lucincia]

I found this room map on the monster WL thread -

http://users.hartwick.edu/heydukr/wlrooms.htm

Reason why we want Standard Rooms @ WL (but will also look into Villa option as that may be more economical than 2 rooms and we can spend the extra money elsewhere in the parks! - thanks spicycat!) is that last time we stayed there, DW and I really enjoyed the lobby view. We don't care what view is outside our balcony. We don't care about the noises from the service vehicles or WCC - our family sleep through any noise! We just want to be able to open the door and see the lobby.

I know room requests are not set in stone. But can hope, right?

 

[Texa]

Boy I sure do love DIS ! I started planning my June 2009 trip and my family thinks I'm batty!

 

[PhilReid]

So, if I'm hoping to book WL (room only) Oct 2009 (with-fingers crossed-AAA rate) when can I call? Will Disney just charge me one nights stay at the current rate, and then settle up later when they set 2009 rates?

Thanks for any advice!

I've just booked 2 rooms at the WL for October 2008, I paid $200 per room deposit, the remainder due in Sept 2008

Hope this helps

 

[Renee1061]

I think I have read somewhere on this board before that you can book a room only reservation up to 500 days in advance. You would probably need to book by phone because the 2009 prices may not be released by that time.

If you are wanting standard rooms at WL, I would book them as early as possible, because there are not a lot of standard rooms and they go fast! In August I tried booking a standard room for next June and all I could get was a woods view (but that was with a AAA rate, so they may just not have had any standard rooms at that rate).

 

[time4Mickey]

We tried to book early dec 2008(flexible dates) but wanted a deluxe room at WL in Aug and they were already booked. So if you know the date I say go ahead and book it. I always call Disney direct and then you just pay 1 nights room as deposit. The rest due on arrival. Happy planning.