How far ahead do you book your room?

[LaurenT]

I am DVC, so I usually book other 11 or 7 months out.
A friend is going in Feb 2013, staying at POR or Poly. She wants to book soon because she's afraid the resort will book up.
My gut tells me she doesn't have to be in that big a hurry, but I don't have a lot of experience with non DVC, on-site resorts.
So, how early should she book? If it's room only, what kind of money does she need up front and when is the rest due?
If she books now and then a great deal is announced, can she have it applied to her room - or switch resorts to get a special that is not offered at hers?
TIA

 

[henry72]

I don't think she needs to book a year in advance to guarantee a room. We book 6 months out this time for a May trip. On our last trip we booked about 3 months out for a December trip. She will need to make a $200 deposit at the time of booking and the balance is due 45 days before her trip.

 

[CamoMama]

She actually can't book right now, as far as I know. They're only taking reservations through 31 Dec 2012. I like to plan well in advance also, we were at CBR Feb 3-12, I booked my flights exactly a year out, but couldn't book the room until a few months later. I'd wait anyway, now, and do more research on where to stay, if there are conventions etc.

 

[ottawamom]

If its a room only reservation she doesn't need to pay the balance on the room until she checks in.

 

[mickeynut1]

I am DVC, so I usually book other 11 or 7 months out.
A friend is going in Feb 2013, staying at POR or Poly. She wants to book soon because she's afraid the resort will book up.
My gut tells me she doesn't have to be in that big a hurry, but I don't have a lot of experience with non DVC, on-site resorts.
So, how early should she book? If it's room only, what kind of money does she need up front and when is the rest due?
If she books now and then a great deal is announced, can she have it applied to her room - or switch resorts to get a special that is not offered at hers?
TIA

She can book room only now but will have to call as you can't book packages or book online until the 2013 rates are released, which should be sometime this summer. The following year's rates are usually released in August, with the exception of this past year when the 2012 rates came out in early June . If she books now, she will be quoted at the highest rate for 2012 and then her ressie will be adjusted once the 2013 rates come out. The required deposit will be 1 night's room rate + tax, with the balance due at check in. She doesn't really have to book this early as I don't think she will have any trouble getting the resort she wants if she waits, but if it will make her feel better having it booked, then she can book now. Booking early will also give her the chance to pay on the ressie over time if she'd rather do that instead of having to pay for it all at check in .

If, however, she wants a package, she will have to wait until the new rates come out. The deposit for a package is $200 with the balance due 45 days prior to arrival. Also, if she books room only and decides she wants a package, the room only will have to be cancelled/refunded and a package booked, requiring a new $200 deposit, as money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other. If a discount comes out for her dates, she can call and have it applied to her reservation, provided there is availability at the resort she already has booked. Sometimes people have to be flexible with their resort/room type in order to take advantage of a discount. HTH .

 

[LaurenT]

She can book room only now but will have to call as you can't book packages or book online until the 2013 rates are released, which should be sometime this summer. The following year's rates are usually released in August, with the exception of this past year when the 2012 rates came out in early June . If she books now,
she will be quoted at the highest rate for 2012 and then her ressie will be adjusted once the 2013 rates come out. The required deposit will be 1 night's room rate
+ tax, with the balance due at check in. She doesn't really have to book this early as I don't think she will have any trouble getting the resort she wants if she waits, but if it will make her feel better having it booked, then she can
book now. Booking early will also give her the chance to pay on the ressie over time if she'd rather do that instead of having to pay for it all at check in .
If, however, she wants a package, she will have to wait until the new rates come out. The deposit for a package is $200 with the balance due 45 days prior to arrival. Also,
if she books room only and decides she wants a package, the room only will have to be cancelled/refunded and a package booked, requiring a new $200
deposit, as money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other. If a discount comes out for her dates, she can call and have it applied to her reservation, provided there is availability at the resort she already has booked. Sometimes people have to be flexible with
their resort/room type in order to take advantage of a discount. HTH .

Exactly the info I was looking for,
Thanks'

 

[Missytara]

Normally I am in luck, because I go the week after Thanksgiving and always book the week after I get home; the package rates have already been released in August.

However, I have a land/sea package for next year, which I was able to book 1-1/2 years in advance for quite a savings - I booked the room portion as a room only and they will convert it to a package in August.

Tell her also to look out starting in July; they released the package rates about three to four weeks early last year. I would expect a 50/50 chance they will do it again this year.

 

[Missytara]

She actually can't book right now, as far as I know. They're only taking reservations through 31 Dec 2012. I like to plan well in advance also, we were at CBR Feb 3-12, I booked my flights exactly a year out, but couldn't book the room until a few months later. I'd wait anyway, now, and do more research on where to stay, if there are conventions etc.

You most likely assumed you couldn't make reservations past the end of the year, because you are looking at online reservations. As stated in later posts, you can book up to 499 days in advance, but you must call CRO to do so. They quote you the highest rack rate for the season, and you pay the first night as a deposit. The rates are adjusted in August of the current year, when the actual rates are released.

This works great with the land/sea package, since you can book the cruises much farther in advance.

 

[mickeynut1]

Exactly the info I was looking for,
Thanks'

You're welcome .

 

[CamoMama]

You most likely assumed you couldn't make reservations past the end of the year, because you are looking at online reservations. As stated in later posts, you can book up to 499 days in advance, but you must call CRO to do so. They quote you the highest rack rate for the season, and you pay the first night as a deposit. The rates are adjusted in August of the current year, when the actual rates are released.

This works great with the land/sea package, since you can book the cruises much farther in advance.

No, what I assumed is that she wanted to book a package. You cannot book a package until the rates come out. I never book online as I am in the military, so in order to take advantage of the discount I have to call.