How far ahead do you plan?

[need2travel]

I start planning whenever DH gives the ok for a trip So it's been anywhere from 11 months out to 4 months out, I actually like the shorter time frame for planning because when I start planning too far out I change my mind about restaurants, parks, etc about 20 times, with less time to plan I only change my mind about 10 times or so.

 

[suzimar57]

I'm planning now for several trips i "hope" to make in the future (including WDW 50th in 2021)

If I'm being honest here, I actually enjoy the "planning" part more than the "being there" part because planning is constant/ongoing, whereas once I'm there, the clock is ticking....

 

[BellsFam]

When my boss oks my time off...

L/y we started planning in Jan for an April trip... I got all the fps I wanted, I got a BOG res three days before we left...I would have gone insane if we did it any earlier than that...

 

[W.E.D.]

Like you, OP, I'm laying down the bare basics for my next visit as I'm leaving Orlando.
I usually start saving, etc., about a year and a half out.

 

[madzy]

Typically, we aim for 1 year in advance.

We like to book, and then divide the cost of the trip by 11 months so that we can just make monthly payments and be paid off
before we arrive.

We were just there at end of April, and our next trip isn't until August 2017. I'm so sad, it seems so far away, but right now, I just want to book
and start paying for it.

Same here. I started saving a little a couple of months ago. We are going August of 2017 also and I think I am going to actually call tonight to book so I can start paying. I will definitely make me feel better.

 

[Ellwood970]

About 4 weeks ahead of time usually get excellent room rates.

 

[runnerchick]

Already booked for Sept 2017 - Beach Club room only. Once packages are available, I will add tickets. Hoping to add the Bounce Back Free Dining when we are in WDW this Sept.

 

[fla4fun]

I don't plan more than maybe 4-6 months out, because I typically wait for a room discount to be released to book my room. I don't really like to change resorts once I've booked, so I prefer to wait and choose from what is available and work my plans around that. Sometimes I book with less than a week, if I need a weekend Disney fix. I don't do a lot of ADR's, so I don't have to worry about the 180 day deadline. I usually book my FP+ at around 45-30 days out. I don't do a lot of planning because I prefer a more spontaneous trip.

 

[Parker Clan]

We start planning as soon as we book, which is usually 8- 9 months out.
That way it's close to the 180 day mark and we book our ADR'S

 

[IrishNYC]

Our last trip was our "one and only, at least for a very long time" trip. About a week after we got back, DH, who was anti-Disney EVER, wanted to do a trip for just the two of us 6 months later, but we couldn't swing it financially, or with childcare. Then he decided he wanted to go for MNSSHP in Oct. 2016, but we'd already booked our big 2016 vacation and wouldn't be able to save enough for a second big trip. Now we're planning for MNSSHP for Sept. 2017, and we can't wait. We surprised DD, then 5, with our last trip, and we'll probably surprise her again next time. She'll be 8 when we go again.

We already have our costumes planned, and even sneakily ran it by DD. "What if we ever got to go to a Halloween party and we did a family theme of..." and she loved it. As soon as 20017 prices come out, we'll be reserving. Can't wait!

 

[North of Mouse]

Wow, totally awed by how long some of you plan for vacation!
Most say nearly a year, with one person saying to plan now for '18!!

We make our lodging ressies about 4-6 months out, then a very few dining ressies 2-3 months out + FP's. Then, we just sit back, relax, and wait til a few days before leaving to pack.

If we planned very far in advance it would just stress us, and one thing we do like to do, is relax, and for the most part go with the flow. Works for us - actually we usually get some spur of the moment ressies from other's cancellations for dining and FP's if we desire more, after we're there - usually stay 8-10 nights.

In fact, dh was just saying, wouldn't it be nice if we could decide 'spur of the moment' to go to Disney like we used to?

And, yes, I know, it's to each their own - whatever works!

 

[MrInfinity]

I seem to plan a little earlier each trip.
At first it was maybe 6 mo ahead. Then after a vacation, we'd have a few months of downtime, and then start looking at the next.
Then, it became planning the next on the way home from the last.
Then, it became planning the next while still on one trip.
Now it's evolved to planning trips two trips out! We're doing DL this July, but already thinking about going back to the World next summer.
I have not made a spreadsheet yet for the summer 17 trip. So has the official planning started yet if it's only a rough idea? I guess you'd have to break it down into rough ideas... trip logistics... and then firm plans.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Our first two trips were planned two years in advance, subsequent trips a year and a half. We have another planned for fall of next year. I haven't chosen dates yet but know that it'll be a two week trip and that we'll be staying at the Poly. I have a list of some of the new restaurants we want to try and will start crunching numbers soon to see if a premier pass will make sense for us. if we go with the premier pass, then that mean simultaneous planning for 2018, possibly during Star Wars Weekends.

 

[ivanp91]

We've got in the habit of two vacations a year, usually a smaller one of only a couple weeks and a longer one of around 4 weeks. We try and begin booking a specific trip around a year prior. This means we normally have a vacation almost or fully paid with another one in the early stages of booking. For example, after getting back from the States at the end of last year we had roughly half of our trip to TDR/HKDL booked. That trip was then completed in April, at which point the next trip (DCL/WDW in Oct) was completely finalised. With that trip only 4 months away we've just booked a cruise on the Wonder for our one and only trip in 2017 (testing out a few different mock itineraries for a huge summer '18 trip, so having to save up vacation days )

 

[michelleiada]

We always start the planning about a year out. As a DVC member, I like to book my home resort at 11 months and then the planning begins,

 

[babesboo99]

My family usually plans about 11 months ahead since we do DVC at BCV . So I try to plan everything that early we arrive the end of October and I have been booked since the end of November. I like to have all the planning done early that way it's out of the way and if I have to add anything I don't have to worry

 

[Snowysmom]

We just went in May. We are now planning for next May. I told DH that we are getting older and need to go back every year. And he agreed! So the planning has begun. If younger DS and DDIL and DGD come along as they did this year the trip will be one way. If it is just DH and I then we will be doing things a bit differently. So I will plan 2 trips and see which one we do. He also said that we are close enough (3 hour plane ride) the we could do a long weekend there if we really need a Disney fix. Yay!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Usually around 9 months for the longer trips with the family, less if it's just me.

If we buy into DVC I will be planning 11 months out.

 

[dkrauss]

Because of the cost of a WDW trip I plan at least a year in advance. I've got our November trip with my brother and his family, paid for from a resort perspective (Rented DVC points last December - saving 55%). Almost saved up for our AP's which will be paid for in August. Oh yeah plane tickets have been purchased too........$270/per for my wife and I from Newark/Philly.

Our next trip after that will be just my wife and I going back home to Wilderness Lodge in August 2017.........I'm trying to figure out how to put 2 nights at the Poly on this one. Also for 2017 have another family trip identified for 2nd week in Oct..........still discussing resort location on this one. I use the Disney Vacation account to assist in saving for these trips. I know many people don't like the DVA but its been a great tool for us.

So in the end............I plan "more" than a year in advance. But that's me!

Doug

 

[danalea10]

We have been thinking about our Dec. trip since our last trip 4 years ago but didn't start really planning until about a month ago. So about 7 or 8 months before! But we have been saving for 4 years!