How far ahead do you start planning trips?

[Reddog1134]

I guess being a DVC member sort of gives you plans for the next 40+ years, but how far ahead do you really start thinking about your trips? I have tentative plans to go with my fiancé and her family in December of 2011. I casually mentioned a 2011 trip to her father and he said he would love to go in December. He said something to his wife and we hopped on the computer and I showed them the resorts.

My fiancé thinks I’m being ridiculous planning a trip that’s occurring over 2 years from now but I think it’s really exciting. Not only do I get to go to WDW during the Christmas celebration with my wife on her birthday, I also get to go with her fun parents, her adult brother, sister and sister-in-law, 2 tweens and 2 children. I feel like I get all the best shared Disney experiences in one trip.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I've been planning our Dec 2010 trip since May 2008!!! I had all my adrs planned down to dates (and hoped for) times by Aug 2008 and now I just keep adjusting it here and there when I read something else on the Dis that I fancy doing - and I still have another 3 months to wait until I get to my 11 month booking window!!

I am really obsessed, so I know exactly where you are coming from!!

 

[DisneySunflower]

I am really obsessed, so I know exactly where you are coming from!!

I totally agree, however, I wouldn't say obsessed, more like "Disney Fanatical"

 

[DenLo]

Hey I sent out an email invitation in July to my family to join us in June 2014 for a family gathering. It'll be 25 years since the last time we all gathered at WDW and now half of the kids have children of their own and more on the way or planned. They all thought I was funny. But I really wanted to know if they'd even be interested. It'll probably take three years of points to cover all the rooms we'll need to book so we need to know ahead of time to not make other plans and accidentally use those points!

I know it's still way early but I'm so excited that we can do this for the family!

 

[bookwormde]

I have them blocked out through 2015

bookwormde

 

[rentayenta]

We have solid plans planned through December 2011. But my ideas are flying through 2014.

 

[ToddyLu]

Cool ! A thread after my own heart. We always decide a year in advance and now DVC will encourage that. I am in the single digits now and really hope to get something late January-February. If I don't get another trip in before next fall to WDW all is well becasue MIL and I have booked with ABD for Ireland in May 2010.

 

[bama106]

Planning is half the fun. We have our trips planned through 2011 and by the end of the year we will start working on 2012.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

and I thought I was bad! For bigger events like our every 3 year family reunion that involves a cast of 11 of varying ages and 3 states, two continents, I start at 14 months. We vote on where to stay that has a GV to see if I will need to buy extra points via a transfer. Then we go forward planning the activities that certain members want, you have to know the earliest dates you can call on some of these or you won't get what yuo want.

For smaller vacations I follow the school schedule and generally book 6 months ahead. I just booked a Feb trip and for me I consider it last minute!

I love planning and organizing but I've learned over the years that over planning can be a "buzz" kill. You have to find that fine balance!

 

[Coach81]

I have the following trips in various stages of planning:

Dec. 2009- First Trip to Disney for Christmas!!!! - BCV
Feb. 2010- Return trip to Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure
May / June 2010 - Back to Disney for our Summer Vacation w/ my brother and family- THV
Feb. 2011- Disney Trip - BLT
Summer 2012- First ever trip to Disney Land!!!
Summer 2013 - First ever trip to Hawaii!!!

I love my DVC!!!!

 

[Redbunny]

My DH thinks I've lost my mind-planning our first DVC trip home in December 2010=glad to see I'm not alone in my obsession!!!

 

[Aubie881]

We have a plan in place for a grand gathering April 27 to May 4, 2010 and are just starting to plan our first DVC stay for May of 2011.

 

[dvcdisney]

I usually have my points planned out for the next 3-4 years. I want to make sure I have enough points for what I want to do.

Although, I book the resort at 11 mths in advance, I don't start looking for seat sales generally until about 6 months prior. It works out well. We tend to go every 6 months, so when we get back from one vacation, I start looking for flights. I find this helps with getting over leaving.

 

[Donna M]

I love planning. I like to get my plane ressies a good 6-7 months out. The prices have gone up $200 each for the same departure times for our Feb. trip. I find it's important to know what's happening down the road so I have the points I need.

I have three years of trips planned (in my head at least)