How far in advance are they booking?

[STLDisney_Freak]

I called last week for my dates of Dec. 6 threw Dec. 13, 2008 but was told they aren't booking for those days yet, Anyone know how far in advance they are currently booking?

 

[BrianD]

I think they were wrong, unless something has changed. Really you can book as early as you want, but yearly rates are released around June/July each year for the next year. So, pretty soon we should be getting 2008 rates released. And soon after that, they are even booking on the website. So call back!

 

[dlpcarden]

I would like to know too when I can book my trip for Sept 2008..

 

[MomofCKJ]

Room only you can book 500 days in advance I believe so you might not be in that window just yet. Packages come out in the summer usually for the following year. We are anxiously awaiting them right now to book our March 2008 trip.

Allyson

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Okay I called back...They aren't book Disney Grand Floridian Concierge yet...They said call back in July

 

[Lives4Disney]

Okay I called back...They aren't book Disney Grand Floridian Concierge yet...They said call back in July

Really?? OK, that's interesting.....I thought the suites at the Grand were booked YEARS in advance for Xmases. That's what I was told by CRO in the past when I tried to book one....unsuccessfully.

Lives4Disney

 

[BrianD]

Okay I called back...They aren't book Disney Grand Floridian Concierge yet...They said call back in July

Good choice by the way - especially for December!

 

[Jennasis]

Yup, please let me know when I can book for December 2008. Got a mini fam reunion in the works!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I spoke with a Disney reservationist yesterday who said the 2008 rates will be out mid-August. She said we could book a room only now and when the 2008 rates came out the reservation would be adjusted to reflect the change.

If you want to book a package, you must wait until the 2008 rates come out.

I read in another post that the 2008 rates would come out June 23rd. I got all excited and I called Disney reservations (today). She said the same thing as the reservationist yesterday. When I asked what was the earliest she had ever seen the rates come out, she said mid-July. I then asked her about the June 23rd date and she said they have heard absolutely nothing to that effect.

I'm gonna keep checking the website daily and calling every couple of days just to make sure.

Lisa

 

[peightonmom]

That's the time I am looking to go as well! I can't wait.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Okay, I called Disney again today and they said mid-August. I also e-mailed them a couple of days ago asking when the 2008 rates would be out (and I asked for details on accommodations for 5). Here is an exact copy of the e-mail I received from Disney:

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Each year, our Product Development Department reviews all components
offered under each package name. This determines the packages and
components included for the following year. At this time, packages
beyond 2007 have not been announced. Please check back in the Summer of
2007 for updated information.

You may want to look at the Family Suites at Disney's All Star Music
Resort or the cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. Then there
is always the possibility of taking two rooms at a value or moderate
resort. The next bump up for a party of 5 would be a deluxe resort.

Family Suites at Disney's All Star Music Resort include separate
sleeping areas, a mini kitchenette with a small refrigerator and
microwave, two full bathrooms and will sleep a party of 6 plus a crib
size infant under the age of three. Bedding in the spacious Family
Suite (520 sq ft) is 1 Queen Bed, 1 Convertible Sleeper Chair, 1 Sleeper
Sofa and 1 Convertible Sleeper Ottoman. Having two bathrooms makes
getting ready easier and more convenient. This room category includes
all standard Resort Amenities, plus coffee/tea maker and hair dryer.
With the extra room, families can be together in the suite and still
enjoy separate sleeping areas with more privacy. You can relax and
recount the memories of the day before falling off to a good night's
sleep.

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offer the Wilderness
CABINS: reminiscent of the log homes of the pioneers - but with the
Disney touch. Each manufactured 42x12 cabin has richly colored
wilderness accents, extra storage space, dining room and full size
bathroom with shower/tub. The bedroom has a double bed and bunk beds,
and the living room features a comfortable, pull down double bed, as
well as cable TV. The maximum party size is six plus a crib size infant
under the age of three. You will certainly enjoy the comfort of
air-conditioning and heating, fully equipped kitchen, and daily
housekeeping service. For outdoor relaxation, just stroll onto the deck
with picnic table and adjoining barbecue grill, all nestled under a lush
canopy of trees. Laundry, restrooms and showers are available, if
needed, at the nearby pool.


Additional information can be found on our web site: http://disneyworld.com/resorts


And use the link for Resorts / Cabins and Campground

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Lainie Weidner

WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.
______________________________________________________________

I'm gonna call Disney again this weekend and I am going to keep checking online for the 2008 rates.

Will keep everybody updated and hope ya'll will do the same.

Lisa

 

[safetymom]

Rates haven't been announced yet for 2008. They will allow you to book a room and then change to a package once the rates are announced.

It also may be different this year since they are changing the rate structure.

 

[dlpcarden]

Thanks Lisa for the update.

I think that we might book our package in October for our Sept 08 trip. We want to add the dining plan at a later date. We are hoping that Disney will offer the free dining again next year. It would be so sweet to save $1000.00 just on the food..... Hopefully, we will be able to stay at the resort we want if they do offer the free dining.

Does anyone know how to guarantee that we can keep our first pick of resort and room type if they offer the dining. I have heard that they only have so many rooms set aside for this special..

 

[safetymom]

That is correct. They only have a certain number of rooms available for free dining.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I read in another post that the 2008 rates would come out June 23rd. I got all excited and I called Disney reservations (today). She said the same thing as the reservationist yesterday. When I asked what was the earliest she had ever seen the rates come out, she said mid-July. I then asked her about the June 23rd date and she said they have heard absolutely nothing to that effect.

Interesting - when I booked room only last week for 2008, the CM told me she couldn't remember rates EVER coming out this late in the year!

For the past three years (according to Mousesavers), room rates for the following year have been released in May. I know it was in May last year, because we had booked room only earlier and received the updated rates in May.

Package rates for the last three years have been released in June for 2005 and 2006, but not until August 6, 2006 for this year.

The June 23 date probably came from the Allears post regarding changes to the reservation system that are supposed to be effective June 23, 2007 for 2008 reservations. The speculation has been that rates must be released by then if they are going to be booking for 2008. Just speculation, although it does make sense that Disney would have rates by then if they are planning 2008 procedures to be effective on that date. Then again, it makes just as much sense that they won't be released by that date!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Does anyone know how to guarantee that we can keep our first pick of resort and room type if they offer the dining. I have heard that they only have so many rooms set aside for this special..

As far as I know (and I'm sure someone will correct me if this is not right), you can book a package once package rates are released, but even if you have the room type you want and a package already booked, you may not get free dining if the allotment for that resort has been taken. The same applies to converting a room-only to a promotional package - you might have the room available, but the promo code won't work because the number of packages at that code might have been booked at that resort. Doesn't mean there is no room at the inn - just no more packages they are willing to sell. Kind of like AAA rates - when they are gone, they are gone.

Best thing is to watch the boards and call early, then keep calling if you don't get what you want. People change resorts, dates, etc. all the time before the 45 day payment date, and some cancel at that time as well.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I couldn't book our 2006 package until August 13, 2005 (rates came out that day) and I couldn't book our 2007 package until August 15, 2006 (rates came out that day).

I called them almost every day in hopes the rates would come out earlier than expected.

Now I am right back to doing the same thing.

You know what's so pitiful though? We were home from our June, 2007 trip for just one day when I started planning our 2008 trip. Our drive was 13 3/4 hours long so we had plenty of time to plan. We got home in the wee hours of June 11, 2007 and I was calling Disney on June 12th to try and book a package. I'm addicted to WDW and I admit it!

13th trip here we come!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oops forgot to add something.

A promotion (upgrade of tickets and a reduced room rate) came out after I had booked the vacation and had been making payments on it for quite some time.

I called 407-W-DISNEY and told them what I had found on their website. In no time, I had the reduced room rate (just two nights worth but, hey, I'll take it) and free water parks and more upgrade on our tickets. It was a savings of over $300.00. May not seem like much but $300.00 is $300.00!

Lisa