How Far in Advance Do We Need to Plan a DL Trip?

[tarheelmjfan]

My DS wants to visit LA next summer, & my DH wants to add on a trip to Las Vegas. Naturally, I'm not going that close, w/o spending a few days at DL/ DCA. How far in advance do I need to start planning in order to not miss out on anything we may want to do? Also, is it possible to get a discount on onsite hotels? Last question, is there anything else I need to know in the pre-planning stage? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[PinkBudgie]

It is never too early to start planning. We are going for a week next summer and I'm looking at hotels now, but will not make reservations until maybe April because the online rates don't let you cancel. Last summer we went for three days on the spur of the moment and I booked a room about 2 weeks ahead. These are off site. The on site hotels fill up sooner and maybe also some of the very close places.

You can get a slight discount at the onsite hotels with an AP, and more during times they offer their special rate.

Just start looking in to the area and reading the boards. That way you can learn about it in small amounts and not trying to remember a bunch of last minute tips.

 

[HydroGuy]

I usually start planning my summer trip about 4-5 months beforehand. That is when we choose dates and reserve hotels.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

My DS wants to visit LA next summer, & my DH wants to add on a trip to Las Vegas. Naturally, I'm not going that close, w/o spending a few days at DL/ DCA. How far in advance do I need to start planning in order to not miss out on anything we may want to do? Also, is it possible to get a discount on onsite hotels? Last question, is there anything else I need to know in the pre-planning stage? Thanks in advance for your help.

I would say start planning now if you have any idea of specific dates that you would like this trip to happen on! I plan wayyyy early but some plan a few months out. I think the more time you give yourself the more flight options or hotel options you have. Also some discounts on rooms sell out quickly.

Totally OT but I am a proud red head too!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the tips. We've got a WDW trip coming up this week, & will probably start reading more about DL after that. What is the earliest things, other than hotels, can be booked?

I don't know exactly what DL offers, but some things at WDW can be booked a year in advance. As you probably know, many of them need to be booked the day they become available. Is this true for DL too? I want to make sure we don't miss out on something we'd really enjoy, due to my procrastination.

Also, do the hotel discounts make getting an AP feasible for a single visit of 3 to 4 nights? Are there other benefits to consider, when deciding whether or not to purchase an AP ? We won't be going back anytime soon. How about AAA? Do they offer discounts for DL hotels or package discounts?

I think that's all of my pre-planning questions for now. Thanks again for the help.

Totally OT but I am a proud red head too!

Hello fellow redhead! We like Disney, but our heart belongs to Universal.

 

[ballarinamom]

Since you are from Florida, I'm sure you've dome WDW several times. At WDW I think you really need to stay onsite. At DL, their are only 3 Disney hotels. But there are many choices for Good Neighbor hotels. Some of these hotels are actually closer to the parks than the Disney hotels. And ofcourse they are nuch cheaper.
Unlike WDW you can only make PS arrangements 60 days before unlike the 180 at WDW