How far in advance do you book your trip?

[caroline1851]

We're planning on going to WDW end of Sept 08 or beginning of Oct 08. Kind of depends on what deals are going on, possibility of free dining, etc.

How far in advance should i book our trip? Should i just wait until the spring when / if free dining is announced?

We're tentatively planning on staying at CSR.

Thanks!

 

[KatMark]

We usually book about 6-9 months ahead of our trip so we can coordinate our vacation time from jobs. This year, we booked the bounce back with free dining. My best friend and her husband will be joining and the agent we used suggested she book now with the dining package. Then, if and when it is offered (usually around April, I believe), she will change her reservation to get her the free dining. Hope this helps.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

We try to book as far in advance as possible. We just put our deposit down for our trip that is September 21-26 2008. We are staying in 2 rooms at CBR

 

[paulag]

Just booked week after Thanksgiving 2008--few AAA rooms available at Deluxes at this point. I hope the release more soon- we are booked at GF and I hadn't planned to spend that much $$$$!

 

[paulag]

Just booked week after Thanksgiving 2008--few AAA rooms available at Deluxes at this point. I hope they release more soon- we are booked at GF and I hadn't planned to spend that much $$$$!

 

[selmuir]

We've booked our trip now for June 21st 2008 ! lol

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

We booked our Aug. '08 stay about a month ago! I like to book as far out as possible. The planning and anticipation is half the fun for me!! (and my family)

 

[psu1978]

I booked as soon as AAA rates came out in August for the following year. I knew that AAA rooms are limited. I was told by CRO (and I've read here) that once AAA rooms are gone, that is it - no more will be released for that time period. Apparently the AAA rooms are released all at once, not in blocks like I've heard about with other rooms.

The AAA rate was good enough that DH let me book Club Level at AKL - so we are very excited. Unfortunately, August is a long time away and as you can see by my signature, time is moving at a snail's pace. Oh well, nothing to do now but PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!!!

 

[psu1978]

We booked our Aug. '08 stay about a month ago! I like to book as far out as possible. The planning and anticipation is half the fun for me!! (and my family)

I'm with you. I love the planning. My family thinks I'm crazy until we get there and we have the most amazing trip because "someone" planned it out so well.

Mickey'sfriend - saw you were from PA (me too...originally) and wondered about the paw prints in your signature. Any chance they are from a Nittany Lion? Sure look like it! When are you going in Aug? We will be there 8/3 - 8/9.

 

[dzneelvr]

Resort rooms: 10 months out
Dining: 5-6 months out; I look at the EMH for the parks to coordinate
Air Tickets: as soon as that month hits their schedule/ 4-5 months out
Limo to/from airport: 2 months out
DDE/AP: I work them so we can use it twice within a 12 month period.
Park Tickets: day of arrival; I just have them added to our room key
ASMo Here we come June 2008

 

[Snow Shoe]

I book our rooms as early as possible. Being DVC, it's at the 11 month window exactly. Then on the same day, I purchase our airplane tickets also.

 

[G&J's Mom]

This is getting to be a really popular time of year. I would put a deposit down just to insure you get the resort and room type you want. We go the same time frame every year that you are going, and I noticed it was more crowded this year but still manageable. We are checking in on 9/25/08 to 10/4/08 with bounceback. They extended the bounceback cutoff to checkouts to 10/12, so hard to say what the resort capacities will be like. Again, book it and try and add a code when it comes out.

Have fun planning!!!

Denise

 

[karylrocks]

I have been planning our trip for August 2008 since May. Just booked the rooms this week (AAA discount ASMu and renting points for AKV). Airfare - I found the flights I want and will keep an eye on those prices, as soon as they get to my price range I will book them. Will book ADR's at 180 days. Park tickets I will get a couple months ahead.

 

[Vijoge]

We're booked at CSR for Sept "08.

 

[Disney Spaz]

I will book over a year in advance once the decision has been made to go. I figure this way if a code comes out I can just apply it.

 

[designermv]

I just booked for Dec. 3-10, 2008 and there were no AAA magic moment rates at WL, CR, or Poly! I went through Disney and reserved WL, and I'm hoping I get a code down the line.

I had a bounceback offer in my WL documents from our trip last week, a great rate at Poly, but it was so hot last week that we don't want to do October again. I'm kind of regretting not taking the offer, it was a great deal.

Anyway, 425 days 'til we go back!

 

[aide4]

For our Christmas 2006 trip, I bought our plane tickets in March I believe, I booked our resort in August, ended up with a package deal that came out, and the last day it was available was the day we were checking in......

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

For Christmas this year, I booked the last week of December last year. I love planning so the long stretch between trips doesn't bother me.

For Christmas '08, I booked last night.

 

[Flametamr]

We booked a year in advance but that was because we recieved the free dining bounce back offer while there in August. If I remember right the free dining offer came out about 90 days early last year and Disney Visa holders were able to book it first. Good luck on your long wait.

 

[Allegro]

When I booked at the 6-month-out mark I thought I was being excessive. And then I came here.