How far in advance do you book??

[Treacle44]

We usually book 12-16 months in advance but then we're in the UK and we have to have that time to save up!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

We've never had to put more than a $200.00 deposit down.
We do that with either a credit card, or debit card.
If we use a credit card, we pay it as soon as the bill comes in, using our left over vacation money.

The $200 deposit is if you book a package. The one nights deposit (highest room rate) is for the room only.

 

[airhead]

I book as soon as I can. I will be booking our next trip(June/July 2010) June of this year. We stay at the Dolphin (teacher's rate)and they won't take my reservation earlier than 1 year out.
I LOVE having a year to plan! I'm so obsessed!!!!!!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I book as soon as I can. I will be booking our next trip(June/July 2010) June of this year. We stay at the Dolphin (teacher's rate)and they won't take my reservation earlier than 1 year out.
I LOVE having a year to plan! I'm so obsessed!!!!!!

Since I have no patience I booked Friday night! I'm glad I reserved our room and it's promised to us.

 

[weheartdisney]

Mi*vida*loca - Did you call Disney and book thru them, or did you go thru a travel agent? Congratulations on your vacation!!

We are trying to decide now on what dates in Jan/Feb 2010 we want to go. So once we do,we can go ahead and make a reservation for room only and then wait for the *deals* to come out? I've never booked this way before. What if a better deal comes along during different dates than what you have booked? Can you switch dates as well without penalty?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Mi*vida*loca - Did you call Disney and book thru them, or did you go thru a travel agent? Congratulations on your vacation!!

We are trying to decide now on what dates in Jan/Feb 2010 we want to go. So once we do,we can go ahead and make a reservation for room only and then wait for the *deals* to come out? I've never booked this way before. What if a better deal comes along during different dates than what you have booked? Can you switch dates as well without penalty?

I booked straight through Disney.

He was very polite and told me to call back in August or September to change it to a package. He did say they would have to refund me my deposit for the room only and then rebook me to a package but that my room is guaranteed.

If any codes come out I can add those when they come out. Last year we booked our 3/2009 trip in September 2008 with no deal in place at that time. When the 4/3 deal came out I called them and added it no problems!

For our vacation last month I also switched days around and was not charged a penalty but I changed it way before my 45 day mark. After the 45 day mark I believe you pay a penalty. As long as they have something available that week you are okay.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We book as soon as we know our dates. If you plan to go in 2010, you must pay an "average" one night deposit whether you will book a package or not. Since costs for 2010 aren't available yet, they cannot put a package in place. We're just doing room only so it won't affect us at all. Once the 2010 rates come out, they'll adjust the cost of our room and just credit what I've paid to our account. I will not pay in full until 4-6 week before arrival so I can apply any code we may be eligible for.

 

[momma2kiddos]

This thread helps alot since we plan to return March 2010. I was going to wait till August but it may just be worth my while to just book a room only now. I LOVE to plan.....even though I use a TA!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We always book at the end of our trip for the same time the next year.
That gives us a year to make sure we have the trip, and airfare paid off with cash, and spending money set aside. No credit used for our trips.
Since you don't have to pay it off until 45 days out, you can also take advantage of any promotions that come out after you book.

Do you book your airfare through Disney? We want to book early and pay cash payments throughout the year. We don't want to use credit at all. I haven't figured out how to do that yet with airfare unless we use Paypal.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[exit30]

As soon as the thought enters our mind. Seriously though, if we are seriously considering it we book so as to get the best rate we can (AAA). We've only had to cancel once. If it's before the rates come out we expect an increase but don't really mind as we are going regardless.

 

[MelanieC]

I book about 10 months out or so.

 

[RoseRoni2]

book as soon as the rates comes out. This time I waited until the middle of March to book our trip in July. I got the better rate waiting 3 months out. I don't think that would happen at all times.

 

[sawyert]

Mi*vida*loca - Did you call Disney and book thru them, or did you go thru a travel agent? Congratulations on your vacation!!

We are trying to decide now on what dates in Jan/Feb 2010 we want to go. So once we do,we can go ahead and make a reservation for room only and then wait for the *deals* to come out? I've never booked this way before. What if a better deal comes along during different dates than what you have booked? Can you switch dates as well without penalty?

I've already purchased our flights with air miles, trying to decide where to stay in Jan 2010 I like the look of the polynesian it sounds like you all get deals by booking the full package which we won't be doing do they not come out with hotel room only deals.

we're a family of 5 and have never gone to wdw don't know where to stay and $355 a night is out of our price range any suggestions. I'm tempted to book now but when I go online they don't have the rates available yet so how is everyone booking 9plus months in advance?? I too like to be well organized, last minute is not my thing. oppinions advice on a hotel appreciated
tia

 

[Dawn68PA]

You have to book for 2010 by phone. You will be charged a one-night, highest rate of this year to hold your reservation until prices for 2010 are released in August. Then you call back and get everything adjusted.

For a family of 5 I would recommend a suite at ASMu. ASMu is wonderfully Disney themed and there is a lot of activities. This was the first resort we ever stayed at and I'm so glad it was. We've been addicted to Disney since

 

[webstah]

Do you book your airfare through Disney? We want to book early and pay cash payments throughout the year. We don't want to use credit at all. I haven't figured out how to do that yet with airfare unless we use Paypal.

Thanks for any advice.

No, we don't book our airfare through Disney,
We did the first time, but the Disney options don't include the two carriers we generally use, Jet Blue and Southwest.
We book those ourselves, and look for the best fare, but we set the money aside in our savings acount so that when we do book, and get the credit card bill, we pay it off immediately, so there is no interest charge.