How far in advance do you plan vacations?

[janette]

I'm trying to get some family members to let me know if they want to go to WDW in June 2005. Ideally I'd like for many of the cousins in my girls age group to be able to go. I'm planning on using my DVC points to provide housing for everyone so it does take a little advance planning so I can bank / borrow and all that. At the latest I can wait until Nov / Dec but I'd like to make some plans now.

I can't seem to get anyone to even let me know that they are planning on it. When we talk about it they'll say that sounds fun but no one seems to want to plan more than that.

Am I just strange? I have tenative plans for vacations for the next couple of years and more that I'd like to plan but don't have a good time picked for.

Do you plan vacations one year at a time or have things to do lined up for a few years?

 

[JC2]

We usually plan 6 months to a year ahead of time.

 

[knucklehead]

Originally posted by JC2
We usually plan 6 months to a year ahead of time.

Same here.

 

[helenabear]

It all depends... if it is a huge family trip, I will do 6-18 months in advance depending on who, when & where. For regular trips I will do them about 4-6 months in advance. Quickest real trip was WDW only about 40 days out. Don't do that too often though

 

[Tony-NJ]

about 10 / 11 months out if MIL is involved - When it's just Chris and I about 6-7

 

[Aprille]

Some trips require more planning time than others. Especially if you're trying to plan with a group of any size - large or small! Been there, done that!

I like to plan trips as early as possible. Booked our Dec '04 Caribbean cruise last Sep. Going to a cruise & travel show this weekend in Houston and thinking about booking an Alaskan cruise for Sep '05 if the price is right. We have family who want to join us for Alaska but they're on their own if I can get a good deal at the travel show. I'm sure I couldn't get them to commit to a trip this far out, but hey, they'll probably pay more than us if they do decide to join us.

Will probably be booking a room at WDW in the next month or so for our annual F&W Fest adventure in early Nov.

So, in answer to the original question - I like to plan way ahead. I need something to look forward to!! (Plus it gives us time to pay off the trip before we take it.) The anticipation and planning is half the fun for me!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

6 months to a year if I am planning with my family. They cannot think any farther in advance then that. I am having a hard time right now getting my Mom to plan for a vacation in Door County 6 months from now. But she is excited about it so that helps.

 

[Pin Wizard]

June 2005? A year and a half away? I can't do that. LOL! I get burned out, walk into the travel agency or hop online and make ressies for NOW!!

 

[Snowysmom]

For a big trip to some place like WDW, we usually plan about 10 months ahead of time. If it is just a short, small trip we plan maybe 2 months in advance. However, we do know we will be going to WDW in 2007 as older DS graduates college and younger DS graduates high school. We just won't make reservations until 10 months before our trip.

 

[Serena]

For my first trip, it was 2 years of planning. And then at the last three months, my extended family decided to come, and I had to reschedule it for a week later. Talk about going back into frantic planning mode.

 

[catsrule]

I am always looking at vacations.

 

[lulubelle]

Usually 9-12 months ahead. We are going on a cruise out of Galveston over Spring Break and spending a week at Atlantis in the Bahamas in June. Then a four day week-end in Vegas in September. Plan on spending a week at our timeshare in Palm Springs over Thanksgiving 2004. These have all been planned since fall 2003. The next trip on the agenda is Daytona Nextel race and WDW in February of 2005. Haven't booked it yet, but in pre-planning stages. I agree, the months prior to going, checking out all the tour, excursion and other options are half the fun!

I cannot help myself, I am a VACA NUT!!!

 

[caitycaity]

planning vacations is one of my favorite pastimes. i've actually been known to keep spreadsheets of semi-planned vacations for the future.

we generally have a few ideas and start serious planning about a year in advance. though we've also been known to take smaller vacations sporadically (a month or two of planning).

this year's vacations are more or less planned and we're already tossing around ideas for next year.

it's just the two of us though, so there aren't that many schedules we need to take into account.

 

[browneyes]

If family members told me they wanted to go to WDW or to take me with them in a year and a half or so, I'd start the planning right now. And I'd already have a bag 1/2 way packed.

 

[janette]

Thanks guys I guess I need to slow down and not worry about the planning for a bit longer. I already have a stash of goodies for the kids but that's a entirely different obsession I'm trying to work on too

I quess I just like to plan vacations, I have some plans for 2006 too but don't have to worry about anyone else for that trip.

 

[Rajah]

We do tentative plans one or two years ahead, but *most* of those fall through. The only ones that tend to really happen are thsoe that we plan 6 months or less ahead.