How far in advance have you planned?

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Bim-muv-fab
Just wondering how far in advance folks have started planning your future/past WDW trips or booked your rooms.

In 1995 we went for a week to the Wilderness Lodge and booked over a year in advance. It was kind of nice to have everything planned in advance and have something like that to look forward to.

For our next visit, we are now planning for a Dec. 2003 trip and will probably book our rooms around 15 to 16 months in advance.

What do you think the benefits and downsides of planning this far in advance are and have any of you done something similar?

Well, we will be going to WDW this coming August. I have planned out on paper a 5 day trip during May 2003 a 10 day trip during Sept 2003 and another 5 day trip during May 2004. Trying to get three trips out of the APs we are going to buy before our May 2003 trip.

 

[Girlie Goofy]

Our last trip was in 1997 with our two younger daughters. We decided on yhe way home to plan a trip with our oldest daughter, her husband, and grandson. My giving up Christmas presents, birthdays, and anniversaries, we were able to book our trip in January of 2001, for actual trip in December of 2002. Anticipation has been great!

 

[Dana49]

Oh boy! Your people are going to think that I'm really crazy, but I have already booked a concierge room at the Yacht Club for April, 2004. My son asked if we could stay there for his graduation gift from high school. So. I didn't want to risk missing out. Now, all I have to do is secure a flight during the April school vacation week. That could be harder than getting the room. Planning is the trip is the most fun for me. Between now and then, I'll change the plans a couple of jillion times, but it's still one of the best parts of the trip.

 

[Bim-muv-fab]

Someone mentioned locking in rates for their hotel. How does this work?

 

[minnie56]

It may have been me who mentioned 'locking in' rates.However, that was only because it was a Millenium New Years eve booking at the Grand Floridian that I had booked 10 years prior! Now, they sold out about two years prior.Therefore, a rate was offered approximately 1 year before the date and a certain amount of time available to 'lock-in' and pay. If you didn't wish to....you ran the risk of the rates going 'sky-high'!!We locked in at approx $700+ per night (concierge) but I don't know how high the rates actually went for those who didn't lock-in and pay in full a year prior to arrival!

 

[jeleebeene]

We started planning our trip for this year in January, and I can't believe how close we are getting now. I got some great ideas off of these boards, and want to thank everyone who has provided information in one way or the other.
I never realized how much we have MISSED in the past, including rides, restaurants, and just plain ol' scenery. I plan on looking at everything and enjoying it all instead of playing commando. I want to make sure I take in every sight, smell every scent, and enjoy every bit of excitement I feel from being there.
For some people, the longer they plan, sometimes is for the better, especially if you have a large group. Since it is just me, my husband, and my brother, it was failry simply, and our TA did everything for us. I have read, and read, and read every book imaginable, as well as these boards. I am ready!! Already getting ready to pack non-essential items!

Too excited to wait until the last minute to pack!

 

[Bim-muv-fab]

Originally posted by jeleebeene
We started planning our trip for this year in January, and I can't believe how close we are getting now. I got some great ideas off of these boards, and want to thank everyone who has provided information in one way or the other.
I never realized how much we have MISSED in the past, including rides, restaurants, and just plain ol' scenery. I plan on looking at everything and enjoying it all instead of playing commando. I want to make sure I take in every sight, smell every scent, and enjoy every bit of excitement I feel from being there.
For some people, the longer they plan, sometimes is for the better, especially if you have a large group. Since it is just me, my husband, and my brother, it was failry simply, and our TA did everything for us. I have read, and read, and read every book imaginable, as well as these boards. I am ready!! Already getting ready to pack non-essential items!

Too excited to wait until the last minute to pack!

And the neat thing is that no matter how much you plan or anticipate, there is almost always something that comes up unexpectedly that becomes a great memory. I look forward to those unexpected moments.

 

[Wolverine]

we have pap's and only a 2 hour drive to wdw so we plan on a weekly / bi-weekly basis...we dont really plan big trips.. meaning ...to stay for 3 or more days a few times a year because of cost of lodging..so we usually do 4-6 big trips a year...the rest of the year we do day trips to the parks or water parks or dtd and dq...we are going for a overnight trip for the 4th of july..splurging and staying at the gf... and our next big trip will be labor day weekend for 3 nights at fw cabins (6 of us)...but in between that time we will go every other weekend usually..just do a day trip and back home that night and we dont do sit down meals...usually counter service to save $$$...and pack a cooler......for our big trips we just watch for mousesaver codes or ap rate to book our rooms..then have fun!

 

[minster22]

Believe it or not ,we are working on plans for a trip in April/May of 2004!!My best friend and I had the best time on our trip this year at the BWI for 11 glorious nights that we want to go even longer the next time. In order to have the amount of cash we are going to need for a 16 night stay split between the BWI and the GF we need to really plan ahead. As soon as we know when "regular" season starts in 2004, we will book our room. Plus all this preplanning gives my DH time to adjust to my grand plans!! Thankfully he is an avid fisherman and doesn't mind my addiction to Disney!!

 

[Cinderella]

It varies, we often plan a trip and find we can't wait that long to go. On Monday, I am booking our May 2003 trip, hopefully splitting between WLV and BCV or OKW - we are DVC owners. But, I really can't stand the wait and if we can afford it, I will move the trip forward to January at a later date! I haven't been to WDW since January 2001.