How far in advance should I book for my trip?

[tcat160]

Hello! Never been to WDW and want to in 2014. I was wondering how far in advance it's recommended to book at an onsite resort? I'm going back and forth on a couple onsites, and also thinking about renting DVC points which needs to be done 11 mos in advance. How close to May can I book while still getting the room I want? TIA! P.S. Sorry if this is a q you guys see all the time. I've been cruising the boards for a couple days and hadn't seen a thread about it.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

For DVC you should definitely start shopping a year in advance. You want to be ready for that 11 month reservation booking.

For a regular resort booking I would do it at least 7 months in advance to take advantage of the 180 day ADR booking. Also keep an eye out for any discounts and book those as soon as possible (ie free dining if applicable during your timeframe).

 

[ErinsMommy]

Some people say if you're hoping for a discount its better to NOT book in advance because sold out resorts are less likely to be discounted if occupancy is already high.

With that said, if its a room thats in high demand, better to book sooner than later so you get the room you want.

 

[tcat160]

Thanks a bunch! I was hoping to book in Feb 2014,but that's looking like it may be too close to the reservation date I want which is the third week of may. =(

 

[ThumpersWorld]

If you decide on renting DVC points and want a resort like BLT, BCV or BWV you should definitely plan to book at the 11 month mark as those resorts go quick...

 

[GAN]

With DVC it really depends on the time of year and if you are really set on a particular resort. If you're open to any DVC( they're all great in their own way) and only need a studio then you could probably book 3-months out ... As long as you're not talking Christmas, school vacation weeks, etc. I've rented my points 4 or 5 times now and don't think any of them happened within 6 months of travel.

 

[tcat160]

Im pretty set on the 2nd or 3rd week of may. Its our first trip so while i really want AKV, disney is still disney, you know? Lol. If i didnt go the DVC route im set on AoA or 2 rooms at an AS. The more i save on lodging the longer we can stay =}. But for our 1st trip i absolutley have to stay onsite

Some details... We have 3 adults and 3 kids (2, 5, & 9) so in calculating prices of tickets and DDP and such i havent counted the 2 yr old. Was that a mistake?

 

[Missyrose]

Im pretty set on the 2nd or 3rd week of may. Its our first trip so while i really want AKV, disney is still disney, you know? Lol. If i didnt go the DVC route im set on AoA or 2 rooms at an AS. The more i save on lodging the longer we can stay =}. But for our 1st trip i absolutley have to stay onsite

Some details... We have 3 adults and 3 kids (2, 5, & 9) so in calculating prices of tickets and DDP and such i havent counted the 2 yr old. Was that a mistake?

You know you need a two-bedroom DVC villa for a group that big, or two studios.

 

[fla4fun]

Some details... We have 3 adults and 3 kids (2, 5, & 9) so in calculating prices of tickets and DDP and such i havent counted the 2 yr old. Was that a mistake?

If your 2 year old will be 3 when you visit (and I'm thinking the answer is yes on that one) then you have to count them for tickets, DDP and room occupancy. Room occupancy usually allows you to included one child under the age of three in addition to the posted occupancy. So a room that would hold four will hold four plus one under three. But if all of your children will be three or older, then you have to look at rooms to accommodate five people - which is why the pp said you would need at minimum a one bedroom villa (some allow five if you are renting points, but not all) and most likely a two bedroom villa if you are staying DVC. For value rooms (not suites) you would need two rooms, and for most moderate resorts you would also need two rooms.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello! Never been to WDW and want to in 2014. I was wondering how far in advance it's recommended to book at an onsite resort? I'm going back and forth on a couple onsites, and also thinking about renting DVC points which needs to be done 11 mos in advance. How close to May can I book while still getting the room I want? TIA! P.S. Sorry if this is a q you guys see all the time. I've been cruising the boards for a couple days and hadn't seen a thread about it.

With a DVC rental ( you don't really rent points - you purchase a reservation from a member that they made with their points), you have zero control over the reservation until the moment you check in. You can't make any request, the member has to do that. The member has to add the dining plan and you have to pay for it when it is added (if you want the dining plan). You need to make sure the dates you want are firm because you will probably not be able to change your dates with a DVC purchase. And you probably won't be able to get any refund.

For the first trip, it's kind of nice to be able to talk to Disney Reservation Center, make requests, change the resort, etc yourself. You can't do that with a DVC rental. I recommend not doing a DVC rental for your first trip. Book through Disney Reservation Center.

 

[KrazeeK120]

If your 2 year old will be 3 when you visit (and I'm thinking the answer is yes on that one) then you have to count them for tickets, DDP and room occupancy. Room occupancy usually allows you to included one child under the age of three in addition to the posted occupancy. So a room that would hold four will hold four plus one under three. But if all of your children will be three or older, then you have to look at rooms to accommodate five people - which is why the pp said you would need at minimum a one bedroom villa (some allow five if you are renting points, but not all) and most likely a two bedroom villa if you are staying DVC. For value rooms (not suites) you would need two rooms, and for most moderate resorts you would also need two rooms.

If the 2 year old will be 3 when they visit, then they will need a room for 6. If he/she will still be 2, then they'll need a room for 5 (+1).

My family is 2 people (DH and I), so I haven't looked into larger accommodations and I don't know if there are any that will sleep 5 that won't sleep 6, other than the Royal Rooms at POR.

 

[tcat160]

ages for the kiddos are at the time of the vacay,so we are good on that. I appreciate everyone's help. I may be leaning more towards not doing DVC,because of what pp said about the restrictions on DVC's. I was aware, but it really didn't sink in until they spelled it out, lol.