How far in advance to book hotels?

[Hannahinwonderland]

Hey everyone.

I am planning a short trip in October. I would love to stay on property, but I won't be able to iron out specific dates until I get my course schedules in August. How far in advance do you really need to book DL hotels? Should I just wing it and then hope everything works out? Or should I just book it and take a chance that I will have a midterm that day?

Thanks!

 

[ShaunaM]

Hey everyone.

I am planning a short trip in October. I would love to stay on property, but I won't be able to iron out specific dates until I get my course schedules in August. How far in advance do you really need to book DL hotels? Should I just wing it and then hope everything works out? Or should I just book it and take a chance that I will have a midterm that day?

Thanks!

I have watched our onsite room rates since I booked them and they have climbed. I always book well in advance and adjust as needed. Most hotels have excellent cancelation policies so there is little risk booking farther out. Good luck

 

[mfleeting]

Last time we went I looked at about 6 months in advance but my husband was against it. When he changed his mind 2 months in advance they were ridiculously high. Depending on how you book you can always cancel a few days before arrival so if things change you can change your dates. Can you look at previous syllabus from your classes to see when tests normally happen? Maybe that could help with your planning.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Now! As far as possible. If you have a couple of sets of dates possible put them both in.

 

[amyg1975]

The hotels sell out fast, all throughout the year. I booked our July dates in January, and I booked the end of April yesterday, but got the last room. Book now, and then change as needed.

 

[jammyjam25]

When you’re going in October could also affect availability and pricing. Gay Days weekend is September 29-October 1 and many people will still be staying from that event through the first week of October to take advantage of the discount hotel rates they receive.

Later in the month is the large (CHOC?) walk which attracts lots of visitors and I believe Columbus Day weekend is a popular weekend as well.

I’m with the others, I would book now and then cancel/adjust later if needed.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

Our first trip, last year, was booked 2 months before we checked in. I don't know what crowds and booking looks like for October, but we went the first week of March and got a great deal.

We booked our August trip this week, figuring prices will go up the closer it gets.

 

[tzeitel]

We went this past Oct (18-23rd) and I booked Desert Inn and Suites on January 16th. Got it for $90.66 a night including taxes and parking. I kept checking but all it happened was prices went up and then completely sold out around August (DH's parents decided to join us and by then (Sept) they had to look elsewhere for rooms).

 

[kathy884]

If I think I'll be going and have dates in mind I book something fully refundable that would work right away. Then if rate come down or something else looks more to my liking I can re-book or cancel and book something else. I just booked a Plan B for next January, as my Plan A place only books 10 months out (And they only have two rooms with the configuration that would work for me, so I'm not so sure I'll be able to get that). // When it's fully refundable, I figure why not.