How far in advance to book offsite condo?

[lchuck]

So, we recently went to WDW for the first time as a family and before the trip was over, we were already deciding to go back next year. We're wanting to go at the end of May and through the first week of June in 2016. I've been looking into offsite condos, as we had a good experience at the last one, but it seems like pricing is all over the place at this point. Some places seem to offer pricing that far out, while others do not. Any advice as to how long I should actually wait before trying to book a place? Our requirements are not that rigid, we're just looking for the best price for a 2 BR/3 BR condo (4 people total) and want to be near WDW. We've looked at Windsor Hills, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, and a number of other places through my parents timeshare group, but is it better to wait until we get closer to going? Thanks for any help or advice you can offer!

 

[powellrj]

It really depends on how picky you are. I am not really picky and wanted the best price so I booked last week for the last week of September. If you want one of the more popular places I would start looking about 9 months out.

 

[Dave1234]

As OP suggests booking late is a good idea. Arrange your flights now then book accommodation nearer the time. Have found this guide useful, worth a read:

http://www.emeraldislandprivaterentals.com/blog/tips-how-to-get-an-orlando-villa-rental-deal/

The resort it relates to is worth consideration also, Emerald Island has no condos but townhouses are a good option.

Hope the helps

Dave

 

[lchuck]

We're actually driving down, so it sounds like waiting is the way to go. I'll quit being so antsy about this and just keep researching potential properties. Thanks for the advice!

 

[dja14]

I already rented our condo for end of Aug 2016. It was in the area we wanted, the size we wanted, and the price was good (great). I did email the owner and ask her what the price would be for the next year. She was surprised I think but she let us rent anyway. Right after that she took several bookings for next year. We are on a budget and the price we got for the condo is making us able to afford to stay two weeks. Everything matched up, we had the money for the deposit, so we though why not go ahead and lock it in.
I have waited in the past and missed out so now I look until I find what we want for the price I want and then go for it, especially if we could cancel.
That being said, there are lots of great deals out there

 

[disneysteve]

We are not big planners. I've booked condos within 6-8 weeks of our trip with no problem. There are thousands of properties for rent and unless you are going at a major time like Christmas week, you won't have any trouble finding one. We need a rental for the 2nd week of November and have not booked yet. We've started looking around but haven't gotten serious about it yet. We'll probably book next month after DD is back in college and we have the time to sit and focus on it.

 

[lchuck]

I already rented our condo for end of Aug 2016. It was in the area we wanted, the size we wanted, and the price was good (great). I did email the owner and ask her what the price would be for the next year. She was surprised I think but she let us rent anyway. Right after that she took several bookings for next year. We are on a budget and the price we got for the condo is making us able to afford to stay two weeks. Everything matched up, we had the money for the deposit, so we though why not go ahead and lock it in.
I have waited in the past and missed out so now I look until I find what we want for the price I want and then go for it, especially if we could cancel.
That being said, there are lots of great deals out there

Just out of curiosity, what size condo did you rent, approximately where is it located, and (if I'm not being too forward/rude) how much did you pay for it? I'm finding places are close to what I want to pay, but I keep thinking I can do better by a couple of hundred dollars.

 

[dja14]

This is the one we are staying at

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/Kissimmee/proID-37813/#photos

It is along 192 and we like that. It is not as close as we have stayed in the past but best I can tell is still pretty close, except for our Universal days. For the price we are paying my husband said he loved it (no matter what it was LOL) All my kids wanted (priority wise) were their own beds-no pull outs. They have grown a lot and the older boys are both over 6 ft and our daughter is close. We just don't fit in a small room. Three rooms with a kitchen and washer dryer and 2 (2!!!!) bathrooms. The other two times we have stayed recently we stayed closer to the Black Lake Rd/Sherbeth rd. But still for the price whats a few more miles. It may not be super fancy or whatever but it meets our needs and it is making a longer trip possible.

I did read about this on the dis a while back. She was very nice, with a contract. I had been checking out her rental page for a while and she does update it. I checked and the prices are listed.
Good luck

 

[tami82]

So, we recently went to WDW for the first time as a family and before the trip was over, we were already deciding to go back next year. We're wanting to go at the end of May and through the first week of June in 2016. I've been looking into offsite condos, as we had a good experience at the last one, but it seems like pricing is all over the place at this point. Some places seem to offer pricing that far out, while others do not. Any advice as to how long I should actually wait before trying to book a place? Our requirements are not that rigid, we're just looking for the best price for a 2 BR/3 BR condo (4 people total) and want to be near WDW. We've looked at Windsor Hills, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, and a number of other places through my parents timeshare group, but is it better to wait until we get closer to going? Thanks for any help or advice you can offer!

I almost always book 11-12 months in advance. Sometimes we would go on vacation in August and a,week later from our return I know where i want to go and have a deposit ready for the mail for the following year. don't know maybe I'm crazy but that's just me. I don't want any disappointments and the earlier you do it the better.

 

[dmc6469]

We booked in February for our December vacation

 

[disneysteve]

I almost always book 11-12 months in advance.

maybe I'm crazy but that's just me.

I don't think you're crazy at all. We just don't know that far in advance when we will be traveling. We've never had any trouble getting a great rental 8-12 weeks out. Our next rental starts November 8 and I just made our reservations on Sunday, 8/16, so exactly 12 weeks in advance. Last year, I don't think it was more than 8 weeks.

 

[kathy884]

If I know my dates for sure, know that I'm going for sure, and see a condo I'd like for a good price, I go ahead and book. I just like getting this out of the way. If I'm flying I wait till my flights are booked, so I have the option to change my dates slightly for better fares or flight times. // Waiting till later isn't an issue either, as Orlando is overbuilt, so there are usually lots of good options anytime.