How far in advance?

[puente0629]

Hi,

DH and I want to invite my mom and dad to California, they have never been to another state for vaca. So, how soon is too soon to start planning a Disneyland/LA/San Fran/Napa w/ maybe Aulani thrown in Vaca? We want to go next year end of September. Would it be absolutely ridiculous to start planning now (obviously I know we wouldn't be able to book hotels, airfare, etc. now)?

Thanks...

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Not that you can do much this far ahead, but I am pretty nuts about planning and usually start a year out... Its fun to plan!

 

[princesspenelope]

I always need to be planning some sort of trip or I get depressed! LOL I like to figure out what I want to do/see/stay/eat and like to have plenty of time to do it! Sounds like a big trip too, so a year doesn't seem too far fetched.
I'm actually from Napa and a visit during that time is great! However, it is usually "harvest" time and can be a bit busier than usual but lots of great "crush" events and excitement going on!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Hi,

DH and I want to invite my mom and dad to California, they have never been to another state for vaca. So, how soon is too soon to start planning a Disneyland/LA/San Fran/Napa w/ maybe Aulani thrown in Vaca? We want to go next year end of September. Would it be absolutely ridiculous to start planning now (obviously I know we wouldn't be able to book hotels, airfare, etc. now)?

Thanks...

being that you're from Illinois I would say its not too early to plan personally...theres not alot you can do as far as price checking and such but narrowing down where you want to stay/eat etc.. is serious business and deserves alot of attention...when i went to wdw i planned for over a year out...so by the time my dates opened up for ADR's and hotel etc., i was ready and booked on day it became available...september is a great time of year to go and if you time it right you might consider doing the halloween party at DL...also, the bay area during that time of year is really nice... so i say GO FOR IT!!

 

[HydroGuy]

4-6 months is fine.

 

[puente0629]

Thanks everyone! For a sec there, I thought I was just being crazy, lol. At least DH thinks so, he's not much of a planner. I'm definitely checking out the hotels in San Fran and looking at youtube videos for VGC. I usually plan Disney World a year to 7 months, just depends on the circumstances. And yes, planning is serious business, lots of researching .

Thanks again!

 

[DarthMole]

I'd suggest booking a room at the 12 month point or whenever they start taking reservations. Right when HoJos made rooms available for our trip I checked rates and then sat around trying to decide on 2-queens or the kids suite. When I went back a few weeks later the rates were already higher. I booked then and have watched them like a hawk since. They've only gone up. If I waited until 4-6 months out I would have paid an additional $20 or so more per night.

Good thing about hotels is you can always rebook if rates go down so there's no penalty to book early. This assumes you don't have a non-refundable special rate.