How far is too far in advance

[lisacat00MN]

We are going on our first 'team' (aka blended family) vacation in March. It will be me, my hubby to be and my 8yo DD. Since she's an only, we're going with another family that also has an only DD that is 8 as well. A rambling start to my actual question which is, how far in advance is it realistic to plan our trip? I feel like I spend every free moment working on it because I'm that excited and want everything to be PERFECT, but what is actually realistic?

Thanks!

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

To me, its never too early to plan!! Its great to spread out payments, save, and really be able to do what you want to do and know what your bottom line will be up front. To me, a Disney trip is like planning a wedding. I have been planning my DD's 6th birthday week at disney since we left last December and it is for this December. Think about getting those hard-to-get ADRs that you can start booking at 180 days out; putting away your spending money in a ING accout... there are many many positives to planning far in advanced. Good luck with your upcoming trip!

We are going on our first 'team' (aka blended family) vacation in March. It will be me, my hubby to be and my 8yo DD. Since she's an only, we're going with another family that also has an only DD that is 8 as well. A rambling start to my actual question which is, how far in advance is it realistic to plan our trip? I feel like I spend every free moment working on it because I'm that excited and want everything to be PERFECT, but what is actually realistic?

Thanks!

 

[lisacat00MN]

I am working on the savings part - for a long time, LOL! We haven't told DD yet, I don't want her to pester every day for, "How long yet Mom"?

 

[JoShan1719]

I've been planning my September trip since December. I don't get really heavy into my planning, though, until about six months out. That's when the park hours are usually released and then I can plan our park days and restaurants.

 

[Aliceacc]

Rates for next year will come out in early August. At that point, you can make reservations and know what you'll be paying.

OK, that's not what you asked.

It's not too early NOW! We're going in August 2012, and I already know the resort, the type of room we're getting there, and what I'm going to request for in terms of room location.

We're getting the dining plan, and I already know most of the table service restaurants I'm going to get reservations (ADRs)for-- and I can't make those until next February!!!

I'm now woking on similar plans for 2 other families who are hoping to go at about the same time, and who haven't been there since before kids.

But I get a kick out of planning.

As to what's realistic:

You'll want to book your resort when you know the prices, say August.

You'll want to book those ADRs 180 days before your trip begins, so that's next fall.

Airfare is anyone's guess; I normally book around New Years for August.

You'll want to spend a little (or, if you're like me, a lot) of time before each of those "deadlines" to figure out what will work best for your family.

Everything else is me being obsessive.

 

[Metro West]

 

[CdnKayDee]

Welcome to the DIS!
It is the right time to start planning! Read some trip reports look at some of the forums it is all good research. I find Disney to be very flexible ie You can change your resort provided there is avaibility at the other one you want up to I believe 45 days no penalty or cancell but dont do that. You can make some advance dining resy and if plans change cancell that too no charge. We changed from Music to Riverside no penalty on the day we arrived once,the Music main pool was being refurbed and we didnt know that!Which of course is something we do now stay on top of the closures.But you do have too keep up on whats happening when you well be there Disney is always having things go on not all of it planned a year 6months in advance. Have fun

 

[lisacat00MN]

I was feeling a bit obsessive about my planning so far out, but now I see I'm in good company. I think August is about the right time frame to actually book things - Since we're going with another family, we will have to have many compromises and the process may take longer. However, I am pretty sure I have our lodging down to 3 resorts, and have a couple of our meals set. But I consider planning fun, so its all good! Thanks for the help/advice, much appreciated.

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

It is never too early to start planning! Have a fantastic trip!

 

[theducksdidit]

I've already started my planning and our trip is still almost a year out

 

[KolKeesmom]

I've already started planning and we won't be going until sometime in 2014! I

 

[Asellus]

We're going in September of 2012 and I'm already planning! I think I start half planning the day we get home from the previous trip (I'm also mentally calculating buying DVC within 3 yrs)

 

[CM1988]

I BOOKED our Sept 2011 vacation in Sept 2010 when they announced free dining for my dates.

 

[Halloweenluv03]

I've been planning my honeymoon for a couple of months now and I can't even book it it until August. It's never to early to start planning. I love playing around with the numbers and seeing what we can and can't afford. I actually realized that we can afford a 9 day trip and stay at Poly with dining, plus go to MNSSHP, and do a few other out of pocket things I would like to try. My fiance thinks I'm crazy, but it starting to understand why I do it. He knows it keeps me calm and focused and it's actually fun for me to do, so I'm not stressing so much about the wedding. Enjoy planning. It's almost as fun as bein there....okay, not so much, but it gives me my fix until I get there!

 

[Cin]

I've been planning this years Nov 2011 trip since last Oct 2nd 2010, the day we returned from WDW. And already starting to plan 2012 graduation trip for the college grad to be since it's only 12 mos away. You're in good company and in the right place!

 

[DisneyOHFan]

We ALWAYS plan well in advance. I feel like it is the cheapest way to go. That way I can work on frequent flyer miles, etc.

Also, when we do DCL, I always book the first day available and it has saved us a lot and we get the cabin that we want.

 

[KatieCollette]

I'd say a good time to REALLY start working for it is about 6months in advance. That is when you can start making dining reservations and all that. Also,that is when the deals usually come out.

 

[princessdawn2011]

Early!? No such thing! Be diligent, not obsessive personally, I wait until monthly schedule is out for the parks. It's just a personal preferences of ours because some things can be done @ extra magic hours. We also check out menus & discuss ADRs early to see where we want to dine. May I suggest that each of your party pick a restaurant (even the children, they're old enough) to avoid chaos & bad feelings. We still do that within our family and we try something new to us. Maybe you can all agree on a dinner show &/or character dining. Another suggestion, share in the planning & if someone doesn't want to do something when you folks get there, go with it! You don't need to do EVERYTHING together. Less disagreements that way.Bro & SIL were arguing about who was riding with who on a ride, bad words ensued, so mom & I walked away until everyone could play nice in the sandbox. Hey they were makin a scene & cutting into our vacation time!

It might not be PERFECT, but it will be fun! Enjoy your planning!

 

[lisacat00MN]

Not only have you made me feel very welcome, you've reassured me that I am indeed in good planning company! We've had several discussions on being 'go with the flow' and I really like the ideas of everyone picking one restaurant, even the men who up until now haven't given much input. I think we're really hoping to rent DVC points so we can have larger accomodations, which I think will help on the 'togetherness' factor. Especially since both girls are used to being only children, it has the potential to get interesting. My latest challenge is to try to 'envision' what they will be interested in almost a year from now, when their interests seem to change daily!

So thank you so much for the welcome and all the reassurance and tips, they are very much appreciated.

 

[Aliceacc]

Not only have you made me feel very welcome, you've reassured me that I am indeed in good planning company! We've had several discussions on being 'go with the flow' and I really like the ideas of everyone picking one restaurant, even the men who up until now haven't given much input. I think we're really hoping to rent DVC points so we can have larger accomodations, which I think will help on the 'togetherness' factor. Especially since both girls are used to being only children, it has the potential to get interesting. My latest challenge is to try to 'envision' what they will be interested in almost a year from now, when their interests seem to change daily!

So thank you so much for the welcome and all the reassurance and tips, they are very much appreciated.

Would you consider requesting connecting rooms in the same resort? That way, if the girls grow apart during the next year, you can simply close the door between the families.