How much longer can we afford to wait before booking?

[AlVan]

Hi, my girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Disney World in December. We know the general date we want to be there, we know we want to spend three nights (most likely at the campground in a tent), and we'll be using three days of tickets with the park hopper.

We've only just started planning in the past 24 hours, meaning we're under 180 days. So I have some questions about booking:
1.) For some background info, we're college students. We're hesitant to book the trip until late August, since we won't know what our financial situation for the next year will look like exactly until we know how scholarships and loans line up. Today the rough price of the vacation we want is about $1500. So the question here is: will that price go up if we wait until late August to book? Could the ticket prices raise? Or more importantly, would a spot on the campground (or a value resort room for the sake of argument) become more expensive, or become unavailable altogether?

2.) Is the dining plan worth it? We will certainly at the very least be getting the Quickservice dining plan, but would it still be feasible at this point, or in late August, to get reservations for table service? Specifically a Be Our Guest dinner?

3.) Conversely, could prices go down if we wait? Could more special packages become available?

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer

 

[Mickey92]

The short answer is book as soon as you know that you can make it work financially. The sooner you book your dinning reservations, the better chance you will have of getting what you want.

1. Assuming that you got that $1500 from the Disney site, and plugged in your dates, the prices should remain the same. Hotel and ticket prices vary depending on the time of year that you book. It is unlikely that there will be no availability when you book in August, but things do get very crowded in late December around Christmas time.
2. I personally think the DDP is worth it, but it does not necessarily save you money. It is very much a to each their own decision. There will be table service available in August, but not necessarily BOG. It is one of the more popular table service restaurants.
3. Prices will not go down , but discounts for that time of year could become available. I am not sure when those are released. If anything comes out after you book you can call Disney to apply the discount.

I think I hit every point you asked

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It is highly unlikely ticket prices will go up. Disney already had their price increase this year and historically only does one per year.

Yes there is a chance the campgrounds or values could be completely booked.

Since you are within 180 days, go ahead and book any dining reservations you want! You don't have to have a resort reservation to book dining reservations. BOG will be tough but just keep checking if nothing is available or sign up for the Touring Plans reservation finder.

Package discounts are already out for December. Room only discounts may still become available so keep an eye out. The campgrounds however are never included in these discounts but a value might.

Can you afford to put $200 down on a package now? (For room and tickets) It's refundable up to 30 days prior to the trip. Or perhaps book room only, which requires one night's deposit to make sure you have a place to stay. That deposit is refundable up to 5 days prior. If you do room only I would only recommend getting your tickets more than 60 days prior to going so you can make FP+.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Regular prices for the campsite should not change. Availability of discounts may. Ticket prices probably will not change since we have already seen a ticket increase this year. Availability of campsites could be gone at any time. I'm not really sure how quickly those book up, but generally December can be rather packed around Christmas so if you are planning on staying around then, I would assume that for those dates you would be better off booking sooner rather than later.

As for dining, it is highly unlikely you would be able to get BOG right now, let alone 2 months from now. People do cancel reservations from time to time, but you would really need to be on top of checking regularly to catch one of those. The longer you wait to book, the greater the likelihood that any other restaurant you are interested will be booked up as well.

If you can afford $200 right now, I would go ahead and put the deposit down now. If you are doing a package, the balance wouldn't be due until 30 days before your arrival. You can change/ cancel your reservation up to 31 days before arrival with no penalty (you could get the $200 back as well as anything else you've paid).

 

[madchatter]

Not sure when campsites book up but I feel like a lot of the RV spots are already booked.

If you can manage the $200 I'd go ahead. You can always apply an offer code to an existing reservation later if one pops up.

We have done the DDP a lot but most recently did not and actually spent quite a bit less. I think we probably won't use it that often going forward.

 

[Shanti]

Hi, my girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Disney World in December. We know the general date we want to be there, we know we want to spend three nights (most likely at the campground in a tent), and we'll be using three days of tickets with the park hopper.

We've only just started planning in the past 24 hours, meaning we're under 180 days. So I have some questions about booking:
1.) For some background info, we're college students. We're hesitant to book the trip until late August, since we won't know what our financial situation for the next year will look like exactly until we know how scholarships and loans line up. Today the rough price of the vacation we want is about $1500. So the question here is: will that price go up if we wait until late August to book? Could the ticket prices raise? Or more importantly, would a spot on the campground (or a value resort room for the sake of argument) become more expensive, or become unavailable altogether?

2.) Is the dining plan worth it? We will certainly at the very least be getting the Quickservice dining plan, but would it still be feasible at this point, or in late August, to get reservations for table service? Specifically a Be Our Guest dinner?

3.) Conversely, could prices go down if we wait? Could more special packages become available?

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer

1. If you want a campground site & see one available, book it immediately. Those sell out very quickly for the popular times (& December is very popular). You can always change or get a refund later if needed. The site likely will not become more expensive, but it could very easily sell out at any time. Ticket prices probably won't change until 2018, but no guarantees there.

2. The dining plan is almost always more expensive than paying for the same food out of pocket. If saving money is a goal, do not purchase it.

3. Campsites rarely have discounts, so if you want it, just go ahead & book it.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you decide you don't need a package, book a room-only campsite and you only have to pay for one night to hold the reservation. You can get your deposit back if you cancel at least 5 days before arrival.

The QS plan really isn't worth it and you can save more on your own if you are planning on mostly QS meals with maybe BOG for one meal.

 

[AlVan]

All very helpful! Is the $200 deposit all that is required for booking a campground spot?

 

[madchatter]

Package (room and tickets or dinjng)=$200
Room only= one night charge

 

[AlVan]

I've got just one more question I forgot to factor into the OP:

What about the Christmas party? Will those tickets sell out fast or will the prices fluctuate at all? I checked out calendar and right now the date we plan on driving there is Dec. 17, which means the first time my gf gets to go to Disney World could be the Christmas party. That is now my priority simply because of how special that would be.

 

[hiroMYhero]

The prices are set for MVMChristmas Party tickets - they won't increase.

For that time of year, you should book your campsite and pay the one-night deposit. When you are sure you are going, buy your Party tickets.

Have your park tickets purchased before you can book FPs when the 60-day out booking window opens.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Since you are within 180 days, go ahead and book any dining reservations you want! You don't have to have a resort reservation to book dining reservations. BOG will be tough but just keep checking if nothing is available or sign up for the Touring Plans reservation finder.

This! Start with dining reservations (just don't forget to cancel them if you decide you can't go).

I love the dining plans, but not because they save money--they don't. I love them because I love knowing everything has been paid for before I step on property. For my upcoming trip, I'm following advice I found here on the boards: gift card. I estimated food $$ and put that much on a card. That way, it's all paid for but I have flexibility to eat less or differently (appetizers only, for example).

 

[AlVan]

Thanks everyone! This has all been extremely helpful.

 

[Corbie]

Can't you book and cancel should finances not pan out the way you'd like? I want to say we were able to do this when DH had a heart attack back in December and we had to cancel our trip. I'm not certain, though, since we decided to reschedule for the following year.

 

[Gwade4]

This thread is a great example of why I love this website. So many kind and helpful people answering thoughtfully! Bravo.

 

[Mickey92]

I've got just one more question I forgot to factor into the OP:

What about the Christmas party? Will those tickets sell out fast or will the prices fluctuate at all? I checked out calendar and right now the date we plan on driving there is Dec. 17, which means the first time my gf gets to go to Disney World could be the Christmas party. That is now my priority simply because of how special that would be.

Price is set and will not change. I believe it is $89. Yes, the tickets do sell out. Especially for dates so close to Christmas. You are right, that would be a very special first Disney Experience!

Edit: double checked and the prices are set, but do vary depending on how close to Christmas and if it is a weekend or weekday. $89 is the starting price. Price for December 17th is $95.