How quickly do rooms book up?

[butterflymouse]

I'm going in January with my family, all adults. We're not ready to commit to a Resort yet, but I believe our dates will open up the next few weeks. I'm curious to know how long I have to book before the resorts start selling out.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I'm going in January with my family, all adults. We're not ready to commit to a Resort yet, but I believe our dates will open up the next few weeks. I'm curious to know how long I have to book before the resorts start selling out.

Depends on when your going in January. The 2018 WDW marathon weekend is scheduled Jan 3 through Jan 7 so rooms during that time period will sell out quickly. Resort rooms with also sell out around the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Also depends on desired resort and room choice.

 

[butterflymouse]

The plan is to arrive January 21/22 and stay till February 1, or around that general time frame. We will most likely go with the cheapest room for 5 people we can get.

 

[ErinsMommy]

The plan is to arrive January 21/22 and stay till February 1, or around that general time frame. We will most likely go with the cheapest room for 5 people we can get.

personally speaking i would book as soon as the packages open up for those dates (if they haven't already) - deposit is only $200 and is fully refundable if you cancel.

 

[butterflymouse]

personally speaking i would book as soon as the packages open up for those dates (if they haven't already) - deposit is only $200 and is fully refundable if you cancel.

Do you think I'm right to believe those packages will open up in the next few weeks, or do you think it will be longer than that? I'll have to speak to my family about it as soon as possible either way.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Do you think I'm right to believe those packages will open up in the next few weeks, or do you think it will be longer than that? I'll have to speak to my family about it as soon as possible either way.

I honestly dont know - quite a few years ago I logged in to WDW daily waiting for them to release the following year packages so I can book the resort/room I really wanted. Other threads I've read indicate packages get released in the summer.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

do you want a package? we just get a room and do our ADRs 180 days out..you are getting near that window so you might want to go ahead an book just a room and then be able to get your ADRs -- fully refundable if cancelled more thant 5 days out. we have traveled during that time of year to WDW and it is a great time to go (tho not at MLK day) - prices are lower on the hotels and it is not too crowded - weather is usually pleasant during the day and cool at night

 

[butterflymouse]

do you want a package? we just get a room and do our ADRs 180 days out..you are getting near that window so you might want to go ahead an book just a room and then be able to get your ADRs -- fully refundable if cancelled more thant 5 days out. we have traveled during that time of year to WDW and it is a great time to go (tho not at MLK day) - prices are lower on the hotels and it is not too crowded - weather is usually pleasant during the day and cool at night

We want the free mini golf and coupons that come with a package. I assume I can book a room only and upgrade to a package, correct? Not sure that would do anything but give me more time to cancel, though.

We figured that time of year would be good for weather and crowds, so that's why we went with it. Bonus timing is Harry Potter weekend happens at Universal around that time, so a couple of us may be doing that as well.

 

[Lesley Wake]

We want the free mini golf and coupons that come with a package. I assume I can book a room only and upgrade to a package, correct? Not sure that would do anything but give me more time to cancel, though.

We figured that time of year would be good for weather and crowds, so that's why we went with it. Bonus timing is Harry Potter weekend happens at Universal around that time, so a couple of us may be doing that as well.

Even if you can't just change your room to a package, you can easily cancel it for a full refund. For a room-only reservation, you just have to pay one night up front. And if you cancel, Disney has been very quick with the refunds lately.

 

[butterflymouse]

Even if you can't just change your room to a package, you can easily cancel it for a full refund. For a room-only reservation, you just have to pay one night up front. And if you cancel, Disney has been very quick with the refunds lately.

Gotcha. Definitely have to make some decisions with my family asap.

 

[FelisLachesis]

Depends on when your going in January. The 2018 WDW marathon weekend is scheduled Jan 3 through Jan 7 so rooms during that time period will sell out quickly. Resort rooms with also sell out around the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.

Those of us going specifically for Marathon Weekend have been booking through runDisney. I wouldn't be surprised if some hotels near or at capacity, and they haven't been officially released, yet.

 

[mickeynut1]

The plan is to arrive January 21/22 and stay till February 1, or around that general time frame. We will most likely go with the cheapest room for 5 people we can get.

A CR garden wing room would probably be the cheapest for 5, but those sometimes go fast, so I would book as soon as the 2018 rates are released (or shortly thereafter).

We want the free mini golf and coupons that come with a package. I assume I can book a room only and upgrade to a package, correct? Not sure that would do anything but give me more time to cancel, though.

You can book RO and change to a package later, but it's not as easy as just upgrading your RO. The RO would have to be cancelled/refunded and a package booked, requiring a new deposit of $200. Since RO and packages are different reservation systems, money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

A CR garden wing room would probably be the cheapest for 5, but those sometimes go fast, so I would book as soon as the 2018 rates are released (or shortly thereafter).



You can book RO and change to a package later, but it's not as easy as just upgrading your RO. The RO would have to be cancelled/refunded and a package booked, requiring a new deposit of $200. Since RO and packages are different reservation systems, money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other.

True - at least you will have a room if you go ahead and book a RO just in you can't get a package and they won't let your current room go until they successfully book your new one.

 

[crazy4wdw]

A CR garden wing room would probably be the cheapest for 5, but those sometimes go fast, so I would book as soon as the 2018 rates are released (or shortly thereafter).

You can book RO and change to a package later, but it's not as easy as just upgrading your RO. The RO would have to be cancelled/refunded and a package booked, requiring a new deposit of $200. Since RO and packages are different reservation systems, money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other.

A family suite at Art of Animation might also work and would be less expensive. The family would have an extra bathroom along with a microwave and wet bar.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

A family suite at Art of Animation might also work and would be less expensive. The family would have an extra bathroom along with a microwave and wet bar.

Are all the family suites the same price per night? 2018 rates haven't been released yet but I've been searching current rates for busy times to get an idea of price. We have 2 teens - a boy and girl - and we would prefer if they didn't have to sleep in the same bed but I think the suites are above our price range. Thanksgiving week is showing $377 per night for a Cars suite. Are the other themes of suites usually the same prices per night?

 

[Babsy]

Are all the family suites the same price per night? 2018 rates haven't been released yet but I've been searching current rates for busy times to get an idea of price. We have 2 teens - a boy and girl - and we would prefer if they didn't have to sleep in the same bed but I think the suites are above our price range. Thanksgiving week is showing $377 per night for a Cars suite. Are the other themes of suites usually the same prices per night?

All Star Music suites may be less, but I believe that the price for the Cars suite is as low as any of the suites at AoA.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

For those waiting for 2018 dates to open up, I talked to a CM late last week who said at they would be releasing rates for packages on June 30. Don't quote me and keep checking, but that is what I was told.