How soon/late to book room @ GCH for best deals? (going in Feb)

[pinktink83]

Hi all,

DH and I are going to DL in Feb for our anniversary! Im so excited...first time without the kiddos! We want to make it an extra special trip and stay at the Grand Californian Hotel (never stayed on site either!).

When should I book our room? I've noticed lots of deals circling for Fall. Should I wait until after the new year to see if they'll be any deals for Jan/Feb/March? Or should I book early (do they ever fill up?)?

Is Feb a super busy time? Like, for Valentine's Day and all? We'll be there Thursday 11th, Friday 12th, and Saturday 13th. Are prices higher b/c of the holiday?

Thanks in advance! I love coming here to get all excited before our trips!

 

[blue donkey]

If you already know you're dates, I'd book them & then change them when rates lower. President's Day is the 15th so it's a 3-day weekend; expect people. You'll still have a special anniversary, just being there together.

 

[pinktink83]

Awww, darn I didnt know it was a 3 day weekend. DH got those days off work before he told me about the trip. Oh well...it will still be fun!

So I can book my room now, and if the rates lower, they will give me that price instead? I assume I would just need to call them and ask them to switch it? Because they dont actually charge your CC until your stay, correct?

TIA!!!

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Awww, darn I didnt know it was a 3 day weekend. DH got those days off work before he told me about the trip. Oh well...it will still be fun!

So I can book my room now, and if the rates lower, they will give me that price instead? I assume I would just need to call them and ask them to switch it? Because they dont actually charge your CC until your stay, correct?

TIA!!!

I think it depends on what type of reservation you have....if you book through the disney travel and get a package, you have to put one nights $$ down and pay in full 30 days in advance. You also get charged if you cancel within a certain range.

I think the hotel only charge is less??? The rules are more flexible too. I am sure that one of the experts on here can tell you.

 

[edit1]

I think it depends on what type of reservation you have....if you book through the disney travel and get a package, you have to put one nights $$ down and pay in full 30 days in advance. You also get charged if you cancel within a certain range.

I think the hotel only charge is less??? The rules are more flexible too. I am sure that one of the experts on here can tell you.

I recently booked a hotel only reservation through WDTC by phone. They charged the first night's stay to my credit card as a deposit. If I cancel before five days before my stay, I get my deposit back; if I cancel within 5 days before my stay then I lose my deposit.

 

[pinktink83]

Ok, 5 days isnt bad at all...so I can continue to watch the prices over the next few months. Glad to know the prices are better if I book seperately, I was this close to just doing the package online. I don't want to pay it all 30 days in advance!

Can anyone comfirm that if I book a hotel room only NOW, I can have them change/lower the price if a new deal comes out before our trip???

 

[edit1]

I'm pretty sure I've read on these boards that people have been able to make adjustments to their reservations when prices have gone done, but perhaps someone here can confirm. Otherwise people would just cancel and re-book if it was outside the 5-day cancellation period.

 

[blue donkey]

I've booked rooms only before & when special rates came out I just called to have them switch. I think I left my original first night's deposit amount on the card & they just credited the difference when I checked in to my stay. Also, when I checked out, I showed them my cc that they had put the deposit on & I was able to pay all with the giftcards I already had. I think they charge the 1st night deposit even before you check in.