I need to join over-thinkers anonymous...

[Daisybelle]

Hello disers,

I haven't been around these parts in quite awhile but I am back in preparation for a trip this summer (see ticker below).

My problem. I have been thinking and pricing this trip for about 2 months. Today is the day I've been looking forward to: I finally get to book it! BUT I am now totally second guessing all my plans. What if something goes on sale next week?? What if I get a phenomenal pin code for the Disneyland Hotel, which is where I'd LOVE to stay if I get a great(ish) discount?

My daughter and I don't get to go to Disneyland (or any place outside of Oregon) very often so I know I'm WAY over-thinking this because I want to make all the right choices.

Any words of wisdom from more experienced travelers?

 

[CrazyDuck]

Around mid-late February they announced the "buy 3 days get 2 free" promotion. this happened at least the last couple of years... you may want to wait til then to see if they run it again!

 

[Daisybelle]

That's exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. Excellent suggestion!

 

[kiwitravel]

By my calculations you are mid to early july which is typically peak time... HoJos doesn't need to release ent rates for this period and most places are in their peak season rates...

I would get yourself in somewhere decent at as good a rate as possible but with a friendly cancellation policy. Then keep checking for the specials DLH can release specials in Feb but most of the Harbor hotels now will not have any specials until June and only if not full...

 

[skiingfast]

When you book through Disney, you can change a reservation to allow for a deal.

But if you want to stay offsite, you can hold off on tickets as was suggested. It's highly unlikely they would go up in the next couple months.

For a hotel you could reserve one now that will let you cancel no penalty. But usually the hotel deals are better ahead of time.

 

[Daisybelle]

I would get yourself in somewhere decent at as good a rate as possible but with a friendly cancellation policy. Then keep checking for the specials DLH can release specials in Feb but most of the Harbor hotels now will not have any specials until June and only if not full...

When you book through Disney, you can change a reservation to allow for a deal.

I was thinking of doing what you both are suggesting. My offsite choice is Candy Cane Inn. I thought maybe I would book it through Disney Travel, and then if there is a good discount for DLH, switch my reservation. I could do that without a penalty, correct? And if the discounts aren't quite discounty enough, I'd be happy with CCI.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I was thinking of doing what you both are suggesting. My offsite choice is Candy Cane Inn. I thought maybe I would book it through Disney Travel, and then if there is a good discount for DLH, switch my reservation. I could do that without a penalty, correct? And if the discounts aren't quite discounty enough, I'd be happy with CCI.

You are correct. The only time Disney will charge you is if your changes result in a lower cost. Even with a pin code, DLH is going to be more than CCI.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

im doing the same thing but i wont stay dlh even with good deals 100 a night is what we are paying at hojos for a kids suit we want to try it out an see what its like. we are makign this our alst trip to dl in at least 3 years maybe 4. an im wanting to do everything we want to do this time. tho im also over thinker

 

[Daisybelle]

I hear ya, Jade! I want to make this a special trip. I love that my 15 year old (soon to be 16) wants to do this trip with just me this year and I want to make it a lovely trip for us. Not that my sparkling personality isn't enough, but y'all know what I mean!

 

[usschmidt]

Hello, my name is Susan and I'm an overplanner. (said in my most serious, dry AA meeting voice)

We were going to go in Feb but dh couldn't get the time off. We're shooting for April now. I've been planning a trip for a year now and it's killing me! On the other hand, I'm the kind of person who plans there next trip on the drive home from the previous trip! I'm a sick little puppy in so many ways!

 

[taaren]

Hello, my name is Susan and I'm an overplanner. (said in my most serious, dry AA meeting voice)

We were going to go in Feb but dh couldn't get the time off. We're shooting for April now. I've been planning a trip for a year now and it's killing me! On the other hand, I'm the kind of person who plans there next trip on the drive home from the previous trip! I'm a sick little puppy in so many ways!

Guilty of being an overplanner here too. DH's boss drives me crazy with denying his requests for time off (he works for the State so has 1 mo paid but rarely gets to use it bc of the boss!) Have already cancelled DH's fare on the cruise we had booked since the Southbound Repo is only once a year and prolly not going to go without him ... we've moved our reservation at the Grand back a week; really hoping we won't have to move it back another week into higher cost territory. So frustrating when work gets in the way of vacation!

 

[Daisybelle]

I take comfort in knowing I'm not alone!

 

[SnowWhite09]

Hello, my name is Susan and I'm an overplanner. (said in my most serious, dry AA meeting voice)

We were going to go in Feb but dh couldn't get the time off. We're shooting for April now. I've been planning a trip for a year now and it's killing me! On the other hand, I'm the kind of person who plans there next trip on the drive home from the previous trip! I'm a sick little puppy in so many ways!

I'm that much of an over planner that I have our next 3 trips planned all the way through until the end of 2013. SERIOUSLY!!

 

[wvnative]

Nope, definitely not alone. I am, what my mother terms, an anal over planner.

I plan our trips a year in advance. I make notes about things that worked well and not so well or about things we missed or want to try again and I keep it all in a word document that I update for each trip.

I've got our room booked for March, even though I'm still not sure we can make it this year, but I'm still searching for a better deal.