Is booking 2 weeks away to late to plan?

[angel_eyes1104]

Hello, I've been lurking for awhile and we finally decided we are going to go to WDW! We are already off the first week of August, but haven't decided where to go yet (stay close to home or bite the bullet and go to WDW now).

It will be me, my DH and our 11 yr old DS. First trip for everybody. Do you think it would be better to plan a year out, or go ahead and go now? Not really concerned with where to eat/reservations and all, but do have a particular resort picked out we would like to stay at (Wilderness Lodge). I want our son to have a great time, and I know he will. Just trying to figure out WHEN, lol. Are there any advantages to last minute or early booking? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Cin]

I'd go in a heartbeat if you can get your desired resort. (Okay well I"d go even if I had to choose another, it's still Disneyworld). You'll still be at WDW and having the time of your life. I've never booked a trip that close, but if I had the money and the time, I would definitely GO!

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

When we took our first trip to WDW my planning consisted of booking lodging offsite, booking one meal at San Angel Inn & buying the book the Unoffical guide to WDW.

I read the book & we followed the touring plan on the trip.

The trip went great. We saw everything in the parks & rode all the rides. We rode everything in MK in one day & never waited in line. Doing rope drop & following the plan worked. I'm still a big believer in that book & the plan!

Now, about 10 years later I know about pin codes, discounts, dining plans & booking meals 180 days out. I know about staying onsite & lots of other nifty things. I plan our trips now & the meals & everything..but....

The magic of our first trip to WDW when we took our whole family was so special. We loved every minute of it & made memories that are priceless!

If I could go to WDW on 2 week notice I'd go in a heartbeat! Just remember these few things: Rope drop & Fastpasses. Plus, if you get that book you'll be amazed!

Have Fun!

 

[Cin]

I second getting that book. I used the touring plans and yes, they worked great. Just skip the things you don't care for and continue on with the plan.

 

[angel_eyes1104]

Thanks for the info! I'll def have to get that book! We're sooo leaning towards going now instead of waiting til next year!!! Just waiting on a couple of quotes to come back and see what we can get! I'm getting so excited!

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

I would go. I am a big planner for Disney, but if I could have a trip available to me in 2 weeks I would be all for it. You may not be able to get any good reservations for table service, but counter service would be fine with me!

Have fun if you decide to go!

 

[ntz4disney]

Just book mid August trip this morning ...we ended up having some vacation points to use so we decided to go before the kids are back in school! You might want to call to check availability, or look online while waiting for your quotes to come back ...shop around but if you have your heart set on WL, and its availabile for your dates go for it!!! There are plenty of other resorts just as nice as WL, so having a back up in mind might be helpful too!!!

Happy planning ... sometimes the spur of the moment trips are the best yet!

 

[angel_eyes1104]

Thanks y'all! Yea, I wasn't too worried about dining reservations....I've looked online at the DW website and they show availability at the WL for that week! We told our son there was no way we could go to DW in the next 2 years (hehehe), so to book something to go now and surprise him would be great!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I LOVE surprises they are the best vacations!! I'm getting excited for your DS just hearing about it. We surprised our 2 DS 4 years ago for their b-days. We told them the morning we were leaving. They thought they were getting up to go to school. It was so AWESOME!!!
I'm sure you can plan a trip in a couple of weeks. Just do all your research. You already have Disboards. I would read as much as possible before then. I'm sure you'll be fine.
How long do you plan on staying? That makes a big difference in what you can do. sorry if you already said that.
Have a Magical trip!!!
Also the website I always tell people about is AllEars.net This is the website I used for my first trip There is soooo much helpful info. on it CHECK IT OUT!!!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I LOVE surprises they are the best vacations!! I'm getting excited for your DS just hearing about it. We surprised our 2 DS 4 years ago for their b-days. We told them the morning we were leaving. They thought they were getting up to go to school. It was so AWESOME!!!
I'm sure you can plan a trip in a couple of weeks. Just do all your research. You already have Disboards. I would read as much as possible before then. I'm sure you'll be fine.
How long do you plan on staying? That makes a big difference in what you can do. sorry if you already said that.
Have a Magical trip!!!

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I checked the dining site as I wondered what you might could land at that short of notice. I was shocked as there are lots of good ones available.

These are for a party of 3. And these are some of our favorites!

Aug 3rd..

LeCellier 8:45 p.m.
Coral reef 8:20 p.m.
Ohana 9:25 p.m.

Aug 4th...

LeCellier 8:40 p.m.
Ohana 9:30 p.m.
Coral Reef 8:25 p.m.

Sounds like you can plan a pretty good trip real fast!

 

[angel_eyes1104]

DD we plan on staying Sun - Thurs...I love that your boys thought they were going to school!! What a great surprise!

MagicalMawMaw, thx for looking up the dining options...I hadn't even thought to do that (LOTS of information I'm soaking in right now!) I haven't even browsed the dining forum yet to find out the best places to eat! I was just happy to figure out when and where, lol.

Thanks again everybody!

 

[Metro West]

 

[ddluvsdisney]

DD we plan on staying Sun - Thurs...I love that your boys thought they were going to school!! What a great surprise!

MagicalMawMaw, thx for looking up the dining options...I hadn't even thought to do that (LOTS of information I'm soaking in right now!) I haven't even browsed the dining forum yet to find out the best places to eat! I was just happy to figure out when and where, lol.

Thanks again everybody!

I know this is easier said than done, but is there any way you could swing a couple more days? I just don't know how anyone can go to Disney for just 5 days with a couple of them being travel days. I've been quite a few times and we could never stay less than a week. Especially your first time. It's a little easier for people who have been a lot b/c they know how to navigate around the parks in the most efficient way.
With only going for a few full days you'll probably run yourself ragged trying to see and do too much in a short amount of time. You'll be able to pace yourself a little better if you can spend more time.
This is just a suggestion I don't want to discourage you or make you second guess your trip.

I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you.

 

[elainesj]

Our first family trip was last October. I decided to go and the best time was 2 weeks away. It was a rollercoaster....but we did it. We stayed 3 nights and did 2 park days.

It was an amazing vacation!! I joined TourGuideMike. I spent most of the 2 weeks in research and absorbed enough that I felt completely prepared and up to date on all the important info i needed to know about. I read the whole TGM site and used his plans and it was amazing. Then i borrowed the Unofficial Guide from the library and read it cover to cover. between those two and disboards, we had an awesome trip!

The only thing my DD requested was to slow the pace next trip because her legs got tired LOL.

We loved it so much we couldn't wait and we went back at the end of jan for 10 nights!! This time, i knew even more and planned even more extensively. We had the most amazing vacation and I'm still trying to plot how I'm going to get back.

E

 

[mmforme2009]

Great that you're flexible and I hope it all works out.

As a few other people have suggested, get the book, do some research and planning online but don't think or try to get "everything" done based on the short notice and length of stay. Be sure to check out FAST PASS especially for the most popular rides. We usually select a couple of "must do's" for each person, hit those first then everything else is bonus.

Have a great trip!!

 

[angel_eyes1104]

Welll....We decided to add one more day so we are now going to stay until Friday! Just booked the Wyndham Bonnet Creek with Ken and Denise Price! So, I guess it's official....WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD IN 18 DAYS!!!!!!!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

So Happy for you!! Have a great trip!
You'll have a blast and then be hooked like the rest of us!
Then you'll probably end up going again next. Soon you'll be an expert.

 

[Sweets156]

Hello Angel, congratulations on your family's first trip to Disney! I would definitely say, go as soon as possible, only because it's Disney World! I would go tomorrow if I could! If you're not concerned about dinner reservations then it seems as though you really have nothing holding you back to go in August. However, I was planning a trip for Sept. because we got a pin code for free dining, but they are offering free dining in Sept. to everyone (a Disney cast member from their travel agency confirmed this). But we decided to use our pin code to go in August because Sept didn't work because of DP's work schedule. Maybe we'll see you down there, have so much fun whenever you decide to go! P.S. We went last year Aug 10th-18th, it was hot, but Disney has a lot of inside attractions to cool off. The crowds were high some days, but moderate others and nothing unbearable. Nice swimming weather, too!

 

[RCSpur]

We will be at Bonnet Creek on July 30th to August 6th. It's a beautiful resort. Definitely set reservations! If you're going to Hollywood Studios then 50's Prime Time is a must. We ate there last November and will eat there again in August.