Is it too early to start planning for next Dec(2006)?

[jeminni]

How early should I start planning for a trip next Dec? I'm very flexible about dates just want to go sometime the first 2 weeks of Dec and go to MVMCP one night. I'd really love to be able to stay at WL. Whats the best plan for finding a great rate for a stay there? DIS veterans give me some help please.

 

[HayGan]

Hi there fellow Pittsburgher!

I started planning our December 2005 vacation around this time last year. I didn't actually book anything until January 2005 when AAA was running a special. We are going back in either Oct or Dec 2006 and I am going to wait until January to book anything to see if AAA runs another special.

I got a really great rate thru AAA so I would definately recommend checking them out for either room only or package rates!

Maybe we will see you there next year

 

[lark]

My advice would be to make a room only reservation now for the dates you want, with an AAA discount.

I'm also planning a trip for December 2006, and as kind of a joke, I called to see if my dates were available at the Contemporary. Nothing. Not a single one of the nearly 900 rooms for the second week of December 2006, except suites. So I went ahead and booked the week before. You can cancel up to 6 days in advance on a room only, so why not lock it in now and then try to apply whatever discounts come up in the future?

 

[jeminni]

HanGay,

I love your shirts. If I go next december will ask you to personalize one for me. I dont suppose you make Steeler ones do you?

And thank both of you for the suggestion about AAA, will give them a call on Tuesday.

Thanks again

 

[Aisling]

I agree with booking now. It's definitely not too early. Decide what dates you really want, book it, and then watch these boards for the year and wait for codes to come out. You can always cancel, so there's no risk. And it feels so good knowing you're booked, even if it's a year away.

 

[jeminni]

I'm sure this is a totally dumb question but can someone please explain to me what a PIN code is and how do you get one?

 

[ppony]

Sorry can't help on the PIN question...
but
I'm with the others, when you KNOW you want to go, there is no such thing as starting to plan too early. I've even planned 2 year in advance before. We don't go to WDW more than every 3-4 years so planning gives us something to look forward to. You can always cancel (as long as it's not super close to your dates) and keep watching for rates. At least you have the room nailed in and you can sit back and enjoy the planning ride! We're planning a Dec. 2006 trip now too. Can't book our room until 1 year in advance since we're staying at SoG but you can BET I'll be all over ressies the very day I can!

We just need to nail down the date the rates go up to holiday rates and when Cirque is back in session and we'll have our confirmed dates.

No time like the present! Enjoy!!!!


Addition on: Well, I just read something about getting charged if you apply a code that will result in a rate change...even more than 45 days out. Now THAT makes a difference if true. Won't effect em where I'm staying but it would if it were at any other WDW resorts. Does anyone get the feeling Disney has people sitting in a room figuring out ways to squeeze every living dime out of people and make things as INflexible as possible?

 

[Aisling]

I'm sure this is a totally dumb question but can someone please explain to me what a PIN code is and how do you get one?

It's sure not a dumb question, especially since it can save you money!

Disney often releases "codes", like BCE, for example, that will discount the price of your WDW hotel room. Sometimes the codes are set amounts, like $45 off a deluxe room, and sometimes it's a percent off. We saved $500 by using a code to stay at the beach club in 2003, and last year we saved about $200.
Just watch these boards, mainly the resorts board, and you'll see "code watches" posted.
Some codes are for AP holders only, some codes are sent by random (?) postcards and emails to people that only they can use, and other codes are printed in newspapers that anyone can use. And when Disers find these codes, they post them here for us all to benefit.

I really depend on codes for our WDW vacations. The rack rates are outrageous, especially for deluxes.

 

[2belles'mom]

It's also not too early to book things such as the Hoop Dee Doo! AND, the earlier you book that gem, the better table you get! Hoop Dee Doo was the very first thing I booked, a year and a half ago, for our upcoming December trip! I am hoping for the first three rows of tables BTW

 

[Aisling]

It's also not too early to book things such as the Hoop Dee Doo! AND, the earlier you book that gem, the better table you get! Hoop Dee Doo was the very first thing I booked, a year and a half ago, for our upcoming December trip! I am hoping for the first three rows of tables BTW

Great advice!

 

[bytheblood]

It is never too early to plan. My 1st trip, I planned a year out. My 2nd trip, 18 months out, this trip....almost a year out.

 

[katebeth]

We are planning a trip either in Oct or Dec of next year and we have already started planning. We haven't booked anything yet, but we are planning what meals we want to go to (especailly character) and some other things. I don't think that it is ever to early to plan. I am a plannaholic!!!! (I love it)

 

[LoriMistress]

DH and I are planning for at least November for 2007. We feel like this is the most realistic way to plan for our trip for just us (no kids). There is nothing wrong with planning early. You can start to save money and maybe find a good deal on your vacation.

 

[Minnie824]

Now you all got me wanting to start booking everything! DH would kill me! We're going with our DDs for the first time next month, and I'm already thinking ahead to next year, but this year, we're not doing Hoop Dee Doo....its on the list for next year. Hmmm...maybe I should start booking too!

 

[duckyfordonald]

Can anyone tell me how far in advance you can actually book a room? We are planning a Sept. 2007 trip - would love to book a room-only ressie now and then wait for a code/discount package (if one becomes available). Can I do that? Thanks!

 

[mamaprincess]

Since our plans had to change from December to March this year, I am planning a December vacation next year. The first thing I'll do is book my room at the 11mos window for DVC because early December is so popular with DVC members. I think I'll begin to plan meals and other things on paper like I usually do.

Like many of us, I'm always planning a trip to WDW!

 

[Spartan]

We just returned a week ago, so I'm not feeling the urge quite so bad right now, but I do know next year that I want another early December trip. We've done two, and they have been my favorites. There's so many little things you can do, that don't necesarily focus on normal park activities, that it can require a bit more planning if you want to squeeze it all in. I will fight off the urge until after the holidays this year, but after that I will be marking it on my calendar. I just say do whatever makes you feel the best.

 

[phisigprincess]

Another Pittsburgher checking in! BOOK NOW!!! It gives you an excuse to plan and people don't think you're crazy. Once you have the ressies, you're fine. We booked a week at Pop for the 2nd week in December. It sounds like the word is getting out about how uncrowded the parks are at that point.....

 

[speakupjc]

No it will help you get the room and resort you want and if the price drops lower you can always get it adjusted.

 

[Rollercoaster13]

Hi. My wife's theory is that it is never too early to start planning the next get away to Disney. She is always two trips ahead of schedule so to speak. We were just in Disney this past June, and alread she had our December trip planned, as well as the preliminary details of our 2006 trip. This will be our second trip going in December, and I must say, I love this time of year there. The crowds are very managable, and the it is not as sweltering then either. I can't help you with the rates, but I know she got us a couple nights at WL for our trip in December. This is one of the nicer decorated resorts for the holidays. Good luck.