Is it worth speculating - reservation for Jan 2009?

[sharadoc]

Hello all,

We are planning a trip January 26 through February 5, 2009. I have been told 2009 resort prices won't be available until the summer, possibly August. We would like to know rates BEFORE we decide where to stay, although we are most likely doing Fort Wilderness Cabins.

I have been told we need a confirmed reservation number to make ADRs, reserve a golf cart at FW, etc. etc. Should we go ahead and speculate that the price will be close to what it is now? Will we have to send a deposit equal to one night's stay at this year's price? How will it work?

I think it's crazy that I can't plan my trip more than 5 months in advance. In the past, we have made reservations a year in advance, and paid for our trip monthly by sending a check on our reservation. Why isn't there some sort of rolling 12 month reservation system (rhetorical question, of course). I guess Disney assumes that we are planning to come anyway, and a couple hundred dollars one way or another won't matter. Probably true in the end, but we're not Rockefeller either!

On a side note, this board is the greatest planning tool there is. Thanks to everyone who put it together, maintains it, and posts.

Sharadoc

 

[safetymom]

You can make a reservation for Jan 2009 but the rate will not be guaranteed. They will allow you to make the deposit.

 

[NancyK]

You can make ADRs 180 days out whether you have a confirmation number or not. In past, I've made ADRs before actually having a ressie. Just told them I was staying offsite or hadn't decided on a resort yet.
I would look up current prices on the resorts you're interested in and assume that they are going to be higher for 2009.

 

[jess20k]

Yes, you can make your ADR's 180 days in advance, even if you do not have a reservation. I am not sure about the golf carts.

You can call Disney directly and book a room only right now. They would base it on this years peak season rates. The package rates usually come out in the beginning of August.

If you do decide to book the room only right now, then you would need a one night's deposit...based on this year's peak rates. It will guarantee your room, but if you want to add a package, they will cancel it and then refund your deposit. You would just have to re-book with the package, but the room would still be guaranteed.

We do this so we guarantee our room. We usually end up canceling altogether and book with AAA. But, I like to know that I have my room. You just never know. Hope this helps.

 

[Lisa0503]

You can make your ADR's at 180 days in advance without a reservation number but if you want the 'perk' of making makeing your ADR's for '180 days plus 10' so you can make all your ADR's in one call, you will need a reservation number.

 

[golfgal]

The Super Bowl is in Florida that weekend, you might want to keep that in mind. It is possible that rates that weekend will be high and the parks pretty busy.

 

[danceintherain]

You can (almost) ALWAYS change your mind. If you want to take advantage of the 180+10 day reservations then go ahead and speculate and then if when the rates for next year come out, you decide you can't justify the choice you made, then you can call and downgrade (or upgrade) and any of the money you've paid thus far can be credited to your new reservation. Anyways... you won't lose any money, unless you try to make changes within the 45 day mark for packages or 5 day mark for room-onlys.
I'm planning on booking within the next few weeks so I can get in on the 180+10 day ADRs. I'm going in January as well. I will most likely change my mind about my ressies multiple times between now and the time I leave. Right now I'm planning on booking 9 nights at POR. I will make all my ADRs and when I make changes after next year's rates are released, then I can make changes to my ADRs then per availability. All my in park ADRs shouldn't have to change based on where I'm staying, as I probably won't change which parks I'm going to each day based on where I'm staying. It's the resort meals that are tricky, but if you're going to have a car, then it shouldn't make a difference. I'm simply planning on relying entirely on Disney transportation.

In short: Make you room ressies before your 180 mark, and go ahead and start planning. You'll probably have to make adjustments later on, but at least you'll have the jist of your trip planned, and you can start making payments whenever you want.

 

[Nora03]

We'd like to go for a few days in March and I wasn't sure what to do as 2009 rates aren't out yet. This info helps me. I think I'll call and make the reservation and see what they charge.

I've been reading about making payments in advance. Can't you just put it on a credit card and pay anytime? Or, put the first night on the credit card and pay the balance when you arrive.

We just came back from two weeks staying in a vacation home and loved it. I paid $200 deposit more than a year in advance and paid the balance 30 days prior to arrival.

We stayed onsite once and it was a package. This time we just want to book the room.

Thanks, Nora

 

[Rylee]

We'd like to go for a few days in March and I wasn't sure what to do as 2009 rates aren't out yet. This info helps me. I think I'll call and make the reservation and see what they charge.

I've been reading about making payments in advance. Can't you just put it on a credit card and pay anytime? Or, put the first night on the credit card and pay the balance when you arrive.

We just came back from two weeks staying in a vacation home and loved it. I paid $200 deposit more than a year in advance and paid the balance 30 days prior to arrival.

We stayed onsite once and it was a package. This time we just want to book the room.

Thanks, Nora

When booking a package - a $200 deposit is required at the time of booking, with the balance due 45 days before your arrival date.

When making a "room only" reservation - a deposit equal to 1 night is due at the time of booking or within 14 days, and the balance can be paid at check-in.