Just curious....

[Laura.bora]

How likely is it that we will get the hotel of our choice if we book 6 - 9 months in advance? We are planning on going in Sept. 2008, and booking sometime in January - March. We'd REALLY like to stay 10 days at WL. Should we be coming up with a plan 2 hotel? And if so, which one??? (we'll have 3 children - ages 6, 3 and 9 months.)

 

[Laura.bora]

Anyone?

 

[micmacmissy]

You should be fine. Why not book now, if you want to be sure to get WL?

We usually book 12 months in advance and always get our first choice, but we also go during slow times of the year.

Also, depends on when in September you go. If you go right after Labor Day, you should be good, this is a slow time of year with kids back in school, and the parks will be nice and empty and getting your choice of hotel should be easy!

 

[Laura.bora]

We're not booking now because we want to be able to pay in full, and not have to worry about what if some unexpected bill comes up and now we're strapped for cash. Somewhere between January and March is when we will have saved up enough to pay in full! Woo hoo! We're aiming for the 17th - 25th of September, so hopefully, based on the info you gave us, we should be fine! Thank you so much for your help!

 

[grannyminnie]

We're not booking now because we want to be able to pay in full, and not have to worry about what if some unexpected bill comes up and now we're strapped for cash. Somewhere between January and March is when we will have saved up enough to pay in full! Woo hoo! We're aiming for the 17th - 25th of September, so hopefully, based on the info you gave us, we should be fine! Thank you so much for your help!

A big congratulations on being DEBT-FREE!!

 

[Laura.bora]

Thank you so much on the congratulations!! What a load of the shoulders it's going to be! We've hit the under $4,000 mark! The end is in sight!!!

 

[Gus]

We're going in September and booked in April. I had my choice of the Contemporary, the Boardwalk, the Poly and AKL (the only ones I asked about). If you booking in the first quarter, you shouldn't have any trouble. If you're going in September, you should note Disney has offered free dining that month the past three years, IIRC. They usually don't announce it until March or so, but you should be able to switch your ressies over if you want to.

And congratulations!

ETA: It occurs to me I also asked about the Beach Club for later in the month (when F&W started), and it was unavailable.

 

[Laura.bora]

Thank you Gus - I know about Free dining and researched how easy it would be to switch if it came out after we booked (Good Golly I love the Disboards!!). We're hoping they will offer it again. That would cut our vacation price down about $600 - and that would be a VERY nice surprise!!

 

[J and R's mom]

It shouldn't be a problem, especially if you book in January. Sometimes the standard (or cheaper) rooms book up first along with the bunk beds. Those may not be available at that time.

Is it possible for you all to book now, pay the deposit that is required, and then pay the remainder in full later (either when it's due or in January-March when you have the funds?). At least that way you can guarantee you get the room you want.

Also, be sure to keep watching for the discount codes that will come out next year a few months prior to your stay. There will be a thread started on the codes/discounts board--I'm sure--at that time and you'll be able to apply that code (if you call early enough) to your reservation (even if it's already made) as you get nearer to your dates (probably start watching around May 2008).

How very exciting...have a wonderful stay!

 

[rcraw45425]

If you book a room only now you only have to pay the first night for a deposit, the rest could be paid at check in. I was told also that you can book dining as late as about 5 days out and add it on then. I jsut booked WL for Jan 2-6 and was told I had the last standard room they had, and that the only thing available with AAA was something like a Courtyard view with bunks, discounted price of close to $300 a night during value season. OUr last trip we booked a package and I was calling sweating it right before the balance was due because DH was still getting the runaround from the hospital about the days he blocked off. It all worked out but convinced me to avoid the packages until I have a definite schedule to work with.

 

[Laura.bora]

Thank you all for your help! I didn't know about the codes. I'll have to look into that, and keep an eye open around May. Thank you. With the codes, do you need certain rooms, or something to that effect, or does that depend on the discount offered? And as for booking it pieces at a time, my husband has an extremly flexible schedule, so he can get the time off he wants no problem, and we homeschool, so things like missing too much school and school vacations won't be an issue for us either. So for us, booking it all at once works better.

 

[skipperkim]

If you book a package, you put down a deposit of $200 with the balance due 45 days before departure. If you book a room only, it's one night deposit with the balance due at checkin . I'd say either book the room or package now. You can always apply a code to your room or package if they come out. That way you have a room. When you $ comes in, then you pay in full.

 

[J and R's mom]

Thank you all for your help! I didn't know about the codes. .... With the codes, do you need certain rooms, or something to that effect, or does that depend on the discount offered?


....And as for booking it pieces at a time...So for us, booking it all at once works better.

If you book a package, you put down a deposit of $200 with the balance due 45 days before departure. If you book a room only, it's one night deposit with the balance due at checkin . I'd say either book the room or package now. You can always apply a code to your room or package if they come out. That way you have a room. When you $ comes in, then you pay in full.

To reiterate what skipperkim said, you DON'T have to book your package (or room) in pieces. You book the whole thing at once and only pay a deposit (for the entire stay) at the time of booking (unless you want to pay it in full at that time). But at least you won't have to worry about room availability later down the line if you book it now. At the very least, you might want to call tomorrow and let them CM (cast member) walk you through your options and give you opinions on availability in Jan-Mar if you choose to wait until then.

About the codes...Click here for the Codes and Rates board (you access it by going to the resorts board--it's link is at the top). They have a few "sticky" threads at the very begining of the list that explain more about the codes and discounts. You might also want to browse some of the current threads. For example, the discount codes for October 2007 and some of November 2007 just came out last week. Some folks (especially staying at value resorts) were saving up to 40% off of what they orginally booked using the codes. The trick is to call the morning that the code comes out (and the DIS board will let you know that date if you subscribe to the Sept 2008 Codes thread that will surely come next year). The earlier you call, the more likely you are to get a discount for the room that you currently have booked.

The AP (annual pass) codes just came out for Oct-Dec 2007 last week as well, as did the Disney Visa discount codes. All of these discount codes provided some good discounts for folks...and some folks didn't see much savings. Just keep an eye on that board as your trip nears and you should be in good shape.

Good luck!