Nervous about Booking Airfare - HELP!!

[DarleneP]

We just cleared ROFR on OKW on Friday. We have a cruise booked and want to use our brand new DVC to add park days after the cruise. The hubby wants to buy the air today, even though we don't have any confirmed resort reservations. I think we should wait until we have all our membership information, and have a confirmed reservation. Two fold question - WWYD, book the air or wait? How difficult do you think it will be to get a studio or one-bedroom for October 5-11 at any resort?

 

[Mousewerks]

There are others who track things more closely but I think you'd be safe in assuming you could get a studio or 1 bedroom unit somewhere on property.

OKW, SSR, and AKV will probably be open...

 

[Goofy DVC]

If I were you, I would book my air on Southwest, since they do not charge any change fees when modifying a reservation. This way you have a little insurance just in case you can't get a room. You could then change your flight and not lose any credit. Good luck and enjoy your membership. Welcome Home!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just cleared ROFR on OKW on Friday. We have a cruise booked and want to use our brand new DVC to add park days after the cruise. The hubby wants to buy the air today, even though we don't have any confirmed resort reservations. I think we should wait until we have all our membership information, and have a confirmed reservation. Two fold question - WWYD, book the air or wait? How difficult do you think it will be to get a studio or one-bedroom for October 5-11 at any resort?

So based on passing ROFR, it might be another month before you can book. At that point, you will be six months out and you are trying to book an extremely popular time. You might get a one bedroom, but maybe not at OKW. You might get SSR or AKV or you might be piecing together a night here, a night there, etc (which would mean a new magic band for each location/each night).

 

[htmlkid]

I would rent points from another owner and secure the reservation. Once you get your points you can rent out your points and it's a wash cash and points wise.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Personally, I've always found the best airfare prices to be out around 6 weeks before the trip. I wouldn't book my airfare until July or August. By then you'd have your reservations in place and know your definite dates of travel.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd wait. Airfare to Orlando isn't exactly a very limited commodity but DVC rooms at that time of the year might be although I think you'll be able to get a studio or 1BR somewhere.

 

[DarleneP]

Thanks everyone. The hubby did not listen to me, and went ahead and booked air. We've gone to Disney each of the last 3 years, so we're pretty well versed on the costs of flights. The price was phenomenal, and not likely to be matched. Overall the flights were more than $100 less than we have spent in years past - including this very same week in 2012. So, I shall keep my fingers crossed that we find space somewhere, and are not resort hopping on a daily basis.

 

[crisi]

And if not, pay cash for a room - if you get a great price on airfare, sometimes the room price is a wash.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We just cleared ROFR on OKW on Friday. We have a cruise booked and want to use our brand new DVC to add park days after the cruise. The hubby wants to buy the air today, even though we don't have any confirmed resort reservations. I think we should wait until we have all our membership information, and have a confirmed reservation. Two fold question - WWYD, book the air or wait? How difficult do you think it will be to get a studio or one-bedroom for October 5-11 at any resort?

First, we've often booked airfare first. That's because DH is dealing with FF miles, and availability to use them goes so fast. But secondly, coicidently, I was online yesterday looking for availability for almost those dates, 10/4-10/11. Every resort had at least some days unavailable, even OKW (which is big) except SSR. I don't know if you'd rather book SSR and waitlist elsewhere (if you don't want SSR) or book a 1 BR and waitlist for a studio, if possible. We've done both, and the waitlist has always come thru, though a couple times it came thru at around 32 days, which had us on pins and needles for a long time.

 

[allshookup]

We almost always book airfare first as well because out of the Boston area you invariably get a much better rate if you book as soon as the airfare opens, especially Southwest. I always check when specials come out and they never cover the Boston area to Orlando.

In any case, I wouldn't bother booking anything until you close. Chances are you will find something and if worst comes to worst, they are usually offering specials such as free-dining that time of year so it might be worth it to just book a non-DVC resort if nothing else is available & you could go visit your "home".

 

[Dean]

Thanks everyone. The hubby did not listen to me, and went ahead and booked air. We've gone to Disney each of the last 3 years, so we're pretty well versed on the costs of flights. The price was phenomenal, and not likely to be matched. Overall the flights were more than $100 less than we have spent in years past - including this very same week in 2012. So, I shall keep my fingers crossed that we find space somewhere, and are not resort hopping on a daily basis.

I think for most, this was the best move. Same for HI and other exchange options. However, you've got to be willing to make alternate plans for a place to say in case things don't come through. If you can't stay without using the points, you likely made the wrong choice.