Never stayed @ dis onsite, when to start planning for Dec or Feb06?

[d4est]

Next year we plan to go to WDW either during our Christmas break or our Feb break (teacher here, have to go when school is out). When is a reasonable time to start planning? If I can get decent discounts, I would like to stay somewhere nice, like WL or something comparable. Any advice appreciated.

 

[dijojosh]

You could check rates now and hold something. If you are flying you have the airfare to consider and that is not even available for next year. The good thing is that if you book with disney they will let you change things around and apply discounts if available. So see where you really want to stay and then see if you can get a discount. Teachers get a discount and the Swan and Dolphin on a pretty regular basis.

 

[SandrainNC]

We are planning our trip for Jan. 2006. I went ahead and booked (through DU) a moderate (at 2005 rates, so the rate may or may not change) and then if codes come out later, I will try to change to a deluxe.

Sandra

 

[d4est]

So it is not too early to start? If you don't mind my asking, what kind of deposit did it require? I am not in a position to put $ down right now, as we are leaving for this year's vacation in 33 days. All my extra $$ goes to that for now. I mainly just wanted an idea of when the optimum time to plan is. I get the mousesavers newsletter and am on the dis daily, so I will be watching for discount codes. The thing is, I am not "WDW" savvy.

Since April, my attention has been on the Universal boards, since that is where we are headed. (No flames, please) I have only been to WDW once, nearly 10 years ago. Never been to Universal either. So we didn't want to split time at either. It will be a first for my son...he will be nearly 8 1/2 next year when we are a WDW. I want to stay onsite and really enjoy ourselves at a moderate or better, spending somewhere around 150 or less/night.

Thanks for the replies

 

[SandrainNC]

I am doing a room only reservation and had to put down one night's deposit. The rest is due at check in.

No flames here. I am just waiting for my son (he is 4) to get old enough for Islands of Adventure. I just don't feel they have enough for him to do at either Universal park (we have been to Universal Studios before) until he is a little older.

I think when you are going to WDW makes a difference with how soon you need to book your room. If you are going at a busy time, the sooner the better. It looks like you are looking at Christmas break which is a busy time.

Have fun at US!! Sandra

 

[DisneyFan09]

I'm going in Oct. 2006 trip and while I haven't booked a room yet, I've been scouring the boards and menu's and even rough drafting my itinerary!! It's never to early to start planning, in fact for me it makes the wait so much easier. The only problem I have found in planning so far in advance is that I keep changing my mind about which resort to stay at.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Next year we plan to go to WDW either during our Christmas break....

If you want a room during the week between Christmas and New Years, book a room ASAP.

But beware, this is the most crowded and most expensive week of the entire year.

You also won't find too many discounts for that week.

 

[uneamie]

I just booked for the first week in December for WL. The rate was $199 per night for a standard room. I booked this room through Travelocity and according to them...

"WHEN BOOKING 30 DAYS OR MORE PRIOR TO ARRIAL A VALID CREDIT CARD OR CHECK MUST BE RECIEVED WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE BOOKING DATE FOR THE DEPOSIT. ALL CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED THE DEPOSIT OF1 NIGHT ROOM AND TAX WHEN RECEIVED. "

When I called them they said no deposit is required until at least 14 prior to arrival.

 

[nwdisgal]

Those are both busy times, so I would start planning now. You can always change the ressie if the rate changes.

 

[d4est]

Okay! Thanks for all the replies. I guess it is the right time to start thinking about plans. Need to decide which week and where we want to stay. Any good recommendations for a nice place for 150 or under/night?

 

[elaine and the boys]

School person here, too. We went during FEb. vacation 2 years in a row, and are now planning for Christmas 2005 in Disney. Feb. vacation time is expensive. Our moderates cost around 169.00 with our AAA discount. Christmas time is even more expensive. I'm not sure you can stay on disney property at a moderate for 150.oo or less at these busy times. Sorry, I could be wrong. I'm pretty new to all this discount stuff. Enjoy your vacation whenever you go....whatever the cost!!

 

[vicb]

d4est,

Planning early is one thing and booking your room is another. Unless you plan to go during xmas holiday you don't need to book yet. I am planning to go back Feb. '06 (we go every other year). While I am already thinking about where to stay and such I will not actually book until later this spring or even early summer. I have the same $$ situation you do.

When you book be sure to ask about discounts, like AAA is usually one of the first to be available. You can book that and apply and other codes or greater discounts to your exisiting ressie as they become available. Be sure to watch mousesavers website now and read this resort board so you will know what people are paying during the time you want to go next year.

Good luck, have fun at US next month.

 

[d4est]

Okay...am starting to get somewhere. I guess, until we decide the week we want, all I can do is decide where we would like to stay. I am now leaning toward POFQ...the pics look decent and reviews seem mostly positive. I really think we would enjoy AKL, as we are animal people & fans of animal planet, but I want something that is relatively close to it "all" and that won't break the bank. I am very intimidated by Disney's layout...so many buses, parks spread out etc...I want to stay somewhere that getting to and from parks to hotel will be easy for first timers. I don't know about the value resorts...they look kinda cheesey (no offense to those who love them). Ugh, good thing I have a while to figure this out!

Thanks again, to all who replied!

 

[vicb]

food for thought:

You could stay one night at AKL just for the experience.

You might look into S/D for a less expensive stay in the very convienent Epcot area.

Don't be intimidated by the WDW transport. system. I have been 3 times and not rented a car. We use Disney transport and taxi's for everything and it works pretty smoothly.