Now its 2014 is anyone else waiting for April?

[Azza1987]

Yeah, usually better to book in the first round of discounts. I've already pegged next year's dates. Due to traveling earlier in the year as of this year, than what we have for the last several in a row, it means booking next year's trip before this one is due to be paid in full. Just crossing fingers for a half decent discount and I'm getting my name on that reservation as soon as they come out. Just in case. You know

That's Disney Dedication! Booking the 2nd before the 1st is paid off, wow!

I'll be doing the same as soon as they come out, I know it's around April but do you know roughly when from previous years??

 

[starrysky]

We are not planning to go this year to Disney but we are looking at 2015 October time again and so will be keeping an eye out for the deals.
We might do three weeks as because when we looked at three weeks for 2013 it was not that much more to do three weeks over two weeks. DH also suggested a cruise so plenty options lol.
We have a couple of friends who want to come with us so will be letting them know when the deals are out.
Sounds bad but we will book ours and leave it up to them to book theirs. If they choose not to book up to them.

 

[NatalieMT]

I'm looking for end of August start of September for 2015 now too! We are likely to be a party of 10+ ouch! Looking at starting at the Coronado or a similar mid range onsite hotel and really would love the DDP because it just makes everything so easy and you don't have to worry about paying for food bar tips/extra drinks.

 

[Azza1987]

I'm looking for end of August start of September for 2015 now too! We are likely to be a party of 10+ ouch! Looking at starting at the Coronado or a similar mid range onsite hotel and really would love the DDP because it just makes everything so easy and you don't have to worry about paying for food bar tips/extra drinks.

Another same time as a few of us now! Also hoping for DDP, makes it much easier doesn't it & no spending money to budget! If I blow all my cash on Mickey Mouse ears I'll still get ice cream! Haha

 

[joolz1910]

Hi Joolz

I remember you from the Paris bit of the board .

Paris is such a different ball game to WDW isn't it? So much more to get my head around - I am excited and nervous at the same time .

All the best with your planning. Seems like a few of us will be there August - we are looking for mid August (around 10/11th) to fit in about 3 weeks ish before back for the girls starting school early September (it's unfortunate in 2015 that they start back very early September, rather than a few days into it!).

Hi DLPDreams - I remember you too! Much as I loved DLP, I wouldn't consider going there again now that I have been to WDW. You get so much more for your money at WDW and DLP has really started to look run down .

I can't wait to book again - it's so nice to have something to look forward to and plan for!

 

[DLPDreams]

Hi DLPDreams - I remember you too! Much as I loved DLP, I wouldn't consider going there again now that I have been to WDW. You get so much more for your money at WDW and DLP has really started to look run down .

I can't wait to book again - it's so nice to have something to look forward to and plan for!

I know what you mean Joolz, but I still do love DLRP. I think because we went twice in 2012, DH has wanted to take time out from Disney (not sure why ). We had other holidays abroad in 2013 which were brilliant and I think we all realised (should I really say this...?) that there are other places where we can have as much fun (well, sometimes ).. But, the Disney bug is returning to me (and my children!) and I've had a 2015 WDW trip on my mind for a loooonnng time. We toyed with going in 2012 but decided to wait until the children are a little older. They will be 7 and 10 when we go. Great ages I think, but I didn't realise the 10 year old is classed as an adult for food (dining plan) and tickets etc . If I could get DH to agree to a quick DLRP trip before WDW then I would, but there is no way. We have other expenses this year - new car / house extension, and of course saving for WDW.

On topic again , I am confused about booking and when. The thing is, isn't it unlikely they'll open up 2015 booking with free dining? (no idea) Is it more likely to be just accom discounts to start with? We are ready to book but don't want to dive in and then find if we'd waited a few weeks or so, we could have got DDP.

I have read that sometimes the accom discounts work out better than the free DP but then there are 6 of us, so I think meals will work out expensive. I have quite a few ideas about where I'd like to eat - many TS with characters etc. So, it would be costly to pay out while there....

Sorry, if this rambling sounds silly - it's all so new to me and I'm just finding my feet - please bear with me .

 

[2Tiggies]

DLP, the best deals have usually been the first ones so the key is to get in early. Also, you can make an amendment for £50 (or no charge if you increase the cost of your booking when you amend) so in the grand scheme of things, if a better deal comes up, all is not lost.

For the last few years I've been booking one night less than I actually want so that if I need to amend my dates for flight prices, when I call Disney to change, I can add the extra night/nights when amending dates and they waive the amendment fee

I have made 4 changes to this year's booking since the original reservation was made last year in June. I have not paid any amendment fees (although it has gone from 15 nights to 20 nights so I guess they still win!)

 

[Elise79]

I think they usually release the prices without discount then in April they release the first lot of discounts. Historically these have been the best discounts and usually run till June/July time.

Have to be honest my memory is a little vague around timings but the pattern is right

 

[joolz1910]

I know what you mean Joolz, but I still do love DLRP. I think because we went twice in 2012, DH has wanted to take time out from Disney (not sure why ). We had other holidays abroad in 2013 which were brilliant and I think we all realised (should I really say this...?) that there are other places where we can have as much fun (well, sometimes ).. But, the Disney bug is returning to me (and my children!) and I've had a 2015 WDW trip on my mind for a loooonnng time. We toyed with going in 2012 but decided to wait until the children are a little older. They will be 7 and 10 when we go. Great ages I think, but I didn't realise the 10 year old is classed as an adult for food (dining plan) and tickets etc . If I could get DH to agree to a quick DLRP trip before WDW then I would, but there is no way. We have other expenses this year - new car / house extension, and of course saving for WDW.

On topic again , I am confused about booking and when. The thing is, isn't it unlikely they'll open up 2015 booking with free dining? (no idea) Is it more likely to be just accom discounts to start with? We are ready to book but don't want to dive in and then find if we'd waited a few weeks or so, we could have got DDP.

I have read that sometimes the accom discounts work out better than the free DP but then there are 6 of us, so I think meals will work out expensive. I have quite a few ideas about where I'd like to eat - many TS with characters etc. So, it would be costly to pay out while there....

Sorry, if this rambling sounds silly - it's all so new to me and I'm just finding my feet - please bear with me .

I am booking this month to go in August 2015. We booked this far out when we went in 2012 and got all of the deals. The price did not go down.

The free Ddp was a highlight of our trip and it was a real treat to order whatever we wanted and to go to loads of character meals.

Our girls were 5, 8 and 12. Brilliant ages. Will this be your first trip? I did a trip report with all costings, meals chosen etc. link is in my signature x

 

[princessjodiebo]

I am booking this month to go in August 2015. We booked this far out when we went in 2012 and got all of the deals. The price did not go down.

The free Ddp was a highlight of our trip and it was a real treat to order whatever we wanted and to go to loads of character meals.

Our girls were 5, 8 and 12. Brilliant ages. Will this be your first trip? I did a trip report with all costings, meals chosen etc. link is in my signature x

Joolz have the offers for 2015 come out already ??
I was planning on booking for august too but was planning on waiting til the free ddp offers come out
I was originally thinking of 2 weeks but if its august may be able to push to 3

 

[joolz1910]

Joolz have the offers for 2015 come out already ??
I was planning on booking for august too but was planning on waiting til the free ddp offers come out
I was originally thinking of 2 weeks but if its august may be able to push to 3

Hi, my travel agent (Val Ramsay) is going to let me know in the next couple of weeks. She did the same for me when we booked in 2011. I am also thinking of more than 2 weeks, but only a couple more days.

 

[DLPDreams]

I am booking this month to go in August 2015. We booked this far out when we went in 2012 and got all of the deals. The price did not go down.

The free Ddp was a highlight of our trip and it was a real treat to order whatever we wanted and to go to loads of character meals.

Our girls were 5, 8 and 12. Brilliant ages. Will this be your first trip? I did a trip report with all costings, meals chosen etc. link is in my signature x

Glad to hear the price did not go down as I've read that the free DDP means the accom price is loaded (there is a new thread about this today fro Lolsmum). It appears that OKW and SSR are the best for free DDP as they tend to be offered with a good room discount at the same time - reading this thread anyway.

I still haven't decided where to stay - keep changing my mind. I'd ideally like to be ultra convenient for MK but then that means a deluxe resort and they are so pricey.

Yes, it's our first trip - hence all the the silly questions . WDW and Orlando is just soo much to take in. It will probably be our once in a lifetime trip, so we want to get as much out of it as we can .

princessjodiebo - hello. I remember you from the Paris bit on here too . Seems there are a few of us here who have visited Paris a fair bit.

 

[Mummy Minnie]

I am booking this month to go in August 2015. We booked this far out when we went in 2012 and got all of the deals. The price did not go down.

The free Ddp was a highlight of our trip and it was a real treat to order whatever we wanted and to go to loads of character meals.

Our girls were 5, 8 and 12. Brilliant ages. Will this be your first trip? I did a trip report with all costings, meals chosen etc. link is in my signature x

We're planning to go end of Oct 2015 - so excited reading all about it! It seems so much more character oriented than DLP. Just reading through your pre - trip report - so much useful info.

When you booked originally with Val Ramsay did you have the free dining or did you get that later?

 

[mollies_mum]

We're planning to go end of Oct 2015 - so excited reading all about it! It seems so much more character oriented than DLP. Just reading through your pre - trip report - so much useful info. When you booked originally with Val Ramsay did you have the free dining or did you get that later?

We are also going the end of October 2015, I've just booked our villa and will be flight hunting next November. For now it's save, save, save! Happy planning x

 

[joolz1910]

Glad to hear the price did not go down as I've read that the free DDP means the accom price is loaded (there is a new thread about this today fro Lolsmum). It appears that OKW and SSR are the best for free DDP as they tend to be offered with a good room discount at the same time - reading this thread anyway.

I still haven't decided where to stay - keep changing my mind. I'd ideally like to be ultra convenient for MK but then that means a deluxe resort and they are so pricey.

Yes, it's our first trip - hence all the the silly questions . WDW and Orlando is just soo much to take in. It will probably be our once in a lifetime trip, so we want to get as much out of it as we can .

princessjodiebo - hello. I remember you from the Paris bit on here too . Seems there are a few of us here who have visited Paris a fair bit.

I loved OKW. The buses were regular and MK was only minutes away. It appealed to me as a resort because it was so tranquil and pretty. We left the 'manic' back in the parks. The rooms were amazing - really spacious and well-equipped. The pools weren't busy and where we stayed (Turtle Pond) there was a small pool where we went regularly. I nosied around some of the other resorts and can honestly say that none of them appealed to me more than OKW - which is why we are planning to go back

Oh and the plan for this to be a 'once in a lifetime' trip? Yeah, we said the same thing

We're planning to go end of Oct 2015 - so excited reading all about it! It seems so much more character oriented than DLP. Just reading through your pre - trip report - so much useful info.

When you booked originally with Val Ramsay did you have the free dining or did you get that later?

Hi Mummy Minnie, our trip at the end of October was PERFECT. I only wish we could go back at the same time of year. The character interaction is fabulous and there is no 'scrum' to meet them. It is all very polite and well-organised. We waited a long time to see Merida but Mary Poppins, Ariel and Tiana were just a few minute's wait when we were in Epcot. The character meals are excellent for meeting characters - Akershus for Princesses, Crystal Palace for 100 Acre Wood, Chef Mickey's for Mickey et al.

Thank you for reading my trippie. I tried to include everything that I wanted to know as a first-timer. Cost was a big issue for us (still is) and I wanted to know how much I could expect to pay. DDP was superb for us as a family of 5 and made the whole trip feel even more of a luxury as I am the original 'picnic' mum.

I booked the whole package with Val, including flights and the free DDP was included at the time of booking. Val was totally on the ball. We had booked a 2 bed originally and she phoned me as soon as Disney allowed 5 people in a 1 bed, asking me if I wanted to change the booking. I did, as it saved me such a lot of money. She also booked my ADR's, BBB, MNSSHP and MVMCP.

Happy planning!

 

[DLPDreams]

I loved OKW. The buses were regular and MK was only minutes away. It appealed to me as a resort because it was so tranquil and pretty. We left the 'manic' back in the parks. The rooms were amazing - really spacious and well-equipped. The pools weren't busy and where we stayed (Turtle Pond) there was a small pool where we went regularly. I nosied around some of the other resorts and can honestly say that none of them appealed to me more than OKW - which is why we are planning to go back

Oh and the plan for this to be a 'once in a lifetime' trip? Yeah, we said the same thing

Yes, it will be once in a lifetime - as even if we do go back, it won't be a budget like this trip will be (I definitely won't be able to do 3 weeks stay again!). It's a special trip for us all (a special bday for me and a special one for my Mum too). I know so many people say it's a one off though - we know people that go every year for 2 weeks but they always go in June in a villa (cheaper flights) and don't necessarily visit every park so cut down cost on tickets / eating out etc. We could never afford even that though!

When I think, we've spent so much on our DLRP trips with flying AF and staying in the DLH - and that was just short stays! But as I said earlier, I love DLRP - I like the compact resort and the fact it's a short flight.

OKW is sounding better by the minute. Still considering CR as being able to walk to MK sounds fab - but honestly think it will be too expensive as we'll need 2 rooms.

I am going to check out CSR too as someone on here has mentioned it.

I am planning on reading your TR tonight - gives me something to look forward to when the kids are in bed x

 

[joolz1910]

Yes, it will be once in a lifetime - as even if we do go back, it won't be a budget like this trip will be (I definitely won't be able to do 3 weeks stay again!). It's a special trip for us all (a special bday for me and a special one for my Mum too). I know so many people say it's a one off though - we know people that go every year for 2 weeks but they always go in June in a villa (cheaper flights) and don't necessarily visit every park so cut down cost on tickets / eating out etc. We could never afford even that though!

When I think, we've spent so much on our DLRP trips with flying AF and staying in the DLH - and that was just short stays! But as I said earlier, I love DLRP - I like the compact resort and the fact it's a short flight.

OKW is sounding better by the minute. Still considering CR as being able to walk to MK sounds fab - but honestly think it will be too expensive as we'll need 2 rooms.

I am going to check out CSR too as someone on here has mentioned it.

I am planning on reading your TR tonight - gives me something to look forward to when the kids are in bed x

If all goes to plan, we will be there at the same time - so a Dis meet is a must!
We stayed at Santa Fe, Cheyenne and DLH. I loved the convenience of the DLH too. It's such a different ballgame at WDW though as it's not really convenient / possible to walk to many places. We drove to MK once from OKW and it was quicker to go by bus. The buses aren't like DLP either. I refused to use the DLP buses, even when we stayed at Santa Fe!

Enjoy my trippie.

 

[Azza1987]

I must read these trip reports too!

I'm definitely think OKW purely for something different against SSR but similar set up! Is there a 'preferred' place to request for OKW? I know it's not guaranteed but we requested Congress Park in SSR as it was a stroll away to DTD & was perfect for us

 

[joolz1910]

I must read these trip reports too!

I'm definitely think OKW purely for something different against SSR but similar set up! Is there a 'preferred' place to request for OKW? I know it's not guaranteed but we requested Congress Park in SSR as it was a stroll away to DTD & was perfect for us

We went for Turtle Pond. It seems to be quite popular on here. It was near to a quieter pool and away from noisy roads. It was a 10 minute walk from HH, which bothers some, but didn't bother us at all.

 

[DLPDreams]

We went for Turtle Pond. It seems to be quite popular on here. It was near to a quieter pool and away from noisy roads. It was a 10 minute walk from HH, which bothers some, but didn't bother us at all.

Ha yes, a Dis meet would be fab - we can arrange nearer the time .

Good to know about locations within resort Azza - I hadn't even got that far yet .

I know what you mean - the DLH at Paris is a total treat being able to walk - last December when it was cold we were out of the park and in our room within 10 mins max!

I just want to make it as easy as possible for us. I am sure we will spend more time in MK than anywhere else so it seems sensible to be nearer that.

OKW does look lovely though!