planning a few months out

[CQuinn]

So, plans keep shifting. I keep excitedly joining threads for different months as we rearrange and figure out what and when make financial sense. I'm also looking at getting a new job now that I've graduated and have no idea how time off will work out. Which leads me to my question... does anyone have any tips for only planning a few months out? I'm thinking about January/February or September/October 2016 so we would probably wait until discounts come out to book. I know I won't get the must-book-at-180-days meals but other than that, any words of wisdom?

 

[princessesandpascal]

We have planned almost every one of our trips a few months out (also waited for discounts): I think our record was one month for a trip in April '07. Our most recent trip we booked five months in advance (mid-January for an early May trip), which was, of course, a month shy of making that 180 window. We ate at some off times, but got everything we wanted: Chef Mickey's, Akershus, Via Napoli, Kona, Ohana Breakfast, Sci-Fi, and Garden Grill. We didn't go for BOG, CRT, or CP, and while we had a late dinner at Chef Mickey's and an early dinner at Sci-Fi, we were happy with everything we got (we even changed Via Napoli from Friday to Saturday while we were there and were fine). We booked before the FP+ window, so that wasn't a problem at all. Often ADRs become available closer as people fine-tune their plans or drop things, so there's always hope!

I think the main thing is flexibility. Knowing that you won't have the "perfect" ADR ahead of time really takes some of the stress away. When we book in that way and know we probably can't pick up pre-opening ADRs, we book ours at the very end of the window for a brunch so we still get the morning in the park. I am in the firm belief that you could plan a trip the week before and still have an amazing time. There's way more things that you can do than can't do by planning a bit later than some. So a few months ahead is still enough for an amazing trip!

 

[scrappinginontario]

If you have any dates for January or February narrowed down you can try to get a few of your 'must do' dinner reservations 180 days before that actual date. It will secure what you want and if you need to cancel you know you'll make someone very, very happy when you do and they're able to get something they thought they couldn't!

I wouldn't do this often but just because you don't have your dates 100% doesn't mean you should have to miss out on the one or 2 places you most desire to dine!

 

[CQuinn]

If you have any dates for January or February narrowed down you can try to get a few of your 'must do' dinner reservations 180 days before that actual date. It will secure what you want and if you need to cancel you know you'll make someone very, very happy when you do and they're able to get something they thought they couldn't!

I wouldn't do this often but just because you don't have your dates 100% doesn't mean you should have to miss out on the one or 2 places you most desire to dine!

I have no idea why I didn't even think of being able to do this. If we go in January it would be around my birthday so I guess I could at least get a birthday dinner ADR. Thanks for the advice!

 

[CQuinn]

I think the main thing is flexibility. Knowing that you won't have the "perfect" ADR ahead of time really takes some of the stress away. When we book in that way and know we probably can't pick up pre-opening ADRs, we book ours at the very end of the window for a brunch so we still get the morning in the park. I am in the firm belief that you could plan a trip the week before and still have an amazing time. There's way more things that you can do than can't do by planning a bit later than some. So a few months ahead is still enough for an amazing trip!

You're definitely right. I planned our last trip to death and felt that I could have done way less. I barely planned our honeymoon trip and we wound up having an amazing time. We even had dinner at Chefs de France, window seat during Illuminations, that I booked that day. It is still one of my favorite Disney memories