WELCOME TO THE DIS!!
Plan now! At least settle on your dates and where you would like to stay. Even if you pay your rooms one night deposit and then find another better rate they will apply it to your existing ressie. Sometimes
when a code comes out it will actually cut the rate almost in half and then I have two nights paid for! Now we rent DVC points and book 7-10 months out and have it all paid off way before we go. I know I am getting a great rate (sometimes we stay at the deluxes for less than the moderates!) and I don't have to worry about discounts! We did just decide however to add 2 nights onto our DVC trip atthe end of january, so I too will be waiting for codes. I think we will either be at ASmo because the kid's just love it there, or over at Coroado Springs because it is the only moderate we haven't tried yet! Good luck with your planning!