Planning a vacation before the airfare deals come out

[Lizzybee]

I just want to know if anyone does this.
Have you planned a trip to WDW, knowing you are going to fly but enough in advance that the "deals" aren't out there yet? I guess it's a leap of faith to put a down payment on a WDW trip before knowing if I can get decent airfare. Any opinions of this?

 

[bicker]

Prudence would dictate that you plan your trip based on what can reasonably be expected to be available, i.e., no fire sales, and then you can be very pleasantly surprised if you are able to get a very low fare for your trip.

 

[44sun]

I booked our trip for November last week. It's too early to book the air because the airlines don't know exactly what the demand is going to be at that time so the fares are all high. The other week United was just adding their non-stop flights so that's changing all the time. IMO book the land side of your trip & just keep checking the airfares. For us I expect to be booking during the summer months.

 

[simzac]

I always book our trip before the rates come out for SW. We only fly SW and I feel their price will be low enough not to worry about how much my airfare will be.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

That is what we are going to do too. I cannot wait to start planning my Jan 2007 trip (pathetic huh ?) So as soon as the package rates come out, I am calling CRO. Once that is done, I can concentrate on flights.


We went the other way around for our Jan 2006 trip....booked flights then trip. It also went well but this was an unplanned trip. I prefer booking wayyyy ahead and get to go through the planning and restautant ADR's carefully.

 

[ncbyrne]

We always use our frequent flyer miles for free flights. All of our trips are planned exactly 330 days ahead - AFTER I make sure I have a free flight.

 

[ciera321]

We always book our resort first since we usually fly SW. We've had CSR and BC reservations since November, but just bought our airline tickets mid January. I would have liked to wait for SW, but they are still only up to travel thru June 9 and our trip is August 7. I got a good deal with Midwest Airlines for about $62 each way (when you break it down like SW does) non-stop with great times, so I booked...

 

[JFrey4240]

We have our resort reserved and now just waiting for SW to open up booking for the summer months. I check every day, morning and at night. Of course those dings are nice too...

 

[Lizzybee]

Yeah I was thinking Southwest b/c they usually do have a decent fare. Southwest's fares right now only go through June 9th. I am looking at prices now and they aren't that great so I'm preparing for these prices and hoping for the best. I think part of my problem is the airfare for the 3 of us non stop from Chicago Ohare to Orlando was $380 total in August. My whole trip with free dining, room, tickets, airfare, souvenirs was $1500. I don't think the next trip will be so cheap.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I always book about 6 months to a year in advance and they hope for low air fare. Every time I've been lucky. The first year we used free airline AMEX points (that was the best), we've flown Air Tran twice and Southwest once. We're watching for southwest to come out for July so we can compare it to Air Tran. When are you planning to go?

 

[musicwoman]

if a great deal (ding) comes along my darling husband will have us fly! I have already begun planning and will be booking our Oct. vacation in the next couple of days.

 

[Lizzybee]

I always book about 6 months to a year in advance and they hope for low air fare. Every time I've been lucky. The first year we used free airline AMEX points (that was the best), we've flown Air Tran twice and Southwest once. We're watching for southwest to come out for July so we can compare it to Air Tran. When are you planning to go?

Possibly July also, but it depends on the kids. I know it sounds goofy but maybe dis'ers would understand. In an effort to bring harmony and just better following directions in my house, I have told the kids I am going to start setting aside money for a Disney trip but if they misbehave that I will take money from the fund. I'm hoping they will behave well enough to get us there in July.

 

[pepe of ohio]

My vacation is not based on how cheap I can travel. When we decide when we're going I call for tickets, we don't drive anymore, I don't fly and we go by train. I look up the train schedule, see the fares and book the train. Disney is our full destination place and price of getting there is inmaterial. I'ld cut an arm off to get to WDW.

 

[pooch]

I booked in Dec for late Aug. I'm planning my budget around no codes for the package beyond my AAA discount and the flights that are out as of right now. If I get deals, more $ to spend elsewhere. If not, we're still
going with no regrets.

Pooch

 

[aviva5675]

Im looking for nonstop Ohare also for 10/31 - 11/6, so far not impressed with prices - about 200 rt each...3 of us...where did you find such a cheap flight before?

Were out here in Algonquin.

 

[aviva5675]

The airfare will be the least of your cost worries, probably! Id definitely plan the "there" part first-- so much depends on when you can get away from work/school, then how much you want to pay to stay- on site/off, etc. Airfare will fall into place once all that set- just keep watching. Im trying Tripstalker to help me keep an eye out for cheap airfare.

 

[4lilpoohs]

Aviva have you thought about flying out of Midway? We flew SW for $49 each way last December.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'd make my reservations (you don't have to tell the kids yet) so you could get your dining scheduled etc. Then just keeping watching sw for dings - I've never paid more than $79 each way from Philadelphia to Orlando. They just had some really good $39-$49 each wasy dings but only until June 9. Can't wait for them to come out with some later ones.

BTW - Totally off topic Lizzybee but where are you planning on staying. Your beautiful pictures of POR make me definitely want to try it some day. Wherever you go hope you bring back more pictures.

 

[MaryPA]

We almost always have to book our room ahead of time. Because of DH's and my places of work - we have to plan ahead because two people in the same department can't be off at once.

Right now we have the first week of December already booked for the room - airfare's aren't out yet. A group of friends all want to go in August but depending on when they get their vacation we may not be able to go if people at work have that week off.

 

[aviva5675]

Its just so far from Algonquin--I hate the drive. But it does seem like thats where all the cheap airfares are. Im toying with the idea, but...really prefer Ohare...