Planning Question

[Pesky]

Dumb question but exactly how far in advance do you (or should you) book a DLR trip given hotel availability, ticket prices, etc.? As you can see from my sig, it's well over a year away and I know the booking for WDW can happen as much as 1 yr in advance (180 for ADRs) but DLR seems a bit more relaxed. It will be the week before Christmas (versus week of) so going mid to late Dec. TIA!

 

[SpaceMan5]

For us, the driving force is the cost of airfare. Once it falls in line with our budget we will book it right away and then start working on the hotel. We usually wait until the last minute to purchase the park passes on-line thru Disney.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Hi Pesky - you are not being pesky

I went in August of last year and didn't make any plans until June. I was a WDW vet and had planned all trips at least 6 months in advance, so this was new to me. But DL is FAR different as far as planning.

Unless you are eating at the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose or one of the "event" meals (WOC picnic, Fantasmic dessert) your ADRs can wait until a few weeks before, if not during your visit.

I used kayak for my hotel, double checked what the AAA rate would be when booking through the hotel, and got a great deal. As with WDW, I made a touring plan, but found after the first two days that I didn't really need it. I think the hardest thing about DL is letting go of all the preplanning!

The only thing I would watch for are plane tickets. I have been looking recently for this August, and they are $542 - far more than the $370 I paid last year. Check out some travel authors that write about airline tix and sign up for Travelzoo to see if you can find any good deals - and just hope the gas prices go down

 

[HydroGuy]

For things like hotels which can be canceled, make reservations as soon as you know your dates.

Tickets can be purchased online 2-3 weeks before.

Airfare is airfare if you have to drive. Prices obviously vary.