planning timeline

[amyminzey]

Does anyone have a good planning timeline for a wdw vacation (when to book hotel, when to order tickets, when to book flights, etc)? We are going on our honeymoon to Orlando Jan 6-19, 2008. The marathon is happening in the middle of our stay, so I know I have to book our hotel early. Any tips are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Harvestmooner]

subscribing

 

[amyminzey]

Now I know someone on the DIS has to have something! Do I need to ask a different board?

 

[disneymomof5]

I don't know that there is a timeline. It depends on the time of year you are planning to book. I personally don't like to book that far out because it would kill me to wait that long But since you already know that is when you are planning on going, I would go ahead and book your stay. At 180 days from your trip you can start making your ADRs.If you are booking a package you can include your meals and pay a little each month and when it is time for your trip you'll have everything paid for.

 

[kimis]

I usually start planning my trip 1 year in advance. I start checking package deals and airline deals. I ofcourse have the date picked out. Than usually my ADR are all made 180 days ahead of scheduale. However this year after we bought the package and airline tickets my mom got sick. She ended up moving in with us and passing away so here it is 25 days away and I am just now finishing the ADR's and the rest of the planning. As you can imagine my heart is not in it but my dh says we need to go and have a good time. My mom has only been gone two months so I am not sure if it will be possible to have a good time. She also made me promise to keep the trip. Anyway I didn't have any trouble getting the reservations we wanted so my angels must have been watching out for me. In the past there have been some reservations I couldn't get even 180 days out. You can make the ADR's and than if you change your mind you can conceal.
Read, study and check the internet all the time. You will have a great time

 

[DizKarAzy]

I usually start planning my trip 1 year in advance. I start checking package deals and airline deals. I ofcourse have the date picked out. Than usually my ADR are all made 180 days ahead of scheduale. However this year after we bought the package and airline tickets my mom got sick. She ended up moving in with us and passing away so here it is 25 days away and I am just now finishing the ADR's and the rest of the planning. As you can imagine my heart is not in it but my dh says we need to go and have a good time. My mom has only been gone two months so I am not sure if it will be possible to have a good time. She also made me promise to keep the trip. Anyway I didn't have any trouble getting the reservations we wanted so my angels must have been watching out for me. In the past there have been some reservations I couldn't get even 180 days out. You can make the ADR's and than if you change your mind you can conceal.
Read, study and check the internet all the time. You will have a great time

So sorry about your mom Kimis.. My mom also passed away suddenly this year, in July. We were very close, I lost my best friend. I will be in disney in less than a month and my heart isnt completely in it either. However, planning the trip has brought a bit of fun back into my life. And thinking about the fun my kids are going to have is actually making me look forward to it. If your mom is anything like mine, she would want you to go and kick back and have a good time. My heart is with you!

Amyminzey, I booked my trip 6 months beforehand and had no trouble w/ ressies or ADR's. I think it also depends on what time of year you want to go. If you are planning for a busy time like Christmas week or Presidents week, I would book a year or so out and take advantage of the 180 day ADR time frame. Hope that helps!

 

[themudd4]

I book everything as early as I can....I think you can make your reservations 12 months out online...if you need more than that I think you have to call.
We drive so I can't help with airfare...and I buy the package with the dining option.
You can make your ADR's 6 180 days out.

 

[byoung]

I own Dvc so I plan and go more then most.