Ressies or Air first?

[Lizardbeth61]

Sort of like the old joke, "Which came first? The chicken or the egg." We got through signing all the papers and have now become DVC members who want to plan their first trip, but since we're in PA, we have to fly or be spent by the time we get there after driving all that way with our two children (7 & 10) who have the market cornered on the expression, "Are we there yet?"

So, what to do? Do you get the ressies first and hope you can get decent air or get the air and hope you can get a room? I imagine it's not so much of an issue if you're going to WDW, but this first trip is supposed to be to VB during August.

Suggestions?

 

[Poorman]

I would probably get the ressie and then the air. At least you can cancel the ressie without penalty. You could also ask MS when you call how the availibility is for the dates you want to go ,if you are flexible you shouldn't have a problem. Good luck and "Welcome Home" , Rich

 

[JimC]

Congratulations and Welcome Home fellow PAers!

We make reservations first and then get the air travel. I travel enough to use free tickets and I don't have blackout worries. Since we book our trips several months in advance, I have always been able to get air travel. Now sometimes a connection in Charlotte is required.

With a family of four you should check out the towncar services. It will be less than the Mears shuttle and its door to door service with no waiting and a comfortable towncar to ride in. We use Cartier and love them. Their link is below.

http://www.cartiertowncar.com/

Have fun!

 

[DISNEY QUEEN CPA]

We are from PA too!!!

We usually make ressies first at the 11 month window. Airfare information usually isn't available at exactly 11 months. I believe that flight schedules are available 315 days prior. We have never had a problem making flight plans after making ressies.

We are leaving for VB & BWV in 5 days. I can't wait!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I'm from Pittsburgh and I always make room reservations first, either at 11 or 7 months. I usually don't book air until 3 or 4 months before, usually don't have a problem getting a decent fare, although we have had some problems recently getting Saturday flights down with all the cutbacks. Solution - go Friday!

 

[sparkspeak]

I make DVC reservations first for a major trip. But if a really great airfare deal should come my way, I might take a Sunday through Thursday trip. There's usually a studio available somewhere at the last minute.

 

[crisi]

Ressies at 11 months, airfare about 4 months out. We may not get the "best deal" on airfare packages as if we traveled at the last minute.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

...but after rooms, before airlines, DH & I get approval for the time off from work. We don't like to commit to the airfare until we know we are on our work calendars for vacation.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Definitely reservation first at 11month window, request time off second and air fare a few months prior to departure. Annmarie

 

[RAD]

If you need to borrow points what I do is to first call and see what availability is looking like and how many rooms they still have available. If there's plenty of rooms then I start looking for airfare, book that then go back and book the rooms.

 

[Lizardbeth61]

We now know to book ressies first and air second . . . sorry gang, don't have to worry about the bosses 'cause DH and I both own separate businesses and our bosses listen to our requests (LOL). Now, how long does it take to find out what's available? From the responses, it sounds like it takes longer than a phone call. If that's true, why is that? Wouldn't it be like making reservations anywhere else; They look on the computer, tell you what they have and enter your name? Hmmm. Let me know on this one. I guess I'll find out tomorrow at 9:00, but we're curious. We'd really like to do VB in August and I'm wondering how long I'll have to agonize waiting. I've already found good air and don't want to lose it. Found it before I found out I should have worked the other way. This board is invaluable! Thanks.

 

[Snowgod]

There are many strategies used for booking a reservation at DVC. Most just call at the 11th or 7th month from the last day of your planned stay and make the reservation. Others book at the 11th month at their home resort to make shure they have a room (this can be a good plan if it is for Xmas or Easter of any other peak times), then at the 7th month they switch to the resort they would like to stay at if available or wait list if not available. You will see people who call day by day to book rooms and others who just call once. So far we have always been able to book a room where we wanted to stay, even at few weeks notice. DW and I prefer the off peak times but that is when more DVC members seem to like to vacation. Plamnning or trips and booking them with MS is just part of the fun.

 

[JimC]

We don't use the day-by-day. Personally I think it a bit rude to the CMs at member services and it is a terribly inefficient way of operating a call center (but that's me and I know there are those who swear by it).

I have had no problem with making a complete reservation or wait list with one call. The CMs have been very patient to explore alternatives if our primary and backup are not available. We even made one for early December less than 30 days out.