Should I book now for next July?

[Haygar2]

I'm planning on going to Disney next summer for 4 days. It's my 50th next year and it's my gift to myself. My friend might be going with me but it's not a definite. I have a couple of questions. First can I book a room without adding my 2nd person? Should I book the room now and if I do, can I add a discount to it later?

 

[Fangorn]

1) First can I book a room without adding my 2nd person?

2) Should I book the room now and if I do, can I add a discount to it later?

1) Yes, of course. You can always add/remove guests as long as you remain within the room occupancy.

2) if you're looking for a very specific room type that is very limited, then you might want to do that, but it's certainly not necessary to book a year out.

2b) The question of whether you'll be able to add a discount later can be problematic. You may be able to, but might not. Discounts are specific to resorts, room types, dates, and inventory. Generally, you can only add a discount if that discount would be available for the exact reservation you already have. If you couldn't book a duplicate reservation with the discount, you won't be able to apply the discount to your existing reservation. In that case, there may be a different resort or room type that does have an applicable discount and you could change to that option.

Hope this helps

Steve

 

[Haygar2]

1) Yes, of course. You can always add/remove guests as long as you remain within the room occupancy.

2) if you're looking for a very specific room type that is very limited, then you might want to do that, but it's certainly not necessary to book a year out.

2b) The question of whether you'll be able to add a discount later can be problematic. You may be able to, but might not. Discounts are specific to resorts, room types, dates, and inventory. Generally, you can only add a discount if that discount would be available for the exact reservation you already have. If you couldn't book a duplicate reservation with the discount, you won't be able to apply the discount to your existing reservation. In that case, there may be a different resort or room type that does have an applicable discount and you could change to that option.

Hope this helps

Steve

Thanks! It helps a lot. You would think that after 5 trips I would know the answers. And I love booking early. One, it gives me time to plan and enjoy. Knowing I'm going. Two, I can use this year to pay on it.

 

[Nabas]

I'm planning on going to Disney next summer for 4 days. It's my 50th next year and it's my gift to myself. My friend might be going with me but it's not a definite. I have a couple of questions. First can I book a room without adding my 2nd person? Should I book the room now and if I do, can I add a discount to it later?

Yes, you can call and add someone to your room at a future time. But it also doesn't hurt to include them now, as long as there are not more than 2 adults in the room. (Like most hotels, Disney charges for more than 2 adults.)

I suggest booking the room now. You can always modify or cancel later, as long as you are outside the cancellation period.

 

[Fangorn]

I suggest booking the room now. You can always modify or cancel later, as long as you are outside the cancellation period.

The problem with booking early and expecting a discount later, is that by booking early, there is now less need for Disney to actually offer a discount to fill the resorts.

It's a balancing act. Booking too soon may dry up discounts. Too late, and you get the discount, but your choice of resorts/rooms may be severely limited.

Steve

 

[Nabas]

The problem with booking early and expecting a discount later, is that by booking early, there is now less need for Disney to actually offer a discount to fill the resorts.

It's a balancing act. Booking too soon may dry up discounts. Too late, and you get the discount, but your choice of resorts/rooms may be severely limited.

Even if all 10 of the people who might actually read my book rooms now, I don't think it will make a difference considering WDW has over 22,000 onsite hotel rooms.

And if you don't book, that leaves 9 only more.

 

[Eastern]

In the past, my best discounts have been waiting to see what went on sale and booking that. I've been burned a couple of times by booking early and getting everyone's expectations set and then not being able to change when discounts became available at other resorts

 

[MDIME]

I would not expect many discounts until “revenge travel” dies down.

 

[goofy4prez]

The problem with booking early and expecting a discount later, is that by booking early, there is now less need for Disney to actually offer a discount to fill the resorts.

It's a balancing act. Booking too soon may dry up discounts. Too late, and you get the discount, but your choice of resorts/rooms may be severely limited.

Steve

Normally I agree with you on this one. But right now with people wanting to get out on vacations, tired of canceled vacations, and with very limited travel abroad, along with the 50th anniversary, the demand for Disney World is going to be sky-high. I booked my trip in April for my upcoming trip in February 2022. I really don't see very many discounts in the near future with Disney. Us Disney minions are unfortunately willing to spend more and more and more but receive less and less and less in return. Yes, I'm guilty as well.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

I'm planning a trip July 2022 as well and am conflicted about booking it now. It would be rack rate at one of the All Stars. As of now the room is $190/night before taxes. I would love a discount either through Disney or third party booking. We have never paid anything even close to that for a value room. On the other hand if I book a package now I am protected against any park ticket increases in the future. However, if room discounts come out and I modify my package I believe I lose the park ticket price and have to pay the increased price (if of course they have increased). In a sense in one pocket and out another! I am quite confident that park prices will increase within the year but not so sure a room discount will be offered seeing how as of now most rooms are already booked at rack rate!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I would not expect many discounts until “revenge travel” dies down.

We are guilty for sure.

 

[Haygar2]

I'm so torn as to what to do. I have it "priced out" with no discount and possibly a discount. Since I am going with a friend (and not my husband where the whole thing is coming out of our account lol), having no discount is doable. I'm not sure what she wants to spend. We will go over that in the next few days. One of the resorts we are looking at is Beach Club. And there aren't many availabilities right now. I don't know if that will change, but I don't know if I want to take that chance. So many decisions.

 

[glocon]

I'm so torn as to what to do. I have it "priced out" with no discount and possibly a discount. Since I am going with a friend (and not my husband where the whole thing is coming out of our account lol), having no discount is doable. I'm not sure what she wants to spend. We will go over that in the next few days. One of the resorts we are looking at is Beach Club. And there aren't many availabilities right now. I don't know if that will change, but I don't know if I want to take that chance. So many decisions.

I would go ahead and book. Just keep your eyes on what is available.... you can always modify your reservation if you find something else you would prefer more. A room only deposit is just $200 unless that has changed from our last visit.

 

[fla4fun]

My personal choice right now is to book what I can afford and will be happy with if there are no discounts, and if a discount comes up later, it’s gravy. Normally I would wait for the discounts to come out, but I went ahead and booked my January stay at a resort and price I am fine with, because things seem to be booking more quickly. If a discount comes out and I can get a lower price at a different resort, I don’t mind changing, but hope I can just modify my current reservation. If you are looking at BC then if you can’t get a discount there, a discount at YC might be available and you keep all the amenities (plus YC doesn’t have those tiny, standing balconies).

 

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

We booked for next July a few months ago. We always book at least a year in advanced and make adjustments when discounts come out. Usually we have to switch from standard room to the next level but still save quite a bit of money. The only thing that will maybe cause us to cancel is if fast pass isn't back by next July. We went last summer two days after Magic Kingdom reopened. We were spoiled with the walk on almost every ride or only waited at the most 25 minutes.

 

[Heather07438]

If you’re interested in Beach Club you have good timing to rent DVC. Can be a great deal but has some differences from booking a hotel room.

First the good news, it’s about half the price of rack rate, maybe $350 vs $600 that time of year. The bad news is it’s non-refundable. You really need to commit. The best time to book is around 11 months out from check in date. There are brokers but I prefer going thru an owner directly on the boards. You still have some time to look into and see if it’s worth it to you. Booking for July will open to BC DCV owners in August. Only Beach Club owners can book 7-11 months out. It’s a very popular resort (especially in summer with it having best pool on property) so booking at 11 months gives the best shot of getting the exact dates you’d like. It’s a lovely resort and less than 5 minute walk to EP.

Have a fantastic birthday and trip whichever you choose

 

[Haygar2]

If you’re interested in Beach Club you have good timing to rent DVC. Can be a great deal but has some differences from booking a hotel room.

First the good news, it’s about half the price of rack rate, maybe $350 vs $600 that time of year. The bad news is it’s non-refundable. You really need to commit. The best time to book is around 11 months out from check in date. There are brokers but I prefer going thru an owner directly on the boards. You still have some time to look into and see if it’s worth it to you. Booking for July will open to BC DCV owners in August. Only Beach Club owners can book 7-11 months out. It’s a very popular resort (especially in summer with it having best pool on property) so booking at 11 months gives the best shot of getting the exact dates you’d like. It’s a lovely resort and less than 5 minute walk to EP.

Have a fantastic birthday and trip whichever you choose

Thanks! Renting DVC has always made me nervous. You just never know what can happen. I hate that non-refundable part. And I like being able to make payments on it. I've got my portion for the trip but my friend has to save up. Once she has her money saved, I told her to go to Sam's club and buy gift cards. A $500 gift card costs $485. So more bang for her buck. I can't wait. This will be my first girl's weekend EVER. And she's never been. I did show her Animal Kingdom with a Savannah view. I told her that since she has never been she can pick the resort. I know we are going Deluxe. I've done AK but none of the others. So, it will be fantastic whichever one we stay at.

 

[sponica]

I'd book now.

I booked my April 2022 stay at the end of march and thought I was crazy, then when I was checking something else for my dates last week, saw there is no inventory for my stay at the hotel I booked at.

 

[maltdizzy]

I would book now and have something in hand. My TA has said 2022 is shaping up to be even more crazy than the last part of this year. It's a $200 deposit and everything is fully refund until 30 days before. Yes, it affects available inventory for discounts, but some sort of discount will be available somewhere if you are willing to change resorts/rooms.

Once she has her money saved, I told her to go to Sam's club and buy gift cards. A $500 gift card costs $485. So more bang for her buck.

The downside of that is, if you all have to cancel for some reason, they refund back to those giftcards. If you don't go to WDW, what would you do with $1000-2000 is Disney giftcards?

 

[DΐຮŇey☂]

Hi!

We're expecting to vacation next year in the same time frame. Our philosophy was based on booking early for availability pending a surge in folks traveling for the 50TH anniversary celebrations. While we did extend our budget to incorporate two weeks at the Poly, we're hopeful of a potential discount being offered, but will crunch other budget areas of our life over the next year to make it work for us at the rack rate if needed.

I would personally take this approach again to reserve capacity, and if changes are needed sometime in the future (whenever that may be), it's a fairly simple process and your deposit can be refunded.