Southwest came to Denver recently. They started with just a few routes.
They are doing well enough that today (yeah!) they announced they are adding 12 more routes. One being the non-stop Denver-Orlando.
The route won't start till October. We are planning a trip for Thanksgiving.
Question for Southwest experts: When Southwest finally opens up the November booking dates, is it your experience that they will already have these non-stops available to book? If not - how soon before new routes go into play do they release booking on them?
And last but not least- what is the best strategy if the routes are not released in the hope-to-be-soon November bookings. Do I book the connecting flights (through Chicago) and change once they release the new routes, or should I just wait till they are released.
Waiting is making me a bit nervous, as this is a holiday week and it seems the other airlines are filling quickly.
Thanks!
They are doing well enough that today (yeah!) they announced they are adding 12 more routes. One being the non-stop Denver-Orlando.

The route won't start till October. We are planning a trip for Thanksgiving.
Question for Southwest experts: When Southwest finally opens up the November booking dates, is it your experience that they will already have these non-stops available to book? If not - how soon before new routes go into play do they release booking on them?
And last but not least- what is the best strategy if the routes are not released in the hope-to-be-soon November bookings. Do I book the connecting flights (through Chicago) and change once they release the new routes, or should I just wait till they are released.
Waiting is making me a bit nervous, as this is a holiday week and it seems the other airlines are filling quickly.
Thanks!