Sweet spot for booking

[Elleshoodat]

I've read not to book trips too far in advance because it may keep Disney from releasing discounts.

I've also read about people trying to book trips for a few months away but seeing limited availability.

So what's your "sweet spot" for booking a trip?

 

[DJFan88]

I usually book about 6 months in advance. I never have a problem getting the place I want, and sometimes Ive had to book a different view than wanted, but have always been able to change that by checking here and there. I'm usually not looking for standard though, per se, and am willing to book a garden view. Oftentimes, standard are not available by then. Generally at this time, it is due to me receiving a UOC and I use that. Also, this is when I know I can get my vacation approved at work.
I have booked up to about 10 months in advance when I was able to use a AAA code and knew for certainty I was going then, and not dependent upon any deal.

 

[scrapquitler]

I book as soon as I know we want to go, regardless of the discounts offered at the moment. I don't think I've ever booked more than 4 months ahead of time, usually we decide and book right before the 60 day mark because we can't plan that far ahead with dh's job. We are going next week, and this trip was booked 54 days ahead of our departure.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

It depends. For a mid-July trip last year, I waited until discounts were released, which was early March. To go Thanksgiving week this year, I booked something in early April to make sure we had what we wanted at a price we could afford. A few weeks later, free dining was released and I was able to get that promo. I wanted to make sure we had a room reservation before 180 days to get the dining reservation advantage.

 

[georgina]

I agree it depends on the situation. For my August solo trip, I waited to book until the later summer room discounts came out (and I still changed resorts after that!). Usually, I book exactly what I want whenever I decide to go. I do not generally wait for the discounts, I try to modify later when they come out. I have never paid rack rate for a Disney resort.

 

[buzznina]

With DDs school and our jobs, it is really hard to plan a long time in advance. Just a few weeks ago we decided to spend Thanksgiving at WDW and WDW did not have anything available, but luckily we also deal with a TA that has exclusive deals and we were able to get a reservation through them at a great rate that beat the WDW discount.

 

[MsThumper]

We have had our reservation for the last week of October booked since February with a TA. If we had waited for the most recent discounts to be released, we wouldn't be going. Bouncebacks for our favorite time of year (EPCOT F&W) have not existed for the last several years. If we decide to go any other time of the year, we wait to book until the discounts are released.