The stress of planning and booking so far out...

[lenshanem]

OK, not all stress, but soem fun since I'm a disney trip obssed palnner anyway, but gosh we just joined in May and i'm already trying to figure out how we'll use our poinst for the next few years. And to be honest it feels odd. Especially when I ask relatives about coming along. Respose - you're planning and talking about for when?!?
I just didn't realize when we joined the imposrtance of that 11 and 7th month windows to get where and when you want.
I mean I knew, but just didn't relize the super duper planning of it all. figuring out points and how to use them over sereal years time, too. Cause if you wann plan a really big trip you gotta take into account other trips...
Plus, the planning and marking on my palm for all the dates when all these trip windows open up for when i need to book or want to swicth resorts...
Am I trying to speed my life up here by planning so far out?!?
Does this making multiple vacations so far out in advance take away from soem of the exitement?
Does this get easier to figure out with time?
I downloaded the two wonderful planners from the fellow DVCers on here (Caskbill and I'm sorry I don't know who did the other one, forgive me! They are both great!), but still this takes soem major prep work.
Not to mention keeping up with PSs windows, too.
Thoughts?

 

[lenshanem]

Oh, and did I mention keeping up with banking windows???

 

[disneycrazed139]

I can't speak from much experience with it, but I can see too how it's a little overwhelming in that if you don't have a handle on it, you can't take full advantage of the program.

I guess it depends how far you want to carry it really. You could probably plan several years in advance if you wanted to. I think if you just keep track of your basic reservation and banking windows on a calendar, everything will be fine (and fun)!

Nothing is set in stone. You can always change your plans with no real penalty, so long as it's more than a month ahead of the trip date. I'm sure you get used to it as the years go by, too.

Anyone think that as time went on, you became more proficient at the system and a little less harried?

 

[jaysue]

At least it is good stress!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

It does get a littl easier once you get the hang of it. The banking windows I write right on my calendar for the proper day, so I remember to call.

Don't get too crazed planning too far out with regard to the 7 and 11 month windows. DH and I have been members since 1997, and we have always gotten pretty much what we want, including when we were waitlisted.

 

[lenshanem]

I guess if we were only taking one or two trisp a year it wouel be easier, but we want to go christmas, spring break, hubby for Braves spring training, a trip at either WDw or VB with my parents in the summer, then we ahve to figure out enough points for our anniversay the next uese year at GF, then we wnat to atke the cruise the next year thereafter so we have to plan poinst acccodingly by banking and borrowing... WOW! Course, every time I sit down to plan out poinst it comes out different. Too many options! Guess it is a good thing?!? LOL

 

[Laurabearz]

I know how you feel.... We have a lot of trips in the works.... some in stone.... some not. We currently have 17 rooms booked for trips in Nov, Feb and March. Talk about borrowing and banking points! My head is still spining!

I try to take it one year at a time. The next trip we are booking will be Oct. 2004, since we are borrowed out to the max, and I plan on using the 11 month window to book it. Then May 2005 for the trip after that.... that way we will be in the 'black' as far as points goes.... until our next big adventure that is.... lol

I find is some ways it is easier to work out PS's and such with more than on trip planned.... each trip we focus in on different areas, so even though we LOVE Cape May, if we are not doing Epcot/MGM that trip, we skip it, since it would be a hassle to get there AND in 4-6 months we will prolly be staying at BCV or BWV anyways. Does that make sense?

It is a bit mind boggling for sure, since the options at WDW and the surrounding areas are endless.... Just take a deep breath, thank the heavens your a DVC owner, and can take you time to enjoy all the small stuff.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I can relate. Although I'm not stressed about it, I really enjoy it!! I was just talking to DH about our trip in Dec 04. Explaining that my sister needs to decide before january if she is coming. If she is we will book 5 nights in a 2 bedroom, if she isn't then probably 8 nights in a 1 bedroom. He stops me mid-sentence and says "Now wait, which trip are we talking about? 2012??" But it really is fun for me. I know for the next 38 years I will be going to Disney at least 2x's a year!!

 

[lenshanem]

Really you need one year trips palnned and the next years's too cause if you wnat to book at the 11 month window, I mean that is bascially a whoel year away. And given we travel during school breaks thsi seems liek thsi might be important for us to do. So really you're keeping up with two years at a time. What makes it hard is figuring how many poinst you are going to end up needing. LIke for hubby's basbeall spring training trip i ahev no idea where he'll end up and how many nights. Basically since we ahve to wait til the game schedule coems out I cna't book. Really darn that hubby of mine! Thsi is really the only trip each year that will hold me back from figuring out our poinst and trips...

 

[twinmomplus2]

I understand as I mentioned before, I always travel with extended family, And they want to jump in at 2 mts out and wonder why I can not get them a room where I am staying? Yet, when I approach them at the 11mt window they act as if I have blown a gasket booking that far out. I also help my brother maintain his account/membership. So I have his banking dates deadlines etc.... On my calender And then I panic because he waits till the last minute to do everything. It's still worth it!!!!

 

[threeprincesses]

THe thing that bothers me is when I'm are planning trips 3-5 years down the road, is thinking how old my kids will be by then. It makes me realize just how fast time flies, especially when the are young!!

 

[mmmcq]

From your signature it sure looks like before DVC you went 1 to 2 times a year to WDW anyway. Were those trips planned only 3-6 months in advance? I would think this would be less stressful for you to know what resort and room type you'll have 7 and 11 months out. At least I feel that way.

We now own at 2 resorts and last May I booked two trips at the same time. That did feel a little strange, but right now I'm sitting pretty just waiting for the airfare to go on sale and voila....I'll have my April vacation planned and done except for meals whichl will come 60 days out from the trip. I actually have to call next week for the Chef's table we want. Now that's weird

 

[lenshanem]

Yes, I usually planned out less than six months with a few exceptions or when there was a great discount code or i just all the sudden coudln't stand it and had to ahve a Disney fix. To be honest, I find planning and looking forward to oen trip at a time a little easier. I wodul never think about the next trip until montsh after we got backr, usually when I had to have another fix. (yes, I'm a WDW addict.)
Now, I know this thread sounds liek I'm complaining and /or maybe not thinking I shoudl ahev joined DVc, but it is quite the opposite.
Even though i find it a littel atxing planning so far out and multiple trips going on at a tiem on my Palm, I really am pleased that I'm now guareentted my Disney trips with the payments now spread out instead of whoel large sum, plus I know it will eb at a nice resort and not again at say All-Stars, although my kids foudn Movies quite fun.

 

[WOW]

We have been there, done that and you know what?????? We learned that for us it isn't worth the stress you cause yourself, even if it is good stress. We calmed down and started planning in a shorter window of time, and surprisingly enough it has always worked out for us. I honestly believe that you really don't need to plan so far in advance because in today's world it is too hard to do.....Most of us can't make plans for the upcoming weekend, so I feel that is just too hard to make plans months and months in advance---I would push for answers and I was getting on people's nerves. So now I go with the flow and stay flexible. Of course this doesn't work if you have to plan for the holidays or special events...but if everyone wants to go during those times it should be easier to plan. We have been DVC members since 1994 and honestly have always been able to book easily even at busy times. Good Luck!!!!!

 

[gopherit]

If planning my DVC is stressful, baby bring it on! Because nothing at work that is "stressful" makes me feel this good, that's fer sure...

And I had to laugh when someone said their dh said, "What trip are we talking about? 2012?" In our house... that's entirely possible. I've got EXCEL spreadsheets with trips planned out to 2012. They also show the ages of our kids each year as well as my / dh's age -- all the way to the end of our DVC membership. And you're right -- it does give you a reality check on just how fleeting time is. But I consider that my advantage -- after all, time would be fleeitng REGARDLESS... at least I have the knowledge of it for what it is, and can maximize my minutes! Rather have that than to wake up to reality someday down the road and wonder where the time went.....

As for family's understanding of DVC -- it's a hopeless cause. They'll never understand the magic of our wonderland, to coin the phrase. And planning at 11 mos out is like a foreign language to them. Irony of it all -- they think WE'RE the ones that "just don't get it".

 

[buzz5985]

I just received confirmations for next summer, and I am going in 10 days.

I booked a Grand Villa at HH, there are only 5, so I called day by day. My DH and I invited my sister and her family and his sister and her family. We rented a studio for my parents to get away from the kids. LOL

My DH was a little worried about planning so far in advance - our sisters aren't at the top of the reliable list. I looked at him and said - oh gee - we would have such a hard time trying to get our friends to join us for a FREE vacation.

I also get a kick out of trying to have a "free" vacation. Example -I am a member of MyPoints, and Milesource. I have earned $30 gift card for the Olive Garden, a $50 gift card for Avis, just by visiting websites and shopping through the sites. Plus I have 150 disney dollars from the Visa card for this vacation in 10 days. So the longer I have to plan - the more I can plan, and save. I work 10:30 pm to 7 am. It keeps me going. LOL Oh and I do product evaluations.