Wait to book or book now!?

[shanethesaint88]

Hey guys and gals, wondering if you all could offer any advice for me. I am planning on going to WDW for Sept. 10-Sept 18, I want to book now as the anticipation is killing me and just doing something would help. However, I was wondering if it would be best to wait to see if any free dining, Visa member, or any other discounts are offered. Are these things likely to happen or should I just book to ease my anticipation because those things likely won't happen or I won't be able to get free dining. Anyou advice would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[smellyia]

I book my trips through my agent as soon as I know I want to go....for example this October 2016 trip was booked on 10/15/15 to ensure I got what I wanted and when. Reservations can be changed to reflect discounts....that being said we are going despite whatever discounts MIGHT be had. If your trip hinges on a discount be aware one may not come available. Also, Sept discounts won't be out before ADRs open and such so if booking those extras is important to you I say reserve, plan, but budget for what you have, not what you might potentially get. I've already started my OCT 2016 spreadsheet

 

[monorailrabbit]

I book my trips through my agent as soon as I know I want to go....for example this October 2016 trip was booked on 10/15/15 to ensure I got what I wanted and when. Reservations can be changed to reflect discounts....that being said we are going despite whatever discounts MIGHT be had. If your trip hinges on a discount be aware one may not come available. Also, Sept discounts won't be out before ADRs open and such so if booking those extras is important to you I saw reserve, plan, but budget for what you have, not what you might potentially get. I've already started my OCT 2016 spreadsheet

This! Exactly! We always book right away and add discounts (if available) later. We find that by booking early, we get cheaper room rates than waiting. And I am just like you - I can't WAIT to start booking and planning!

 

[hedberg1661]

This! Exactly! We always book right away and add discounts (if available) later. We find that by booking early, we get cheaper room rates than waiting. And I am just like you - I can't WAIT to start booking and planning!

Totally agree. Book now and see if you can apply a discount (assuming one comes out) later. Free dining is basically a joke anymore so I doubt it will be available when you want to go.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I always book my trips when I know when I want to go. Like we are planning a March 2017 trip and I will be booking my trip as soon as they release the 2017 prices. Now with Disney though if they release a discount for dates you are staying you can call them up and they are more than happy to change that package to reflect your discount, but I will say this sometimes they don't have exactly what you booked available for a certain discount. Like last year I had a trip planned for The Contemporary Theme Park View in April and then they released spring time discounts. When I called to get the discount the theme park view rooms at the contemporary weren't offered with that discount. I had to admit I was a little bummed, but then the Disney person told me she could get me into a deluxe garden view room at the Grand Floridian with that discount and it would be like $500 cheaper than what I was going to be paying for the Contemporary, lol, so of course I jumped at that offer. Anyways usually Disney will try to accommodate you with their discounts that they have.

 

[smellyia]

I always book my trips when I know when I want to go. Like we are planning a March 2017 trip and I will be booking my trip as soon as they release the 2017 prices. Now with Disney though if they release a discount for dates you are staying you can call them up and they are more than happy to change that package to reflect your discount, but I will say this sometimes they don't have exactly what you booked available for a certain discount. Like last year I had a trip planned for The Contemporary Theme Park View in April and then they released spring time discounts. When I called to get the discount the theme park view rooms at the contemporary weren't offered with that discount. I had to admit I was a little bummed, but then the Disney person told me she could get me into a deluxe garden view room at the Grand Floridian with that discount and it would be like $500 cheaper than what I was going to be paying for the Contemporary, lol, so of course I jumped at that offer. Anyways usually Disney will try to accommodate you with their discounts that they have.

Something similar has happened to us with GF in the past. Last year I was pleasantly surprised when my BC room went down to $350 from $500 during Oct F&W...if I had not booked way in advance there would've been no way I could've gotten thee room, much less the discount. I just think of any discounts as icing and wait for an email from my agent letting me know if I get one.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are going regardless, book now. If you will only go with a discount, I would wait until they are released. Simply having a room booked does not guarantee a discount can be applied. If you book now and want to apply a discount if it is released, just be prepared to be flexible with your resort, room category and dates.

 

[monorailrabbit]

Totally agree. Book now and see if you can apply a discount (assuming one comes out) later. Free dining is basically a joke anymore so I doubt it will be available when you want to go.

It really is a shame about the free dining. It used to be so great and a wonderful deal! But that's another topic... We already have booked our vacation for December, we booked back last September I think! And we have already noticed that if we would book the same trip today, it is a bit (not much) pricier. I really appreciate that Disney is so accommodating with applying promos and/or finding you better deals!

 

[shanethesaint88]

I book my trips through my agent as soon as I know I want to go....for example this October 2016 trip was booked on 10/15/15 to ensure I got what I wanted and when. Reservations can be changed to reflect discounts....that being said we are going despite whatever discounts MIGHT be had. If your trip hinges on a discount be aware one may not come available. Also, Sept discounts won't be out before ADRs open and such so if booking those extras is important to you I say reserve, plan, but budget for what you have, not what you might potentially get. I've already started my OCT 2016 spreadsheet

Thank you, I as well am going to go whether I get discounts or not however I wouldn't mind getting some lol and it seems that from what everyone is saying I should book now. So I will! Lol thanks guys! I will be contacting my travel agent this afternoon

 

[catfan98]

I always book my trips when I know when I want to go. Like we are planning a March 2017 trip and I will be booking my trip as soon as they release the 2017 prices. Now with Disney though if they release a discount for dates you are staying you can call them up and they are more than happy to change that package to reflect your discount, but I will say this sometimes they don't have exactly what you booked available for a certain discount. Like last year I had a trip planned for The Contemporary Theme Park View in April and then they released spring time discounts. When I called to get the discount the theme park view rooms at the contemporary weren't offered with that discount. I had to admit I was a little bummed, but then the Disney person told me she could get me into a deluxe garden view room at the Grand Floridian with that discount and it would be like $500 cheaper than what I was going to be paying for the Contemporary, lol, so of course I jumped at that offer. Anyways usually Disney will try to accommodate you with their discounts that they have.

When do prices normally come out? When do discounts typically come out? First week of April 2017 for us. Thanks!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I believe the 2016 prices came out in June last year, but thats early...the previous years it was July and August I believe. The discounts for spring usually come out in December/January for the spring time discounts but sometimes they throw in extra type of discounts as you get closer to certain travel dates.

 

[aretha30]

We always book when we know our dates for vacation are set in stone for the next year. We can call and apply any discounts later if they become available. I would book now if you are going to go anyway, this way you have the room and package you want.

 

[juliekzp]

Book now and apply discounts later. And definitely book before 180 days, so you can get ADRs for your whole trip at 180 (at least I think that's how it works).