wanting to plan a trip way in the future...

[luvmyfam444]

looking at 2027...what is the best way to go about it so I can pay it mostly off before we get there? I'm not really interested in a credit card. I have been buying some gift cards here & there, but not sure if that's the smartest way to do it.
I was thinking maybe booking and then paying a little at a time...
Can I book a room only & then change it over to a package @ a later date if I see a good deal? I see where a room only can be booked 499 days out.
I'm assuming I'd get a refund if we had to cancel for some reason.

 

[3gr8boys]

For me it is easier/less stressful to just book what is most cost effective and pay when it is due. I keep a separate $ account (with money market interest rate) that I build up over time (kind of like paying ahead ) to cover upcoming trips. That way, no matter what turns out to be the most cost effective option, I have the funds ready when it's time to pay. (Reservations can be changed to take advantage of new deals if there is availability. Note that room-only reservations v package reservations have different cancellation policies/due dates.) The same $ account goes to covering any food etc that I charge while I am at WDW. The dining plan is not a good deal for the way we eat - but knowing that funds are waiting to pay the bill gives me the same "don't worry, it's covered" feeling. (I find that if I set aside what the dining plan would have cost, I have more than enough to pay my post-trip credit card bill.)

 

[DanceDisney23]

I’m also planning a trip for 2027. We know the week and narrowed down where to stay. That gives us a vague idea of the cost, assuming Disney will continue to raise prices.

I’m putting money into a HYSA every month that is specifically earmarked for travel. It yields 3.7% currently. I will book once discounts come out, using the money from this account. We will only pay the deposit at booking and will be paying off the balance right before the trip, leaving the money in savings as long as possible to earn interest.

I do have the Disney visa. I will charge the package on this card, plus any expenses at Disney, using the points earned to help pay the off food charges with the “pay yourself back” option.

 

[WLWildlife]

Like the previous posters, I have a savings account just for vacation - usually Disney. I don't recommend tying your money up in gift cards. Once it's a gift card, it has to be spent on Disney and if you cancel, the money gets returned to original form of payment so you are stuck with the gift cards. It also can't earn interest as a gift card. I also don't make a reservation more than a year out and I don't buy the dining plan or LL of any kind. I take advantage of EE too.

 

[focusondisney]

I see where a room only can be booked 499 days out.

I don’t think it operates like that anymore. The last few years, they have been releasing January to end of October for the following year in the spring. Then months later, they release November & December. Currently, booking is only thru December 31, 2026 check-ins.

Room only reservations can be cancelled for a full refund up to 8 days before check in. Packages must be cancelled 30 days before check in for a full refund.