What and when to book? WL vs BWI

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

So I am planning a trip with friends for end of Nov./1st week of Dec. 2017. This is the first trip where I am able to plan it so far in advance(the earliest I ever booked was ~4 months out, even for our cruise). So I guess I'm just not sure of the best way to do this. It's been a dream of mine to do WL at Christmas time, but I'm hesitant about the construction. I know no one really knows but would anyone have an informed guess about what they mean by "thru 2017"? To me that sounds like it could be ready by the time we go, in which case i would LOVE to see the new renovations. But if the construction will still be happening, we were considering renting points and doing BWI for pretty cheap.

But that brings me to my next problem...when the heck do I book when I have a year and a half to plan? I was thinking about renting points through David's but since I can't get a refund I'm afraid that'll be jumping the gun and I'll miss out on a better deal(or is DVC rental usually the best deal?) I'm only in my 20's so I'm not exactly made of money and would like to find the best possible deal. We love the dining plan and I would like to try for free dining, but doesn't that usually not get released until about 6 months out? Would it be worth it to book something through Disney now then change it if FD lines up with our dates, or will I just be paying through the nose directly through Disney?

I hope this all makes sense, I'm still trying to sort through my own thoughts and would love some counsel on how to make the most of the benefit of being able to plan so early. Thank you!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I know no one really knows but would anyone have an informed guess about what they mean by "thru 2017"?

Well, based on the timelines of the Poly bungalows, "through 2017" needs to really mean "mid-2018 at best if you're lucky." The quiet pool is going to be one of the last items worked on, due to the area's use as construction staging. The Lodge itself will probably be fine, though, as the DVC conversion of the Lodge rooms will likely be done this year.

As far as when you book... You can book via Disney 499 days out (i.e., not yet for your trip). If you want the first week of December via a DVC rental, know that that week is either #1 or #2 for the most popular week for DVC bookings all year. DVC "high season" doesn't follow high season for the resort as a whole. You would want to have a rental request in at 11 months, and if you're seriously looking at Boardwalk, budget for a Pool/Garden View room, not a Standard View, as Standard is very hard to get via rental brokers even at 11 months in that season.

If you wait for a possible Free Dining release, you will not be renting DVC at either resort, as those rooms will book well before an April or May release of a Free Dining promotion.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

Thanks for the response! What you said about WL worries me though! Do you think they'll have a more solidified end date before the 11 month mark for DVC? I should probably wait until closer to that point to book either way...

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Do you think they'll have a more solidified end date before the 11 month mark for DVC?

Based on the Poly, if they do they won't announce it.