What do you book first? Disney Package or Airfare?

[denisecolby]

DH and I have been discussing this for a few days now. We aren't even booking till January for our 4th trip in May. We know we want to go for 7 days, 6 nights and are somewhat flexible as to the dates. Anytime during the first 2 weeks is fine.

I say we should decide on a date, book the hotel package, then look for airfare. He thinks we should book airfare first to make sure we get "the best price" then book the package for those dates. Which way makes the most sense? How do you book things?

 

[disneydreamerinny]

I always research an approximate date we want to go to WDW, then look for airfare. Airfare prices change so much depending even on days of the week, so I look for the best deals then book the air first. Then I book my WDW ressies around that.

 

[Dreamfindersgirl]

We always book our WDW package first, then look around at different airlines and times to see what might be cheaper.

 

[lurkernj]

We usually book our package first based on free dining dates or room discount. Then I stalk airfare until there is a rate I'm happy with.

 

[hmurra75]

I booked the airfare first.. through southwest, then sbooked the vacation later.. prices were more likely to rise for airfare then vacation itself. But, I also stalked te airline for a few months later cause if the fares drop, there are no change fees to get that extra credit

 

[Virtucomp]

We can fly by Southwest so the rates are almost always best when they first release the flights. We plan out when we'd like to go but then book the air first so we have the best price out and back.

Our next trip we used DVC rental so we booked the hotel already for next May. We will have to take what we can get for airfare since the arrival and departure dates are already set.

 

[Mkebound]

always airfare first

 

[Stereo]

We always do airfare first. But we do check special offers, etc first to get an idea.

 

[Stereo]

Ans we always use yapta.com to check the airfare before and after we buy as well.

 

[dakotix]

If you are looking for a promotion through Disney then book the package first. The most you can save in airfare in maybe a couple hundred off what the average cost of airfare normally is for your location. If you were able to get free dining, you and your husband are saving more than $700! Even if you only got a room discount, you're still possibly saving $350. The best time to buy airfare is Tuesday afternoon no more than 2-3 months before your departure. I just bought airfare from Boston to Tampa for $178 RT and that was 2 weeks prior to me leaving.

 

[lylone]

We book both at the same time, so we are sure a way to get there and are sure of a place to stay. Then we keep our eyes open for discounts on either room or airfare. We are also planners so we book a good 4 months in advance. We book both separately and from their direct websites. It seems to be easier to get credits later.

 

[Sparkly]

We always book flights first, then book the condo, then tickets, then other stuff including the rental car.

We fly from England so our rates often aren't below £500, but we can earn miles on Virgin Atlantic's flying club scheme, and when you get a certain amount you can use them as miles plus money to save a little on our flights.

 

[JaOdNaM]

I always book my Disney Package First (resort, tickets, dining plan) reason being is that if something comes up before the 45 day mark I can get back whatever amount I put down as a deposit. Also, airfare is usually over $500 for 2 round trip tickets; and they're nonrefundable. So I generally wait until the 45day mark to book my Airfare. After that all things are paid for and the trip is FOR CERTAIN thing. All that's left to do is save up some extra cash for shopping/extra spending/etc.

 

[ToddyLu]

Package first then airfare.

 

[WDW2012]

We do airfare first but after looking around for package info so we have a date range and then work within that date range. My thought process is that even if I didn't get my first hotel choice, there are plenty of ones to chose from so I know I'd find something.

FWIW, when we booked for our upcoming trip, we were looking at airfare (we are in NY and have 4 airports to chose from) overnight the airfare/flight we wanted originally went up almost $60 per person.

 

[AngieMouse86]

When I last went, it was a family trip and we booked Disney first, then airfare. This was mostly because our dates were not flexible.

Now that I'm planning my own trip, I'm flexible +/- a couple days, so I'm pricing out Disney on different lengths of stay vs. estimated airfare for the same days. I prefer Southwest and, like all airlines, the cost fluctuates depending on what days you're flying.

While I know the prices I'm looking at now aren't guaranteed (especially since fares aren't open yet for my travel dates), I DO have a solid idea of which days of the week it'd be cheaper to fly in&out on and can compare that to the Disney portion; Which combo will save me more overall is what I will go with.

 

[phillymummer]

For my first trip, my dates were not too flexible so i booked the package first and then stalked the airline websites until i found a price i liked.

For my upcoming trip i had a little flexibility so i planned to book the flight first. HOWEVER the FD offer came up so i waited for the specific dates and made the package reservation first to secure the FD. If FD wasn't an option i would have made the flight reservations first.

Have room discounts or FD ever been offered in May? If not, i would say book the flight first since the rates can greatly vary.