What is the shortest amount of time you have had to plan a WDW trip...

[Vickilynn42]

And how well did it work out?

 

[Mom2six]

And how well did it work out?

We went For a spur of the moment trip at the beginning of December. Well, it was "spur of the moment" to call and make reservations but we did not leave for 8 days. It was our favorite trip so far!!

 

[Pooh2]

One weeks notice and it was a fantastic trip!

 

[Vickilynn42]

So we have started to consider a trip in June of this year instead of year from now, but I was worried about being able to get it done properly in that short of time. It will all hinge on having enough money to go!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The Tuesday before Columbus Day Weekend 2001 Judy found that the Marriott Courtyard (now the Holiday Inn) on Hotel Plaza Blvd was having a special of $25 per night for rooms. I called an airline and made reservations to go down Thursday after work and return home Monday evening.

Cost for parking at Dulles airport, round trip air, car rental and room came to $513. We were AP holders and since we tended to eat out a lot never considered the cost of meals on any trip.

 

[WDW1979]

On a fine afternoon in May 2005, I asked my wife if we could drive more than a thousand miles to Disney World the next day. I was 100% sure she would say no to such a lark, but she said yes! She packed that evening, and less than 24 hours after I had suggested it, we left the next morning with our two children.

We stayed at a Hampton Inn the first few nights but after visiting our old haunt Dixie Landings we found we missed the place and asked if they had rooms available, which they did, so we switched hotels to Dixie Landings.

To this day I am both amazed that my wife said yes to the trip and that she was able to pack with only a few hours notice.

 

[villavic]

One weeks notice and it was a fantastic trip!

I agree. However it depends on how expert you are travelling, and how good you know WDW. For first time visitors, I'd suggest a month not only to plan but to research, get info, so decide better what and how to do.

My last visit to WDW was in 2011, (7th time) and I decided.. THAT SAME DAY. I bought my flight and park tickets a day and taking the red eye flight to Miami (from Peru). Of course I couldn't get a WDW resort, it has to be few days before the arrival. But the off site hotel was fine.

 

[phillymummer]

Well dang, I thought my 3-month planning time was last-minute but that is an eternity compared to some of you!

How much time you "need" to plan "properly" depends upon what you plan to do. Do you absolutely have to have ADRs every day, at the most popular restaurants? Do you need to have an appointment of BBB? Even at three months out, I had no trouble getting the ADRs I wanted (but I didn't try to places like O'hana, any char meals, Le Celier, etc. I did have to be persistent and stalk to the ADR board for one of my meals (which I ended up canceling anyway!).

Good luck with your trip! If you can afford it, go for it!!

 

[figment814]

Shortest I've ever done is three weeks...during off season. Part of me would love to do a last minute weekend getaway...but I'm just not wired that way.

 

[bellesbeauty05]

I booked our trip 3 weeks in advance. We had a 4 year old and a 3 month old! We went the week before Christmas, and it was fantastic!

 

[SalemsFairyGodmother]

We decided to go on a Sunday. I made reservations that night and we left on Tuesday morning. This was January of this year. We were there 4 days. We ate two TS meals (Tony's and Whispering Canyon). I made the reservation for Tonys on Sun but we got Whispering Canyon day of. The trip was me, my husband and our 4 year old daughter and we all agree it was our best trip yet. For me it was nice not to spend so much time planning. Though I really enjoy planning I feel like sometimes if things don't go exactly like I expected it is a let down. With no planning there were no expectations and every little thing was great. For my daughter, I think the excitement of telling her we were going to Disney was so fresh that she was more excited during the trip. For my husband, I think he was just glad not to deal with my neurotic planning for months! It also helped that we had just been in Nov so I still had left over supplies ready to go (glow sticks, ponchos, etc) so packing was easy and all of the outfits my daughter wore in Nov still fit (I HAVE to make her a Disney themed outfit for each day). I wouldn't suggest such quick planning for anyone who isn't very familiar with the parks. Even though I really enjoyed our trip not being overly planned I have returned to my old planning habits for our trip in April, I just can't help myself!

 

[MinnieLee]

Couple of years ago, I couldn't stand the snow anymore so I called DH and asked him if he wanted to get away for a few days. Left 10 days later. SW had great fares, stayed at AKL.

We would of left earlier but had a wedding to go to (during another snow storm). Originally were going Sunday to Wednesday and while we were there extended it to that Sunday. Had a fanstastic time!

 

[Vickilynn42]

Wow! Many good stories in this thread- thanks everyone! It's good to know short notice trips can work out so well. . I guess we are going to wait till March of 2014. One year... One year to dream and plan it all out. It's going to be a long year for me lol.

 

[Fratthouse]

I planned a trip in 3 weeks and managed to get reservations at Ohana, Le Cellier, and others. It was off-season....and it may have just been a fluke...but definitely worth trying. The trip overall was terrible because we all got sick, and my one year old refused to sleep (naps and nighttime), but that could have happened even if we'd planned the trip way in advance. It can be done and the memories are totally worth a little chaos!!

 

[MacClemsons]

1 week. For MLK day. 1 day in park for Long Lost Friends. Great trip! Exhausting, but FUN!

 

[Vickilynn42]

I planned a trip in 3 weeks and managed to get reservations at Ohana, Le Cellier, and others. It was off-season....and it may have just been a fluke...but definitely worth trying. The trip overall was terrible because we all got sick, and my one year old refused to sleep (naps and nighttime), but that could have happened even if we'd planned the trip way in advance. It can be done and the memories are totally worth a little chaos!!

This is always one of our fears- getting sick on the trip. . So sorry that happened to you. We went in 2010 and on the day we flew in my FIL had a heart attack. He died the next day and we had to fly home right away. Worst trip ever and so now it's a constant fear that we will have something awful happen during a trip.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

So we have started to consider a trip in June of this year instead of year from now, but I was worried about being able to get it done properly in that short of time. It will all hinge on having enough money to go!

You'll be fine! We booked this February for April, and we got every reservation we wanted, and I am actually bored b/c most everything is done. I just have to buy new Crocs, moisture wicking socks, and contacts for hubby.

I have been throwing stuff into suitcases for the last month, so I just have to pack for realsies, do the last minute stuff, and make sure the kiddos are ready to stay at my mom's house for 9 days. Oh- and my brother is staying at my house b/c he lives at my mom's, and I am watching his cat until he buys a house, so I will have to get all that ready for him.

So I guess I still have some stuff to keep me busy, but all the planning fun is done, so it is boring for me. Don't know how I am going to make it until October or December of 2014 when my parents are willing to go back. 18-20 months is way too long.

 

[Minnie222]

We did it earlier this month.

It was a heavy snow day on Wednesday February 27. After an hour of snow shoveling, I felt like having a vacay.

Thursday morning, I casually looked up the flights and found reasonable ticket prices there. Then, I checked the crowd level and prices for staying on site at the Parks. Moderate crowd and everything looks ok.

Friday March 1, I went ahead and booked flights and accommodations, would be staying at the Pop Century. Also started planning which day to go where and booked the dining.

Saturday is packing day, and we were on flight to Orlando on Sunday morning.
For dining, we managed to book Fantasmic dinner package, CRT dinner (someone cancelled it last minute), Coral Reef dinner, and Hollywood and Vine character lunch. We were over the moon getting CRT!!!! I am not the kind of person to be able to book 180 days ahead.

The trip turned out perfect, and got to Epcot flower festival on Opening Day.

So, to answer your question, planning and booking take 1 day. From planning to finish of a trip: 1 week!

 

[Minnie222]

OP, if your trip is in June, you have plenty of time for a great trip!

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

2 hours.

We had a three day weekend with nothing planned. Called the husband and said lets fly to Disney - he said ok.

Had a blast! Was able to eat where we wanted no problem and got a moderate hotel.