What's the longest you've planned?

[Bethany]

We are thinking about going in May of 2009, when our kids will be 8, 6, and 3. I'd LOVE to go sooner, but we learned our lesson when we went last year and our oldest two were 4 and 2. The 4 yo did great, but the 2 yo was just completely frazzled, crabby, and not himself, despite our slow pace and naps every day. He has grown a lot in this year, and I believe that 3 is a much better age for Disney than 2 (for us at least). Potty trained, more verbal, etc....

Well, am I crazy for wanting to start planning (saving) this far in advance? This trip wouldn't be happening for 3 years!

How far in advance have YOU started planning?

 

[Stitchfans]

I started planning 6 months ago and our trip isn't until March 2007. I have our room booked our hopper passes and I am waiting until the airlines will accept reservations. Still can't book any meals yet either. Will as soon as they let me though. All this planning makes the wait a tad more easier.

 

[BuzzNutt]

I started saving for my trip last year and my land/sea isn't until Aug 2007. Nothing silly about being prepared!

 

[DVCLiz]

My only thought would be if you have another baby - it would possibly throw your timing off!!!! I wonder if you could possibly leave Dear Baby with the grandparents and have a trip a little sooner? Some families who don't want to travel with their littlest ones find this a good solution.

Of course, any trip planned is a trip worth taking, even if it's three years off!!! Hope you enjoy!!!!

 

[Bethany]

My only thought would be if you have another baby - it would possibly throw your timing off!!!! I wonder if you could possibly leave Dear Baby with the grandparents and have a trip a little sooner? Some families who don't want to travel with their littlest ones find this a good solution.

This might work for some, but not for me. I'm very much into attachment parenting (check out the blinky in my signature). Even if I could leave the baby for that long the only person I'd trust to leave her with works full time.

Another baby is not in the plans (but surprises do happen, I know ).

Is there anything I could even do this far in advance to start planning, other than saving money?

 

[dpuck1998]

I usually plan about a year out everytime. Unless I sneak a trip in once in a while...like this coming april...I only had about 4 months...gesshh ;-)

 

[DVCLiz]

Oh, sorry - didn't see that - no, it doesn't look like that is a good suggestion for you!!!!

Other than saving money, I don't know what you could really "firm up" in the way of planning. By the time your trip is here, there might be new hotels, restaurants, etc. that would make better sense for you. But you know the "basics" aren't going to change, so you could cetainly have fun planning which parks, special meals, etc. you'd really like to do!!

 

[lauritagoddess]

We just got back on Sunday and I'm already starting to plan our next trip. I really want to go in December so had been thinking December of 2007, but I don't know if I can wait that long, lol. Would it be crazy to go back in December of 2006? How far in advance though can you book?

 

[AngieWin]

2 opinions for ya....

We are planning for July 2007, and have been since last summer, so I don't think it is too early to start planning.

And, depending on your baby's temperment, would it be possible to go sooner? We are also into attachment parenting (sling wearing, co sleeping, extended breastfeeding) and ds2 did great at 2 months in the parks. DS1 was 2 1/2 and well(first trip at 20 months), but he will take naps in the stroller, which saved us. If your youngest has a different temperment, that would take to the parks easier at a younger age, then sooner could work.

Oh and yay for AP mommas!!

 

[pigget74]

For me the longest that we have planned was 18mths. I would go ahead ans start buying tickets--they are always good. I am pretty sure that by the time that you go the ticket prices will be a good bit higher. Just my .02.

 

[lorrainesy]

I say start planing. Planning is half the fun so why not prolong your fun.

 

[emh1129]

Bethany, I want your blinky! (that sounds weird ) Are you a fellow MDC mama? (just curious) We're also a cding, bfing, slinging, co-sleeping family (I'm 24, too!)

When we go to Disney our two little ones will be almost-5 and newly-2. Not quite sure how that will be, but I'm excited about it!
I don't think you're crazy for planning this far in advcance. A little money set aside occasionally between now and then will really add up!

 

[comicguy]

It is never too early to plan and start paying for your trip. You could start buying your park passes at a Disney Store or through themail as you get money for them.(Buy at 06/07 prices and save money instead od 09 prices). Also start looking at what types of resturants/food and make a budget that will help guide how much your trip will cost.

I just got back from WDW Jan 14 and by the 16th I was planning our next trip which will be Jan 13-Jan 22 2007

 

[slduck]

We went to Disney twice in 2006. We can't wait to go back.

Check out my ticker! Our little one isn't even here yet, and we are already planning his first Disney trip for Nov. 2008 . (He will be 2 1/2) We are saving money and earning those reward points with our Disney Visa. We talk about the trip often, but we won't consider taking him and younger than that. I will bf so leaving him is not an option.

My mom will be taking this trip with us. So, when he get cranky, one of us can nap with the baby while the rest hit the big kid rides with our 7 yo. The waiting is the worst part.

 

[Becky2005]

Let's see we started planning our 2005 trip in 2002.

We are thinking sometime in 2009 and I'm sort of planning it. Trying to figure out the best times and what we want to change from last time (since we will now be officially 6 instead of 5 plus one under 3).

Nah...not too early.

 

[DawnM]

It isn't too early, but I wouldn't buy tickets yet. There may be free dining options or other package deals when you get closer to the time.

I would most certainly start a seperate saving account and figure out now how much to put aside each month into that for Disney only.

Oh, and get a Disney Visa card and use it for everything, including groceries.

Dawn

 

[pixidust princess]

I am also planning for our 2009 trip. I love to plan and am taking my time this go round about chosing a resort, chosing dining, and all extras. I also need the extra time to save money (I am not good at that part). I no not think it is every too early to plan, so have fun reading and deciding!

 

[maxtomsmom]

I say start planing. Planning is half the fun so why not prolong your fun.

I second that! I keep a running binder which is busting out the seems of ideas relating to WDW. It has restaurants, new rides, attractions. It appears that I learn more and more as time goes on. My problem is I keep putting things in and can't seem to take them out.

 

[DLBDS]

12-18 months for me. I like to stay 'in the know' so I can make the best choices for us when that 180-day mark rolls around. I also prepay for our trips when I can. This would be difficult without early planning.

 

[deejohn]

I start planning 12-18 months, however, for our 20th anniversary (Oct 2009), I've started to plan and put together magic gatherings!!!

If they make fun of you for planning, then tell them your Dreaming of WDW!