When can I book for March 2010? when should I?

[sahm2kaitlyne]

We went to disney (for the first time) in January of this year during the promotion, but I booked only in November as a last minute kind of thing. Now we're hooked (of course), and we're planning on going in March 2010 again. My question is, how early can I book? and Is it better to book as soon as I can, or should I wait and see if there will be a good promotion, etc.? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Also--we're not dead set on March, so if there are any yearly promotions that you know about that they "usually" do (free dining in sept. comes to mind) then I would love to know about that as well. The only thing is we do not want to go in the dead middle of summer, as this time we'll have an infant as well as a toddler. Thanks so much!!!

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

We went to disney (for the first time) in January of this year during the promotion, but I booked only in November as a last minute kind of thing. Now we're hooked (of course), and we're planning on going in March 2010 again. My question is, how early can I book? and Is it better to book as soon as I can, or should I wait and see if there will be a good promotion, etc.? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Also--we're not dead set on March, so if there are any yearly promotions that you know about that they "usually" do (free dining in sept. comes to mind) then I would love to know about that as well. The only thing is we do not want to go in the dead middle of summer, as this time we'll have an infant as well as a toddler. Thanks so much!!!

I'm also interested in this! We are looking to go somewhere between Jan and March (I want the nicest weather, least busiest time with hopefully a discount code - am I asking to much ).

 

[dogodisney]

You can go ahead and book now. You can book a room only and pay the one night deposit. If you book a package than you will need to put down a $200. deposit. If you decide to change your dates or a promo comes along down the line you can change your ressie. People do it all the time.

I booked our room for our upcoming Dec. trip in January.

 

[Christine9125]

You can book a room only reservation now and pay a 1 nights deposit (normally the highest for your room catagory). When the package rates come out in August, you can change it to a package if that is what you are looking for and adjust your deposit accordingly. If after all this a "deal" comes out, you can change to that.

You can basicly book a trip 499 days from the day you will be coming home. So if your trip is March 6-10, 2010, you go back 499 days from the 10th and that is the date you can book.

You can use this link to calculate the dates

http://pscalculator.net/pscalc.php

 

[Mommydar]

It might be important to note, that locking in a room does not necessarily mean you will get that room at that resort for whatever the deal to be later released is. Chances are good, it will work out, and almost definite, you will get something at the discount rate, if not necessarily what you initially booked. Honestly, the biggest advantage to reservations far in advanced is it gives a sense of reality to the trip. You can start planning as if you are definitely going because you have a tangible reservation in place. But if you look at mousesavers.com and its list of historical discounts, it's almost a guarantee you will have a promo for March. Those probably won't start coming out until later in the year though and if an even better deal came out closer, you can always changed as long as you are outside of the 45 day mark.
BTW March is a wonderful time to visit, especially early March before spring breakers come down. We went 3/1 - 3/8 and were greeted with 70 - 80 degree temps. We could go to the pool, and we had no rain all week. crowds are manageable too.

 

[brentalex]

One more thing, in order to book 499 days in advance, you need to call disney. You can't use their web site until the offical rates for the next year are released.

 

[mickeystoontown]

If you have your heart set on a certain resort, you may want to go ahead and book a room only reservation now. At least, that way, you know you've always got it as a backup. If you book a room only reservation now, the 2010 rates aren't out yet so you'll be required to pay a deposit equal to your first night's stay (at 2009 rates) within seven days of your booking the reservation. You can only do this by calling 407-W-DISNEY. You can not book it online.

When the 2010 rates come out, which should be mid-August, 2009, you have two choices.

1) If you wish to keep it as a room only reservation, you need not do anything. Disney will automatically adjust your rates to reflect the 2010 rates. The balance will need to be paid upon check-in.

2) If you want to book a package at 2010 rates, you will need to call Disney Travel again. Tell them you have an existing room only reservation. Don't tell them to cancel it until after the package is booked. Once the package is booked, you will be required to pay a deposit of $200.00 (unless the amount changes...and it hasn't for the past two or three years) within seven days from the date the package is booked. You must also have the package paid in full 45 days prior to your arrival date. During the interim period, you can be making payments on your vacation. The only requirement is that the minimum payment be $20.00. It's like having a vacation on layaway.

After the package is booked, ask them to cancel the room only reservation. They will give you a cancellation number and will put in a request that your room only deposit be refunded to you. They can not apply the room only deposit to your package. I received my room only cancellation refund in just 6 days.


Hope this helps! Lisa