When can I book this?

[rutgers1]

We joined the DVC in April and will be making our first trip next August. We are going to go for 2 weeks and will either start on or near the 7th, or wait a week and start on or near the 14th (to slip into the Dream season and save on points). With the changes to the booking windows, I am not sure when I can call and make our reservations.

Also, I was hoping someone could clue me on on the best plan for tickets. We like to park hop, and we will be going for two weeks in August of 2009 and 1 week in April of 2010, which would basically be three weeks within one calendar year:
1) Should we get annual passes?
2) When should we buy them? If we are allowed to order them now, do they kick in upon ordering, or upon the start of our stay?
3) Are we able to order DDP at the time that we book our trip and buy our season passes?

Thank you for your insight! I look forward to becoming a DVC veteran so I can share my insight with others!

 

[CarolMN]

We joined the DVC in April and will be making our first trip next August. We are going to go for 2 weeks and will either start on or near the 7th, or wait a week and start on or near the 14th (to slip into the Dream season and save on points). With the changes to the booking windows, I am not sure when I can call and make our reservations.

The earliest you can call is 11 months prior to arrival. So if the first night of your stay will be August 7, 2009, then the earliest you may call to make the reservation is September 7, 2008.

Also, I was hoping someone could clue me on on the best plan for tickets. We like to park hop, and we will be going for two weeks in August of 2009 and 1 week in April of 2010, which would basically be three weeks within one calendar year:
1) Should we get annual passes?
2) When should we buy them? If we are allowed to order them now, do they kick in upon ordering, or upon the start of our stay?
3) Are we able to order DDP at the time that we book our trip and buy our season passes?

Thank you for your insight! I look forward to becoming a DVC veteran so I can share my insight with others!

Your best value would be annual passes. (If you plan to visit the waterparks and/or DisneyQuest, then you may want to consider Premium Annual Passes). If you buy the AP in advance, you either get a voucher (costs a few dollars extra for mailing) or a confirmation number (aka will call). Either way, you have to go to Guest Relations (on site) to get the actual pass. Your year of admission doesn't start until you get the actual pass at Guest Relations.

You can order the DDE in advance if you have the actual pass or a voucher (will call won't work). However the DDE year starts when you order. You can buy the DDE at Guest Relations when you get the annual pass - then the DDE year will be pretty much the same as your AP year.

DDP means Disney Dining Plan. DDE means Disney Dining Experience. I assumed you meant DDE. DDP has nothing to do with the ticket. Those who have an AP or PAP can buy the DDE for $60 per year. That program gives you 20% off food & beverage at most WDW TS restaurants.

There's no reason to buy an AP in advance unless:
1. You think the price will go up before your trip begins
2. You need to buy several passes and want to spread the cost out over several months (For example, some buy one a month or one every other month).
3. You want to order the DDE in advance.

 

[castleri]

Just in case you did mean DDP and not DDE
You can add the DDP up to 48 hours before arrival to your DVC reservation and it does not require that you order any park tickets. You must put it on the reservation in advance although you will pay for it when you check in.

 

[rutgers1]

Thanks for the replies!