When do you book? How far out do you plan?

[WDWguruDH]

We generally booked at the 11 month window, never thought that would happen. Before DVC, we would randomly plan WDW trips and book within 1 to 2 months. Now, with the Boardwalk view guaranteed, we find ourselves booking at the 11 month day by day, even during lower seasons.
Thought I would post a poll to see how the others did it. These options are what do you normally do, I understand that there will be variations in everyones planning, but what is your standard practice:
1) 11 month day by day - paranoid like we are
2) 11 month window exactly - on your check out date
3) 7-11 month - want the home resort advantage, but aren't that worried
4) 7 month window - generally stay at different resorts than your home resort, or just plan that far out
5) 3-7 months - don't plan much, take what you can get
6) Whenever the mood hits me - impulse planning, like we used to.

 

[KANSAS]

when staying at home resort. I book exactly and i mean exactly at the 11 month window, but not day by day
When staying outside my home resort.I book exactly and I mean exactly at the 7 month window, but not day by day.

I perceive booking day by day, as a total waste of time.
When I book, at 7 month or 11 month window, but not day by day.
I NEVER have any problems.

If anyone thinks, I could get burned one day. Please help me.
I need alot of help!!!

 

[DebbieB]

It depends on the trip. I own at BWV.

We stay at BWV in early December, I book day by day at 11 months for standard view. It's not a waste of time, there are not that many standard views, it's a popular time and even MS recommends day by day for this.

We stay at OKW in May, I've never had a problem at 6 or 7 months, book all at once.

 

[KANSAS]

i do not like Boardwalk, because of long winding halls and terrible wdw busses, so bWV Standard view points, not an issue

can you think of anyone other situation, where day by day, is worth your time??

 

[TwirlerGirl]

It depends on the if any special events are planned at that time. Food and Wine Festival, Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas week, Millenium celebration, opening of a new park and alike events would be day by day. We usually decide by mid Feb when and where we are taking vacation. So it varies most years.

Sandy

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

can you think of anyone other situation, where day by day, is worth your time??

OKW Grand Villas during high demand times. BWV Boardwalk view for New Year's.

We always book planned trips at 11 months with the exception of the really high demand times at the BWV for standard view rooms. We are drawn to the "long winding hallways" because we want to be near something other than our car!

HBC

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by KANSAS
when staying at home resort. I book exactly and i mean exactly at the 11 month window, but not day by day
When staying outside my home resort.I book exactly and I mean exactly at the 7 month window, but not day by day.

I perceive booking day by day, as a total waste of time.
When I book, at 7 month or 11 month window, but not day by day.
I NEVER have any problems.

If anyone thinks, I could get burned one day. Please help me.
I need alot of help!!!

We usualy do NOT book day by day, but if you are looking for a GV or a standard view during busy DVC times, it is advisable. I have only called day by day three times. Twice was for GV ressies, and once was for our NYE ressies for the Millennium. I have not felt a need to do the day by day any other time.

 

[jimmytammy]

We usually do the 11 month window, although we did book a trip for March just a couple of weeks ago. Trying to get the most use out of our annual passes that will be activated this coming Tuesday.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

We usually book at the 11 month window, on the exact day, just to make sure we get what we want. We only do day by day booking if we want a GV or Beach Cottage.

 

[Doug7856]

We are new to DVC, but I picked 11 month, day by day. Our first trip home is planned for early December 2004. Everything I've read indicates that we MAY need to do day by day. I just don't want to chance it. Depending on that experience, we may not do day in the future.

Can't wait for our first trip home to SSR at Christmas!!!

 

[DVC-Don]

Normally we book at the 11 and 7 months window, depending on the resort. BUT! I just got off the phone with MS booking at 57 days. Had a little trouble, but got into OKW and am wait listed for BCV or BWV's.

 

[eporter66]

Not being a savy DVC'er yet, I assumed we would be ok at the 11 month window at our home resort. Since we have not been to SSR yet, I would not know what to ask for. So unless the MS rep has any suggestions, I will just take what I can get.

I am trying to keep track of all the room recommendations for the other resorts.

We are going to try for a May booking at SSR (cant make a ressie until Dec 1), so hoping we could stay at our true home. If not - I will tell the MS rep we will take any of the resorts that have an opening.

Hoping this strategy works since booking for may puts us only 5 months out.

 

[DeeP]

I have never booked day by day, have only booked at 11 months maybe 3xs, usually try to book at the 7-11 month window, but have at times booked at under 7 months. I think the closest I have ever booked was 4 months before the trip.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I voted 11 months out, day by day. That is my normal thought process, though it doesn't always work out that way...

MG

 

[Chuck S]

I have never booked day by day, though I do understand the need for BWV "view" choices, or busy holiday seasons at all resorts. My home resort is OKW, and I generaly book sometime within the 11/7 window (usually at 9 or 10 months) without any problems. I have even changed and re-booked at 3 months without problem...and even added days at 2 weeks prior to arrival.

 

[KANSAS]

deeP

How far in advance, do you have plan, as a BWV owner, to get standard view point room?
do you find within 9 month time frame, all gone.
I have tried for BWV standard view points exactly at 7 month window and no chance at all

 

[JimC]

We usually book at 11 months because we are able to plan that far ahead. At 7 months we sometimes rebook because we want to try a stay at another resort. However, we have made Disney trips on two weeks notice when an unexpected opportunity presented itself.