When do you book?

[truegirl]

Hubby and I have pretty much decided to make our first venture to WDW with our 7 yr old daughter in either February or October of '09. We're still working out the kinks.

We're looking into staying at the Poly. (Daughter has an affinity for Stitch and all things Hawaiian. This would be a surprise.) We're also considering the dining plan, but we're really torn about that.

When is the best time to book for either Feb or Oct? Does Disney ever offer Free Dining during these times?

Above and beyond everything else, when I call Disney to book directly, will the CM take the time to figure out a plan that suits us best, or do I have to 'wing it'? What I'm most afraid of with booking is having one idea (money) when I pick up the phone to call, and end up spending more than I wanted.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks! true

P.S. We'll be driving from Michigan.

 

[Elmo888]

You can reserve a room for Feb., 2009 now, but I think that Oct., 2009 is too far away. (I can't remember the exact number of days, but it is something like 15 months out that can be booked.)

Room only reservations are the only thing that they will do for Feb. 2009 until package prices come out in the summer (July or August or something).

If you are looking at a holiday weekend, I would book room only as soon as possible. You can always change the resort/dates/to a package later.

Regarding the DDP (Disney Dining Plan), I would put off that decision until they put out the package prices with whatever changes they may or may not make to the DDP.

And then I would crunch numbers with your selected restaurants to see if the plan works for you. I did this for our 2008 trip, and the DDP plan works for particular situation. That being said, I think that we would skip it next time (after doing it in 2007 and 2008) because it seemed to have less flexibility in 2008 (there is a whole disboard on DDP for more info).

What I gathered for DDP...if you plan to do one TS meal per day and you have children and plan to do a number of fixed priced meals (like buffets), you come out ahead money wise. I don't know how the numbers will come out with one child. Since the DDP is currently 9.99 per child per day and the buffets seem to start at $11, you come out ahead with the one meal (not including the CS meal and snack per day).

Free Dining promotion has started in August and ended in September in the past, so I wouldn't expect it in October. Or February.

Menus with prices...
http://www.allears.net/menu/menus.htm

History of release dates for package prices and room only prices...
http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#rack

History of release dates of discounts (look at your "Stay Dates" for discounts that have historically been available for your particular dates...discounts for particular rooms at particular resorts do "sell out", so note when your discount of interest was released in the past)...

http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codechart

Good luck!

 

[Elmo888]

I forgot to add that the CM will not help you figure out what you need, but you can call them just for prices. Often, if you like! Don't feel pressured to book that moment. Or (after 2009 packages are available) go to the Disney web site just to see some prices. You can even "save" packages for a short time and compare them (different room types at the same resort, with/without DDP, different resorts, etc.)

Also, with room only, you put down one night's stay deposit and have a very flexible cancellation policy (up to 5 days, I think) before they keep that deposit. And you don't have to pay for room only until you check out.

The package cancellation policy is less flexible. I think that the magic number is 45 days, and they want the package paid in full at that 45 day deadline.

So, don't worry. Many people make one plan, and call and change things. I have. I've changed resorts, date, and gone from room only to package.

If you call and don't like the CM that you get, just say thank you, hang up, and call back. You will most likely get a different CM.

 

[truegirl]

Elmo, thanks. That's some great advice. I'm going to talk to my hubby this week and see if we can commit on one month (most likely February), then I'll call to book the room.

If anyone else has anything to add, I'm taking all the help I can get! true

 

[goofydad48]

There is a 499 day rule for making reservations so you'll have to check you dates. We are going back in Oct 2009 and I just called down and found about the rule. The 2009 packages wont be out until the new year so like the previosu poster stated making a res now would be room only. Maybe we'll see you in Oct 09!

 

[HelenePA]

There is a 499 day rule for making reservations so you'll have to check you dates. We are going back in Oct 2009 and I just called down and found about the rule. The 2009 packages wont be out until the new year so like the previosu poster stated making a res now would be room only. Maybe we'll see you in Oct 09!

2009 package rates will be out in Late Aug. Its been like that for the past 2 years.

 

[rt2dz]

I booked Halloween week for this year just this month for the Poly. Don't feel pressured to book right away. While we have an idea of where we want to go and what we want to do, we rarely book more than 6 months out and go at various times of the year. I've never had a problem getting what I wanted. The exception to waiting would be spring break, especially Easter week, and summer. And even then I think it is more of not getting exactly what you want v. not being able to get anything at all.

You sound very new. I HIGHLY recommend getting a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and reading through it. These books, all ears, and mousesavers are great too, but you have a much better idea of what you are looking for if you have done some preliminary research first.

 

[truegirl]

Thanks again, everybody! I really appreciate the information.

Rt2dz, I don't think I've ever been told I 'sound new' before! You're right, I'm new to all things WDW, but not to forums. I've been here for about a couple of weeks, and my brain is on overload with all of the information. And that's not including all of the detours to posted links to other Disney info sites.

I haven't gotten a book yet, but I can tell you I've run out of printer paper printing out threads and exerpts from other sites to keep me on track. I've already started a binder of notes and other information. The Disney DVD and personalized maps are here. (Just got the maps yesterday.) I'm really an obsessive nerd about this.

I've learned 1000 times more about everything WDW in the past two weeks than I had known in my whole life prior. I must be learning something, right? Thanks for the advice! true

 

[rt2dz]

I didn't mean it to sound condescending. I'm sorry if it came off that way.

Disney has just so much information and little nuisances. I've gone every year most my life and I still didn't know that much until a TA friend gave me a copy of The Unofficial Guide when we were planning DS7 first trip. And I knew a ton!! It is the best resource out there and helps you make sense of all the other info. So you know what you are looking at and what to pay attention to. The UG gives you all sides of the equation, good and bad. I also feel that, unlike any message board, they are objective.

Want to be even more confused? Try some of the links on this thread: Disney Bookmarks

 

[luvmy2sams]

There is a 499 day rule for making reservations so you'll have to check you dates. We are going back in Oct 2009 and I just called down and found about the rule. The 2009 packages wont be out until the new year so like the previosu poster stated making a res now would be room only. Maybe we'll see you in Oct 09!

I've never heard of this rule before...odd.

We always book way in advance because it makes DH (okay, me too) feel better knowing we've set the date. We're already booked for December 2009 (as of several months ago). The only catch is that the booking is based on 2008 rates. They will adjust to 2009 rates when they're released.

 

[Elmo888]

I HIGHLY recommend getting a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and reading through it.

Yes, do this!

 

[princessalexis]

I've never heard of this rule before...odd.

We always book way in advance because it makes DH (okay, me too) feel better knowing we've set the date. We're already booked for December 2009 (as of several months ago). The only catch is that the booking is based on 2008 rates. They will adjust to 2009 rates when they're released.

You were able to book for Dec 2009? We're going then and when I called reservations they told me we couldn't book until the 499 days prior. When did you call?

 

[truegirl]

I didn't mean it to sound condescending. I'm sorry if it came off that way.


I wasn't sure how to take it at first. Thanks for clarifying and all of the help.

I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and picked up a couple of books ~ you're right about the plethora of information out there. Geesh! And to think I was just going to call WDW one day (before I knew the DIS existed) to make reservations at some random hotel and get any ole tickets with no dinner reservations! Ha!

My guess is that with the DIS board's help, I'll plan one of our family's best vacations, ever! (They have no idea what's in store! ) true