When do you start planning

[PlutoTheDog89]

I was curious when people start planning their trip, in particular, for Christmas. For my family, we start planning during our trips! We make notes of places we would like to try on the next trip and it turns into a year-long discussion.

I am curious because I am in the beginning stages of writing a guide book for Christmas at Disney. I would like to optimistically release it by July/August. If you were/are planning a trip to Disney during Christmas, or just planning a trip, would you use a book in your beginning or ending stages of planning your vacation?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I was @ WDW for Christmas 2002. I'm also a DVC member so as far as booking goes, reservations booking window opens at 11 months out for your home resort. I don't even try for another resort other than my home because it would be next to impossible to get. As soon as the New Year starts, people are on the phone making their Christmas reservations, not just DVC members. As far as other planning, such as dining, attractions, etc....how Disney has it set up, you have to make your ADR's so far in advance or you don't get a reservation. Now with magic bands and FP+, everything is planned, planned, planned. Personally, it takes away from the magic a little.

 

[uccats97]

I think it depends on whether or not you've been at Christmas before or been at all, in general. Like pp said, ADRs open up at the 180 day
mark and FP+ at 60 days. Not everyone knows this information, especially if you've never been at all. Some people might not even decide to book a trip until they are inside the ADR window. Personally, I start planning for a second trip before my first begins. This allows me to book a room only bounce back reservation while I'm checked in on my current trip and save money. I have upcoming trips in April and October this year and May 2015.
Good luck with your book.

 

[supergoofy]

Reborn first timer(first and only trip was a decade ago) and I started thinking about a trip 10 months before we arrive. Just researching like best time to go and how it fit in our schedule. Looking at costs. Looking at lodging options. Looking at ADR's and menus.

At I say around the 7 month mark I made a calendar based on crowd predictions and lined out our ADR's.


Now here I sit 6 months to go and have my ADR's booked. Hotel is planned. Staying at Bonnet Creek(offsite) and I have an agent holding points but "booking" doesn't happen until 60 days out. Flights are booked.


So on one hand I say at 7-8 months ahead of your trip you should have some ideas. But as I read here and other places I keep running into the same issue.


I am to early for many things. Lets take FP+ for example. What will/can change in the next 180 days? What rides may open(Seven Dwarfs) What about refurbs? Lots of details that can change and if you get them all ironed out now and they change then you have to try and rewrite it all.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

My 11th month window for booked a DVC room opens in Feb. so that is when I would book.

 

[Dani C]

If I were to use your guidebook, I would most likely purchase it when I started considering a visit over the holidays.

That way I would be able to do an initial read through to assist in planning (for things like Candlelight Processional and MVMCP), and also do a refresher read closer to the trip date.

Having done WDW from pre-Christmas through post-New Years, I would say that key elements are pre-plan for must-dos and know that crowds are extreme.