When is the earliest you start really planning for your trip?

[WooPigScientist]

Last year was the first year we've gone with kids and we hadn't been since 2010, so I had a lot of research to do (I'm looking at you FP+)! As a PP said, you might want to allow some time to catch up on new things if its been a while. I started with that stuff about a year out. Park days, dining plans, resort choice, etc, about 8 months. FP choices about 3 months (we stay on site, so we get to start at 60 days). This timeline seems to give me time to choose, think it over, change, repeat 8 times. Kidding . . . but not.

There will be threads in the resort board (I think?) for various months that you can follow - they will have updates about when package prices are released, discounts come out, park hours released, etc. Very helpful for keeping up on that kind of stuff. I don't know when a Sept 2017 will be up or if there is one already. Park hours were generally released about 6 months out, but I think currently all the new park offerings are messing with that a bit. I'm hoping its all back on track for our trip next year too.

Good luck! It's never too early as long as you're enjoying it and not stressing. My planning helps beat my OCD down off of other things a little bit

 

[BudgieMama]

Booked August 2016 in April 2015, booked flights in September 2015.
Booked August 2017 in April 2016, awaiting release of flights.

 

[smallworldnh]

I will also be going September 2017 and have already done some preliminary planning. I have a spreadsheet started (that I got from some very helpful DIS folks!) I'm just waiting for the dates and prices to open up so that I can officially book my package! The planning is fun, and specifics change all the time! Enjoy!

 

[smallworldnh]

We are going late October 2017 and have already started planning.

We've booked out hotel and as it comes with the free dining plan, have already started to check out menus and definate places that We want to eat at this time round.

.

Hi, how were you able to book already for October 2017 (and with free dining to boot!!)? I can't see anything past Dec. 2016 yet on the Disney site!! I'm thinking you must have gotten a bounce back or something?

 

[tinkerbell1991]

Hi, how were you able to book already for October 2017 (and with free dining to boot!!)? I can't see anything past Dec. 2016 yet on the Disney site!! I'm thinking you must have gotten a bounce back or something?

http://www.disneypackages.co.uk/utm...utm_campaign=free-dine&utm_content=promo-tile

It lets you book all the way up to December 2017. Hope the link works x

This is only for the UK website though so sorry if you're booking it through the US site

 

[godders]

September 2014 trip - started planning and booked June 2014
September 2015 trip - started planning and booked January 2015 (well technically September 2014 when I got back from the last one )

November/December 2017 trip - booked and research into restaurants is commencing.

May well have to money for a cheeky week this year as well but we shall see how good I am at saving haha

It's one of the pros and cons of being able to book from the UK - ages ahead with great offers so lots of time to plan or booking and absolutely ages until you actually get to do anything other than research....

 

[biondagirl]

I've been planning our August 2017 trip for about two or three months now. If I'm completely honest, I started planning on our way home last August.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

We are going in August 2019, and I am already planning it. Yes, I wish we could go sooner, but we can't (due to finances and being pregnant). My goal is to take our two kids when they are 5 and almost 3, during a week in August I would have off from work. It's fun to plan, and I've already been researching hotels, flights, car rentals, ticket packages, planned what parks/attractions/restaurants to go to, etc.

 

[ryukage]

The earliest my planning has ever started is 11 months for the DVC booking window, but it's normally 3-6 months (for the same reason).

 

[Miss Frankie J]

Usually Its about 10 months out. My timeshare Booking window opens about 8 to 10 months out so usually I begin the full planning when my resort is booked. I started in February 2016 for October 2016.

 

[Hikergirl]

I usually book my trips 4 to 5 months out so I guess you could say planning happens then. Its a pretty loose plan, like knowing that I'd like to eat at BOG at least once during our trip.
The last time I was there was just before the roll out of FP+ for everyone, so there was no ride planning, there wasn't even park planning.

I'm going in Sept this year with just dh and I feel like I am becoming excessive and obsessive in my planning. I have never been without the kids before so maybe that is why because I just don't know how to vacation at WDW without them.
I'm not really sure I'm liking this side of myself LOL

 

[PeasandCarrots]

we are planning on a trip September 2017, when is the earliest I can really start planning it out? When do you guys start planning your trips?

I start as far out as I have my dates firm. Usually for us that's about 1 year out. You can call and book a room at 499 days out I believe (not online though). We have APs so we always do room only anyway. Since you can change it any time I prefer to lock my dates down as soon as I have a decent idea of what they are.

 

[jmccoy18]

I have been planning our March 2017 trip since last summer. I like to have everything planned out (itinerary, touring plans, etc.) before the 180 day mark so that I can make our ADRs to fit our plans. Some of the earliest planning is just figuring out when we are going, how long we are staying, and doing some research on where we want to stay along with getting updates on what's new since our last trip. Also, we start saving for our trip as soon as we decide we are going, so accumulating gift cards and adding to the savings account start right away. We are waiting until a little closer to book our airfare and we are waiting on the Armed Forces Salute to be renewed before we book our resort.

 

[smallworldnh]

http://www.disneypackages.co.uk/utm...utm_campaign=free-dine&utm_content=promo-tile

It lets you book all the way up to December 2017. Hope the link works x

This is only for the UK website though so sorry if you're booking it through the US site

So it must be because you are booking from the UK! Thanks for the info. Since they're offering free dining as well, I will take that as a good sign that it will be offered in the US as well next year!

 

[mindeola]

The second I book the resort. I look at crowd calendars and try to formulate a plan for which park on which day. I then decide on any reservations we need for dining. You want to have that figured out before your 180 days!

 

[W.E.D.]

As PPs have said, typically as I'm leaving property on my current trip.
I start formulating in my mind. Actual ressies and saving money? Probably about a year and a half out.

 

[hollypoast]

Within a week of the end of one trip I need to know when I'm going back.

 

[MagicPlanning]

Yesterday. I've been planning for our August 2017 trip for almost two years. I have the daily itineraries done as best I can understanding some things will change...such as the Elsa & Anna M&G, Lights, Camera, Action & Avatar, etc. This allowed me to determine where we could eat with our budget. Now I know what ADR I need. I'll book the flights as soon as their available to book. I'll book the resort this summer when those dates are released. I'll book the rental car as far out as I can and keep checking for better rates. Then ADR at 6 months, FP+ at 2 months.

 

[lawboysam]

Ha, I'm already planning our September 2017 trip! And even have it booked, since my BFF and travel partner lives in the UK, so they get better discounts (already have free dining!) and earlier book dates.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I'm planning our December 2018 already along with a tentative 10-1-21 (50years at the Magic Kingdom).