when should I book?

[rpm]

We are going to BC right after Mem Day 2004; so when should I book/start looking for a deal? Please help, I don't know where to start! Thanks.

 

[mlaaw]

I dont know how far in advance you should book, but I do know you can book anytime and then apply the code/discount when they come out. this way you can be sure you have the week on resort you want....you never know...a reasort may be full if you wait till the discount comes out.

 

[Madangel32]

Hello rpm,

I would recommend that you book your trip now and make modifications to your trip as the discounts come available.

I booked a room only back in February and in April a new code came out and I just modified the rate.

This is my thought, there are more experienced DISer's out there. But my biggest advice is to lose LOTS of sleep and read the boards as much as you can.

I can't get enough of the DIS boards. To be honest these boards have been the most instrumental in making my upcoming trip a success. By the way, I leave in exactly one week!!!!

Good luck in your planning!

 

[Harambe]

I'm also an early "booker". I rather apply the codes later. But if no deals come out make sure you are willing to pay the rack rate at the resort you pick.

 

[mlaaw]

be sure to do this when booking early and hoping for a discount to come out later:

From mousersavers.com:

To reserve a "room only" reservation, call the Disney Reservations Center at (407) W-DISNEY and specifically ask to book through the Central Reservations Office (CRO). You generally want to avoid booking your "room only" reservation through the Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC), because "room only" reservations booked through the CRO system offer better terms for cancellation and payment dates. Here is an outline of the differences:

When booking a "room only" reservation through CRO, you are subject to very few restrictions:
You must pay one night's room rate as a deposit within 14 days of reserving your room.
Final payment of the remainder is due at check-in.
You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 5 days prior to check-in.


When booking through WDTC, even a "room only" reservation is considered a "package" and is subject to the rules for packages:
You must pay a $200 deposit ($100 for Disney Club members) within 14 days of reserving your package.
Final payment of the entire remainder is due 45 days prior to check-in (21 days for Disney Club members). You have to pay in full right away if you are booking less than 45 days in advance (21 days for Disney Club members).
You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 45 days in advance (5 days for Disney Club members). From 6 to 44 days in advance, there is a cancellation fee of $100 (no fee for Disney Club members). If you cancel 5 days or less in advance, you pay a $200 penalty ($100 for Disney Club members).
Any changes that result in a rate change, such as applying a discount code, reducing number of days and/or changing to a differently-priced resort, made 45 days or less prior to arrival (5 days for Disney Club members), are subject to a $50 fee.
Beware - WDTC usually adds nonrefundable travel insurance to your package by default. If you don't want it, tell them while you are making the reservation. Once you hang up, it's too late. You can add the insurance later if you wish, up until your final payment is due.
Airfare added to your reservation is also nonrefundable. It's hardly ever a good deal, either. I strongly advise booking airfare separately. Visit the "Getting There" page for hints on how to save on airfare!
Keep in mind that about 200 new reservationists were put on the phones in the Disney Reservations Center in January. Most of them are only trained in how to book packages through WDTC. (Reportedly Disney is in the process of phasing out CRO.) Therefore it's very common these days for WDTC-trained agents to be answering the (407) W-DISNEY number, and they will try to book your reservation in WDTC if you don't insist on reserving through CRO. Sometimes they don't want to hand you off to someone who is CRO-trained. You may even have to end the call and call back until you get someone who knows how to use the CRO system.

Be polite but persistent when calling CRO. Some of the agents answering the phone know more than others, and some will try harder than others to get you the best deal. If the first agent you speak with isn't helpful, politely end the call and try again. With hundreds of agents at the call center, it's unlikely you'll get the same agent twice in a row.

Keep calling back if your dates are not immediately available at the discounted rate, as people change/cancel reservations all the time and something is quite likely to open up.

 

[rpm]

Wow! Thanks for the helpful replies; this is great!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm trying out dreams unlimited myself for the first time, and have heard MANY good things about them. They will search out the codes for you, and get you the lowest rate possible.

www.dreamsunlimited.com

Click on the Res button on the bottom left, and then room only.

 

[vicb]

I would also book now and apply discounts as they become available, as a matter of fact I just did this for our Feb. 04 trip!

If you belong to AAA, be sure to ask for that discount, it is available now for 2004, rate varies depending on the season.

Good luck.

 

[SuzyQue]

I've heard rumor that 2004 rates are making their way into the computer systems, but if they aren't yet, they will just quote you this year's rack rate for Regular season, and then they will adjust it when the new rates are out. And as everyone above has said, you can always apply those discount codes later when they come out. ~~