When to book for 2017 DL Trip

[Leopardstars]

Hello,

We are starting to plan our trip to Disneyland next year. When is the best time to book for March 2017, May 2017 or July/August 2017? These are the three times we are looking at and we do have flexibility because we're willing to pull our daughter from school (she'll be in Kindergarten). I want to be able to my choice of hotels and not be stuck with what's left so that's why I'm asking. Thanks in Advance!

 

[JavaDuck]

I booked the Grand Californian for my August trip back in March. I was at the time also looking at Good Neighbor hotels and there was lots of availability at that time for the hotels I was considering. We finally decided on the Grand Californian because it is a honeymoon trip.

 

[DahliaRW]

I would book the hotel you most want as soon as booking opens (making sure it's fully refundable). Then keep watching for better rates there or at other hotels over time. I find I usually get the best rate booking far in advance.

 

[ravenclawforever]

Similar question: I'm looking at June 2017. The onsite hotels are available through the Disney site, but on Cheaptickets they all say sold out. I assume they simply have mot made rooms available yet to 3rd party sellers, but does anyone know when they typically become available?

 

[VandVsmama]

I just booked Best Western Park Place Inn for our 5-day trip next May (we're going to arrive on Memorial Day). Normally I wouldn't book the hotel so far in advance, but the rate was really awesome (~$139/night) so I couldn't pass it up!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Which hotel are you looking at? Are you looking to book a package through Disney or book everything separately?

For onsite hotels through Disney booking, you might as well book now. You can always call and ask for a different rate if you see a rate change or special.

For offsite, it doesn't really matter much, though the hotels that are literally right across the street tend to fill up faster, so if you're looking at one of those, do it sooner. Best Westerns usually have good AAA discounts. If your hotel will be further out (like 1+ miles, not considered within walking distance) you can probably get a deal even 1 month out. Summer and spring break will be more expensive and more crowded though, so if you pick one of those times, book sooner.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I just booked Best Western Park Place Inn for our 5-day trip next May (we're going to arrive on Memorial Day). Normally I wouldn't book the hotel so far in advance, but the rate was really awesome (~$139/night) so I couldn't pass it up!

Did you get the 5% off through Costco? You can call hotel and ask for it.

 

[VandVsmama]

Did you get the 5% off through Costco? You can call hotel and ask for it.

I got 10% off through Best Western's rewards program.

 

[Indiana Scott]

All I can tell you is we waited until about 2 mos before our next trip and we ended up not being able to get the exact flight times we would have liked.
Because of this we'll miss some time in the parks on our first day because we arrive later and when we leave the following Saturday, we wont be able to spend any part of the day in DLR because all the later flights were taken.
Also, we found that our hotel choices were restricted as well.
And this is all during a slower time!

 

[starry_solo]

Might want to avoid mid-July due to the D23 expo.

But book as soon as you can, especially if you can cancel without penalty

 

[Leopardstars]

Which hotel are you looking at? Are you looking to book a package through Disney or book everything separately?

For onsite hotels through Disney booking, you might as well book now. You can always call and ask for a different rate if you see a rate change or special.

For offsite, it doesn't really matter much, though the hotels that are literally right across the street tend to fill up faster, so if you're looking at one of those, do it sooner. Best Westerns usually have good AAA discounts. If your hotel will be further out (like 1+ miles, not considered within walking distance) you can probably get a deal even 1 month out. Summer and spring break will be more expensive and more crowded though, so if you pick one of those times, book sooner.

I'm looking at the hotels on Harbour. In 2010, DH and I stayed at what's now called the Grand Legacy at the Park and liked that distance. We are completely open to different options for booking - as a package through Disney, through a different company as a package or separately. Coming from Canada my first choice for an airline is West Jet. Thankfully, the way my daughter's spring break works, we could go then and get okay prices.

Based on this advice, I might book separately to give us the most options. We might wait for West Jet to have a decent seat sale, book the flight and then the hotel.

 

[Leopardstars]

Might want to avoid mid-July due to the D23 expo.

But book as soon as you can, especially if you can cancel without penalty

Thanks for that information. We'll definitely avoid mid-July.

 

[Frozen2014]

I noticed on Expedia that some hotels are available going into next summer, but not all. Didn't see some of the populate ones across the street yet.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I noticed on Expedia that some hotels are available going into next summer, but not all. Didn't see some of the populate ones across the street yet.

Some hotels, like Park View Inn, dont subscribe to those on line places because they are busy enough without them.