When to book our next trip to WDW

[TulipMom]

Hi there!
This has to be a frequently asked question, but somehow my searches here and on google aren't coming up with any great resources.

When should I book our next trip? We're looking at October 2017.

Our last trip was September 2015 and for that trip I think we booked in January? I know that it was a number of weeks in advance of our 180 day ADR window, but even at booking we felt limited on hotel options. We'll be traveling with my husband, myself, our 2 kids (7 & 5), and 2 grand-parents. So, we'd love to find a suite or villa that's reasonably affordable. We ended up in separate standard rooms at the WL for our last visit.

Any advice, links, &/or resources to share?

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

As soon as you have the $200.00 deposit.
If you use a Disney certified TA (not specifically recommending that, just an fyi) you will get any added or new discounts applied as soon as they come out without you having to keep watch for them.
(Disney TAs are paid by Disney, so are free to you, and can save you $$$)
Happy planning!

 

[JediAng]

As soon as you have the $200.00 deposit.
If you use a Disney certified TA (not specifically recommending that, just an fyi) you will get any added or new discounts applied as soon as they come out without you having to keep watch for them.
(Disney TAs are paid by Disney, so are free to you, and can save you $$$)
Happy planning!

This is exactly what I did. I am going April 17-23, 2017, I booked on July 2nd, 2016. I have put my $200 deposit down, and I have plenty of time to pay off the rest of my package. I make a around a $500 payment each month, and my trip will be paid off before New Year's, no worry. Then that gives me 4 months to save extra spending money for souvenirs, and tips (using DDP, so my food is already paid for). The sooner you book, the better chance you have on your hotel room choice, these days, they are getting booked faster and faster. Even when I booked my trip in July, there were already some hotels unavailable. I didn't realize I booked on a marathon weekend right after Easter, though, but still. The sooner, the better.

 

[jenniy122]

As soon as you can! Any discounts that come out afterwards can be applied to your booking, so no need to wait. The reason Sept. '15 was limited is probably that a number of people book fall early with the expectation of free dining.

 

[VolvoManiac850]

When do you need to have everything paid by? I know I'll have the $200 next month for the deposit, but the rest of the funds will be a Christmas gift. My trip is going to be in June 2017.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

When do you need to have everything paid by? I know I'll have the $200 next month for the deposit, but the rest of the funds will be a Christmas gift. My trip is going to be in June 2017.

45 days prior to your check in date...

 

[Hootch]

It changed to 30 days this year.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

It changed to 30 days this year.

@Hootch,



That's probably not a good thing, 'cuz I'll just procrastinate longer! Thanks for the update. I even checked on the Disney Mom's panel to make sure my info was accurate, I hate posting wrong stuff!
Again thanks for setting me (and @VolvoManiac850) straight!

 

[Hootch]

Disney changes things up often. It's impossible to keep track of everything.

 

[DisneyMom111]

My target date is 9 months ahead of time. That gives me 3 months of planning before the 180 mark for ADRs to have our daily schedule ironed out.