When to book Vacation?

[tripletmommiesrock]

DH and I are planning our triplets first trip to WDW for June of 2012. We are both teachers and we want to take the kids before they are start kindergarten. I know that I cant' make reservtions until 180 day out. But when should we book the trip. We know where we want to stay and now that our calendar for the 2012 school year is out(DH and I are both teachers) we have firm dates.

Should we book now? Should we wait until closer? Is there a time of year that is best to book?

Thanks for any advise you can give!

 

[momH2the4th]

We've gone the last 3 years in June and have a trip planned for this June. We are also planning a big family trip for June 2012 (my sisters and I are also teachers and just received our calendar), and I was trying to figure out dates,cost,etc, but Disney is only booking through December 2011 at this time. The earliest that we have booked for our family is 8 months out. That gave me plenty of time to figure out dining, park times, and plan each day we would be there before making the dining reservations. I don't know how early you can book and am interested in seeing what others say. Going with a party of 16 in 2012 I know that I need to get reservations as soon as I can. Hope this helps!

 

[hsembrick]

I would call and try to book now. The nice thing is that at least your choice of hotel is secure and if Disney comes out with a promo for your travel dates you can just add the discount to your room. Have a great time!!!

 

[romeoc]

As soon as you know the dates, you should book to get your first selection of rooms/restaurant reservations, etc. You can always cancel if your plans change, and as the prior person mentioned if you hear about a discount after, you can call and have your reservation changed to include it. (Especially if you have a large party.)

 

[Mrsdennison]

It is my understanding that you can book your hotel room only at 399 day out. Then when it gets closer you can book your package like tickets.

Prices for 2012 are not out yet, so I'm not for sure how that works. I know I have read about it on here before. Prices for 2012 are generally out towards the end of August.

I'm a teacher too, and my family is planning a trip for June 2012 with extended family. We are going to wait til late August of this year when the prices come out and then book. I probably will be calling in June and July just to confirm that rooms where we want to stay are open.

Mrsdennison

 

[Hootch]

past we have usually used the AAA discount. The savings easily pays the membership fees for the year. The number of rooms covered under the discount is limited and one year we didn't plan far enough ahead and didn't get a room.

Room rates for the following year come out in August I believe. Once those are out you can book a room. I know I have made reservations as early as October for a June trip.

The AAA discount, if you have a card, varies by level of resort and time of year. Our last use was at POFQ in June and it was 10% off.

One other thing to consider is that Swan and Dolphin hotels usually offer teacher discounts. They are not Disney hotels but do offer many of the amenities. You can participate in extra magic hours and there are buses to everything. One drawback for some people is that you cannot participate in the Disney Dining Plan.

 

[WeLoveM1CKEY]

I have read somewhere that you can only book 11 months ahead of when you want to make the reservation. We are planning to go in January 2012 and when I called the reservation line earlier this month they confirmed that I would have to wait until February to make the reservation. The prices for 2012 will not be out until July or August so I still have not figured out how that will all come into play.

 

[tripletmommiesrock]

Thanks all for your help. My friends think I'm crazy for thinking about this so far out, but with triplets I have to plan everything twelve times and then have at least 6 backups.

 

[lizabu]

I was wondering the same thing. I want to go in January 2012. If I book in Feb as a previous poster mentioned and they come out with something like free dining can it be added on or do I have to cancel the reservation and rebook under the promotion? How does that work with a deposit? I understand the deposit for a room only is one night and the deposit for a package is $200? Has anyone done this? Do they apply the 1st deposit to the new reservation and you pay the difference or do they credit it back and you start from scratch? Is there a period of time before the deposit is credited back (if thats how it goes) or is it instant? I was thinking to wait it out until a promo is announced (if it even happens) but now I'm thinking that may be a risky way to go.

 

[studioscoops]

Hi, can anyone tell me the best time to visit disney since i am planning for a international trip these days.

 

[loganpaulsmom]

it is my understanding that you CAN book a trip through DISNEY (the room only) must further in advance than if you were planning a package. I would book as soon as I could.. Pick my dates, and then be doing my touring plans and figuring the restaurants that I wanted especially with triplets.. I think you definitely are smart to have a solid plan in place..
I do have a feeling that you will NOT be able to book your room yet.. I know the last time I went (2008) we were planning an April vacation.. and we couldn't get the pricing for that April until August.. (however that is when the package pricing came out and not just the room rates, I think you could have booked a room prior to that)..

Also, the great thing about Disney is that if there is an offer that comes out anytime prior to your stay they will apply it. I went through AAA, but I will NEVER do it again.. When you go through a TA that is NOT part of Disney, you don't actually own your reservation and thus everything has to go through the TA.. So, any change that I have made, any discount offer that I was sent had to go through the TA, and I have honestly found it to be a bit frustrating..

 

[Photobee]

I am planning a Nov. 2012 trip. I know I cannot make any plans this far out, but I am doing a cost comparision.

I checked prices this month "pretending" to plan a Nov. 2011 trip. I will check again about 8 months before Nov. 2011 and than again about 6 months before and 3 months before. That way, I know when prices tend to go higher, or when sales might be.

Than come Nov. 2011, I will start pricing again, to see what the trends in pricing are. I don't know if it will help me much....but it can't hurt! I am checking prices for airlines, rental cars, etc. We are staying at a Timeshare, and that can be booked 13 months ahead of time.

Not sure if any of that would help you, but it's something to think about!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We always plan our vacation on paper WELL in advance but I never call disney and hand them my money until much closer to the date. Disney has TONS of availability which is why they offer discounts. They are trying to entice people to come; they are not just being nice. I'm not one to tell people to book asap because if everyone did they would never offer discounts. If you are trying for a super exclusive place (like a honeymoon suite or something it might be different. But a hotel room w/ a view will still be available especially at a nondiscounted rate.)

I'd decide where you want to stay and your dates and then plan. But the $200 deposit is still in your pocket and not theirs. No need to give them your money this far in advance! Be patient and wait until at least Oct. That still gives you more than 8 months and most people still won't have booked yet. Discounts won't be coming out for a long time especially since general rack room rates aren't even out yet.

 

[momH2the4th]

I was wondering the same thing. I want to go in January 2012. If I book in Feb as a previous poster mentioned and they come out with something like free dining can it be added on or do I have to cancel the reservation and rebook under the promotion? How does that work with a deposit? I understand the deposit for a room only is one night and the deposit for a package is $200? Has anyone done this? Do they apply the 1st deposit to the new reservation and you pay the difference or do they credit it back and you start from scratch? Is there a period of time before the deposit is credited back (if thats how it goes) or is it instant? I was thinking to wait it out until a promo is announced (if it even happens) but now I'm thinking that may be a risky way to go.

From what I understand, if you have already booked and a promotion comes out, you can call and have that promotion applied to your room/package. It never hurts to try or make new reservations with the discount and cancel the original one.