when to start planning for 2018 trip?

[hkkatie]

WDW has been on my "to do" list since I was a kid, and I've finally convinced my husband to do a big family trip in 2018. We currently live overseas, and only return the the US every 2 years to visit family during summer holidays, so we will have to do the trip during July or August. We are waiting until 2018 so that our youngest kids are at an age where they can really enjoy and appreciate the trip. Our kids will be 15, 11, and 5.5 year old twins at the time of the trip.

I am really excited and wish I could start planning everything out now, but I know things can change in the next few years, so don't want all my efforts to go to waste. So, in your opinions, how far in advance is it really feasible to start planning? When would you start looking for hotel deals or dining deals? If this was your once in a lifetime trip, (who knows if it will be, but I'm acting as though it will be), What would be the absolute MUST DO's and things you could do without? I'm hoping for a 2 week trip, probably an off-site/on-site combination for hotels. We do plan to do a few things in FL besides just WDW, but WDW will be the main focus.

I wish the trip was this year!!

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

I would think a year in advance would be a good place to start, but I am sure you could start looking a prices now to get ideas of how much you will need to save. The only think I would recommend is if you know what kind of tickets you want to get to look into buying them sooner rather then later. I am sure in the next 3 years prices will go up.

Also if you main focus is WDW for tickets I would look into getting AP for everyone. I was talking about this to someone the other day. They pay themselves off if you park hop within days and you get discounts with them. Again this is something that you can look into now.

 

[lillyshula]

After our trip this May, I am pretty sure it will take a few years to talk my husband into going back (Try talking a CPA into going every year ) I have already started to look into a trip around 2018. Looking at what it would cost now for the trip I would like and then estimate for price increases. I plan on it being the last big family trip to Disney while all three of our girls are still at home.

To have a more accurate gauge of prices, discounts, and attractions in 2018, planning a year out is really the most feasible. Discounts on hotels and dining are usually closer to 6-8 months out, but as soon as a discount comes out you can usually apply it to an existing reservation. Mousesavers.com is a great site for discounts. Make sure you look into what everyone wants to do. My youngest has had a blast helping me plan this trip. We watched Youtube videos of the rides so she knows exactly what she wants to do and not do.

 

[hkkatie]

Thanks for the input!

 

[myhoney]

We were just talking about our next trip, which I think will be Jan 2018. Seems crazy, but like you, we want the youngest to be old enough to enjoy it! I am using the time now to price options, as we are also a family of 6 and the accommodations will be the toughest part for us. I have a ballpark figure, so I can start to save with a reasonable goal in mind. The best thing is, there is plenty of time to save and find deals. For example, this morning, I realized that if I open a new credit card, I will get 20,000 JetBlue airline points. A one way ticket to MCO will be 5,000 points, so that's 4 free tickets! And my purchases over the next 2 1/2 years should get us the rest. So, by planning early, I fully expect to get basically free airfare! Of course, I will drive my husband crazy in the meantime, but I'm sure if I just say the magic words "Tusker House", he'll be happy!

 

[hkkatie]

That's true about the credit card rewards! I need to look into opening a new one as well.

 

[Skjhjb]

Good to know others are in the 2018 planning mode!!

We were just there last May (2014) and DH is pretty done with Disney for now. My oldest (19) is going in November WITHOUT ME with a couple of friends. SO jealous!!

But my girls and I plan to go in November 2018. My oldest will be done four years of University that spring, and my younger DD will be done her two year college program. She also turns 21 in early November. So the November dates are so she can also have some alcoholic beverages with older DD and I.

I've told them I would pay for flights, and then we are each paying for our part of the room and the park tickets. So I've been estimating using the 2016 prices just released, and adding a bit (prices actually went down from 2015 to 2016 for the same package).

I'm super excited about it, but it sure seems like a LONG way away!

 

[newestkg06]

I think a year works. I wouldn't get too serious further out than that. We're going this Sept, but I started doing serious research 2.5 years ago, thinking we would go last year. SOOO much changed between 2012-2015!!! Fastpasses! Magic bands! There is SOOO much else that is going to change between now and 2018 (which is when we plan to return too). Avatarland and nighttime AK stuff should be open....DHS may have some stuff done...EP is going to get some new stuff....Disney Springs....So, it's hard to know what a trip might be like that far our when the parks will likely change so much. I wasted a lot of time planning things early because so much is different. Getting a card to earn miles or Disney Visa would be a great idea early for your trip!
Also, for a family of 6, I would seriously think about off site to try to save some money.

 

[TillyDe]

I feel that it is never to early. I am dong a Solo trip this fall. But in May 2017, I am taking my grandson. He will be 5 then. He was in the NICU right after he was born. I told him when he was two days old that he had to get better and when he turned 5 I would take him to Disney. So, I guess you could say the 2017 trip will be 5 years in planning.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I started planning our July 2016 trip at the end of last year/beginning of this year.

I'm an organizer, so I have a binder with maps, top resort choices, character meals, list of QS spots where everyone will actually eat, character locator, etc.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I would start saving now, so that you can afford the big, blowout, once in a lifetime trip. Save up not just for the basic trip, but maybe a fireworks cruise or bibbidy Bobbidy boutique. All the character meals you can stand. Memory maker. Maybe a tour. Souvenirs.

Start planning about a year out. Like others have said, so much will change. New rides and shows will be completed, HS will have a new name and possibly a new theme, there may be a whole new system to replace the magic band/MDE/FP+ .

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I started planning our July 2016 trip at the end of last year/beginning of this year.

I'm an organizer, so I have a binder with maps, top resort choices, character meals, list of QS spots where everyone will actually eat, character locator, etc.

Just don't get too rigid in your plans. Character locations can change. Menus can change. New restaurants will open. Top Resort choices may go under renovation.

 

[Candycane83]

I'm planning for December 2016 when my son is 2 and a half then hoping to go back in 2018 or 2019! So getting way ahead of myself. But with that said, I think it's nice to research early and keep up to date with all the changes that is going on. True planning will happen within a year I think or at least either until rates for that year is out or you're at your 499 day mark! (To start anyway)

 

[Eoywin]

I started planning my October 2016 right after my October 2013 trip

I don't think it's every too soon to start thinking / planning.

 

[MarJose]

I'm planning for 2020

 

[isabellea]

I'm a planner. July 2015 is WDW, March 2016 is DCL, Summer 2017 will be DL and then planning to return to WDW in Dec 2018 (but only if DHS has been upgraded). For me planning a trip is half the fun!