When to start planning?

[celina14]

We are planning to do a family Disney World trip for my daughter's 5th birthday in November 2016. This will be our 2nd trip, the first was Nov 2013. This time we will have my son as well who will be 2. My question is how far ahead do you start planning? We want the trip
To be a surpris for my daughter and I'd like to include BBB and a princess meal for her bday in everything. And we're wanting to stay onsite. Our last trip we only planned 5 months out so just curious when a good time to start getting things together would be. Thanks!

 

[monorailsilver]

I am planning now for August 2018. OK not actively but in my mind I am. I am saving money currently for the trip so that is part of my planning.

I book the hotel room as soon as I can but I add a few days on either side just in case the airfare is cheaper on a different day, but we go in the summer and my kids aren't in school then so I can do that.

The BBB and meals you will have to book the day you can this way you get what you want and and what time (hopefully).

Happy Planning!

 

[Chelle's Belles]

Keeping in mind that I booked my late October 2016 trip last week -- NO, it's not too early to plan. If you want to stay on-site, it doesn't hurt to lock your room in early. Once you are a year out, you can sign up for one of the trip-planning sites and keep an eye on park hours/crowd predictions, party schedules, etc. You'll need this info to plan your park for each day, and therefore your ADRs and Fastpasses. Plus, life is just better when you have a Disney trip officially on the books Have a great time. 5 years old at Disney is the BEST.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

I would say it is never too early to start planning. Keep in mind that you will need to make dining reservations as well as BBB reservations at least 180 days in advance so you will want your plans to start to come together at least 6 months in advance.

 

[celina14]

Great! Thanks for the advice! Another question... How far out do they usually roll out any promos such as free dining? And if I've already booked my room and then they roll out a promo, how does that work? Will they adjust it for me if needed? In hoping our dates work with a free dining promo so any suggestions on when that usually takes place? My daughters bday is 11/29 and ideally I'd like to spend it in Disney but we are flexible since they won't be in school yet.

 

[helenm29]

We always start a year out! your daughter is young enough to work around so you won't have to ruin the surprise...we start a year out so we can save enough money and then we start making reservations as soon as we can. As far as special things go like free dining we noticed it came out about 3 months prior to our trip. Good luck and have fun!