Midnight booking?

Megamazing

Megamazing

Active Member
In the Parks
Yes
Hey all. So we are planning on going to WDW for Christmas season 2018, specifically 12/3-12/10. Which means the dates I want will be officially open for booking next Saturday, the 29th. If I stay up until midnight that day, will I be able to book right then? Or is it only available after 6/7am like with dinding reservations? I'm just nervous the room (Preferred Room at Port Orleans Riverside) I want will book out immediately. Thanks!
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Megamazing

Megamazing

Active Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
Yes
Um, ok?? Yes, seriously. I book online and I was looking at the week before and was met with the " There are no packages available for the dates you have selected " message. I don't want to be "safe" I want to know if they're open for booking before 7 am. I realize YOU might think it's a silly question but I don't like to be disappointed. Sorry I asked?
 
Upvote 0
CaptainAmerica

CaptainAmerica

Well-Known Member
Megamazing said:
Um, ok?? Yes, seriously. I book online and I was looking at the week before and was met with the " There are no packages available for the dates you have selected " message. I don't want to be "safe" I want to know if they're open for booking before 7 am. I realize YOU might think it's a silly question but I don't like to be disappointed. Sorry I asked?
Click to expand...
No, she's right. Those aren't even busy dates. "Early December" and "Christmas season" are two very different things. Even if you were trying to book Christmas Day itself, you'd be fine.
 
Upvote 0
CaptainAmerica

CaptainAmerica

Well-Known Member
Megamazing said:
Really? So I ask a question and am made to feel like an idiot? How "magical."
Click to expand...
You're a bit high-strung aren't you? Nobody is trying to make you feel like an idiot, we're trying to get you to relax a little bit. That's a positive thing, not a negative one.

Also, we don't work for Walt Disney World. We're The Internet. It's not our job to make you feel magical.
 
Upvote 0
Megamazing

Megamazing

Active Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
Yes
It was kind of a reference to the name of the site, lmao.

No one is high strung. But the first response was a tad rude. If it had been said in person, the tone would have been snarky. Guess I'll find somewhere else to ask my "high strung" questions.
 
Upvote 0
DisneyPrincess5

DisneyPrincess5

Well-Known Member
Megamazing said:
Hey all. So we are planning on going to WDW for Christmas season 2018, specifically 12/3-12/10. Which means the dates I want will be officially open for booking next Saturday, the 29th. If I stay up until midnight that day, will I be able to book right then? Or is it only available after 6/7am like with dinding reservations? I'm just nervous the room (Preferred Room at Port Orleans Riverside) I want will book out immediately. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Congrats on planning and soon booking your trip. So exciting! You will be there over my DHs 37th birthday. He's jealous.
I'm not an expert on this subject but I believe you must book a reservation this far in advance by calling Disney directly. I don't believe you can do it via the website. It's (sadly) been a while since I've called so I'm not sure what time they start booking on the phone.

Good luck and happy planning!
 
Upvote 0
12in12

12in12

Well-Known Member
Have you thought about using a travel agent? They could take some of the stress out of your planning. If you use a Disney specialist agent they would know exactly when you can book the room you want and they will keep an eye out for discounts that can be applied to your bookings.
I do think @DisneyPrincess5 is right, if you want to book it yourself so far in advance you will need to call. I hope you have lots of fun planning and please post any questions you have. We are here to help each other and share out love of all things Disney.
 
Upvote 0
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
To answer your question, unless things have changed, booking for room 499 days out will open at 7:00 AM and are typically phone only.

That being said, I would not stress over getting in at the exact second the phones open unless you are looking for room type with incredibly limited supply and/or you are booking for holiday season. If all you are looking for is something like a prefered room at Coronado then you will be fine pretty much anytime outside of 7-8 months. Booking at exactly 499 days out is really only necessary if you are looking for a presidential suite or something like the Contemporary, club level, theme park view, during the week between Christmas and New Years.
 
Upvote 0
CaptainAmerica

CaptainAmerica

Well-Known Member
Master Yoda said:
To answer your question, unless things have changed, booking for room 499 days out will open at 7:00 AM and are typically phone only.

That being said, I would not stress over getting in at the exact second the phones open unless you are looking for room type with incredibly limited supply and/or you are booking for holiday season. If all you are looking for is something like a prefered room at Coronado then you will be fine pretty much anytime outside of 7-8 months. Booking at exactly 499 days out is really only necessary if you are looking for a presidential suite or something like the Contemporary, club level, theme park view, during the week between Christmas and New Years.
Click to expand...
One time I had the room at Animal Kingdom Lodge that was directly outside the kitchen exhaust vents from Boma. Room 2210 I believe. They should make that a separate booking category and I'd lock it down at 499 days without question.
 
Upvote 0
D

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
CaptainAmerica said:
I think it depends on the calendar year. 2018 is "turned on" online with the inventory loading at 499 days. If someone were looking to book January 2019 at 499 days, they'd need to call.

I think.
Click to expand...
Precisely - we had to wait until the system was fully ready and loaded with rates in late June - before that, you had to call.
 
Upvote 0
Megamazing

Megamazing

Active Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
Yes
RedNoseMickey said:
Have you thought about using a travel agent? They could take some of the stress out of your planning. If you use a Disney specialist agent they would know exactly when you can book the room you want and they will keep an eye out for discounts that can be applied to your bookings.
I do think @DisneyPrincess5 is right, if you want to book it yourself so far in advance you will need to call. I hope you have lots of fun planning and please post any questions you have. We are here to help each other and share out love of all things Disney.
Click to expand...
I like to be totally in control of planning things (which my husband loves because if it were up to him, we would wing it, in every aspect of life LOL.) which is why I book myself.

Thank you to everyone who answered my question. I spoke to two cast members yesterday and they told me I CAN book online but that I DO have to wait until 7 am. :)
 
Upvote 0
12in12

12in12

Well-Known Member
I am glad you got your answer. I love organizing things myself as well so I know what you mean about being in control. Happy planning:)
 
Upvote 0

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom