When do I book?

[NewfieFan]

I may be out of my mind asking this question so early but I've noticed alot of people have their vacations already booked for next year. I've only planned one trip myself for my family and it was pretty spur of the moment (kind of). We booked our last trip in March for June. I managed to get the hotel I wanted (not preferred room location, though) and got most of the restaurants I wanted as well. Now this trip is not so spur of the moment. We would like to return to the "World" maybe next fall '08 (late Aug., Sept., or Oct.) I'd also like to try and get that free dining I keep hearing about. (It's not necessary but would be a nice bonus b/c we plan to go for at least 10 days this time.) So my question is when should I be booking this trip? Is the free dining offered now for next year or do they only come out with this offer in the spring (I remember seeing it advertised on the Disney website when I was booking my last trip this past spring)? And when is the free dining offer for - is it just for Sept.? My only other problem is my husband's vacation time. He won't know definitely until Mar. 08 when his vacation will be. Now that being said he can pretty much pick his vacation time and if we already have the trip booked he will more than likely be able to get the vacation time he wants.
Ok, all you experts out there let me know what to do and let me know what you think as well (like, what time to go to WDW, etc,)!:wave:

 

[RiversideBunny]

Go have some ice cream and all will come to you.

 

[Craig & Lisa]

Let's see, we have a trip planned for early Nov., made those recently. Have made and set plans for late March with other family members. And have started to plan for either Aug., if not Nov. again. but in between we may work alittle FGF too. But you can make them up to a year in advance, and food ressie's up to 180 days. But if you need other info, call Disney and get the free DVD, or go to Kingdom Kunsultants, they are the gods of making arrangements for WDW.:animwink:

 

[Nansafan]

Keep in mind that the free dining thing is not guaranteed. Disney did it last year and this year and it is considered a promotion. It may not be offered at all next year. I wouldn't plan my vacation around it but definitely would enjoy it if it happened to be while I was on vacation.

 

[NewfieFan]

Keep in mind that the free dining thing is not guaranteed. Disney did it last year and this year and it is considered a promotion. It may not be offered at all next year. I wouldn't plan my vacation around it but definitely would enjoy it if it happened to be while I was on vacation.

Yeah, I know it's a promotion but I was just wondering about the past habits of the free dining. Like I said it's not necessary, just a nice bonus. If I booked a trip and then they came out with the free dining would I be able to apply it to an already booked trip?
Also when would you (or anyone else) recommend that I go? I'm pretty flexible in my travel but as I stated I was thinking late Aug., Sept., or Oct.

 

[BigNorm'sMom]

I have just gone on line and tried to book 2 rooms for any week in July at either the Pop or AS Movie and I keep getting back "No Availibity":brick: I have booked my trips as close as 6 months :veryconfu and now I can not get one booked that is 10 months away. Any suggestions as to why?:veryconfu Thanks

 

[NewfieFan]

I have just gone on line and tried to book 2 rooms for any week in July at either the Pop or AS Movie and I keep getting back "No Availibity":brick: I have booked my trips as close as 6 months :veryconfu and now I can not get one booked that is 10 months away. Any suggestions as to why?:veryconfu Thanks

Don't go scaring me now!:animwink: It must be a glitch in the website!?! There's no way July is booked up already, is it!?! Like I said, I booked my trip in March for June. Now mind you, AS Music wasn't my first choice and all preferred room locations were gone as well (besides for the family suites they have there) but I did book a trip that was only 3 months away! Let me know if you get something to work...

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Quite simply - if you know when you want to go book it now !!

You can always alter your booking if free dining is offered during next year - don't forget - free dining is offered to fill hotel rooms that would otherwise remain empty so it isn't guaranteed

 

[frankd1962]

For the last trip (and when the next trip rolls around), I had the dates I wanted to go in mind (which was /and is June) then I waited until the prices and packages for the following year was released which was August. The travel agent I use took a down payment on the trip and told me it had to be paid up by a date in April. I had by the end of the year almost 3/4 of it paid off then used my tax refund to pay the rest of it off.

Remember that if you're going to stay on property, you can do your ADR 180 days plus 10 from the first day of your trip.

 

[Nemo14]

I would suggest that you talk to one of our Kingdom Konsultant reps here on the board. They'll book for you now, and if discounts come out before your trip, they'll take care of that for you. There is no charge to you for their service,so you can't go wrong.

 

[BeanSz]

I always try to book as early as I can, essentially as soon as we decide on a trip. Waiting to late, you can always find rooms except during very busy times and may not the location or resort you prefer. We know we are going in December 2008 and are already booked. May go between now and then, but have not yet decided and will handle that one when we decide. I usually book directly through disney (Usually via disneyworld.com). There is a lot of information out there about differences between MYW packages and room only ressies. I always start with the packages. Disney lets you make changes up to 45 day prior, and allows you to cancel at full refund (except for trip insurance if you opted). I always reserve direct with Disney early, I always make changes to my ressies. I usually change resorts somewhere along the way, since Disney releases different deals throughout the year, added Free Dining, etc. Last year, I was even able to upgrade at the very last minute from POR to Contemporary since Disney announced some last minute room only rates at the CR. I even got them to transfer the package and free dining to this rate. This took me about 3 phones call to Disney to make it happen and create some magic. But they won't offer new deals. You need to stay up on travel deals, internet research or work with Kingdom Konsultants. I don't mind multiple calls to Disney to resolve since they were able to "work some magic" and give me a sweeeeet deal to stay at the Contemporary with free dining and transfer of my travel insurance.

Either way -- book it, pay you $200 deposit, deal with airfares later -- you will feel better, and will have fun planning.

 

[BigNorm'sMom]

Don't go scaring me now!:animwink: It must be a glitch in the website!?! There's no way July is booked up already, is it!?! Like I said, I booked my trip in March for June. Now mind you, AS Music wasn't my first choice and all preferred room locations were gone as well (besides for the family suites they have there) but I did book a trip that was only 3 months away! Let me know if you get something to work...

My son just called and said he got us booked in July 2008 at the Pop so as you say, must have been a glitch.:sohappy:

 

[NewfieFan]

Thanks soooo much everybody, you have helped! Now I just need to pick some dates and go with them. I can't believe I'm booking already - ooooh, gets me so excited (I am worse than the kids)! Thanks again for your comments and tips.:wave: I may start another thread asking you all when would be the best time to go...

 

[NewfieFan]

My son just called and said he got us booked in July 2008 at the Pop so as you say, must have been a glitch.:sohappy:

Yeah for you!!!:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[Lindsy1052]

Yeah, I know it's a promotion but I was just wondering about the past habits of the free dining. Like I said it's not necessary, just a nice bonus. If I booked a trip and then they came out with the free dining would I be able to apply it to an already booked trip?
Also when would you (or anyone else) recommend that I go? I'm pretty flexible in my travel but as I stated I was thinking late Aug., Sept., or Oct.

If you book through a travel agent, remember they know about the dine program before the public. They are on the phones with Disney everyday which would cost you a fortune in phone calls to do. Travel Agents have an 800 number to call the general public does not. They monitor all specials all the time and then switch their clients over to the special as soon as it is released. I have seen some resorts sell out of a special the first day, so work with a TA if you want a special. As far as how early to book....we would get slammed with calls for Spring Break as soon as parents get the school calendars for the next year, so it is never too early to at least lock in your room.