How early do you set your resort reservations?

[Keppyslinger]

Hello Everyone!
My wife and I are hoping to make a trip to Disney World next April or May.
We keep looking at information on line and sizing up which resort we want to stay at, and it seems that rooms are vanishing quickly. We had been hoping to take advantage of a rate break but now I am wondering if we should reserve something sooner.

How early do you set your reservations? If a resort deal comes along are you still able to take advantage of it if you already have reservations?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dave B]

Hello Everyone!
My wife and I are hoping to make a trip to Disney World next April or May.
We keep looking at information on line and sizing up which resort we want to stay at, and it seems that rooms are vanishing quickly. We had been hoping to take advantage of a rate break but now I am wondering if we should reserve something sooner.

How early do you set your reservations? If a resort deal comes along are you still able to take advantage of it if you already have reservations?

Thanks in advance!

If you see something you like book it now, it is fully refundable up to 30 days prior to your trip, if a better deal comes up, you can switch it over if available, you can always call and have an agent switch it for you as well, don't wait to long

 

[Master Yoda]

Disney has a very customer friendly cancellation policy so there is no real harm in booking early as you can cancel at 30 or more days out on any reservation without penalty.

Generally rule of thumb is 7-9 months out, but it can be more. It all really depends on what room/resort you want and what time of year you are traveling.

If you are particular about where you stay (eg must be Coronado) or you want a very particular room type (Contemporary, club level, MK view) you will want to book as soon as your dates are firm.

You can have a promotion applied to an existing reservation providing that it is available, but having an existing reservation will do nothing to increase the odds of this happening. Many people are under the misconception that having an existing reservation guarantees them a spot if a promotion comes out.

The opposite is actually true.

Disney offers promotions based on booking rates. If they fall short of projections, the offer a promotion. If they meet or exceed them, they don't. Booking a room in advance helps them meet their projection so it is important that you book what you can afford at full price. If a promotion does come out, you can either upgrade or pocket the savings.

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

We are DVC owners... we make our Resort Reservations at our Home Resort, 11 months in advance. Tends to work every time .

 

[DisAl]

Master Yoda is right on target.
Book what you want as soon as you set your date. As for picking your date you can find the daily rack rate by going to the resort and room type that you want and click on "View Rate Calendar" to see the rate for every day of the year. Sometimes just moving a few days one way or the other can save you quite a bit of money.
Then go ahead and book knowing that what you have booked will be the worst case scenario on cost. Then start watching for any incentives or discounts and rebook to take advantage of the discounts.
We booked our trip for next June just as soon as the 2018 rates were released.

 

[StarshipDisney]

I have always enjoyed making our reservation ASAP as it starts the countdown and looking forward to the trip. I made our reservation for 1-8 December 2018 right at the 499 day mark and now I can login to "My Disney" and see my reservation and daily countdown. I also note the 180 day mark for ADRs. Planning ahead is everything.

This can be limited by the "price release" dates. But that did not affect my December reservation.

There was once when Disney would start sending you "neat stuff" in the mail once a reservation was made. I understand they discontinued that but still hoping for some stuff anyway.

I have never had any type of discount or promotion applied. I called and asked about the "free dining plan" once when it was offered within my vacation window but was told my reservation was not eligible for that.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

I think if you have a room only reservation it can be canceled around 5-7 days out. We had to do this a few years ago when a family emergency. Since we don't purchase the dining plan and we don't get the travel insurance. I think the last time we did a complete package room, tickets, and food was in 2009 that was the last time we bought the insurance. Also with room only we paid off the balance when we checked in on-line.

 

[Keppyslinger]

Thanks for the great advice!
So it sounds like booking the room now is the way to go, and then I can add the park tickets on down the road.

 

[ohioguy]

Absolutely. Just book the room.... full payment is only due when you arrive and you can cancel 7 days before your trip. If you book a package, you have to pay the full balance within 45 days or so of booking

 

[DarthVader]

How early do you set your reservations?

499 days. I did that and shortly after the 499 day mark, I was unable to add a day because the Poly filled up (at least standard rooms). I just booked an April vacation and 7.5 months out and there was no standard rooms for the Poly, so I had to pay a little more for a Deluxe Studio.

Disney is very flexible so I can pay the rack rate now, but call them back when the promotions start rolling in and they'll apply the promotional price to my reservation.

 

[LAKid53]

Thanks for the great advice!
So it sounds like booking the room now is the way to go, and then I can add the park tickets on down the road.

Just note that doing so will change your reservation from a room only to a package and will change the cancellation deadline from 30 days to 45 days before check-in.

 

[LAKid53]

As soon as I know my plans and my booking window opens up for DVC.

 

[DisneyJoe]

FYI, the 45 day window is now 30 days.

 

[LAKid53]

FYI, the 45 day window is now 30 days.

Is it? That makes sense. That 45 day number was rather arbitrary. Make it a calendar month....

 

[DisneyJoe]

Is it? That makes sense. That 45 day number was rather arbitrary. Make it a calendar month....

Yes, changed for 2017 bookings.

 

[Rumrunner]

Master Yoda is right on target.
Book what you want as soon as you set your date. As for picking your date you can find the daily rack rate by going to the resort and room type that you want and click on "View Rate Calendar" to see the rate for every day of the year. Sometimes just moving a few days one way or the other can save you quite a bit of money.
Then go ahead and book knowing that what you have booked will be the worst case scenario on cost. Then start watching for any incentives or discounts and rebook to take advantage of the discounts.
We booked our trip for next June just as soon as the 2018 rates were released.

We have done the same for next June-booked two weeks ago and if discounts are offered it is no problem to amend your reservations. It is comforting to know we have rooms even though it is 10 months away.