Booking 400+ days out

[CP_alum08]

Looking at a trip Sept/Oct of next year and was wondering about peoples experiences with booking this far out. I've read a little and it looks like I'll have to watch out for discounts and be on the ball about calling, right? Anything else I need to know? Is there really any bennifit to booking so far in advance, obviously besides just peace of mind?

 

[Monty]

Pros:

• You secure the specific room type you want.
• You secure the dates.

Con:

• If there are sufficient bookings in place, discounts may not be offered for the class of room you've booked.

 

[Master Yoda]

@Monty pretty much nailed it.

The only reason to book that far out is if you have a very specific, hard to get room category that you want.

Lets say that you want a club level, theme park view in the tower at the Contemporary during the week between Christmas and New Years. You would then want to book as far out as possible.

However, if your room desires are along the lines of a standard view at any value resort, I would book at about 190 days out just so you can set up your dining at the 180 day mark.

 

[CP_alum08]

@Monty pretty much nailed it.

The only reason to book that far out is if you have a very specific, hard to get room category that you want.

Lets say that you want a club level, theme park view in the tower at the Contemporary during the week between Christmas and New Years. You would then want to book as far out as possible.

However, if your room desires are along the lines of a standard view at any value resort, I would book at about 190 days out just so you can set up your dining at the 180 day mark.

That is NOT the case! Looking at either of the PO resorts and not too specific on rooms. Thanks for the info

 

[CP_alum08]

Pros:

• You secure the specific room type you want.
• You secure the dates.

Con:

• If there are sufficient bookings in place, discounts may not be offered for the class of room you've booked.

Interesting. Seems odd that Disney wouldn't reward those that booked early. If you just book run of the mill rooms would this be an issue?

 

[bethymouse]

I find planning a Disney vacation that far out you may miss the discounts. But, you could book, and then call later to "change" your reservation if necessary w/o a fee ( unless it includes a flight, but I don't think you can book a flight that far ahead). Good luck.

 

[Monty]

Interesting. Seems odd that Disney wouldn't reward those that booked early. If you just book run of the mill rooms would this be an issue?

It entirely depends on how many rooms are booked in advance of when they decide to offer discounts. When discounts are offered, they exclude any classes of rooms that are already booked beyond a certain threshold. If 80% of POR standard view rooms are already booked, why offer a discount?

There's really no way to know whether it would happen or not. I've occasionally had a booking and called when discounts were announced only to find that it didn't apply to my current booking, but an upgrade would actually cost me less.

 

[Ali Mouse]

@Monty pretty much nailed it.

The only reason to book that far out is if you have a very specific, hard to get room category that you want.

Lets say that you want a club level, theme park view in the tower at the Contemporary during the week between Christmas and New Years. You would then want to book as far out as possible.

However, if your room desires are along the lines of a standard view at any value resort, I would book at about 190 days out just so you can set up your dining at the 180 day mark.

Totally agree with this. We went last September and going again in 2015. I always book right at about 190 days then at 180 make my dinning reservations. Then I check once a day for discounts. Once there is one I call disney and then they apply it.

 

[Master Yoda]

It entirely depends on how many rooms are booked in advance of when they decide to offer discounts. When discounts are offered, they exclude any classes of rooms that are already booked beyond a certain threshold. If 80% of POR standard view rooms are already booked, why offer a discount?

There's really no way to know whether it would happen or not. I've occasionally had a booking and called when discounts were announced only to find that it didn't apply to my current booking, but an upgrade would actually cost me less.

@Monty is correct once again.

Disney offers promotions based on what they expect to see in occupancy rates. If bookings fall below whatever predicted rate they set, they will offer a promotion to fill the gap. If they are meeting or exceeding their numbers, they wont.

 

[Ali Mouse]

@Monty is correct once again.

Disney offers promotions based on what they expect to see in occupancy rates. If bookings fall below whatever predicted rate they set, they will offer a promotion to fill the gap. If they are meeting or exceeding their numbers, they wont.

I know! So where is that fine line? You want to get your dinning reservations but you also don't want to book to early so that they will offer more promotions.

Should a person just wait until the promotion is out? I'm usually pretty picky about where I want to eat but not when. I always go in September and they usually offer promotions at the beginning of May. That is only @130 days. So should I just wait?

 

[Master Yoda]

I know! So where is that fine line? You want to get your dinning reservations but you also don't want to book to early so that they will offer more promotions.

Should a person just wait until the promotion is out? I'm usually pretty picky about where I want to eat but not when. I always go in September and they usually offer promotions at the beginning of May. That is only @130 days. So should I just wait?

You can make dining reservations at 180 days out without a room reservation. The only wrinkle is you can not make them for your entire trip all at once.

As to when to book...there is no right, one size fits all answer.

The most universal answer is to book what you can afford at rack rates at about 190 days out. If a promotion comes out you can re-book and pocket the savings or upgrade. If you need a promotion to go, you simply have to wait until they come out.

If and when a promotion comes out, flexibility with your resort and/or your dates is the key to getting it.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

One reason I could see is if you are booking a package you have a lot longer to make payments, one drawback though is if something comes up like the pool closure at WL that you were not aware of when you booked.

 

[CP_alum08]

One reason I could see is if you are booking a package you have a lot longer to make payments, one drawback though is if something comes up like the pool closure at WL that you were not aware of when you booked.

This was one of my thoughts too, but you could just put the money aside and it would essentially be the same thing. I'm still on the fence whether or not I'm going to book this far away. I'm leaning to no right now.

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

I'm also planning a September 2015 vacation, and I'm thinking about waiting until the free dining plan promotion comes out before booking, just to be sure I get a room that's included in the deal.