How early do you start planning/booking?

Alexx

Alexx

Member
Okay, so you wanna go on a trip to disney world (as we all do!:lol:) how long is it before you leave that you start planning and booking things? A few months? A year? A few weeks? I don't mean a last minute trip either I mean a proper trip which has been planned out etc.

I'm asking because I'm going on a trip next year (solo as i'll be 18) so I was wondering when I should start planning things. I know I can't book yet as prices haven't been released etc.:sohappy:
 
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billyd52

billyd52

Member
I usually start 1 year in advance. Takes me that long to get all my kids to agree with ADR's and park schedule. This year,for the first time I had Pam from Kingdom Konsultants do the leg work. Love it that way. Thanks Pam
 
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bgraham34

bgraham34

Well-Known Member
I usually end up booking around the 3-6 month mark. I have yet to plan a trip a year before just because we are not sure what other vacations we have planned yet.
 
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RobnRachal

RobnRachal

Well-Known Member
ALWAYS planning. . .it's a disease. . .I need HELP!! :ROFLOL:
Sis in Law states I have OCD (Obsessive Cleaning Disorder) and ODD (Obsessive Disney Disorder), although, I've never had complaints about either. :p
 
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Frightful

Frightful

New Member
When May 7th 2011 comes around, I will have been planning this particular trip for about 26 months. I've had a tentative day-by-day plan with parks/activities and possible ADRs since I started. I booked the room in February, would've done it ON the 499 day mark but was too nervous to actually make it "real", plus I had trouble deciding between resorts and whether we could do a moderate.

So 26 months. And that will be about 4.5 years from our last trip.
 
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L

lisa2465

Member
I start planning on paper as soon as I get back from the most recent trip. I usally have to wait to book and make reservations until the end of May due to thats when we get to put in for our vacations. So far this has worked out really well. The last week of November will be my 3rd solo trip and I can't wait!!!!!!
 
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WDW 3

WDW 3

Well-Known Member
Whenever I can get DH to say yes! Last time it was a little less than 4 months. But everything fell into place. Ressies were at 90 days then, but I don't make too many. The only ADRs I made were Boma, Le Cellier and 50's. We like to be more spontaneous rather than tied to a reservation made 90 - 180 days before. So we eat at Flame Tree, Caseys etc. Some of the counters are OK.
 
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draybook

draybook

Well-Known Member
Our first trip was September of 08. Before we came back from that trip we already decided to come back in December of 09. During that trip we decided to come back in September of this year. I will print off all kinds of WDW information as soon as I get back from a trip and start planning then. That way I try to miss refurbishments and stuff that might be a downer on our trip. For instance, we're not going back until FL is finished.
 
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CP_alum08

CP_alum08

Well-Known Member
I think it depends on what time of year you plan on going. If you're planning to go during peak season you want to book everything as soon as you can. If you're planning on going in a slower time I dont think you need to book as far in advance.

Our last trip was in Sept. and we had everything booked by June. Ours was a little on a whim though, I saw a commercial one day, turned to my GF and said 'lets go!' she said yes, and within a week we had all our reservations made! it was just the two of us and we had been before (a few times:ROFLOL:) so we knew what we wanted.

I would said that unless you're a veteran WDW vacationer and know exactly where you want to stay and exactly where you want to eat every meal you can book closer to your travel date as long as you are flexible.
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Shunasee said:
Bounceback? Do you get some type of discount if you book the next one while your there? :veryconfu

We are going in July, just my husband and I, and are planning to go again in December with all the family.
Click to expand...
Typically yes. In your room you will find what is called a bounce back offer. This can be anything from a room discount to free dining and must be booked before you leave.
 
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harryk

harryk

Well-Known Member
begin planning next visit on last day of current visit. Book as soon as possible - i.e. 11 months in advance (DVC) and ADR's as soon as possible. - now 6 months in advance.
Dates revolve around AP expiration dates. Normally in December. :xmas::xmas::xmas:
 
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S

SuperSaint

New Member
In 2009, I proposed the idea to a my friend and girlfriend in fall of 2008. I started running the numbers around christmas and was booking in March/April for a June trip. It ended up just being my girlfriend and I.

I'm currently planning a trip in june of 2011, which includes saving and planning.

I find planning that far off gives me plenty of time to keep an eye on what's being refurbished and to allow for any changes that may come up. For instance, when my friend dropped out in March we still had plenty of time to adjust.
 
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Alexx

Alexx

Member
Original Poster
SuperSaint said:
In 2009, I proposed the idea to a my friend and girlfriend in fall of 2008. I started running the numbers around christmas and was booking in March/April for a June trip. It ended up just being my girlfriend and I.

I'm currently planning a trip in june of 2011, which includes saving and planning.

I find planning that far off gives me plenty of time to keep an eye on what's being refurbished and to allow for any changes that may come up. For instance, when my friend dropped out in March we still had plenty of time to adjust.
Click to expand...

Thats the time i'll be going I think around June or October haven't decided yet so you're planning now? I've been saving for ages so that doesnt really count and hmm Im not sure what I can plan now though if there's no prices out?
 
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