Latest possible to book for xmas??

[disney dude]

We are looking to book for xmas 2008 at WDW and want to stay on property like we did last year. unfortunatley my uncle has been diagnosed with cancer and we want to leave it as long as possible to decide whether to come or not as it all depends how he is. My question is what do you think is the latest time to book to ensure there is availaibity, 2 months, 1 month etc..??? We are a family of five Myself, wife & 3 kids under 7, and as we live in the UK we would need to book flights, car hire, etc....

Thanks in advance

 

[DisneyJoe]

I always recommend that you book a room ASAP, especially for busy times. Christmas is the busiest week of the year.

The deposit is only $200 for a package, or a single nights room cost with tax for a room only reservation. For the package, the balance isn't due until 45 days before, and the room only isn't due until check in.

You can cancel the package without penalty before the 45 day mark, and the room only until 6 days before.

Car hire and flights can wait until the last minute, although you may pay a premium for last minute flights.

 

[mousefan1972]

Last year we booked our Christmas trip in late Sept., just about 3 months before. Our first choice was the Poly, and it was fully booked. Actually, none of the monorail resorts had any availability. We booked POR, and ended up switching to the Beach Club in early November. Then, I kept checking online, and when the Poly showed availability in early Dec., I called and switched again. So, if you are flexible with your resort, you'll be fine. And if your first (or second) choice is booked, keep checking! Best wishes to your uncle. :wave:

 

[Monty]

You can make a room-only reservation by depositing the cost of the first night's stay any time. If you need to cancel, you can do so until 5 days prior to check-in with a full refund. Another option could be to book the full vacation exactly as you want it and get travel/vacation insurance that will reimburse you should his condition require a cancellation. Be sure to read the policy on the insurance carefully to be sure you would be covered under that circumstance.

Best wishes to your Uncle!

 

[Disneykidder]

I hope your Uncles condition improves.

I would book it and if you need to cancel, you can do so within enough time to get a full refund. Even if you get flights, depending on the airlines, you can switch and pay whatever difference needed. If you get travel insurance through Disney, their policy is that if you cancel you cannot get that back. Christmas books quickly so i'd do it but be sure to get the cancellation policy in WRITING so there are no problems. After a certain amount of days you only get less and less percentages so make sure you know their cancellation policy.

Good luck to you and your family.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I do suggest that you book it early do to the fact that you will have a better chance of getting the resort/room type that you want. With the deposit being only $200 and if you do not apply the insurance you can get that deposit back in full if you cancel 45 days prior. Inside 45 days you would get hit with penalties.

If you book a room only, please keep in mind that you would not be able to get the dining options if that is one of the things you want in your package. Also we can take care of everything for you (setting up your dining, transportation,etc) on this side. You would only have to take care of the air on your side.

If we can help you in any way, please feel free to contact me.

Pam

 

[surfsupdon]

I booked a last minute trip for that week on Dec 23rd of this past year, checking in on the 27th. I had Wilderness Lodge courtyard view.

I expected the Resorts to be booked solid, but, through booking online, I had my choices of Wild Lodge, Poly, French Quarter, and Saratoga. That was very last minute, and completely surprising to me.

Now my first choices of Yacht/Beach/BoardWalk/Swan/Dolphin were apparently booked solid.

 

[Monty]

I booked a last minute trip for that week on Dec 23rd of this past year, checking in on the 27th. I had Wilderness Lodge courtyard view.

I expected the Resorts to be booked solid, but, through booking online, I had my choices of Wild Lodge, Poly, French Quarter, and Saratoga. That was very last minute, and completely surprising to me.

Now my first choices of Yacht/Beach/BoardWalk/Swan/Dolphin were apparently booked solid.

Often availability will open up at the last minute. Because room-only bookings can be canceled until five days before check-in, people cancel and things open up.

 

[Victoria]

I am so sorry to hear your uncle isn't doing well. I hope he improves and you and your family can spend a magical Christmas at Disney.

Book as soon as possible and worry about canceling later. If you wait you may get shut out of your favorite resort. You have 45 days to cancel without penalties. Inside of that 45 days there may be fees, but the trip insurance may be able to cover that. I don't normally recommend trip insurance, but in your case I think it would be especially useful just in case you need to cancel the entire trip with short notice.

I hope everything works out for you and your uncle improves! :wave:

 

[eroyee]

Sorry about your uncle. Hope everything will be okay. Book now. You can always cancel. That is a really busy time of yr. and rooms get booked fast. You can also cancel ADR's so go ahead and set up your trip.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

While accomodation may still be available up to a few months before Christmas - your biggest problem will be flights. There's only a fixed number of them there planes that cross the Atlantic each day.

FYI we booked our trip 10 months ago to make sure we got the flights that we wanted

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Two years ago, we booked less than a month before Xmas. We scored a fantastic AP rate at Sports for the beginning of our trip and were able to get all of the ADRs we wanted (although I had to call a couple of times to catch cancellations).