Thanks Janet. I'm a control freak so I'd of course book it myself through disney. Ok I think I'm going to book my trip this weekend. Make a big celebration out of it. :minnie: :mickey:
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I second the NO TA mind of thought! I did it once and only once, be cause the TA was the only one with ROOMS at any VALUE for my DATES!!!! I ended up not even bother my TA with ADR changes or request it would take her 2 or 3 days to get back, and just called disney and found out how easy it was and knew right away! Now i book all my own!
Its also great to see your trip info, balance, what you booked, SAVE any ADR (Hopeing they will have it some day), I enjoy being able to login and see my reservation and know its in Disneys Computer!
BTW TGM has so much great info! Its almost the only way i would plan any Disney Vacation!
It isn't hard at all! For instance, for our Sept trip, I started out at 40% off at POFQ. Then free dining came out an I switched to that (my $200 deposit just carried over.) Then I decided to switch to POP - no problem just another call to CRO. Then I was really missing the idea of staying at POFQ so you guessed it another call to CRO!
As for how far in advance I book, I set everything in place as far as dates about 9 - 12 months in advance. Then I wait for specials to be announced (unless I am renting DVC points.) If I remember, you are going in late Sept. next year - right? There will almost certainly be some sort of offer announced. I would wait till next spring to book until a great deal comes out. If it would make you feel better to have a reservation (and you are a AAA member) I would make a reservation thru them at the AAA rate now. I souldn't handle seeing a reservation at rack rates.
I have been known to book a trip less than a month in advance but that is not common and tends to stress me out!!!
I've never had any problems tweaking my ressies & I do go through a TA. So I may be the minority here, but I've been very lucky w/that I guess. But anyway, with the exception of our very first trip waaaay back in 2004 :rotfl: when I didn't know anything about (GASP) codes, I've changed my ressies for my last 3 trips! This year I started w/the 40% code at AKL & then added 1 night at POP to move our AKL back one night, then free dining came out & moved to CSR, cancelled the POP ressie & all 11 nights are now at CSR w/free dining. No problem at all.
I think as long as your on top of the codes helps a lot when it comes to your ressies! My TA has been great & humors me w/all my code rumors & things I learn online. But I usually know before they're ever told so she appreciates it!! :)
Book it! Book it! Book it! Then make your countdown of when 180 days is & start planning your ADRs!! :p
Heck-I haven't even left for our trip (woo hoo 3 weeks from today!!) & I'm already thinking of when next year & want to plan w/sis-in-law, but KNOW DH would be like, "Seriously?! We haven't even gone THIS year yet!" He does get "it" but sometimes not so much!!
I've had great luck with my TA too. I like it because I don't have to think about codes at times like this when I can barely get online once a day. I know she's there and will take care of it for me. Maybe it depends on the agency you use? (I used Dreams Unlimited) Or maybe just the agent?
I can also see my vacation stuff online on their site, and I have the disney information so I can call and do my own ADR's myself (we both tried for CRT because I wanted to make sure we got it).
As far as the original post, I booked our December trip, last December. As soon as we get back in December, I'll be booking our next one (though I'm thinking maybe a cruise this time)...I :heart: planning for Disney...
I normally never use a TA. The only exception would be booking a package through AAA when they are the only discount. This usually changes as more codes are added, and I switch my package through just CRO and then I am in control! :)
How far out -- We started planning our Dec 2007 trip as soon as we got back from our August 2006 honeymoon! lol I planned a quick Sept trip with my mom a couple months ago. If the bounceback promotion is offered again this December, we will def. be booking for next fall! :)
I am DVC so as soon as my 11 month window opens I am on the phone to Member Services! I have April booked and I am trying to decide my July dates.
We always go in late May and I start booking our trip in Janurary. We are off site people so I don't book anything through Disney. I love having a three bedroom condo, so at the end of the day everyone has their own space.
it varies-
1st trip we planned about 6 months in advance- that was our honeymoon
2nd- 9 months
3rd- ~6 months
4th- 4 months
5th- 3 months
6th- 7 months
7th- 11 months (this is our next trip)
We usually book rooms first. We don't usually wait for a code. We have stayed either at SOG or at the Contemporary but with a SOG discount 3 times, and we can book a year out for that hotel and the rates can't be beat. This upcoming trip is our first staying DVC with my parent's points- we booked as soon as we could. We will be at BWV, but are contemplating seeing if BCV has anything available at the 6 month window.