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!
-NOn DisBoards
Next WDW: POP 09.04-14.08 & Free Dining
Past WDW: 04.01, ASMO 07.05, 09.05, 09.06, 09.07.
08-13-2007, 08:47 PM #13
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!!!
08-13-2007, 09:03 PM #14
08-14-2007, 02:15 PM #15
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 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!!
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!!
08-15-2007, 08:09 AM #16
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 planning for Disney...
08-15-2007, 10:11 AM #17
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!
08-15-2007, 09:03 PM #18
08-16-2007, 09:05 PM #19
09-06-2007, 07:37 PM #20
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.
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