How early do you lock things in?

Login to post comments
12 posts / 0 new
cdub's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3220
How early do you lock things in?

When we plan for a trip, we usually book a hotel room very far in advance since they're so easy to change. Flights and car rental however we usually wait until close enough that we're pretty sure our plans will change. Not so close that prices go up too high (hopefully) though. We also tend to do ADRs pretty far out and then change them as necessary. What's your planning approach?

Tony's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/23/2009
Posts: 1260

We book flights and accomodation well in advance then set about planning the bits in between.

__________________

I can only please one person per day. Today isn't your day... tomorrow doesn't look good either.

Annie's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 1610

This really depends. We usually book hotel very early unless we're doing a package that can't be changed as easily as a room-only reservation. Also, dining is booked at 90/180 (whatever it is these days!)!

Offline
Joined: 10/29/2009
Posts: 1905

We drive so there are no flights to book. The rest of it we usually book by the 180 day mark. However, I have not booked the January trip yet. I am trying to wait to see what kind of deals they will offer for then.

bali's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

scrappy wrote:
We drive so there are no flights to book. The rest of it we usually book by the 180 day mark. However, I have not booked the January trip yet. I am trying to wait to see what kind of deals they will offer for then.

I'm hoping they still have steep discounts for a while. We haven't been back for some time, but are looking at an early December trip.

__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Offline
Joined: 10/29/2009
Posts: 1905

Bali,
Are you talking this December or December 2011? I believe there are specials right now for this December. I think you can choose either free dinning or room discounts. Those expire August 14th though. If you are talking about this year, you had better quick run to the phone and book.

Brad's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 4357

scrappy wrote:
Bali,
Are you talking this December or December 2011? I believe there are specials right now for this December. I think you can choose either free dinning or room discounts. Those expire August 14th though. If you are talking about this year, you had better quick run to the phone and book.

Ooh it's August 13th, I hope she checks soon!

JustCar's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/24/2010
Posts: 1042

We booked our Sept 1-5 2011 on August 26 2010 clapping yay

__________________

Oct 2009 POP
Sept 2011 POP
Oct 2013 Coronado
May 2014 AKL , Magic, AoA Girlie Trip
Oct 2014 CBR Pirate Room Girlie Trip
Nov 2014 DCL Fantasy 7 Night Eastern Caribbean, Girlie Trip, POR Royal Guest Suite, GF Concierge
August 2015 DCL Magic 7 Night Mediterranean
October 2015 DL Grand Californian, DCL Wonder Panama Canal

https://www.facebook.com/MsBubbles
https://www.facebook.com/MVTRavel

admin's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/14/2010
Posts: 2733

JustCar wrote:
We booked our Sept 1-5 2011 on August 26 2010 clapping yay

Congrats yay

Bella's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/11/2010
Posts: 3886

I actually have never planned a trip this far out (9 months!)..usually we book a few months in advance. Honestly we've only ever made ADR's at the 180 day mark once and that was our honeymoon. Most of our trips were planned with less than a 180 waiting period. When I get excited about going it is hard for me to wait.
Now life is a little different and with a job, grad school and a baby we have to plan things out a little more.

__________________

mickey Bella


Offline
Joined: 01/30/2010
Posts: 260

I booked my upcoming trip in October (birthday F & W trip) at the 7 month booking for DVC to make sure I got what I wanted. (I needed a 2 bedroom).

It's a bit more important owning DVC to plan ahead as it's a bit of a hassle making reservations. Sometimes you get lucky and can find things last minute but usually not a specific type of unit. You have to be resort flexible.

I also do spur of the moment trips within 30 days time when I feel the need for a Disney break but it's usually an RCI last call or II deal off site.

If you have access to RCI/II, you should check it out. It's a great deal.

__________________

Living Close to the Mouses house. mickey
My second home is SSR.

JustCar's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/24/2010
Posts: 1042

I used to be an RCI agent, let me know if you want tips Laughing out loud The biggest centre is actually here in Saint John

__________________

Oct 2009 POP
Sept 2011 POP
Oct 2013 Coronado
May 2014 AKL , Magic, AoA Girlie Trip
Oct 2014 CBR Pirate Room Girlie Trip
Nov 2014 DCL Fantasy 7 Night Eastern Caribbean, Girlie Trip, POR Royal Guest Suite, GF Concierge
August 2015 DCL Magic 7 Night Mediterranean
October 2015 DL Grand Californian, DCL Wonder Panama Canal

https://www.facebook.com/MsBubbles
https://www.facebook.com/MVTRavel