Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

We are planning on doing our first Disney trip at the end of Feb/beginning of March 2016. We would like to stay at a Disney hotel, visit MK, AK and Hollywood Studios. Probably staying for a full week.

When should I start booking the hotel, buy tickets, book character meals, etc??? Is Oct too late?

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

Well meals you want to book 180 days out. Which would be around August (there is a calculator if you google that lets you plug in your arrival date and it tells you 180 days for adrs, 60 days for FP etc).

They usually release next years packages late spring or early summer. I would book then, make your ADRs at the 180 date and watch for savings to be released. When one comes out you just call and apply it to your package or make any changes then.

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

While your children are still in the womb if you want to go when they are 3 or 4!

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

For me, that would work, as I normally book our trips with just a month or two notice. However, if you want specific dining reservations and your trip will be ruined if you don't get them, I would book sooner. We just got back last week. I had booked about a month out. The only dining we did was Be Our Guest for Dinner to celebrate my DD's birthday. That reservation I actually didn't get until about 2 weeks before because nothing came up everytime I checked, then they released a ton of reservations. I ordered an adorably awesome cake that was delicious, and that one dining ressie was enough for us the entire trip. But, most people spend their days doing character meals each day, so it just depends on your style. We don't like to spend a lot of time eating. Quick service is enough for us, and there is such a wide variety of choices.

Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

I would book as soon as the packages come out this summer.

Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

Book up the restaurants as soon as you can, a PP said 180 days in advance. The popular reservation times go quick especially for Cinderellas Castle. Go on Undercover tourist to check out high/low crowd times, and discount tickets. Also subscribe to mousesaver.com to find out about promotions.

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

I know people on here think 180 days is silly, but when you think about it people book cruises 1-2 years in advance and think nothing of it. It is not like deciding to go to Hershey at the last minute or to DC. The popular places do book. It just means if you care to go to them you need to plan ahead. For most people, unless you go often and don't care if you do certain activities, you want to do some initial planning (any special sit downs) at the 180 day mark. Many do have at least one special restaurant they hope to get. Really, unless you are going during peak times, you just want to get in there for places like BOG, CRT, Chef Mickeys, etc. Then you know you have it. Then you can play around with the rest of your reservations. We often change lesser places around last minute, but the most popular places do book up, and you hate to be closed out. If you know when you plan do go and are outside of the window why wouldn't you book then? I understand if one is thinking of going last minute it is different, but when you have the plans and time seems silly to not take advantage. The most desirable restaurants that take reservations book when dates are released, concerts/games sell out quickly when popular. I don't see it as being any different.

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

Posted by NervousNell

While your children are still in the womb if you want to go when they are 3 or 4!

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

I am going next week and booked it ummm 3 weeks ago Honestly its magical even if youre laid back and don't do EVERY single thing they have to offer so I don't sweat it.

Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

I say book when you get the Disney promo code :). They come several months b4 each season starts up. I got 2 summer promo codes 1-2 months ago...

Dont see any reason to book 6+ months out unless you absolutely need to book a certain resort and dinner reservation.

Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

I booked my hotel on the drive down :)
If you think dining reservations will be important to you, then book those 180 days in advance. Prior to that, you may want to look at prices of tickets, hotels, flights and decide how many days to spend in each park. Also, if you are staying on site, you can book your dining reservations for the whole trip once you get to the 180 day mark for the first day. So, if you plan to stay on site and dining is important, it makes sense to book your hotel early.

Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

We are planning to go spring break next year. As soon as the packages come out I'm booking the room and doing any dning reservations at 180 days. We only plan on doing one or two reservations, quick service is fine for us!

Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

Thanks everyone. Dining reservations are really not that important to us. We would probably only do one or two the most. I'll keep an eye out for the special packages though and check airfares when it gets closer.

Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??

The 2016 packages should be released this summer.

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Re: Realistically, when should I look into booking Disney??