FROM: Disney Travel Tips from Mouseketrips Published Saturdays
Waiting for a Disney Discount
For some people, it's routine: check for new discounts from Disney before booking a trip. But waiting for discounts can be painful, and it can hold up your plans. Is it really necessary? Keith Anderson explains that you can book first, check later.
For the last decade or so, Disney World guests have become accustomed to receiving discounts. Whether Disney likes it or not, it has become a main part of our planning for a Disney World vacation. Unless you are traveling over Christmas week or around Easter, it is very likely Disney World will release several discounts for your travel dates, even during the busy spring break and summer months.
The question we get most often is "When should I book my Disney World trip?" My universal answer? ASAP!
Everyone loves getting discounts, but that's no reason to wait for a discount applicable to your travel dates before you book your vacation. I bet you want to know why:
- Any discount released can be applied to existing reservations (based on availability, of course). You may have to change resorts or views, but it usually isn't a big deal. Mouseketrips or any decent Disney specialist will apply future discounts for you.
- As I mentioned, Disney will likely release several deals for your dates between the time you book and before you leave. Since you are already booked, you can compare any new deal to your current deal, and then switch it's better. If you wait, you won't know when to book. Remember, Disney only allows you to use one deal, so make sure you get the best one.
- Dining reservations can be made 180 days in advance of your check-in date. Planning and getting booked early will allow you to schedule your dining reservations. Waiting just makes the reservations you want harder to get.
- It will seem so much cheaper! Your spouse may not be all that excited about taking the kids to Disney. Think how much better he/she will feel when you can tell him/her that the trip keeps getting less expensive!
Even if you can only afford a Disney trip if you get a screaming deal (read: free dining), you should book early. Any money paid is fully refundable until 45 days before travel. Just don't tell the kids yet, and start your planning, and praying.
While you're waiting for Keith's next Disney tip, why not ask him to plan your next Disney trip? Mouseketrips does nothing but Disney - and they're really good at it! Hook up with them at their website, through Twitter, or on Facebook.
More: DISNEY TRAVEL TIPS FROM MOUSEKETRIPS