How far in advance do you start planning?

[Excited6910]

As soon as we booked we stared planning. It was just over a year ago

[i_am_armo]

Although i would say 9-12 months. based on the recent trip we are now looking at 2019 and 2021

[Redsox77]

Have booked Cody's Bay pines, St Petes for a meal on Thanksgiving using the open table app. Really surprised to get a table - I know its 2 months away but thought it would be booked up. Love the open table app

[Bayshore]

The balloon lady in Bay Pines is absolutely amazing, she's always there Mon and Tues for Kids night but you might get lucky and she'll be there for Thanksgiving.

Did you try Conch Republic on the beach? Fab food and a really fun atmosphere.

[loves2plan]

Originally Posted by disney332

I think 1 -2 years would have a large number. I would be in that category.

Disney 332

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I agree. I think that should definitely have been included and would have been what I would choose. A large chunk of free dining bookings would fall in to that category.

[taker]

After my first trip this year we've already put down a villa deposit for September 2019 and I'm starting to plan. It does feel like a lot of it will need to wait until the flights are available though! Mainly just have an ideas book so I don't forget anything when the planning really kicks in

[Sweets]

Mine is usually at least a year in advance.
I generally start to plan next years summer holiday in the spring.

[dippiedawnie]

Usually 16 months out as that's when fly drives start popping up. Then the main panic is at 11months for DVC bookings. Next year we are doing a Disney Baltic cruise -going on 1st August and booked it this April so 16-17 months for this one.

[cornishfrogboy]

The most common option for when to start planning is not on the list of options.. More than a year and less than two (in my case, around 14 months out.

Many people book villas before flights become available at around 11 months out.
Many people have formed a plan in order to know what flights they seek.
Many people book with TAs that either have flights beyond a year out, or are prepared to speculate with your money.

Personally, my planning starts with deciding what parts of the USA I want to see, can I link them together? Is it by flights, trains or car?. Is it achievable and will it be fun for all of us? What is the likely cost and can we afford it?

Having weighed up all of that, I then create a table on office with 4 or so columns..
Day(I.e 1,2,3
Events
Cost
Paid yes/no/ how much, putting what I have paid in black and what I still need to pay in red.

I do this, on average at about the 14-15 month mark and then start shifting things around and inserting things as I get them.. with addresses, reference numbers etc.

When I have my flights, then the first column replaces ‘days’ with hard dates.

So in my case, ‘none of the above’.

[ERICSMUM]

I start planning as soon as I’ve booked but I don’t usually book more than 6 months before I go.