Booking schedule, which first?

skinnybaby · 26 Oct 21, 11:07 PM

Been to Florida a couple of times and each time ive booked flights first (once using reward flights) then ive booked hotels and everything else after.
Now im looking at booking for late next year to use Disneys dining and gift card offer but flights aren't out yet for that time.
It seems a bit strange and unnerving to me to book hotels and then be stuck with those dates when it comes to booking flights.
Im not sure whats best to do really, is it not recommended to book like this? Or is it really quite normal to end up booking this way around?

Hopefully someone understands what im talking about! Haha

Donaldfan · 26 Oct 21, 11:51 PM

I always book accommodation first to get the offers. I then book flights when they are released.

loldis · 26 Oct 21, 11:54 PM

Disney is the only destination where I book the hotel first, since the offers come out so far ahead of flights. I then just phone to amend the dates if the flights don't line up, very easy assuming there's availability. You'll keep all the same offer terms as when you booked.

**LOU LOU DISNEY** · 26 Oct 21, 11:56 PM

Same as Donaldfan I booked Disney part first with the best offer then flights months after. Disney is flexible if you need to move dates about to suit flights.

**Claudette** · 27 Oct 21, 05:12 AM

For most of my holidays (non WDW) I would tend to book the flight first. However with WDW holidays the resorts are available to book one to two years in advance (depending on when you are travelling), offers are out and so I would typically be booking WDW first.

I usually look for Avios / reward flights and I still wouldn�t be concerned about dates. If I can�t get the dates I need then I would add on or take away days as required. If I were buying cash flights I would have no concerns whatsoever, flights go every day and I haven�t yet seen a day not available.

disneypars · 27 Oct 21, 07:56 AM

I would do ESTA and travel insurance first.

skinnybaby · 27 Oct 21, 09:52 AM

Thanks so much everyone, thats brilliant to hear theres a bit of flexibility as i thought i would be stuck with those dates! ive got no problem amending things to suit now.

Insurance and ESTAs are a given no matter what so i didnt mention those

26 Oct 21, 11:54 PM	#3
	26 Oct 21, 11:54 PM loldis Imagineer
loldis Imagineer Join Date: May 17 Location: Sussex	Disney is the only destination where I book the hotel first, since the offers come out so far ahead of flights. I then just phone to amend the dates if the flights don't line up, very easy assuming there's availability. You'll keep all the same offer terms as when you booked.