AboutSue Holland Expertise I can answer just about anything relating to the Florida Disney parks - including the resorts & Downtown Disney. As a Disney Vacation Club member, I`m very familiar with that program as well. I love the resorts as much as the theme parks - especially the attention to detail and the friendly service provided
Expert: Sue Holland Date: 6/23/2008 Subject: Disney reservations
Question Hi Sue,
I was wondering if you could tell me how far in advance I can make my reservations. We plan on going to Disney in August 09. Some people tell me I must book the resort a full year ahead of time, and the dining/shows 180 days prior to departure. When I visit the Disney website, it says I cannot book the resort until 6 mos. prior. I'm so confused! Also, we are a family of 5: ages 15,11 and 3. We were thinking of the Wilderness Lodge. What's your opinion? Thanks so much.
Meg Urban
Answer Hi Meg,
Disney hasn't set the 2009 rates yet, which might be why you got that message on the website. Generally though, you can call and book a room-only reservation years in advance. Your room rate won't be guaranteed though until the rates are set for that year (typically in the fall for the upcoming year). Packages aren't sold until the rates are set for that year, so if you're trying to book a package that includes your room and park passes, you'll have to wait until fall 2008 for a 2009 stay.
Dining reservations can be made 180 days in advance of the meal. If you're staying at a Disney resort you can book your first meal at 180 days and then the meals for up to the next 10 days on that same phone call.
Wilderness Lodge is a pretty resort - the lobby area is gorgeous. The pool is nice, too. I'm disappointed in the rooms though - they're smaller (the size of a moderate resort) and rather no-frills looking. With 3 kids (assuming there are 2 adults also) you'd need 2 rooms, unless you book an expensive junior suite that sleeps up to 6. Your little one is no longer "free" when counting the number of people in the room, and Wilderness Lodge doesn't have rooms that hold 5 people. You could consider a 2br villa at Wilderness Lodge Villas, but it'll probably run around $700-800/night. They might let you book a 1br villa but will only give you linens for 4 people, which would run around $500-600/night. However, if your heart is set on Wilderness Lodge it could be cheaper to just get 2 connecting regular rooms - 1 for the kids, and 1 for the adults. The added advantage is having 2 bathrooms!
You might also consider the Ft Wilderness Cabins. They'll be just slightly higher than a single room at Wilderness lodge, but they sleep 6 and are really cute (like log cabins). You can put the kids in the bedroom (double bed & bunk beds), you & hubby can share the murphy bed in the living room, and you'll have a full kitchen and living room plus a picnic table & grill outside. There's only 1 bathroom, but that's the only real drawback. There's a path connecting Ft Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge, and there's enough to do there even without going to the theme parks!
