To Plan or not to Plan? That is the question.
When planning a vacation, you may be thinking: "Well, I don't want to book ahead of time because I'd rather go with the flow and allow for more spontaneity."
But when you want to guarantee a GREAT vacation, planning well ahead of time is the best way to do it.
Reasons to Plan Ahead:
- If you're trying to save money on your vacation, booking early is one of the best ways to do it. You have more opportunity for planning and comparing options. By booking far in advance, your choice will be wide open and more competitive pricing may be available. It will give you time to find the best price on airfare, lodging, and activities. It also helps you to take advantage of "prime time" rates, which are generally lower than what you'd expect to pay after a hotel has sold out its room inventory.
- Time to get/renew passports, and (if traveling internationally) learn a little about the language and culture.
- If you're planning to go away with friends, this gives everyone time to make sure they sort out the travel dates and time off work.
“OK OK, you’ve convinced me to take the time to plan my trip, but now what?” you ask.
12-18 Months or more ahead:
It’s wise to book your cruise, hotel, and/or vacation packages 12-18 months in advance. Choices and availability are MUCH better when booking the following well ahead of time:
- Seasonal travel: Winter & peak season (depending on your destination)
- National Park lodges & hotels
- Honeymoons (18+ months ahead is recommended)
- Family Reunions
- Cruises
- Safaris
- Group tours for families (due to their limited size, these specialty group tours sell out very quickly)
- Accommodations with great locations (like near Disneyland or Universal Studios. Or maybe you’d like something within walking distance to the port before your cruise)
For other big and quintessential trips, start planning 6-12 months in advance.
- Theme Parks (like Disney & Universal) booked at least 9 months in advance often retain the better pricing and are more likely to have more availability for the preferred rooms (those larger rooms and/or rooms closer to transportation and dining). And in the case of Disneyland or Walt Disney World, there are “hot dates” that need to be observed and followed for a magical trip. (Read more about that in an upcoming post – or contact me for all the details if you are planning your Disney trip today).
- International Travel - Generally, travelers are required to have at least 6 months remaining on their passports before expiry when traveling overseas. This means your passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond your departure date. Additionally, and even more important, every member of your family - including kids (no matter their age) - will need a passport for international travel by air. If your child does not have a passport, apply for one well ahead of your trip as processing takes time. If your child is under 16, you’ll need to apply at a local passport agency in person, and your child is also required to make an appearance. When applying, bring along all necessary supporting documentation to speed up the process. Also inquire about getting your passports expedited. If you need to get a new passport, you can find all the necessary information here.
1-6 Months in Advance
- Yes, you can still have a fantastic vacation with less planning, particularly for shorter vacations (like long weekends). Don’t forget that there are many different things that are considered “travel” – like visiting family in another state or country or even those college visit tours.
Bottom Line:
When you want to stay in the best place, in the best location, for the best price, it pays to plan way ahead. The ideal and popular places always fill up early. There are typically good alternatives, but they are often farther away or they cost more.
If you don't yet know where you'll go, let me help you narrow down possible destinations. Ask about the significant advantages with one option over another and how we can still add spontaneity to your trip. Take advantage of my knowledge and experience. Ask me anything!
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