Wondering who to book with?

[scotty]

Hi everyone a question for all the Canadians i was wondering where you guys/gals have booked your Walt Disney World Vacation and the cheapest way on doing it. Any tips would be great. This would be our first trip to Disney World or anywhere lol.

Thanks a lot for your help

[aristocat65]

It depends whether you are booking the whole WDW package (room on property, tickets, dining option) or just room only. If you are a member of CAA they sometimes have a slight discount on rooms. Go to www.mousesavers.com and they always have the current specials (and a lot of other helpful info to get the best deal). Sign up for their newsletter and in there is a link to
undercovertourist.com an online WDW park ticket seller with specials you can only get thru the mousesavers newsletter link.
Lately, however we have booked a package directly with Disney by phone after seeing the deals on the website. They have had so many specials lately that I think that's the best option. We're booked in August with the free dining which is a great deal for us. I usually check around on my own (or get tips off this board;) for the best airfare.
Also go onto the WDW website and register and you will get their newsletters, but more importantly you may get a PIN! (special email deal that only you can use). HTH

[scotty]

We are currently looking to book the whole trip airfare included and not sure what to do!!!

[aristocat65]

We are currently looking to book the whole trip airfare included and not sure what to do!!!
Not sure where in Ontario you are, but I think others from Ontario have flown down on Airtran from a US airport, and you can book Airtran as part of your Disney package directly with them. Another option is Westjet out of Canada, and I think they do complete packages. Probably your best option if you want it all booked as one would be to go into CAA and have them do it for you. They will be able to incorporate any special deals into the package they book. Just make sure that the agent you book with has WDW experience.

[jenbear123]

All the other suggestions are great. There are other tour operators that you can try for good prices i.e. Nolitours (flies with Air Transat or CanJet), Holiday House (room only, tickets), West Jet Vacations, Air Canada Vacations

Happy hunting!

I always wondered where everyone gets those PIN deals. I'll have to sign up for the newsletter! Thanks for the tip aristocat65

[aristocat65]

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I always wondered where everyone gets those PIN deals. I'll have to sign up for the newsletter! Thanks for the tip aristocat65
No guarantees though. It seems to be pretty random. Oddly enough, I have never gotten one at my own email, but I registered my husband with his email and that's when we got one. IT was for $500 gift card with package but was not at a time when I would go. Register all the adults in your house and it improves your chances I think.

[jenbear123]

No guarantees though. It seems to be pretty random. Oddly enough, I have never gotten one at my own email, but I registered my husband with his email and that's when we got one. IT was for $500 gift card with package but was not at a time when I would go. Register all the adults in your house and it improves your chances I think.

Thanks again! I'm off to register everyone! :laughing:

[lisalonglash]

You've received some great information from the other posters :goodvibes

We book with Fairytale Dreams & Destinations - they are Disney specialist travel agents (they only book Disney trips), they absolutely pounce on any available discounts/deals for you, they can book your ADRs, answer all your questions, you can contact them via email or telephone (they're in Ontario) and their awesome services are free (Disney pays them)! We wouldn't book a Disney trip any other way now - and we know many others who say the same :goodvibes

Have a wonderful trip! :wizard:

[boundfordisney]

depending where you are we fly out of buffalo with southwest, you can get fares as low as 59.00 each way which is a great deal. jet blue is another airline with cheap fares , i like southwest as they have more choices as far as the departure times plus nonstop! we have booked our upcoming trip next week with disney and had no problems in doing so. it would be a good idea to buy the unofficial guide to walt disney world loads of information. i highly recommend it!:thumbsup2

[Miss LD]

You've received some great information from the other posters :goodvibes

We book with Fairytale Dreams & Destinations - they are Disney specialist travel agents (they only book Disney trips), they absolutely pounce on any available discounts/deals for you, they can book your ADRs, answer all your questions, you can contact them via email or telephone (they're in Ontario) and their awesome services are free (Disney pays them)! We wouldn't book a Disney trip any other way now - and we know many others who say the same :goodvibes

Have a wonderful trip! :wizard:

Totally agree with you on that one!
We used them - and though we haven't left yet (less than a week!) they have been amazing and got me just as good a deal as I would have gotten elsewhere (I looked)

[Demi_8]

Wish I knew about that TA in Ontario because I might have considered them. Months ago I was looking for a TA in Van who only specialized in Disney and nothing else but couldn't find one. Ended up using Small World Vacations which still worked out well but I would have preferred an agent based in Canada. Maybe next time. Anyhow, I found the "cheapest" way for us to see WDW for the first time was to go during value season on the free dining promotion as well as booking at a value resort. I prefer to book airfare on my own in order to seek out the best price.

[aristocat65]

Anyhow, I found the "cheapest" way for us to see WDW for the first time was to go during value season on the free dining promotion

I totally agree with Demi_8. Our first trip to WDW after many trips to DL was in late August for my 40th birthday. We just got lucky that it happened to be value season! I think WDW resorts have 4 different "seasons". Peak, Holiday, Regular and Value. Choosing the right season can cut your accommodation cost in half depending what level of resort you choose. We were originally thinking this time of going on Feb 2010 to get out of town while the Olympics are here as my son has 2 weeks early spring break in Feb. I found the rates to be really expensive. (especially since we're addicted to WL:cloud9:) So we're going this Aug/Sept instead. Going during the free dining promotion really makes it affordable for us. Definitely avoid holidays (including US stats), spring break season, Thanksgiving (US) for sure. If you go to the WDW website there is an area in the resort section which breaks down the seasons.:)
Another option is staying offsite. Personally I prefer to stay onsite. I thinks it's easier and more magical:goodvibes

[scotty]

Hello Everyone, Thanks for all of your tips and advice i have been looking at Fairytale Destinations and i am thinking on going with them. But We are located in Toronto, and done some searching but can not find anyone that deals with Disney so my sister and i are thinking on going with Fairytale Destinations. But please keep the tips and advice coming since this will be our first vacation.

Thanks a bunch

[Ham Ham]

Good choice with Fairytale Destinations. Nice folks.

[pooksma]

We use Dream Come True Vacations. While not a Canadian based company, their service has always been excellent. They book your resort, watch for all specials and will do ADRs as well as any other Disney booking. They do not do air. Feel free to PM if you'd like a name or any other details. Enjoy your planning!

[jmann]

We booked with CAA both times and it worked out fine. They offer extras like the parking pass and storeytime. They booked us a US flight from Detroit and they offer the easy travel insurance. Could I do it cheaper myself? I looked into it and I would say it would be so close that I let them do it.

[canadaman]

I find it easier to just do it myself. Then in my mind there is no surprises. If something isn't right when you get there you only have yourself to blame, and i would rather do that then have to blame someone else.

[aristocat65]

I find it easier to just do it myself. Then in my mind there is no surprises. If something isn't right when you get there you only have yourself to blame, and i would rather do that then have to blame someone else.

I also do it all myself. For me that's half the fun:) However, it sounds like the OP really will have peace of mind knowing someone has taken care of everything for her as its her first trip. She's gotten some great suggestions here:goodvibes.

[Mom-2-two]

We booked our August/09 trip to WDW through Expedia. Got a very good price on the airfare out of Minneapolis (we're from Manitoba). The only downside is I tried calling Disney directly to make sure we hand an accessible room for my DH. The person I spoke to at Disney told me they couldn't do anything to help if I booked through Expedia. I ended up sending an email through the Disney website and got an email response from someone at Disney "group or bulk" tours (?). Anyway, there was a moment of panic when they first said they couldn't help us. From what I've been told Expedia does take care of any problems you might have if/when you get to DW. Hopefully, we won't need to find out!

[disyady]

You've received some great information from the other posters :goodvibes

We book with Fairytale Dreams & Destinations - they are Disney specialist travel agents (they only book Disney trips), they absolutely pounce on any available discounts/deals for you, they can book your ADRs, answer all your questions, you can contact them via email or telephone (they're in Ontario) and their awesome services are free (Disney pays them)! We wouldn't book a Disney trip any other way now - and we know many others who say the same :goodvibes

Have a wonderful trip! :wizard:

I agree with this wholeheartedly. I was a diehard book everything myself person until last summer when I was unable to get a public discount applied to a room only booking for the Grand Floridian. I called Christine and voila - the room was booked at an even better rate than I expected. She always responds promptly and really knows Disney. :love:

[SherylWrites]

This is our third trip that Fairytale's has booked for us. Always tremendous service that I recommend to EVERYONE. You won't be disappointed.

[scotty]

I would like to thank everyone for their tips, Fairytale Dreams & Destinations sounds like a really good TA service. But i am still scared because i have never used a TA before or done it my self before. So any tips with FDD because i am really leaning towards booking with them would be great and if you recommend a TA person from FDD that would be even better? Also when would be a good time to start planning for our first trip to WDW??

Thanks a bunch

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Every time we have booked we call Disney. This way we are guaranteed a great time with no suprises. Also we kept calling back and seeing if there is any new discounts or free things. They just added them on and we ended up getting money back because they made our time period cheaper. In these times with places going under make sure you book on a credit card that has coverage incase something goes under. Another good reason to book dirrectly with Disney I doubt they will go under anytime soon. Of coarse when you deal with these other places they will say were ok no problems. Look what happened to conquest vacationers.

[scotty]

Hey all thanks for all of the feed back on who to book with. My sister and i just might book our trip with Disney directly. Also when we book we are going to book in August for our April 2010 trip. Another thing is we are also going to book airfare with Disney and will be flying out of buffalo. Any tips on booking with Disney. I know i am getting really happy that for my first vacation i will be spending my time in the greatest place of all even though i have never been there before, don't really know what to expect when we get there?? We will be staying at ASMu, ASMo, or POP any sugguestions on thoughts on though 3 resorts.:wizard::cool1::yay:

[tone.def]

Another thing is we are also going to book airfare with Disney and will be flying out of buffalo. Any tips on booking with Disney.

DO NOT book your airfare with Disney if you are looking to pay the best price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's my tip.




Look what happened to conquest vacationers.

I was on my vacation in Honduras through Conquest Vacations when they went belly up. Because I had booked through an Ontario travel agent who is covered by TICO (Fairytale Dreams and Destinations coincidentally), I was perfectly taken care of.

[dis_guy]

We always book it all ourselves. Airfare from Alberta is a real crap shoot and I can check fares way more frequently myself and usually get a pretty fair price. I also like booking with Disney directly because I can pay it off gradually when I want, especially when the dollar is doing well. I also like to be ale to make changes effortlessly like we did for our Christmas trip. By extending our stay 3 days we saved a bundle by getting very cheap flights. Not sure I'd get an overworked TA to do this as quickly as I'd like.:)

[fivebyfive]

if you recommend a TA person from FDD that would be even better?

We booked our trip with Kathryn - she was fantastic!!!

Ditto on the booking air through Disney thing. If you are willing to fly out of Buffalo, but sure to try Southwest and JetBlue as well.

[SaskDisNut]

We always book it all ourselves. Airfare from Alberta is a real crap shoot and I can check fares way more frequently myself and usually get a pretty fair price. I also like booking with Disney directly because I can pay it off gradually when I want, especially when the dollar is doing well. I also like to be ale to make changes effortlessly like we did for our Christmas trip. By extending our stay 3 days we saved a bundle by getting very cheap flights. Not sure I'd get an overworked TA to do this as quickly as I'd like.:)

I second this as well. Especially paying it off when the dollar is up - like today - currently trading over $.84. :banana::cool1:

[lisalonglash]

Hey all thanks for all of the feed back on who to book with. My sister and i just might book our trip with Disney directly. Also when we book we are going to book in August for our April 2010 trip. Another thing is we are also going to book airfare with Disney and will be flying out of buffalo. Any tips on booking with Disney. I know i am getting really happy that for my first vacation i will be spending my time in the greatest place of all even though i have never been there before, don't really know what to expect when we get there?? We will be staying at ASMu, ASMo, or POP any sugguestions on thoughts on though 3 resorts.:wizard::cool1::yay:

Just an FYI - if you will be booking airfare through Disney, FD&D can do that for you too. That's what we did last year - everything was booked through FD&D (hotel, tickets, flights) - and it was great to have all the arrangements in one place kwim? We couldn't find the flights/prices we wanted on the Disney website this time, so we booked our flights ourselves, but I would have preferred to do everything through FD&D again!

I'm sure whichever resort you choose will be great! We stayed at ASSp last time and had a wonderful time (very clean, friendly and enjoyable resort). We're staying at ASMu this time because we want to try out the pool games and movies! :goodvibes

Happy planning! :yay:

[lisalonglash]

I second this as well. Especially paying it off when the dollar is up - like today - currently trading over $.84. :banana::cool1:

You can pay off your trip however you'd like with a Disney specialist travel agency too :goodvibes

I was sooo happy to make that call to our awesome agent this morning - we chose to pay off the whole shebang because of the CDN$ dollar :thumbsup2

[SaskDisNut]

You can pay off your trip however you'd like with a Disney specialist travel agency too :goodvibes

I was sooo happy to make that call to our awesome agent this morning - we chose to pay off the whole shebang because of the CDN$ dollar :thumbsup2

Agreed. But I like doing it online. :) Although when I get up at 5AM MDT on July 5th to make ADR's, I'll be wishing I had a great TA to do this for me. :eek:

Congrats on paying off your trip. :thumbsup2 I paid some off a couple of days ago but think I'll pay some more today with the $.84 dollar. Hopefully it will continue to inch up some more and dollar cost averaging will pay off.

[lisalonglash]

Agreed. But I like doing it online. :) Although when I get up at 5AM MDT on July 5th to make ADR's, I'll be wishing I had a great TA to do this for me. :eek:

Yep, I'm looking forward to just sending an email when I've decided which ADRs we'd like, then sleeping while the ADRs are made by our TA :banana:

Sending you some "back to sleep afterwards" vibes! :hug:

Congrats on paying off your trip. :thumbsup2 I paid some off a couple of days ago but think I'll pay some more today with the $.84 dollar. Hopefully it will continue to inch up some more and dollar cost averaging will pay off.

Thank you - we're very excited that the whole thing is paid off! :banana: I figured that 84 cents was decent enough to pay it off (who knows whether we're right or wrong on that one though LOL). We'll be converting some CDN$ into US$ at our local exchange place too (much better deal for us than using the bank!) - wooohoooo :woohoo:

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

OHHHHH I should add we book with Disney directly but we drive. If you want to fly you might want to book with someone else.