How do you book your Disney trip?

[tlriv5]

I have gone through AAA our last three trips, no big deal. Of course they don't really have any discounts that we use and once I had to explain to my travel agent what a Pin that I had received meant. So that made me think that this time around I would just book through Disney directly. My question though is there anyone that you book through that gives extra discounts? We aren't going till October, so not many Disney run specials are out there and I know if I book through Disney they will change it for me if let's say, they add free dining. So, I guess my question is who do use to book your Disney trip and why? Thanks!

 

[angierae]

I have gone through AAA our last three trips, no big deal. Of course they don't really have any discounts that we use and once I had to explain to my travel agent what a Pin that I had received meant. So that made me think that this time around I would just book through Disney directly. My question though is there anyone that you book through that gives extra discounts? We aren't going till October, so not many Disney run specials are out there and I know if I book through Disney they will change it for me if let's say, they add free dining. So, I guess my question is who do use to book your Disney trip and why? Thanks!

If you book your trip and then free dining becomes available for your dates, you can add it on (if there's availability at your resort, you might have to change resorts if there is not.) This is what happened for us - we booked our trip last summer when packages came out, and then in the fall when free dining was announced we called and added it. Luckily, we were able to stay at POFQ.

 

[Robin K]

We use the magic for less travel agency.
We have been using them for 5 years now-6 come Sept! Our agent is wonderful! She keeps tabs on discounts for us and answers all of my questions..and I have had ALOT of questions over the years. She books my ADRS for me. We really love having someone be in charge of things for us. I know some people are not like that..but everyone is different!

 

[JennSaint]

Most of the time I book myself either by phone or online. Most of the discounts are offered right on the disneyworld.com website under special offers. I prefer to have total control over my reservations.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I book online myself. I keep up with the promos that come out and see if a better deal comes up, if it does I swap to that. I don't personally have a need for a TA when I can easily do it all myself. The website and phone CM's make it pretty easy to book a basic package and dining reservations.

 

[tlriv5]

I am all for doing all by myself, I feel comfortable with that. I just wanted to make sure there were no discounts out there from some agency that I didn't know about. Do you do airline tickets through Disney?

 

[PrincessAurora]

I've been using Dream Unlimited and the awesome Beth since 2001! If a lower price comes up, she gets it for me. I am the uber plan ahead organizer and have always had great service!

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I am all for doing all by myself, I feel comfortable with that. I just wanted to make sure there were no discounts out there from some agency that I didn't know about. Do you do airline tickets through Disney?

I didn't book my airfare through Disney because every flight they had to offer me were all connecting flight/no non-stop flights and they were all over $400. I booked myself through Southwest on a non-stop flight for $160 round trip. I would say look for good deals on airfare yourself. I wouldn't book that through Disney. Once you book your own flight you call and give Disney your flight information so they can arrange ME for you from the airport. I called ME myself to make sure they had my flight info.

The only discounts a travel agent can offer you are the same discounts you can get for yourself through Disney special offers page.

 

[jpgpmpcp]

All three trips booked directly through calling Disney. I also had a pin for the last two trips. We decided to fly this year and booked it ourselves using Southwest's website. We actually altered our days from a Tuesday - Tuesday stay as airline tickets were much cheaper ($90 each way)
And we purchased the airline tickets before booking at WDW ~ but only by a few hours!

 

[bowbat]

I book it myself directly with Disney. I'm a bit of a control freak and a dedicated bargain hunter -- I would just frankly be unable to trust that anyone else would be aware of/on top of the available discounts like I am. (Sidebar: it helps that I'm a SAHM with no life, so I have the free time to dedicate to it. )

 

[minnie mum]

I have only once booked a package through a TA and vowed never to subject myself to that kind of mess again. But, full disclosure, this was not one of the dedicated Disney Travel Agencies (although they like to advertise Disney packages all the time for members).

If there's going to be any mistakes made, then I want to be the one making them dang it! Just kidding. I can just as easily check for discounts myself, and know the resorts better than a lot of TAs at this point. And I much prefer booking my own ADRs since I can instantly change times or dates if I can't get my first choice right away.

I would never book my flights through Disney. Nor would I buy their travel insurance. Again, if anything goes wrong, I want the ability to deal directly and not have to go through a third party.

I realize that different people have their own preferences regarding the use of TAs. It's all good. But it's really not difficult or that time consuming if you want to do it yourself. Just takes a bit of research on your part.

 

[JaneBanks]

I also use Beth from Dreams Unlimited and she's always been fantastic!

 

[kmb584]

I book it myself and book sporadically. Our resort for April has been paid for since November but just last week I purchased our airline tickets. When we went in October I bought an AP so my ticket is taken care of, but once we arrive in April I'll be purchasing DD an AP as well (she'll have turned 3 by then).

As for discounts, I get an AP discount when booking our room. Travel agency wise, the best Disney deal here is to book through Boscov's (department store) travel department.

 

[wjb1108]

All three trips booked directly through calling Disney. I also had a pin for the last two trips. We decided to fly this year and booked it ourselves using Southwest's website. We actually altered our days from a Tuesday - Tuesday stay as airline tickets were much cheaper ($90 each way)
And we purchased the airline tickets before booking at WDW ~ but only by a few hours!

I see that people are trading pins for trips. What are pins?

 

[stargazertechie]

I book myself simply because

1) I'm a control freak
2) I work in the travel industry part time

 

[Buffalo2Disney]

I have gone through AAA our last three trips, no big deal. Of course they don't really have any discounts that we use and once I had to explain to my travel agent what a Pin that I had received meant. So that made me think that this time around I would just book through Disney directly. My question though is there anyone that you book through that gives extra discounts? We aren't going till October, so not many Disney run specials are out there and I know if I book through Disney they will change it for me if let's say, they add free dining. So, I guess my question is who do use to book your Disney trip and why? Thanks!

Booking through AAA gets you a % off your price, simply for just booking through AAA. They have a deal with Disney. So if your looking for extra discounts AAA was already giving you one, atleast they always do for me. I have booked my last 3 trips through them and never had a problem. Maybe ask to use a different agent there?

 

[TXPyroMom]

We used a TA for our first trip and I wasn't wow'd. She was from a major Disney travel agency, but she didn't seem as excited or as knowledgeable as I wanted her to be. I booked that trip at 170 days out and she told me if I really wanted CRT reservations that it would be a good idea for me to make her own because she was going to be at her other job when the reservation line opened up It was all very strange.

For this trip, I went with a different well known Disney travel agency, and it's still not what I expected.

Next year I will be booking through Disney. I love hearing people tell stories about how great their TAs are, but I just haven't had that experience.

 

[Fanboy]

I book through Fairytale Destinations up here in Ontario. They gave me great service and advice on my first trip and, even though I don't really need much of the advice anymore (thanks to the DISboard), I feel good knowing that I can help their business out.

 

[Dsnyfireman]

We always go with disney directly. I research it on the web site and then call and book. If I have a pin or there is a discount they tell me about it. Two times I have tried our local disney specialist travel agent and their price has always been much higher than disney directly. This past trip the TA was about $1200 or more over disney. I book airfare with disney as well, have looked at doing it separate but never found much savings from portland maine to MCO . I like having all my stuff through Disney incase something goes wrong, I only have to call one place and they will do what they can. They are helpful and great! Have a great trip!!

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I always book with a local travel agent I know well. She's been nothing but wonderful in getting me discounts and great airfares. I could do it all myself but prefer to leave it in her capable hands.