Advice for Canadian

[Kerrilyn]

Hi Everyone!
I just joined the forum today and I am so happy that I found it! I have so many questions! We are planning our first trip to Disneyworld this July. It will be the four of us: me, the husby and our two girls, ages 6 and 8.
Should I go with a Canadian travel agency that specializes in Disney vacays? Should I go with something based in the US? Should we drive or fly? Book flight and hotel together or book a resort and fly out of the US instead of Canada? Should we do our research and book everything ourselves? Where should I start? Have I waited too long? It all seems so overwhelming to me, I have no idea where to begin. I only have one friend that I know has visited Disney so my information is limited. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Disneylover99]

Your first trip can be so overwhelming. Our first two trips we booked everything through a travel agent because we didn't know what we were doing. So we booked the airfare, and package that includes hotel and tickets. Now I book everything separate because I find better deals. Airfare is the trickiest. Flying from Toronto was getting so expensive, so now we fly out of Buffalo.

I had good experiences using a travel agent. I would recommend using one for a first trip. Good luck!

 

[Kristina4109]

I recommend using a travel agency that specializes in Disney. We once used a T.A. that did not and we found that we had to micro manage our T.A. We had to call or email to let them know when free dining became available. Not fun. We switched to using a Disney Vacation planning T.A. and it's so much better.

 

[HotMama]

You will find lots of advice here!

 

[MammerJammer]

I would use a travel agency. Probably Canadian in your situation. I know one that people rave about around here. I'd fly, personally. My friend had the travel agent book the hotel and then she booked her flight herself. I would start with the travel agent and booking your hotel/tickets/do you want a dining plan? And then I'd book your flight. Then you can book any advanced dining reservations you'd like Good luck! I was a total newb two months ago and now I feel like I can talk at length about DW--it can be done LOL

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

We use a travel agent from CAA. They have 'Disney Specialist' travel agents and we've always felt like we have received excellent service. This year I did book our own flights for the first time, but we will continue to use a CAA Travel Agent for our trips. We are going in August - prepare yourself for the heat in July too!
I would suggest get a TA, your flights, then book dining reservations. These boards are a great place to start. I have received tons of information here.
Happy Planning

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi Kerrilyn,

You may want to join your fellow Canucks over on the Canadian Trip Planning Board. You can find that here:

http://www.disboards.com/forums/canadian-trip-planning-community-board.19/

Most of us have been in your exact situation at one point or another, so you can generally get some great advice.

In answer to the question posed in your original post, we used a Canadian, Disney-specialized TA for our first trip, and we flew (airfare also booked through a travel agent). After that initial trip, we researched and learned enough to feel comfortable booking all the little details for subsequent trips ourselves......but for that first kick at the cat, it was nice having someone experienced to take care of things for us.

 

[Sailormoon2]

Canadian-going in August. Total type A personality, so I researched HEAVILY! Read all the boards and websites I could fine. Bought and read the entire, Unofficial guide. Booked flights myself at a rate I deemed acceptable back in early Feb. Realized that even my "disney-specialist" TA here in Ottawa didn't have half the knowledge I had acquired so switched to Dreamsunlimited. I got the exact same pricing as going through Disney direct but with the help of an agent who would (hopefully) continue to monitor deals/sales/offers as they came available and apply them to my package (I am really hoping for free-dinning). There price was actually about 350$ less than the Canadian TA (yes, I am factoring for exchange). I could not be happier with the service provided (they will make all your ADRs too-of course I had already done mine).
The other factor that swayed me was that I only had to make a deposit with balance owing 45 days out (but could continue to make payments in advance if I chose) through Dreams, but the CDN TA wanted all money up front

 

[Kerrilyn]

WOW! Thanks so much everyone! This is all terrific advice. I had a few of the same ideas myself - use TA for the first trip, figure some things out myself subsequently - but I wasn't really sure. With all the research I've done thus far, I feel quite comfortable booking flights on my own and crossing the border to get them. I will gladly leave everything else to someone else! Now to find a suitable TA... Onward!

 

[jesswindsor]

Welcome!!!

 

[cerph1]

Definitely use a travel agency. My wife and I were driving ourselves crazy trying to book our vacation on line by ourselves. We finally called a local travel agent and we had the whole trip (airplane, resort hotel, tickets, etc.) all booked in 15 minutes!

I also recommend getting yourself a copy of "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2015" by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa. This very thick paperback book has an enormous amount of valuable information to help you plan your trip and activities at Disneyworld. Not only does it "prepare" you, it's an entertaining read and also adds to the fun and anticipation while you're counting down the days 'till you leave! Have a great time!