1st time booking...on my own or TA service?

[d4est]

I am not sure which is the better (cheaper )way to go....

I want a moderate, CSR or POR, with tickets (no hopping) and the meal plan.

Am I better off doing it all on my own, and maybe evern separately (if I want to play the code game) or is it easier (less stressful, esp. for a noob) to let a TA service like DU take care of things?

Obviously, I want more for less...so what's the inside scoop? Thanks a mill!

 

[rkmassa]

Let a professional take care of it. We have not used DU, but have heard good things about them. We use The Magic For Less. They take care of everything. Deb plays the code game for us, so we always get a great room rate. The packages are nice, but expensive. You have to pay rack rate to get the dining plan. We don't think the difference of rack rate and AP rate is cost effective for us. We save so much more with AP rates.

 

[FLORIDAFUNFAMILY]

you would most likely be better off with a TA, but it doesn't hurt to do the research on your own so you are knowledgeable about rates and dates when you deal with your agent, it cost nothing to call disney direct to get rates and compare to what your TA is telling you. Sometimes they can save you some $$$
I've also gotten quotes that were simple rack racks that were way out. I would
compare a couple of different ones. Happy Magic!!!

 

[d4est]

Thanks for the answers...appreciated! I think I will still do some searching of my own, just so I know my prices.

Another question, when buying an AP, are the savings "usually" worth it if you are really only getting it for room discounts? We only make it to Orlando once a year.

 

[cjsmom5]

In regards to the AP it depends on how many days you are there twice a year. With us, my DS and I are there twice - once for 10 days and once for 5 days. That makes it worth it for us. My DH is only there once a year for less than 8 days ... for him we are seeing that it is better to buy the pass ... especially now with the new structure.

For us it is worth it in two areas: The pass itself and the cost of the room only as we stay for so many days. We typically travel in off peak time and then it saves tons of money getting moderates for as low as $79 a night ... and for deluxes it also saves getting as low as $149 for a deluxe a night. Of course, it depends on whether thye offer AP rates or not and how deep they are ... and that depends on their occupancy.

In regards to the TA. I would use a TA. But, get one that specializes in Disney and monitors the codes. My checks all the codes and always gets me a great rates. I've used her for several years and she works both through email and phone. If you would like I can send you her contact info through the private message ... just let me know.

 

[d4est]

More thanks! Definite on the TA I guess, as is the concensus!

We would only get there once/year for about 5-7 days (depending on whether or not we visit family). I would only buy one in my name for the room discount and discounts while we are there (dining and purchases, right?). For DH and DS, I would just buy passes. Just not sure which would be the way to go...

 

[rkmassa]

Thanks for the answers...appreciated! I think I will still do some searching of my own, just so I know my prices.

Another question, when buying an AP, are the savings "usually" worth it if you are really only getting it for room discounts? We only make it to Orlando once a year.

It was for us. We stayed 5 days at a moderate. Saved on the room. Saved on lots of our meals. Saved at the Mega Disney store in DTD. I bought all my gifts here and saved 10%. Saved on our recreation-boats, etc. I had to buy a ticket no matter what, so I looked at the difference between buying a 5 day hopper and an AP. Then I looked at what I was going to save by getting the AP. It was well worth it for us. I bought only one AP also. Just for me. DH bought a regular ticket.

 

[d4est]

Thanks! If it works out that way, I will definitely buy one AP. Next question, can I do that with the package deal? I mean when adding tickets, is there an option to NOT buy a ticket for one of the party (under the new MYW)?

 

[cjsmom5]

As I understand it, that is not an option. You have to buy tickets for everyone in the party. The bad thing about AP rates is that they don't come out until a couple months prior to the arrival date. So, it is often hard to have a package. That is why many of us do room only ressies and then, in my case, as codes and AP rates come out the TA changes the ressie. Then we buy our own tickets and take care of our meals as we have strange eating habits and many traditions we aren't willing to break ... so it is easier for us. We did a package once to Disneyland and didn't like it as it was very rigid without a lot of flexibility. So now we do rooms only. If you get a good TA they can help you look at the options and figure out what is best for you.

With the AP rate, you don't have to purchase an AP until you actually get the rate. You can book with the AP rate without having actually purchased it. You need to show your AP on check in but not until then. So, perhaps you can get a package a month or so before if no AP rates come out. Again, I"m not quite sure how the package stuff works. Perhaps someone else knows.

 

[d4est]

Okay...so the best plan, at this point, is to use a TA and book room only. A good TA will search out codes for me. As the "day" creeps closer, I can add or change "whatever" and possibly switch to a package if there are no decent codes.

I think I am getting this...

Thanks everyone!

 

[cjsmom5]

It gets confusing but once you've gone through the process it will seem like no big deal. With room only rates there is a 5 day cancellation which gives you a lot of flexibility. Let us know how it all turns out. Good Luck.