Advice needed to book our trip!

[jolary03]

Help! I can't decide if I should book our trip myself through Disney or use one of those online booking agency that will help with reservations and a touring plan? Anyone care to share some advice or pros and cons you have experienced with booking your trips?? Thanks so much!

 

[rwdavis2]

IMHO, the only reason to use a travel agent is so they can monitor for room deals or free dining. I would never let them make fastpass or dining reservations. I've never heard of one that does touring plans for you. It's all easy to do yourself once you set up a My Disney Experience account through the WDW web site.

So, I would not normally use a travel agent. I'd rather keep control of everything myself. Did you have a travel agent in mind? The sponsors of this web site run a travel agency specializing in Disney.

I think , once you book through an agent, any changes to the reservation must be made through an TA must be made through them and not directly through Disney.

 

[Sue M]

I have done both, booked myself and used an online agency. Even though I’m an experienced WDW visitor I mostly use my TA, it saves me time. When discounts are released she is the one on hold. And making a payment is as easy as sending an email. I don’t need help with Touring planning.

If you’re new to WDW I would absolutely use an online Disney TA, making sure she/he knows your needs. There is so much that goes into planning a WDW vacation, and a good TA plus your own research goes a long way to making a successful trip.

A great resource is WDW Unofficial Guide. And their website Touring Plans. Easy WDW is another great web site. Good luck with your planning.

 

[Sue M]

IMHO, the only reason to use a travel agent is so they can monitor for room deals or free dining. I would never let them make fastpass or dining reservations. I've never heard of one that does touring plans for you. It's all easy to do yourself once you set up a My Disney Experience account through the WDW web site.

So, I would not normally use a travel agent. I'd rather keep control of everything myself. Did you have a travel agent in mind? The sponsors of this web site run a travel agency specializing in Disney.

I think , once you book through an agent, any changes to the reservation must be made through an TA must be made through them and not directly through Disney.

Actually I saw a family on a bus at WDW that had a little personalized booklet that was their Touring Plans made up by their TA. It was super cute. Some TAs will make your ADRs and make up a touring plan for you. As I’ve not needed this service I never asked.

 

[rwdavis2]

I have done both, booked myself and used an online agency. Even though I’m an experienced WDW visitor I mostly use my TA, it saves me time. When discounts are released she is the one on hold. And making a payment is as easy as sending an email. I don’t need help with Touring planning.

If you’re new to WDW I would absolutely use an online Disney TA, making sure she/he knows your needs. There is so much that goes into planning a WDW vacation, and a good TA plus your own research goes a long way to making a successful trip.

A great resource is WDW Unofficial Guide. And their website Touring Plans. Easy WDW is another great web site. Good luck with your planning.

This is pretty good advice. The two times we used a TA she got us a better rate at Wilderness Lodge and was able to book us heavily discounted dining on another trip. You just have to make sure the TA knows what they are doing. Our last trip we rented DVC point and so did not really need the services of a TA.

Full disclosure, the TA is a long time friend of ours and she is a Disney fanatic so I trusted her completely.

 

[Owl X]

A knowledgeable travel agent may save you time and money.

Example of a trip last year that I booked through Dreams Unlimited:
A few months after I booked, Disney had a promotion with lower room pricing. My Travel Agent changed the booking to the lower pricing. I would not have even known about the lower pricing.
About 60 days prior to the trip, my Travel Agent reminded me about Fast Pass+ with recommendations for each park. They also provided a list of attractions that would be closed during the trip.
Closer to the trip they checked to make sure I received Magic Bands and Magical Express Tags.

The Dreams Unlimited Travel Agent sends out a newsletter every couple months with Disney news.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I only book through a TA that offers agency exclusive rates. It's the best discounts I've ever found and they book with the discount way before Disney releases discounts. So no watching and I know my price almost a year out. They don't do FPs, ADRs or touring plans. And I'm perfectly ok with that.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

I always book straight through Disney myself because I know exactly what I want and like the control over my reservation. However, if you don't have the time or experience to book yourself then use a travel agent. Be sure to use an agent that specializes in Disney trips. There are a lot of them out there and they know the way to get the best deals and give you the best advice. They should ask you the right questions about what you want in a Disney trip and suggest the best options for you. If you think that you are going to need help with ADRs and touring plans be sure to ask about this up front to be sure that the agency offers these services. Also, remember once you book with a travel agent you will not be able to change anything directly with Disney. The agency owns the reservation and has to make any changes. Good luck. Cheers!!!!!

 

[Epcot242]

Unless you're really hesitant about making the reservation yourself, I'd skip the travel agent. I always book with Undercover Tourist because it usually ends up cheaper than the Disney site and it's really easy to link your reservation to your My Disney Experience account.