Best deal, booking through Disney or a TA???

[mcever4]

I have ALWAYS booked my own trips directly through Disney mainly because I like to have control of everything regarding my trip. I am comfortable doing it myself, am always checking for the discounts, etc. I have heard others say they have gotten a better deal through a travel agency. Is this possible, and if so, about how much could they save you? I would be willing to let someone else book for me ( with me planning, of course!) if it could save me a few hundred dollars! Anyone have any experience saving through an agent versus Disney directly?

Robin

 

[mickeynut1]

I have ALWAYS booked my own trips directly through Disney mainly because I like to have control of everything regarding my trip. I am comfortable doing it myself, am always checking for the discounts, etc. I have heard others say they have gotten a better deal through a travel agency. Is this possible, and if so, about how much could they save you? I would be willing to let someone else book for me ( with me planning, of course!) if it could save me a few hundred dollars! Anyone have any experience saving through an agent versus Disney directly?

Robin

There's not usually any cost difference between booking through Disney yourself or going through a TA. However, sometimes agencies get blocks of rooms and then offer agency exclusive discounts that can sometimes be more of a savings over what you will find through a Disney discount, but those usually come with very limited dates as well as limited resort choices.

 

[mommyrosa2]

There's not usually any cost difference between booking through Disney yourself or going through a TA. However, sometimes agencies get blocks of rooms and then offer agency exclusive discounts that can sometimes be more of a savings over what you will find through a Disney discount, but those usually come with very limited dates as well as limited resort choices.

This ...

We got one of these "magical" deals that mickeynut1 is referring to. We were able to book a room at the GF for this coming August at just about 50% off thru their agency exclusive! You'll never be able to get that type of discount thru Disney directly.

As for owning the reservation...yes, the TA is the one who has to book it for you and you do pay them rather than Disney directly. But, once you book and get your confirmation number, you link it to you MDE account and you are able to make your own dining reservations & FP's and everything shows up on your account - was very easy! While I normally prefer to handle my own travel, I would not hesitate to go thru a TA again for that type of discount!

 

[Nezumi Fan]

But, once you book and get your confirmation number, you link it to you MDE account and you are able to make your own dining reservations & FP's and everything shows up on your account - was very easy!

I didn't realize it worked like that -- thank you! I had been worried about the ADRs since I absolutely love messing around on the websites trying to book (and rebook, and rebook) restaurants and experiences. Anticipating the magic six months in advance is for me absolutely part of the experience. I'd love to stay at the GF someday if it were possible; at 50%, maybe it will be!

Nezumi Fan

 

[mommyrosa2]

I didn't realize it worked like that -- thank you! I had been worried about the ADRs since I absolutely love messing around on the websites trying to book (and rebook, and rebook) restaurants and experiences. Anticipating the magic six months in advance is for me absolutely part of the experience. I'd love to stay at the GF someday if it were possible; at 50%, maybe it will be!

Nezumi Fan

Oh yes...

Any room changes, requests, and/or cancellations go thru your TA (they also handle your magical express booking as well), but the rest, you can do. I actually enjoy making all my ADR's as well and with all the tweaks and changes I do, I would actually hate having to depend on anyone else to handle that for me! As for picking fastpasses...don't even get me started there

 

[alyssa18o6]

I priced vacations for a few weeks and then decided to get a quote from a TA. There was about a $120ish difference in price using the TA.

I haven't decided what were going to do yet as I too love having control. I don't like that I can't call in and make adjustments to my room and that I'd have to go through the TA for that. It's minor, but I just like to make things are done correctly :/

 

[coriwis]

We booked originally directly with Disney (I am the same way about wanting control!). We booked in the hope that our week would fall during free dining. Alas, it did not. So I found a TA that was able to save me around a $1,000 for 7 nights at the GF with her agency exclusive room block. That is almost what free dining would have saved us! We've made several changes already on our reservation and while you have to have the TA do them it hasn't been bad at all. We have found our TA to be very responsive. I also did all if my own ADRs and the linked up to our new reservation easily. Our TA had discounted rooms a at several properties...if memory serves I know GF, WL and POR were included. Good luck!

 

[MillauFr]

What were the rates the TA was quoting for the GF? I booked the Poly after they quoted me $212 inclusive of all taxes per night. Seemed like a good deal to me even with the construction.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I always price the packages on the disney site, but book our trips through a TA that does nothing but disney vacations... and the prices have always been the same with both. I have never seen one more or less over the other. I go through the TA because it is stress free. When a discount comes out, they are on the phone as soon as the lines open up and I don't have to do a thing. I just wait for the email confirmation. They also can book my dining ADRs if needed but I like to do that myself. It is just great working through them, they go above and beyond.

 

[tyniknate]

We saved about $1200 on our two rooms we booked through the travel agent. I like having control, but I like having an extra $1200 even more.

 

[heidia]

What were the rates the TA was quoting for the GF? I booked the Poly after they quoted me $212 inclusive of all taxes per night. Seemed like a good deal to me even with the construction.

What dates?! I'd totally put up with the construction mess at the poly for that price!

 

[MillauFr]

I believe it was Aug 17 to sept 2. They have discounts on other dates but I do know the rates.

 

[ShellieB]

I would love to know which TA as well! I have always wanted to stay at the Poly!!

 

[stinkpickle]

You might as well just post the name.

 

[gdrj]

What were the rates the TA was quoting for the GF? I booked the Poly after they quoted me $212 inclusive of all taxes per night. Seemed like a good deal to me even with the construction.

What dates?! I'd totally put up with the construction mess at the poly for that price!

I don't think I would stay even with that price. Main pool closed, half of resort walled off, temporary walls all over the place, views and noise of construction. Quick service temporary location, Parking impacted. Outside paths blocked. My wife on the other hand would probably stay if she could see the castle at night changing color.

 

[MillauFr]

I don't think I would stay even with that price. Main pool closed, half of resort walled off, temporary walls all over the place, views and noise of construction. Quick service temporary location, Parking impacted. Outside paths blocked. My wife on the other hand would probably stay if she could see the castle at night changing color.

Any hotel where I don't have tolerate 15 to 20 minute travel times to the park is good for me. We are used to going to Disneyland where we can stay offsite and walk from our hotel room to the front gates at Disneyland in 10 minutes.

The price at the Contemporary was a little more but the lack of theme there seems worse than staying at construction site. The place looks like an airport hotel to me. Besides with all of the construction it will feel just like home. Seattle is one big construction site with tower cranes all over the place.