best way to book vacation

[AJPPGH]

I am planning a trip to WDW in January and was wondering what everyone thought was the best way to book it. I stopped by AAA today and had them map it out for me. They put everything together in one package that included hotel (Poly) airfare, park passes and dining passes. Seemed like it was a good deal...the airfare and hotel was very similiar to what I got on Expedia. Or should I maybe try an independent travel agent or go directly to the airlines and WDW. My goal is to of course get the best price but also to go as hassle-free as possible.


thanks,
AJ

 

[DisFhan]

I have booked through AAA a couple of times and I booked everything myself also. I never have had any trouble with AAA and my last trip was just as easy to book through them...Good luck....

 

[nutty4wdw]

make sure you try looking at each separately. i have found that booking directly with airline, hotel, tickets turns out cheaper. packages are not always the cheapest way to go.

also cancellation policies are usually better by dealing directly with the resort. check the cancellation policy of your package.

does the package include things you will pay for but not use. many people get sucked in to what seems like a great deal only to realize they didn't use half the perks the package offered.

just keep looking before you decide if $$ is your main goal.

 

[doe3001]

EXPEDIA is too risky. Once they charge your credit card you are on your own. Even Wikipedia mention about customers complaining about several aspect of EXPEDIA's services. (read the entry in wikipedia).
In my case they tried to scam me (1,254.95 U$D).

 

[jobie61]

I always book everything on my own. It is much easier for me to purchase airline, car rentals, disney room, tickets by myself. This way I'm able to wait for deals offered by the airlines (SW and Airtran) and car rental companies. Getting a third party involved these days, to me serves no benefit.

It is more what you feel comfortable with.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

Personally, I use a combination of both, but end up going straight to the source to book. I didn't do this for Disney (because I already knew I'd be staying onsite so I only had to go to their website for this), but for other trips I've used Expedia or a similar website to get an idea of availability and prices for transportation and lodging. I let Expedia do all of the heavy lifting of checking dozens of different hotels and airlines. But, once I have an idea of what hotels have some occupancy and what airlines are charging for different flights, I then go to that hotel or airline website and book directly through them. I just get more of a warm-fuzzy knowing that my reservation and money went directly to them instead of a 3rd party.

 

[blessedby3]

I prefer to book my own reservations for air, hotel and tickets myself. Good luck to you and have fun planning it

 

[rgf207]

EXPEDIA is too risky. Once they charge your credit card you are on your own. Even Wikipedia mention about customers complaining about several aspect of EXPEDIA's services. (read the entry in wikipedia).
In my case they tried to scam me (1,254.95 U$D).

This is why I will never use an online travel agent.

I read through your web site too. It seems like you have a very strong hate towards expedia.

I don't want to be off topic here which it seems like I am going but I have some recommendations for your site. If you would like to get a point across in a more professional manner, do a little more research and don't continue on with the accusations you are making especially about the "attacks" on your guestbook.
You are not being attacked by any person, let alone from expedia. Since your guestbook is open to posting from anonye, spammers use bots (automated scripts) to sift through sites and use HTML Post forms with no security to unleash their spam. They can send about 1000 or more per second. It happens everywhere and I can guarantee that is't not expedia.

If you would like more info, please PM me. I am not trying to be rude. There are just better ways to get your point across.

 

[cinderkelli]

I used Travelocity when I booked my trip and it was great! I had no issues at all. I see above someone said the service with Expedia was bad, and that you were on your own after you booked. Well, I know Travelocity has a really good guarantee about if your trip isn't exactly what you wanted they will make it right. So you aren't alone after you book.

As far as prices, I thought I got a pretty good deal. The tickets may have been a bit more but with what I saved on room + flight I think it was worth it.