Best way to book?

[bbangel]

What have people found is the best way to book their vacations? We will be doing our flights with airmiles. Do you use CAA or book on line directly? Anyone had a really good experience through a travel agency?

 

[Figment's friends]

I am using dreamsunlimited for the first time. So far I am REALLY happy- Have gotten EVERY PS I have asked her to book at the perfect times- no hassles.

 

[nkm]

I have been trying to contact my CAA agent for almost a week now with no luck. All I want is a quote. ARGGHH!!!

I got a quote through DreamsUnlimited Travel, and theres was exactly the amount through Disney itself.

So I have no idea who I am going to book through.

Who did you end up going with?

nkm

 

[bbangel]

I haven't decided yet. My travel partner can't decide on dates. I am having the same trouble with CAA. I have been in contact with Marion from Small World and she has been very helpful. I think I will end up booking with her.

 

[maxie]

Book directly thru Disney. If you have a CAA membership ask for the CAA rate.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I too vote for directly through Disney. I prefer to have complete control over my ressies - don't want to have a middleman. If you have CAA then ask when booking with Disney for the CAA/AAA rate.

 

[nkm]

I did call Disney directly the other night, and asked for the CAA/AAA rate, and was then told if I wanted to add dining and tickets to the room (which we do) that I would have to go directly through CAA.

So confusing.

nkm

 

[maxie]

I did call Disney directly the other night, and asked for the CAA/AAA rate, and was then told if I wanted to add dining and tickets to the room (which we do) that I would have to go directly through CAA.

So confusing.

nkm

If you want a package with a CAA discount you need to go thru CAA. If you are booking a room only reservation with a CAA discount you can do it yourself.


ETA: This is what Mousesavers has to say in regards to packages.


Is a Disney Vacation Package For You?
A lot of people like Disney's vacation packages because they are convenient and worry-free. However, it is important to note that the standard full-price Disney vacation packages offered by Disney, American Express, Delta Vacations and other tour operators are designed for convenience rather than savings. With the exception of AAA (American Automobile Club) vacation packages, you will NOT automatically get a discount by purchasing a package! It is frequently cheaper to book a "room only" reservation with the AAA discount or another discount and then buy the package components (tickets, meals, etc) separately.

In fact, it used to be that Disney's vacation packages were consistently more expensive than purchasing the components separately. However, Disney has responded to complaints and made package prices more consistent with paying full price for the separate components. Also, Disney sometimes offers special seasonal package discounts. You have to know the special discount codes, which I list here when available.

Most Disney World packages must be purchased through Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC). The WDTC rules about advance payment, cancellations and changes are usually much more restrictive than those associated with "room only" reservations, so be sure to inquire about the restrictions.

It can be difficult to sort out what is best for your particular situation. That's why I think it's a good idea to have someone knowledgable on your side, making sure all the details are covered. My advice is this: if you want to book a Walt Disney World vacation package, I strongly recommend using a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. It costs you nothing, and you can sit back, relax, and have all the vacation planning and hassle taken care of by someone else.

 

[nkm]

For us including dining and tickets into the package is the best bet. I just wanted to be able to book without having to go through CAA for the room discount since they don't seem interested in calling me back!! :-( Guess it's not going to work that way.

 

[Lizziejane]

If I call and get a CAA rate, do I have to have a CAA membership immediately, or do I just need to join by the time I check in?

Also, can we just purchase the tickets and dining plan at check in, rather than having to do it all through CAA?

Those Disney people sure make us work for our discounts!!

 

[maxie]

If I call and get a CAA rate, do I have to have a CAA membership immediately, or do I just need to join by the time I check in?

Also, can we just purchase the tickets and dining plan at check in, rather than having to do it all through CAA?

Those Disney people sure make us work for our discounts!!

You can call directly to Disney and make a room only reservation without a CAA membership. You just need to present the card on check-in.

You could purchase tickets at the resort (not sure about upgrading to a package with the dining plan ) but it's would be cheaper to buy then through one of the online brokers than at the resort or CAA.

Mousesavers would have links to reputable online brokers.

 

[amw]

You can call directly to Disney and make a room only reservation without a CAA membership. You just need to present the card on check-in.

You could purchase tickets at the resort (not sure about upgrading to a package) but it's would be cheaper to buy than through one of the online brokers than at the resort or CAA.

Mousesavers would have links to reputable online brokers.

I absolutely agree. Ticketmania.com is a great broker. They were by far the cheapest when we went last Spet -- even with the dollar at 70 cents. (You guys have it so good right now ) Free shipping. If you sign up for the mousesavers newsletter, you can get an additional small discount.

 

[laura001]

I absolutely agree. Ticketmania.com is a great broker. They were by far the cheapest when we went last Spet -- even with the dollar at 70 cents. (You guys have it so good right now ) Free shipping. If you sign up for the mousesavers newsletter, you can get an additional small discount.

I just booked a room only reservation for next May, they told me the CAA discount was not out yet, but said that I could apply it when it comes out. I have every intention of booking tickets and dining as soon as the packages come out, are you saying I should not do this on my own? I should either do it through a travel agent or something like Ticketmania?

 

[maxie]

I just booked a room only reservation for next May, they told me the CAA discount was not out yet, but said that I could apply it when it comes out. I have every intention of booking tickets and dining as soon as the packages come out, are you saying I should not do this on my own? I should either do it through a travel agent or something like Ticketmania?

No we're saying it's usually cheaper to book everything seperate rather than with a package and that includes a CAA package. Unless it's a package with free dining it's cheaper to book seperately.

Room - book yourself with a CAA rate, other code that comes out or a Annual Pass rate.

Tickets - cheapest if you buy through a ticket outlet like Ticketmania. If you collect Air Miles you can redeem them for passes as well.

Dining - the plan may or may not be worth it. Hard to tell. If the money you save on the dining plan is eaten up by the money you spend on tickets you may come out even. You would have to crunch the numbers. Do you not have to buy the dining plan for the whole length of stay? If you're visiting US or SW than it's not going to be worth having the dining plan for those days. Or if lets say someone is not feeling well, a picky eater or whatever you may be paying for food that they aren't eating. The dining plan may cost more than if you paid for the meals directly. It would depend on many variable.

ETA: A CAA 7 day PH that expires is currently $289 U.S. (for members) and Ticketmaster has it for $239 U.S.

 

[amw]

Dining - the plan may or may not be worth it. Hard to tell. If the money you save on the dining plan is eaten up by the money you spend on tickets you may come out even. You would have to crunch the numbers. Do you not have to buy the dining plan for the whole length of stay? If you're visiting US or SW than it's not going to be worth having the dining plan for those days. Or if lets say someone is not feeling well, a picky eater or whatever you may be paying for food that they aren't eating. The dining plan may cost more than if you paid for the meals directly. It would depend on many variable.QUOTE]


The Dining Plan never appealed to me -- reminds me of residence meals in university where if you didn't spend your points, you lost them

I have never stayed onsite, and prefer to book everything on my own. Just an A-type planner We always ate breakfast at our hotel before going, had counter-service lunch at the parks, and then ate at off-site restaurants for dinner. It didn't appeal to me that with the Dining Plan, you'd be forced to eat Disney non-stop, and that you'd have to book your seating so far in advance. That would really put me over the edge!

Of course... if it was free... but I think they up the price of the packages to compensate

 

[amw]

My computer is messing up. Sorry for multiple postings.

 

[amw]

My computer is messing up. Sorry for multiple postings.

 

[amw]

ETA: A CAA 7 day PH that expires is currently $289 U.S. (for members) and Ticketmaster has it for $239 U.S.

And, if you don't want the hopper it's currently $206 for a 7-day, $211 for an 8-day at ticketmania.

http://ticketmania.biz/shop/7_Day_Tickets.asp

It's been awhile, but the old Mousesavers newsetter used to save you an additional 5% off that too. Every dollar counts

 

[Lizziejane]

for the replies...I checked ticketmania and they are definitely a little cheaper. I think in our case the dining plan would be the best deal - two boys - eat me out of house and home, so even if we spend 2 days at Universal, they'll pick up any "left-overs" on the dining plan without any problem. A friend of mine used the dining plan earlier this year, and she said that their dinners alone were worth $40 each daily.

Still looking for an answer as to when to purchase the dining plan - at check-in?

 

[maxie]

for the replies...I checked ticketmania and they are definitely a little cheaper. I think in our case the dining plan would be the best deal - two boys - eat me out of house and home, so even if we spend 2 days at Universal, they'll pick up any "left-overs" on the dining plan without any problem. A friend of mine used the dining plan earlier this year, and she said that their dinners alone were worth $40 each daily.

Still looking for an answer as to when to purchase the dining plan - at check-in?

A dining plan has to be part of a package and I think that would have to be booked ahead of time not at check-in. If you're getting a package you have to book through CAA to get their discount. It's better than nothing but would save you some money rather than booking a package through Disney.