Best way to make reservations

[nala'smom]

What do you think is the best way to make resort reservations? The disney website, calling disney directly, travel agent, AAA, etc?

 

[DisneyMusician2]

Definately a local TA, if you have one. Or one of the specialist sites would work.

Make sure they are "Earmarked" (meaning they have graduated from the College of Disney Knowledge!) (I just like saying that!)

Good luck planning, PM if you need an agent or see above!

 

[petchie]

Dreams Unlimited sponsors the very boards you are posting on! They will help and are great to work with.

 

[rwdavis]

My preference is to deal directly with Disney, airline, etc. To me the more levels you put between you and the services you want to purchase just leaves more chances for error. Although the Disney specialists may be OK. I'd never reserve through Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

In fact I wouldn't make hotel reservations through the Disney web site either. IMHO, it's just too cumbersome and incomplete.
Bob

 

[themcgoos]

We have done it several ways - all AAA, all ourselves via WDW, partial AAA (made our own flights), partial WDW (made our own flights). We prefer partial AAA - we book package and dining through AAA and make our own flight reservations - because it works best for us. Other folks situations will differ, of course....Our AAA office has at least one Disney Specialist TA and we talk to her, email her and pick up the paperwork at the local office - works great for us....

 

[polyforme]

Does anyone happen to know if you book thru a AAA agent if you can get the room discount and then if the free dining comes out, get that as well??
Thanks
Kathy

 

[frdeb1999]

We prefer using a TA. Just less muss and fuss for us.

 

[buzznina]

We buy our AP's from AAA and since the AP discounts have always been better then AAA rates, we do our own booking of resorts either through WDW website or calling WDW directly. I believe in skipping the middle man.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

We rent points from a dvc member.

 

[Jrabbit910]

If its your first time booking I would go thru a "authorized" ta like Dreams Unlimited. This way they will always look out for current codes and discounts for the time that you are going. If you book thru Disney direct you can always ask if there are any current promotions for the time of travel or know what the codes/promotions are when you call. Most of the time if you dont ask or know about it, they wont tell you about them.

 

[mickeynut1]

I book directly through Disney and have always gotten very nice, helpful CMs who seem to want to help in any way they can

 

[Avonlady1001]

I would try them all and see which gives you the best price, then go w/that one. Last time I booked through AAA, this trip, I used my TA - all depends on which way saves me the most $$. I think this is one thing you should shop around for.

 

[liftn]

personally, I like doing everything myself. Has nothing to do with money or errors, I just get excited when planning the vacation.

"Getting there is half the fun" Clark Griswald

 

[dishm12/08]

I prefer to deal with Disney and the airlines directly as well. Just a preference.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I prefer to pick up the phone and book with WDW directly.

For airline tickets and car rentals, I use the internet.

 

[anniegsu]

The first time we booked through AAA and saved $80. The second time my AAA membership ran out, so I decided to call Disney direct. We were offered to upgrade from POR to YC for $250 more for our 7 night stay!! I asked the CSR what the catch was and she said it was some random thing that pops up on the computer. Her theory was that Disney knows that we have stayed before at a moderate and by having us stay at a deluxe will never want to go back to a moderate! Well we don't but our paycheck does. I booked directly again this year and didn't get the upgrade, but trust me I asked!! No YC for us this year But we love POR
So, it may be worth shopping around!!