Best way to purchase tickets and hotel?

[Dukland]

We are planning on visiting DisneyLand this summer. Last year was the first time we have gone as a family, and our children's first trip. Last year, I booked through a travel agent. We want to go when Pirates is open, which means we will be going in July or August. What's the best way to purchase tickets and hotel? I have looked online at Disneyland website, but when I got a quote for the same vacation, one with airfare and one without, I was quoted the same exact price. How can that be? I can't help feeling there must be an easier way. Anyone have any tips? We are looking to book the trip as soon as we get our tax refund back.

Thanks!

 

[spazzyjazzy]

www.getawaytoday.com for the hotel and tickets. I don't think they offer airfare.

 

[mickeysgal]

I would go straight to the attraction's website and compare prices. For example, although getawaytoday.com is showing a great price on Universal Studios, keep in mind that it also charges a $10 ticket handling fee. This pushes the total cost of a ticket higher than what US is offering on their Hot Deals right now.

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

If you've got the time, bargain hunt. Getawaytoday does have some awesome package deals which are many times cheaper than purchasing tix/hotel separately.....but not always. You can also purchase just tickets or just hotel from them at some good rates -- my sis did that last year because she could get cheaper tickets with them but cheaper hotel by booking on her own.

Personally I like to book everything separately through the hotel/airline themselves. It gives me more control over things like room type, ensures me a non-smoking room (expedia, getawaytoday, etc. don't), gives me a better cancellation policy.

Ah.....but if you're considering flying, keep an eye on expedia and the like. We don't get those good deals here because we're so close, but I hear that others have gotten really good deals (like hotel almost free or really cheap) with air + hotel packages.

 

[hlbtimes2]

There is no cut and dry answer. Researching the dates and possibilities is the only way to know for sure. For example, I have two trips coming up. One in March (next week!) and one in May. The March trip was booked as a package through Disney travel. I was able to take advantage of the kids fly free/ play free special that ends in April. I had tried to book it through expedia, travelocity, get away today, AAA and WDT. WDT had the best rate, I was able to make payments on it, and it included their few little extras. The May trip is all booked seperatly. Hotel directly through the candy cane inn, tickets bought at military base in CA, airfair through Orbitz.com. I spent hours booking each trip to find what worked for us.

 

[kristenhh]

I found that booking everything separately was the cheapest deal for me. I had a range of 5-6 hotels that were a possibility (the ones right across the street) and I searched to find the best prices. I also looked at package deals, but since there were no "deals" on disney tickets during the time I was going, they were not a good deal either.

I looked at the hotel's websites, disney packages, getawaytoday, and more. I found the best hotel deal on Travelocity. The website of the hotel I picked (Best Western Park Place Inn) didn't even show availability for some of the days, but Travelocity had them, and for a great price.

I will just get my passes from the Disney Store, or hope for another special, like adults paying the kid's price.