Book Online or With A Travel Agent

[shaz105]

Hi

i am in a dilema at the moment i am not sure whether to book my trip to Disneyland next year online doing it myself or should I do it through my local travel agent.

I have already book my accomdation when in Anhaiem we will be staying at Howard Johnson. I have book the Disneyland tickets yeah or the flights just not sure if i will get a good deal with the Travel Agent.

I am also going to Walt Disney World I have not book our accomdation or anything in Orlando at the moment.

I feel that i am also waiting for the travel agent I feel she is doing the trip not me.

Am I just crazy

 

[shushh]

Sharon, how exciting! I am envious of everyone whose Disney holiday starts before mine!

Prior to my Disney cruise this upcoming April, I've never booked holidays with a travel agent. However, I've booked both our cruises with American travel agents who specialise in Disney. I will also be booking our Orlando part with the same TA. They have been fantastic so far, and are able to automatically apply any discounts to your bookings as well as making dining reservations on your behalf. They have been invaluable with the cruise bookings, I know that Australian TA are not able to match their prices.

I don't know much about bookings with a travel agent for Disneyland though.

Go with what you're comfortable with!

 

[kylieh]

You could ask a travel agent for their best price for the flights, but generally they won't be any different to the Qantas/V Australia/etc sites. We've never had any probs booking directly with Qantas, and much prefer it.

Re the tickets. I know from thumbing through this years Qantas brochure they are a lot more exe than purchasing from Expedia.com.au or direct from Disneyland. If you print out the Expedia quote and take to Flight Centre some have reported Flight Centre matching that price.

For last years trip we booked our accom and Disneyland tickets through Getaway Today as at the time they had a brilliant offer which we couldn't match elsewhere. For next year we're planning to stay at DLH so I've rang and booked with them directly. Flights with Qantas, a couple of internal flights in the US (we're going to LV too,) still have limos and a few other things to go when we're closer.

Do some research and go with what's more comfortable for you.

 

[shaz105]

Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it. I am still waiting for the travel agent to get back to us regarding prices. I have already done my figures so I do know what things are going to cost if I dont get what i want I will do it myself just like the accomdation in anhaiem no trave agency could get the kid suite so i contacted HOJO directly got them.

Anyhow hope everything else trip planning is going well

 

[Kangarucci]

The first time we went as a family in 2004, I booked all through a TA with the exception of the Disneyland Annual Pass which I bought directly with Disney. This allowed discounted shopping, restaurant meals and accommodation at the Disney hotels.

 

[Kangarucci]

In 2005 we went to Canada, San Fransico and Anaheim. I only booked flights, both international and domestic and car hire with an Aus. TA, the rest was done online.

In 2007 we went to New York, Washington DC, Orlando and a Caribbean Disney Cruise. This time I only booked flights thru the Aus. TA. Easy to book online and alot cheaper.

The Disney Cruise was booked via an US TA. (You can get shipboard credit booking thru them as well as what Disney may have on offer at the time.) As we left before our cruise documents were sent out I arranged for them to be picked up at the port. I was worried that there may have been a hiccup with this but there wasn't a problem. They will send the documents to your home address, the port or to a Disney hotel.

I am now in the process of organising our 2010 West bound Transatlantic Disney Cruise. We couldn't wait until 2011!

 

[hjd0411]

I have used Qantas Holidays for some parts of my holidays and most others I have booked online. I just find that I can get exactly what I want online. Generally I book accommodation direct (I am staying in a townhouse at Windsor Hills next year and I got a great deal direct with the owner online), my internal flights online through the airline websites, car hire online through an Australian car hire company (Global Cars).
As others have said it really depends on what you are comfortable with. I just love getting on line and sussing everything out!! (This is me most of my days off...!!!)
Have a great holiday and enjoy your planning however you do it!!

 

[disneymum2201]

Ive done both. I always do price comparison. Our first trip was a special through qantas that included land $ free with the airfares. Since then it has mostly been cheaper to do airfares direct with the airlines concerned especially if I have used frequent flyer points for portions.
We did save quite a bit with expedia usa the internal flight with accom was cheaper than the flight on its own.
I agree though. I get a lot of enjoyment doing it myself.

 

[DizOz]

I have to agree with most of the replies. I found in 2007 it much cheaper to book online than using an Australian TA. For 14 nights at WDW it saved me over $1500 for the same room. I do use the TA's to arrange flights and transfers as they are a little more complicated and found TA transfers cheaper.

This time we have used a TA in the USA called Dreams Unlimited which is associated with DIS. THey got me the same rate as the internet and claim they will change that booking automatically when specials/discounts become available.

 

[shaz105]

Hi

Just thought I will let you know where I am at with booking the trip.
I contact Dreams Unlimited after speaking you lovel people and found that the service was excellent. We are thinking that we will go with the quote we were provided with.

Also the chance that if there are any discounts that this will be take off the price is great as well.