Book with Disney or Expedia?

[Peyton's Mom]

I am looking to book my first Disney trip for May. I was wondering if it is better to book my flight, resort, and everything through Disney. I found the same package on Expedia. Is there an advantage to one over the other? Thanks!

 

[aristocat65]

Definitely go with Disney if the price is the same. While there is no problem with Expedia, if you need to make any changes at all it is a hassle. They usually charge a booking fee also. I booked a one night Disney hotel with Expedia over new years 2008 to add to our Disney booked package (for some reason, Expedia had a room at the hotel for that night that I wasn't able to get through Disney) It was fine except that I had to make a separate call to Magical Express to book our airport pickup because this couldn't be done through Expedia. I also think it is just easier to deal with Disney for any changes. If you book with Expedia, they are your travel agent and Disney will not deal directly with you. I always book directly with Disney (or with my sister who owns a travel agency - she doesn't need my business though and sometimes I like to save her the hassle of having to deal with my changes!) You may want to book your flight yourself though, as you'd likely get a better price on that, than through Disney
HTH

 

[smidgen21]

I've always had goodl uck with Expedia in the past, but we just returned from FL last night. After leaving Orlando we headed up to St. Augustine to see family. We were not pleased with the hotel we booked through Expedia and it took a lot of hassle and over an hour to cancel the room. At first they weren't even going to give me a refund (we found black mold in the bathroom, both boys have asthma...there is no way we were going to stay there). After a lot of hassle they finally refunded our money, but I'll never book through them again.

Just a side note, we have booked trips through Travelocity and have always had great customer service. We once checked into a hotel where the pool was closed (the gnome forgot to drop by and tell us). After a quick call to Travelocity they promptly refunded our money and apologized for the problem. No hassle at all.

 

[WDWAtLast]

Also, I think I saw in a thread yesterday that you can not add the Dining Plan through Expedia. May want to double check!

 

[livibug]

I looked at expedia and travelocity - neither would allow dining, but travelocity would add in tickets... either way disney.com was cheaper!

 

[lisa3383]

If you ever find a cheaper Disney resort thru Expedia (or similar site) it is because Expedia is taking advantage of a public discount offer. This means you should start hunting for that offer thru the Disney site! Expedia may have rooms that are not available thru Disney directly (because they are already sold out), but that's because they get a block of rooms and their rooms may not be sold out where Disney's rooms are. Don't know if that made sense.

Honestly, for the best deals get the Disney Visa. Often they run 5x point offers which is a nice bonus. Also, you will get discount offers not available to the general public, or Expedia.

 

[DWFan4Life]

For me, I'll definitely booked with Disney. You can add free dining and its easy to deal if you have any changes.

 

[Caren]

I am looking to book my first Disney trip for May. I was wondering if it is better to book my flight, resort, and everything through Disney. I found the same package on Expedia. Is there an advantage to one over the other? Thanks!

The Expedia site is much easier to nagigate, so I use it to see what's available and what the price is. Then I call Disney and book through them.

 

[rentayenta]

I would only book through Expedia if there was a major price difference. Their change and cancellation policies have much to be desired.

 

[jb01]

I would book with Disney if the price is the same. Easier to make any changes you might have.