Book with Travel Agent or Go it alone?

[AZMickeyfans]

We are booking our first WDW family vacation in Nov. 2008. There are 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 7 and 5) in our party. We are looking at 10 nights at either POP or POR. We want the last 2-3 nights at the WL though! I've already noticed that rooms are filling up fast for the WL so I would like to go ahead and book the rooms now. I cant find a woods view room online at all!

Also trying to decide between booking room only or package now. It seems there are more discounts for room only bookings. Am I right in this?

So here is my question, do you think it's better to book through a TA like Dreams Unlimited who can check the codes for you or do you do it yourself? I've read mixed reviews on both. Obviously our trip is over a year out but I have heard that the TA's will look to see if your reservation is applicable for codes when they do come out closer to vacation time. Has anyone had any luck with this?

Thanks in Advance for all the good advice!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I love to plan---- especially a WDW vacation. So I would never be able to leave it to someone else. For me that is almost as much fun as the vacation.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I always do my own unless there is a good reason. This time I used AAA because I wanted the AAA package to begin with and I want the Diamond parking permit that only comes with their package. The AAA rate was 200 less then disney rate to begin with until yesterday when I called my agent and had him apply the new codes availble to the public now and saved another almost $400. But I still get the parking permit since I booked the package with AAA.

 

[I Run Long]

We went with a Disney specialist TA. This is our first trip to the World and I'm certain I could have done it all myself but . . . . I live in the Pacific northwest and I have no desire to get up at 4:00am our time when the lines open to book all my ADR's. I figured I'll just let the TA do that. She got me free dining and communication has been wonderful. I'll be honest - I am a control freak so it was hard to sit back and let someone else do all the work, but I like to sleep in more than I like having control.

 

[Snookies]

I always book myself now, but I will not practice what I'll preach here. Since this is your first family trip, I would recommend working with a knowledgeable travel agent because they'll be able to answer all of your questions so that you do not obsess about every little detail. To use a different example, when friends and colleagues ask if I can recommend a guidebook, I always do if they have never been or have been onece or twice a long time ago. However, even if I occasionally buy a guidebook today, I rarely read them anymore since I think I've been to MK so many times I could tell you where the cracks in the walkways are. My point in terms of your question is that you may or may not pay a little more by using a travel agent, but it will probably be worth it for the peace of mind it will give you.

 

[LukenDC]

I vote for using a travel agent, preferably one of the Disney specialist agencies. Using a travel agent does not deny you the fun of planning, but it does save you from the hassle of having to deal with CRO, website outages, glitches with reservations, etc. The Disney specialist travel agents usually have good knowledge of codes and will often automatically apply them to your reservation to save you money. Also, if there are problems during your stay, your travel agent can serve as an advocate for you and may help to resolve problems to your satisfaction.

I travel often and only use a travel agent for Disney. I would not book my Disney trips any other way. I love to plan, but I do not have time to constantly monitor codes and call Disney at 7:00 AM for prime dining times.

 

[cara loves the poly]

I have heard too many bad stories of TA's messing things up, I would never trust anyone else to book my vacation, plus, you cannot call disney directly to check on things yourself. I always book my own.

 

[joyerbides]

This is our first family trip too, and I did it myself. Of course, it can seem a bit daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze. Planning is the best part, I think. It helps keep you in the spirit of the trip and makes the days go by faster. Of course, I can think of no better place than here, to help with any questions you may have. Basically, just Google all the disney websites and you are on your way. I can't tell you how many times I've called WDW, and they have been more than helpful. If you like to plan and be organized, I say do it yourself. But if you feel like it's overwhelming, than it may be better to go with a TA. It's basically personal preference. Good luck and happy planning.

 

[bookworm61]

I have little or no confidence in the AAA agents in my neck of the woods. Last year, when the fall code opened to the public (three days after it had been open for Visa holders), my dad and I went to the AAA office to book a trip. After cooling our heels for a while, we met with the agent who had never heard of this promotion. It took her more than an hour to book it, while we sat there and watched her on the phone. (She got disconnected at least once!)
After this, I went home and booked the whole trip over again on the phone with Disney in about 20 minutes (Grand Gathering for 5 families) and then cancelled AAA. The price was the same. I would love to have the AAA parking pass, but it's not worth the aggravation of dealing with people who don't know the first thing about Disney, even if it is their job.
Also, any time I had a question or a request (e.g., nonsmoking rooms for asthmatics), I could call CRO directly. If I had to do it through an agent, it would have been a huge hassle to call her, wait for her to call me back on days when she is working, make my request, wait for her to do it and wait for her to tell me it was done.

I am pretty frugal with vacations, but if you are at all savvy about Disney, I think it is best to either book it yourself or go through a Disney specialist.