Booking Direct??

[Cruiser1969]

Hi Everyone!

I'm just starting to plan our trip for May 2006, and I'm itching to book. I know exactly what I want, but I can't make up my mind . . . Do I book directly with Disney, or do I book with a travel agent?

I want to book direct, but I want to first be sure of a few things:

1) Is there any type of risk involved with booking it myself?

2) If I book now and some type of deal comes up later, can I still apply the discount to my booking?

3) Where would I buy insurance for my trip, and when should I buy it?

Any help would be great!!

 

[OntFamily]

It is difficult to give a back & white answer to your query on travel agents, as there are many variables. Have you been to Disney previously? Do you like doing your own research? Do you know a travel agent that is a Disney specialist (as oppsed to one that only knows what they've read in the brochures).


On your other questions:

Inherently, there is no risk in booking on your own (I'm assuming you mean
financial risk ala Jetsgo). Book using a major credit card.

If a discount comes up later, you may be able to have it applied to your reservation (if there is capacity left @ Disney on that discount code). In reality, as long as you try to get the discount applied within a day or two after it is announced, you shouldn't have a problem.


Trip insurance shoud be bought quickly after you make the travel purchase (assuming you didn't buy Disney's insurance). Many providors only allow you to buy insurance within a short time after making your purchase (ie 48 hours or so). Check around on the internet and you'll find a bunch of companies.

 

[jtdl]

I always book on my own through CRO. There is no risk. Just keep checking on these boards or mousesavers to find out if there is going to be a code released for your travel time. When the code is released call CRO and have it applied to your original reservation.

As for travel insurance, I have never purchased it. Any Disney deposits are fully refundable up to almost the time of arrival (5 days or something like that), so I think the only insurance you would have to buy would be through the airline if you are flying. Medical insurance is a must in my opinion, but you can buy that any time, even the day you are leaving.

 

[DIS~n~JAN]

I've been to Disney before and this time we know what we want. I started planning months ago on the computer, cause I really find it exciting . Then I started having a few questions, so I would call Disney and each time you get a different CM (some ok, some great!) Well I didn't like that so I decided to go with an online TA (kathryn @ Dreams come True Vacations) I still do all the planning she just deals with the CM's, and you pay exactly what you would dealing with Disney anyways. Good luck and have fun planning!
ps Disney's # 1 800 828 0228

 

[Manon]

Our first family trip I booked myself on disney.com, but for our upcoming trip in dec-jan I used a AAA TA. I know that some of you had many problems with AAA, but for my part, everything is great, like they say, "so far so good"!

And we saved 300$ on our package, and they will probably be a discount on something annonced in november, and my TA will get it for me!!

Cant wait to be there in 68 days!