Booking on Disney vs Alternatives

[markkelly]

Hi
Planning on Disney Easter 2016 (flights booked) and since you cant get the dining plan for my dates I am wondering if there is any benefit to booking Disney direct vs eg Expedia (currently 12% Quidco on hotels) and already slightly cheaper. Or eg Travel Republic which has a much better cancellation fee than Disney direct.

One thing I am unclear on is whether I can get Disney Express simply for staying in the Disney hotel or is this ONLY for Disney direct bookings? If not any idea how much a Taxi is?
Any other disadvantages?

Thanks in advance

 

[maxiesmom]

You can add Magical Express as long as you are staying at a Disney resort, no matter how you book.

I booked my next trip thru an on line site, and for me the aggravation wasn't worth the $30 I saved. You have to call to get a Disney reservation number to put into My Disney Experience (in order to book FPs) and it took me over an hour on the phone to get it.

I'm wondering what sort of cancellation fee you are talking about. Disney doesn't have one until you hit 5 days out.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Just thought I would suggest OrlandoAttractions.com to you also. I've booked my stay in May next year with them and they were about £100 cheaper than booking with Disney direct but I get all of the same perks as I would have booking direct.

I also have my Disney reservation number and am linked up on MDE. I think they have the same cancellation policy as Disney also.

 

[cliveywolves]

We have booked for the past two years with www.sunshine.co.uk always work out way cheaper then anybody else online when we have booked, also have just a £1 cancellation charge and they get your Disney Res Number very quick to link up up yourself on MDE.....

 

[markkelly]

I'm wondering what sort of cancellation fee you are talking about. Disney doesn't have one until you hit 5 days out.

Oh maybe I didnt read properly...I thought it said £150 per person more than 70 days out. While I dont expect to.cancel once booked I would like the option to change if something better came up if no more expensive on the original booking that is.

 

[BudgieMama]

You can add Magical Express as long as you are staying at a Disney resort, no matter how you book.

I booked my next trip thru an on line site, and for me the aggravation wasn't worth the $30 I saved. You have to call to get a Disney reservation number to put into My Disney Experience (in order to book FPs) and it took me over an hour on the phone to get it.

I'm wondering what sort of cancellation fee you are talking about. Disney doesn't have one until you hit 5 days out.

If I cancel today for my trip next August (2016), I lose my £100 deposit. Is that what OP means? You don't get your deposit back, it's non-refundable.

 

[BudgieMama]

Oh maybe I didnt read properly...I thought it said £150 per person more than 70 days out. While I dont expect to.cancel once booked I would like the option to change if something better came up if no more expensive on the original booking that is.

Not sure whether @maxiesmom is a UK traveller- we have different terms and conditions to US travellers.

 

[markkelly]

Thanks all.
The difference seemed to be about gbp100on the booking which I may not have bothered with but then another gbp250 cashback via quidco (12pc onbooking around 2200)....so it made me think twice about booking with disney direct.

 

[markkelly]

Not sure whether @maxiesmom is a UK traveller- we have different terms and conditions to US travellers.

Will have a better look tonight when I am back on laptop. The cancellation was the lesser issue for me tbh but I do prefer a bit of flexibility in case anything comes up or exchange rates move significantly.
Thanks again

 

[maxiesmom]

I guess what I'm asking is the cancellation fee from Disney for from the Travel Agency?

 

[markkelly]

Also saw quidco on disney tickets on one comment but couldnt find ticketson expedia after a quick look late last night

 

[markkelly]

I guess what I'm asking is the cancellation fee from Disney for from the Travel Agency?

Direct with disney....Disneyholidays.co.uk
Just had a look but on mobile....i had read wrong the gbp150 pp is when the booking includes flights but it seems to me that cancelling hotel and tickets would still be gbp50pp (sec 11 booking conditions) more than 56 days out and gets higher the closer you get 50pc in last 2 weeks....have I got this wrong?

 

[scottishgirl87]

Direct with disney....Disneyholidays.co.uk
Just had a look but on mobile....i had read wrong the gbp150 pp is when the booking includes flights but it seems to me that cancelling hotel and tickets would still be gbp50pp (sec 11 booking conditions) more than 56 days out and gets higher the closer you get 50pc in last 2 weeks....have I got this wrong?

I think you've got that right. I'ce paid £50 per person deposit that I wouldn't get back if I cancelled.