Booking Online vs Calling vs Travel Agency

[Nazran]

How do you book your vacation? Do you use WDW online? Call WDW? use a travel agency? Which is cheapest, easiest, etc...

I have played with the WDW Online for months now, trying out different scenarios, resorts, etc...

Just pass along any nuggets of info you might have for this Disney Noob!

 

[stacy6552]

I used the web site to check things out, but I learned the hard way that the website is not operated by Disney, which is why payments and cancellations are so much tighter. ONce I know what I want I always call 407wdisney. The CM's know what they are doing and know how to find deals and solutions, like when the mods are all sold out and they give you a sweet upsell deal to the WL.

Always always call the 407 number to do the booking.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I use the www.disneyworld.com website to play around and get price quotes. I then call 407-W-DISNEY to speak with a live person and book the reservation. After the reservation is made, I make payments online by going to www.disneyworld.com and clicking on My Disney Vacation. I made over 40 payments on my 2007 vacation that way and NEVER had a problem.

 

[jeanninepl]

I used a GREAT travel agency. They booked everything for us including hotel, DDP, and made all of our dinner reservations. We had a phone consult six months before our trip and the agent and I discussed everything we wanted to do. She then booked everything and sent me an itinerary with confirmation numbers. It was fantastic and I have recommended her to many friends.

 

[tink70]

I also use a travel agent, I have used her for the last 3 vacations, and I have recommended her to others that have also loved her.
She gets me the breakfast at the castle, and we all know how hard that is to get. She sets up all my ressies, and if there is a promotion and the price changes, she rebooks me at that price.
Last year she saved me $500

 

[BabyFu18]

I use the website to get a basic idea on pricing and such, then I book over the phone (the 407-WDisney number) because I prefer talking to someone and making sure everything is just perfect.

 

[DISNEYNY]

I also use the website to get an idea of what I want. I then call the WDW number and book through a CM.

 

[BigTiggerGuy]

I price it out on the website and then hand the whole thing over to dreamsunlimitedtravel.com
They are amazing and help with everything.....rooms, dinner reservations, tours, etc. Whatever you want they can help you get it. I'm going back in October and my travel agent, Merrie, has already made all of my arrangements.

 

[Nazran]

Ok check... so call and talk to someone.

Does calling someone at Disney give better prices/perks than the website? Does going through a travel agent give any better prices/perks?

 

[jjod96]

I am trying to figure this same thing out, so I can't wait to hear from the more experienced people!! Thanks!

 

[tink70]

I don't think anyone can get you better deals, I think you just need someone to watch for the specials. My travel agent watches for them and then will rebook me, (if she can) and then I get the cheaper rate. She has done this for me a few times. I also like how I just email her where I want to eat, and she sets up all the ressies for me, and then sends me a sheet with my paperwork with all the info. I am also impressed with how she can always get me CRT.

 

[thinkerbell]

We do the same as most of the others on here. We check out the prices on the site and then call to book. I have read here on the Dis, and I am pretty sure that I have also seen it on the website, that they have a 45 day cancellation policy as opposed to a 6 day cancellation for phone reservations. We never use a travel agent. I feel that I don't have control over my reservations if I do that. We change things around ALOT and Disney won't change anything for you that a travel agent has done for you. The travel agent has to call and change it. At least that is what I have read here on the Dis board. Others would prefer to hand it over to someone else. Just depends on what you want to do.

 

[grannyminnie]

Supposedly, when you use a TA, they can monitor your ressie and get the discounts that might pop up, but the first and only time I tried going thru a TA, they were mighty slow in responding, so I decided to do it myself. That gives me more control, plus there's nothing like "one on one" with the CM on the phone..you don't get that online...

 

[LukenDC]

I use a travel agent because doing so saves me a lot of time. The travel agent continuously monitors my reservation for any discounts that might arise and then quickly applies them. She makes my dining reservations, arranges for airport transfers, purchases my tickets, handles special requests, etc. When Disney experiences call center delays or computer problems, she deals with those issues and not me. My travel agent is also a great resource for advice and a fun person in general.

I have the fun of planning and she has all the hassle.

 

[wvdislover]

I use a TA and love them! My TA has no problems changing my vacation dates, etc and is always on the lookout for deals for me. Sometimes, you can get extra little "freebies" using a TA, too. My TA is available to make dining ressies, etc, but I do these myself, so I'm sure of the times I'm getting.

 

[MorrowsMom]

Has anyone used Mouseketrips?

 

[Nwfdrool]

We do the same as most of the others on here. We check out the prices on the site and then call to book. I have read here on the Dis, and I am pretty sure that I have also seen it on the website, that they have a 45 day cancellation policy as opposed to a 6 day cancellation for phone reservations. We never use a travel agent. I feel that I don't have control over my reservations if I do that. We change things around ALOT and Disney won't change anything for you that a travel agent has done for you. The travel agent has to call and change it. At least that is what I have read here on the Dis board. Others would prefer to hand it over to someone else. Just depends on what you want to do.

I originally booked at All Star Sports through the website, but then called a few days later and upgraded to POFQ. I know our balance is due 45 days prior to arrival. And I thought I had read the cancellation policy was 45 days/full refund; 14 days/$100 cancellation fee; 6 days/$200 cancellation fee. Is that correct? So, if we had to cancel 6 days before arrival we would get our balance refunded minus the $200 cancellation fee? If I had originally booked by calling, it would have been 6 days/full refund?

DD is starting preschool in the fall and I am paranoid that she will get some sort of virus and have to cancel our trip

 

[thinkerbell]

Originally posted by: Nwfdrool
I originally booked at All Star Sports through the website, but then called a few days later and upgraded to POFQ. I know our balance is due 45 days prior to arrival. And I thought I had read the cancellation policy was 45 days/full refund; 14 days/$100 cancellation fee; 6 days/$200 cancellation fee. Is that correct? So, if we had to cancel 6 days before arrival we would get our balance refunded minus the $200 cancellation fee? If I had originally booked by calling, it would have been 6 days/full refund?

DD is starting preschool in the fall and I am paranoid that she will get some sort of virus and have to cancel our trip

Yes, you are correct. If you book on the phone the cancellation policy is 6 days as long as it is a resort only reservation. You would get all of your money back. AND with a phone reservation(as long as it is a resort only reservation--not a package)you don't have to have it paid in full until you actually arrive. Package reservations are different and have the 45 day cancellation policy.

 

[Tam1067]

If you belong to AAA, you can use them and get a great discount. We're saving close to $400 off the price Disney quoted me for the Polynesian in July. We did the same last year. You also get a couple of perks by going through AAA.

 

[tonyolily]

Ok check... so call and talk to someone.

Does calling someone at Disney give better prices/perks than the website? Does going through a travel agent give any better prices/perks?

We went through Pixiedust-Travel. They give out Disney Gift Cards with certain packages and free stuff for the kids too. They've been great to work with.