Booking ???'s

[matsterrocks]

Wow booking a room at Disney seems very confusing if you don't want to pay rack rate. I'm not planning on going until Oct 2007 but researching early.
What is the best way to book rooms at Disney? TA or yourself?
Do TA generally check for discount codes?
What is the cancelation policy on rooms?
Do I really need to buy a AP to get a decent rate?

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I never recommend just a regular travel agent. They may not know anything about Disney. Go over to mousesaver.com for some great tips on saving money. We used Small World Vacations (WDWVacations.com) that we found on mousesaver last year. Our agent originally got us a AAA discount. She kept looking for better deals and changed our reservations two more times (always with our permission) to finally save us $800.00. She even made all our dining reservations for us. These Disney specialists know WDW and do a wonderful job. I will always use them for future trips. Great people and service and it's FREE!!!!

 

[matsterrocks]

What is the cancelation policy with resorts?

 

[It's A Happy Day]

If you book a trip through a TA you will need to make all changes with the TA vs. calling WDW yourself. So it will depend on the type of planner you are - give specifics to a TA and sit back till take off time or checking and rechecking and want to be involved with planning. We booked through AAA but I have kept her on her toes and had her make adjustments to our reservation - sometimes this was a pain as I could just have easily called WDW and requested a fridge in the value rooms, etc. but you can't (I'm sure she can't wait until we leave for WDW!!!) I also like to deal watch so that I know we are getting the most for our $$$.
As far as cancelling reservations - You can book 15 months out and you can make alterations to your trip up to the 45 day prior to arrival mark with no penalties (we booked w/no dining and then changed it when free dining came along with no penalties/extra cost). When you make your reservation you are required to put down $200.00 and then final payment is due no later than 45 days prior. You can make payments or wait till end to pay off. Once you pay off the trip not sure how cancellation works but I know there are penalties involved. Check out trip insurance as it covers some of that as well. We are heading down this October but I am already looking into October 2008 (won't be able to book till next summer but Already planning on saving and making payments so that it doesn't hurt the pocket as much as 1 big bill.)

This trip will be the test drive - calculate all costs - travel, food, hotel, passes, souveniers, etc. so that the next trip I will have a better idea of cost. We like the dining plan included as once you have paid off the trip - hotel, food (most of it anyway), passes all included in that price (also for some air) then whatever you bring for $$$ can be spent towards memories or things you want vs. the necessities. Do your research, book early, and then keep on it. Time passes quickly and before you know it it will be here.

 

[matsterrocks]

It's a happy day Are you glad you went with a TA seems like we are kinda in the same boat first trip but into keeping ontop of things and wanting best value possible.

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/ They are the owners of the DIS. They will keep a eye on rates for you, get ADR's. There are many satisfied customers of Dreams.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

It's a happy day Are you glad you went with a TA seems like we are kinda in the same boat first trip but into keeping ontop of things and wanting best value possible.

Looking in hindsight I would not have gone with a AAA TA as it seems like other than getting the discount which I ended up having to forfeit for the free dining (well worth it I might add) the TA does not seem "into" planning my trip - it seems like just another customer type interaction. For our next trip I think that I will either do it on my own - with all the great tips we get here on the boards - or I will find a DISNEY specific TA so that I get someone who is as excited about WDW as we are - or at least someone who knows the ins & outs of Disney and will try to get me the best deal possible for our needs. I would also like a TA to be able to make our ADR's vs. me being on the phone every day - that was 1 part I didn't like doing and our TA never offered up this service - but I did get all except 1 (CRT breakfast) - and ended up booking lunch which I think is going to work out better in the long run.

 

[Hopefully]

I also would strongly recommend a Disney specialist TA. They can be a great help. I second Dreams Unlimited Travel. We used them 2 years ago and they were wonderful. I made several changes, as I like to plan too, and there was never a problem in doing this.
Have Fun planning - for me it adds to the enjoyment.