Booking thru Orbitz vs. Disney directly

[ArielDreams]

Usually when we book it is either through Disney directly or through AAA. However, we are seeing a great deal for a water view at the Boardwalk on Orbitz that's $500 cheaper than on the Disney website.

So my question is, is there any difference in booking through Disney vs. Orbitz? Does everything work the same? Will we be missing out on any "perks"? I've used Orbitz a lot for booking hotels on other vacations but as we all know, a Disney vacation is not to be messed with

 

[bumbershoot]

I would make absolutely certain that you're looking at the exact same thing on both websites. That's a pretty big difference, even for a discounter (and honestl I've never seen anything that's much different than the original place).

Are you looking at a package on disney and room only on orbitz. etc etc etc.

Otherwise, it's basically a travel agency, and you won't be able to communicate with disney about your stay. Any changes (if allowed at all) and communication will go through Orbitz.

 

[skibum25]

I booked through Orbits and got significant discount. To this point, it was worked out fine. The previous post is correct though, I was notifiied that any changes would have to go through the agency (Orbits).

I was able to add the reservation to "My Trips" on the Disney website once I was issued a hotel reservation number which took 2 or 3 days. I have been able to book my dinner reservations through the website now and they are added to the itinerary on "My Trips".

Take the $500 and run!!

 

[pigletto]

I have seen some pretty decent discounts through Orbitz many times.
In fact I was just reading a thread where someone got 40% off a one bedroom at BLT through Orbitz in the Winter, when Disney wouldn't offer anything but rack rate.
Swan and Dolphin often come up pretty cheap there as well.
As long as you are aware of the change policies I would go ahead and book it. 500 is great!

 

[ArielDreams]

We decided to just pop down to our local AAA office and get a quote - it was within $50 of what Orbitz was offering so we just booked it on the spot. Plus we get the AAA perks which is a nice bonus (apparently now they offer prime seating for parades at MK? that's what the agent told us at least). Thanks for your input! I'm definitely keeping Orbitz and other vacation planning sites in my radar for the future. I knew the Disney website was way too high!

 

[Tinbadge69]

I would be careful about booking with an outside agency. A $500 doesnt sound right. You might want to check that again. Ive never seen that much a difference between prices, and I have spent a lot of time on the computer looking at prices for September. Usually the prices are within about $100 of each other. Check again just for your sake.

 

[Corinne]

We decided to just pop down to our local AAA office and get a quote - it was within $50 of what Orbitz was offering so we just booked it on the spot. Plus we get the AAA perks which is a nice bonus (apparently now they offer prime seating for parades at MK? that's what the agent told us at least).

I am not sure how they can offer seating for a MK parade?

 

[ArielDreams]

I am not sure how they can offer seating for a MK parade?

Well not really "seating" but she said there's a new area designated for AAA guests at the parade which is in a "prime location". It's something I want to look into more as I've never heard of this before and she said it's a fairly new perk "people are raving about".

 

[nkereina]

Well not really "seating" but she said there's a new area designated for AAA guests at the parade which is in a "prime location". It's something I want to look into more as I've never heard of this before and she said it's a fairly new perk "people are raving about".

It is new for 2011. As far as I know, it is only for AAA members that have booked a package at AAA WITH a dining plan, and it's only for the afternoon parade. It's a viewing deck on the second level of the train station. I believe you also need to make reservations for this because you need to obtain a voucher to show. I have not done this but a friend and former co-worker at AAA who focuses primarly on Disney bookings has informed me of this.

 

[cw21726]

It is new for 2011. As far as I know, it is only for AAA members that have booked a package at AAA WITH a dining plan, and it's only for the afternoon parade. It's a viewing deck on the second level of the train station. I believe you also need to make reservations for this because you need to obtain a voucher to show. I have not done this but a friend and former co-worker at AAA who focuses primarly on Disney bookings has informed me of this.

Not to be the contrarian but it was offered to us last year.

 

[nkereina]

Not to be the contrarian but it was offered to us last year.

It's newly advertised for 2011. It wasn't a legit AAA package perk until the AAA Disney brochure came out in 2010 for 2011. It did start last year though but not many people knew about it.

 

[Rich_NY]

I have seen some pretty decent discounts through Orbitz many times.
In fact I was just reading a thread where someone got 40% off a one bedroom at BLT through Orbitz in the Winter, when Disney wouldn't offer anything but rack rate.
Swan and Dolphin often come up pretty cheap there as well.
As long as you are aware of the change policies I would go ahead and book it. 500 is great!

Yesterday through American Express and through Travelocity (LINK ON PAGE 112 OF SWAN DOLPHIN THREAD ) I booked the Dolphin with 20% off published rates, 6th night free, $100 resort credit, AND THE BEST PART IS I ADDED 7 DAY PARK HOPPERS FOR 4 and got a 20% DISCOUNT VS UNDERCOVER TOURISTS PRICE!!!!! THEY DISCOUNT THE TICKETS ALSO IF YOU PURCHASE THE ROOM. ONLY THING IS YOU HAVE TO PREPAY WITH AMEX CARD.

 

[Zion21]

Yesterday through American Express and through Travelocity (LINK ON PAGE 112 OF SWAN DOLPHIN THREAD ) I booked the Dolphin with 20% off published rates, 6th night free, $100 resort credit, AND THE BEST PART IS I ADDED 7 DAY PARK HOPPERS FOR 4 and got a 20% DISCOUNT VS UNDERCOVER TOURISTS PRICE!!!!! THEY DISCOUNT THE TICKETS ALSO IF YOU PURCHASE THE ROOM. ONLY THING IS YOU HAVE TO PREPAY WITH AMEX CARD.

Sounds like a good enough reason to not book directly with Disney to me. You wont find that deal anywhere if it's true. I usually stick with orbitz and never had any problems.

 

[vicki_c]

I've read that the AAA parade viewing can be booked 6 months in advance. I know the seating (or standing!) is limited (it's at the train station now I believe). So if it *can* be booked 6 months out, it's probably a good idea to go ahead and book it then.

 

[Rich_NY]

Sounds like a good enough reason to not book directly with Disney to me. You wont find that deal anywhere if it's true. I usually stick with orbitz and never had any problems.

It's true, I DID IT! No reason to lie

 

[ettercap11]

good luck ever changing your vacation with orbitz... once is a big enough headache for me. And who says disney doesn't give discounts in winter??? LOL I saw specials all winter long, they just don't do the holidays.

 

[pigletto]

good luck ever changing your vacation with orbitz... once is a big enough headache for me. And who says disney doesn't give discounts in winter??? LOL I saw specials all winter long, they just don't do the holidays.

Nobody said Disney doesn't offer anything in winter at all. What I was saying was that the poster was able to get the Orbitz deal last winter when AT THE TIME Disney was only offering rack rate. And most people have cautioned the OP that their dates need to be firm, and to check the fine print.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Personally, I've worked in the Travel Industry too long to ever feel safe booking anything on third party sites like Orbitz. You will be the first to be bumped from flights, or moved to another hotel in an oversold situation, or not get any of your requests etc.

 

[ericf70]

I've never had a problem with Orbitz. Just this August we booked a 3 night stay in a standard garden wing at the Contemporary and ended up with a 1br suite.

 

[AngiTN]

Personally, I've worked in the Travel Industry too long to ever feel safe booking anything on third party sites like Orbitz. You will be the first to be bumped from flights, or moved to another hotel in an oversold situation, or not get any of your requests etc.

I know you brought up an old thread to post this but it is untrue with Orbtiz and Disney. I've used them to book our Disney trips numerous times and Disney does not do this with 3rd party bookings in my experience. I've gotten every request and even gotten upgrades at the resort.