CAA or Disney direct

[M&Mmum]

Looking at booking a package to Disneyland for July. Both CAA and booking with Disney direct are exact same price, anyone know of any advantages of booking with one or the other? No flights involved as these were booked seperately.

 

[Aliceacc]

I always book through a travel agent.

One, I think it's good karma-- someone else is earning a commission off my trip at no cost to me. And two, I love that someone else is looking for discounts, booking my ADRs for me, and generally in my corner.

I used AAA for our first two trips, but I always felt as though I knew more than my agent. (In 2008 I got a PIN code and had to explain to him what it was.) Now that I'm working with a Disney Certified Agent, I love it!!

 

[fuzzy164]

I've done it both ways and find that booking it yourself is the easiest, that being said there are some nice perks when booking with CAA(Diamond parking pass ect.) but no real $$ savings over booking it yourself.
We are going back in November and I will be booking everything myself including ADR's.

 

[I Run Long]

I feel the same as Aliceacc - I usually use a Disney authorized travel agent since it costs me nothing and they get a small commission. Good karma is right. I have done it both ways - usually renting points - but this time I got a PIN so I used my agent I used for our Disney Cruise and she made the call (saves me on long distance) and has been wonderful to work with. BTW - she works at a Cdn Disney authorized agency so that's nice too. Now I can just put my feet up and not have to stress about getting up super early for my ADRs - she's got it all in hand.

 

[alc571]

We used a Disney agent our first trip, and I hated it. The company was highly recommended on the internet and these boards. I had to keep reminding her to look for deals, and sent her the PINs we got. And the biggest disappointment was that she never sent us our Mickey Mail. Never again.... besides, part of the fun is the planning and what not.

 

[M23]

We've booked both ways and both have been good experiences. We usually just book ourselves now (now that we know what we're doing) because we enjoy the planning process.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I would consider giving CAA the business. But honestly, I've found most Canadian-based travel agent services lacking. I got a lot more value (better communication, current information, valuable advice) using US-based agents that specialized in Disney parks. The only frustrating issue I've had was when I had to pay customs fees to pick up information packs shipped by courier. In future, I will get everything shipped to my resort instead - less fees and less packing too.

Also, see if the travel agent will make your dining reservations. While I can do it myself, I often found the systems frustrating, and being two time zones away from WDW meant that anything that required talking to a real person during normal business hours meant setting my alarm an hour early. I don't regret using an agent to avoid that frustration. Admittedly, this is much less frustrating for Disneyland trips than WDW trips, but I do award good service with future business.

 

[dsneygirl]

I would consider giving CAA the business. But honestly, I've found most Canadian-based travel agent services lacking. I got a lot more value (better communication, current information, valuable advice) using US-based agents that specialized in Disney parks. The only frustrating issue I've had was when I had to pay customs fees to pick up information packs shipped by courier. In future, I will get everything shipped to my resort instead - less fees and less packing too.

Also, see if the travel agent will make your dining reservations. While I can do it myself, I often found the systems frustrating, and being two time zones away from WDW meant that anything that required talking to a real person during normal business hours meant setting my alarm an hour early. I don't regret using an agent to avoid that frustration. Admittedly, this is much less frustrating for Disneyland trips than WDW trips, but I do award good service with future business.

That makes no sense. Was it a "customs" fee ie/duty or a fee charged by the courier company? Docs like that have a customs value of $1 so they would not collect any duties or taxes.

We only use Disney direct. I cannot be bothered to deal with a middle man. There is SO much information on the internet. A "disney specialist" would have to be on there reading every day to have the most up to date information. I had a terrible experience with CAA in Dec when all I was doing was buying 1 day tickets so no way I would trust them with a vacation that costs 1000's.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I deal with Disney directly. I found that dealing with Agents can be hit and miss. Some agents are great ... others .... well .... I no longer take the chance, I plan it myself.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I always book through a travel agent.

One, I think it's good karma-- someone else is earning a commission off my trip at no cost to me. And two, I love that someone else is looking for discounts, booking my ADRs for me, and generally in my corner.

I used AAA for our first two trips, but I always felt as though I knew more than my agent. (In 2008 I got a PIN code and had to explain to him what it was.) Now that I'm working with a Disney Certified Agent, I love it!!

I never go through a Travel Agent unless I'm using my Air Miles. Even then I hate not being able to do it myself.

As for discounts if you are here on the Disboards you probably know when the discounts are coming out before the TAs as the news spread like wildfire on here. It's not like there are that many discounts for a particular time period. Usually just a room only and a package. No need to use a TA to find out about discounts.

And booking ADRs can be done on your smartphone in less than 10 minutes. It would take longer to phone or email your TA and list them all out.

 

[Aliceacc]

I never go through a Travel Agent unless I'm using my Air Miles. Even then I hate not being able to do it myself.

As for discounts if you are here on the Disboards you probably know when the discounts are coming out before the TAs as the news spread like wildfire on here. It's not like there are that many discounts for a particular time period. Usually just a room only and a package. No need to use a TA to find out about discounts.

And booking ADRs can be done on your smartphone in less than 10 minutes. It would take longer to phone or email your TA and list them all out.

True.

But I'm a teacher. I'm out the door at 7am. (In fact, today it will have to be earlier, since I have snow to clear off my car.) Today my only break will be 38 minutes from 12:46-1:24. That's lunch, bathroom break, and Xeroxing tomorrow's quiz. Oh, and I don't have a smartphone.

Right now work is crazy busy... I'm 88 pages into writing an e-textbook we'll be using next year. I came home from school a few weeks ago to find that I had dinner ADRs for 11 for BOG, the Dessert Party, and everything else I had requested. I don't have to worry if work or family commitments keep me from seeing a discount here; I know that my Travel Agent will find it and apply it. I just love the convenience.

I realize that not everyone, particularly here on the Dis, chooses to use a travel agent. That's why the question was asked.

Working with my travel agent works well for my family. I'm glad you've found a system that works equally well for yours.

 

[CdnCarrie]

True.

But I'm a teacher. I'm out the door at 7am. (In fact, today it will have to be earlier, since I have snow to clear off my car.) Today my only break will be 38 minutes from 12:46-1:24. That's lunch, bathroom break, and Xeroxing tomorrow's quiz. Oh, and I don't have a smartphone.

Right now work is crazy busy... I'm 88 pages into writing an e-textbook we'll be using next year. I came home from school a few weeks ago to find that I had dinner ADRs for 11 for BOG, the Dessert Party, and everything else I had requested. I don't have to worry if work or family commitments keep me from seeing a discount here; I know that my Travel Agent will find it and apply it. I just love the convenience.

I realize that not everyone, particularly here on the Dis, chooses to use a travel agent. That's why the question was asked.

Working with my travel agent works well for my family. I'm glad you've found a system that works equally well for yours.

Not sure what being a teacher has anything to do with booking dinner reservations in WDW. I'm sure we're all busy with our jobs.