dreams unlimited?

[beckygeez]

I'm wondering whether to book our vacation with WDW or Dreams Unlimited? What kind of advice can everyone give me? Thanks!

 

[ruvidu]

My son and his wife just got prices from both for a 4/3 land and sea in January. They both quoted the same price with DU providing a $50 rebate. They then called DU (a no-no) for an answer to a question and got a very rude person who told them they did not answer questions on the phone. They then chose DCL. I know others have done well with DU, maybe you will. By the way, they tried BJs discount club, Sam's Club and another online TA who all quoted the same price as DCL. In fact, 2 of the TAs had to call DCL before quoting a price.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

Dreams Unlimited is owned by the same person (Pete Werner) who owns and operates these discussion boards. So, you can be sure the company knows how to plan any Disney-related vacation!!

I have heard many many great things about DU here on the boards. They do operate almost entirely on-line and through email but according to reports I have read are very prompt in getting back to you.

Perhaps some others who have used them can chime in with their recommendations also!!

 

[wovenwonder]

Any email which I've sent to Dreams Unlimited was responded to within 1/2 an hour -- even on a sunday! YES, they are an internet based company so be prepared to communicate with them via the internet. BUT they know Disney like no other ---- it is what they specialize in. PLUS when DCL lowered their prices Dreams automatically lowered our price -- something that DCL would not have done unless we requested it. I would book with DCL then watch for Dreams to offer some decent rebates -- and transfer to them at that time.

 

[paulmc80]

I've had great experiences with DU. They have always been extremely, extremely prompt answering my questions via e-mail and I have had a lot of questions. That works out great for me.

 

[WDWLVR]

Dreams has been great for us. We used them for our 4-day Wonder cruise last May and when the prices dropped they fixed the reservation before I even knew it happened. The year before when i had booked directely with DCL it took me having to call and ask for it to get the lower rate.

Any question I ever had was answered quickly even on the weekends.

We didn't hesitate to book our 7-day Magic cruise with them for next May!

 

[MarkLem]

I just completed a reservations through Dreams, and it was an excellent experience. Correspondence was all through e-mail (actually a nice way to do it). Every question was answered within one hour. They looked at several dates and prices, I changed room numbers with no problem, again, all handled courteously, professionally, and extremely prompt.

Just for grin, I checked the price with DCL, and it was the same, but I got prompt personal service from Dreams that I didn't get from DCL.

Just my .02

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I had orginally booked through DCL then I found these boards. I was a little concerned that I couldn't find a phone number to call and actually speak with one of the agents. After reading such good things then getting prompt answers every time I emailed with a question it was clear that it was a safe and a very wise choice to transfer to DU. Michelle in particular has been great--even through switching rooms several times! I would recommend DU to my friends (already have) and family! Good luck!!

 

[3MinnieMom]

How long does it take DU to provide a quote ?? It has been 4 days since I requested a quote from them. They e-mailed me back the next morning that they received my request. My dd's and I have been checking several times a day since then for our quote, but no reply from DU. Is this a normal time frame for the initial quote ???

 

[paulmc80]

Hmmmmm .. Only took Du about an hour to email a quote to me. I'd for sure check with them if its been over a couple of days.

And, onnce I had a quote from them and emailed them they always responded within a very short time .. not more than an hour if not minutes.

 

[3MinnieMom]

I just received a e-mail from DU, and there was some confusion about dates that I submitted with them for 2003. They replied very promptly to my e-mail, and I look forward to getting a quote from them for different dates (I wasn't aware of the Magic dry-dock dates).

 

[Irishmom23]

I have used Dreams to book a land and sea (separately, and it was cheaper!) and a 7 day Eastern DCL cruise. I just booked a 10 day stay at the Beach Club in WDW for 2004. Carole and Donna have been great to deal with, and ALWAYS answer my e-mail promptly. I love communicating with them by e-mail, and they are very responsive to ANY question or concern I may have had. I also had significant price reductions on each of my reservations because of deals they found, early booking and/or their rebates.
They are all Disney experts, and are fanatical about Disney and want to make sure your trip is "Magical" I have not had that experience with ANY other travel agency I have used in the past.

 

[beckygeez]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. It's really helped. I had been dealing with Carole from DU for a quote and she was very quick at getting back to me and always had lots of information. I must have had her change things for me at least 5 times and she always got back to me very quickly. The service is always more difficult with CRO because I get put on hold and it's long distance so I really like the e-mailing with DU a lot more. I'm definitely going to do it through DU. I already have a reservation with CRO. Does anyone know if it's possible to just transfer that reservation or do I have to cancel it and make a whole new one with DU?

 

[Irishmom23]

I am pretty sure you can transfer the reservation. I just think Carole is so great! I have used her for my land/sea and my 10 day WDW. Donna is my TA for my seven day cruise, as WDW is not involved in the itinerary. She is great too!

 

[PiperG]

I noticed you are from the other side of the river. Just thought I would say hello to a fellow Minnesotan. Who knows. . . . maybe we will escape the frozen winter together sometime.

 

[indymom1]

We went on DCL June 2001 and we used a TA. She didn't know very much at all and usually I would have to come to these boards to get my answer. We are going again March 2003 and this time we used DU. I also have lots of questions since this time we are travelling with an 11 month old son. Everytime I have emailed them they respond very quickly. I really like the email aspect because I can keep a record of all important questions or reservation changes in writing. I have had many instances where you call CRO and get different answers depending on who you talk to. With DU I can keep a paper trail and get great service and a great price all in the same place.

 

[jwolfe]

Hi~~It sounds to me from everything I've read that DU is a very good TA. I just want to put in my 2 cents worth also . We have booked our trip through our local AAA agent. It was the same price as quoted through DCL, however we all will receive souvenier mugs for free/unlimited soft drinks on the cruise and Castaway Cay. Also we will receive 10% off of purchases at some cruise stores and for rentals at Castaway Cay. If you are a member of AAA you might want to check through them. These little extra perks we're receiving make a difference. Just my thoughts

 

[CathyCanada]

I just wanted to address a couple of the issues here.

Dreams is an internet based travel service and therefore the majority of the communication is by e-mail, with the exception of payments which can be made by phone to our office. The ladies who handle the phones are very good and try to answer questions, but sometimes not knowing the client's history as well as the agent who priced them would, it is difficult to answer everything.

Thank you for the kind words about our agents. We are Disney fanatics and many of us are veteran cruisers and love it, so it is easy to be enthusiastic about it!

Becky I will PM you with the procedure for transferring reservations.

You will find that the price offered by DU is the same as that given by calling Disney Cruise Line yourself, BUT we offer a rebate for booking with us (based on the total cost of your reservation) and we continue to check for better prices. Two days ago, I got the Florida Resident discount for 2 clients that gave them an upgrade from a stateroom with a Porthole to a Verandah AND they got money back too! Because of our cruise experience, we can answer any question you have (and if we don't know we find out!) and are happy to do so!

Anyone with any specific questions about DU is welcome to email or PM me, I am happy to help!

Happy cruising!
Cathy