Favorite way to book a Disney resort

[Ambehnke]

What's your favorite way to book a disney resort and why? ******, straight through disney, cheap tickets/orbitz/etc, travel agent. I would generally book on my own because I enjoy figuring out the best options for us that way but I'm thinking I could save money this year by going another route. We are plannjng to go around Nov 5-11 and plan to stay at a MK area deluxe to be on the monorail line of that makes a difference. Most of our time will be at MK as that's what the kids prefer. Also we would take free dining if it was the best option out there but we don't really need a dining plan.

(Edited by moderator to remove reference to business)

 

[ellie05]

Which ever one is cheaper. I have booked through Disney, I have gone through orbitz, I have rented DVC. I always price all my options before I make my decision.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Online or BB. Whichever one gets me free dining.

 

[Ambehnke]

Which ever one is cheaper. I have booked through Disney, I have gone through orbitz, I have rented DVC. I always price all my options before I make my decision.

It looks like renting DVC would be the cheapest for us by a bit but i have no experience with that... Any downfall?

 

[ellie05]

It looks like renting DVC would be the cheapest for us by a bit but i have no experience with that... Any downfall?

Yes you won't get maid service, you get charge if you need extra towels/linens. If you rent privately you have to trust the owner since you will have to give him/her all the money. The owner controls the reservation. You might or might not get to add the dinning plan. If you have to cancel you will most likely loose your money.

 

[DVCjj]

DVC: Pullout couch and one bed in studio.

 

[rpb718]

DW usually handles the bookings while I look at the bank statements, then I curl up in a corner somewhere and quietly sob thinking I need to delay my retirement for another year.

Enough of that, DW swears by renting DVC points and we can usually get a great rate that is ALWAYS cheaper than Disney. Doesn't matter to us about the dining plans anymore (after experimenting both with and without it turns out eating OOP works out cheaper for us) or Mousekeeping, although last year they just left their cart with all the towels, etc. in the hallway outside our room all night so we had towels galore. And we always get trip insurance.

 

[UncleMike101]

I've always booked direct with Disney.
If you look at a Disney Reservation Confirmation you'll see something like. "Magic Your Way" package and on your MDE site it shows up as an "MYW package"
A good friend, who was in Management at WDW, told me that those are key words that CM's look for when guests check in.
The inference is that people booking through Disney can potentially get more positive attention from Disney resort employees.
I'm not saying that's the right way to treat people, but it is good business to reward those who give their patronage directly to the company as opposed to someone who goes through a third party to save a couple of dollars.
And God knows Disney is all about getting those few extra dollars for themselves.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We always use our DVC points and I always book on the DVC web site. Very easy.

 

[Sue M]

I have booked myself but have been spoiled by using TA. I work full time and don't have the time to spend on hold with Wdw when discounts come out. Or to make payments for room only. We have APs. TA just make things easier for me. And when I want to make a payment I can just send a quick email to her. No going thru the Disney phone system and digging out cc.

 

[svecchitto]

We rented points for this upcoming trip, did directly through Disney in December, and rented points back in September. With renting points it is a level of trust, but the pay off is big. I love the deluxe rooms but not at the direct through Disney price tag. I totally want to buy into dvc, but renting works for now. The dvc villas are set up different and that configuration works better for our family. For our December trip we stayed at the Coronado which for being a moderate we were pleased, and while I loved the housekeeping included I missed my couch and kitchen/kitchenette. So we are renting points this year and then taking a *gasp* Disney break. Hopefully my husband doesn't stick to that too long, but we will have just done 3 Disney trips in 12 months.

 

[RustManFan]

I have never done anything but room only reservations by calling. I get my tickets on my own.

 

[Nancyg56]

I've always booked direct with Disney.
If you look at a Disney Reservation Confirmation you'll see something like. "Magic Your Way" package and on your MDE site it shows up as an "MYW package"
A good friend, who was in Management at WDW, told me that those are key words that CM's look for when guests check in.
The inference is that people booking through Disney can potentially get more positive attention from Disney resort employees.
I'm not saying that's the right way to treat people, but it is good business to reward those who give their patronage directly to the company as opposed to someone who goes through a third party to save a couple of dollars.
And God knows Disney is all about getting those few extra dollars for themselves.

I book directly with Disney, although I did use a TA the first two times. We have always been treated very well, and while I do not discount that CM's may be encouraged to look at how folks book, I really believe that they try to do well by all their guests.

With that said, I may be wrong, but I always worry that in the event I have an issue, I will be better able to rectify it if I am dealing with Disney and not a third party. I don't know if that is the case, but I do keep it in the back of my mind when I make my booking decisions.

 

[PrincesCJM]

I book it myself with Disney. Typically, I call to book but booked online for this summer's trip

 

[Nancyg56]

I book it myself with Disney. Typically, I call to book but booked online for this summer's trip

How was online booking? I always call, but have already worked out the cost online.

 

[Tuptup]

I always book directly by calling. We've been surprised a couple of times with a lower quoted rate than what was online. And besides, I just find it so exciting to be on the phone with Disney and booking a vacation! To me, the slightly more personal touch you get from calling to book rather than doing it online just gets the magic going.

 

[Nancyg56]

I always book directly by calling. We've been surprised a couple of times with a lower quoted rate than what was online. And besides, I just find it so exciting to be on the phone with Disney and booking a vacation! To me, the slightly more personal touch you get from calling to book rather than doing it online just gets the magic going.

I even enjoy the hold music!

 

[Tuptup]

I even enjoy the hold music!

I might find myself singing along sometimes...

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I book online through Disney directly. Sometimes I'll call if I have a question because I like speaking to actual people. But since I'm calling from overseas, the connection isn't always great and sometimes I get cut off.
Mostly online has worked for me so far

 

[Nancyg56]

I might find myself singing along sometimes...

Me too! I am pathetic!