Got my first PIN - don't know where to begin....pls help!

[sanrio]

I just got our first PIN - don't even know where to begin. We were just in the "thinking" stages of our first ever WDW family vacation - but now we have to move fast given this PIN code!

Should I call Disney directly first to get pricing/quotes? Does this mean I have to book thru Disney if I give them the PIN from my email - and not book with them yet?

Problem is I do not have a travel agent (yet). Does it matter which travel agent I use (with this PIN promotion)? Will one travel agent provide me with a better deal vs another (ie. pkg with Park passes, etc.)? Is it better to just book with Disney first? I have no idea where to begin - sorry if these questions are so dumb! Thank you for your help!

 

[Disney Fool]

Not to worry. Call and ask about your favorite resort and what price it would be to stay there for the dates you pick. They will tell you. You do not have to book it. (they will try to get you to book --saying that the rooms may not be available when you call back--but don't worry. If they're not available when you call back, pick another resort!) Call and find out. Have a pen and paper ready. Be sure to ask for different configurations of rooms, i.e., water view, standard view, etc. then make your choice! Have fun.

 

[marcielm]

I agree with the above post... make sure you have pen & paper ready!! Also, you can go online and play with the booking options & such to see what you think you might be intrested in as far as the resorts go, and things like park tickets & dining options. This might give you an idea of how much your trip will be at full price, and if you got a % discount code, it will be for a discount on the room rate only, so you can do the math & get an idea of your savings that way. Finally, once you call in, you can ask the people at Disney to "hold" an offer for up to a week, before your deposit is due.

As for a TA (travel agent), make sure you find one that is a Disney Specialist. Someone who can help you make all of these decisions (what resort, days in the park, if the dining plan is right for your family). Also, a TA will be the one that calls in and makes all the payments & does all the "talking" with Disney. If you book your ressie on your own, you can still contact a TA about taking over the reservation. The TA will also be willing to do things like make dining reservations, park recommendations, itinerary planning, etc. Keep in mind that you should NEVER pay your TA... Disney pays their commission, so it is no extra cost for you to use a TA!

Feel free to ask more questions here... it's a great place to learn about the planning stages of your trip!

 

[sanrio]

Thanks to Disney Fool and marcielm for your advice! I called Disney direct today and booked our first ever stay at WDW - 10 nights at the new Bay Lake Tower! Cannot believe we were so lucky to get a PIN to make this so much more affordable! I'm going to be on this board alot for the next 6 months until our trip!

 

[Disney Fool]

 

[marcielm]

That's great! Glad the PIN helped you get a great deal!

Read, read, read... and then know that you will still be unprepared for some things about Disney until you get there (like the real SIZE of everything! I couldn't believe just how big the parks & resorts & Disney Property really was).

I also recommend you try and find a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It's a big book, but well worth the $20 or so. You might also check your local library, or a used book store. The new 2010 version should be coming out soon, but a used 2009 will work as well (not that much will be different between the two books).