Hmmm... Think I'm getting ripped....

[Just(donald)Ducky]

Well, this is my first vacation planning done all by myself. thought it would be easy... a little food there, hotel here, tickets there....

Sadly, I found out it wasn't true. So, in for the ease of "simplicity", I decided to go through a particular TA, one that is HIGHLY reccommended by people on several sites, as well as mentioned in some guide books.

Now, here is the problem. I'm seeing all these people getting AAA discounts here and there, and I told my TA that I was interested in those rates: did I hear anything about it?

Nope.

Furthermore, I'm not real happy with how they are handling my dining reservations. I've told them I'm ordering the DDP, but not until later on, after my final payment is due. I just want to make sure I have all the money together before I add it, you know?

Well, they won't make dining reservations until AFTER I've added the ddp. So, if I want THEM to make the reservations for me, I have to add the DDP now, so I can be sure to get the times I want.

Or, I have to do it myself.

Furthermore, I've been thinking about getting an annual pass, just for the hotel discounts. Are we going to be going back in the next year? Probably not, but if I spend 150 bucks more on an annual pass, and the savings ends up being 200, I'm still in the black. Haven't heard a peep out of my TA about that either.

Now I'm finding out that the marathon is running during my visit (which I knew about) but that discounts are less likely to be offered..... which I didn't. She never mentioned that.

This TA is free, but still... is it worth it to give so much control over to a TA, then miss out on possible deals along the way? Furthermore, if I cancel the TA, I'll probably loose my reservations, and have to re-book everything, and who knows if it is all going to still be available!

So: should I stick with the TA, and hope that they get me a discount, or take back my vacation?

-Mike

 

[mickeystoontown]

Your scenario is the very reason I book my vacations myself. It sounds like you are donig all the work anyway. If I were you, I would call Disney reservations and see if you could book the same resort the TA did. If they say yes, I would take control of my vacation back!

 

[CoolPool]

Yes, this is exactly why I also don't use a TA. Even when I tried to use an AAA TA, she couldn't get me an AAA discount.

 

[tiggersmyguy]

First question, do you have AAA? If you do, call CRO yourself and see if the resort you want has AAA rates available for when you are planning on going. I would personally get rid of your TA. I used to be one myself and I know you can have good and not so good, like everything else if life! Also, be aware if you want the AAA rate, you can't book a AAA package directly with Disney, only room only rates. In addition, if you are considering an annual pass, the dining plan if not available with the AP rates, again room only. You can however buy the DDE card with an annual pass. This is what we did for our vacation this past June and between the room discount and savings with the DDE, we saved an additional $300 over what we had with the AAA room rate. Good luck.

 

[Matt'sMom]

I'm seeing all these people getting AAA discounts here and there, and I told my TA that I was interested in those rates: did I hear anything about it?

Nope.

AAA room rates are not available for all rooms/resorts at all times. There is a limited pool of availability. If you were not offered the AAA rate, it may very well be because there are no rooms available to you in your chosen resort & room catagory at that rate for the time period when you are traveling.

Ask your TA if that is the case. If not, then you may want to look into booking elsewhere. One of the major advantages of using a TA is that they will look for the best possible rate that is available for you, and then can easily modify your ressie to save you even more if an even better rate/code comes along later on.

I've told them I'm ordering the DDP, but not until later on, after my final payment is due.

If you plan to add the DDP, then you must book a MYW package with tickets. You can not book 'room only', and add the DDP. And in order to get AAA rates on a package, you MUST book that package through AAA--no one else can book an AAA discounted package for you.

Well, they won't make dining reservations until AFTER I've added the ddp.

You may be right in your feelings on this one. That doesn't make any sense, since having DDP or not has no effect on your dining reservations (unless you want to use DDP credits to 'pay' for a dinner show--then seating catagory may be restricted to certain levels).

If you are within that 180 day window (Based on your 'ticker', I see that you ARE!), then call the 800 number and make your own ADRs asap. Yes, most TAs are good about making these for you... but if yours is dragging his/her feet, then it is simple enough to make that call yourself.

Furthermore, I've been thinking about getting an annual pass, just for the hotel discounts. Haven't heard a peep out of my TA about that either.

AP discounted rates are not an 'automatic' discount either. Your TA can not predict if or when an AP discount might be offered for your resort/room level choice and dates of stay. All they can do is watch for them and let you know if a better deal does turn up. Unless you are traveling in the very near future, there probably isn't much info the TA can offer you in this regard. If I read your ticker correctly, you will be traveling during early 2008, and I don't believe that any AP rates have been released yet for that time period.

Now I'm finding out that the marathon is running during my visit (which I knew about) but that discounts are less likely to be offered..... which I didn't. She never mentioned that.

Again, TA's can't be expected to predict when WDW may or may not decide to offer a discount code. It is not something that is within their control. Best they can do is watch and wait, and then let you know when/if a better rate does come along.

So: should I stick with the TA, and hope that they get me a discount, or take back my vacation?

-Mike

If you feel terribly uncomfortable with this TA, and are going to be stressed out about how they are handling your ressies... then yes, it may provide you with peace of mind to make your own ressies independently. You can always book a new room reservation on your own, first -- to insure availability of what you want -- before cancelling the current ressie through your TA.

 

[Just(donald)Ducky]

Well, We definitly want the DDP, so I guess getting the AAA rates and annual pass rates are out.....

I'm not currently a member of AAA, but that's easily rectified. I don't know... just not satisifed. Now, if she gets me a big, fat discount, that's different.

The entire thing is that I got a TA to avoid the stress of having to do all the nitty gritty details.... all the confirmation numbers and such. Just annoying.

I'm just hoping that I don't come on here someday and see "Disney Discount Codes released!" and have her say "Oh, we don't participate in that promotion..." and end up paying full price while everyone else isn't, know what I mean?

 

[disneygirl29]

I personally have had no luck with the TA's getting any better discount for my that I couldn't get myslef... and I like to ahv the control myself. Yes it does take work, but it sounds like you are already doing some of that.

This board can certainly help you in the planning and educating yourself as far as how to look for and watch for discounts. Many people book their room before the discounts come out, and then when/if a discount comes out they convert it to the dicsount code with or with the package to go with.

I am not certain your exact dates, taht would certainly help, to see if in the past codes have been offered for that time, it is not a for sure thing, but it is usually a pretty good guide of what is to come and when!

I personally would skip the ta and do it yourself.

As for the AP's-- those are hard, if you are doing the DDP. With the invention of the DDP it has tightened that up a bit.

You can make your own ADR's at 180 prior, and I would... they go fast and if you are doing the DDP you will need them.

Maybe post your dates of travel, where you would like to stay, and how many you have etc... and see what feedback you get here... there are many here that can give you lots of advice about your time of travel I am sure... and those will have tips and ideas... of course 2008 is a new year with some changes to room rates and DDP.

 

[antmaril]

That is why I book everything myself - I would never use a TA for a trip to WDW. I don't want to give up control to anyone - period.

 

[Just(donald)Ducky]

I'm traveling January 9th through the 17th, staying at the all star sports, 7 day park hopper. Coming in at around 4 on the 9th, leaving at 9 am on the 17th, so no tickets for the first or last day are going to be needed. Figure by the time we get to the hotel and check in, it's going to be 6 or 7 anyways....


I'm starting to lean towards taking things over myself. Have to talk to fiance about it, but I've already paid a 200 dollar deposit. Would hate to go through all the trouble of getting things set up, then have to do it all again, you know?

 

[raven69david]

Take it back and book it yourself. There's tons of help that can be provided here and i'm almost sure you'll get a better rate and a better experience by planning it yourself. I always plan my own trips and book directly through Disney with codes; even though i may not get a code personally, there are alot of tips on getting a discount without them.

It sounds like you've already had a bad experience, so i'd say cut your losses and bail on the TA. If you've got questions, just ask and we'll be happy to help you in any way we can and/or provide you with some advise from personal experiences we've had in booking our trips.

 

[disneygirl29]

You might want to figure out the overall savings... it might be hard to recoup the $200.. but it might be better off in the end to do it yourself... might be one of those live and learn moments... you'll know in the future to come here to plan your next disney trip-- disney is like a lay's chip-- you can have just one-- or go just once! many of us are proof of that!

And in the past jan it a typically slower month, and they have had discounts... in 2006 (jan) we got the wl for $119 a night... that is the cheapest deluxe, adn that was with a room discount -- no dining plan.

 

[n2mm]

You can book your own ADRs no matter what. You don't have to already have the DDP booked to make your dining reservations. We often don't even know if we plan to do the DDP until a week before we arrive. Just call and get some ADRs now. I'm going in January and all of my ADRs are done. Time is awasting. BTW: I do all of my own planning, but that's just me.

 

[sherry8253]

I always book my own. Planning is half the fun!!! I just love that thrill of victory when I score an AP rate at one of our choices.

 

[mickeystoontown]

It's not hard to get your $200.00 deposit back. I put up a room only deposit (before the packages came out) in the amount of $293.00. I was able to cancel the room only and then book a package in less than ten minutses. My deposit was refunded to me within a week.

 

[wezee]

I'm having the same prob with my TA. She doesn't look for the best deals or at what resorts the AAA rate maybe available. She doesn't like it when I keep calling her with codes to check, plus she charges me a small fee. And since she booked my vac. pkg for me, I can not call CRO and check on codes myself. Need advice alsThanks

 

[mygr8kdz]

If you want the DDP with AAA discount, you need to go through AAA agency.

If you want an AP rate, you cannot purchase the DDP with that.

In January, the discount on packages last year was a free upgrade to park hopping and water park fun and more.

You don't even need to be staying on property to make adr's. The only advantage with DDP as far as adr's go is that you don't have to prepay for the CRT meals and the like. Staying on property, with or without the DDP, gives you a slight edge with the 180+10 rule.

As for the PP who is being charged a fee from the TA - that is surprising.

 

[wezee]

My TA charged a fee for booking my air flight, not my Disney pkg.....is that not the norm??

 

[Just(donald)Ducky]

Oh god... if I had to pay for this service, there would be no way.

I already had ressies, already had some adr, and I had to cancel it all when I picked these people up. If I had to pay for it too? No way.

Basically, all she's done is exactly what I've already done, except I paid the deposit with her and not with my original plans. Blah!

I'm not sure if it's the discount codes and possibly spending more money I'm worried about, or if it's the fun of the planning that I'm missing out on!

Gonna talk with DFi today....

 

[disneygirl29]

Oh god... if I had to pay for this service, there would be no way.

I already had ressies, already had some adr, and I had to cancel it all when I picked these people up. If I had to pay for it too? No way.

Basically, all she's done is exactly what I've already done, except I paid the deposit with her and not with my original plans. Blah!

I'm not sure if it's the discount codes and possibly spending more money I'm worried about, or if it's the fun of the planning that I'm missing out on!

Gonna talk with DFi today....

First I would call Disney and see if what you are looking for is still available . If it is put it on a hold . You pay a deposit, but for room only it is fully refundable (maybe up to a week prior-- check that) and for packages it is 45 days prior arrivial, which by then you should be all squared away) so either way put it on hold for now while you are deciding what to do... you can even put it on a curtosey hold for a few days without paying with cc or sending in check .

So start with a room only booking (you can always change it later to pkg). Then call you TA and see if you can cancel with her and get your full deposit back with her... since it is not disney, I am not sure what their deposit refund policy is.

Then if you can get your full deposit back from TA I say plan it yourself . The planning is part of the fund. Also when you call back with a code (if one comes out) be prepared that you may have to switch resorts, say you are booking a moderate and you book today your room at CB, they might not have the code available there, so you may need to switch to POR. This could be at any level; value, moderate or deluxe. So in a sense with the codes you may need to be flexible in the resort of your choosing.

This happened to me this year, I wanted to return to POFQ-- the visa code came out, and POFQ didn't have any availablity for the time I was traveling, my option was to find a date that I could use the code and stay at FQ or switch to POR which was available. I went with POR.

there is some work invovled in planning a trip , there are lots of options, decisions to be made, everyone will have an opinion in their fav's and dislikes , you have to weigh it all-- but it is fun ! I swear I enjoy planning the trips almost as much as being there!

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decided. If you need assistance PM me.

Take control!!!!!

Adn in no time you will be there with eatting a !

 

[mygr8kdz]

If you do not have trip insurance selected, you should get your full deposit back. If you opted for trip insurance ($59.95 per adult, i believe), that is non-refundable.

If you are doing a room only reservation, you should be able to get your entire deposit back.

If you are looking for an AP discount, then you can only do so with a room only reservation. You do not need to have an AP at the time of reservation, but do need it for check in. So, if you aren't doing a package, you could wait for the AP codes to be released before deciding.

Good luck! Sorry for your aggravation. I like to think TAs make thinkgs easier