how did u book ur disney resort hotel? in the UK or direct, where for best deal?

[Karfy]

hi everyone

we are going to florida next christmas and have just booked our flights. now are are onto the next step of booking one of the disney hotels! first we have to pick one but i wanted to know how u guys have booked them? where to get the best deals? have u booked through a travel agent, on the internet, or direct with the hotels? im really not sure where to look!

im going to look up on the internet, if u know of any good websites please can u let me know we are going to stay at one of the deluxes possibly the polynesian. we are going to be staying there from 20th dec- 27th, im not sure what the prices are like for over christmas..i can imagine it will be a lot eek. but its gonna be really special and worth it!

thanks in advance for any hints or pointers! love Karfy xxxxxxx

 

[carolfoy]

I booked my allstars this year as a package thru' virgin, as a travel agent it made more sense to me (this time) as i got my commission etc off, now when I go again i will always check flight only prices against packages and see if there are any £££ to save, sometimes yes sometimes no, Have you thought about renting DVC points from a member, theses can work out cheap in high price seasons but you may not find many interested in renting for a peak time, try some of the us based travel agents like dreams unlimited as the dollar is fairly weak so it may work out better. just as a guide uk agents will sell the poly garden view at aroung £160 per person per night for peak time.

 

[allie5]

Although I booked the first two weeks at AKL thru Virgin, for our second week at the Polynesian, I booked through a UK agent. She specialises in WDW hotels and you pay in $$ not pounds. Also, if any discount rates come out, she will try and get them applied to your room (although that is unlikely over Christmas!). I have paid one nights deposit, the rest I will pay when we arrive, so it keeps the money in the bank for longer!

Not sure if I am allowed to post a link to her site, so just in case, PM me if you are interested, and I will send you the link.

 

[snookhams]

This year will be the first year staying onsite - and I booked direct with Disney, I tried to do this via there website but in the end I found it easier to ring them, they were very helpful even looking to see if there were any codes they could add to the booking, I paid a deposit and the rest when we arrive at the CBR

 

[Goofyish]

In the past I've booked through DreamsUnlimited (the DIS travel agent).

When you make a booking you are assigned you own personal agent, who will look after your reservation, book PSs on your behalf (saving the phone calls to the US), book other hard ticket events and they will also constantly check for any discount codes that may become available and apply them to your booking
For all this there is no extra charge

Booking direct with WDW or through an agent can save you money, especially paying in dollars with a credit card like the Nationwide Visa that doesn't make a charge for transaction in dollars. So depending on the exchange rate you can make quite a saving

DreamsUnlimited

 

[Karfy]

This year will be the first year staying onsite - and I booked direct with Disney, I tried to do this via there website but in the end I found it easier to ring them, they were very helpful even looking to see if there were any codes they could add to the booking, I paid a deposit and the rest when we arrive at the CBR

thanks for all of your replies

snookhams, im trying to find a number i could call direct for disney....do u know where i could find it? im looking on the disney website but cant seem to find a contact us number or a number to talk about the resort hotels, maybe im looking at the wrong site.

 

[Frances999]

I highly recommend Dreams Unlimited too. You are assigned your own agent and they take care of everything for you, including the making of an itinerary and PS'!

Definitely book in $USD to save cash with the great exchange rate, too.



BTW, The Polynesian is incredible. You will love it!

 

[snookhams]

The direct no. is 001 407 939 7429 (the 001 is the country code)- but don't forget the 5 hour time difference when you ring!

 

[Karfy]

The direct no. is 001 407 939 7429 (the 001 is the country code)- but don't forget the 5 hour time difference when you ring!

thanks for the number!! we will give them a call in a bit xxxxxxx

 

[Tartan Tigger]

Another vote for Dreams Unlimited, there service is excellent. My agent for my last 2 and upcoming 2 trips is Merrie Thomas and I cannot recommend her highly enough.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Another thumbs up for Dreams Unlimited. I am using them for the 2nd time at the moment and it's great.

My first experience with them was also for a Christmas trip in 2003. Every aspect went so smoothly, my agent made every PS for me and got every single one - a total necessity at such a busy time. She also booked varioius other events including Cirque de Soleil (amazing seats) and WL carriage/sleigh ride.

They also check your booking every so often to see if any discount codes can be applied. It hasn't happened for me yet but many other people have been luckier.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

Louise

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Yep - another vote for Dreams Unlimited.

We've always had excellent service from them and will definitely use them again when staying onsite at Disney

 

[Celestine]

Well I've used all methods - US TA (mouseear vacations), WDW travel co in UK, direct with Disney in US & using virgin. You need to compare all 4 as in each case they were used because they gave the best deal, e.g. August 2006 we've booked through Virgin for ASMo at £58/night less fv disc which makes it just over £50. Being high season, prices start at $100 before tax, so UK is cheaper. Last Dec when we went, we booked using US TA with a discount code from mousesavers & it worked out at £30/night where virgin still wanted over £50. I guess it deends on time of year you are travelling & how much you like to leave to chance (often discounts are only available 2-3 months before you go). This year we booked ASMo for friends & the WDW travel co beat both the US & virgin hands down & they get some sort of free gifts.

 

[Hilary]

..and another thumbs up for Dreams Unlimited

I think it's worth emphasising that you check you're comparing like for like, as sometimes (e.g. direct with WDW and DU) you'll be quoted per room and other times (as part of package usually) per person. Obviously that could make a big difference to the bottom line.

 

[Karfy]

thanks for more replies

ive got in touch with dreams unlimited and have sent a few emails back and forth with the agent who seems really helpful and nice!! so shes gonna give us some quotes on things, im going to also call magical memories travel to get a quote to compare it with!

thanks again! xxxxxxxxxxxx