How do you book your Disney vacation?

[fishhunter]

I'm just curious to know how most people actually book their Disney vacation? If you are staying on site, do you book through the Disney website, a secondary site or use a travel agent? I often hear travel agents say they can get you the best prices if you book your trip with them. Is this actually the case if you're staying on site? I always just book through disney.com. What do you do?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Through DVC most of the time...

I don't ever use a travel agent though...don't like to give the control away. I've booked through third party sites before, because they have great deals - much better than booking through Disney sometimes. Only if you want just a room reservation though - no good if you want a ticket package or a dining plan.

 

[MsLisaG]

I book through the Disney site directly. I don't like giving up control of my vacation planning to a TA, haha!

 

[2Tiggies]

I always book direct with Disney. I've yet to have a travel agent beat what I've managed to get my vacation for. With that said, I know people who have so I don't know there is really a hard and fast rule that could safely be applied. It's always best to figure out what you want and then shop around and make a decision that suits you. I will add though that I generally prefer booking directly with the company, regardless of the service. It's so much easier to sort stuff out and change it if you need to - or at least from my experience. I've used a TA for Disney once and doubt I will ever do it again.

 

[ConvenientTruth]

I like calling Disney and booking through a CM....

 

[frozengurl]

I use a travel agent, she's a good friend of mine and she is awesome! I don't feel like I'm giving up control of my vacation at all, on the contrary, I plan everything and then send it to her and she makes all the calls etc. She always gets me exactly what I want, she always gets me the hard to book ADRs, it's exciting having her to bounce ideas off of! She's super passionate about Disney! Although I know I can do it all by myself, I prefer to go through her! I like the idea of supporting her business as well!
Plus, this year we have 2 vacations, my 180 days for our big family vaca in Oct. Will start while I'm on our mini weekend getaway in April... It's great knowing she will be the one waking up at 6am making my ADRs while I'm sleeping in from my late night at MK!

 

[BrianL]

Always direct and on the phone. I like talking to a person as the CMs are really good and take your needs into consideration. You can ask tons of questions and they will do their best to answer. They will get you in the right place. Hold time can be a bear though!

 

[Winnowill]

I do almost everything I do online. I hate the phone, and avoid using it whenever I can.

The exception is booking Disney vacations. I like being able to tell the CM exactly what I want, and know that any errors will be fixed immediately and with a minimum of fuss. Plus, I love getting the travel package in the mail from Disney.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We have booked on-line, on the phone and through a TA. We have never had a problem with any of these methods, but prefer to book on-line.

 

[katt789]

i usually book just through Disneyworld.com
I get AP discounts through there and that's usually the cheapest. Although it's always room only, and we get tickets for others from Undercover Tourist.

I will sometimes book through Davids DVC rental if I'm renting points to stay somewhere fancier! Lol.

 

[Reizo]

Always through Disney online because of Florida Resident and AP Discounts for Room only. Like everyone else said, it's peace of mind knowing that you're in control for at least the planning stage.

 

[judaloo]

I always book on the telephone with a CM. I too like being able to change things easily etc. down the road if need be. Honestly, one of the biggest reasons is because I can never get enough of hearing, "Have a magical day'

 

[Cais]

I work with enough travel agents (fixing their screwups) that I would never ever use one for booking any sort of vacation, that's for sure!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Meetmeinmontauk]

I always book our trips online. Even if I could get a little more of a discount from using a TA I probably wouldn't. Trip planning is a lot of fun

 

[Mousemommy1]

For the 1st time in 8 trips, I am actually using a TA but only because the deal was that good and better than what I could get (and we usually use the military discount).

So far, so good though....everything going perfectly smooth, she has been very responsive. She is dealing very well with my control issues.

 

[MsThumper]

Always through Disney online because of Florida Resident and AP Discounts for Room only. Like everyone else said, it's peace of mind knowing that you're in control for at least the planning stage.

This

 

[BudgieMama]

We booked resort/tickets/FD on Disney's website, then the flights with the airline minutes later on their website!

 

[Missymouse18]

Always direct and on the phone. I like talking to a person as the CMs are really good and take your needs into consideration. You can ask tons of questions and they will do their best to answer. They will get you in the right place. Hold time can be a bear though!

This, exactly.

 

[MrInfinity]

We just book online via disney.com. We get full packages... room, tix, ddp. Then call in for any changes that can't be made online. I don't really know what a travel agent could do for me that I wouldn't otherwise prefer to do, myself.

 

[Networth]

Online and call ins for confirmations and special arrangements. I never use a TA for any trip. With the age of the internet I would say its a dyeing profession unless you have a very specific niche.