How do YOU book your reservation?

[vikster1]

How do you book your Disney vacation?
WDW website?
AAA?
Travel Agent?

Do they all offer the same deals??

Thanks in advance

 

[Kristibo42]

We have the best TA I would recommend her to anyone. She does everything for us resort, tickets, and dining. I can't mention the company as I would get my hand slapped in here. But if you want to message I can give you her info. We are even going to use her for our next huge family trip in 2016 about 75 people.

 

[MsThumper]

I do it all myself through the Disney website. We are Florida Residents and Annual Passholders. I know what we need, I love looking for discounts, and I love doing research. We are also AAA members, but the discounts from Disney are way better.

If I know we want to go stay at Disney, I make the reservations, put down a deposit and wait until the discounts come out. I always have alternate room selections ready in case the discounts don't apply to the type of room we are looking for, but (knock on wood), that has never happened.

 

[scard192]

we needed 2 rooms and called Disney as you can't do that on line.

 

[mickeynut1]

How do you book your Disney vacation?
WDW website?
AAA?
Travel Agent?

Do they all offer the same deals??

Thanks in advance

I price everything out online and then call to book. Everyone usually has the same deals, although some travel agents offer special deals at times that are exclusive to them.

 

[Slade]

We always use our TA who specializes in Disney. We usually book pretty far out, before any Disney promotions are released, but when they do come out she changes our reservation to snag the Disney promotion. That way we don't have to worry about it. The one year there wasn't a good promotion, she just booked us with a AAA rate.

 

[DJFan88]

I always book it myself on the phone. It is easy and I know I'm in control of my reservation and if I need to, I pick up the phone and call Disney myself. If a discount comes up, I call Disney and know I've done it. I love researching all of my ADR's etc., and then I do them online. And now there are other online things going on, I want control. I change ADR's around, so I just do it.
Some people claim their reason for using AAA agent is because of some kind of diamond parking and maybe some other perk, which none of that means anything to me, so if that is important to you, it could be a reason to go to them. But if you're just seeking a AAA discount, you can also call yourself and see if the AAA discount is available, just like at any hotel.
Some people have wonderful travel agents who are probably very knowledgeable and quick and etc., but others have not been as fortunate.
I know I have the best interest of anyone for my vacation and so I prefer and enjoy handling it. If you are not that type of person, you may prefer to let someone handle it. Just be sure to make sure you keep up with them to get what you want. But I figure if I would have to call them, why not just call myself? I don't think you are going to get any more discounts on prices with them than you are going to get by booking yourself. Sometimes they throw in extra perks like a gift basket at you resort or like I said, diamond parking.
In regards to calling or online, I always call for the initial reservation and any impotant changes like discount promotions or rate or room changes, but then I do the other stuff like ADR's and if you do online check in or now I guess this magic band stuff (which I haven't done yet).

 

[serene56]

We have only been to the world three times.

Two times I booked with an agent-- its the same deal as direct.
First time-- our request was to be together-- didnt care to be next to each other but at least in the same building.
The rooms were booked together and "supposed" to be linked together-- they were not so our request was not met and we spent two hours getting it corrected.


The next time we used an agent and request was to be by a laundry room. They put us sooo far out from the laundry room I had to ask if my request was even made-- it was not.

This time I am booking direct and hope that someone pays attention to requests-- 5 rooms please be in the same building.

 

[aaarcher86]

I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone plan my trips for me!

 

[Babsy]

I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone plan my trips for me!

Me too! I just can't let go!

My reservation! mine, mine, mine!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I book it myself. It's easy and quick.

I do usually wait until discounts are out before booking. If no discount for my time frame I'll call and give them my AAA number for the AAA discount. It's better than nothing. Occasionally they don't have any rooms available for my chosen resort with the AAA discount and then I just switch resorts.

Otherwise, I just book on the Disney website.

 

[GovieMom]

I use a Disney-certified TA; that is the only way to go. I do all the research and planning myself, then let her know the dates I want and the resort and room type. I prefer to let her be on the phone (or online) with Disney instead of me, especially when special discounts or promotions are going to be released. She sends me an e-mail first thing in the a.m. (sometimes shortly after midnight the night before) on the first official day of the promo, telling me she added the discount/free dining, etc. to my reservation. Can't beat that with a stick! Plus, her services cost me nothing and she gets a commission from Disney; it's nice to help someone else out.

 

[webcreatrix]

I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone plan my trips for me!