How Do you Book Your Trip?

[Jedi5]

Curious as to how many you of you book your trip to WDW.
How far in advance to you plan for your trip?
Do you book using Orbitz, Expedia, etc... or do you use a WDW travel agent?

 

[cm wannabe]

Hi! We just phone in a ressie, for room only, since we drive down. I have not done any packages so I can't help you there. WDW has been quite helpful with our needsfor the room (wheelchair)

 

[WIDisneyFan]

The first few times we went I took care of all of the arrangements myself. For our last few trips I have used a travel agent that specializes in Disney travel and have LOVED it (Dreams Unlimited Travel). The convenience of having someone who understands the in's and out's of the Disney details is great for us.

If you have any specific questions I would be more than happy to answer

 

[BarbieGal457]

I do it all on my own. I book the package, find the flight, etc. In 2006 I used a travel agent and never will again. I felt like I had no control of my trip, and she was just a terrible nightmare. My trip was completely ruined! So from then on I have done it myself. With the DIS and experience, it gets pretty easy! My parents had always done it for my trips before that since I wasn't old enough to go alone haha!

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

For our Sept. 09 trip I am using Dreams Unlimited. I will book our flights myself.

 

[edamethyst]

I booked our flights myself but had a AAA agent do the package for us. She was very good and patient.

 

[pepe of ohio]

It's just about been the same way for 41 trips so far. We are not interested in packages or dining so we book room only and we call CRO direct. We have a couple of time slots we're interested in and know our resort. We'll book room only with AAA discount and then watch for a better buy, whether AP discount or pin code but at least we have the room at AAA for our time and if nothing comes out better we're still good to go. We most always go in value season and we stay aways from holidays and since the last 10 stays have been at Wilderness Lodge, no sense sitting on a fence wondering about resorts, WL suits our needs to a tee and as for the rest, we purchase our tickets as needed, we do alot of pool picnics and aren't into the expensive, time consuming signature restaurants. It's pretty easy, resort, time period and that's it. No on line booking and no price line or any of that, we rather talk to a human, confirm everything, get reservation numbers and a confirmed e-mail for what we booked.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I always book our trips through the www.disneyworld.com website. Most times, I purchase a package and I book it the day the package rates come out for the following year. If you book a package through Disney Travel Company, you only have to put down a $200 deposit and pay it off 45 days prior to arrival. I am a seller on ebay so every time I get a buyer who pays $20.00 or more, I pay on our vacation. It's like having a Disney vacation on layaway!

A couple of times, a special offer has come out and I simply call Disney Travel and ask them to apply the offer to my vacation. I've received free ticket upgrades and room discounts.

If you book through a travel agent, you can't call Disney directly and make changes, etc. Everything has to be done through your agent. This would be okay if you have a really good and knowledgable agent.

I am a hands-on vacation planner so I like to do it all myself!

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

Curious as to how many you of you book your trip to WDW.
How far in advance to you plan for your trip?
Do you book using Orbitz, Expedia, etc... or do you use a WDW travel agent?

We Book WDW by a Travel agent.
We plan about a year a head.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Always through Disney...I get nervous when I'm doing it with someone else, I always end back at Disney travel agents....some reason I feel better having it all done there!!

 

[lsmithruns]

Our 1st trip is just before Thanksgiving. We used AAA and booked it in July.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Curious as to how many you of you book your trip to WDW.
How far in advance to you plan for your trip?
Do you book using Orbitz, Expedia, etc... or do you use a WDW travel agent?

Our trips are planned 2 years in advance and I make all of the arrangements. If we want a particular room/suite/view I call and do a room only as soon as I am able to book it and then when the new rates come out than I call and have everything switched to a package. The last time I used a TA was about 10 years ago. She was fantastic but I am somewhat of a control freak and need to do things my way.

 

[TINK814]

There is an advantage to using a travel agents that specializes in Disney. They are constantly updating their knowledge and watching for specials for you. They can do the leg work and even make the dining ressies for you so you don't have to spend so long on the phone. It is best to use a TA that is an authorized Disney travel provider, like Mouse Fan Travel.

 

[disneyfan55]

I always book directly with WDW and always with some type of room discount or FD.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Most of the time, I book my room myself directly through Disney, but I have booked with AAA. Depends on my needs.

Suzanne

 

[ToddyLu]

All trips except this one have been done on line through Disney. This one I called Disney since I had a 40% off card on room and dining. I enjoy doing the planning so I make all the ADRs. We like being able to pay over time on line. We are going this Dec. and will already have dates picked to go next year. My DH is a fireman and he has to pick his vacation days out a year ahead. So when we get back, I start all over again. It is great!!!!

 

[Babsydoodle]

We always book through AAA. We use the same agent every year. She knows us very well, and gets all the information to us, then I compare AAA vs. directly through Disney. so far AAA has been the best dollar for dollar. We always stay on property, usually Pop, and book in May or June for November 28 to December 5 vacation. Next year I will check out Dreams Unlimited, I have heard great things about them! Any way you book it, you will have a great time!

 

[wisegal]

OP thanks for asking that question, I was thinking the same thing while at work today