How to book my Disneyland trip

[Newtsry]

Hi
I would like some feedback on booking hotel and airline etc. for Disneyland CA
Myself & hubby, my son & wife and 2 grandkids 8 & 10 and my single daughter.
End of Sept. 2008 for 5 nights, we will get 2 rooms.
We are going to fly out of Vancouver to LAX airport.
Question is what is the best way to book all this and the most cost effective.
Travel agent with vacation packages?
Call airline and hotel directly on phone?
Book flight and hotel over the internet?
Please let me know what you all did and what are the benefits.
This is all of ours first trip to Disneyland.
Thanks in advance, will await your replies.

 

[splash5]

First I would try the easy way- go through Disney.com to price out a package. That will give you a starting point. Then you can go to individual hotels (do you know where you want to stay?) I would go to the hotels web sites and see if there are any deals - I've heard that Howard Johnson has good deals. I have found that it is better to book airfare on your own (rather than through Disney). Kayak.com is a good sight to check airfare prices, also Farecast will show you what price you can get now and will tell you if the same ticket was selling cheaper before. You can check through a travel agent too. If you have AAA you can check through them or GetAwayToday has some specials too. I also have good luck with Expedia. It is usually easier if you have more time to monitor ticket prices (for airfare).

I know this is a little scrambled- if you have more questions, just ask.....

 

[mAlien13]

The previous poster has pretty much said it all. If you are really interested in the convenience of having someone put the package together, you can use Disney.com, AAA, or pretty much any TA. I think the one that a lot of people here on DIS use is called GetAwayTravel(?) and from what I understand, they are pretty up to date on the newest deals that DLR is offering.

However, for a little bit more of a time investment, you can piece it all together yourself, and I have found that this saves a lot of money. I check out the packages, but so far I have always been able to save a ton by doing the research on my own. I call the hotels, using their local line, which can often result in an even better rate than online. I do check with the online travel sites, sometimes you can get great deals, especially with airfare. I like the following:

Kayak or Expedia for air.
Call hotel direct for room rates.
Costco or AREStravel.com for passes.

Good luck! No matter how you plan it, you are going to have a great time!!!

 

[Colfireman]

Hi
I would like some feedback on booking hotel and airline etc. for Disneyland CA
Myself & hubby, my son & wife and 2 grandkids 8 & 10 and my single daughter.
End of Sept. 2008 for 5 nights, we will get 2 rooms.
We are going to fly out of Vancouver to LAX airport.
Question is what is the best way to book all this and the most cost effective.
Since your in Canada (like me) you are limited to two travel companies Fun Sun and Western if you go the travel agent route.

Travel agent with vacation packages?
I booked for Xmas and still got free air for the kids.
Call airline and hotel directly on phone?
Prices on the net from Van were not any cheaper than the travel agent. (my opinion)
Book flight and hotel over the internet?
Flights out of US airports can save you money but you have to be willing to get to one of these. As for the hotel you can save if you check. Friends went down and wanted the Fairfield inn across the street from the main entrance. Travel agent price $149.00...Booking by themself $125.00. So it just depends on how much legwork you want to do. I did my booking with Alaska Vacations and Disney (just to check) and they were thousands higher than what i am paying.
Please let me know what you all did and what are the benefits.
I personally booked via travel agent, I felt that they were able to get a fair price and hotel selection was very good. We are staying at the Howard Johnson's. They are in the business so why not use them as a resourse for you. Just make sure the agent you deal with specializes in Disney vacations. Or do your homework then go in and discuss price.
This is all of ours first trip to Disneyland.
We never get tired of Disney Took daughters down in 2004 for the first time and now we go for Xmas
Thanks in advance, will await your replies.

Just so you can compare I am flying out Dec 21 2008 with 2 adults and three children. YVR-LAX 10 days Hojo 1 room All taxes included was $3500.00. Add in the "extras" it brought the trip to just under $6000.00 but remember I am going at "Primetime". :cool1.

 

[kylieh]

Both Getaway Today and Disney will sell to overseas visitors. We used Getaway today to Australia, and there was an international delivery fee of US$35 (may be less for Canada).

The downside is air tickets - I'm not sure if it is against some international law or something? but no travel agent will send tickets internationally, although you can book ETickets directly with the airline. We booked directly with Qantas.

 

[nunzia]

I did all components separatly and that was the cheapest. However, if they have specials, (kids fly free, gift cards, etc) the special could be a savings. I did a ton of research and as far as packages go, I found getawaytoday had the best deals.

 

[DizOz]

We recently went to DL and WDW from Australia. I found that I saved over $1500 by booking hotels myself over the interent compared to our travel agent. I used them to get me the flights but the rest accommodation, transfers etc I did myself.

Another reason was I felt the travel agents I spoke to did not listen when I told them what I wanted eg the type of accomodation and location of accomodation. In the end I had to tell them this hotel and this type of room.