Need Help Booking Our First Trip

[Smile Mama]

HELP!! This is our first trip and we are going the week before Thanksgiving week. I want to stay at a moderate Disney hotel and thought the Caribbean one sounds nice. I'm trying to use a AAA travel agent but they gave me the most ridiculous pricing for a package and she's supposed to find out what in the world that price could be for. Are packages a cheaper way to go? We will be in the park 4 days (5 nights in hotel) with our DD who will be nearly 5 yrs. This may be our ONLY trip so I want it to be perfect. We are planning on driving from Austin, TX.

I don't understand how I should book the hotel to get the discount codes that I read about. I also don't know what the different park passes are. We don't want to go to all the parks or any of the water parks. We're mostly interested in these parks: MK, Epcot and some of AK and MGM. I did some research and had the travel agent book 3 different character meals and the Lua for the two of us. We also want to have a rest period each day so we have the option to go to a different park after the rest period. Need any advice! Thanks!

 

[Terk-1]

CONGRATS!!! You'll have a blast!!! These boards are a great place to ask questions. I would call CRO and see what they come up with for rates. Try the new code that just came out. Since it is the week before Thanksgiving, you should still be in value season. Also, go on their website and see what they come up with. Sometimes it's cheaper doing it piecemeal, than a package. Plan on at least a day or two at the MK. With a 5 year old, AK can be done in a 1/2 day and so can MGM (actually, less than a half day at MGM). One day at EPCOT may not be enough, but you will at least get a taste of the park.

If I can give some advice. There is no way you will see everything there is to see at the parks in only 4 days, especially if you are planning rest periods and character meals. Borrow from your local library, a copy of Birnbaum's Guide to WDW for Kids, by Kids, as well as their regular guide. This is a great way of seeing what each park has to offer and you can decide what you want to see and what you want to skip. Also, remember that the park hours (especially at the MK) will be shorter, due to the time of year you are going. You may be able to do the MK for most of one day, go back to your resort for a rest, then pop over to EPCOT in the evening (closes at 9pm). Bring a stroller!!! This was a must for us. Saved alot of money by bringing our own and the kids are more comfortable in their own. Hope this helps!

 

[JennSaint]

I booked our first trip through AAA before I found these boards and let me say you will probably do better booking everything on your own. Check mousesavers.com for information on discounts. You can call Disney CRO directly using a code and probably save yourself some $$.



edited to remove a link to a commercial site!

 

[karensi]

Smile Mama, From what I have read and learned on these boards, it is cheaper to book your own transportation,hotel stay, etc. ,separately than to get a package. The package will usually include at least one thing that you and your family will never use, yet pay for. In order to book the hotel ,just call CRO at 407-WDISNEY.Tell the CM that you want to book using whatever code you've found either on this board or mousesavers. It's really easy and even if you aren't able to get a code rate, for whatever reason, such as if no code rooms left for your dates, you should still make out better than with the package.If you plan on spending 4 days in the parks, buy the 4 day park hopper passes, you won't need the park hopper plus passes because they include admission to the water parks. With the park hopper passes you will be able to go to any of the parks you mention as many times as you want each day. You can leave one park, go back and rest and then go to a different park in the evening.Again, this board or the official Disney site, or maybe mousesavers too, will give you a run down on what the tickets cost and what they include.As for the PS, that is very easy also, just call 407-WDW-DINE and make the PS for the day and time you want. Just for you to know, you may not be able to get the exact time that you request, but hopefully they will have something close to what you want. That seems to be all you need and that is why I say that the package you are paying for may have some unwanted things included that you won't need yet will be paying for. I say, try making your own ressies, if you succeed in getting what you want, compare the price to your travel agents price and cancel with the agent if you've done better. One word of warning, DON'T cancel with the agent until you have everything booked yourself. No need to run the risk of not getting what you want.I would suggest you call CRO as soon as possible in order to take advantage of the codes. Good luck,it really is very easy and fun to do on your own Let us know how you make out.

 

[Smile Mama]

Wow those responses came fast. Thanks everyone for the advice, it was all good. GOOD NEWS, a few minutes ago I gave my travel agent the discount code and she was able to get our room MUCH cheaper ($94.40 vs $149.28)!! We aren't doing a package. Does $200 sound right for a 4 day pass without water parks? This is with a 10% AAA discount. I'll try looking at the abovementioned site for a cheaper price.

Has anyone used babysitting services with the Disney hotel they were staying in? What was that like?

 

[susy]

The four day hopper is 192.00 plus tax. How much discount does AAA give you??

Congratulations on getting a wonderful rate at CBR. You will LOVE this place. I would request Martinique (to be close to mainpool, food court)

 

[SnackyStacky]

The 4-day park hoppers are $203 after tax if purchased from Disney. They are $198 after tax through AAA. Ticketmania.com has them for $196. There's also Florida Orlando tickets for $195, but they charge $7 for shipping. With ticketmania, $196 covers the pass, tax, and shipping. They also send you a whole bunch of coupons and info on all kinds of Orlando attractions.

 

[Trekker]

Just one word of caution - I've heard that AAA tacks on a fee to all reservations they make.

Ask your agent if this is true or not.....

If they do and you would like to try a travel agent that does not do this and is dedicated to Disney Travel - IE: The Disney Experts go to www.dreamsunlimited.com and put in a request for your date and tell them the discount code you used.

They will give you a price quote back for whatever you request.
They also will help you plan your days - help you get those hard to get dinner priority seatings, etc, etc, etc,
BTW - they are also the Travel Agents associated with this board.

I know where you are coming from - our first ever visit to WDW we booked with a local travel agent - got a package - paid way to much for what we got. But all in all we had the greatest time. Our first stay was a Caribbean Beach Resort and it was wonderful.

So whatever you decide to do - welcome to the wonderful world of Disney planning. Have a great time.