Newbie needs LOTS of Help

[kurtandchelle]

Hello all,

My Dh and I have decided to take our 2 kids (9 &6) to disney the week before xmas 12/16-12/22. How do I go about booking the trip. Do I go through a travel agent, online, or call disney? Do I pay for the whole trip when I book or do I put a deposit. Its all confusing.....I have searched in books and online trying to find the best way and how but having been coming up empty handed. I know where we want to stay and that we want the dining package etc but when and how to pay is another!! Any advice will be appreciated and helpful!! THANks

Michelle

 

[DisneyFan0403]

Have any friends or family who have been that can give you advice?

You're right! The choices and options are a bit overwhelming.
I'm sure this forum will help you as well. Worse case, you
can always call Disney and their friendly helpful operators
can walk you through a number of options.

 

[Barb D]

Definitely call CRO (1-407-WDISNEY). Trying to do it through their website is an exercise in frustration. They'll give you all your options. If you're booking room only you pay a one night deposit. I'm not sure how you pay for a package.

Where do you want to stay? Any ideas of where you want to eat? (If you want to eat at the castle, you need to make reservations 6 months ahead!)

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

There are lots of choices, that's for sure! We are planning our second trip later this year and are exploring all options as far as booking - DH went to our travel agent last week and we are researching on-line travel sites and even thru Disney.com. For payment, I believe that most ways you make a deposit and then have to pay the rest 45 days in advance, but I could be wrong? I also believe that most places take check/credit cards for both the deposit and balance.
What online sites have you tried?

 

[susykt4]

I've booked three packages from the Disney official phone number and they've always been very helpful. I had to immediately put down $200 and the balance was due 45 days out. I've had to pay for tours when I booked them and had to make deposits on princess meals, but no other character meals. Good luck.

 

[hvivona]

We used Small World Vacations, Inc this year to book our trip and it has been wonderful. Our agent, Missy, stays on top of everything and lets us know if any discounts come up. She has also made all of our reservations for resort, meals and tours. It made planning our trip so much easier and less stressful, plus Its FREE!

 

[Elmo888]

I would go through 407wdisney and just pay the deposit. After that, you can make payments with checks or cc (by calling), or you can just wait until your 45 day mark (45 days before your vacation) and pay the whole thing at once (mail check in advance or call and use cc).

If you are the type of person that doesn't particularly want to do everything yourself, you could look at some Disney specialist travel agents, like Small World Vacations (www.wdwvacations.com)

After you book, you can watch mousesavers.com for discount codes which can be applied to your reservation. Have you checked into any books? The Unofficial Guide is a great book with lots of detailed info.

 

[ajcolorado]

I would book directly with Disney or with a Disney Authorized Travel planner. You can check for one in your phone book. There are some good online ones too. I've used www.buildabettermousetrip.com - they apply all commissions towards custom touring plans and they were great about answering all my questions via phone or email from start to finish. I think smallworldvacations.com has a similar deal but I haven't used them.

You'll definately want a good touring plan - you'll have a much better time if you have a good plan that keeps you ahead of the crowds.

 

[eliza61]

Hello all,

My Dh and I have decided to take our 2 kids (9 &6) to disney the week before xmas 12/16-12/22. How do I go about booking the trip. Do I go through a travel agent, online, or call disney? Do I pay for the whole trip when I book or do I put a deposit. Its all confusing.....I have searched in books and online trying to find the best way and how but having been coming up empty handed. I know where we want to stay and that we want the dining package etc but when and how to pay is another!! Any advice will be appreciated and helpful!! THANks

Michelle

First trip can be a little mind boogling. First go to allearsnet and see what's available. This site has some of the best resort slide shows. Do you have a particular resort you wish to try? Then try to decide on a ticket type. would you like to park hop, or do you think you'll be ok with just a 1 park per day pass. Once you get some idea of where you want to stay and your type of pass. You can start shopping. I would call disney direct and go to your local travel agent. Both will give you a price without any obligations and both will tell you your payment options. When I booked my first trip, I got one of my kids composition books, you know those black and white ones they use in elementary school and I wrote every thing down. Then if I had specific questions I posted them on the Dis.

Take a deep breathe and plunge right in.