OMG it could be cheaper?

[lorapinky]

Hi everyone...

I was just playing around with the disney website and found that for 16 nights at an All Star hotel for 2 would be $780 (£500 ish)...thats nothing! What am I paying my travel agent for?

I then looked at flights to orlando and I saw them for about £500.00 pp.

I guess I get piece of mind through an agent but gosh they make some money dont they?

Has anyone booked through disney for their rooms?

and then done flights seperate...if so can you share your experiences?

 

[snookhams]

we booked rooms direct with Disney last year, just rang them - I am at work at the moment but this evening I will see if I can find the number for you. I rang them back when the AP rates were issued and had them applied to my booking. It was really easy and I would defiatly do it again. I actually have not used a TA for a disney holiday other than our first visit - i am now arranging our 8th and find it easier and more convenient to book direct. I tend to book a fly-drive with the airline as you can book this alot earlier than just a flight on its own

 

[lorapinky]

Does it work out cheaper to do it this way then? alot cheaper or just a bit?

 

[tazz23]

Yes we booked through the disney.co.uk website for our june trip- 7 nights dining package (approx. £1000 including 14 day ultimate ticket, 7 nights accommodation at POP and 7 nights dining) and then 3 nights room only (£175). We then booked our flights (economy) with virgin (approx.£400 return).

Surprisingly disney.co.uk was cheaper than disney.com (we took the exchange rate to be about 1.7) plus you got a snowglobe and a free cuddly toy!

 

[Laurafoster]

We are going in April for 12 nights at Port Orleans Riverside. We booked room only direct through Disney for £1032.And Disneys magical express. We then booked flights direct through Virgin for £350pp return. In total that came to -£1732.

My friend then phoned up and booked through Virgin Holidays 2 days later and paid £1756 for 12 nights, same flight, same hotel.

So it only worked out £33 different. For that i would rather have everything booked through one place.

However i have had holidays where it has worked out alot cheaper to book direct, i think you just need to check around and see what deals are available. Having said that after my first trip i have never used a "travel agent" like first choice or thomas cook. I always book direct with Virgin holidays, BA holidays, etc etc.

 

[Funniebunny]

I'm not trying to start bashing but you'd be surprised how little Agents make this day. Most Airlines only give 1% commission some give none. Even some of the holiday companies have cut commission.
As you said at least you have piece of mind using an Agent.

 

[traceycooper]

Does it normally work out cheaper to book seperate 'out of season?' I have tryed all ways to get the best deal in school holls & booking a package always seems to be cheaper!!!
Am i doing something wrong

 

[Mumof2]

I asked a similar question last year.

For us this year, it has worked out cheaper doing a pre-booked fly drive (with Virgin cos of their kids prices) and booking the villa seperately.

Like lorapinky, having played around with the Disney website, it would have also been cheaper booking hotel rooms this way. I think when we checked at CBR it was almost £100 cheaper. Its a hit and miss tho.

 

[Miffy2003]

We have found it cheaper to book things ourselves, both in and out of school holidays. Sometimes the difference is minimal, sometimes significant. I always advocate doing research before booking to secure the best possible deal.

 

[Amyrlin]

I always book direct, and get either the AA disocunt on top of the lower prices or a discount as the result of an AP.

 

[Tarzan]

I always book things separately (with the exception of October 2005 when I saw a good deal) and don't usually even check the package prices. Silly, I know! I have always been lucky though and saved hundreds of pounds. We are going back in 5 weeks and I have paid £1735 for flights with Virgin and 12 nights onsite. This is for 2 adults, 2 children and 1 infant. I just got a quote from Virgin Holidays of £2380 for the same dates and hotel. I saved £645 this time

 

[jns]

we have done it both ways
i have used the TA on these boards for the rooms they can do all your dining booking as well ,all done by e mail saves holding on to the phone listening to disney music

this time we have book with My Travel as I got a good deal on the kids , 15 year classed as a child
flight only or fly drive would have been 4 adults

not taking the car as I have got a full size car on the net cheaper them the free car and insurces for a small car with them

It dose pay to check around

 

[seobaina]

Yep, booked everything seperate myself for a may trip. Ok, I work for disney so I would naturally book my hotel through them. But flight wise...I was quote £600 each for flights and got them online for £296 the same night.

 

[minniemouseuk]

Yes, I've also recently discovered that too!

We're hoping to go to WDW in March 2008. I entered the equivalent dates for this year, and could not belieeeve the difference. Like you, I also found the flights to be about £500 each. Adding up the whole thing it came too about £500 less than the same deal with Virgin.

The only drawback I could see was that on the website, you could only book for trips for the current year! I personally like to book as much in advance as possible, so that doesn't appeal to me so much.

But it is tempting! I've only stayed in Value resorts before, and as lovely as they are, I would love to try a Moderate. A Moderate trip with Disney costs about the same as a Value one with Virgin!

Hi everyone...

I was just playing around with the disney website and found that for 16 nights at an All Star hotel for 2 would be $780 (£500 ish)...thats nothing! What am I paying my travel agent for?

I then looked at flights to orlando and I saw them for about £500.00 pp.

I guess I get piece of mind through an agent but gosh they make some money dont they?

Has anyone booked through disney for their rooms?

and then done flights seperate...if so can you share your experiences?

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I'm not trying to start bashing but you'd be surprised how little Agents make this day. Most Airlines only give 1% commission some give none. Even some of the holiday companies have cut commission.
As you said at least you have piece of mind using an Agent.

There's definitely no money to be made as a travel agent believe me.

A lot of agents these days (especially independant ones)will book the things seperately for you as they have to be competitive with the internet, this should not cost anymore than booking direct as you pay the same price with Disney and then they give the agent a commission. You get the peace of mind that everything is covered under their ATOL bond if any of the companies go bust etc.

Some agents though are just so used to selling packages that they need to wake up and start finding their customers the best possible deal if they want to keep them as customers.