Planning HELP

[Texan]

I am in shock right now with DH. Went to WDW last Feb on Winter Break with DH and two DS, and DH really enjoyed himself but really hates to be away from work/home. Said we would go back in 2-3 years. Well, yesterday he asked to get quotes on an April trip!!!! I can't believe it. But when we went last year I think we paid too much through Southwest vacation packages. I need help on what other people have done. Is it best to go to the time and trouble to book everything on your own or go through a company like Dreams Unlimited? I need the cheapest route! Everyone on these boards was so much help last year. Thanks for all of your imput.

 

[MPLsDad]

I always book each piece myself - rental car, flights, hotel, tickets - so I am sure that I did not pay more than I should have. In the two cases where I used a package through a travel agent, I checked Disney prices first to make sure I wasn't overpaying...

 

[ColoradoDis]

I'm trying to figure out the same thing. After reading these Boards, I feel like I know what I'm doing, but I'm afraid of missing out on new AP rates when they come out (we're going in May and will buy APs because of a 9-night stay). I'm going back and forth. I've used travel agents before and feel like I got great service that didn't cost extra.

Also, with an agent, can you make changes to your own reservation? make your own PSs if you want? What about Hoop Dee Doo?

As you see, I'm so confused

 

[topcat011]

I, too book each piece by myself. I use online agencies to get a feel of what the package price would be then go off and price each thing by itself. THe package deals were costing me over 200 pp more then what I paid doing to alone. Thats a lot of dinners.

 

[MPLsDad]

You'll probably have to make all your own PSs yourself unless your Travel Agent or Booking Company offers this service. This includes all of the WDW Restaurants and the Hoop Dee Do Revue - you can make all your PSs without even booking a thing - so get busy with that! Usually, you can't make changes to your package if it's booked through an agent. However, some will make sure that if a better package is released, it will be applied to your reservation. Good luck!

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

After watching these boards I am doing a little of both. I have monitored expedia and travelosity others as well. When I saw a good price for airfare I called the airline and they met the internet price. AAA also met any package price that I found plus we got the AAA extras. The travel agent got a good price for our rental car and I made all our ps ressies so I could approve all times. Hoop de do included. I think if you know what price you want to pay you can find a way to get there. A little leg work goes a long way. I also checked prices almost daily to see if there were any changes.

 

[Texan]

Thank you for all of your help. I have received a quote from Dreams Unlimited and I think I will go on my own and see how I do. Do you think membership to AAA is worth all the extras you get for a trip to WDW?

 

[MPLsDad]

I joined AAA for the sole purpose of getting unlimted fastpass at the DL resort in CA this February and I'm finding all sort of useful savings along the way. It's worth joining in my opinion for local store savings, car rental savings, and I think there are even some restaurants in WDW that give a 10% discount on dining...If you want to join, just go to www.aaa.com

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

We think AAA is worth the memebership price. We always get discounts on hotels. Tickets to local amusement parks/waterparks etc. As well excellent service for emergeny car needs. We always carry our card in touristy places and ask if there are discounts. We have been pleasantly surprised many times.