Planning Oct 2012 Trip/Daughter's 5th BD

[PugMom76]

Hello,
I'm so glad to have found this forum but must admit I'm a bit overwhelmed! We are planning a trip in Oct 2012 and have just made our reservations at the Caribbean. It will be myself, DH, our daughter (who will turn 5 while we're there) and my parents. My parents are primarily using their travel agent for booking and I'm just curious if your experience has shown that they have the knowledge to access all the various Disney promotions, discounts, etc? I just want to be sure we're getting the best deal possible. My parents are basically giving this to us as a gift (we're just paying for everyone's airfare) so I don't want to push my opinions on them too much but want to be sure we're not missing out on anything.

I've already spent a lot of time reading through the forum but I'm open to any suggestions you have for "must see" items during that time of year. It's been about 20 years since I was at WDW and I'm VERY excited!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I would only use a TA that is an Earmarked Disney specailist but since it doesn't seem you have a choice I'd just go with it. There are often some bad stories that circulate around about unknowledgable TA"s booking Disney vacations but it's not anything massively bad like completely missing a discount. If you want to compare discounts to what they are paying go to the official wdw page and check special offers. there is nothing for Oct right now so they would be paying full price unless they are getting AAA discount which is usually less than anything else offered if there is a discount that time. You can also sign up for discount newsletters about disneys such as mousesavers.com and you will see the promos each month in your email.

Another great rescourse is the Discount Code and Rates board here on the Dis, this board is not the most up to date and quick moving place for discount info, it's more for marketing campaings Disney has.

Oct the main 'not to miss' things are Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Food and Wine Festival.

and to the Dis!

 

[Sparklytx]

I just booked our trip for our twins 5th birthday in October!!!

 

[englishrose47]

I used to let my TA know as soon as I saw a dicount, usually I beat her email news !!Afew TA's are really upto date but most don't know as quickly as us Dissers !!!They usually find out but after we know !!!!

 

[maryj11]

Yes make sure you get tickets for Micky's Not So Scary Halloween Party. They are separate from the regular park tickets. Keep checking for discounts to come out for October on the offfical Disney site, you can always add the discount or free dining when they come out .

 

[davmill]

I'll second this suggestion...Micky's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Had a friend take her 5 year old last year and he absolutely loved it...nothing scary....and he is scared of everything.

There are candy stations setup everywhere and many costumed characters as well as visitors..

A really good time.