Question about Booking

[Frozen2014]

Is there any advantage to booking directly with Disney site as opposed to some other site (e.g. mouse savers, small world vacations)?

Are the prices generally the same?

If you book with one of the others, can you apply any deals that come up afterwards (e.g. dining plan, pin, or other discounts)?

We're about to book for our Oct trip and want to make sure we don't lose opportunity for any discounts or good prices.

 

[spritna]

My own opinion is leave the middle man out. You will find people on here that uses third party year after year with no problems..but thats just me. The savings for us is never worth the "possible" headache i could get if something went south with a third party ressie. We always go in october and disney almost always has a discount at that time. Just do some research before booking and make sure your happy with whoever you book with.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I will say the biggest reason that I use Disney is that you only have to leave a $200 deposit and pay the balance 45 days before. You also can cancel without losing any money up to 45 days in advance. That is great especially that most Disney trips are booked months if not a year in advance. I too always get a reasonable price from Disney.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you. Sounds like a good idea to go with Disney then.

We were actually going to book the flight separately with Expidia, but found it was a bit more expensive that way...which surprised us (i.e. Disney site being a cheaper)

 

[mickey1968]

Using Travelocity, Expedia etc. makes them the owner of the reservations just like if a travel agent makes your reservations for you. You can not contact Disney directly to make changes in either of those situations.

A previous poster mentioned the $200 deposit, it can be even less if you book a room only versus a package through the Disney website and add your tickets when you get there. You then only have to pay the first night's amount. This also gives you ability to cancel up to 2 days before scheduled arrival. I also always book my airfare separately (directly with Southwest). That leaves that piece open for refunds if the rates go down too.

Basically, I say book each piece separately and do it yourself to maintain the most control and leeway for changes. I don't understand the folks that have done all of the research on the boards here and are looking at what they want to book online, but instead call a travel agent to do it for them or even call Disney instead of just clicking a button. I guess if you didn't have the time to do the research, then it might be different but I love the planning as much as the trip (almost).

 

[pat fan]

I know I like to use a TA, even though I do the research myself, in the event that some crazy situation arises I have someone to call

 

[Frozen2014]

I don't understand the folks that have done all of the research on the boards here and are looking at what they want to book online, but instead call a travel agent to do it for them or even call Disney instead of just clicking a button. I guess if you didn't have the time to do the research, then it might be different but I love the planning as much as the trip (almost).

Can I ask what the difference is between booking online (which I didn't even realize you could do) or calling Disney directly? Wouldn't that have the same result i.e. without a third party? Also...don't you need to call them to see if there is a PIN attached to your name?

 

[Radiorox]

Can I ask what the difference is between booking online (which I didn't even realize you could do) or calling Disney directly? Wouldn't that have the same result i.e. without a third party? Also...don't you need to call them to see if there is a PIN attached to your name?

Try pricing both ways. I've personally had a CM on the phone tell me a much different, much higher price than I was seeing on the site. That CM would NOT budge at all. I asked for a supervisor and it was then that I was able to get the price I saw on the site for the same days, same resort.

I've only used a 3rd party when it's for a short stay (2 nights, used CheapTickets.com) and am able to get an extremely cheaper rate than Dis.

I LOVE that Disney allows you to leave a 1 night deposit for room only. The rest is payable when you arrive.

 

[mickey1968]

There is no difference, or should not be any way, between booking online or calling Disney direct, but as the PP said, she had issues. However, if you want to find out if you have a PIN attached to your name, then yes, you need to call. Also, on the first day a discount is offered (you will learn about those here on the DIS first), you can get a jump on folks by calling at the crack of dawn sometime before the discount is posted on the Dinsey VISA site or even on Disney's own site. Either way, you have full access to make any changes or additions to your reservation.