Small World vs Dreams Unlimited

[serene56]

Would they be about the same in terms of pricing?

does one offer any kind of perk over the others?

does dreams Unlimited work directly with disney?

 

[Sue M]

They are both Disney Authorized Vacation Planners. There should be no difference in pricing. Both book directly. With Disney. So same pricing.

Can't tell you about perks, don't know. Sometimes agencies give out a perk from their agency as a thank you for using them, a WDW gift card, a small travel bag, etc.

I will say, I used Small World once or twice, it's a large agency, and they. Paired me with a TA in the west ( where I am, same time zone) but I felt I knew more about Disney booking then she did, and had to tell her a few things she didn't know. So . She was probably new.

Now mostly book myself.

 

[serene56]

Sue-- when you say you booked yourself

do you mean on the disney web page?

I want to book multiple rooms. (I did that last time and we were all over the place-- not two rooms in the same section of the resort (which I think for families really sucked)

and was told disney does not quarantee location.
I really want us to be in the same section this time.

 

[Mamapapa]

We used Sydney at Small World, can't say enough good things about her! Knew her stuff, got us a great deal, and gave us some great tips. Then hurrican Irene hit the day we were suposed to leave, we had 2 days notice that the airports would be shutting down, Sydney called me from her childs soccer game telling me not to worry and she'd take care of it. Got our dates moved (we ended up loosing one day due to start of school so we couldn't ppush it out farther) and even got us a refund from WDW for the one night we didn't make it there due to Irene. I didn't buy trip insurance, I work in the insurance industry, I was fine with accepting that out of pocket loss but Sydney hooked us up!

 

[Alli76]

Sue-- when you say you booked yourself

do you mean on the disney web page?

I want to book multiple rooms. (I did that last time and we were all over the place-- not two rooms in the same section of the resort (which I think for families really sucked)

and was told disney does not quarantee location.
I really want us to be in the same section this time.

If that is your only reason for using a TA - they are not going to make a difference... Disney cannot guarantee a location for a TA either. But, that being said, when I book multiple rooms, I call up Disney directly (rather than use the internet). I make sure that both rooms are connected through their reservation system, and that all have the same type of room request. I also specify whether we request connecting rooms or just rooms close to each other.

 

[deegack]

Sue-- when you say you booked yourself

do you mean on the disney web page?

I want to book multiple rooms. (I did that last time and we were all over the place-- not two rooms in the same section of the resort (which I think for families really sucked)

and was told disney does not quarantee location.
I really want us to be in the same section this time.

If you're not when you check in, you can request they move you. It is just a request, but I have always had it honored. Last time at AKV we were on the end of one hall and my family the end of the other, about as far apart as you could be. They moved us to the same hallway about ten rooms apart. IT took them a bit longer to get us in the rooms but worth it.

 

[TXGRMAMA]

If that is your only reason for using a TA - they are not going to make a difference... Disney cannot guarantee a location for a TA either. But, that being said, when I book multiple rooms, I call up Disney directly (rather than use the internet). I make sure that both rooms are connected through their reservation system, and that all have the same type of room request. I also specify whether we request connecting rooms or just rooms close to each other.

As Allie76 said, call directly to WDTC/Disney. Do not use the internet booking. If there are going to be two or more rooms with eight ot more people, tell the representative that you want to be a Magical Gathering. If there are multiple rooms, but less than eight people, say that you want the reservations linked as "Travel With" numbers. In this case, the resort knows that you are traveling together and will be able to assign rooms as close as possible.

A travel agent will not be able to do anything more for you than you can do yourself for this situation.

 

[serene56]

If you're not when you check in, you can request they move you. It is just a request, but I have always had it honored. Last time at AKV we were on the end of one hall and my family the end of the other, about as far apart as you could be. They moved us to the same hallway about ten rooms apart. IT took them a bit longer to get us in the rooms but worth it.

I can take us being on seperate floors even but we had 4 rooms and we were in the 50, 60, 70 and 90.

I booked all the rooms at the same time--- even paid for them using the same credit card.

How do you get families to book when you put them all over the resort like that.

I thought they did away from the Grand gatherings?

(PS- I am not a seasoned disney vacationer- this will only be our third time
I am hoping to avoid the last times problems

 

[Sue M]

Sue-- when you say you booked yourself

do you mean on the disney web page?

I want to book multiple rooms. (I did that last time and we were all over the place-- not two rooms in the same section of the resort (which I think for families really sucked)

and was told disney does not quarantee location.
I really want us to be in the same section this time.

I book myself, by phoning the WDW reservation line. Ask for your reservations/rooms to be linked together, so they know you're all traveling together.
I was traveling with a girlfriend, we had 2 rooms, we each made our own reservations but "linked" them, and we actually got connecting rooms.

They don't guarantee anything, but how spread out you were was crazy.

I also phone a week or 2 before departure to reservations just to make sure my requests are on my reservation.

When you check in also mention you are traveling with xyz parties and you'd like a location close to each other.

 

[karly05]

Not to threadjack, but I have a question particularly for those who have used Dreams or SWV: Does your TA normally check in with you shortly before your trip to see if you're all set or need anything else, and does the TA or company normally follow up after the trip (like a survey) to see how things went?

 

[serene56]

Not to threadjack, but I have a question particularly for those who have used Dreams or SWV: Does your TA normally check in with you shortly before your trip to see if you're all set or need anything else, and does the TA or company normally follow up after the trip (like a survey) to see how things went?

Not last time. and I use agents for other trips too and nope, no one ever did that for me.

This trip though I did get an email telling me she found a pin code for a reduced hotel rate. (hey if she is doing her job I dont--- she saved me money there

 

[skriegerjr]

Would they be about the same in terms of pricing?

does one offer any kind of perk over the others?

does dreams Unlimited work directly with disney?

Why not try AAA? They're pricing is great, and the perks are awesome, especially the AAA diamond parking, the Character Storytime, and fireworks viewing !

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