Step 2-Booking the vacation-Codes, AAA, TA, etc.

[Lorelai71]

Help! Help!

I am fairly new to these boards and I would like to first say how greatful I am to your kindness and knowledge.

It's my fisrt trip ever to WDW, want to stay in CBR from 8/6-8/14.

Problem: should I get a TA, book through AAA or call Disney myself.

I want to do the MYW room and tickets, possibily with the dining option.
I have been reading that if you book a package and codes come out that you won't be able to apply the code.

Should I book through Disney-room only, tell them I have AAA then when codes come out I could apply it. How would I get the MYW tickets with Park Hopper option and water parks and possibly the dining plan.

Still not sure about the dining plan. This trip will be for three adults-me-33F, mother-53and brother-25. I am thinking that we could make out better if we split meals. Is that allowed? My brother always eats his full portion but often my mother and I could share.

Really need some help.

 

[rkmassa]

I would use a good travel agent that really knows Disney. We use The Magic For Less. They are awesome. Deb made my reservation for me with a AAA rate. When the AP codes were released, she made the changes for me and saved me a bundle. Codes were also released for general public use too, so if you don't have an AP you can still get a good deal. I would not book a package. The package has to be paid sooner. With a room only reserv. you can pay for one night and then the rest when you arrive. Gives you time to save up instead of charging. Room only reservations can be cancelled up to 5 days before. The dining option sounds nice, but when you look at the price of a package with dining, it is really expensive. You have to eat a lot to make it worth the extra money. The room only with a code is your best bet. Any counter service place is good and easy to split meals. I have never tried to split meals at a sit down place. Of course if I asked my 6' 4", 200 pound DH if I could have some of his food he would laugh at me. Deb at TMFL also made all my Priority Seating arrangements, booked a Wishes Cruise for us, gave us lots of ideas for tours, and confirmed our reservation for us again 3 days before arrival. All this great service cost us nothing. We saved hundreds of dollars by using their services. I would highly recommend them.

 

[Lorelai71]

thanks!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I also suggest you use a Disney specialist.....NOT a regular travel agent who may or may not know much about WDW. I would also not suggest AAA since (IMO) they are not much better than a regular agent. People mistakenly think that if the book through AAA they are getting discounts. They may...but also maybe not.
Last year we used WDWVacations.com that we found on mousesaver.com. They saved us $800.00 by continually looking for discounts and changing our reservations. The cost came down two times after our initial AAA discount. They even made our prioirty seatings for us. Great service and great people with REAL knowledge of WDW. Since it's free you cannot go wrong!

 

[ncbyrne]

You can also make reservations thru Dreams Unlimited, sponsors here on the DIS. You can find them on the DIS home page. We used their services on our last trip and loved it. They also offer the best rate guarantee, make PS, and offer advice on your trip - at no cost to you.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

I have used Dreams in the past, but recently have been using Dream Come True Vacations. Joe was able to save my over $400 last year by automatically applying a code for me - he also helped with PS and a custom itinerary - all at no cost.

Many of the agencies that specialize in Disney will have these services - I highly recommend that you investigate them and use them, unless you want to control everything yourself.

 

[Leslie32]

I used AAA and I know for a FACT I got a discount. The same pkg I went through Disney for was 420.00 MORE then AAA. So you should decide on what you want to do. I know some people don't like AAA but there are a lot more people who do like AAA and went through AAA this year. You can call and at least get a quote you aren't bound to go through them. I wasn't charged any fee for using them either. You just have to put a 200 deposit down and then 45 days before your departure date you have to pay it in full. Also you get 25.00 worth of disney dollars for booking this month and you get a AAA parking pass.

Good Luck

 

[FallDisney]

I used AAA and I know for a FACT I got a discount. The same pkg I went through Disney for was 420.00 MORE then AAA.

This must depend on your AAA office. I called them to get a quote for our May trip and was surprised that they were actually fifty-two cents more expensive then calling Disney myself for the same exact thing.

It was a May package for four adults, two children, in a moderate resort, eight nights, with a seven day park hopper, no admissions to water parks and the tickets expired, plus the dining option. Disney and Small World Vacations (from Mousesavers.com) were $4779.60, AAA was $4780.12.

I don't know why. It seems odd! We used Small World for our October 2003 trip and were happy with their service. We're using them again, as I don't see that AAA is giving me any good deal.

 

[Leslie32]

It think alot of AAA agents are like that. I have heard alot on this board of AAA Agents quoting prices higher. My AAA Agent really does her homework and really only books vacations. She gave me a great deal
Poly Concierge Lagoon view July 11-17
Hopper plus with water parks, disney quest, etc.
Dining Option
2 adults
3 children
Insurance
AAA price 4495.08
Disney Price 5020

Big difference. You can call other AAA offices. You don't have to use the one in your town or state. Alot of people on here have used different AAA offices in Different states.
If anyone would like the number to my office that I used I will be happy to give it to them just PM me.

This must depend on your AAA office. I called them to get a quote for our May trip and was surprised that they were actually fifty-two cents more expensive then calling Disney myself for the same exact thing.

It was a May package for four adults, two children, in a moderate resort, eight nights, with a seven day park hopper, no admissions to water parks and the tickets expired, plus the dining option. Disney and Small World Vacations (from Mousesavers.com) were $4779.60, AAA was $4780.12.

I don't know why. It seems odd! We used Small World for our October 2003 trip and were happy with their service. We're using them again, as I don't see that AAA is giving me any good deal.

 

[chipmunkfan]

The same thing just happened to me WDW and AAA were the same price. I booked through WDW yesterday. Today I got a tip from a DISer to book through WDW and apply the AAA discount. I called a CM at WDW back up and rearranged everything...saved $300 by using my AAA discount!!! I couldn't believe it!

 

[Lorelai71]

Last week I sent a quote request on the AAA website and I this is what I got today: it does not appear to have a discount. $2,854.34- standard room for 3 at CBR with 7 day tickets-park hopper and magic plus. This price also included air fare-around $550 for the three of us. I went on the wdw website and and also checked out some flights-when I priced everything out it's just about the same price.

Is it okay to send a request to 2 or 3 TA. I don't want to request a quote and then not go with that TA. However, I am finding it very difficult to decide on a TA. It seems like the top ones are:

*Small World
*Dreams Unlimited
*Dreams Come True
*Magic for Less

Did I miss any?

I don't need to have total control of the vacation planning process control but this is a big expenss and I want to make sure I get th best. I have learned that it's best to stay on top of things and leave nothing to chance.

 

[LukenDC]

I too am planning my first WDW vacation and I have found the assistance of a travel agent to be invaluable. I use Magical Vacations. My travel agent was able to get a AAA discount for me and will continue to look for additional discounts as they become available. She will also book all priority seatings, assist with tours/Cirque tickets, arrange for airport transfers, and book my airfare.

When choosing a travel agent, you should definitely select one that specializes in Disney. Think about what arrangements you want the travel agent to make. When researching Disney travel agents, I noted that some of them will not book airfares or hotels off Disney property (including the Downtown Disney area!). If a travel agent has these restrictions, it is best to know that up front.

Good luck with your planning. I'm having a blast planning my September trip.

 

[llfowl]

I highly recommend Small World Vacations! I have used them in the past and I am currently using them now for my trip in April. Their agents are always looking for the best deals and offers that are available to me. They are great at answering my questions and helping me by making suggestions.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Many people have received quotes from AAA agents that are similar to quotes given by Disney online reservations or even higher. This happened to me, and my local AAA agent didn't believe me when I told her the discount wasn't reflected. She even told me that maybe I should go ahead and book the rate online. So that's why I looked up a different agent who was more than willing to question her Disney rep to get me the discount.

The problem lies in Disney's computers not showing the discount, and many agents are not questioning it. As others have stated, many DIS folks know more than the AAA agents.

I'm sure DU agents and others do a wonderful job, but I wanted to add on the MYW dining plan to the AAA discounted room rate + tickets, so that's why I went through AAA. I saved $231.

If anyone is having trouble getting a discounted AAA package through their local agency, be firm but polite when asking them to please make sure their Disney rep is showing the discount OR you can PM me and I'll send you contact info for the AAA travel agent I used.

 

[CarolA]

I have used Dreams Unlimited and been very pleased. I do my own airfare. Finding a good airfare is even more work then your hotel and while Disney pays commission the airlines pay next to nothing which doesn't motivate your TA.

 

[Nysie]

I usually book the room only myself. This year I requested info from 3 TA, one being AAA. I spoke with a TA there about 2 wks. ago, and still haven't heard back. I decided to go with Andrea from Small World! She is just wonderful.I had a question and e-mailed her at 9pm- she got back to me with-in 5 mins.!!

 

[Lorelai71]

I usually book the room only myself. This year I requested info from 3 TA, one being AAA. I spoke with a TA there about 2 wks. ago, and still haven't heard back. I decided to go with Andrea from Small World! She is just wonderful.I had a question and e-mailed her at 9pm- she got back to me with-in 5 mins.!!

Thanks! Small World keeps coming up as being really good.