travel agent or book through disney?

[natkenicra]

Hi there!! Just wondering if fellow Canadians have used a travel agent to book your trips or if you book directly through Disney. This is our first trip, we are looking at Oct 21-28 of this year. And driving down with travel trailer and staying at the Fort. Any feedback is greatly appreciated

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We used Dreams Unlimited. It doesn't cost anything to use an agent but they will look for other deals that come out that might lower your cost. You also save on long distance calls.

 

[stefanospops]

We went twice last year and booked through Disney both times. I checked with CAA prior to booking online the first time and there was virtually no difference in price, so I booked through Disney so I could have more control. While there we booked our next trip at a 30% discount on the room.

I don't have those worries anymore though since I joined the Disney Vacation Club a few weeks ago. Now my room is always covered!

 

[lisalonglash]

Hi there!! Just wondering if fellow Canadians have used a travel agent to book your trips or if you book directly through Disney. This is our first trip, we are looking at Oct 21-28 of this year. And driving down with travel trailer and staying at the Fort. Any feedback is greatly appreciated

We used Fairytale Dreams & Destinations (a Disney specialist travel agency) for our trips and know many others who've done the same - and we've all had the same experience with that agency. They are FANTASTIC!!! They are Canadian (they're in Bolton, ON), they're available via either telephone or email (and they respond very quickly, too), they know everything about Disney parks, they can make your ADRs if you like, they can help you plan your trip and they're happy to answer all your questions! We would not book a Disney trip without using FD&D. They are THAT good.

Edited to add:
Using FD&D or any other Disney-specialist travel agency does not cost you anything - Disney pays them.

 

[Sue M]

I've done both, booked thru WDW, and used a WDW specialized TA. Last Jan, I booked myself, it was a simple straight forward quick 5 day trip. For this Aug I am using a TA, because it's a more complicated trip, many factors, we have AP's, and WDW has some promos. Waiting for AP rates, we have a bounce back offer, and there is the free dining. I need someone to do the "Disney math" to figure out what the best deal is for us. We're also doing a split stay.

Booking yourself, WDW travel will not offer any info unless asked directly. So you have to know what offers are out there. I monitor Mousesavers.com and signed up for their newsletter. Booking with a TA that specializes in WDW vacays will know what discounts are out, and if a better one comes out will automatically adjust your res. to give you the lowest price.

 

[shoppgirl]

I think it depends on what kind of planner you are and how comfortable you are about handling all the details yourself. I love to plan my trips and research everything thoroughly and know exactly what I want. I booked a room only reservation directly through Disney since I had a room code to use. I buy my park tickets in Can funds at the Disney store (and was able to get them at par a while ago before they raised the prices). I booked my own air and constantly checked each airline almost on a daily basis until I found a fare that I was comfortable paying. I booked my own ADRs calling the Disney dining line and even recently using the online booking which works really well! I learned so much on these boards that I was comfortable booking my own vacation. Part of the enjoyment of this vacation is planning it myself!

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

We also use Fairytale Dreams & Destinations and they are great. This is the first time I delt with them and wouldn't use any other company now. It is my 19th trip to Disney and have used other various travel agencies. Fairytale Dreams & Destinations are by far the best.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

More applause here for Fairytale Dreams and Destinations. We used them for our trip in January 2009, and they attended to EVERY detail on our behalf. Should we decide to return for another trip someday, I will not hesitate to book through their office again.

 

[natkenicra]

Thank you so much for your great advice!! We are looking forward to our very first Disney trip

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Another vote for Fairytale Dreams.

Booked two through her and one through CAA. CAA had no idea what I was talking about most of the time. There are always codes and discounts of some kind and a Disney specialist can get them for you.

 

[My 2 princesses]

I use a TA (yes, Fairytale again). I don't have much time to do anything, besides, it costs me nothing to use them. I even get to save on my phone calls. Love them.

 

[disyady]

We used Fairytale Dreams & Destinations (a Disney specialist travel agency) for our trips and know many others who've done the same - and we've all had the same experience with that agency. They are FANTASTIC!!! They are Canadian (they're in Bolton, ON), they're available via either telephone or email (and they respond very quickly, too), they know everything about Disney parks, they can make your ADRs if you like, they can help you plan your trip and they're happy to answer all your questions! We would not book a Disney trip without using FD&D. They are THAT good.

Edited to add:
Using FD&D or any other Disney-specialist travel agency does not cost you anything - Disney pays them.

I second every word of this post. For years I handled all of our Disney travel arrangements myself. Last year we decided to look into a Disney cruise and I reluctantly called FD&D for the first time. What heaven! Knowledgable, prompt, efficient - I could go on and on. I was unable to get a discount on a room only last August for our resort of choice, but lo and behold when I mentioned it to Christine - voila - not only did we get a discount but it was slightly better than the codes that I had been trying in vain to use. They are simply the best for booking ANYTHING Disney.

 

[Demi_8]

Wish I had known about Fairytale Dreams & Destinations when I booked my trip because I couldn't find a TA out west who specialized in Disney only and nothing else. Decided to use Small World Vacations and they have been wonderful but always great to keep the business in Canada. Definitely will check them out next year for a Disney cruise.

 

[RachelMed]

I find it cheaper to book your own.. unless they have a sweet sale on that is..