Travel Agent or Myself

[heatherj]

Hi everyone!

If . . . we need to reserve a 2 bed. villa, preferably at BC, BWI or WLV (in that order) and assuming we don't rent points (for early December 2008) am I better off doing myself or using a travel agent (never did before).

We really need a full kitchen (medical issues for son) and really prefer an EPCOT resort (for location - EPCOTs our favorite).

Do travel agents have any better luck getting these things than I would on my own? I am afraid I won't be able to get a reservation since it seems as if we can't book till about 7 - 8 months before we go (once DVC member book).

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any help - always appreciated.

Heather

 

[mbcary]

I have never used a travel agent to book my Disney trips, but I love to do the planning myself. I am not sure about the travel agent being able to get you at the DVC. You can always try yourself and see what happens. Then if it doesn't work out then you can contact a travel agent. Good luck and happy planning!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

You can book it yourself or a TA can book DVC. The rate will be rack rate. There is forum on this board about renting points which can save you some money over rack rate. We booked VWL one bedroom & rec'd a AAA rate (we booked w/AAA but ended up rescheduling) so it is possible. I've been researching renting points heres a link they gave someone else in a post I was reading. Great info on renting points! If your not comfortable renting you can definitely book at rack rate through a TA or do it yourself through Disney. Good luck.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

 

[disnut8]

I'd call myself. Because then YOU can talk to a Disney representative yourself. YOU can tell them exactly what you said here - what you want and why you need it. YOU will be able to hear the availability, the prices, and other options if needed. YOU will be able to decide right then and there if everything is acceptable to YOU.

I'm not knocking travel agents. I used one for the Disney cruise and she was great. But she got us the reservations and then my mother-in-law saw the location of the cabins and wanted something higher so we went higher. Then my mother-in-law wanted something more forward on the boat. It was just a lot of back and forth with the travel agent until we got what we wanted. And I won't even go into the time of dining which was another mess.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

I am one of those people who like to be in control of things...so I like to book my vacation myself. I like to do all the planning myself, and if I need to make a change, I want to be able to just call up and do the changes myself instead of calling a TA and waiting for them to go the changes and get back to me. That's me..but I have heard of a lot of people with great experience with TA.

 

[amylovesdisney]

I know your original assumption was "not renting points" but in your last paragraph, you mention booking only 7-8 months from the time you plan to go.

Just want to make sure you understand that IF you rent points from a DVC member whose home resort is BCV or BW, they can book as much as 11 months out from your travel dates.

If you really have certain travel dates, you might consider renting the points after all.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi everyone!

If . . . we need to reserve a 2 bed. villa, preferably at BC, BWI or WLV (in that order) and assuming we don't rent points (for early December 2008) am I better off doing myself or using a travel agent (never did before).

We really need a full kitchen (medical issues for son) and really prefer an EPCOT resort (for location - EPCOTs our favorite).

Do travel agents have any better luck getting these things than I would on my own? I am afraid I won't be able to get a reservation since it seems as if we can't book till about 7 - 8 months before we go (once DVC member book).

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any help - always appreciated.

Heather

First of all, there are no villas at BWI. The villas are located at BWV. Also, there are no villas at the BC. They are located at the BCV. And the villas at Wilderness Lodge are called the Villas at Wilderness Lodge (VWL).

There is no way for you to make a reservation for these until DVC members with home resort advantage make their reservations. That could mean maybe not until May sometime.

If you want to consider a DVC reservation rental from a member, you will want to have your request posted on the Board by sometime in December, so a member with home resort advantage can make that reservation for you in January.

When you rent a reservation, the member fullly controls the reservation until the moment you check in. You won't be able to call Member Services for any reason - like confirming the reservation, adding room requests, adding the dining plan or Magical Express. Only the member can call MS.

The member will set the payment requirements and many will require a deposit to make the reservation and full payment at least 60 days ahead of time if not sooner. There might not be any cancellation terms offered. So if something happens and you can't go, you just might be out of luck with no refunds. It just depends on the member.

Also, early December is very popular with DVC members, so the rooms go quickly.