travel agents or diy

[kellie37]

just wondered how everyone books their holiday? do you book through a travel agent (which one) or do you diy?

 

[AliceGardner]

Always DIY now. I tend to know EACTLY what I want and always find it is cheaper if I book what I want independently. I also have more control over the booking - no middlemen to cause problems or confusion... Also I find that, because I do my research, I tend to know a LOT more about my destination than most travel agents would do.

I think that Travel Agents CAN be useful:
- if you are flexible (i.e. not as fussy as me!).
- you don't have much confidence making your own bookings.
- you like to pay a small deposit and the rest a couple of months before departure (when I book flights - normally 6/7 months before travelling - I have to pay the entire cost of the flights there and then).

There are some good Travel Agents, but many incredibly mediocre travel agents (more like "till operators"). So if you use a travel agent, it is worth shopping around and finding a good one

Alice

 

[penlanspice]

You'll probably find a bit of both around here.

I prefer to book my own and even Spain or the Carribean for example.
Like kelli says if you do your research you can usually get a good deal and save a few $$ and have the flexibilty on the amount of days and what day you fly on.

 

[Redbudlover]

I like to book my own - whether it is WDW, Europe, or the Far East. Went Taiwan this summer and booked my own using Trip Advisor and Sidestep.com. Had a great hotel, schedule and prices.

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

We have found that doing DIY has always worked out better for us and will probably never take a package again

I like to research everything so I know exactly what I am getting rather than what a travel agent tells me - but everyone is different and it just depends what you happy doing

Tracey

 

[Jakey Rowling]

DIY for us now, all the time regardless of destination.

Package deals may be good for on-site accommodation but as we don't use it I cant say for sure.
Certainly for off-site accommodation DIY has always given us a much better price, known property details and more flexible travel.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Have booked package before but now normally DIY

 

[wayneg]

I think the majority of people for Florida book packages to start then move on to DIY. To me its part of the holiday finding the best deals, doing the research.
Last time I went into a TA to ask for a brochure for Disneyland she started giving me brochures on Florida, I said no Disneyland Cali, she said I did not know there was one there.

DW now won't let me go in a TA, I get so annoyed with them not knowing anything. I am sure there are good ones but I have not found them around here.

We usually go for odd periods like 25 nights so regular packages are not much use to us anyway.

 

[Disney owl]

Just got back from our 3rd visit & did DIY with no problems.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Haven't booked a package for over 20 years now. Always get my own flights and car hire

Some people still do use travel agents as they feel happier that it gives them a safety net if something goes wrong or an airline/hotel/car company goes bust, as in DIY you are on your own.

Also, they like to book now pay later wheras DIY in the majority of cases its pay now fly later

 

[henrys carpet skip]

another vote for DIY here

 

[Tinks1984]

I've had to book a package this time and have chosen to do this with Thompson. I'm not really familiar with doing things DIY, so I took this as my best option this time.

I've booked all my activities through them, except my Discovery Cove and Seaworld tickets, as I found these cheaper on the Internet.

To be fair, Thompson have been great, they've helped me out whenever I've needed advice on the best way to sort things and I've had the option of paying it off each month, which was the only way we could manage to go.

One thing though and I wonder if someone has the answer, we're staying on-site at All Sports, and I want to try book some ADR's when the time comes around, BUT, with me booking through a travel agents, if I call Disney direct, are they going to have my information, or will I be refused the possibility to book my ADR's?? I really want to try and get into CRT for breakfast one morning

TIA

 

[JohnnySharp2]

One thing though and I wonder if someone has the answer, we're staying on-site at All Sports, and I want to try book some ADR's when the time comes around, BUT, with me booking through a travel agents, if I call Disney direct, are they going to have my information, or will I be refused the possibility to book my ADR's?? I really want to try and get into CRT for breakfast one morning

TIA

You will be able to book an ADR irrespective of who you booked with, it won't affect it at all.
They may ask where you are staying but as regards who and when you booked with that doesn't matter.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The first time we went to Florida we booked the whole package through a Travel Agent.
These days we book a fly-drive direct with Virgin Holidays, but sort out all our accomodation/theme park tickets etc ourselves.

It's all a matter of confidence - the more you go the more you want to have control over the booking and the knowledge to do many aspects of it yoursleves.

 

[Tinks1984]

You will be able to book an ADR irrespective of who you booked with, it won't affect it at all.
They may ask where you are staying but as regards who and when you booked with that doesn't matter.

You've put my mind at rest! I was dreading calling only to be told "We're not expecting you, so you can't book"

I'm even more excited now lol

Thanks

 

[richard_andmel]

I book my car hire and air myself, but let Dreams Unlimited book my resort stay.

 

[crabbie1]

Another one from the midlands .Let me know about the WL.That is our next port of call and it looks fab Have a great time.

Like Johny we book our flights with VA and do the rest seperate.Just out of interest I looked on expedia to go on the 6/09/2007 for 14 nights staying at the royal plaza flying with monach for a child and 2 adults was £911 God I wish I could go