Using Trivago to book at a Disney Resort

[Ava31]

I'm searching the the least expensive way to travel to watch my daughter cheer in the parade in November but I also want to stay on the property because I keep reading about how awful the shuttles are at the off-site hotels. I found what looks to be a great deal at Pop Century on Trivago. My question is, if I book through Trivago, will I be eligible for the Magical Express? Also, are there any drawbacks to using a third party?

 

[bumbershoot]

Booking onsite in any way allows you to use DME. You'll just have to make sure you get the reservation number that Disney uses and link it to your MDE account.

 

[bumbershoot]

BUT! You need to check out the rules of your daughter's cheer group. If the kids are booking so they all stay together, bit you can book separately that's one thing. But if you're planning to have her stay with you, you might have to book within their group/sports package. So find that out first.

 

[Shanti]

I'm searching the the least expensive way to travel to watch my daughter cheer in the parade in November but I also want to stay on the property because I keep reading about how awful the shuttles are at the off-site hotels. I found what looks to be a great deal at Pop Century on Trivago. My question is, if I book through Trivago, will I be eligible for the Magical Express? Also, are there any drawbacks to using a third party?

There are often drawbacks to third party website bookings. They are often more restrictive & punitive about changes & cancellations than booking direct, and their customer service (if needed) can be poor.

I recommend checking the Disney website & seeing if you can get the same rate through them (they often have discounts). If you absolutely can't find those same rates via Disney, then maybe book with a 3rd party. But I recommend trying via Disney first. They are the easiest people to deal with if you ever need to make changes or if any other issues come up.

 

[Ava31]

Booking onsite in any way allows you to use DME. You'll just have to make sure you get the reservation number that Disney uses and link it to your MDE account.

Good to know! Should I just call Disney in a couple of days to see if they have a reservation number? I know resort guests get priority with the FP's, so I guess I'll need my res number for that.

BUT! You need to check out the rules of your daughter's cheer group. If the kids are booking so they all stay together, bit you can book separately that's one thing. But if you're planning to have her stay with you, you might have to book within their group/sports package. So find that out first.

She's 16, so I'm sure she's perfectly fine with Mom and Sis staying at another resort

There are often drawbacks to third party website bookings. They are often more restrictive & punitive about changes & cancellations than booking direct, and their customer service (if needed) can be poor.

I recommend checking the Disney website & seeing if you can get the same rate through them (they often have discounts). If you absolutely can't find those same rates via Disney, then maybe book with a 3rd party. But I recommend trying via Disney first. They are the easiest people to deal with if you ever need to make changes or if any other issues come up.

You make a good point about cancellations...that's the main reason for my hesitation. I called Disney and they didn't have any rooms at Pop Century (I'm assuming/hoping that Trivago is allotted a block to sell, which is why they have some) and the cheapest room they had was a family suite at All-Star Music.


Thanks for the replies!

 

[Marshel]

Trivago is actually a search engine that goes through multiple third party vendors, you book through the vendor that comes up with the best rate. Booked All Star Sports through Hotels.com using them and got a rate way better than any discount Disney was offering with normal cancellation policy, did have to prepay. You need to wait a few days for it to process through the system, then you can call Disney with your dates and name and they can give you the Disney reservation number which will be different than the confirmation number you receive at time of booking.

 

[Ava31]

Trivago is actually a search engine that goes through multiple third party vendors, you book through the vendor that comes up with the best rate. Booked All Star Sports through Hotels.com using them and got a rate way better than any discount Disney was offering with normal cancellation policy, did have to prepay. You need to wait a few days for it to process through the system, then you can call Disney with your dates and name and they can give you the Disney reservation number which will be different than the confirmation number you receive at time of booking.

Great info, thanks! I had figured out that Trivago was a search engine after I received my confirmation email from Hotel Power and then went back to Trivago to look at my reservation. It made me a little nervous because I had never heard of them, but I called them and checked internet reviews and they seem on the up-and-up. I couldn't get a fully refundable reservation at Pop Century for that price anywhere else, so I just have my fingers crossed!