Walt Disney Resort Reservations with Cruise

[ihopfar]

I have a Disney Fantasy cruise booked for next May. I see that Disney World Resorts have released their room reservations for 2024 today.

If I contact my travel agent, will he be able to get pre-cruise rate at a DWR at a better rate than I am seeing on the website?

If so, it is it certain resorts/room categories only?

How do folks usually book their pre-cruise stay at the parks?

Thanks!
Brad

 

[auntlynne]

Are you asking if there is a special rate for cruisers?

Are you asking if there are cheaper rates through a travel agent?

I will say NO to both. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I am not talking about perks. But actual rates.

I typically book through the website. If you like using a Travel Agent (or don’t mind), that‘s a good option. The best reason for not using a Travel Agent is because you want to do things yourself.

 

[auntlynne]

Travel agents get a commission from the Disney (or most vacation providers). If you don’t go through a Travel Agent, Disney keeps the commission. The price for the consumer stays the same.

It is possible for a Travel Agent to get Group pricing to pass along a lower price to her customers. Not every cruise. Not every agent.

 

[auntlynne]

I think I started mixing cruise and hotel pricing info. Still, I think it’s a No for a travel agent to get individuals further-reduced rate hotel rooms.

 

[Mommb]

There is no advantage to booking Walt Disney World hotels through Disney Cruise. If there are any discounted rates available, you can get those discounts by booking yourself or through a travel agent without going through the cruise line. If you are already using a travel agency, they can book your resort stay (and keep an eye out in case discounts become available as the cruise date gets closer).

 

[tee11]

Are you asking if there is a special rate for cruisers?

Are you asking if there are cheaper rates through a travel agent?

I will say NO to both. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I am not talking about perks. But actual rates.

I typically book through the website. If you like using a Travel Agent (or don’t mind), that‘s a good option. The best reason for not using a Travel Agent is because you want to do things yourself.

I think you are correct on both accounts. There are no special WDW resort rates for cruisers, and the travel agent will get the exact same rate you are seeing on the Disney website.

 

[justafigment27]

No special cruise rates, but I bet there will eventually be room only discounts for May 2024.

We stayed 2 days pre-cruise at WDW this May. I booked the room through the WDW website when discounts were released and then called DCL to add transportation from the resort to the cruise ship.

 

[Bound4DisneyWorld]

DO NOT book Walt Disney World resorts through Disney Cruise Line. There aren’t any advantage and the big disadvantage (unless something has changed) is that you cannot take advantage of any discounted rates. Disney Cruise Line transfers can still pick you up from or drop you off at any of the Walt Disney World resort hotels - even if the resort is not booked through Disney Cruise Line.

 

[ihopfar]

Thanks everyone! I had the mistaken impression they would give a discount to cruise passengers. The only reason I was talking about booking WDW Resorts through a travel agent is because that is how I booked the cruise. I will probably just book via the web and then watch for discounted rates.

Our other option is to stay at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista. My understanding is I cannot get DCL transfers from the Hilton to the cruise. Is that correct?

 

[lanejudy]

My understanding is I cannot get DCL transfers from the Hilton to the cruise. Is that correct?

Not directly, no. DCL offers transfers from MCO, the Hyatt at MCO, or the WDW-owned resorts. If you can get to one of those locations you can still take DCL transfers.

Your TA can book the resort. Many will watch for discount offers that may come out.