WDW booking virgin needs help!

[AshFamily]

We are FINALLY going to book our 1st disney vacation and we are so excited!. We are tryin to book 11/13-11/19. I have ALOT of questions, and figured since everyone here seems to be experts (compared to me ) maybe some of you can help! Here's the questions: Is it better to book w/ disney, AAA, or travel agent? Every time I go online on disney I can never get a full/premium site (only gives me tent/pop up option). Is this because its a special? Also, not to sound cheap, but times are tough. Is booking the MYW package cheaper than purchasing campsite/tickets individually? Also found that undercover tourist sells the tickets about $100 (for 7 days for family of four) cheaper then disney online, but don't know if its legit. Has anyone purchased from them? ANY help would be appreciated! THANKS!!!!

 

[tim5055]

Is it better to book w/ disney, AAA, or travel agent? Every time I go online on disney I can never get a full/premium site (only gives me tent/pop up option)

I always book direct. If you use a TA or AAA only they can make modifications to the reservation as they "own" the reservation, not you.

I can never get a full/premium site (only gives me tent/pop up option). Is this because its a special? Also, not to sound cheap, but times are tough.

Try expanding the dates you are looking for. Sometimes you may need to book extra days (or even weeks) to get teh days you want. You can always call back later to cancel the days you don't want.

Is booking the MYW package cheaper than purchasing campsite/tickets individually? Also found that undercover tourist sells the tickets about $100 (for 7 days for family of four) cheaper then disney online, but don't know if its legit. Has anyone purchased from them? ANY help would be appreciated! THANKS!!!!

I feel the packages are always more expensive. For a week trip you are paying a discounted rate for tickets, but you end up with them for every day of your booking. I find that on a week long trip we may only hit the parks 4 or 5 days. Additionally, with a "package" you have different deposit and payment rules. Undercover Tourist is legit. Check out Mousesavers.com for more information on discount tickets (as well as other savings tips).

 

[bama_ed]

We are FINALLY going to book our 1st disney vacation and we are so excited!. We are tryin to book 11/13-11/19. I have ALOT of questions, and figured since everyone here seems to be experts (compared to me ) maybe some of you can help! Here's the questions: Is it better to book w/ disney, AAA, or travel agent? Every time I go online on disney I can never get a full/premium site (only gives me tent/pop up option). Is this because its a special? Also, not to sound cheap, but times are tough. Is booking the MYW package cheaper than purchasing campsite/tickets individually? Also found that undercover tourist sells the tickets about $100 (for 7 days for family of four) cheaper then disney online, but don't know if its legit. Has anyone purchased from them? ANY help would be appreciated! THANKS!!!!

Tim gave you some good answers and I'll add mine....

I book with Disney for room-only ressies (for a campsite) well in advance and request the AAA discount if available. You can use an agent or AAA but you will get the same deal. If you have a good agent, though, they can continue to check deals and dates to get you the best possible rates instead of just doing a one-and-done.

On your dates, it's usually the weekends that make getting a ressie hard. The end of your dates sounds like the weekend before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week has been getting more popular over the years (we were there in 2009). You just have to keep trying, or try booking a longer period (like 3-weeks) to get the dates you want then call back a day later and drop the unwanted days. The deposit amount is the same regardless (one night's rate).

Disney packages offer no discount for the bundle. It's a convenience savings only. Undercover Tourist has a good reputation and I've never heard a complaint about them. When we go for a week I only spend a day or two in the parks and those short-term tickets don't get discounted much if at all. So I don't have any personal experience, only what I've heard.

Don't underestimate getting a ressie in early. Room-only ressies have a 500-day window (almost a year and a half) so it's always better to get a ressie in well before hand (always book longer) then drop the days as soon as your plans firm up. Thanksgiving time books up at that 500-day window. Just keep calling, keep trying daily, and it's possible to piece together the time you're looking for.

Bama ED

 

[2goofycampers]

PP gave good advice. Don't give up keep calling and checking online. If the AAA rate isn't available keep trying right up until check in if you have to. We got ours 2 days before arrival our last trip.

 

[UMADDBG]

I have used Undercover Tourist many times, they are very good. Sign up for the Mousesavers news letter and you get an additional discount with undercover tourist through a link in the news letter.
Have a great trip!

 

[Disneylitch]

Just keep calling and expand your dates. When I was trying to get reservations, I would sometimes call 2 and 3 times a day. If they only had 2 days, I would take it and continue to call. It should come through for you. The online booking system is horrible. I would try expanding your dates when you call first. That works alot of the time.