When/Who to book with?

[dobball23]

My wife and I are planning a trip for July 2007. We want to stay at the Animal Kingdom and would like the Dining Plan, Park Hopper tickets and Magical Express from the airport. When would be the best time to book that? I have read other people's posts saying they have already booked for 2007...how is that possible when the rates haven't been released?

Also, does shopping around between the different travel agencies really make much of a difference? or are they all pretty much the same price for a package like I mentioned above?

Thanks!

 

[brentalex]

First, you can book a room at Disney up to 500 days in advance. If the official rates for the time period you are booking have not yet been released, you will be charged a deposit based on the current rates, and it will be adjusted when the real rates are released.
As for which travel agents, there really have been no discounts from one agent to the other, except for AAA rates. if you want a package that includes tickets and dining, you can use a AAA agent (if you are a AAA member ) and get a discount on the room portion of the package. Any other non AAA agent would not be able to offer this, and there have been very few other discounts available.
Currently disney is offering a package where the dining plan is free. This can be booked anywhere, since there are no other discounts available with this. As for next July, since it is peak season, there probably will not be any great offers, so the best bet would be a AAA agent to get the room discount.

 

[dobball23]

First, you can book a room at Disney up to 500 days in advance. If the official rates for the time period you are booking have not yet been released, you will be charged a deposit based on the current rates, and it will be adjusted when the real rates are released.
As for which travel agents, there really have been no discounts from one agent to the other, except for AAA rates. if you want a package that includes tickets and dining, you can use a AAA agent (if you are a AAA member ) and get a discount on the room portion of the package. Any other non AAA agent would not be able to offer this, and there have been very few other discounts available.
Currently disney is offering a package where the dining plan is free. This can be booked anywhere, since there are no other discounts available with this. As for next July, since it is peak season, there probably will not be any great offers, so the best bet would be a AAA agent to get the room discount.

So, essentially, I should probably not worry too much about looking for a cheaper package and it will probably cost me pretty much the same thing wherever I book through? (except AAA, which should be slightly cheaper).

Would you recommend I sign up for AAA now and book my package...I would like the trip to be as cheap as possible, but also will pay any price increases that come into play next year.

Thanks! I appreciate the tips.