Where do you book your packages through?

[Puccaw]

I had always booked my trips through my moms friend who was a travel agent but she has since retired and no longer does this. I live in Halifax but would be willing to drive to Maine and fly from there. Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

 

[shameless3]

I've been booking my trips myself lately (I travel a lot and am comfortable in doing so), however my sister is a nervous wreck and always books through a travel agent that I know.

I've called Disney directly in the past and have found them extremely helpful (for the most part). The travel agent that I know says that they do not charge for booking packages, which I was unaware of, and that if someone tells you that there is a charge to do so run fast and far from them.

We are also in Nova Scotia so our options are limited in the package providers, but I've booked/traveled through Sunwing, Transat, Air Canada and West Jet packages in the past. I cry when I see the cheap prices from Central Canada.

 

[dis_guy]

I always book our flights first then book Disney directly, usually online. If changes need to be made (flight changes or Disney offers come out) I can deal with them myself immediately. For example on our last trip the airline canceled our flight but added a more advantageous one. It was easy to switch from the one we were put on to the one we really wanted. A Disney discount came out after we booked so all it took was a phone call to have it added. If I had gone through a travel agent, I wouldn't have been able to do any of that.

 

[Disneylover99]

I book directly through Disney. I either book a package or a room only and then I book my airfare separately, directly with the airline.

 

[PrincessKimmy]

We are the same as pp. We book directly through Disney ourselves, and then directly with the airline we choose ourselves.

 

[dangler]

We book directly with Disney and book our flights online.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Directly with Disney unless we use Air Miles.

No need for a TA for a WDW trip.

 

[minnie mum]

Like the PPs, we book directly with Disney. For airlines, we either book thru our credit card rewards or directly with the airline. We almost always use a TA for international vacations, but its really unnecessary for Disney trips.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I have always booked my Disney vacations (the last 6 anyway) online myself. I figured the ease was enough to keep me booking that way. Until my upcoming trip.. First time booking with a TA I found out about here on the forums, it was done this way because I saved over 50% off rack rate.

Sometimes ease doesn't equate best deal

 

[CdnCarrie]

I have always booked my Disney vacations (the last 6 anyway) online myself. I figured the ease was enough to keep me booking that way. Until my upcoming trip.. First time booking with a TA I found out about here on the forums, it was done this way because I saved over 50% off rack rate.

Sometimes ease doesn't equate best deal

Could you post or PM the name of the TA? The few I have dealt with always come in the same pricing as Disney.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I use US-based travel agents to book my packages and cruises. Dreams Unlimited (a sponsor of these boards) is a good one, as is MEI & Mouse Fan Travel. The only issue I've ever had was having to pay customs fees for tickets shipped to my home by courier. I just need to remember to tell them to ship all materials to the resort instead.

I have nothing against Canadian travel agents, but I haven't found any that know Disneyland or Walt Disney World better than me, and I'd rather put my trust in a person or organization that knows more than I do. I have used CAA to buy discount tickets when I haven't purchased a package.

I have booked through Disney myself, but I realized that I didn't like looking out for discounts that disappeared too quickly or waking up early to make ADRs. Now, I have people for that. ;-)

As for flights, I book them myself months in advance. If I don't want to pay a premium for direct flights, I look for connections in the US so that I can go through US customs pre-clearance in my departure airport, rather than in Montreal or Toronto during a very rushed 2-hour layover. I also consider weather when selecting my connecting airports. In winter, I prefer connections in snow-free locations like Houston or Seattle. In summer, I prefer connecting in hurricane-free locations like Seattle or Denver.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I booked my first Disney trip through an agent and the rest myself (except when renting DVC ... technicality I guess) ....

 

[dis_guy]

As for flights, I book them myself months in advance. If I don't want to pay a premium for direct flights, I look for connections in the US so that I can go through US customs pre-clearance in my departure airport, rather than in Montreal or Toronto during a very rushed 2-hour layover. I also consider weather when selecting my connecting airports. In winter, I prefer connections in snow-free locations like Houston or Seattle. In summer, I prefer connecting in hurricane-free locations like Seattle or Denver.

Yup.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

If you are considering using a travel agent, check if they normally do follow-ups to search for discounts. Good travel agents do this regularly and secure better deals when they are released. They may even advertise that they do this added service. Indifferent travel agents lock everything in once and never look at it again, and you don't want one of those. They're getting the same commission from Disney, but not doing any extra effort.

 

[Tigman_NS]

We have always used Sears Travel in Halifax. The girls there are fantastic. This year we booked through them. They found a deal for us for a family of 4 direct airfare and Pop Century for a week for just under $2600. I thought that was pretty good.

 

[alc571]

We book Disney through Disney, and everything else usually through Expedia. We seem to have the best luck with them when we package flight and car together. We have done it all separately too. Air Canada through Air Canada, etc. I will say, however, I will not book anything other than air through Air Canada again.

 

[SaraMc]

Dreams Unlimited Travel ( they own this site too) Best Disney travel agents. Very knowledgable and easy to work with.

 

[archdandy]

I've always booked my own travel as I'm a travel agent I specialize in Disney so I book a lot of other people's Disney vacations as well.

 

[lizzyb]

I usually book it on my own but got a really good deal with Magical Vacation Travel this time so I booked with them.