Who do you book through?

[jess20k]

I like to book through AAA. We end up saving at least $200.00 usually on our package. I do book my airfare myself though.

 

[lvloopingbag]

I use Magical Journeys. They almost always e-mail me that a discount has been applied to my reservations even before it is listed on the internet.....

 

[phyllis1966]

...It takes just as long to call a TA as to call directly.
It's done, that's it!!

I don't know how it is with other WDW agencies, but with DU, I don't have to make any calls at all - a simple email is all it takes, and my agent is extremely timely in her replies. It works best for me, since I really hate being on the phone (I do enough of that at work! ).

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I don't know how it is with other WDW agencies, but with DU, I don't have to make any calls at all - a simple email is all it takes, and my agent is extremely timely in her replies. It works best for me, since I really hate being on the phone (I do enough of that at work! ).

When it comes to making ADRs, doed DU help you plan an itinerary or do you just figure out your own itinerary and then give them a list of the restaurants you want and what times? Thats the hardest part I had was deciding what days to do what park. I figured it out and everything went smoothly but it was quite stressful for me as DH doesn't really have any interest in WDW so I was making the whole family's decisions on my own. TIA>

 

[phyllis1966]

When it comes to making ADRs, doed DU help you plan an itinerary or do you just figure out your own itinerary and then give them a list of the restaurants you want and what times? Thats the hardest part I had was deciding what days to do what park. I figured it out and everything went smoothly but it was quite stressful for me as DH doesn't really have any interest in WDW so I was making the whole family's decisions on my own. TIA>

At the beginning, I needed more help and got many suggestions and recommendations from my DU agent. Now I pretty much know my way around and just give her a list of the ADR's we'd like, although I still need questions answered from time to time, and she's great about that. I think they'll help you plan your itinerary as much as you need, but I'm not sure of exactly how deeply involved they can get. I remember at first getting lots of ideas from my TA after she asked our touring style and how old our DD was at the time.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

At the beginning, I needed more help and got many suggestions and recommendations from my DU agent. Now I pretty much know my way around and just give her a list of the ADR's we'd like, although I still need questions answered from time to time, and she's great about that. I think they'll help you plan your itinerary as much as you need, but I'm not sure of exactly how deeply involved they can get. I remember at first getting lots of ideas from my TA after she asked our touring style and how old our DD was at the time.

Thanks for the info. I pretty much planned our adrs & itinerary this vacay so I'll probably do it again but I'll keep DU in mind. We booked our resort package through AAA but I may do it myself through Disney or DU next time. My TA was very nice but I think I knew more about disney and whats going on at disney through the dis boards. Which makes sense because she probably has a lot of destinations to try to keep up with and I just have this one. Thanks again.

 

[Rhonda]

When it comes to making ADRs, doed DU help you plan an itinerary or do you just figure out your own itinerary and then give them a list of the restaurants you want and what times? Thats the hardest part I had was deciding what days to do what park. I figured it out and everything went smoothly but it was quite stressful for me as DH doesn't really have any interest in WDW so I was making the whole family's decisions on my own. TIA>

Your DU agent will create a customized itinerary for you, complete with park hours, show/fireworks schedules, and your dining reservations (which they are happy to make for you)! After you book, you just fill out a short questionnaire about you and your family, so that your agent will know a little bit more about you, and be able to come up with the best itinerary for you! Your itinerary will also include tips & tricks for touring the parks and getting the most out of your time!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Your DU agent will create a customized itinerary for you, complete with park hours, show/fireworks schedules, and your dining reservations (which they are happy to make for you)! After you book, you just fill out a short questionnaire about you and your family, so that your agent will know a little bit more about you, and be able to come up with the best itinerary for you! Your itinerary will also include tips & tricks for touring the parks and getting the most out of your time!

Excellent info - thank you!!!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I book all our vacations directly through WDW - like another poster I plan everything out in advance - check the websites for the prices on rooms, specials, etc & then make one call. Once I know where we want to eat, I'll call & make the ADRs myself. Since I'm only 1 1/2hrs from WDW I don't have to worry about flights, etc, just the rooms - have AP's so I really don't do packages, although I have done packages in the past.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I am OCD about Disney, so I book my trips myself, with AAA or rack until an AP or General Public rate becomes avail, for shorter room only trips. Now for my longer trips when we are going to use the dining plan, I book the trip myself through WDTC, then I went to AAA and had my TA typr up a letter transferring that ressie to AAA so I can get my $250 discount on my room. Now if a better discount comes out later for an AP holder package w/ dining, then I will change it again, but in December 2006, my AAA discount came out to be a better deal than the AP or GP code, go figure, the same held true for this December for my room only. I have a better AAA rate at CR than the AP rate, but I do have a AP rate on my room at AKL, so you never know.

Suzanne

 

[Rustysmom]

We used The Mouse For Less on our last trip and I don't think I would use them again. The agent was good, but I kept having to remind him about things and he never told me to make my ADRs at 180 days. I went the first week of free dining and was a nervous wreck worrying whether he would be able to get the code applied because occasionally he wouldn't answer my emails right away.

Next time I'm doing it myself because I want to be in control of the vacation. Well, after this next vacation anyway because Disney is in control of this one.

 

[lilyv]

Dreams Unlimited fan here. I love their service. I don't have the time or the desire to be regularly code checking. They take care of this for me-no worries!

 

[MagCynic]

If I could make a quick, biased suggestion, I would highly recommend booking directly through Disney. It may require more work overall, but I'm comfortable in saying that 99% of the time when a guest has an error or problem with their room reservation it is because they book through a third party.

 

[Taja]

Out of 5 recent and one upcoming WDW visits, I've booked 4 DIY and 2 through Small World Vacations. Used two different TAs, as a friend became a Disney certified TA through them while I was planning one visit. Excellent results from both.

Despite the extra work, I prefer DIY. I like to control the bookings and not have to depend on others when I want to change something. Following the codes does require more time, but that's what lunches are for, right?

 

[jeanninepl]

We book through Travel Magic. They are phenomenal - both of the ladies, Suzy and Kathy, are on top of everything.

They took care of all of our ressies and send us a small itinerary to keep with us with confirmation #s. I have recommended them to neighbors and family who love them.

www.travelmagic.com

 

[05MM08MM]

Booking through Kingdom Konsultants

Pam has been great answering lots of questions. This is our first family trip so we can use all the help we can get to keep us organized. I have done lots of my own research on the boards, google searches and guide books, but you still find out new things every day.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I use Magical Journeys. They almost always e-mail me that a discount has been applied to my reservations even before it is listed on the internet.....

Me too! Deb is fantastic! For reasons I won't get into, I had to change my reservation numerous times and she always got back to me right away with an e-mail saying "It's done!" She also made sure any codes were applied asap and would send me an e-mail with my new quote before I even read about it on here. And if something even better than the last code came out, she would switch it to the new one. The best part? Totally free!