Who to book through for wow trip?

[ashleym337]

I have only ever booked through Disneys website but I was wondering if there were cheaper options out there. Any suggestions on how to save some money before we get there?

 

[Marionnette]

I have only ever booked through Disneys website but I was wondering if there were cheaper options out there. Any suggestions on how to save some money before we get there?

There are cheaper options but you have to really dig for the deals.

You can rent DVC points from an owner or thru one of many websites that work as a go-between for you and the owner. Sometimes distressed points (about to expire soon) can sell for as low as $6/pt.

There are some travel websites that book blocks of rooms at the deluxe resorts and then sell the rooms at a discount to their customers.

If you are a member of a professional organization, specific interest group or your children participate in an organized sport with national affiliations, you can look for their annual meetings which are sometimes in the Orlando area. Rooms can be deeply discounted.

If you have a friend or relative who is a cast member, they might be nice enough to book a room for you using their discount. Yes, they are allowed to do this and no, they do not have to be staying with you. They only have to meet up with you to do check in.

There are discounted tickets available thru outlets like Undercovertourist and Mapleleaftickets. Less than what Disney charges at the gate or in their packages.

So yes, you can do it for less than Disney charges on their website...sometimes.

 

[pal-mickey]

I've booked through MEI-mouse fan travel, the mouse your way, and dreams unlimited. All have been good. The travel agencies don't charge a fee for booking your trip, but once you book your trip they will be on the look out for discounts and apply them to your trip. I've used MEI-mouse fan the most because I'm friends with my agent.

 

[ashleym337]

There are cheaper options but you have to really dig for the deals.

You can rent DVC points from an owner or thru one of many websites that work as a go-between for you and the owner. Sometimes distressed points (about to expire soon) can sell for as low as $6/pt.

There are some travel websites that book blocks of rooms at the deluxe resorts and then sell the rooms at a discount to their customers.

If you are a member of a professional organization, specific interest group or your children participate in an organized sport with national affiliations, you can look for their annual meetings which are sometimes in the Orlando area. Rooms can be deeply discounted.

If you have a friend or relative who is a cast member, they might be nice enough to book a room for you using their discount. Yes, they are allowed to do this and no, they do not have to be staying with you. They only have to meet up with you to do check in.

There are discounted tickets available thru outlets like Undercovertourist and Mapleleaftickets. Less than what Disney charges at the gate or in their packages.

So yes, you can do it for less than Disney charges on their website...sometimes.

the whole point thing confuses me (I think its because I'm pregnant or atleast that is what i'm going to tell myself lol). I know there is an amount of points set per room at a resort, but is it really cheaper if you get the points at like 10/p? I looked on the points board and that is pretty much what I saw them going for.

 

[Marionnette]

the whole point thing confuses me (I think its because I'm pregnant or atleast that is what i'm going to tell myself lol). I know there is an amount of points set per room at a resort, but is it really cheaper if you get the points at like 10/p? I looked on the points board and that is pretty much what I saw them going for.

You have to remember that DVC resorts are considered to be deluxe level. So when you compare the rate for room at a deluxe resort vs. the cost of renting points for a studio at a DVC resort, then yes it is cheaper.

Sometimes you will find distressed points for less than the going rate but you need to be able to travel with relatively little notice and would most likely stay at SSR and not BCV or BWV. Take a look at DVCbyrequest.com and sign up for their newsletter if you're interested in distressed points. He sends an email blast out whenever he has deeply discounted points available.

 

[collegejunkie]

i'm going to jump in about renting points. we are staying for 6 nights the week before christmas for $800 at animal kingdom villas. pop century for those 6 nights was only $200 cheaper. definitely worth looking into.

 

[ryem's mom]

I've booked through MEI-mouse fan travel, the mouse your way, and dreams unlimited. All have been good. The travel agencies don't charge a fee for booking your trip, but once you book your trip they will be on the look out for discounts and apply them to your trip. I've used MEI-mouse fan the most because I'm friends with my agent. (Quote from Pal Mickey).

I am so glad that this question got asked. I got my 2012 quotes today from a couple of websites. They are the same price, so I was just curious which one is best, so I see from Pal Mickey which one she chooses. THanks, it helps so much!! Will be booking in the next week!!! YEAH!!

 

[taylor3297]

I've booked through MEI-mouse fan travel, the mouse your way, and dreams unlimited. All have been good. The travel agencies don't charge a fee for booking your trip, but once you book your trip they will be on the look out for discounts and apply them to your trip. I've used MEI-mouse fan the most because I'm friends with my agent.

I book with Mouse Fan travel also. Great customer service. I am also friends with my agent.

 

[britfish]

If you rent points can you still purchase the dining plan?

 

[collegejunkie]

If you rent points can you still purchase the dining plan?

yes, but you have to pre-pay for it and you would need to set it up through the person you're renting from.

 

[Aliceacc]

I always book through a travel agent. It costs me nothing,could save me some significant money (if they find a discount I was unaware of.) And, at the very least, someone is earning a commission at no cost to me. I think it's important to pay it forward, and to do for others what we can.

In the past I've used AAA, but I always felt that I knew more than the agent.

So about a month ago, I sent a bunch of questions to 15 travel agents.

I received 10 responses. Of them, 3 were very informative, and I would have been more than happy to use any of them.

If you're curious, they were
Tracey H at Dreams Unlimited,
Jodi P at Our Laughing Place
Lynn at Ears to You.

 

[Shmily1]

I'm friends with my agent too. Aliceacc, you have great points. I'm sure your agent appreciates your faith in them. How sad that you sent out so many questions and did not get a reply from them all. That would definitely let them out if it was me!

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm friends with my agent too. Aliceacc, you have great points. I'm sure your agent appreciates your faith in them. How sad that you sent out so many questions and did not get a reply from them all. That would definitely let them out if it was me!

It was one email with 6 or 7 questions that I forwarded to a lot of agents. The three I listed all patiently answered each of my questions, and each seemed to really enjoy her job. I learned something from each of the responses.

I won't tell you which one we're going with, since I think any of the three would do a wonderful job.