2006-06-23 09:25:56 · 17 answers · asked by mita j 1 in Travel ➔ Other - Destinations
I have been to Disney so many times that I have honestly lost count. I know the parks just about as well as my own home. And I still use a travel agent, for every trip I take. A few years ago I found a travel agent that specializes in Disney and it is the best thing that has ever happened to me as far as traveling. It makes things so much easier for me to plan, but yet I am still involved.
My agent is an online agency, but not an online discounters(like Expedia and Orbitz) these are two completely different things. First of all, an agent will not cost you more to book with. If you plan to stay onsite, which is what I recommend, you are going to get the same price with Disney as a travel agent. But here are the benefits. First, if you have ever worked with Disney, you know how many mistakes can be made. I worked with them years ago and it can be a nightmare, they haven't really changed since then. They still make just as many mistakes. Now that I use an agent, there are no problems, if there is, she takes care of them. And I can assure you, she has done several things during these past few years that would have never been done had I booked directly with Disney. She is able to get more than I can because of how much she works with Disney.
She also books all my dinings and any recreation or tours I do. When you get one of Disney's meal plans, you may have every meal planned, so it can be a lot of work. Everything is then typed up and ready for me when I leave for my trip. I have a schedule she has written and I just follow it.
She also has all the knowledge that you can find online and in books, but it doesn't come from a 100 sources, it comes from someone that visits Disney often, is in direct contact with Disney and knows just about everything there is to know about Disney. If you get a good agent, they will be honest with you, there is a difference between an agent that is there for their client and one that is there for the money. I like using her because if I have a question, for example about a new package, I send her an e-mail and in a few minutes I have a response, an accurate response, that is priceless. Sure, you could book the trip on your own and then search through guidebooks, online sites, ask friends and other people on the internet, but you will likely get different answers from each source. It is a lot easier just to be able to send off an e-mail and get the correct information.
Just one other thing (trust me, there is so many other benefits), if I book in advance, which is what I usually do, my agent lowers the rate automatically if a special comes out for my dates. I don't have to watch the internet for promotions, call Disney, wait on hold because of the long waits and then take care of it myself.
Can you book on your own, absolutely, do I recommend it, not really. If you plan to do everything seperate, stay off site, etc. you could book yourself, this is the only way you may save some money. But I recommend an agent because they will help you get the most out of your trip. You can be involved as much or as little as you like in the planning.
As far as booking with sites like Expedia and Orbitz, this is something I feel strongly against, for several reasons. First, I have found that these sites actually run higher when booking Disney hotels, not by much, but definitely not making it worth booking through them. And second, there are just so many mistakes with these type sites. You may arrive at your hotel and discover your reservation was never made, generally they won't do anything about it. I've read so many cases where this happened, and even knew some people that experienced this.
Finally, I used to book with AAA, they do offer you a small savings if you book with them. However, if you book at an onsite hotel with Disney and they come out with a promotion, it doesn't save you much and you are actually not saving as much as what Disney offers. You have to watch for the promotions to come out, they don't inform you, they don't book dinings, etc. And generally they aren't very knowledgeable in the product, my experiences with them wasn't very good.
Sorry this is so long, but I just want to give you a complete answer. My recommendation is to find an agent that specializes in Disney, you won't regret. A good agent that specializes in Disney is a priceless asset to have for the planning of your vacation!
2006-06-23 10:26:34 · answer #1 · answered by tech_fanatic 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Use a travel agent. Some of us specialize in Disney. I have been there 22 times. Booking yourself is NOT cheaper. If you want to stay at a Disney resort, no one will discount the land portion - the only discount may be the air. The Disney Resort does not give special pricing to anyone. The advantage to using an agent will be in their knowledge of the product.
2006-06-25 04:35:36 · answer #2 · answered by Ruth R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try booking through a travel site that is operated by a travel agent or agency that way you get the best of both worlds. travelfunjet.com is just once such site or if you visit our main website bctravelcompany.com you can search for packages through one of our suppliers and request a quote. That way you get what you want, if you have questions we can answer them and we find you the best price. Also going through an agency such as ours means you may only need to place a deposit on the vacation verse payment in full at the time you decide to book it online. Full payment for most wholesale packages that we offer and that save you money are due 45 to 60 days prior. Also some agency's have a Disney specialist on staff. We have one on staff and she is a Graduate from the Disney College of Knowledge as well as a regular visitor.
BC Travel Company
2006-06-23 16:33:22 · answer #3 · answered by BC Travel Co. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 years ago when our family palnned a Disney trip, we bought one of those Disney guide books at the bookstore (Barnes & Noble) that tell you what rides are in each part of Disney World and pretty much everything else about the ride. The books also feature tips for planning. Then you can see what you want to ride and what you want to skip. Since we were traveling with 3 kids, we boarded in a family centered hotel OUTSIDE Disney World. Breakfast, pool use, and family activites were free and it was still close to Disney World (the Nickelodean Holiday Inn, Orlando) I think if you do it right, do it yourself can be cheaper and more fun because it's based on what you really want to do.
2006-06-23 09:31:42 · answer #4 · answered by crayon_gurlie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on you. Sometimes it's easier to go through a travel website (Yahoo, Orbitz, Expedia, Vacation Outlet, etc.) as they do packages that include air, hotel and park tickets. However, if you are comfortable in purchasing everything separately, then it might be cheaper. It really just depends on whether you want to do the leg work yourself or have a travel agent do it for you.
2006-06-23 09:29:38 · answer #5 · answered by John 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF its disneyland, you have some options. There are a number of independent hotels & motels on harbor blvd and katella avenue. a number of these have little fridges & microwaves in the rooms and some still dont charge for parking. you dont have to stay at the disneyland hotel and blast your budget into outer space. You should buy multi-day tickets because disneyland is impossible to do in less than 2 days. dont know about california adventure, it wasnt there when i last visted at the 40th anniv in 1995. city buses are good on katella and harbor, and if you want you can get over to Angel stadium on the bus. a great old fashioned ice cream parlour is tiffy's on katella. there should still be a food for less 3-4 miles down katella . be sure to get some golden ears at least and have a great time. oh if its disney world in fla, ive never been there. youre on your own.
2006-06-23 09:37:20 · answer #6 · answered by berthabuns 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do it yourself is cheaper and you will actually get to choose what you want to do. When planning a disney vaction remember you don't have to stay within the park. There are aloto f cheaper yet quality hotels outside the park.
2006-06-23 09:27:21 · answer #7 · answered by Simmy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do it yourself but it would be harder. I would go with the agent the first time out, they can tell you about different attractions that or not giving when you look up on the internet. They can also give you different opinions from thier clients on what they like the best etc. They can also give you info packets and what to expect and what to avoid. Its always easier to have someone tell you than reading it because when you read it can be interpreted differently from what it is suppose to say.
2006-06-23 09:30:53 · answer #8 · answered by Gabriel S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO IT YOUR SELF! I have done it several times and it is MUCh better to do it your slef, you must take the time and do alot of research you are spending a good bit of money and you wan to do it right, there are so mnay webs ites that can help you , look into it all and make a plan that suits your family. And HAVE A GREAT TIME! we stayed for 2 weeks it willbe the most memorable vacationf or along time! I have listed some websites for you to check out
2006-06-23 09:34:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ONE THING I can tell you from experience is to purchase your park passes before you get there cause they got all theses discount ticket booths out there all the road and in shopping centers, but all it is, is time share companies wanting four hours of your vacation. If you have AAA road service they sell and set up your disney vacation for you- check out their web site
2006-06-23 09:29:36 · answer #10 · answered by shalirha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋