Can anyone recommend a good site to buy a disney vacation(hotel/tix) for my family?

Question

We are planning on going to Florida in August when my husband comes home from Kuwait. Can anyone recommend a website where I can get a good deal on my vacation?

I found this site www.discountthemeparkvacations.com are they on the up & up? This seems really cheap. If you have any info, I would appreciate it.

Answer 1

I have gone to Disney MANY times, and I've yet to see any package or deal cheaper than buying directly. And the only time I've had any problems on trips is when I used travel agents. No disrect to those that post here (there are many) and I understand them looking for business, but unless you don't have the time to do it yourself, they no longer have the better deals since the internet age took over. The only occassional exception is AAA, which has discount deals for members at Disney. I'd first decide what you would like, then check out their pricing and compare, as it varies which is best. And if you check the popular free Disney chat boards, you'll find endless resources from pics/tours of all Disney resorts, and they are on top of every sale and deal out there.

Anyway hope you guys have a magical time together in the most magical of places!!! Yell if you need any Disney hotel suggestions or park tips. And speaking of tips, if you are staying on property be sure to call 3 days before going and specify where you want your room to be (ie garden view, not facing a parking lot!). They really pay attention to requests when you call. And once you decide which resort the boards will have TONS of tips and suggestions. It's how I first learned about the best area's to request, and what the options are etc. I'm listing the boards in order of quality IMHO.

http://www.disboards.com/

http://allearsnet.com/

http://www.magicalmountain.net/forums/

http://www.imagineears.com/

http://www.wdwmagic.com/

http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

ETA glad someone mentioned Shades of Green. (I've heard mixed reviews though, so I'd see how good a deal it is). BUT if they will give you a discount at Caribbean Beach I would grab that. It is, by far, my favorite moderate and tops some of the deluxe IMHO. It's so lovely and quiet at night, and coffee in the hammocks is a great way to start the day. If you go for it I'd recommend Aruba #1 choice, Jamaica #2. Both are a short walk over the bridge which means they are close to the food court, but so much nicer and quieter than right next to it. Plus the walk is so pretty (there is a wildlife sanctuary on the bridge that is awesome) no matter how tired I never minded doing it. And I think Aruba has the nicest beach, not to mention nicer colors lolol. Funny I almost suggested CBR since it is such a great resort within a resort. I so hope you can get that discount there!! Good luck!

Came back with yet one more suggestion. I'd plan one meal at The Brown Derby. I'm convinced it's some of the best food on Disney property. (man I could kill for a cobb salad tonight! And they do the original Derby recipe). But almost everything is great there, which is something I don't say too often about Disney restaurants sadly.

And when booking I'd make sure they know about your hubby. Since it is a year of dreams and they are doing all sorts of special bonuses (most at random by computer but some by planning) I'd mention it. If they can I bet they will do something, as they should!!! And I'd say you both earned something very special!

Answer 2

With Disney you are going to find that most places you are go are going to offer you the same price. For example:

Disney direct: You will get the price that Disney offers. You can call in to take care of things you need on your reservations and talk to their agents to ask a few questions and things. However, the agents aren't always the most friendly and/or most knowledgeable. While they do offer some help, they don't usually offer an excess of information.

Online dicounters such as Travelocity and Expedia: Some say that you can save a little money with these sites, to be honest I've never seen it. If you want to do a room only, you can usually get a better rate with Disney or a travel agent. I checked a few months back using these sites, Disney and my travel agent, and these sites actually cost more than I could find else where, without a discount from Disney. Also, the biggest problem is that you are on your own with these sites. If you ask questions and such they usually aren't much help. Also, contacting a human with these sites can take hours to get someone. In my opinion, not the best way to go.


Travel agent: This is how I book all my trips and from what I have found the best way to go. Most travel agents offer the exact same prices as Disney, no more, no less. However, they are always there to answers questions, help with planning, etc. Rather than being on your own, you have some help with the planning. It is also nice because you don't have to spend all your time searching around for all the info you need and possibly finding wrong or old information. Also, most agents that specialize in Disney will also book dining, tours, etc. So that saves you more time as well. I've found that agents also offer information and tips that will end up saving you money in the long run.



I would definitely not book with sites like Travelocity or Expedia, you may end up regretting that decision if you choose to go that way. You lose out on a lot of benefits when booking with them as well, one of the biggest is that you don't have the option to get the dining plan Disney offers. For you and your wife the plan is $38.99 per person, per day and for your child is is only $10.99. It is a great plan and can save you up to 40%. Plus, tax and tip is included, it is a great way to go.

I'm not sure of when you are actually planning to go. However, if you are a little flexible you should consider going during the free dining dates. This could save you quite a bit of money and you would get your dining included. So if you can, that is going to be the best offer you can find. Disney really does not offer a promotion that is better than the free dining. For most dates, except holidays and summer dates, Disney offers a promotion of some sort. You just have to keep an eye out for when they become available. So far they have offered the promotions through the 22nd of September.


One final thing, I'm not sure if you are aware of this. But, Disney is doing construction at Animal Kingdom now because they are beginning the building of their villas. Disney says that you will be able to see and hear the construction. Since you are wanting this to be extra special and you are probably spending a little more than you want, I want you to be aware of the situation just so you don't have a surprise when you get there.


I hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me. I go to Disney all the time (I just got back a few weeks ago) and I'm happy to help

Answer 3

There are many good sites to buy Disney tickets and book a hotel although I recommend reading about the Disney World Vacation Packages that Disney offers. Their packages vary depending on your individual needs. Check out the site I've listed for more information. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

I would try www.disney.com
www.southwestvacations.com
www.deltavacations.com

I have used all of these at one time or another for a disney vacation or other place. Check all of them. Change your days around to see if the price changes. I saved several hundred dollars by leaving on a Tuesday instead of a Monday. We are going next month and using southwest.

Answer 5

get ahold of your local MWR office and they can direct you to shades of green! they have wonderful deals for the military!! my brother and his family are staying for a GREAT rate at the carribean beach resort!! the MWR can also get your discounted prices on tickets for Disney, Universal, sea world and even a lot of the attractions like the Arabian Nights and such. if you're driving and coming from the north and your MWR doesn't have the pricing available - swing through Mayport Florida (just outside Jacksonville) and their MWR and even NAS Jax would be able to get you the tickets.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!!

PS - just came back from disney and we hit Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom - it was awesome!! I recommend the disney properties for the fun and granduer and also their transportation system and the extra magic hours. for example, we were in animal kingdom at 8am before the 9am actual park hours and had a GREAT time before it was too packed with the other tourists. the safari ride was amazing!!! they recently had had a number of births so we got to see some baby animals too!

PPS - Thank your husband for me okay?!?

Answer 6

Hi,
You can save a lot of money simply by renting a vacation home instead of a hotel. We have over 30 properties in the Orlando area, some starting at $45 a night! We have 1,2,3,4,or 5 bedrooms available. Please feel free to email us for a price quote and to see pictures of all of our available units.

[e-mail]

Thanks,
Eileen

Answer 7

Shades of Green http://www.shadesofgreen.org/home.html
It's a Disney resort that only service members and their families can stay at. http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#military

Military Discount Info Page:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-military.htm

Free Disney Dining promo (for Sept.)
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=07_Q4FreeDineOfferPage only if you stay at a regular resort at Disney.

Military discount on park tickets:
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwtixdiscounts.html#military
http://www.shadesofgreen.org/ATS.htm


Also try the base/fort MWR office for discount attraction tickets. Or try AAFES for tickets.
http://www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/tickets/tickets.asp http://www.mwr.navy.mil/


This is a great message board for all things Disney. They can give you tips on the parks, places to get food, etc. Pleanty of reviews, etc. as well. http://www.disboards.com/

Answer 8

Well I can't blame someone for going to a travel agent and paying them to book travel. After all I am one.
However the ability to search around for the best price on your own at your leisure is the reason 200,000 travel agencies have closed in the last eight years.
My web site has shown me that I can book cheaper travel that other web sites as well as travel agents in a building.
www.bestchoicetravel.com
Plus my customers can still call me or send me an e-mail.

Answer 9

Go to
http://www.mandrekar.com/item.php?merchant=Florida%20Vacation%20Station

Answer 10

i cant beleve you just said that tv is haunted with with camerchails like that