Originally Posted By jennythepooh Hello, I am ready to book our trip and am wondering if you have any feelings on going with a travel agent for the whole trip or doing it yourself and also a local travel agent or online company?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I would check the price if you did it yourself and then talk to an agent and see what your best deal will be.
Originally Posted By joeysmommy Last year I booked with a AAA travel agent and our package deal was ok, but I felt that lots of the little extras were not necessary. After learning so much from everyone on LP over the last year I was able to book this year's trip cheaper and staying at PPH.
Originally Posted By jennythepooh thank you joeysmommy, so you just booked it yourself? Did you go to the hotel websites, and get your tickets thru disney?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Last year I booked with a AAA travel agent and our package deal was ok, but I felt that lots of the little extras were not necessary.>> Exactly. Many of the packages offered by Travel Agents cost less than if you purchased all of the individual items separately, but do you REALLY want all the items in the package? Some people might be thrilled being awakened by Mickey coming into your room at 5:30 AM and doing Jumping Jacks, but I'd just as soon pass on that one! Our first trip to WDW I booked through a travel agent. That was the last time I ever did that. Our second trip I booked a Disney Package. That is the last time I ever did that too. After that I booked my Disney trips a’ la carte and I’ve saved a fortune by doing so over the past 16 years. It is a little more work, but it is well worth it!
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 We purchased the room threw a travel agent but got the AAA price, which was about $60 cheaper.
Originally Posted By joeysmommy jennythe pooh- the main reason I booked thru AAA last year was becuz we wanted to take advantage of the "enhanced fastpass" before it went away. I called PPH and told the CM I wanted to book rooms for our dates with the AP rate. He played dumb for awhile, then I mentioned LP and he let me do it without a code. I told him I planned on upgrading my park hopper to an Annual Pass when I got to the parks. He said I could just buy my AP at the front desk when we checked in and they would honor the AP rate...$129!! I ended up buying my AP online printing it at home via eticket and I got my coupon too. The biggest waste of money on our AAA package last year was the Super Shuttle. We could have just taken a taxi for $35. Also, I can buy park hoppers for my DH and DS's for about $20 less than the buy in advance price at my credit union. I'm buying an AP for myself becuz I'm going again in November and next September for my 40th Bday. It was just more economical. I booked the same trip for about $400 less. Altho we are staying at PPH instead of DLH. I'm such a dork..I still can't believe what a great deal I got on the hotel rooms, I called last week just to make sure my reservation is still there.
Originally Posted By liveforvacations The first time I went to Disneyland I booked through a travel agent and I definitely could have done it cheaper and have booked everything myself ever since. I find that the packages we have here do not offer the flexibility and choices I like. I don't like being at the airport at 5:00 am and it seems if I want to pick a specific hotel, the price keeps going up. I also find that sometimes the ads are deceptive like when they say, "Kids stay free". My understanding is that they always stay free. However, I do respect the work travel agents do and understand that they could not possibly do the amount of research we do and still make money and are restricted from Entertainment book deals, APs etc. As per all the info I got from all the great people here, my friends recently booked airfare from Seattle for four for $800.00 US and got the Entertaiment rate at Hojos. Canadians can save a lot of money flying out of the US due to taxes. There is no way they could get a deal like this from a travel agent! So if you do not wish to do the research, which I love, and are not as particular, it is a lot less work going through a travel agent and I think you will still be satisfied. joeysmommy, you are going next September for your birthday-me too and that is why I bought an AP too!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<However, I do respect the work travel agents do and understand that they could not possibly do the amount of research we do and still make money and are restricted from Entertainment book deals, APs etc.>> Me too. Although they really aren't necessary IMHO for Disney Dorks like us; they can be very useful for a person who knows little about Disneyland or WDW.
Originally Posted By jennythepooh wow, ok, I think I will try it on my own. I have bought some DL books and been doing some research which I also love to do, especially when it can save money. I just hope I can still get EEdays. .... Does Mickey really come into your room and do jumping jacks? I don't think I need that either. thank you all for the interesting facts! Oh hay, does AAA still have the special fast pass?
Originally Posted By joeysmommy No, the enhanced FP ended January, which was why we booked thru AAA last year. Thanks to the all knowing LPers I found out about the enhanced FP coming to an end. So we took advantage of that deal.
