Book thru Agent or direct?

[mapsd]

For the veterans,

Is there a concensus on the best way to book your stay?
Direct thru Disney? Preferred travel agent? on-line?

I've found that the Carribean SuperClubs have agents where the price may be the same as doing it yourself, you wind up getting free upgrades/better room location,etc by using the preferred agencies. Is it the same with Disney?

 

[righttrack]

If you are extremely familiar with WDW, and know about all discounts, etc., then you are safe to do it on your own. If not, pick somebody to help you that specializes in WDW, like kingdomconsultant, or whatnot. These people only book Disney, and know everything.

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

I have done it both ways, and will not use a travel agent again. I detested not having complete control over everything. All our paperwork was sent to the agent and then forwarded to us, and I hated waiting that extra time. We also never got our DME booklets, so I called DME direct and had them FedExed to me - bypassing the agent.

I don't know that you could get better prices - it appears that the agent's prices are the same as the prices I was finding on disneyworld.com. I do not believe we were upgraded to a better room or better room location. We did not get anything 'extra', although they did a good job. I just prefer to do it all myself.

A travel agent will work just as hard (hopefully!!) as you would to locate discounts. I just don't see the point in involving another person. If you're on these boards, chances are you're going to be researching for you trip to WDW, checking what rides to see, what parks, etc. etc. If you're that involved in planning the time you spend at WDW, I'd want to be that involved in how we get there and where we stay.

 

[luvGoofy]

kingdom konsultants, who you will find on these boards, is the only way I will book. If any discounts become available they try to get those for you, they are very professional, always get the best deals, make dining reservations, give itineraries, and are just overall great. I've had several experiences with them and they are wonderful and my vacations are always complicated with things changing and stuff like that and they are always right on top of things for me.

 

[shoppingnut]

I used to book my reservations myself and then I found Kingdom Konsultants and now I book all my disney trips with them. I don't have to monitor the discounts, they do that for me and will change me over to get the lower price and I don't have to spend hours on the phone with the disney reservation agents.

 

[KnK]

I used to book my reservations myself and then I found Kingdom Konsultants and now I book all my disney trips with them. I don't have to monitor the discounts, they do that for me and will change me over to get the lower price and I don't have to spend hours on the phone with the disney reservation agents.

Got give a shout out to the folks at KK as well. This is the first year that I have gone that route and never again will I do it myself! Thanks Elizabeth!

 

[Master Yoda]

Without a doubt book through Kingdom Konsultants. Each of their reps are Disney fans that know the in and outs of nearly every resort and they service is second to none. I get e-mail conformations forwarded to me ASAP so there is never a problem and I no longer have to monitor discount rates and try to frantically rebook.

 

[Iakona]

I will not use a travel agent for my trips outside Disney, but Kingdom Konsultants cannot be beat. They will make all your reservations (including being the one's to get up at 6 am to get those popular/hard to get reservations), they will watch for discounts and price changes and automatically re-book you at the cheaper rate, when Disney makes last minute changes (IE AKL sections closing) they will PRO-ACTIVELY reach out and make the needed changes.
I am a detail orientated person (I am a project manager for a large company so it comes natural), but I have trusted 5 Disney trips to Kingdom Konsultants (recommended others including my sister) and have never been disappointed or regretted my decision.

Keep in mind that their $$ comes from commission paid by Disney not out of your pocket.

 

[DisneyWood]

Vote for Kingdom Konsultants as well

Got give a shout out to the folks at KK as well. This is the first year that I have gone that route and never again will I do it myself! Thanks Elizabeth!

I also use to reserve & plan my own trips, but that was before I was aware of this board & Kingdom Konsultants. I used them last year for a 2 family trip, and couldn't be more pleased.

If I speak to anyone that is going, I refer them to Kingdom Konsultants first.

Now, if you enjoy doing all of the research, booking & data gathering then by all means, do it yourself. If you are like me, and can't find enough time in the day, then call Pam.

 

[jjgoo]

I vote for travel agent. I have booked two trips through AAA and had a great rep and good discounts. Plus through AAA we get a card that gets us extra discounts for shopping at downtown Disney and on things like minature golf.

Even though I am completely happy with AAA I might try Kingdom Konsultants in the future because of all the great things I have heard about them.

Bottom line is when you find a good agent the time and frustration you save looking at things and comparing prices cannot be beat. I will always go with an agent.

 

[BRER DAD]

Without a doubt book through Kingdom Konsultants. Each of their reps are Disney fans that know the in and outs of nearly every resort and they service is second to none. I get e-mail conformations forwarded to me ASAP so there is never a problem and I no longer have to monitor discount rates and try to frantically rebook.

I have always booked directly through Disney, but in the future I will be booking with Kingdom Konsultants. Disney will not tell you of any discounts/deals, you have to find them out for yourself then call with a code. It seems Kingdom Konsultants takes care of everything for you and continues to look for ways to save you money. Gotta love that!!:animwink:

 

[wannabeBelle]

I know this is going to seem like an odd answer but I would definitely say the answer is it depends on the agent you are using. I do believe KK is one of the best out there, hence the reason I Am happy to work for them, but there are some agents that arent as familiar with the Disney discounts or the property in general. Also there have been instances I have heard of when a person has booked a trip and then had problems getting in touch with the agent. It really depends on what you are comfortable with and finding a good agent to assist you with your plans! Belle

 

[mapsd]

Disney Dollars

Can you pay for a trip thru an agent using Disney Dollars?
With my Disney VISA, I now have over $4K in Dinsey dollars & would like to use them to pay for my package

 

[wannabeBelle]

I know we have no problem doing that. I cant speak for other agency's policies though. Belle

 

[pinkrose]

Got give a shout out to the folks at KK as well. This is the first year that I have gone that route and never again will I do it myself! Thanks Elizabeth!

You are so welcome!!! :wave:


Thank you for the kind words everyone!

 

[Eyorefan]

I have never used a travel agent. In the past it has seemed like digging for discounts and talking to the people at Disney were all important parts of the trip for us.

After hearing all these glowing reviews for KK I might try using them next time I go.

 

[beachclubbasics]

I have never used a travel agent. In the past it has seemed like digging for discounts and talking to the people at Disney were all important parts of the trip for us.

After hearing all these glowing reviews for KK I might try using them next time I go.

I haven't tried KIngdom Konsultants so I don't know abut their prices, but I do know that AAA can save you 10% or more on your trip. Even WD Travel admits that AAA gets better deals than their own company does. Go figure. AAA will also look for discounts, though you have to call periodically and ask them to look for current discounts for you.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Also keep in mind that AAA does offer discounts, however if there is a better discount that comes out, the two will not be able to be combined!!! For example if someone booked with AAA for Sept. The Free Dining is released. AAA cannot combine their discount with the Free Dining offer, it is one or the other. As far as any doscounts that come out I can tell you that we will automatically switch over our clients if we have the availability at the same resort at the discounted rate. Belle

 

[beachclubbasics]

Also keep in mind that AAA does offer discounts, however if there is a better discount that comes out, the two will not be able to be combined!!! For example if someone booked with AAA for Sept. The Free Dining is released. AAA cannot combine their discount with the Free Dining offer, it is one or the other. As far as any doscounts that come out I can tell you that we will automatically switch over our clients if we have the availability at the same resort at the discounted rate. Belle

I'm going to definitley give you a try next trip!

 

[paul436]

For the veterans,

Is there a concensus on the best way to book your stay?
Direct thru Disney? Preferred travel agent? on-line?

I contacted KK early on what I first started to plan my WDW trip. I found them tobe very informative, knowledgable, helpful and responsive but I prefer doing it on my own. I enjoy calling Disney reservations for my hotel room and dining reservations. It's part of the magic for me. It also helps me plan in "real time". If a certain restaurant or resort is booked, I can make the appropriate adjustments right away. So, like others have said, it depends on how much work you choose to put into the planning yourself. But you can't go wrong with KK.