Booking thru Disney vs. Expedia

PurplePizza1

PurplePizza1

Active Member
Is there any reason I should book directly through disneyworld.com instead of saving $50 a night on our room by going with Expedia? It shows the same amenities (identical). Is there anything I'd be losing if I save money going with Expedia?

First time going, bringing our 6-year-old, who is over the moon excited and ready to go!:p
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
First and foremost, make sure you are actually saving $50. Many of the travel sites do not included taxes and fees until you check out. This can easily eat up $50. Also make sure that you are using any promotions Disney has running. You will also want to check the cancellation policies. Many of the travel sites have a no cancellation policy where as Disney has a very flexible cancellation policy on room only reserations
 
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PurplePizza1

PurplePizza1

Active Member
Original Poster
It shows 'free cancellation' policy, and all fees are included. Are there any "DW.com items" that I would be missing otherwise? It includes the free baggage check & transportation from the airport...I'm new, never been, so excuse all the questions.
 
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jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
PurplePizza1 said:
It shows 'free cancellation' policy, and all fees are included. Are there any "DW.com items" that I would be missing otherwise? It includes the free baggage check & transportation from the airport...I'm new, never been, so excuse all the questions.
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I have never had very good luck with expedia, travelocity, or the worse was bookit.com.. I have use them all for room or air or vacation packages at one time or the other. No problems if there are no problems or changes...Can be huge to small to annoying hassles if there are changes or problems...I don't know about the 50$ saving. It may because of taxes not figured yet. I, for fun, just priced out through SW a vacation package for the exact same dates we are booked direct on disney's site and the cost was identical to me booking thru disney and booking my flights direct from SW/AirTran... And SW Air vacations advertised stay 6 nights and the price of the last 2 nites is free...
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
I booked on Expedia once. Disney had the Poly "sold out" online and on the phone. Expedia had it available, so Expedia it was.

The only glitch was that I booked it the day before we arrived and it somehow hadn't made its way to Disney's system yet. They said they "warehoused" Expedia reservations for 24 or 48 hours. It was a long wait, but they finally got it going and checked us in. :)
 
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Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
We booked a last-minute stay at Boardwalk through Expedia a few years ago, when there was no availability according to Disney's site. Three nights in a standard view room. When we arrived to check in, the cast member said, "Oh, we have a really nice room for you." He wasn't kidding...we were upgraded to a Boardwalk view!
 
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I_heart_Tigger

I_heart_Tigger

Well-Known Member
Expedia has a notoriously terrible reputation and policies I find quite scary. I've heard way to many horror stories from family and friends to risk it, myself. (actually a friend is stuck in Havana, Cuba right now in a hostel because his Expedia resort reservation didn't exist when he got there. He will be at the resort tomorrow - paying more money, go figure :rolleyes: )

Also, make sure you go to the very end screen on Expedia - they pretty much always raise the price during the booking process. Don't count on the rate quoted until you get to the credit card screen, then take a screen shot of it in case there are issues later.

In the terms and conditions they do state that they do not guarantee the accuracy of any details on the site including the price and that you will be advised of the price change and will have the oppurtunity to either accept or cancel your trip. Also, if Expedia has decided that the cost of your trip was calculated incorrectly you they have the right to charge your credit card 90 days after you get home from your trip.

It has one of the highest numbers of complaints of any travel business in the world. For me, $50 for peace of mind would be worth it.

They also aren't great to hoteliers. I know these people personally. Their story is not unusual. http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/28/3809328/one-small-hotels-long-nightmare-with-expedia
 
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Cindee75

Cindee75

Well-Known Member
Master Yoda said:
First and foremost, make sure you are actually saving $50. Many of the travel sites do not included taxes and fees until you check out. This can easily eat up $50. Also make sure that you are using any promotions Disney has running. You will also want to check the cancellation policies. Many of the travel sites have a no cancellation policy where as Disney has a very flexible cancellation policy on room only reserations
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I have a question ...? I have never booked on the Disney site. Does the price I see include taxes?
 
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lovepooh

lovepooh

Well-Known Member
I am a travel agent and have been for about 20years, I would never encouage my travelers to use expedia. Too many issues as many other posters have said. Also if you do have an issue and need to speak to a rep, you most likely going to get someone for overseas some where, where they cant understand your english and you cant understand their broken english and they are reading off a card, "sorry Ma'am we cant, this and cant that"
I have heard and seen this happen over and over again.

Disney Cast members always try to things as easy as possible. Either that find a travel agent that specializes in Disney, they will find you the best deal. My advice is to stay as far away from expedia, just my 2 cents ;)
 
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Cindee75

Cindee75

Well-Known Member
Master Yoda said:
Generally yes. If you are booking a room only the day to day breakdown is before taxes, but the total price on the top of the screen is the final price.
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Thanks Master Yoda - this is most helpful and may just get DH to finally book. He is the numbers guy. Last time we rented DVC points and enjoyed our stay but this time looking to book though Disney at PORS to have a few more days in a smaller room.:)
 
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WDW 3

WDW 3

Well-Known Member
I've used Expedia many times without problems. It's easier to put in a city name and get a bunch of results than search by each property. Never a Disney property though.
 
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Poofiesdream

Poofiesdream

Well-Known Member
It may say free cancellation. Look close they don't always give you back every cent you pay. Check the room too. They maybe different locations and views. Call Disney ask them what the difference is. They will explain or maybe match the price.
 
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Dumbo2675

Dumbo2675

Active Member
PurplePizza1 said:
Is there any reason I should book directly through disneyworld.com instead of saving $50 a night on our room by going with Expedia? It shows the same amenities (identical). Is there anything I'd be losing if I save money going with Expedia?

First time going, bringing our 6-year-old, who is over the moon excited and ready to go!:p
Click to expand...
I would say use Kingdom Konsultants they are a travel company that there main specialty is Disney. They can seem to get you the best price. I have used them before with no problems and I am planning my next rip with them as I write this to you.
 
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Ember

Ember

Well-Known Member
I personally won't use Expedia ever again. We used them twice and both times the reservations did not show up in the hotels system. The first time I thought it was a fluke, but when it happened a second time... Luckily we had very patient employees especially the second time when they didn't have a room available and made arrangements for us to stay at their nicer sister hotel down the road for free.
 
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