Where do you book your stay?

[jkl2000]

Just wondering where/how most people book their stay at WDW: through a travel agent, the WDWsite, somewhere like Expedia?

I was planning on doing it over the phone with WDW because I thought you might be able to request from a certain range of room numbers (because the unoffical guide lists room numbers of the best rooms) but it sounds like they don't actually give you a room number when you book, so is there an advantage to booking the room through WDW directly?

 

[Master Yoda]

I book through Kingdom Konsultants who is a sponsor of this site and an Earmarked Travel agency specializing in Disney travel. All I have to do at this point is send an email to my agent (Marie) and I am done. She will keep track of any discounts that Disney has and will automatically re-book me if a promotion comes out so I never have to worry if I got the best deal or not. They will book dining, transportation or anything that I can think of at no cost to me.

 

[RandomPrincess]

We have always done it online or phone. Until this trip where we used a TA. The advantage to booking through Disney is you "own" the reservation if you use a TA or other site they "own" the reservation meaning any changes go through them. Not a big deal if you have a good TA. Sites like Expedia may be more slow in making changes or not willing to make changes at all.

 

[DisneyJoe]

No one will give you a room number in advance, you don't get that until you check in. You can make requests, but they are only requests.

Room numbers don't tell the room assigner why you want that room. It's better to request a floor, building or view.

 

[jkl2000]

Room numbers don't tell the room assigner why you want that room. It's better to request a floor, building or view.

Thanks, that's what I was getting at, really. Are TA's as able as booking directly to get those special requests noted and remembered? Do you fax or phonein a reminder as the date of the trip approaches (I think the unofficial guide recommends this)?

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks, that's what I was getting at, really. Are TA's as able as booking directly to get those special requests noted and remembered? Do you fax or phonein a reminder as the date of the trip approaches (I think the unofficial guide recommends this)?

If you book through a TA they will put those requests on your reservation. If you book yourself you will need to. You can not phone the resorts directly and faxes with room requests are put in the trash. All requests must be on your reservation when it is transferred from the reservation center to your resort.

 

[jkl2000]

Thanks, I think I'll go with a TA once it's time. Which will be soon...

 

[JillC LI]

Thanks, I think I'll go with a TA once it's time. Which will be soon...

Another recommendation for Kingdom Konsultants. Jessica is great.

 

[disneygirl1]

Directly though Disney

 

[jkl2000]

Are the agents at Disney at all helpful if you're not entirely decided about dates (as far as crowd levels) or do they not really want to hear from you until you know exactly when you're staying?

 

[Tinkerbella16]

I have been booking with Kingdom Konsultants since 2008 and would recommend them to anyone! Everything is a breeze and they are very prompt whenever I have questions or changes to my reservation. It is a lot less stressful dealing with a company that does strictly Disney vacations!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I've varied my bookings for our recent trips.

Back in 2010, I used another highly regarded TA, but due to some recent issues with them, I've been recommending Kingdom Konsultants to all of my friends looking for a good Disney TA.

2011 was done entirely by phone directly through Disney. 2012 was booked by phone through DIsney, but I switched over to doing payments online.

2013 I booked mainly online on the Disney website, but I've called for a few things like room requests, DME, and celebrations.

 

[gardenia]

You can't book if you don't know your dates. Pick some possible dates, go online and check availability and special offers, compare rates, and THEN decide if you want to book yourself or get a TA. Personally, I would never use a TA, can't think of a single reason to use one.

 

[luv]

I always booked through Disney except one time when Disney didn't have any rooms in the hotel I wanted and Expedia did. So, the one time, I used Expedia.

Had I known that there were TAs like Kingdom Konsultants, I'd have totally used them. Would have saved me some time and trouble!!

 

[pluto13]

I always do mine over the phone never the WDW site.

 

[Bob]

I've always used the WDW site.

 

[bethymouse]

WDW site. The WDW Travel Company has always been very accommodating and oh so kind when I have called or chatted online for advice.

 

[WLBound]

We use AAA and have been very happy with them. Our TA there checks the forums chats as much as all of us and he switches over our package the minute the promotions come available.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

If you book through a TA they will put those requests on your reservation. If you book yourself you will need to. You can not phone the resorts directly and faxes with room requests are put in the trash. All requests must be on your reservation when it is transferred from the reservation center to your resort.

We requested a certain area of our resort when we booked 18 months prior.It was on our booking form from then onwards.We changed our mind very late and faxed our resort 5 days before travel.We ended up staying in the section we had requested by fax.It might have been a complete coincidence but it is always worth a try.imho.

 

[Master Yoda]

We requested a certain area of our resort when we booked 18 months prior.It was on our booking form from then onwards.We changed our mind very late and faxed our resort 5 days before travel.We ended up staying in the section we had requested by fax.It might have been a complete coincidence but it is always worth a try.imho.

The key would be when this happened. The resorts use to do requests by fax, but the practice was stopped some time ago.