Best way to book?

BrizMarc · Postby **BrizMarc** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:42 pm

Hey guys. What do you think the best way to book a holiday to Disneyland would be? Should i buy my accommodation and park tickets off the Disney website and look for my own cheap air fares or should I go see a travel agent and get they to work out a package?

I wanna stay in a Disney hotel for 7 nights and want 5-6 days at the parks with a trip to Universal as well.

churros · Postby **churros** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:38 pm

We just booked our WDW/Disney Cruise/DL trip with a Disney travel specialist in the States (Jana Smith from the Let's Talk About Disney podcast). She was great as she was able to book the accommodation we wanted and didn't know existed, organised transfers, even non-Disney components. Unfortunately she left the company (Galaxsea Cruises) we were with to set up her own travel agency (don't know the name) but there are some other well know agents eg MEI Travel & Mouse Fan Travel, Small World Travel - check out http://www.mousesavers.com/travelagent.html

Our travel agent will also keep an eye out for any discounts that Disney may apply closer to our trip and will arrange to get our price changed. They will also do all our ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) which is great and saves us an OS call.

sandie · Postby **sandie** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:41 pm

I really enjoy doing all the booking myself. It kind of adds to the excitment. We were in the states for 6 weeks last year, stayed at least 4 starts everywhere and had limos twice. We spent about $29,000 including food and spending. I planned far far in advance though and you have to work on finding the best prices.

Sandie

Postby **KeithS** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:57 pm

Hey Marc - we use a mixture of Internet and travel agent. I usually get a 14 day Disneyland Park Hopper through the travel agent, and have the agent arrange my flights as well.

But I usually like to book accommodation myself through the internet - you get better deals that way and a greater choice of hotels in Anaheim.

And don't forget to ring Disneyland in advance if you want to do things like guided tours of the park etc.

ajp · Postby **ajp** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:01 pm

I'm a bit on Keith's wavelength. Book flights some rooms and 14 day pass here. But I also like to jump on the dog and bone and make bookings direct with the Walt Disney Travel Co. Just feels special to do that. (The last 2 trips I've done both, very rewarding).

BrizMarc · Postby **BrizMarc** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:56 am

We just booked our WDW/Disney Cruise/DL trip with a Disney travel specialist in the States (Jana Smith from the Let's Talk About Disney podcast). She was great as she was able to book the accommodation we wanted and didn't know existed, organised transfers, even non-Disney components. Unfortunately she left the company (Galaxsea Cruises) we were with to set up her own travel agency (don't know the name) but there are some other well know agents eg MEI Travel & Mouse Fan Travel, Small World Travel - check out http://www.mousesavers.com/travelagent.html

Our travel agent will also keep an eye out for any discounts that Disney may apply closer to our trip and will arrange to get our price changed. They will also do all our ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) which is great and saves us an OS call.

thats a real good site. also thanks everyone else. I am not off to Disney yet but im just looking at how much it would all cost me. These ideas will come in handy a bit down the line. What you expect a good budget for a 7 night on site hotel with 5 days pass to DLR be? Just roughly.

i just need a rough idea how much I need in the bank before I even inquire and start making bookings.

ajp · Postby **ajp** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:36 am

Define on-site. You mean a Disney hotel (ie Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier or Grand Californian), or do you mean a normal within the Disneyland Resort in close proximity? There is a price difference depending which one.

BrizMarc · Postby **BrizMarc** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:54 am

yeah at the Disneyland Hotel.

ajp · Postby **ajp** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:55 pm

On current exchange rates, 7 nights in the DL Hotel (you would get a 6 or 7 day pass for that length of stay), start planning for about 3k-3.5k - and worth every cent. Also consider booking direct with them as well, you get little extras that you don't normally get, and surprisingly it does work out a little cheaper. Add about 200ish for each extra person up to 4 total.

Best thing to do to get a better idea is to go to the Disneyland website, use the plan a holiday function, pick some dates you'd like in the future and it'll give you an exact quote, including allowing you to add any extras you'd like. it is a good exercise to work out more accurate costs. When I planned I went through this process many dozen times, before I decided on my final package Use 90cents to convert.

sandie · Postby **sandie** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:09 am

I have stayed at the Disney Hotel and it is a very nice hotel but I do not think it is themed all that well - I have not stayed at the Grand Californian but have been in it a number of times and it is beautifully themed!

Sandie

Postby **KeithS** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:23 am

Another thing you should be mindful of when looking at the Disneyland Hotel is their plans to begin major renovations. They will be closing one tower each year for the next few years while they completely gut them, inside and out.

I don't know what that will mean for room rates - will they be cheaper because of potential disruptions in the area? Or will the go up because less rooms mean greater demand??

Just something else to think about!

ajp · Postby **ajp** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:49 am

That's a good point Keith, there will be alot of disruptions there for sure for at least a couple of years. Add to that also the construction of the extra suites and DVC units in the Grand Californian and what impact that may have. Mind you, the PP is quite comfortable, reasonably well themed and well priced (comparatively) as well.

Postby **mushu mama** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:54 am

But I usually like to book accommodation myself through the internet - you get better deals that way and a greater choice of hotels in Anaheim.

So do you do all your bookings online or do you ring the hotel of choice and ask for their 'best price'?
I'm still deciding which hotel and frankly there is too much choice. This bit makes me a bit nervous but I know I'll get better prices that way. It is still freaking me out a bit though...

And don't forget to ring Disneyland in advance if you want to do things like guided tours of the park etc.

OK... where do I find out what tours there are?

Shouldn't I be enjoying this bit?

Honestly, at this point, I'd rather shoot forward all those months and just get on the plane and go.
~ Lisa ~

sandie · Postby **sandie** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:33 pm

Sorry if I missed it Lisa - did you pick a date?

Sandie

Postby **mushu mama** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:17 pm

Sorry if I missed it Lisa - did you pick a date?

A seriously close "Ish". I have two departure dates I'm toying with.
I have to decide on the DL component before its set in stone. Everything else is being booked via the travel agent but I'm thinking ( judging by the quotes) that if I book the accom myself it'll have to be less expensive - meaning I have more to spend on Disney stuff. I'm taking a leaf out of Keith's book and am going to buy my next days T-shirt each day so I don't have to pack as much

when I'm in Disneyland/Seaworld anyway.
I guess its been such a long time coming that I am hardly game to get excited about it yet.
Although I AM excited about getting my photo in that "L". -/
So teach me every thing you know Sandie... I'm all ears. */

~ Lisa ~

Ps: sorry for hijacking your thread Brizmarc

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