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Planning your trip

Posted: Mar Tue 25, 2008 2:36 pm
by Croaker
which do you use? mixture? best rates? best results? if you were planning a trip for someone else which would you use and why?

Posted: Mar Tue 25, 2008 2:38 pm
by skull
We typically book everything through CAA, but we pretty much go into CAA and tell them what we want, what codes to use, etc etc... they just book it for us

Posted: Mar Tue 25, 2008 4:00 pm
by JWG
I typically look at a wide variety of options. My parents are DVC members, so we try to buy points from them to have a nicer hotel stay for less. They charge their friends/family $9/point per night making a Deluxe stay at the Boardwalk only $99 a night during the week.

I then use various sites for discount airfare - watch for deals and buy tickets in advance via authorized online dealer with no expiration. Get the 10-day no expiration each time. Hugt upfront cost, but those tickets last 2-3 trips, which for us can be 5 years or more. We bought our last tickets in 2005 and just used them this July and will do so again on our next trip either in 2009 or 2010.

If I were booking a full fledged package deal, I'd go AAA for a combination of ease and savings. Mousesavers can help you save, but it's a lot of work - great if you have the time.

Posted: Mar Wed 26, 2008 6:19 am
by cap396
I usually use orbitz for flights, but usually get the hotel on my own.

Posted: Mar Wed 26, 2008 10:54 am
by jeremyleo
I usually use a number of different information and planning resources. Last trip I booked flights myself (through Air Canada) and booked accommodations through Magical Journeys. I got park passes from the Disney Store.

I use a variety of internet sites and discussion boards for information on any discounts or deals, attraction refurbs and special offerings at the time of travel. I always try to get the best deal possible when going to WDW, which is always a challenge.

Posted: Mar Wed 26, 2008 7:39 pm
by horizons1
Mousesavers is a great starting point. I also used undercovertourist for my park tickets and saved $$.

Posted: Mar Sun 30, 2008 7:47 am
by dimagineer

Posted: Mar Mon 31, 2008 1:21 am
by HSolo29
We usually go through AAA. That's what we did this time around for our whole package deal and so far, had no issues.

Posted: Mar Mon 31, 2008 1:23 am
by js3901
I like booking through AAA. The perks for being a member are great. And the price is a little better than booking through Disney directly or another travel agent.

Posted: Mar Mon 31, 2008 2:43 pm
by spaulo
Hotwire is my personal favorite for airfare, though I keep an eye on Farecast.com, too.

Also use mousesavers, Disney.com, and others. I'll look anywhere for a deal!

Posted: Mar Mon 31, 2008 3:39 pm
by SWHorn
We always get really good deals on flights through Southwest. We use Mousesavers for cars and such sometimes.

Posted: Apr Fri 04, 2008 11:07 am
by MouseMan
I love Mousesavers.com for the tips they have. But I also have read many other travel guides that are helpful. The one I think I found most helpful if you are traveling with kids is "Walt Disney World with Kids" by Kim Wright

Posted: Apr Wed 09, 2008 8:45 pm
by RREng77
We try to review all the flight options available from Travelocity, Expedia, and Orbitz. Our actual park visits have traditionally been researched/arranged through disney.com.

As for planning literature, the "Unofficial Guide..." series has proved fairly valuable to us. The Birnbaum's do a particularly fantastic job with the family aspects of trips, though. :mickey:

Posted: Apr Tue 22, 2008 12:16 pm
by abrcrmbegrl20
This was tough to answer because I use orbitz for flights but get my hotel and tickets through Disney.

Posted: Apr Tue 22, 2008 12:53 pm
by Calypso
My first step: Magic for Less. Second step: kayak.com for broad idea of airfare, then usually book directly through the airline.