When booking your trip...

We never use a travel agency. I don't think they can get any better deals then you can get going directly through disney.

I"ve gotten quotes from Dreams Unlimited, but they never gave a better price. I also always make sure to use my AAA card for a discount but don't book thru AAA because I'm always correcting their agents as to the latest info. When I went in a few months ago for a qoute for 2012 she was insistent that the Dining Plan includes appetizer and dessert, I told that was phased out a few years ago, she just looked me like I was nuts, asked another agent, and she agreed that I was wrong!?!

I think using an agent can be helpful -- IF you have a good one. They'll do all the work for you in terms of scouring the best deals and the latest discounts, get up and make your dining reservations 180 days in advance at 6am, apply any new discounts that come out to your reservation, etc. If you have a good agent, you can rest assured that you'll get the best deal, even if you're not looking at all of Disney sites yourself every day to find the newest discounts.

Another good reason to use an agent sometimes are that large agencies book blocks of rooms at "bulk" pricing for large events. For example, I know one agency is offering some incredible rates on the Grand Californian during the D23 Expo because they pre-booked a large block of rooms (the rooms were quoted at $400, but you can get them for $219 through the agency). If you're not an annual passholder or a DVC member, sometimes these discounts can really help -- especially when Disney knows enough people are going to flood the hotels that they don't need to give discounts.

Some agencies that I think are top notch are Mousefan Travel and Small World vacations. But those folks have LOTS of agents, so some might be better than others. Ask around and get recommendations for excellent agents from other Disney fans

I did use an agency once on my very first trip and before I became used to Disney and their procedures and ways of doing things. I used an agency called "mouseketrips" and they were fantastic. They are located far from the mouse in Utah, but all they do is Disney trips and nothing else.I called them many times that first trip and they took care of my problems, and were always there for me, if you need a travel agency to visit WDW or DL I very Highly reccomend them they are great. After that first trip it was just me and the mouse for planning and booking trips.

Ours is through our DVC... so we do it ourselves basically. If we did go through an agency, we probably would go with AAA.

I booked through MouseFan Travel and I love it. This is my first trip so there was a lot for me to think about. My agent has been great. She is always there to answer any questions I have, no matter how silly I think they might be, she made all my ADR's for me.. I've really liked using it.

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*Jennifer Lynn* NDW #38

Check out my blog at Jennifer's Disney Adventures

I booked our honeymoon using Caylie at Small World Vacations, and I can't say enough good things about her. The service was absolutely free, and it was nice having someone taking care of all the dtails for us while we were getting ready for the wedding.

I booked my Disney vacation last year and this through AAA. I saved money by going through them. For other vacations I've taken, I booked on my own.

I will always go throught CAA (AAA). I basically use them for their discounts and just tell them what I want for the rest of it. LOL

Althought I did all our ADR's myself and the dessert party ressies.

Ditto, I love Keith and Scott. They are awesome...that being said. I usually book them myself. The only time I booked with Mousketrips was when I booked for my honeymoon. It was pretty far out and we knew we would be very busy wedding planning..etc..and I wanted to make sure I got the best discount I could. I booked and then a few months later a free dining deal for Disney Visa Card holders came out and Keith changed my reservation and saved us big bucks. Nice little wedding gift!

Usually, I have lots of time and can do lots of research--and spend a lot of time on here so I am in "the know" about the discounts etc.

I also use CAA! The one I go to is the #1 CAA Disney trip booking location in Canada. Convenient that it's just around the corner from my house! It's nice, because the agents are extremely knowledgeable as the majority of their sales come from Disney trips. They always call me if a better deal has come up.

Wow! You're a Disney Visa Card holder!!! I soooo wish I could get one, but it's for USA residents only

It's exciting to see it in my wallet...I feel like this then I get my bill and I feel like this

JP
have you ever used them to book the tours and what not. I wasn't sure if they had any deals on those as well.