How do you book your WDW vaction?

[Kenny1113]

Ditto for magical journey's. Terrisue has booked many WDW vacays for us. As well as DCL, universal and a RCL cruise!
Prior to using MJ I always booked myself. I always enjoyed booking myself, but I love that if a discount comes out after I've booked Terrisue lets me know and adjusts my reservation.

There is still plenty of control because you are given options of what resort and room catagories you would like to book.

[SurferStitch]

Been booking with Magical Journeys for years now. Melissa is awesome!!

[Genie1953]

We have gone through Denise with Magical Journeys the last two trips to DisneyWorld. We are currently in the process of planning a trip to Disneyland this September and are going through Denise and Magical Journeys again. She is wonderful and does an awesome job. We wouldn't do it any other way. We stayed on resort at Port Orleans Riverside for our DisneyWorld trips and will be staying at a Good Neighbor hotel for the Disneyland trip. Denise will be taking care of those reservations for us too. Nice thing about Magical Journeys is they watch for any discounts that come along and get them applied to your reservations. We saved a ton of money in 2010 when she applied a discount that we weren't even aware of.

[marlyn]

I live on the west coast. On more than one occasion, I have woken up to an email from Karen at MJ telling me she obtained discount for me! That is one of the reasons I use MJ. I don't have to get up in the middle if the night to try to get the latest discount....assuming I even knew one existed. She does it for me while I sleep!

[emfleck]

Only with Magical Journeys!! Melissa is wonderful!

[Janmac]

Since 1988 we have stayed on property as DH likes not having to drive. I also used to book with Disney myself until I heard so much about MJ on these boards. After trying them once, I never went back to booking with Disney. Now my sister exchanges into DVC and I miss working with Melissa.

I could do packages, room only, do room only first and then switch to packages. Melissa would look for discounts. This is almost all done by e-mail and so easy. Melissa reminded me of deadlines, etc.

Dining and other reservations I book myself and usually do these with a phone call as I find it fun to interact with CMs. I can only think of once that I got a less than fun/knowledgeable person. I hung up and called back.

Jan

[vamaggie]

2 words: Magical Journeys! They are amazing and do all the work for you. We did not use them last time cause we went with friends and stayed at SOG but would not consider booking my self or using someone else. They are so great about getting you any type of discounts you may be eligible for (including Disney Visa card holder ones) and really working with you to make your trip magical.

If you have the DIsney Visa, you can use it with Magical Journeys to make payments (they don't take payments to THEM, they make the payments directly to DIsney)and get the 0% financing (for 6 months I believe).

Give them a try-you won't be sorry.

[mickeys_princess_mom]

Terrisue. TERRISUE. TERRISUE!
The ONLY way!!! Magical Journeys is fantastic! We are capable of booking, and used to totally do it ourselves. BUT--never again! Our Fairy Godmother rocks, and does it SOOOO much better!

[Bethanymouse]

Denise from magical journeys!!!! The best!

[DryCreek]

I have always booked through Disney Travel myself. Since we try to stay onsite now, I like to "have my name in their system". Of course for our DL visit in 2012 we stayed offsite (but still closer to the parks than the DL Hotel) but I booked everything else through them.

My reasoning is that I like for them to know how often we visit (typically every three years) and where we like to stay. I think that is why we receive offers tailored to our tastes.

For those of you booking through MJ, do you still get the PIN codes and other special offers? Maybe my reasoning is incorrect if you do.

[Strmchsr]

For those of you booking through MJ, do you still get the PIN codes and other special offers? Maybe my reasoning is incorrect if you do.

Yes, absolutely and MJ is able to use the pin codes when booking for you. When I get one I just forward it to Wendy.

[JRocker]

I've used MJ for the last two trips and this upcoming trip in May.
As far as money saving? meh
The first trip I booked, the cost was the same if I booked myself.
The second trip did save me some money; couple hundred, which was substantial. MJ saved me some time in digging up the discount on that trip.
This next trip to Fort Wilderness, there's a $30 savings. 30 bucks is 30 bucks I suppose.

My experience with MJ has been more of a time saver than money. And for those who want to be in control (me), you don't relinquish any of it.

I say go for it. It's worth the money.

[DisneyDadfromPittsburgh]

Always myself. That is one part of the vacation that I truly enjoy doing. It's half the fun for me.