How to book a WDW Vacation?

[darthmacho]

Alright, it is about time for me to start the leg work on booking a WDW vacation for August 2010. The problem is that money is an issue, so I want to get the best deal possible. In your expert opinon, what is the best way to get the best deal on a 9 night/10 day vacation at a moderate resort, including tickets, meal plan, and airline tickets?

These are the avenues I'm considering, but I was wondering which option you guys feel is the most effective at getting a good price? I've gone through AAA for all three vacations, but I wonder if I could do better?

Should I book through:

A. Walt Disney World itself...
B. AAA
C. Magical Journeys
D. Another Travel Agent

Which would you use, and why? If I'm going to explore all of these options, where should I start? Give me any other advcie you could possibly think of, expecially on airline fares?

Thank you in advance! You guys are the best.

[DisneyBabies]

We love Kathy at MJ! She makes sure we get the best deal for the vacation we are looking for without us doing anything more than sending an e-mail with resort, ticket and DDP info. We have never needed to fly but I know MJ can give you the best info on that as well. And they keep track of any new discounts that come out and apply it to your trip if it is better than what you already have. Kathy even sent me info on the new promotion even though I didn't have a trip planned in case I wanted to book. LOVE MJ!

We used AAA on our very first trip and when we started planning our DS's trip and I told DH NEVER again. Although we didn't know it at the time on our first trip, our agent sold us things we never would have used and she never would have looked for and applied any new discounts that may have come along after we booked. On our second trip, we were charged for the entire price of the trip instead of just the deposit which I know can be a fluke thing that can happen to anyone, but she wouldn't deal with Disney to get my money back . . . I had to do it . That isn't customer service. I immediatly contacted MJ and they handled my vacation perfectly.

Hope this helps.

[Ed]

Should I book through:

A. Walt Disney World itself...
B. AAA
C. Magical Journeys
D. Another Travel Agent

No two ways about it. Option C.

Not only will the wonderful folks at MJ find you the very best deal, but they will continue to monitor any better deals that might open up between now and then. And all these services won't cost you a penny.

I'd suggest you browse through the posts in Vacation Planning and I seriously don't think you'll find one single negative comment about them.

And, of course, by utilizing the services of an Intercot Sponsor, you'd also be helping keep this site up and running.

[Tygger7]

Another vote for Magical Journeys. I've always been a die-hard, do it yourself planner, but after finding MJ here on Intercot, I won't book any other way. Terrisue always finds me the best deal, and I don't have to worry about it at all. I just get an email from her once she gets the discount applied. Best of all, there is NO COST to use their services. I've had customer service issues on multiple occassions with AAA, and the last incident was so bad that I refuse to ever buy a membership again.

You'll see tons and tons of positive comments about MJ, and I can say without hesitation that they can find you the best price for your vacation.

[darthmacho]

Okay, I'm already convinced to at least start with Magical Journeys. I like being a AAA member, but I admit I wasn't so impressed with the way they handled my trips. They weren't horribel, just not great.

Anyone have a phone # for Magical Journeys? I prefer to talk to people in person than doing the e-mail thing, at least for initial contact. Should I ask for anyone specific?

Thanks in advance!

[DisneyCrazyET]

Magical Journeys will look for all discounts that apply to you. There is a tab on the left to there site. They r great

[Tink1]

Our office phone is 570-785-3283, but each agent works remotely.

If you fill out a quote request you will be assigned an agent and she can get some pricing put together for you. Then ,you can speak directly with her and she can explain it all and take care of any questions.

Or you can call the office and an agent will call you back.

Nanc

[Speedy1998]

I would go with WDW itself. I have had nothing but bad experiences with travel agents.

[our happy place]

If you go through MJ how much of a deposit do they require? WDW is just $200 but a travel agent I went through in the past was $200 per person .

[Tink1]

If you go through MJ how much of a deposit do they require? WDW is just $200 but a travel agent I went through in the past was $200 per person .

We abide solely by Disneys rules, we make up none of our own. Whatever Disneys policy is, is the policy we use.

So $200 deposit for packages and 1 night stay for room only reservations

Nanc

[disneymom15]

Another vote for MJ. Terrisue has been our agent for about 3 years. She's the greatest. Use to do all the planning by myself, but MJ makes it so easy. Wouldn't go any other way.

[Itchy]

A little history which worked up to using magical journeys.

Some of my first trips I made myself directly with Disney. If I found a discount I had to call them myself and see if it would apply. I did one or two on line with Disney and was not disappointed but still I never knew if a discount applied.

Then I found Intercot and Magical Journeys, well needless to say I am hooked. I was referred to Denise and she is the greatest. In fact I have not heard a discouraging word about Magical Journeys. If Denise found a discount that applied she would rebook the reservation and I would get bucks back in my pocket.

I refer any of my friends to Magical Journeys for their vacation needs.

Hope this helps you decide.

[d_m_n_n]

Okay, I'm already convinced to at least start with Magical Journeys. I like being a AAA member, but I admit I wasn't so impressed with the way they handled my trips. They weren't horribel, just not great.

Anyone have a phone # for Magical Journeys? I prefer to talk to people in person than doing the e-mail thing, at least for initial contact. Should I ask for anyone specific?

Thanks in advance!

I have handled trips myself, used AAA and used MJ. NOTHING beats the service you receive from MJ!!!! I'll admit I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to call Terrisue this time around for her to plan my trip, but we had to go through DVC!

MJ can apply your AAA discount if that is the best deal going. Terrisue did that for me in the past, but then applied a different discount and wound up saving us major $$$. Go with MJ. You won't be sorry!