Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids » travel agent

Travel agents, revisited…

Hedy — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:42:51 +0000

One requirement of attending the DisUnplugged cruise was that you had to book through Dreams Unlimited. I frankly did not care about this requirement, as I had used a travel agent on every Disney Cruise I canceled intended on using travel agents for cruises for the extra shipboard credit. I was impressed with Dreams Unlimited-communication was good, and their follow-up was satisfactory. I also used Dreams Res for my reservation at the Swan. Their service was satisfactory, although I did opt to make my own ADR’s.

When I booked myself on Podcast Cruise 3.0, I had to book through Dreams Unlimited again, and I did so without complaint. If you use Dreams unlimited to book a WDW vacation, I urge you to use the eternally awesome Jen Kvidera-Lentsch. I booked my trip in August myself as AAA had the best rate, but I will transfer it to MouseUnlimited for the Sunshine Credit if the opportunity arises. For regular bookings, though, I’d just as soon book the trip myself and get an AAA discount.

I just use the new online ADR system…

Hedy — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:22:57 +0000

I just used the new beta online Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) system at Disneyworld.com. I was pretty happy with my experience, but I really didn’t use the old online system. On my 2009 trip, I had my travel agent make my ADRs, so the only time I used the old system was for my reservation at TRex Cafe on my Universal trip last year.

I have to admit that I was a little nervous about making these ADRs. Firstly, as I am staying at the Swan, the 180+10 day window did not apply to me, meaning that other guests were feasibly making their ADRs for my dates ten days before I could. Secondly, I was a bit nervous about using something which was still in Beta mode. Additionally, a glitch had appeared in the ADR system about a week prior to that allowing anyone to make ADRs for 190 days out (of course, it had been fixed by the time I got home from work).

I made one ADR yesterday (Cape May Cafe character breakfast), and one today (Chefs de France lunch). I was able to get both close to times I requested. I liked how yesterday I was able to put in parameters as to which one I wanted. Today, I just selected Epcot and the time, and selected Chefs de France accordingly. It was really quick, and I like how you get the confirmation e-mail (which I then forwarded to Tripit) with your confirmation number.

One thing I did find interesting is that they offered check boxes with common allergens (Soy, egg, gluten) at the end of your reservation with the following disclaimer:

All Walt Disney World Resort table service restaurants that accept reservations may accommodate special dietary requests if made in advance. To ensure that we are aware of those needs, please indicate food allergies or sensitivities in the check boxes. Next, email us atSpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com with your dietary needs at least 2 weeks before your dining reservation date. When you arrive at the dining location, please confirm your dietary requests with the chef or manager on duty.

Interestingly, the only check box they had for “other,” which I checked. However, there was not an option to indicate what your other was. They also gave pretty clear instructions on how to order Kosher meals, but I think either a) a “Vegetarian” tickybox (or even better, a “Vegetarian” tickybox and a “Vegan” tickybox) or b) A couple of quick words on Vegetarian dining at Walt Disney World could improve this system. Even pointing out resources may help a person with little experience plan their vegetarian friendly-meals with ease. I’ve been a vegetarian for 10 years, so while I am familiar with asking about ingredients, I still indicate my vegetarianism on every Opentable reservation I make.

Have you tried the new ADR system? What do you think?

Disney Discount-Free Dining is back for everyone

Hedy — Mon, 03 May 2010 05:00:16 +0000

Edited May 3-Free Dining is open to everyone as of today, May 3, 2010. Use code TF5
Perhaps the most awaited of all Disney package promotions, “Free dining” is back. Of course, nothing in life is free, so here are the nitty gritty bits:

In order to book a free dining package, you must have a Disney Visa. Word on the street is that everyone will be able to book it on May 3. At the moment, it’s for the dates of August 15, 2010, to October 2, 2010 for a stay of three consecutive nights, with a two day park ticket. You must book by August 15, 2010, to get this offer.

The package is tiered according to what level of hotel you book. (For what it’s worth, these are the same provisions which were offered when Free Dining was extended for fall of 2009.). If you book at a Value Resort, you will get the Quick Service Dining Plan. If you wish to upgrade to the regular Disney Dining Plan (DDP) , you will need to pay $10 per adult per day. If you book at a Moderate or Deluxe resort, you will get the usual Disney Dining Plan. You will have the option of upgrading to the Deluxe Dining Plan at all these resort levels for $30 per adult per day. The codes to use when booking these packages are QD4 for Value Resort stay with Quick Service Dining and EF5 for Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villas Resort stay with regular Dining Plan (Thanks Mousesavers for this info). Alternately, you can contact your travel agent.

I did free dining on my October 2009 trip. Free Dining can be incredibly convenient, especially if you are planning on doing a few buffets or prix-fixe meals. However, the savings may be less than what you would get with an AAA or code discount. Also, if you don’t have Advance Dining Reservations (ADR’s) yet, you may have difficulty getting them for your trip.

Are you booking Free Dining?

Good to know: Cruise Bouncebacks…

Hedy — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:00:56 +0000

As I’ve mentioned before, my first Disney Cruise-the Disunplugged Podcast Cruise is coming up in December. As it is for the DISUnplugged, you have to book your cruise through Dreams Unlimited, the DIS’ travel agency. I have no problem with this requirement, and have been very impressed with Tracy at Dreams Unlimited.
However, word on the street is that the fabulous folks of Sunshine Rewards and their forum may be having a Disney Cruise in 2011. Logically, it’s most likely going to need to be booked through Mouse Unlimited, the travel agent of Sunshine Rewards. Ideally, I’d book the Sunshine Cruise on my cruise in December, but I was unsure if I’d be able to get the booking over to Mouse Unlimited.

I shot a message over to Tom at Mouse Unlimited, asking him about this issue. As I don’t think it’s that weird of an idea (let’s say you were interested in going on any combination of the DisUnplugged’s cruise, the Be Our Guest podcast cruise and the WDWRadio Cruise), I thought it’d share his response with you.

When you book a bounceback while on a cruise, they will USUALLY default to booking it through Disney directly, but they may see the agency record on there and either re-book it through them, or ask you if you still wanted to use them.
Regardless, while making your bounceback booking, just explain that you’d like the new one booked through a different Travel Agent. You would need to tell them [Tom's information].
If they struggle with that for any reason, just have them book it as Disney direct, and then we can transfer it later and get your cash-back!

So there you go, ponder no more.

Disney Discount: Save on your May 2010 to August 2010 WDW Reservation

Hedy — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:38:00 +0000

If you’re staying on-site at Walt Disney World between May 2 and August 14, Disney has a new discount out that might work for you. The code is TD7, and all discounts are off of Rack rates. You would save 15% at a Value resort, 20% at a Moderate resort, or 25% off at a Deluxe resort. Should you opt to stay in a Deluxe Villa Resort, you would save 30%.

This code can be used for either a room-only booking or a package. Contact Disney at (407) W-DISNEY, or contact your travel agent by August 14. Thanks to Mousesavers for the tip.

To Travel Agent or Not to Travel Agent

Hedy — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:50:04 +0000

For many adult Walt Disney World fans, whether or not to use a travel agent is a key question.

I’ve done both, and there are pros and cons to both. Owing to my control issues (let’s face it, if I didn’t have control issues I wouldn’t be spending my free time deciding what I’m going to eat 6 months from now), I usually book it myself. Doing yourself has oodles of pros: YOU are in control of your reservation, YOU can call to change your hotel every time you want, you have all of your information. However, YOU are also the person who has to wait on hold when a new code comes out (and even Disney hold music gets old after a while), and YOU are the person making your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s).

For my trip in 2009, I used a Travel agent-I went with an agent at The Magic for Less Travel, as they are on the Be Our Guest Podcast, one of my favorite Disney podcasts. I did this for a few reasons: at the time, I worked in phone-based customer service. After eight hours on the phone, the last thing you want to do is talk to Sparkle about the benefits of Wilderness Lodge. My ADR window was also on a day when I would be out of town, so I knew I wouldn’t need to worry about getting up early to make my ADR’s. I also liked that my agent would search for discounts for me. On the whole, I must admit that having a travel agent was nice, but I think I’ll book my own vacations from here on out.

How about you? Which do you prefer?

How to save money on your Walt Disney World Vacation

Hedy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:09:30 +0000

A few tips I’ve picked up regarding saving money on a Disney World vacation

*Pick your time of year carefully. The product of a school teacher who loathes heat, my first few trips to Disney as a kid were during what Disney dubs”peak season”-peak for crowds, and prices. My last peak season trip was in March of 06-I paid more for my room then than I have in any of my trip since then. This is one of those areas where being an adult at Disney World utterly rocks-you can ignore school schedules all together.

*Know your discounts-the most readily available are AAA room-only discounts (which you don’t need to book through AAA for, you can get them by calling Disney). Other room discounts include Annual Passholder (AP) rates, free dining, and other package discounts at certain times of the year. To keep appraised of package discounts as they come out, I recommend keeping an eye on a Walt Disney World message board. Disboards.com is my message board of choice, but there are other ones out there.

*Weigh your options regarding tickets. Look at a ticket price chart like All Ears’-do you want the option to go to more than one park (Park Hop), do you want the option to go to waterpark or Disney Quest? I’ve found that the best ticket prices can be found on Undercover Tourist’s rates that are only accessed through a Mousesavers’ newsletter. Mousesavers, incidentally, is one of the nest sources for Disney discounts.

*When you stay on-site at a Walt Disney World resort, you can take their free shuttle, Disney’s Magical Express, to and from the airport

*Consider the Disney Dining plan.

*If not on the dining plan, do some research into meal costs and advance dining reservations (ADR’s). I like sit down meals, so for economy reasons I eat lunch as my sit down meal, and have counter service for dinner (it’s slightly cheaper that way). Also, as you are dining sans kids, you don’t need to worry about ending up with an unusual mealtime and a possible hunger meltdown.

*Think about getting a Disney Visa card, not only can 1% of everything you charge be converted into Disney dollars but you can access promotional codes before other guests

*Some use a Disney specialist travel agency to keep track of discounts for them

*Save on hydration by shipping water to yourself at your resort from Staples or Costco.

*Think about joining a rewards program such as Sunshine Rewards for extra Disney money-there are Sunshine Rewards’ members who have paid for entire vacations with their earnings.

*Check out the Disney-area Restaurants on Restaurant.com

*Consider heading to the Disney Outlets for souvenirs.

*Get Open Table points for an Opentable Cheque

*Check out OrlandoCoupons.com

What’s your favorite way to save on your Walt Disney World vacation?