I'm interested in a stay this May, probably at a deluxe resort like the Poly. 7 to 8 days. What's the easiest way to get the package, and still a decent, but not cheapo deal? I'm looking for a hassle free experience, so I'll pay more for the hotel and easier ride/restaurant access, if it exists. But I don't need luxury treatments or massages and valet.
Family, with 2 boys, one 2.5 yrs old. Like staying at the resorts, and don't need to do all day park marches. I'm thinking Poly because of the pool and monorail. But food for these boys will be of the McDonalds and Pizza variety, and at various times, so I don't need a fancy sit down meal plan, even though the wife and I love restaurants. We'll figure some buffet/family meal each night, and park eats during the day. Any good choice to make? Anthing like +- a day here or there, or optional attraction that would make things a better value? We want to get into the parks whenever, and want to come and go as easily as possible. Help a relative noob out.
Thanks
Bob
Not a downstroke, fistpicker.

Working directly with Disney is a pretty straightforward experience. You can even book room only with AAA discounts (subject to availability). Have them email you everything in writing after you get off the phone. Its not that big a deal to buy tickets separately online or at the resort desk or at the park. I'm not sure you really need a travel agent to book for you; you aren't making Advanced Dining Reservations or doing something complicated from the sound of it.

There are ways to get discounts (subject to availability) such as having an Annual Pass or being a Florida resident. There is also a Water Parks upgrade package promotion going on for your dates. Ask if you are eligible for that if you want to go to the Water Parks. Remember to always ask about discounts and promotions.

If you imagine that you are going to spend the bulk of your time at the MK, then you could save a bit of dough staying in the Garden Wing of the Contemporary or at the Wilderness Lodge (it is not on the monorail but it does have a direct boat to the MK).

That said, I love the Poly. Its on the MK monorail and a short walk takes you to the direct monorail to Epcot (at the TTC). I'm staying there this summer myself!

Poly has Captain Cooks which is the "counter service" option so you are not compelled to eat at a sit-down place. There is room service too. Ohanas is fun and offers family style eating. Also I really like staying on the MK monorail because if you want a little variety you can always skip over quick to the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or MK for different environment/meal options. Its so easy.

Not sure if I really answered you or not. There will be other opinions...

I have booked two vactions through Disney's site. I found it easy to use. I got to choose only the features I wanted. I also like the fact that I can pay it out and not get hasseled to "choose more" options. I may or may not pay a little more, but I'm going to Disney World and getting a deal is not always my number one priority with this type of vacation. I like it so much that I won't go any other way. :D

You have to call for your ADRs for any table service locations (which it sounds like you want to do). There is no way to pay to get preferred access to restaurants or attractions. I'm going in mid-May for a few days before a cruise, and called this week to make 2 ADRs for one person - and one of my choices didn't have any availability on day I preferred, so I had to go with a different day. So if you're going this May, you need to make your reservations and ADRs as soon as you can.

You may also want to look into the Disney Dining Plan, if you're going to have one Table Service/Buffet meal a day. There are a number of threads about it in the "Good Eats" forum.

ETA: Oh, and to answer your question - I like using a Disney Specialist Travel Agent (I use Small World, which happens to sponsor a forum here, but that's not why I use them). The agents will look into things that Disney will only tell you if you ask, but if you don't know to ask, it doesn't do you any good that they'd tell you. If you know what you want to do, than going with Disney directly is not a painful process, either, and you have a tad more control.

When in May are you considering going?

Ive mainly called Disney directly since, kinda like what Drince said, we like to have more control over our trips, etc. We never had a bad experience and the pricing is generally comparable to most TA's.

I will say that if you have never been to WDW before and you want a little more personal service then going through a TA might be a good idea.

Thanks! My wife and I went like 18 years ago, and then again 15 years ago I think. But not since, and we were on more of a budget then. I'm thinking in terms of ease of stay and entertaining the kids (2 boys 7 and 2.5), with as easy access to pools, food, and parks. I doubt we'd even go to places like Epcot except to maybe eat. But we like resorts and love the pools (as I remember last time -Port orleans I think it was called, or dixie landings. )
I think the second week in may but I'll have to check with the wife.

As far as booking goes we've also always worked directly with Disney and booked the room separately from the tickets, generally getting the AAA discount. I much prefer talking to Disney on the phone than using their website. They're full of information and on the off chance you get a rep that doesn't seem on top of it, just hang up and call back! You should be able to get a pretty good comparison of package vs. doing things separately. The poly sounds like a great choice for you guys.

I also thought I'd throw in that if you're going to be there for a full week you really ought to check out the other parks. Disney has fun things for kids, even 2 1/2 yo, at all the parks. The water parks also have fun areas for little kids, it sounds like yours like the water.

(I use Small World, which happens to sponsor a forum here, but that's not why I use them). The agents will look into things that Disney will only tell you if you ask, but if you don't know to ask, it doesn't do you any good that they'd tell you. If you know what you want to do, than going with Disney directly is not a painful process, either, and you have a tad more control.

When in May are you considering going?

I second that about Small World - I just used them for an October trip and the agent that responded to my quote request, Terri, was amazing! We are all wrapped up with the FREE disney dining and more and I couldn't be more happy!

Jennie

I booked our July 8 day package at POR with dining for six people directly through Disney's website. The site is easy to use and I had no problems. I paid for almost all of the trip and still owed about $600, and we had several months to make changes and final payment.

Then I found out AAA offers a 20% discount if you go through them...so I called and priced the same package. The cost was $430 cheaper! Plus there are other SMALL little perks with AAA (a photo, a character meet & greet, etc...)

So...I joined AAA (for $58 per yr) and my travel agent sent me a list of things I had to include in a letter to FAX to Disney. The reservation was transferred to my AAA travel agent without any problem. My payment was transferred easily (I did not need a refund and have to make a new payment or anything). I saved $370 overall - the price of one person's 8 day parkhopper w/waterpark ticket!

So...depending on how much your trip is - it may be worth joining AAA and going through them!

The only problem with going through a TA is if you want any changes or special services prior to your arrival you have to go through the TA ince they "own" the reservation.

What do you mean by the TA owns the reservation? My TA gave me a conformation number and weeks later when I called Disney and gave them the number they had no clue what I was talking about or didnt have us in there system. Ok so how does all this TA work and when will Disney see I have paid through the TA?

I had a lot of problems with my TA last summer. She did not pay my final payment on time. I called Disney but I was unable to pay because I booked with a TA, so I had to wait til my travel agent got back in touch with me days later. I like to be in control of my vacation so I think planning is part of the fun. Also I got a reservation when she could not at the Luau and a few other TS meals. This year I booked myself and have been very happy with my savings.

What do you mean by the TA owns the reservation? My TA gave me a conformation number and weeks later when I called Disney and gave them the number they had no clue what I was talking about or didnt have us in there system. Ok so how does all this TA work and when will Disney see I have paid through the TA?
In essence, you just gave an example as to what it means for a TA to own the reservation. It basically means that you cannot call up Disney to make any changes or add notes to the reservation. Everything must go through the travel agent that made the arrangements. They own the responsibility for the ressie, including forwarding payments to Disney. And like the example ForeverPrincess provided, some TA's are not on top of their game when it comes to customer service.

We have found that going thru Southwest Air for our travel plans works like a dream . We drive to the Valet parking at the airport and park our car and they take us to the airport drop of us right infront of the terminal helps us unload our bags, we check our bags and sit back and relax . When we arrive at MCO we head for the Magical express and get on the correct bus then we are wisked away to our resort upon check in you recive your room key( key to the world) and the fun begins. As far a resorts go the WL is our fav.
the boat ride is very relaxing way to start or end your day the lodge is beatuifuly themed and the pools are great it's very relaxing. The buses are very good also we didn't wait more than 5 min.

Wow, those are some LONG sentences, tink! ;)

I had a lot of problems with my TA last summer. She did not pay my final payment on time. I called Disney but I was unable to pay because I booked with a TA, so I had to wait til my travel agent got back in touch with me days later. I like to be in control of my vacation so I think planning is part of the fun. Also I got a reservation when she could not at the Luau and a few other TS meals. This year I booked myself and have been very happy with my savings.

I followed advice from a few on here and booked our first family trip through the Small World vacations agency. I'm sure our agent tried to get additional discounts but did not end up getting us anything better than I could have done myself, but that's fine with me. The only question I have, is that I see a lot on here about making final payments prior to the trip and my agent just sent me a note this weekend that I am all set for my June 8 check in, and that the final (2/3) portion of my payment is due at check in. Is that different from what you'll have done?

Thanks!

Mindy

Mindy, it sounds like you might have a room only reservation, since you only have to pay a deposit (first night's fee) up front, and the rest when you check in. Packages have to be paid in full I think 45 days prior to checking in.

Mindy, it sounds like you might have a room only reservation, since you only have to pay a deposit (first night's fee) up front, and the rest when you check in. Packages have to be paid in full I think 45 days prior to checking in.

She said I have a full package with our park hopperand water and more tickets included - that we will get those at check in - and those have been paid for along with the 10% room deposit. Is there a difference in how this is booked and a package - other than I know we are not doing any dining? Will we be missing anything this way - I had no problem paying it all now - she just said to do it this way? Thanks!

We booked 5 nights Garden View at the Poly for this mid-May. WDW wanted $399/night. Hotels.com got us 5 nights at $309/night. We saved $450 going through Hotels.Com. I also understand that I can call Hotels.com and get a room assignment request note added to our reservation record. When I called WDW Reservations to confirm, they said our record was "locked" and she couldn't see any details, but she could confirm that our res number was in their computer, and that the record would be sent to the Poly 3 days before we check in.

We booked with AAA a few times. One year thru Disney going a la carte (room separate with AAA discount and tickets thru AAA). Using that way, seemed to run smoothly and saving the money was worth it.

Then, last year we used AAA all the way using them for everything and my agent was so disorganized and didn't seem to mind that it was upsetting me.

I just wasn't happy with their services...the discounts I was happy with, but as for being organzied...no.

Having the Diamond Card for parking was also a real plus!

I think this year we will use Disney and apply the AAA for the room. Keeping it simple.

I used Jo at Small World and it was great. She gave us great planning advice you probably wouldn't get through Disney. For instance, I wanted to book CRT at dinner. She knew I was going for the princess experience bc we have a three year old daughter and warned me there are no princesses at dinner. In other words, she saved me! She answered all my questions via e-mail very promptly. I will always book through Small World Vacations.