Best way to book a trip?

[WIFamily316]

This will our family's first trip to WDW and we are planning for a trip in mid-September. Our son will be 10 and our daughter 5 when we are WDW. What are the benefits to booking with Magical Journey's vs the WDW website? Will they assist with airfare as well?

[AgentC]

to Intercot.

I love Magical Journeys and my agent, Wendy. We visit WDW a lot (6 resort stays last year) and though I certainly could book through the WDW website myself, I haven't done it in years.

The WDW website is buggy and makes it very difficult to see all of your options since it only shows 3 resort choices at a time.

Wendy will quote me anything I want in any combination and give me advice on what I would like based on my needs. She can also compare what discount is best.

Magical Journeys will follow your reservation and check any new discounts that come out against your current rate to make sure you always have the best rate. If you use the website, you would have to keep track yourself and then call WDW to rebook with the discount, but with Magical Journeys I never have to think about it. I've received many emails early in the morning letting me know a better rate had been applied.

They will also provide information on when you are eligible for dining reservations, special event booking and the park calendar for your dates.

As I mentioned before, I could book on my own but with all they do at no cost to me, why would I?

I highly suggest trying them out.

[Strmchsr]

to Intercot!!!

Just want to everything Cindy said. I've been booking with Wendy through MJ for over 8 years now and would never do it any other way.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I'm a third to everyting above!

to intercot! I remember finding the site when I was planning my first trip, and all of the great tips I've learned from friends on here.

I'm also a huge Magical Journeys fan. I booked our first trip through Disney directly, and it was OK. I did have to spend hours on the phone a few months later when a discount came out, trying to get it applied to our reservation, but it all worked out and the trip was GREAT.

Then, on the advice of people here, I tried Magical Journeys and found Debbie (although, all of the agents are super). She works through all of my questions, prices tons of options for me, and offers advice on what she think will fit my family best. AND ... when discounts come out, she does the crazy hard work to get them for me. She even checks back to see if other room types or prices are available, even when it because I've changed my mind for the third time!

It is so much easier to use a great agent, than to try and wade through all of the options yourself, they really do make trip planning easy!

[Dopey's Girl]

I don't really have anything new to add. I won't even consider booking alone now that I've gor Miss Wendy to help. The entire MJ crew is amazing...if you want to make your planning as pain free as possible, give Magical Journeys a chance. You won't regret it!

[disneymom15]

I also have nothing new to add. Magical Journeys is the absolute best. Terrisue is my gal and shes awsome. I recommend her to anyone thinking about going. Trust us, you won't be disappointed.

[Strmchsr]

Will they assist with airfare as well?

Forgot to answer that specific question - no, MJ doesn't do airfare. Best way to do air is directly through the website of the carrier. If you have Southwest or JetBlue in your area they tend to have the best prices going to Orlando.

[Itchy]

To Intercot. You will love it here.

As the previous posters have said Magical Journey's it the only way to go. They do all of the hard work. Denise does my planning but I know that the whole staff are great. Its the only way that I will plan a vacation at WDW.

Happy planning....

[WIFamily316]

Thanks for the great feedback. A coworker of mine booked right through Disney and raved about it, but seeing all the recommendations here, I am leaning towards Magical Journeys.

[Melanie]

Magical Journeys (Wendy specifically is my gal) is wonderful! You won't regret using them.

[faline]

Welcome to Intercot!

I, too, would recommend that you use Magical Journeys. I have used them a number of times and love how they always track your reservation so that you get any potential discounts that come up. Disney travel does not do that for you.

As far as airfare is concerned, you typically can get a deal as long as you continue to watch the flight prices.

[Strmchsr]

Thanks for the great feedback. A coworker of mine booked right through Disney and raved about it, but seeing all the recommendations here, I am leaning towards Magical Journeys.

Booking through Disney can be good. There are some great CMs. But there are also sometimes some clueless ones. I think the absolute best thing about MJ is I've been dealing with the same agent for 8 years. Wendy knows all of my family, our preferences, etc. I always know who I'm dealing with every time, not a random "whoever pick up" person. It's a great relationship with MJ. All I have to do is shoot Wendy the dates and which resort and she knows how to take care of everything else for my family.

[Pocahontas]

I also looove Magical Journeys (Karen is my gal!) and highly recommended them.

In the past I have booked through AAA and through Disney directly; however since using Magical Journeys I will never go back. Karen from MJ has saved me money on many occasions. My most recent booking, Disney had sent me an email for special offers if I booked during specific dates. I got a quote from them and then went to MJ and Karen was actually able save me more money (she was even surprised that she got a lower deal than Disney's special). The best part, if a Disney special comes out after your booking, Disney will not go back and tell you about the discount, but MJ will! This has happened to me on a few occasions.

Good luck and have fun whatever you choose!

[VWL Mom]

to INTERCOT

Before kids I was a corporate travel manager for 12 years. I figured I knew as much as everyone else and always did my own bookings through Disney, checking constantly for rate changes, switching ressies, etc. After constantly reading about MJ here I gave it a shot for the first time last year.....heaven Denise was great to work with and if I need to do a cash resv again, she'll be the first to know.

As far as airfares, see what airline services you and sign up for their emails. September is a good time of year for discounted travel so there should be some good discounts coming out.

[KODABEAR]

We also use MJ. Occationaly We do a 2 nite stay, then I have to book myself and realize how great it is to not have to constantly watch for "deals" Our next trip we added a third nite just so I can have MJ do the work!!