First timer, and I could use some opinions!!

[bringleb]

Mi kids and I are going to Disney world for the first time then last week of March!! We lost my husband in 2015, and my kids and I had a hard time with the holidays this year. We just missed him extra.
We all have had a nice time pulling together and planning this last minute trip!
So I would so appreciate hearing opinions:
1. Anyone heard of the "small boutique travel agency" called disney fun savers? And on Facebook it's called Discount disney specialists. They have deluxe villas for very cheap using DVC. I really want to make sure they're legit!
2. Anyone know of a way to find out a dvc resellers (or boutique travel agents) is ok?
3. Where is everyone finding airfare for so cheap?! I've looked on every cheap ticket app I can, and the cheapest i can find is around 500 apiece round trip. 2 grand on airfare is really bumming me out!
4. I feel like the dining plan wont help if we eat 1 fewer meals a day. My agent is pushing it a bit (I'm sure it helps them of they sell it). Opinions??
5. If I'm doing a week, would you recommend a resort day, or should we be at a park everyday?
Thanks SOOO much to anyone who helps. If anyone checks out the facebook for discount disney specialists I'd be so happy to hear what you think!! Thanks!!

 

[kymom99]

You can always add a park day if you decide you need it. You can also add park hopper after you are there.

I would skip the dining plan for your first trip. It can be a little overwhelming although the theory is that it makes things less so.

Im sorry about your husband. I hope you all have a great time!

 

[Alesia]

1. I've never heard of them, but personally, I avoid small travel agencies like the plauge when it comes to Disney. I prefer to book it my self, but if I was going to use an agent it would be a well-known agency with an excellent reputation.

2. I've never used them, but David's rentals has a good reputation.

3. We save a ton of money by not buying the dining plan. It just doesn't fit the way we eat.

4. We prefer to be in the parks every day. Some people prefer a rest day. That extra day's ticket only costs around $15 and is well worth it, imo.

Make sure you get you room booked and your tickets purchased soon. You won't be able to book fastpassses until you do.

 

[_19disnA]

1. I've never heard of them, but personally, I avoid small travel agencies like the plauge when it comes to Disney. I prefer to book it my self, but if I was going to use an agent it would be a well-known agency with an excellent reputation.

I agree. Unless the specific travel agent has discounts not available elsewhere, they are of little value. All they do is use the same websites we can also access to check prices/book things, etc. Often, they have no recent Disney direct knowledge of what works/doesn't. Before the days of the internet widely being available, they provided a service of things you couldn't do on your own.........nowadays, not so much.

Where you stay depends mostly on your budget and how specific resorts appeal to you. Lots of older threads on that. Which parks you plan to visit and whether or not you will have a car also makes a difference in your specific plans.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Not sure I would trust the agency either.
For flights, it depends on airport. Is there another airport within driving distance to check? We live 20 miles from lexington, but fly from Louisville and Cincinnati far more often due to cost savings. Both are an hour away.
Also for Orlando, check Tampa, Sanford, or even Daytona/Melbourne. We've flown into Melbourne to save $400 in the past.

We also do a rest day in the visit. Usually that is Disney Springs and pool day.

 

[cvjw]

Is this agency telling you they can rent you dvc points for cheap the last week of March? We are going during that time, and there is no availability for a full week anywhere. Regardless of villa size.

 

[Shughart]

Mi kids and I are going to Disney world for the first time then last week of March!! We lost my husband in 2015, and my kids and I had a hard time with the holidays this year. We just missed him extra.
We all have had a nice time pulling together and planning this last minute trip!
So I would so appreciate hearing opinions:
1. Anyone heard of the "small boutique travel agency" called disney fun savers? And on Facebook it's called Discount disney specialists. They have deluxe villas for very cheap using DVC. I really want to make sure they're legit!
2. Anyone know of a way to find out a dvc resellers (or boutique travel agents) is ok?
3. Where is everyone finding airfare for so cheap?! I've looked on every cheap ticket app I can, and the cheapest i can find is around 500 apiece round trip. 2 grand on airfare is really bumming me out!
4. I feel like the dining plan wont help if we eat 1 fewer meals a day. My agent is pushing it a bit (I'm sure it helps them of they sell it). Opinions??
5. If I'm doing a week, would you recommend a resort day, or should we be at a park everyday?
Thanks SOOO much to anyone who helps. If anyone checks out the facebook for discount disney specialists I'd be so happy to hear what you think!! Thanks!!

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss, I cannot even imagine.

So to answer your questions as best I can....
1. I have not heard of them.
2. No experience with DVC resellers or travel agencies. I know of one Disney travel agent. I can give you her info if you are interested. I have not worked with her, but I like doing the work myself.
3. I think a lot of people here play the points/rewards game or else watch for Southwest sales/fly on the cheap. Although I have to say, my family of 4 flew roundtrip to Orlando from Chicago for 1200 so 2k for 3 people seems high. Where are you flying from?
4. We got the dining plan our first trip. So much food my older DD threw up and we left a lot of food credits behind. Some snacks are big enough to qualify as a meal and some meals can be split between people. How old are you kids? I am 33 and tend to not eat a ton at a meal in the parks. We are going back in December and doing mostly quick service/counter service and I will probably order kid's meals for less food.
6. Depends on your kids ages and if you think they will want to swim. You could have a morning where you have breakfast at your resort, go swimming, have lunch in your room, nap. Then go to Disney Springs for dinner and shopping.

 

[PerfessorZ]

Getting cheap airfare to Florida in March can be tricky to almost impossible if you’re flying from somewhere cold. It takes timing, patience, and a bit of flexibility usually.

If you can spend $4,000 on a credit card in about a month, Southwest is currently running a promo for one of their credit cards where you can get 30,000 points and companion pass status for the rest of 2019 (which allows a companion you designate to fly free with you). The promo gives you 3 months to hit that minimum spend, but to squeeze the bonus in before your trip would mean you’d have to hit the minimum before your late Feb or early Mar statement.

As others have suggested, different airports and different days can sometimes save you hundreds on airfare.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Mi kids and I are going to Disney world for the first time then last week of March!! We lost my husband in 2015, and my kids and I had a hard time with the holidays this year. We just missed him extra.
We all have had a nice time pulling together and planning this last minute trip!
So I would so appreciate hearing opinions:
1. Anyone heard of the "small boutique travel agency" called disney fun savers? And on Facebook it's called Discount disney specialists. They have deluxe villas for very cheap using DVC. I really want to make sure they're legit!
2. Anyone know of a way to find out a dvc resellers (or boutique travel agents) is ok?
3. Where is everyone finding airfare for so cheap?! I've looked on every cheap ticket app I can, and the cheapest i can find is around 500 apiece round trip. 2 grand on airfare is really bumming me out!
4. I feel like the dining plan wont help if we eat 1 fewer meals a day. My agent is pushing it a bit (I'm sure it helps them of they sell it). Opinions??
5. If I'm doing a week, would you recommend a resort day, or should we be at a park everyday?
Thanks SOOO much to anyone who helps. If anyone checks out the facebook for discount disney specialists I'd be so happy to hear what you think!! Thanks!!

1. Have not heard of them
2. Renting DVC points comes with a lot of restrictions, so please be aware of what you are giving up compared to a cash reservation through Disney. We have rented points before and it was great, but it is almost impossible to change dates, and you don't get daily housekeeping. If there are just four of you (assumed because you said $2000 for airfare), a regular room is likely cheaper.
3. We always drive, but as a PP suggested, check different airports both at home and in FL. Flying into Orlando and staying onsite means you don't need a rental car, though, which also saves on parking fees.
4. We only get the dining plan during "free dining". If you have kids under 10 and you plan to do a character meal every day, it might save you money. For many people, the appeal of the dining plan is to have everything prepaid rather than to actually save money. One frequent suggestion is to get a Disney gift card in the amount of the dining plan (or less) - you can still have the bulk of your trip prepaid by buying a gift card in advance and using it when you're there, but you have so much more flexibility to eat how you want. Just make sure you are definitely going since a package can be canceled but a gift card can't be returned (although it never expires)
5. It depends how you plan to hit the parks and how old your kids are. We would rather do half days every day than skip a day, but on our next trip (July), the teenagers want a water park day. They will go to the water parks while DH and I go to Epcot, then we will meet at Disney Springs for dinner. If you plan to be in the parks all day without a break, you might want a resort day to recover

You'll get lots of great info here. Have a great trip!

 

[Marionnette]

Mi kids and I are going to Disney world for the first time then last week of March!! We lost my husband in 2015, and my kids and I had a hard time with the holidays this year. We just missed him extra.
We all have had a nice time pulling together and planning this last minute trip!
So I would so appreciate hearing opinions:
1. Anyone heard of the "small boutique travel agency" called disney fun savers? And on Facebook it's called Discount disney specialists. They have deluxe villas for very cheap using DVC. I really want to make sure they're legit!
2. Anyone know of a way to find out a dvc resellers (or boutique travel agents) is ok?
3. Where is everyone finding airfare for so cheap?! I've looked on every cheap ticket app I can, and the cheapest i can find is around 500 apiece round trip. 2 grand on airfare is really bumming me out!
4. I feel like the dining plan wont help if we eat 1 fewer meals a day. My agent is pushing it a bit (I'm sure it helps them of they sell it). Opinions??
5. If I'm doing a week, would you recommend a resort day, or should we be at a park everyday?
Thanks SOOO much to anyone who helps. If anyone checks out the facebook for discount disney specialists I'd be so happy to hear what you think!! Thanks!!

I would be concerned that this agency actually does bookings at DVC thru RCI. You can usually tell because the reservations run 7 nights (Fri-Fri, Sat-Sat or Sun-Sun) and there is a fee charged at check in. Looking at their website, the whole DVC points rental thing looks like a come-on to get your contact info.

Otherwise, there are no cheap DVC villas. Owners pay a lot for their points and just won't let them go for cheap unless they are about to expire. All of March is spring break and most villas are booked at this point. Only SSR has availability for anything more than 5 consecutive nights and only in the larger villas (2BR or Treehouse). If they're promising availability, it's not thru the DVC system.

 

[lady9]

First, I'm so sorry for your loss. Holidays are always hard when missing a loved one.
We have used DVC rental store rental before, and they are legit. David's charges $$ to even check availability, although it is applied to your booking. Most travel agencies won't be able to book you a DVC property on points, but they can by paying cash (or credit card) for it. My husband and I are travel agents. If you book through one, make sure they are giving you some sort of perk like a gift card otherwise other posters are correct that travel agents have access to similar website booking sites. Are you for sure set on the last week in March? There is free dining starting July 5 if you book by Feb. 10. You will pay rack rate for the room.

If you are going for sure in March, please book soon. You will need fastpasses for sure as it is a busy time of year. We use Disney gift cards to pay for almost all of our expenses. We use a credit card that gives us perks to buy the gift cards. (We pay it off immediately.) We buy the cards at a grocery store that offers fuel perks. We haven't paid for gas in over a month and still have almost 2 free fill ups left. Then we take Disney gift cards with us to pay for dining. We always do a resort day in the middle of our trip to sleep in, swim, and go to Disney Springs. I hope you are to pull your trip together and you have an amazing time!

 

[SharonZ]

I'm assuming that the last week in March is Spring Break for you? Have you considered changing the dates of your trip so you can have a little more time to plan? As others have stated, I would stay away from the agency you mentioned.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Please take everyone's advice here about the travel agency. As I look on the FB page, I only see one person who seems to have made everyone happy with her services. That's just weird to me. Only one person books the DVC reservations? And a few here have said there is NO DVC open for the week you're going....are they saying it is? Please be careful and I'm so sorry about your loss. I personally think you can come out better booking the trip on your own, but you need to be quick about it. Last time I checked using my FL resident discount there were no rooms available during our spring break...March 17-March 23rd. That simply means those wanting to go that week will bump down to the next week if they are able to do so and that's the week you are looking at. GOOD LUCK no matter what!

 

[bringleb]

Please take everyone's advice here about the travel agency. As I look on the FB page, I only see one person who seems to have made everyone happy with her services. That's just weird to me. Only one person books the DVC reservations? And a few here have said there is NO DVC open for the week you're going....are they saying it is? Please be careful and I'm so sorry about your loss. I personally think you can come out better booking the trip on your own, but you need to be quick about it. Last time I checked using my FL resident discount there were no rooms available during our spring break...March 17-March 23rd. That simply means those wanting to go that week will bump down to the next week if they are able to do so and that's the week you are looking at. GOOD LUCK no matter what!

Thank you!! And everyone else who answered! I'm going my own way. I'm great with pop century. I have it in my cart, so hopefully I can afford to pay for the rest before it goes away. Anyone know if I can put a deposit and have them hold it? If so, how long do I have to pay the remainder?
I'm so happy for all the advice and how nice everyone is here. Thanks for the nice thoughts. I found a thread for widows and widowers here which is cool since taking kids alone is complicated.
I'll keep looking around here for tips and tricks on money saving (I'm not above a loophole to give my kids a great experience) since flights are going to cost as much as my room!
Another question: I found a great deal on a resort in Disney springs that includes magic bands, extra magic hours, 60 days of booking....so my question is if I can fairly easily get bbn out of the parks to disney springs for a midday break if it turns out we need them? That's the biggest reason i didn't get a nice, cheap airbnb...breaks. but I also really wanted the extra magic hours too

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thank you!! And everyone else who answered! I'm going my own way. I'm great with pop century. I have it in my cart, so hopefully I can afford to pay for the rest before it goes away. Anyone know if I can put a deposit and have them hold it? If so, how long do I have to pay the remainder?
I'm so happy for all the advice and how nice everyone is here. Thanks for the nice thoughts. I found a thread for widows and widowers here which is cool since taking kids alone is complicated.
I'll keep looking around here for tips and tricks on money saving (I'm not above a loophole to give my kids a great experience) since flights are going to cost as much as my room!
Another question: I found a great deal on a resort in Disney springs that includes magic bands, extra magic hours, 60 days of booking....so my question is if I can fairly easily get bbn out of the parks to disney springs for a midday break if it turns out we need them? That's the biggest reason i didn't get a nice, cheap airbnb...breaks. but I also really wanted the extra magic hours too

If you book a package, a deposit of $200 is due at booking and the rest is due 30 days before check-in. If you book room only and purchase tickets separately, one night is due at booking and the rest at check-in. If you buy tickets separately, you will pay for those at the time of purchase. You can check out Undercover Tourist and some other ticket resellers to save a few dollars on tickets. You need tickets before you can make FP+.

There are no Disney buses from the parks to Disney Springs, but the Disney Springs hotels typically have their own shuttles.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Thank you!! And everyone else who answered! I'm going my own way. I'm great with pop century. I have it in my cart, so hopefully I can afford to pay for the rest before it goes away. Anyone know if I can put a deposit and have them hold it? If so, how long do I have to pay the remainder?
I'm so happy for all the advice and how nice everyone is here. Thanks for the nice thoughts. I found a thread for widows and widowers here which is cool since taking kids alone is complicated.
I'll keep looking around here for tips and tricks on money saving (I'm not above a loophole to give my kids a great experience) since flights are going to cost as much as my room!
Another question: I found a great deal on a resort in Disney springs that includes magic bands, extra magic hours, 60 days of booking....so my question is if I can fairly easily get bbn out of the parks to disney springs for a midday break if it turns out we need them? That's the biggest reason i didn't get a nice, cheap airbnb...breaks. but I also really wanted the extra magic hours too

You are MOST welcome! There are some AWESOME people here!

Any of the Disney resort offers you magic bands with your stay. You'll get them with Pop Century. I ordered mine when I booked our stay at the All Star Sports resort this past Saturday! When I checked on my phone on the MDE app, I thought I saw that buses do run from the parks to Disney Springs. But perhaps what I saw was a hotel stop close to a park and then a stop at Disney Springs. Yeah, I believe that was it. Someone asked how to get from EPCOT to Disney Springs by bus and was told they had to walk to the Boardwalk and board the bus at the Beach Club I believe it was. So you could do that, but it's not a direct route from the park to Disney Springs as @StitchandPooh'sMom said. You could probably do that from MK too, but again, you'd have to research as I did. The PP did mention Disney Springs has their own shuttles....not sure if there's a cost, but maybe that would work for you. Just remember, Pop Century is right there....an AK resort and you know you'll have the buses to take you back to the resort when you're ready guaranteed. Just please remember, you'll need those tickets soon or FPs will be null and void till you get there or at the 30 day window which is going to sneak up on you too if you're not careful. Keep us posted!

 

[tzolkin]

Is this agency telling you they can rent you dvc points for cheap the last week of March? We are going during that time, and there is no availability for a full week anywhere. Regardless of villa size.

Yeah we booked a split stay at two "home" resorts at 11 months just to ensure we could do a trip that week. There was nothing available to switch to at the 7 month mark so I'm sure it's impossible to book that week less than two months out.

 

[bringleb]

You are MOST welcome! There are some AWESOME people here!

Any of the Disney resort offers you magic bands with your stay. You'll get them with Pop Century. I ordered mine when I booked our stay at the All Star Sports resort this past Saturday! When I checked on my phone on the MDE app, I thought I saw that buses do run from the parks to Disney Springs. But perhaps what I saw was a hotel stop close to a park and then a stop at Disney Springs. Yeah, I believe that was it. Someone asked how to get from EPCOT to Disney Springs by bus and was told they had to walk to the Boardwalk and board the bus at the Beach Club I believe it was. So you could do that, but it's not a direct route from the park to Disney Springs as @StitchandPooh'sMom said. You could probably do that from MK too, but again, you'd have to research as I did. The PP did mention Disney Springs has their own shuttles....not sure if there's a cost, but maybe that would work for you. Just remember, Pop Century is right there....an AK resort and you know you'll have the buses to take you back to the resort when you're ready guaranteed. Just please remember, you'll need those tickets soon or FPs will be null and void till you get there or at the 30 day window which is going to sneak up on you too if you're not careful. Keep us posted!

So much great info, thank you!

Yeah we booked a split stay at two "home" resorts at 11 months just to ensure we could do a trip that week. There was nothing available to switch to at the 7 month mark so I'm sure it's impossible to book that week less than two months out.

Oh wow...yeah it was advertised as being last minute..
I felt a little less than sure in my gut, so I'm glad I asked you guys!
I'm just going to book through disney I think!

 

[bringleb]

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss, I cannot even imagine.

So to answer your questions as best I can....
1. I have not heard of them.
2. No experience with DVC resellers or travel agencies. I know of one Disney travel agent. I can give you her info if you are interested. I have not worked with her, but I like doing the work myself.
3. I think a lot of people here play the points/rewards game or else watch for Southwest sales/fly on the cheap. Although I have to say, my family of 4 flew roundtrip to Orlando from Chicago for 1200 so 2k for 3 people seems high. Where are you flying from?
4. We got the dining plan our first trip. So much food my older DD threw up and we left a lot of food credits behind. Some snacks are big enough to qualify as a meal and some meals can be split between people. How old are you kids? I am 33 and tend to not eat a ton at a meal in the parks. We are going back in December and doing mostly quick service/counter service and I will probably order kid's meals for less food.
6. Depends on your kids ages and if you think they will want to swim. You could have a morning where you have breakfast at your resort, go swimming, have lunch in your room, nap. Then go to Disney Springs for dinner and shopping.

Thanks for all the answers...its actually 4 people, my 3 kids (12, 9, 6) and me. We are flying in from Missoula, Montana. Spokane Washington is a 3 hour (give or take) drive but I'm not having a ton of luck with savings there either. I'll try the other Florida airports though!

 

[bringleb]

1. Have not heard of them
2. Renting DVC points comes with a lot of restrictions, so please be aware of what you are giving up compared to a cash reservation through Disney. We have rented points before and it was great, but it is almost impossible to change dates, and you don't get daily housekeeping. If there are just four of you (assumed because you said $2000 for airfare), a regular room is likely cheaper.
3. We always drive, but as a PP suggested, check different airports both at home and in FL. Flying into Orlando and staying onsite means you don't need a rental car, though, which also saves on parking fees.
4. We only get the dining plan during "free dining". If you have kids under 10 and you plan to do a character meal every day, it might save you money. For many people, the appeal of the dining plan is to have everything prepaid rather than to actually save money. One frequent suggestion is to get a Disney gift card in the amount of the dining plan (or less) - you can still have the bulk of your trip prepaid by buying a gift card in advance and using it when you're there, but you have so much more flexibility to eat how you want. Just make sure you are definitely going since a package can be canceled but a gift card can't be returned (although it never expires)
5. It depends how you plan to hit the parks and how old your kids are. We would rather do half days every day than skip a day, but on our next trip (July), the teenagers want a water park day. They will go to the water parks while DH and I go to Epcot, then we will meet at Disney Springs for dinner. If you plan to be in the parks all day without a break, you might want a resort day to recover

You'll get lots of great info here. Have a great trip!

Awesome info and advice!! Thanks I've decided against the dvc after the advice here, a little research and kind of a gut feeling.