The best way to book a Disney vacation
You’re ready for a Disney Parks adventure, but where do you begin? You've got hotels, tickets, and transportation. Plus, this is a major family trip. You want to get it right, especially if it's your first trip or first visit with kids.
If planning everything at once feels like a lot, you’re not alone. The good news is that booking your trip is easier than you think.
From vacation packages to splitting your hotel and park tickets, we’ll cover it all. We'll break down your options and give our recommendations on how to book. Let's dive in to find the best choice for your family.
How to book a Disney reservation
There are a few ways to book a Disneyland or Walt Disney World vacation. Each has its own considerations. Let’s explore the main booking options to help you decide which is best for your family.
Disney travel agents
When you book directly with Disney, it has many advantages. Of these, the most important is access to Disney packages. These can include hotel, tickets, and dining plans. They simplify planning by bundling everything together.
Disney even adds perks to packages—like free dining—from time to time.
Another huge plus is access to a travel advisor. You may have heard of a Disney vacation planner. Others may call them Disney travel agents.
This is a nickname for the travel advisors who book Disney vacations. They work with agencies that have a contract with Disney.
Every ticket, hotel, and package from Disney includes an advisor at no cost. These experts offer free support to help you make the most of your trip.
To use their services, you'll need to book your vacation through them. Once you've booked, they can help you plan and answer any questions as you prepare. This makes your trip easier and more enjoyable, with less to worry about.
Some advisors, like ours at Good Story Vacations, offer more perks as well. With us, you can earn points from every trip and redeem them for gift cards. We also donate 1% of the profit from your trip to projects that help the planet.
Booking with Disney also gives you peace of mind. For busy families, this may be the biggest perk of all. Booking direct means one less thing to worry about. Once you book, you can trust that all is ready for your visit.
You can book with Disney over the phone and on their website. But because you get so many more perks for free by using a travel advisor, this is by far the best way to book.
Authorized sellers
Authorized sellers offer discounted tickets and hotels. These are third-party bookings. But, as the name implies, Disney has authorized them to sell. This option is one way to save money on your Disney vacation.
But the discount comes with some caveats. Using a third party adds complexity. You will have to research and buy the offers yourself.
You'll also need to link your bookings together in your Disney app. This isn't too difficult to do, but it is an extra step.
There are some things to consider. You won’t have access to a Disney travel agent to help with booking or planning. They are only available when buying from Disney.
You also can’t buy a Disney vacation package through these sellers. Authorized sellers separate hotels and tickets.
Some sellers offer flexible refunds, but not all. But those that do have a fee, so be sure to check.
Renting DVC Vacation Points
Another way to book hotels is to rent Disney Vacation Club points. You can book Deluxe Villa stays by renting points from Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members. These are Disney's top-tier hotels, so they are more expensive. But renting a Disneyland or Walt Disney World room from DVC members can make them cheaper.
As with authorized sellers, you will not be able to use a Disney travel agent. This is a third-party option, so you'll need to research yourself.
Payments are due in full with no cancellations. So be sure of your plans before booking.
You'll also need to get park tickets because renting points is only for the hotel.
Renting is not as straightforward as the other options. But if you need a Deluxe Villa and it's not available from Disney, renting points can help.
Booking a Disney vacation package
Packages are the best way to book at Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort. They are a popular choice for many families, and for good reason.
Disney vacation packages bundle everything together. In a single reservation, you choose where you'll stay and how many days you'll spend in the park. It's simple and straightforward.
It's even more convenient if you add a dining plan, a car rental, travel insurance, and more. This can save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you are planning a trip with kids.
Plus, you can enjoy all the added perks of a Disney travel agent. They will help you customize your package so it's perfect for your family. Then, they book it on your behalf and handle any modifications you may make along the way.
Packages also provide access to the Disney Dining Plan. This plan lets you prepay for your meals, which can help you manage your food spending.
Setting up a dining plan in advance also means one less decision while on vacation. Some families prefer this. If that sounds right for your family, a package makes this possible.
Each package also comes with Magical Extras. These include discounts on dining and shopping.
Beyond Magical Extras, Disney may add more perks from time to time. In the past, Disney has offered free Disney Dining Plans.
They have also upgraded tickets by adding the Park Hopper® option for free. These promotions aren't always available. But when they are, it makes a Disney vacation package even more worthwhile.
Separate hotel and ticket reservations
If you're visiting for the first time, a package booked by a travel advisor is your best option. But sometimes a package may not work. You might be an annual passholder and don't need tickets. Or you might be staying with family and don't need a hotel booking.
In your case, let’s compare three options to book hotels and tickets separately. You can book with a travel advisor, an authorized seller, or by renting DVC points. Each has benefits and considerations.
Planning
For the guests who visit the theme parks and water parks often, many find joy in the planning process itself. They might have an annual pass or enjoy comparing options on their own. All three booking options offer this flexibility.
With authorized sellers, it's clear you must find your own deals. The same is true for renting DVC points.
Though travel advisors must book your reservation to help manage it, the rest is up to you. Advisors can be as hands-on or hands-off as you'd like them to be for planning. So you can have the fun and advisors can do the tasks like waiting on hold and tracking offers. Plus, you get the added perks like the rewards we offer at Good Story Vacations.
Saving money
Travel advisors save you money in a few ways. First, you can trust that they will assemble the best offers at the best price for your family. Given the number of options, it's a game changer to have an expert handle that research.
Even more helpful, they track offers after you've booked. If a better offer comes along, they apply these to your reservation. You'll enjoy the price drops and added perks without any extra effort.
Sometimes, it may be cheaper to book a package than a room-only reservation. A travel advisor can convert it into a package with ease. This upgrade gives you the perks of a package, like adding a Disney Dining Plan.
As mentioned, some travel advisors offer their own perks to save you money. Referral and loyalty programs can earn you rewards like gift cards to use in the parks.
With a travel advisor, you also get flexible payment options. Though you pay for tickets in full, they only need a deposit for hotels. You'll pay a deposit for the first night on room-only reservations. (It's only a $200 deposit by credit card for a Disney vacation package.)
You'll pay the balance at check-in.
If you'd like to pay in several installments, travel advisors can do that too. This is a huge help for guests wanting to save for their trip over time.
Authorized sellers save you money with discounts. This is a legitimate method to book Disney hotels and tickets. They provide a way to buy without the extra perks you'd get from Disney and a travel advisor.
Using authorized sellers does add some complexity. You'll have to research and buy offers yourself. And you'll need to pay in full upfront.
But you'll link everything in your Disney Parks app. Once you do, you'll be good to go.
One more thing to note. Authorized sellers take the full payment upfront. This can be a drawback for those who prefer to spread their payments out.
Renting points from DVC members can be a way to enjoy the top Disney Resort hotels for less. Depending on availability, you may get access to Deluxe Villas at a lower cost. As with authorized sellers, you'll miss the perks of using a travel advisor. Plus, there are no cancellations, and you'll have to pay in full right away.
Renting DVC points also means paying in full upfront. It also involves paying a third party, which can add some complexity.
If you don't mind passing up the perks of booking a package, it's good to know you still have ways to save.
Time to book
When it comes to booking your Disney vacation, the bottom line is there’s no wrong choice. It all depends on what matters most to you.
Disney vacation packages are great if you want to book it all together. Bundling your hotel, tickets, dining, and more is helpful. It simplifies planning and comes with added perks.
If you need to, separating your hotel and tickets is an option. You can use a travel advisor, an authorized seller, or rent DVC points.
Each has its own benefits, but a travel advisor offers the best support. Best yet, that support comes at no extra cost. They save you money, offer flexible payments, and help you plan as needed.
No matter how you choose to book, the magic of your Disney adventure is just around the corner. It’s time to start planning your trip and create memories that will last a lifetime!
