Disney Vacation Special Best Deal Tips
Travel experts confirm what you already knew and what you always wanted to hear: For the average American family, nothing beats a Disney vacation—especially when you take advantage of a Disney vacation special.
Travel experts also suggest five basic planning, shopping, and booking rules, which your common sense probably already dictated, but which bear repeating anyway:
(1) Plan first–Plan your trip before you shop, leaving a little latitude according to prices and availability. Do not let the Disney vacation special determine where you go, how you get there, or what you do once you arrive. You will find enough variety among the online travel sites you can match the package to your plans. Use the vacation planning tools and advice pages on Disney’s own websites to work-out most of your details.
(2) It is a travelers’ market–Shop, negotiate, and bid aggressively. Given the state of the economy, it is a “travelers’ market,” and resort occupancy rates have fallen to record lows; naturally, the hotels would rather fill a vacancy than squabble over a few dollars, so you may low-ball them. Exercise caution, though, working only with well-know, reputable online travel brokers. Not surprisingly, in the realm of all things Disney, you find villains waiting to prey upon cash-strapped ingénues. If you do not book directly with Disney, use a “Disney certified” broker. You will know the experts by the depth of their knowledge and the quality of their service.
(3) Look for leverage—Check for group discounts, because you probably already belong to a group that qualifies for reduced prices and special benefits. Active duty and retired military, for example, always qualify for Disney vacation specials. So do Department of Defense and Health and Human Services employees. Florida residents qualify for group discounts at Disney World and on Disney Cruises, and southern California residents often can find terrific bargains on weekday stays at Disneyland resorts. Of course, you always can visit the Magic Kingdom and pay nothing on your birthday.
(4) Look for little-known discounts—Holders of Disney Rewards® Visa ® cards generally get preferential treatment and discounts when they book Disney vacation specials; they may also get trip insurance through the credit card service. Members of the American Automobile Association frequently qualify for discounts at Disney “partner” and Disney “neighbor” hotels, and you frequently spend less for better accommodations at an off-site hotel or resort—especially in Anaheim. Also look carefully for inexpensive side trips to spectacular destinations. Disneyland visitors, for example, may arrange an overnight trip to San Diego, home of the world’s finest zoo, with amazing accommodations at the famous, historic Hotel Del Coronado.
(5) Always get “trip insurance—make sure you protect your trip and your family against all the vicissitudes of cross-country or international travel. Invest in “trip insurance” that protects against cancellations or changes due to weather or other natural events. Florida gets hurricanes and southern California gets wildfires and earthquakes. Similarly, get extra medical coverage to protect you on your Disney cruise. If you or a family member gets sick or injured in the Caribbean, you want to receive medical care in the United States. Your trip insurance will cover the flight. Good luck and we hope you enjoy your Disney Vacation Special.
Tags: cruise, discounts, Disney Vacation Special, family, travel
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