Colleen,
Yes, yes, and yes! Working with a no-fee, Disney authorized vacation planner is a fantastic idea!
First of all, if they are a no-fee agency that means that you will pay exactly what you would have paid if you booked the vacation yourself directly with Disney. So, you are not incurring any added costs.
Second, those Disney authorized vacation planners can help you find the best money-saving package that you may not be able to find on your own. I consider myself pretty savvy when it comes to Walt Disney World vacation planning, but on a recent trip my agent Sara found me almost $900 in savings with a promotional plan that I did not even know existed! There is no guarantee that you will find such a lovely pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but an agent will help you figure out which package works best for your needs.
Third, you now have another source for Disney advice in your corner. While I am partial to planDisney help, agents often can also help you figure out where to go and what to do as well.
BOTTOM LINEDo make sure that they are
- Disney Authorized Vacation Planners
- No-fee agents
BONUS TIP
But now it is time to pick your hotel! A great tip for you when working with an agent (or directly on your own) is to get quotes based on one hotel from each of the categories of resort hotels at Walt Disney World. For instance, you will want to ask them to price out your trip with a Value hotel, a Moderate hotel, and a Deluxe hotel. This will help you decide where to stay based on your budget. If you were to write me back with a bit about your family and what you want out of your trip, I would be glad to recommend one from each group of resorts to consider!
Write me back and we can tackle this trip planning step by step, starting with the hotel.
Have a Magical Vacation!
Doug