Have U used Dreams Unlimited?

[teachingmykids]

I just got my quote from DU & it's the exact same as booking online w/Disney. Are there extras with DU that I missed?
Why did you use them?
Thanks,
~~g.

 

[Alesia]

I just got my quote from DU & it's the exact same as booking online w/Disney. Are there extras with DU that I missed?
Why did you use them?
Thanks,
~~g.

They will make your ADRs for you.

 

[Mamalisa58]

They will watch for codes for you, place your ADRs. I have found Marla to be patient and very through each time I worked with her. I wouldn't travel to WDW with out DU making my arrangements.

 

[teachingmykids]

Thanks, Marla is my agent, too. I guess I thought they may have discounts or something.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Dreams Unlimited provides their famous concierge service! They will book all ADR's for you as well as any tours or special activities! They watch all discount codes that come out prior to your trip and apply them if possible! They arrange your Magical Express for you as well! Dreams agents also create personalized itineraries for their clients. All of the services are FREE just for booking with them!

 

[mommy2aprincess4]

Booked my June trip with them, Cathy is my agent and she has been awesome! I've driven her crazy I'm sure - have changed my dates 2 or 3 times (added days), had her make ADR's and cancel 1, she's set up Magical Express for me. It is the exact same price but if a code or something comes out they automatically apply it, you don't have to go hunting all the time for a code. I just love not having to make any of the phone calls, sit on hold, etc. And if I want to change something she gets it done in a flash - something that would take me calling, being on hold, getting transfered, getting disconnected, calling back, and so on.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have been to WDW 8 times (soon to be 9 and then 10) and I have used Dreams for the last five of those trips plus the two upoming ones. I have booked a package that included the DDP, room only nights, and a Disney Cruise. So I have had several types of trips they have helped me on. I will never book without them again! As others have stated, they look out for codes so you don't have to. Twice our December of 2006 pkg. reduced in price and I ended up getting two credits on my debit card. Never had to make a phone call or sweat that one for a moment. They do make ADR's, they will make up a spread sheet type thing for you that will list the hours, EMH scheudles, ride rehabs, show times etc for each of your days. Very, very nice.

My agent is Debbie Lasher, she is an angel and has in fact become a friend that I can email all my nuthead questions to, change my mind constantly and she never bats an eye! I used to use a different agency, finally got tired of doing all the work for them and their very slow response time so I gave Dreams a try. I am so glad I did!

You won't regret using them and you won't book without them on future trips!

 

[Bubby4Clay]

I think I have bugged my DU agent Daniel, so much---that he now needs a vacation (if you are reading this Daniel, enjoy your vacation!!)

I am totally happy with all of the work he has done for me.
I wouldn't hesitate to use DU, or to refer anybody to Daniel.

 

[Lynne M]

With Disney, there are no special discounts that are only available through travel agents. They'll get you the same discounts that are available to the general public.

That said, though, an important part of what a Disney specialist travel agent like DU does is watch for the discounts for you, and call to get them applied. Some discounts sell out soon after they're announced, and if you don't happen to see that the codes have released and call right away, you can miss out on the discounts.

I've worked with Marla twice, and she's terrific. I'd highly recommend her.

 

[heartbeeps]

With Disney, there are no special discounts that are only available through travel agents. They'll get you the same discounts that are available to the general public.

I know that I can get the AAA discount thru AAA or Disney direct but I thought Anthony Travel in Dallas is THE exclusive TA for Disney events and was able to garner special rates that other TAs can't get. Is that true or not? Anyone know????

 

[LindyN]

I know that I can get the AAA discount thru AAA or Disney direct but I thought Anthony Travel in Dallas is THE exclusive TA for Disney events and was able to garner special rates that other TAs can't get. Is that true or not? Anyone know????

Any travel agent should be a licensed reseller of travel and have IATA/IATAN, CLIA, or OSSN affiliatation posted. They should display their affiliations prominently on their advertising. Disney specialist travel agencies are also "Earmarked" and you will see an "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" on their promotional materials. The ADVP/EM logo means the agency has signed an agreement with Disney and is up to Disney standards.

If you look at a the web sites of the big Disney agencies out there you will see all of these items prominently. DU, The Magic For Less and other big Disney players show these credentials.

Almost anyone can book travel and call themselves a travel agent. The travel industry is filled with so-called "agents", without accreditations, certifications, or insurance. These so-called Agents give the true travel professional a huge headache. Some travel agencies are nothing more than multi-level marketing industries. The question is do you want just anyone using your money on a trip without official travel affiliations?

Occasionally blocks of rooms are pulled for events, and these rooms may be sold to anyone. If an agency has a dirt cheap price on a room at Disney ask why its less than what you can get through Disney directly. Also ask to see your confirmation number, and check who you are paying.

I have seen people arrive for their vacation with a deeply discounted room at Disney, and the reservation did not exist. I've also seen tickets not be any good and families in tears. This is your vacation and your hard earned money--book with a professional who knows what they are doing.

Off my soapbox.

 

[fla4fun]

I think the great thing about DU is that it doesn't cost any MORE for all the service they can provide. I used them for my last reservation, because I had a lot of family issues going on that made it difficult for me to keep up with all the discount possibilities. It was nice to know that someone was watching out for me. They emailed me right away when the AP codes came out and told me all the options I had. Although there weren't any AP codes at my chosen resort, and I decided to stick with the AAA discount instead of switching, they would have been ready, willing, and able to make any changes I wanted. They will not only make your ADR's for you, which is another big stress load you can get rid of, but they will work up a day by day itinerary for you. It's like having a personal assistant. The fact that you get all of this without paying anything extra is great, even if you end up paying rack rate (which, if they can't get you a discount for, you probably wouldn't have found a discount anywhere else either).

Would I use them all the time? Probably not. Not because I had a bad experience, but some of my trips are during hurricane season. I like knowing I can cancel if I need to, without taking any commission away from anyone. But would I ever use them again? Sure. I've already been thinking about it.

 

[teachingmykids]

SOLD! Thanks for the comments. I will use them, especially since they make the ADRs, that's reason enough alone.
~~g.

 

[ShaneH]

Do you have a better chance of getting the ADR's for the times you want?

 

[LindyN]

Do you have a better chance of getting the ADR's for the times you want?

If the reservation is available the agent can get it. Agents who book a lot of disney tend to know the system and how to pull tables. But once a restaurant is sold out, it is sold out and not available to book. This is why you have to book early and decide on your ADRs, especially during times of peak occupancy at Disney.

 

[heartbeeps]

I have seen people arrive for their vacation with a deeply discounted room at Disney, and the reservation did not exist. I've also seen tickets not be any good and families in tears. This is your vacation and your hard earned money--book with a professional who knows what they are doing. ...

Anthony Travel was linked to Disney's Wide World of Sports web site so I "think" they're ok!

 

[mickeymedic]

We love DU. We don't book any other way.

 

[Tissa]

I've used DU for my past 3 trips and wouldn't book without them. I had a few issues with CRO and my agent Dan took care of everything. He does all the work and puts up with CRO so I do not have to. Stress free planning.
I can't go on enough about the great customer service Dan and DU offers.

 

[tejasranger]

We just got back Feb 2nd and used Michelle. She was very professional. She made all of our reservations, suggested places for us to eat, alerted disney that my husband is handicappped and would be bringing a service dog. The room she booked us at POR was so conveniant it was close to the bus stop and dining.I received all my email that day or the next day. I highly recommend Dreams Unlimited. Like the other people stated you have the concierge service that disney does not provide.

 

[LindyN]

Anthony Travel was linked to Disney's Wide World of Sports web site so I "think" they're ok!

They appear to have a room block for sporting events and are a registered seller of travel in California. From the appearance of their web site they are not Authorized Disney Vacation Planners or accredited travel agents; the typical CLIA/IATA/OSSN designations are not on there. This does not mean that they cannot book travel, nor does it mean that they do not have experienced agents with travel credentials. They seem to specialize in sporting event packages. Not all agencies want to book Disney vacation packages.

Disney vacations do not appear to be their niche but they do have access to a Disney room block somewhere. For your typical Disney vacation package you may want to book with a Disney specialist. Room blocks cannot have a rate changed after booking. Most Disney specialized agencies have provisions when codes are released to drop the price of your trip even after booking. This won't occur in a room block.