Question in regards to Fairytale Dreams & Destinations

[Lil Bo Peep]

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[DaniB]

Well, I don't know Sharon but I do deal with Karly at FD&D. And I agree that their company's service is top notch!

Personally I would not feel comfortable with my reservations being released back to Disney until Sharon can pick them up again. And since you don't know where Sharon is going or what she will be doing, perhaps it would be better to leave your ressie with FD&D and deal with a new TA there.

If Sharon ends up in the TA business again, you could use her for your future trips if you still feel that strong of a loyalty to her. But for now, with not knowing where she's going or doing...

As much as I think Karly is great - if she were to leave, I would be asking my ressies to be switched to a different TA at FD&D. It's the company's reputation that drew me to them! Just as AAA's reputation has made me wary of using CAA.

Before I get flamed, I am referring to the multiple bad reviews I consistently read here about AAA and their booking Disney trips for people. It's the opinion I developed and don't need flames, ok?

 

[My 2 princesses]

Have you talked to Sharon since?? I had no idea until I saw a status on FD's FB page and I'm sure that came about only because someone posted on her leaving. Sharon helped us plan our first trip and she was good and very nice to talk with. I tried sending her an email right a way and got a message that the email won't be answered. I just wanted to wish her well so if you do have her contact and you please send it to me??

As to your situation, I don't know what I would have done either. Sorry not much help but good luck.

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

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[VeroBeach]

My dilemma here is with Fairytale Dreams & Destination being the only certified Disney Specialist in Canada

How does one become certified? Have you searched for others?

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

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[carley]

CAA is also authorized by disney, try sears travel as well.

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

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[Lil Bo Peep]

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[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Just so you know, a travel agency cannot be a "certified Disney Specialist" - that is specific to each individual travel agent. Agencies can however, choose to sell solely Disney Destination Vacations (which is what Fairytale Dreams does). I know quite a few TAs who are graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge and are considered certified Disney Specialists.

Although there are agencies which have been given the "Authorized Disney Planner" designation, the Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Program (EarMarked) is designed solely for travel agencies within the United States of America. Therefore, no travel agency within Canada can be EarMarked. This is stated right on the Fairytale Dreams website.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

How does one become certified? Have you searched for others?

Basically the TA takes a number of online courses on the College of Disney Knowledge on website and once completed receive a certificate saying they have completed the necessary courses to be a Disney Specialist.

As mentioned previously Canadian Travel Agencies cannot become an "Authorized Disney Planner" but US Travel Agencies can (not sure how they do this though) - if you do a search for "Authorized Disney Planner", you'll see quite a few come up.

 

[mollyseven]

I have to say I agree about the CAA. While I was doing my stay at home mom gig, before I went back to the travel gig, I booked a Disney trip with CAA and what a nightmare that was. I knew I shouldn't hand over the control to them and I did anyhow.....bad move. I missed out on a deal because they were unreachable when it came out....nice.
Now I am a certified Disney Specialist and make sure that never happens to others.

 

[connorsmom911]

Yes, there are definitely at least a few other "certified" Disney travel agents in Canada...

 

[Susan2771]

Yes, there are definitely at least a few other "certified" Disney travel agents in Canada...

I am also a certified Disney specialist. There are a few of us around working for different agencies. If there is a travel agency in your area, just call them up or shoot off an email and ask if they have any certified Disney specialists working there that you can contact and work with on your trip.

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

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[DaniB]

Maybe it was more that Sharon meant they were the only TA company that deals *only* with Disney trips/vacations?

While other agents are certainly a Disney Specialist, I believe they are agents within companies that book all kinds of trips/vacation, not just Disney.

Personally I kind of like that FD&D deals only with Disney trips. IMO, that makes their company even more of a Disney Specialist, more knowledgable.

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

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[mermaid&cinderella]

I've booked with Sharon before and yes she was great but I started booking my trips myself, I didn't feel I was getting anything more with booking with them. I also love to have all the control. Actually got a cruise qute awhile ago from them and it was more than booking it through Disney Cruise Lines .

 

[Susan2771]

Actually got a cruise qute awhile ago from them and it was more than booking it through Disney Cruise Lines .

Was the quote for the exact same stateroom category that they priced out for you?

 

[VeroBeach]

Was the quote for the exact same stateroom category that they priced out for you?

It's possible that it may have included insurance and transfers too.