Small World Vacations?

[Mainestreetpixie]

Never used them but I am sure that they on par with the other on-line Disney Travel specialists. However, I am fascinated with the high volume of relatively new posters on this thread. I am sure that it is just a coincidence and that a company would not intentionally misrepresent itself by posting false endorsements. But I think that everyone just needs to keep that in mind when making a determination who they should go with. That said, there are also some veterans who have also made postitive statements so it is likely as I have said, just a coincidence.

Sorry. This just struck me as odd.


TC.

Well, Ive read the boards for a long time, but when you see people get into debates over who is better, you tend to not want to post because you get tired of hearing it. It has always seemed odd to me that when people post about small world that someone jumps in and says you should book with dreams unlimited because they sponsor the boards. That's just as silly. You book with whoever fits best with you. Both agencies are well respected. Both have been around a long time and both will give outstanding service. Your decision, which can be based on other people's personal experiences, shouldn't be based on who has the best website or who does what on message boards.

 

[Tikiman]

Well, Ive read the boards for a long time, but when you see people get into debates over who is better, you tend to not want to post because you get tired of hearing it. It has always seemed odd to me that when people post about small world that someone jumps in and says you should book with dreams unlimited because they sponsor the boards. That's just as silly. You book with whoever fits best with you. Both agencies are well respected. Both have been around a long time and both will give outstanding service. Your decision, which can be based on other people's personal experiences, shouldn't be based on who has the best website or who does what on message boards.

Well said Mainstreetpixie. I thought it was a little strange and off topic to post about DU when the question was about Small World. I myself use someone else but I responded to the question with information dealing with the subject. I agree that many of them are going to be just as knowledgeable and friendly. They will also tell you that they all get access to the same discounts so I say go with who ever you feel the most comfortable. I would actually be more leery about a place being suggested when they are the sponsor of the message board. Than again that does not make them a bad choice either.

 

[Priorityonecb]

We are using Barbara at Small World Vacations for our trip next fall. So far, I a more than pleased with the service she has provided.

 

[huskies90]

I agree and disagree with the previous poster. You certainly can get the same discounts that Small World can get you. That is if you have the time and energy needed to keep up with discounts and codes. To me it is much easier to let Small World take care of everything for our trips. It can take a LOT of time and calls to Disney to accomplish what Small World can do. Even something simple like making dining reservations can become quite a pain if you are on hold or get a CM who is either not friendly or knowlegeable.
Bottom line to me is that Small World can do it very efficiently and it saves me the hassle that I don't really need. Josephine has taken real good care of us for two years now. She and Small World will continue to get our business. Great people and wonderful service. Can't beat the fact that it's free.

I agree and disagree with you. It is all about expectations. Personally, when I am spending thousands of dollars to take my fam to WDW for 10 days, I want to get the most out of it and do what will work best for us. I am willing to invest some time to get it perfect. If you just want someone to book a package for you great; a TA is perfect for that.

Here was my situation for our Nov/Dec trip when the package discount came out in September it took a little time but I got it perfect. I was on the phone CRO for almost an hour trying different combos (the CM was awesome). I highly doubt a TA would give that much of an effort.

We originally had AAA room only rates for a 9 night split stay POR standard and then AKL standard starting 11/24. I wanted the package so I could get the dining plan. When I called the first time there was no way to get AKL standard and they did not have POR available either. I tried back later to ask if I could just switch my existing room only to the package. That can’t be done either. The CM worked out a bunch of different combos and found that my arrival day of Thanksgiving was screwing up the availability. So, I ended up using my AAA rate for POR for just the first night 11/24, then going to a four day package with dining and an 8 day ticket then switching to AKL using my existing AAA discount. So, I got a better discount for the POR part, 4 days of the dining package (better than nothing) and got to keep my AKL standard room which is what I really wanted. All in all I saved a bunch of $$.

Then, two days later, I was checking disneyworld.com and noticed availability popped up for POR using the discount code on 11/24. So, I called again and switched my package to five nights, with 5 days on the dining plan and canceled my first AAA ressie at POR. I saved even more $$ and got it exactly how I wanted it. Later that day POR was not available again for 11/24 so I must have caught a cancellation. Do you really think a Travel Agent would have done all the for me or would even know exactly which scenario would work out best for me????

 

[liltoot]

Never used them but I am sure that they on par with the other on-line Disney Travel specialists. However, I am fascinated with the high volume of relatively new posters on this thread. I am sure that it is just a coincidence and that a company would not intentionally misrepresent itself by posting false endorsements. But I think that everyone just needs to keep that in mind when making a determination who they should go with. That said, there are also some veterans who have also made postitive statements so it is likely as I have said, just a coincidence.

Sorry. This just struck me as odd.


TC.

Frankly your post struck me as odd.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

Do you really think a Travel Agent would have done all the for me or would even know exactly which scenario would work out best for me????

Actually yes that's been my experience with them. I have emailed Denise almost every day this week with something since I've been getting suggestions from the board about our upcoming trip. Today I emailed her one last request and she emailed right back that she would take care of it and said No to the one last request, she was there to help so email away if I need anything.

I know Small World is committed to helping you get the best out of your Disney experience. IF you give them the info to work with, they'll do it.

 

[huskies90]

Actually yes that's been my experience with them. I have emailed Denise almost every day this week with something since I've been getting suggestions from the board about our upcoming trip. Today I emailed her one last request and she emailed right back that she would take care of it and said No to the one last request, she was there to help so email away if I need anything.

I know Small World is committed to helping you get the best out of your Disney experience. IF you give them the info to work with, they'll do it.

That is great that you got that kind of service from them but that is no way representive of the service I received and yes, I did give them the opportunity to work with me this year before I took it over myself. I got slow responses to emails almost costing me the airfare I was watching and comments like "The AKL does not offer AAA discount on standard rooms." I even emailed Sue the owner and she did nothing to contradict what the agent did or said, so, yes, I am surprised you recieved that much personal attention. Although it still seems like you are doing all the analysis and she is just pushing the buttons for you...

my $0.02

 

[FanofTink]

Although it still seems like you are doing all the analysis and she is just pushing the buttons for you...

my $0.02

Wow - that's a harsh assessment of someone else's experience - just my $0.02

 

[huskies90]

Wow - that's a harsh assessment of someone else's experience - just my $0.02

True. The poster said he/she was getting info from the board and passing it on to the agent but didn't say SWV was also offering suggestions and doing analyis which they certainly could have been doing as well. My bad...Sorry.

 

[monty]

Never used them but I am sure that they on par with the other on-line Disney Travel specialists. However, I am fascinated with the high volume of relatively new posters on this thread. I am sure that it is just a coincidence and that a company would not intentionally misrepresent itself by posting false endorsements. But I think that everyone just needs to keep that in mind when making a determination who they should go with. That said, there are also some veterans who have also made postitive statements so it is likely as I have said, just a coincidence.

Sorry. This just struck me as odd.


TC.

I located Small World via the Mousesavers site.When researching on the web for a WDW first timer you will come accross their site on a Google search, just as you would this site, All Ears, Magictrips, etc.etc. I requested quotes from a few different TA's and felt the most comfortable with Small World so booked with them. There isn't a lot I can contribute to this forum being a first timer because I don't know what the : crowds,weather,restaurants,rides,room locations,transportation,refillable mugs,etc will be like. I have however used Small World and can therefore offer an opinion on them.
I think veterans probably don't feel the need for a TA as much as the first timers!!! If it wasn't for Small World, DIS, All Ears I wouldn't have had a clue!!!
(Now I've become a Disney Expert!! )

 

[lark]

I actually tried them once, but canceled my reservation and did it myself. I'm just too type-A to use a TA, I discovered. Kind of sad really.

But it was not because of anything that SW did -- they were great. I would totally use them again. If I were constitutionally able to use a TA, that is.

 

[Ezra]

G'day

Being from Australia there are lots of obstacles in organising a trip to Disney World, especially the time differences.

I have nothing but praise for Small World Vacations. We are using Marion and she has managed to pull off some amazing magical bits of pixie dust for us for our trip. She is awonderful person to deal with and goes above and beyond the duties of a TA. (You should see some of the misinformation TA's hand in Australia about Disney World)

Marion responds often in hours more favouable to our time zone then hers, she is quick to follow up, and is great a clarifying and expanding information you gain from these boards and other places of the web.

I highly recommend doing Disney with a helping hand from Small World Vacations, you will be more then happy if you do.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm more of a do it yourself type, but when the dining plan came out, I tried to contact SWV to help answer questions, since even the Disney staff didn't seem to have answers themselves. I was hoping at least they could explain some of the confusion. My trip was only about a month away, and it took several days to get a response from SWV. When I did get a response, they said my trip was too close for them to help. I also didn't like the fact that I pretty much HAD to contact them via email. The phone number, which several people have kindly provided here, was not available on their web page. I don't like that. If they have a direct number, they should post it on their website, but that is just me I guess. I don't like having to give any stranger all of my information just to get a simple question answered. If they couldn't help me, fine, but I should have been able to call them directly.

I was also wary of contacting a local TA, as I'm not sure they are Disney experts. I think the info I get from this website, Mousesavers, and Allearsnet.com (Plus a few others) keeps me pretty well informed, and I like hearing everyone's opnions.

I sort of agree that if a client is researching discounts themselves, and then having to contact their TA to ask about it...then why do they need a TA to book the discount? Shouldn't the TA be contacting YOU as soon as the discount comes out to let you know your new rates or options? JMHO.

Last, I enjoy the satisfaction that comes from knowing that I did a good job planning a trip to meet my needs, and the needs of my family. It's a fun problem to solve. I also enjoy the anticipation of a trip, and discussing the various options with family members. For us, anticipating a trip is half the fun.

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Shouldn't the TA be contacting YOU as soon as the discount comes out to let you know your new rates or options?

Many do publish newsletters to inform their clients of the new discounts and when they are released, most will send an email update if the discounts are released between the regularly scheduled newsletters. Small World has the MouseSavers newsletter and site for updates, DU has these boards and wdwinfo.com.

Many of the Disney-specialist agencies discussed on these boards automatically apply the new discounts for clients existing reservations.

Due to the sheer volume of requests I don't think it is feasible for an agent/agency to reprice/requote all outstanding unbooked requests for potential clients.

Michael

 

[tone.def]

I'm more of a do it yourself type, but when the dining plan came out, I tried to contact SWV to help answer questions, since even the Disney staff didn't seem to have answers themselves. I was hoping at least they could explain some of the confusion. My trip was only about a month away, and it took several days to get a response from SWV. When I did get a response, they said my trip was too close for them to help. I also didn't like the fact that I pretty much HAD to contact them via email. The phone number, which several people have kindly provided here, was not available on their web page. I don't like that. If they have a direct number, they should post it on their website, but that is just me I guess. I don't like having to give any stranger all of my information just to get a simple question answered. If they couldn't help me, fine, but I should have been able to call them directly.

So let me get this straight... you had already booked a trip, NOT with Small World and then you contacted them to answer questions you had?

Okay, let me give you a scenario as to why they may not have contacted you back so quickly... I work freelance as a video editor, so I'm always trying to sell myself to clients... Let's say a client chooses another editor over me for a job, same rate, same experience, but then this client calls me just before their final edit to ask me technical questions. Am I going to want to answer them after the client's money is going somewhere else... no.......... I'm going to be busy with a paying client and can't talk right now.

If you had booked with them from the start, I think you might have had a more positive response... also I have found that you will be provided with your TA's phone number when you are booking... otherwise can you imagine how many people from the DIS would be calling them to answer their questions! Think about it... If DU had a phone number on this site, people would be calling it all the time and then an agent would spend all their time answering questions for people who have already booked with Disney direct and then they wouldn't make any money.

That's just my opinion - I could be totally off-base though...

 

[kellyanne731]

I generally prefer to organize trips myself, but would gladly turn it over to someone I could trust. We're planning a trip next year and would like to to Universal for a few days too. Could they help us out with this piece of our trip as well?

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I may have given the wrong opinion about my agent here. I have contacted her with lots of requests from information I've received off the board, HOWEVER, that doesn't mean that she didn't do any legwork for me. She's given me several suggestions. BUT, Denise knows that I'm pretty much a Disney veteran. I go there every year for pity's sake so it's not like she's dealing with a newbie or someone who doesn't know a great deal about what's available. Most of the new stuff I've been learning has been about the resort I'm staying at which I've never stayed at before. When I booked she gave me a lot information based on her experience as well places to look if I wanted more info, tikimans website for instance.

Just an example for those of you who want to do the legwork yourself and think you've got it covered ~ were you aware that Disney now does PS 180 days out? Neither was I until I opened my email and saw that Denise had emailed me to let me know that the policy changed THIS MORNING and would I like help making my PS. Had I been using my DVC points or doing it myself, I'd be SOL (slam outta luck) because I would be waiting for the 90 days. Now I know those of you do it yourselfers will use this info for your trip, which is fine with me, but please note that it came from a Disney Specialist Travel Agent. ((standing down off my soapbox)).

While I appreciate people wanting to help themselves, don't discourage those who might fare better with an agent. It's much less stressful and for us anyway, more cost effective.

 

[kedaniels]

I may have given the wrong opinion about my agent here. I have contacted her with lots of requests from information I've received off the board, HOWEVER, that doesn't mean that she didn't do any legwork for me. She's given me several suggestions. BUT, Denise knows that I'm pretty much a Disney veteran. I go there every year for pity's sake so it's not like she's dealing with a newbie or someone who doesn't know a great deal about what's available. Most of the new stuff I've been learning has been about the resort I'm staying at which I've never stayed at before. When I booked she gave me a lot information based on her experience as well places to look if I wanted more info, tikimans website for instance.

Just an example for those of you who want to do the legwork yourself and think you've got it covered ~ were you aware that Disney now does PS 180 days out? Neither was I until I opened my email and saw that Denise had emailed me to let me know that the policy changed THIS MORNING and would I like help making my PS. Had I been using my DVC points or doing it myself, I'd be SOL (slam outta luck) because I would be waiting for the 90 days. Now I know those of you do it yourselfers will use this info for your trip, which is fine with me, but please note that it came from a Disney Specialist Travel Agent. ((standing down off my soapbox)).

While I appreciate people wanting to help themselves, don't discourage those who might fare better with an agent. It's much less stressful and for us anyway, more cost effective.

Ditto from me! I'm so glad that I had Stephanie at SWV looking out for me. I didn't have time to go on the boards this am and never would have known about the 180 days change (we are currently at 92 days). I sent Steph my ADR's 3 days ago so she could book them on Sunday. And this afternoon I checked my email and was so glad to see that she had booked them all for me this am! She even knew that Fantasmic is shutdown for rehab most of my trip but was able to get me into H&V for Fantasmic on our first night so we won't miss it. I'm so glad that I booked with SWV.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I generally prefer to organize trips myself, but would gladly turn it over to someone I could trust. We're planning a trip next year and would like to to Universal for a few days too. Could they help us out with this piece of our trip as well?

I contacted Denise about your ?. She said yes they do handle Universal although not nearly as much as Disney. It had been awhile since she had booked a Universal trip, but they are happy to help.

 

[kellyanne731]

I contacted Denise about your ?. She said yes they do handle Universal although not nearly as much as Disney. It had been awhile since she had booked a Universal trip, but they are happy to help.

Thank you so much for asking for me!!! I really appreciate that. You rock!