Travel Agent ? or Disney Site?

[JDSNY10]

Can you tell me if your like going to a TA or do you like booking your vacation thru the Disney website?
Does the TA work for you or do they just book and then go away after that knowing they made the sale? Debating this w/ my wife and just wondering what you folks think.

TIA.

 

[IrishNYC]

I am normally anti-TA, but for Disney I used a TA for a few reasons - for one, she's a Disney specialist and a friend, but mainly because she can more easily monitor any price changes or specials for me to take advantage of, she can watch for and book ADRs that aren't available as they become available through cancellations, etc.

 

[MISSYLEXI]

I usually go through Disney but this time I used a TA. The price was a lot cheaper. I usually stay at POR, a moderate, but staying at ,WL, a deluxe and it is still cheaper. So for me it depends on the final price.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

I usually go through Disney but this time I used a TA. The price was a lot cheaper. I usually stay at POR, a moderate, but staying at ,WL, a deluxe and it is still cheaper. So for me it depends on the final price.

We book through Disney ourselves but considering using Orbitz next time. Especially if they are still having the extra 15% off deal.

 

[MlWinans]

I've always done it through Disney on my own. However out of pure habit I constantly am checking for promotions etc, and so I can generally find them and grab them myself.

If I didn't have that habitual nature I would recommend a TA. No matter when you go, there is going to be a handful of promotions to take advantage of. Be careful though on who you use, try to find someone that does just Disney Vacations or a friend.

If you want to do it on your own just keep a constant eye on the Boards here and the main site at WDWinfo. When promotions arise they will be on a thread, letting you know it is something to look into for your vacation.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We use a TA for our first trip (8 years ago) and I vowed 'never again'. At that time (things may have changed) we had to go through her for everything until we got onsite. When I tried to make an ADR via the phone I was told the TA had to make it.

 

[cbrown1007]

TA's are supposed to work for you. Depends who you go with as a TA. I am a TA and I do as much or as little as my clients want. Some want me to do everything, other's only want me to book for them. I've had my clients contact me from their vacations to make changes or help them. TA's can help take stress off of you... getting dining reservations, applying discounts to your package, etc.

 

[skriegerjr]

We've used our AAA agent for years, and while DW and I are both great at planning Disney Trips, the primary reason we still use her, is that when deals like 30% off or Free Dining come out, she will spend an entire day on the phone to get it added to our reservation. I just cannot devote that kind of time, and since she will, and it doesn't cost me a dime to have her do so...I gladly use her services for that reason.

 

[Canuck16]

We have always booked on our own through Disney.

For our upcoming trip we decided to try booking through a well known Disney TA. After we received the quote we had some questions about some options and never heard back from the agent at all.

So we went back to booking with Disney for our next trip and have been really happy with the service.

 

[jscottnc]

I booked my first WDW vaction through Disney. Since then I have used a travel agency that specializes in WDW travel and advertises on the DISBoards. It does not cost any more and usually costs me less (because of discount tracking, special offers, etc). In the days before online ADRs, my TA was up early on the phone to make my dining reservations (there are few things I hate worse than being on hold). Now that I am a DVC member, my use of a TA for WDW will be much less. Yes, it is possible to do it all yourself but why bother if someone else, who does this everyday, will do it for you and not cost you any more?

 

[IrishNYC]

We use a TA for our first trip (8 years ago) and I vowed 'never again'. At that time (things may have changed) we had to go through her for everything until we got onsite. When I tried to make an ADR via the phone I was told the TA had to make it.

This hasn't been my experience with my TA. I made many of my own ADRs because I did them in the middle of the night at my leisure, but she's also made me some ADRs I couldn't get because she was monitoring for cancellations to grab. I do believe if I want to change my resort or room type my TA has to do it.

 

[bear_mom]

I used a TA for our first trip. The next 4 I booked on my own, but am doing a quick trip this summer with dd to celebrate her 16th birthday and am using a TA again.

This time I am leaving it up to someone else to do the constant checking about promotions.

 

[tjevans]

I love using a TA because they can make my ADR's and monitor rate changes for me.

A word of warning: The quality of TA's varies widely. I"ve read some horror stories. Make sure you're using an agency that specializes in Disney.

 

[JDSNY10]

thanks for the replies. I think I am going to move forward w/ a travel agent, just because I know I want someone else to stay on top of it w/ me and walk me step by step. BOY There are so many but I have narrowed it down to a few. Hoping one of them has the knowledge like the dis group does.

 

[Disney LOVE Travel]

We have always booked on our own through Disney.

For our upcoming trip we decided to try booking through a well known Disney TA. After we received the quote we had some questions about some options and never heard back from the agent at all.

So we went back to booking with Disney for our next trip and have been really happy with the service.

Yikes! I am sorry you received that service. I am a TA as well and with Disney reservations especially, it is so important to have a quick response as you could miss out on key ADRs and FP+.

I booked my first WDW vaction through Disney. Since then I have used a travel agency that specializes in WDW travel and advertises on the DISBoards. It does not cost any more and usually costs me less (because of discount tracking, special offers, etc). In the days before online ADRs, my TA was up early on the phone to make my dining reservations (there are few things I hate worse than being on hold). Now that I am a DVC member, my use of a TA for WDW will be much less. Yes, it is possible to do it all yourself but why bother if someone else, who does this everyday, will do it for you and not cost you any more?

I would still reach out to your TA for assistance with your ADRs, tickets, etc. I had a tough Christmas as a TA as 3 of my most valued clients all bought into DVC for Christmas but I am still assisting them with their vacations (everything except the resort reservations). Even though I am no longer making a commission with them, I value them as clients and work for referrals. And since I know their travel habits and their likes and dislikes, it only makes sense for me to help them out. Congrats on DVC! I finally bought in as well... passed ROFR and waiting on closing now.

 

[minniemous]

Definitely on my own. One experience with Disney Authorized travel agent and it was a huge headache, was not informed of specials, did not attempt to save me any money, would not return my calls after they had all our money and wanted everything paid in full way before Disney would have made us. Really a very bad experience all around and no one can convince me to do it again. I know that there has to be be some very excellent Disney Travel agents out there but I would never take a chance again.

On the website I can compare special offers, room types, time of year, days of the week, free dining etc. There is absolutely no need for a middle man.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I enjoy booking on my own. I love being in charge of my own reservation and being in control of deals and booking things for my trip. I do have the time to check up on all of that, so I have no problem doing it myself. I enjoy planning my own vacations!

Do whats right for you, if you feel a TA will take some of the stress off, then go right ahead! If not, then you can easily do it yourself!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I used to think that TAs were an absolute necessity. Then the internet happened. Seriously, there is nothing a TA can do for you that this Boards cannot.

 

[bumbershoot]

There are different types of TAs. Figure out what you want and then hire people based on what they state they will do.

I can't even imagine wanting I turn over ADRs to someone else. So it wouldn't make sense for me to find a TA who wants to do that for me. If someone does want that (tax accountant planning a trip where ADRs need to be made in April for example) then they wouldn't choose an online TA like orbitz. Gotta know what you want and find someone who matches your needs.

 

[jeepwreck]

I usually just go through Disney but tis time I am using dreams unlimited travel because I am wanting to get free dining in November and they will contact me is my reservations already fall with in the dates or if I have to move the dates so I can get the free dining

and since they are part of this site they have been really hopeful in my vacation planning