a question about a travel agent

[dragitoff]

What is the advantage of booking through a travel agent? I requested a quote from an agent (not one previously mentioned) and was given the exact same price as the WDW website was showing. I would be open to using one but I'm not sure why I would.

Despite being one of those that always got a great deal for our Disney vacation, I used Michelle @ Dreams Unlimited a few years back and have never regretted it and used her for every trip since. As with most any authorized Disney agent, she responds promptly, but the best part is she was always looking out for better deals for us. Once we had a room booked at CSR (which we love btw) but our preference was for AKL. It was a work trip and the room budget didn't allow us enough for a room at AKL. She knew that was our preference and kept checking for various discounts and a few weeks before our trip got us a Savannah Room in AKL for less than our standard room at CSR was originally booked!

She also had personal touches to our trips and was always eager to help with ADR's or anything else we might have needed. No matter how much you know, go with an authorized Disney travel agent and I'd say go with Michelle at Dreams Unlimited!

 

[Wilzmom2007]

What is the advantage of booking through a travel agent? I requested a quote from an agent (not one previously mentioned) and was given the exact same price as the WDW website was showing. I would be open to using one but I'm not sure why I would.

I also got the same quote, but the fact that 1) it's a free service 2) it's someone that will watch for deals and promotions to help me save and 3) some TA offer their own promotions (mine did) made it worth my time. I am very hands-on so I don't know how I will do turning over control but I think it will definitely help my stress level.

 

[smiths02]

What is the advantage of booking through a travel agent? I requested a quote from an agent (not one previously mentioned) and was given the exact same price as the WDW website was showing. I would be open to using one but I'm not sure why I would.

I have booked our previous trips myself, but I am using a travel agent this time. If you go every year, you probably don't need a TA, but if you are new or haven't been in a few years (like me), it helps to have someone who really knows Disney. The person I chose is an acquaintance, and I know she knows Disney. She also knows going to Disney with kids of varying ages (she has a son and a daughter).
I am the only vacation planner in my family, so it is nice to have someone to talk Disney with. She also knows some things about me and the make-up of my family since she is an acquaintance, so it is different from asking a question on the DIS or reading reviews.
I also like that she can help book a discount when it is released or be someone else to look for ADRs (I will probably still do that myself). Oh, and she is going to make me a spread sheet with all my ADRs, etc. (I don't like making spreadsheets, but I like having them!). Another thing is that someone else will have a record of all my ADRs, and if some glitch happens, I have someone else who has the number and can call and argue with Disney for me.

The bonus is that I get to talk to her more often, and she makes a little money.

The only downside I see is that she controls my reservation, so if she was not responsive about finding a discount or submitting payments or something, then there could be an issue because I can't just call Disney. She works through a larger company, though, so I think I am protected in that way. Plus, she is super responsive.