AAA rep giving out incorrect information!

[dragonfly57005]

I was in my local AAA office last week to take a safe driving course because of a driving award I received in GA on our way back from WDW last month. As I was waiting near the travel desks, I overheard the agent talking to a member about their upcoming trip to WDW and everything I heard him say sounded right on track. From what I could tell, this particular agent was very well trained or has been to WDW quite a few times himself.

oh oh

 

[Wadecool]

oh oh

A funny story about that... I have been teaching DD3 that police officers, firemen, paramedics, are all here to help people. When she sees a police car with its emergency lights on here in our hometown she will say "hey daddy, that policeman is helping somebody!" So when I was pulled over by the Georgia State Trooper, I had her window down about halfway and he peeked in, probably to see if she was buckled into her car seat properly. As he looked in, she said to him "Mr. policeman, are you helping my daddy?" He smiled and said "yes I am".

 

[spacemountainmom]

Years ago they used to deliver it directly to you room. You would come back from the park and find packages on your bed. It was nice.

Well - I guess she didn't get the news. Like I said, it really wasn't a big deal to me, but on top of all the mistakes the TA had made with our reservations and the general misinformation she gave us - it was annoying. The crazy thing is that my dad used the same woman for two more WDW trips.

We went alone this year. I did all my own trip planning.

 

[LisaTC]

I think that TA's are very valuable. The key is to use a TA that specializes in the type of trip you are taking and knows it inside and out both from professional and personal experience. If you are planning a cruise I say find a cruise specialist, planning a destination wedding in the Caribbean? better find a DW specialist, same thing with Disney you need a Disney specialist. It is impossible for travel agents at these big chain agencies to know everything there is to know about every destination but the set up of their company forces them to book whatever walks in the door rather than to find their niche. I mean look at how much info is on this Disney site alone imagine needing to know this much detailed info about every popular family attraction/resort in the country as well as all the beach destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico and how bout European tours as well. A TA working in a big agency such as the one mentioned here books all of these destinations. I think that is why sometimes they may be less informed in some areas than others. I am not excusing giving misinformation as that should not happen (why not say I'm not sure but I will find out for you?). However, I think these problems are seen mainly with big chain agencies and not smaller specialized agencies. So in other words,not all TA's are bad, but I am sorry for the negative experiences some have had.

Precisely...when I first spoke to our AAA agent, I immediately became aware of the numerous times she'd been to WDW and I knew ahead of time how many of my friends she had done their Disney trip for. Had she not had that knowledge, member or not, I wouldn't have gone with her. I was married in Jamaica and I went with a Jamaica all-inclusive specialist even tho' I was a AAA member. I think TA's have much value, but they need to be 'selected' for what they know. I've been on the phone, too with Disney and found out "corrected" information on the Dis.

 

[Shir Kahn]

Wouldn't it be a fun job though?

I noticed you are in Canada as well. Have you ever looked into how to become a TA?

Not quite yet, but I likely will be finding out at some point. Just have to take that next step!

A funny story about that... I have been teaching DD3 that police officers, firemen, paramedics, are all here to help people. When she sees a police car with its emergency lights on here in our hometown she will say "hey daddy, that policeman is helping somebody!" So when I was pulled over by the Georgia State Trooper, I had her window down about halfway and he peeked in, probably to see if she was buckled into her car seat properly. As he looked in, she said to him "Mr. policeman, are you helping my daddy?" He smiled and said "yes I am".

That's hilarious!

 

[JKMJ441724]

.... I am a Disney Nut Case...

and also my new best (imaginary) friend.

the exact reason I became a Disney travel specialist.

I'm a Disney travel specialist, too. I just don't get paid for it - Dang it!! I tell lots of people I work for Disney, they just keep forgetting to send me my paychecks.

 

[mimzkat]

We have used a AAA TA to book our Disney trips (we are going on our 2nd in Sept.) and a cruise. She has done a great job for us and has been to Disney and on cruises. However, I do do my homework and for this upcoming trip I knew which airline I wanted and what the rate was. I was pleasantly surprised when she told me that they were offering free dining! (It had just come out.)

With so many AAA agents around, you're bound to get someone new or uninformed. They have bios on their websites. Check out the bios and select an agent that meets your needs and has some years of experience in the business.

 

[mkgriffith]

I agree. We booked our upcoming trip (Aug-'11) & our last one (Aug.08) w/ AAA, & our TA agent was great! I think it's just the luck of the draw. Some good, some bad. I tend to be a nut, and like to do a lot of research, but she was able to give me some "real life" tips from when she was there. I think you just need to look for a TA who has actually gone to WDW, preferably more than once. And of course check the boards here. I think I've learned just as much reading the boards here, as I have doing my research. But of course the best "research" is when you actually get to go to WDW!

 

[YodaGirl]

Does your dad and step mom (and the AAA TA) know that FW is a campground?

The reason I ask is on one of those funniest things I have ever heard at WDW threads there was a story of a couple checking into FW and asking where the hotel was. The CM looked puzzled and asked if they had camping equipment. Puzzled guest looks back and says that their TA got them a great rate at an on site Disney resort for $45 a night (the nightly rate for a campsite at that time).

Not sure where they stayed.

Oh, no!

When I called to book for next March, I told the rep that I wanted to book for Fort Wilderness. He corrected me and said, "You mean the Wilderness Lodge?". I said, "No. Fort Wilderness." He seemed pretty confused for a second.

I'm amazed at the people who are supposed to know about Disney who have no clue.

 

[Wadecool]

Oh, no!

When I called to book for next March, I told the rep that I wanted to book for Fort Wilderness. He corrected me and said, "You mean the Wilderness Lodge?". I said, "No. Fort Wilderness." He seemed pretty confused for a second.

I'm amazed at the people who are supposed to know about Disney who have no clue.

Stories like that make me want to book everything myself, just to make sure it's done right.

 

[YodaGirl]

Stories like that make me want to book everything myself, just to make sure it's done right.

I book everything myself for that reason. The sad thing is that the rep I was talking about was a CRO rep.

 

[tlbwriter]

I even had to explain to him that having the DDP does not give you front of the line access to order at the CS restaurants (oh my!).

Too bad it doesn't - that would be sweet!

 

[RAPstar]

I agree..I have a AAA agent have used them for a long time and she is a DIS-boarder and a Disney specialist.It isn't fair to lump all of them in the BAD category.Disneys own employees can't get info straight and correct half the time.

I agree. I'm actually at an AAA office right now (shh, don't tell anyone I'm posting while at work, lol). While both of our TA's aren't as knowledgable as I am about Disney, they have yet to give out wrong information. Well, mainly cause I'm here to correct them if I do. And if they don't know something about any other destination they do look into it. So, if you live in Garland, TX come see us, lol.