Another travel agent question

[MinMou]

If everything is done online, I realize that most of my questions are moot. But I suspect I will be on the phone at least once with Disney reservations since this is our first trip, and I am still learning what we need to do.

I use a travel agent to book cruises, because she can get me exactly what I want. I have not dealt with a Disney cruise, but all the cruise lines I have dealt with seem to prefer to deal with travel agents and give them much better service. After all, an agent represents many more thousands of $ of business than I can provide.

But does Disney work the same? Do they overbook, for instance? Do they keep you waiting on hold when you make a reservation on the phone or call with a question? Can you get real information on the phone, or do the customer service people just read to you whatever is on the website, even if it is out of date? (These are situations I have run into with different cruise lines, which is why I use an agent)

I realize that with an agent, I will still have to do a lot of research, and I frankly enjoy that. I do NOT enjoy putting a plan together and then explaining it over the phone to someone who knows less than me about the product they are selling. It makes me grouchy! But are the Disney reservation agents like that? Or do they prefer to work with the people who are actually making the trip?

 

[lorijohnhill]

I don't know what the WDTC cast members prefer, but I have called to book both vacation packages and room only reservations and have spoken with knowledgeable cast members. Now, could you possibly end up with someone who doesn't have all of the correct info, sure, but that can happen with travel agents as well. I have found that if you are friendly, and patient, the WDTC cast member will do whatever they can to book you with the vacation you would like. The CMs I have dealt with have been more than willing to look up different variations for me so that I can get the best possible price. You can also call back later, if discounts come out, and they will make changes for you so that you can get the lower price.

 

[gerilyne]

I too don't know what the cast members preference would be, but I have had really good luck booking both online and over the phone for full vacation packages and, as it happens to be for this upcoming trip, room only. they are always very pleasant and easy to work with. They take my requests which I know full well are just that- requests, and put them into my reservation. They have even gone out of their way to ask, are we celebrating anything special, was there anything else they could do for me. Of course I am an over-researcher so I used the DIS boards, websites, anything I could get my hands on before I made my reservations, but there were always things that the cast members knew about that I did not.

not sure if that helps you at all.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It sounds like this is a Disney Cruise Line question as opposed to Disneyland? If so you might want to try the Disney Cruise Line forum here on the DIS boards http://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-line-forum.9/

 

[MinMou]

Thank you, both these posts helped a lot. It's what I would expect from Disney, but I didn't want to start making arrangements and then find out I should have used an agent. And it's so nice to hear from people who have stayed at Disneyland!

 

[DSNY4ever]

I think Disney is pretty good with questions from DIY guests, but you can always use Dreams Unlimited Travel, they own and run these forums so their travel agents know their stuff. They have agents for WDW, the DLR, cruise line and adventures by Disney. Happy planning!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you, both these posts helped a lot. It's what I would expect from Disney, but I didn't want to start making arrangements and then find out I should have used an agent. And it's so nice to hear from people who have stayed at Disneyland!

Oh, not the cruise line? Sorry you're definitely in the right place! Practically everyone does their own DL planning. Reservations are must easier to get than at WDW, we've never had any problems when calling with cast memebers (the last one we talked to was just bubbling over with 60th anniversary enthusiasm for the park). We call once we've decided everything we want so we can do it in 1 phone call. FYI they accept ressies 60 days out & the hardest one to get is Blue Bayou (which is no Be Our Guest, I just checked and I can still get a 7pm dinner reservation for 5 people on Memorial!). Also, there is no dining plan. Fastpasses are done in park, paper version, day of visit. DL is just SO much easier to plan, you'll be totally fine!

 

[Geemo]

If everything is done online, I realize that most of my questions are moot. But I suspect I will be on the phone at least once with Disney reservations since this is our first trip, and I am still learning what we need to do.

I use a travel agent to book cruises, because she can get me exactly what I want. I have not dealt with a Disney cruise, but all the cruise lines I have dealt with seem to prefer to deal with travel agents and give them much better service. After all, an agent represents many more thousands of $ of business than I can provide.

But does Disney work the same? Do they overbook, for instance? Do they keep you waiting on hold when you make a reservation on the phone or call with a question? Can you get real information on the phone, or do the customer service people just read to you whatever is on the website, even if it is out of date? (These are situations I have run into with different cruise lines, which is why I use an agent)

I realize that with an agent, I will still have to do a lot of research, and I frankly enjoy that. I do NOT enjoy putting a plan together and then explaining it over the phone to someone who knows less than me about the product they are selling. It makes me grouchy! But are the Disney reservation agents like that? Or do they prefer to work with the people who are actually making the trip?

Disneyland planning isn't that difficult.
When are you going and what can we help you with? Number and ages in travel group?
**Travel arrangements to include airport transfers
**Hotel accommodations
**Park Tickets

I find booking things myself saves on the overall budget.

Geemo

 

[MinMou]

Thanks everyone! We will be going in October, but since we are also visiting family after we go to DIsneyland. it looks like we need to rent a car rather than use transfers. Originally I thought we would get a transfer from the airport and then rent a car when we left DL, but renting a car for 5 days is more expensive than renting for a whole week, and renting from DTD is more expensive than from the airport, which surprised me.

 

[bumbershoot]

renting a car for 5 days is more expensive than renting for a whole week, and renting from DTD is more expensive than from the airport

Well, see, that's the sort of thing that isn't always true and might not be true tomorrow.

And DTD is not the only place to rent from. If you're looking at Alamo, there's an Alamo/National place on Katella next to Alpine Inn. Their rates might be better. Might be worse. Not sure. Can't know until you check.

Watch for parking fees! Could bring the total cost up to the same as what your first plan was, could even make it more than your first plan.

There's so much info here. When I planned our first quick DL trip I read and read for months. And then planned. (and still got things wrong) And kept on learning.

 

[MinMou]

Well, see, that's the sort of thing that isn't always true and might not be true tomorrow.

You are absolutely right. It was true when I checked. Since hotels and car rentals are not like airfare, where you are locked in once you make reservations, I will keep checking, but you have to start somewhere.

And DTD is not the only place to rent from. If you're looking at Alamo, there's an Alamo/National place on Katella next to Alpine Inn. Their rates might be better. Might be worse. Not sure. Can't know until you check.

Thank you. I chose the one at DTD since it was in walking distance from our hotel, but if the one on Katella turns out to be a super deal, that would be great.

Watch for parking fees! Could bring the total cost up to the same as what your first plan was, could even make it more than your first plan.

I checked, and the transfers and the parking fees were about equal. THe difference is the convenience of having a car nearby in case we need to run to a store or I need to run up to my family for some reason. Not something I want to do, but this way the logistics are much easier.

There's so much info here. When I planned our first quick DL trip I read and read for months. And then planned. (and still got things wrong) And kept on learning.

Sounds just like motherhood!