Any reasons why I should NOT book with DU?

[cslittle999]

It's just finding a TA that is willing to do the searching!

I think this statement is key to the whole discussion. The reason people feel they can do better than a TA is that all of their previous TA experiences have been with, at best, average ones.

 

[madonna31]

DU isn't owned by Disney. If I remember correctly DU acts as an agent of Walt Disney World Travel Company. DU books everything through them. I believe that this is true of all of the Disney specialist agencies

That is 100% correct. Any Disney Specialist agency acts as an agent on behalf of the Walt Disney Travel Company. Hence the reason you are billed in US funds for your vacation when dealing with a REAL Disney Specialist. The agent or rather the travel agency doesn't bill you - The Disney company does.

I tried two disney specialists one through caa and one through another travel agency and they didnt even come close to the quote.

Well now really that is a shame. Sounds like the two Disney Specialists you encountered simply passed that easy little test that Disney provides and therefore can now call legally call themselves 'Disney Specialists' rather then a REAL Disney Specialist who knows the areas of Disney inside and out based on personal experience.

I mean just because you read a book on how to drive a car, doesn't mean you can get behind the wheel and drive one.

I assure you that there are indeed Canadian Disney Specialist agents out there who are just as good (in fact in some instances; better) then DU because they too have not just read the book, but get behind the wheel to drive on a yearly basis.

I find the whole discussion on 'getting a better price through DU' very confusing. Seeing as myself (or any other real Disney Specialist) deals with the Walt Disney Travel Company directly just as DU does, how on earth is it possible for DU to get you a better price? We all call the same number, speak to the same Disney reps, get first wind of the same AP/FL resident/CAA/Room Only/FREE dining etc. discounts, so where in lies the difference in price

The reason people feel they can do better than a TA is that all of their previous TA experiences have been with, at best, average ones.

Good point. And somewhere like the DIS, I wouldn't doubt for one second that most people here would do JUST as good of a job a ANY Disney Specialist out there. I mean you guys get 'behind the wheel and drive' just as often as we do.

But, 95% of my clients are first time visitors who say to me "I don't know where to start, please help". You have to appreciate the fact that these people don't know the difference between Chef Mickey's and Columbia Harbor House. So, I do my job. I plan their itinerary, book their dining, answer all of their questions about WDW, etc.

All of us here know that that without proper planning, a trip to WDW can be ruined. First timers think that there is a castle with a couple of resorts on a hotel strip, not unlike Vegas.

When I was in WDW back in May, I met a family who was at WDW for the first time and booked through Disney themselves. They purchased the dining plan. Long story short - when you book through Disney yourself - they don't do a thing for you, so the family should of booked their own dining. Needless to say, not knowing of the popularity of Disney's restaurants, they didn't. Naturally, they were very upset that they couldn't get into restaurants such as Chef Mickey's and the like. I helped them out, called Disney dining from my hotel room and booked them some decent restaurants for the remainder of their stay. Yes, I love my job THAT much.

They said that they would never book directly through Disney again because they couldn't be bothered to do all of the leg work that a Disney Specialist would do for them. Not that they admitted to being experts by any means after only one visit, but they told me between 'soccer games, ballet class etc. they would much rather have someone do the planning work for them, especially when it doesn't cost a penny.'

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Hi Folks

Forgive me for not participating in this thread sooner. I would like to offer some explanations that I think you might find helpful.

First - let me thank all of you who have taken the time to reply to this post with your kind words about your experiences with Dreams Unlimited Travel (DU).

Second - I am always sorry to hear when anyone has a negative DU experience. If anyone would like to write to me directly about a negative experience they have had with a DU agent or their Disney vacation booked through DU I would be happy to open a dialogue with you directly. My email address is John@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

As far as being concerned that DU may go 'bankrupt' and your vacation would be lost or ruined that simply would not happen. When you book your reservation with Dreams Unlimited your payments are sent directly to Disney. Unlike some TA's that take your payment, put it in their bank account and then pay Disney from their funds – Dreams Unlimited does not hold your money at all. As soon as your payment is received it is credited directly to your reservation with Disney. Credit cards are charged by Disney and not Dreams Unlimited Travel. Even if something did happen to Dreams Unlimited, your vacation would be safe as the booking and payments would not be affected.

As far as who is 'better' to book through, that's simply a matter of personal preference. Some people like working with someone local - or feel more comfortable with someone with a similar background. That's only natural. A better price or level of service may influence your decision. Other's like dealing with a company like Dreams Unlimited based on factors like reputation and/or recommendations. Or you may feel the best way to go is to book your own vacation and handle all of the details yourself. However you decide to book the important part is that you are comfortable with your choice because you are trusting someone with something very important - you're vacation!!

I agree that it is important to find an agent that is knowledgeable in Disney destinations as well as the process of booking Disney vacations.

Not only are all DU agents required to take and pass the College of Disney Knowledge Course (offered by Disney), but each DU agent is a huge Disney fan. As a matter of fact DU only hires agents who are experienced in, and have a love for, Disney.

These folks eat, sleep and breathe Disney. Most take annual trips to their favorite Disney destinations and some visit the parks and/or cruise ships multiple times a year. Dreams Unlimited even has a team of folks (including agents) who live in Central Florida minutes from Disney World. They visit on a regular basis and share any and all information with the rest of the team. The same is true for Disneyland – and some agents seem to live on the Disney Cruise ships

Not only do the Dreams Unlimited agents enjoy Disney vacations but they have a general love of wanting to help others have the best vacation possible. They really get excited about helping people plan and love to answer questions. Many agents are contributors to these boards and have been since before there was a Dreams Unlimited Travel.

Now, not all Dreams Unlimited agents are experienced in all areas of Disney. Some specialize in an area they love (i.e. Disneyworld, Disneyland or Disney Cruise Line). Many agents have experienced all three products but if you book a vacation through Dreams Unlimited Travel you will only be assigned an agent familiar with and experienced in that Disney vacation/destination. For example – if you book a Disneyland vacation through DU you will only get an agent who specializes in and has been to Disneyland many times.

In addition to all that, Dreams Unlimited agents take part in many of the extended educational opportunities offered by Disney through the year to enhance their College of Disney Knowledge program. These include online seminars, retesting, FAM (familiarization) trips and new product training.

This is not to say that DU agents know every answer to every question. Dealing with Disney and Disney vacations is a constant learning experience. This is also not to say that a Dreams Unlimited Travel agent couldn’t make a mistake. It’s how they handle those questions and mistakes that’s important. The point is they have a vast knowledge of Disney, as well as the process of booking Disney vacations, and they try very hard to ensure their client’s have the best vacation experience possible.

If you choose to not work with DU because you want to work with a local TA, or you want to book and plan the vacation yourself I encourage you to do so. If you had a negative experience with DU (and that does happen) and you feel you need to book a different way – by all means feel free. But please do not worry that your vacation will ever be in jeopardy based on how Dreams Unlimited does business, or think that a Dreams Unlimited Travel agent may not have the knowledge, experience or desire to try to help you have the best Disney vacation experience possible.

Thanks for listening.

John

 

[CdnMom2]

We booked our Disney Cruise through DU. We also had a WDW room booked that we ended up canceling later when a very good AAA Package code came out.

Here's my warning & it is not to fault DU.
After getting lots of news on TheDisBoards I sent an e-mail expressing my disappointment at the non-contact with DU over some codes that came out, etc. I found out that it was MY trusty ISP that had initiated months earlier unbeknownst to me a new layer of security on my e-mail. Much e-mail (including junk) came daily as normal while LOTS of things were going into Junk e-mail including the most beautiful, informative, regular e-newsletters from my lovely DU agent.

So if you choose to go with DU DO check that your e-mail is set to properly receive any bulk mailing from them -- or check your Junk folder. I nearly cried when I finally saw one of the colourful, clear newsletters after so many months!

We were VERY happy with DU's service. Quick, friendly, knowledgable answers to our e-mails. Lovely souvenirs to surprise us in our DCL rooms. Everything was great.

I have also booked with 2 other US agents -- 1 had a GREAT group rate booked -- worth the gamble of going with a foreign agent for us. Again very lovely, quick service & we got what we wanted & more.

The other was a AAA agent, after I endured frustration trying to get our local office to simply apply the AAA code I gave them for our eligible vacation. They gave me much incorrect info regarding various WDW-things & some considerable attitude. They wouldn't try to apply the code, & were quite unbelieving that I was getting a cheaper rate than they were giving me booking through WDW online alone -- without the AAA code. And yes we were comparing exactly apples & apples. At least I was & verbally verifying with them that they were. Lovely service from our US AAA agent. Very friendly. Tried a couple scenarios for us. And we had a LOVELY vacation with the AAA perks our CAA membership is supposed to provide. Yes, my local office insisted they were Disney Specialists.

These US TA's were found via these DISBoards. I initiated contact after some sleuthing. None approached me. I will happily recommend all. Thank you for these lovely trips. Right now I have our next trip booked by myself (control freak).

Is there any advantage to a TA if I transfer my reservation to them? Does the TA still receive some kind of commission? I might do it, but I'm also considering why do it just to be a burden on someone. TIA

 

[Wazzo]

We were VERY happy with DU's service. Quick, friendly, knowledgable answers to our e-mails. Lovely souvenirs to surprise us in our DCL rooms. Everything was great.

Just curious... how fast were the email replies from your TA? And what type of souvenirs were in your room? What a nice touch!

 

[NikP]

These US TA's were found via these DISBoards. I initiated contact after some sleuthing. None approached me. I will happily recommend all. Thank you for these lovely trips. Right now I have our next trip booked by myself (control freak

Could you please PM me the name and contact information for you AAA agent in the US? I not sure if I will use CAA or AAA. I have received two very different quotes from CAA for the exact same package from two agents within the same CAA location. This concerns me! Do I trust them or not?

 

[CdnMom2]

Varied from hour to overnight. My local CAA office took longer just to return my call for a specific quote.

Gifts: I am somewhat reluctant to post so that everyone else doesn't expect or be disappointed or wonder why they don't get something. We were VERY pleasantly surprised to find a DCL memory box in each of our 2 rooms booked.