Anyone book Disney package via travel agency?

[biggroofy]

I booked my disney package (Air Transat Flight + POFQ: 7 nights) as well as Magic Your Way Plus Dining plan via a local travel agency in Toronto.

The travel agent gave me a booking reference number: 2XXXXXXX,the booking number was for 2 rooms. I was able to make dining reservations along with my home phone number.

However, I just called 1-407-934-7639 (Disney Resort Reservations), trying to add some requests (e.g. Non-smoking room, adjoining rooms) - but the operator was unable to locate my reservation. She also tried to search via my Last Name and Resort Name, but fail to identify my booking.

When she realized that I made bookings via travel agency, she said I must proceed all requests thru the travel agency, as they spoke on my legal behalf. Furthermore, she said that booking number that starts with "2" should be for Disney Cruise Line.

Does anyone encounter similar situation before? How would you proceed your request if you are booking via travel agency?

Furthermore, for anyone who has already completed the travel - just wondering if you have to make advance reservation for Disney's Magical Express? My travel agent told me that Air Transat (Tour operator) will arrange that automatically.

Thanks!

 

[Scratch42]

This is one of the reasons that I don't use a TA!

Talk to your TA and find out for sure. Just because she/he says it, doesn't mean it will happen. Get it in writing as to what is exactly included in the whole deal!

Good Luck!

janet

 

[tone.def]

...

The travel agent gave me a booking reference number: 2XXXXXXX,the booking number was for 2 rooms. I was able to make dining reservations along with my home phone number.

However, I just called 1-407-934-7639 (Disney Resort Reservations), trying to add some requests (e.g. Non-smoking room, adjoining rooms) - but the operator was unable to locate my reservation. She also tried to search via my Last Name and Resort Name, but fail to identify my booking.

When she realized that I made bookings via travel agency, she said I must proceed all requests thru the travel agency, as they spoke on my legal behalf. Furthermore, she said that booking number that starts with "2" should be for Disney Cruise Line.

Does anyone encounter similar situation before? How would you proceed your request if you are booking via travel agency?
...

Okay - here's some answers for you:

Air Transat is a wholesaler. They purchase rooms in bulk from Disney and resale them as a package with flight. The reservation number they have assigned you is an Air Transat reservation number.

You room requests do have to do through your TA. They made your reservation, it's their's to alter. If it wasn't done that way, clients could cancel these reservations on their own or change resorts or dates and the agent would never know.

Just curious - how much did you pay booking through Air Transat and flight out of Toronto? That must have hit the bank account hard?

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks tone.def, I just spoke with my agent. The 8-digit-number seems to be the booking number with Air Transat (NOLITOURS). It was interesting that the Disney Dining Plan operator accepts that number for restaurant reservations, maybe she used my home phone number to make a booking instead.

My agent said NOLITOURS will pass on my reservation to POFQ directly (a week before my arrival), and I can then call them to make more requests (e.g. late check-out).

The package is expensive since I am going there in March, but overall is not that bad, $1325 per adult for a 7 night stay at POFQ with flight. I also considered Contemporary, but it costs over 2K!

The flight schedule is weird, I am arriving Orland at 21:30, so I guess I won't be in the resort until 23:00...

 

[NikP]

I am looking into booking a package like the one you did. Quick question regarding your package price. Does $1325 include park tickets and dining? Wishful thinking on my part I'm sure.

 

[biggroofy]

Hi NikP, check out http://www.nolitours.com/. The price does not include theme part tickets and dining. I think Disney Dining Plan is $48 CAD per adult per day, and park tickets are somewhat $280 for 7 days.