Anyone have problems with their TA?

[Momtoredheads]

This is the first time I have used a TA (also first time at DW since 1985) and it seems as though emails seem to go unanswered/not received, etc. Maybe I expect too much. I am really frustrated!! Does anyone know if you can change TA's within a company? It just seems like I would be better off doing everything myself. Maybe I am too much of a control freak! Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[The Disney Dude]

I've used travel agents for my last two trips with no problems, but I'm sure you're not the only one who's had problems with something like this. Have you tried calling them instead of emailing?

 

[kimis]

I use TA for all our trips however I did have a slight problem this time. I called AAA and wanted to book our 2008 package yesterday. The TA didn't seem to understand much about disney and than quoted me a very high price. I called Disney direct and got the same price. I couldn't figure out where the AAA discount was so I called another AAA agent and did get a much better deal. It pays to persevere. LOL All of the agents were nice but when I spend the $$$ to go to Disney I would like to deal with a person who knows some things about Disney. I am calling today to put my deposit down. I can't wait!!!!

 

[Momtoredheads]

I've used travel agents for my last two trips with no problems, but I'm sure you're not the only one who's had problems with something like this. Have you tried calling them instead of emailing?

Yep! I left a message on her cell phone which she supposedly emailed me back, but somehow I never received it.

 

[Momtoredheads]

I use TA for all our trips however I did have a slight problem this time. I called AAA and wanted to book our 2008 package yesterday. The TA didn't seem to understand much about disney and than quoted me a very high price. I called Disney direct and got the same price. I couldn't figure out where the AAA discount was so I called another AAA agent and did get a much better deal. It pays to persevere. LOL All of the agents were nice but when I spend the $$$ to go to Disney I would like to deal with a person who knows some things about Disney. I am calling today to put my deposit down. I can't wait!!!!

OT--I see that you've stayed at POR. What do you think about it? We are going and staying there 10/20-10/27 but have 2 small kids. How bad is the bus situation?

Thanks!!

 

[mrmagicmph]

This is the first time I have used a TA (also first time at DW since 1985) and it seems as though emails seem to go unanswered/not received, etc. Maybe I expect too much. I am really frustrated!! Does anyone know if you can change TA's within a company? It just seems like I would be better off doing everything myself. Maybe I am too much of a control freak! Thanks for letting me vent.

We used a travel agent (different agency than the last one we used, both of which are Disney specialist agencies... no, neither of them was Dreams Unlimited) to book the trip we have upcoming in 52 days, 12 hrs, but who's counting? The first agent that we had assigned was one we were familiar with from several podcast episodes and came highly recommended. Unfortunately, like yours, she was VERY bad at returning phone calls & emails, and when she promised to call on a specific day & time, she virtually never did follow through. As a result, I contacted both the agent & the head of the agency via email to request that, since she was obviously too busy to be able to assist with our reservation as needed, would they please reassign us to another agent. They did so within 24 hours and the new one, while rather busy too at times, has always called back when promised (missed 1 call, but, that was because of an emergency trip to the hospital, that's reasonable!). We've made various changes to our plans as a result of what she's found/suggested, and has been very helpful. We're very satisfied, & still counting the days/hours/minutes/seconds til our plane leaves for WDW

Definitely, contact the agency & ask that you be assigned a different agent if you're having a lot of trouble. Remember, you can always take your business elsewhere, whether to another agent or even another agency, if needed. It's YOUR money!

Enjoy the magic, & good luck!

 

[Momtoredheads]

We used a travel agent (different agency than the last one we used, both of which are Disney specialist agencies... no, neither of them was Dreams Unlimited) to book the trip we have upcoming in 52 days, 12 hrs, but who's counting? The first agent that we had assigned was one we were familiar with from several podcast episodes and came highly recommended. Unfortunately, like yours, she was VERY bad at returning phone calls & emails, and when she promised to call on a specific day & time, she virtually never did follow through. As a result, I contacted both the agent & the head of the agency via email to request that, since she was obviously too busy to be able to assist with our reservation as needed, would they please reassign us to another agent. They did so within 24 hours and the new one, while rather busy too at times, has always called back when promised (missed 1 call, but, that was because of an emergency trip to the hospital, that's reasonable!). We've made various changes to our plans as a result of what she's found/suggested, and has been very helpful. We're very satisfied, & still counting the days/hours/minutes/seconds til our plane leaves for WDW

Definitely, contact the agency & ask that you be assigned a different agent if you're having a lot of trouble. Remember, you can always take your business elsewhere, whether to another agent or even another agency, if needed. It's YOUR money!

Enjoy the magic, & good luck!

Thanks. I may call and go with another agent. Although we don't leave for a couple of months, it just seems as though expecting a reply is too much to ask. have a great time on your trip!!!

 

[disneyfan2]

i had a great TA the first time i booked then the next time, weeks would go by without answers, luckily it wasn't urgent. So i called and expressed my concern. They said they are too busy to answer emails.. For me, email is so much more efficient, and i don;t get off topic etc. I can ask my specific questions and get my answer at there leisure. however i would like an answer within the week.

With my schedule and kids running around all the time, it is easier to email my questions when i have time to write and not be interupted. Plus i don;t see why it would not be easier to answer and email then be bombarded with questions by phone when the TA could be in the middle of something else. Maybe i am just too comfortable in my email habits.

 

[Adam1217]

I have used a TA two years in a row now and it has been the same TA as the first year!!! She is great and always responds quickly and knows everything about Disney.

 

[Jletendre]

Alright .. here is my experience (and I've booked many WDW trips)

Since the internet exploded and pricing and discounts are pretty much available to all .. I find that service has gone down.

We have used the same TA for years and the main reason is I hate to pay for the trip all upfront online. This coming trip (16 days!) is closing in on the most we've spent factoring wishes cruise, P&P party, OOP meals (with free dining!) and I really got no assistance through the TA with WDW questions .. they don't know about half the stuff users on here and WDWinfo or Allears is getting out there.

I might look into using one of the advertised disney specialist TA's next time and I'm not really unhappy .. just want to know the answers without having to find it on my own and have someone question why are we doing this, what is the goal of this WDW trip etc.

 

[tooh8ful]

I used a TA and wasn't unhappy, but I wasn't particularly happy either.

For starters, even though she had Disney stuff all over her cubicle she really couldn't answer any questions at all. When we booked way back in March I had the unofficial guide but hadn't lucked onto this board yet. She couldn't help me chose a resort, tell me anything about any of them, she had no info on tickets, or the dining plan. . .
We had to reconfigure things a couple of times since we were flying blind and she seemed aggravated with us over it. We were wishy washy between poly and akl though so it wasn't like we were working her to death over a few pennies.

Later, free dining came out during the time we were already booked. She acted like it was a huge imposition to fix our ressie to include it. She eventually did, but not without a gob of phone calls from me (which aggravated her even more). Keep in mind, this HUGE inconvenience to her was a $993 savings for me!

A month or so ago I had read here that people were being moved out of AKL because of the construction. I called MY TA to ask about it and find out if we would be moved and where. She said she didn't know anything about it , was very short with me, and downright rude!

The final insult was this week. My ME packet came in and she called me to come pick it up. The receptionist went over the pkg w/me since my TA wasn't in. First she told me to sign the waiver indicating I had declined insurance, but I had already paid for my insurance! Then she explained the itenirary to me and said I wouldn't get my tickets now, they give them to me at the resort. She told me everything about my package was on the itenerary she had given me.
I went home and realized a couple of hours later that my MNSSHP tickets were not in the packet, and were not listed on the papers she gave me. Luckily I read this board religiously and knew the MNSSHP tix are a hard ticket that I SHOULD have gotten before checking into the resort.
I called and sure enough, they were still in my folder at the TA's office.

How mad would I have been if I had gotten to FL with no party tix???

Anyway, it wasn't worth complaining (other than venting here ) but also doesn't inspire me to use that agency again.

 

[hayanyujah847]

Just wanted to chime in on here. I used Dreams Unlimited this time and they are FANTASTIC about answering emails. From what I hear, that is their norm, not just the agent I have. She always answers e-mails within 1-2 hours! And if she is going out of town for the weekend, she e-mails to let us know...and even then checks her email each night.

After reading the poster above me, I have to add...I have changed my reservation quite a few times. Added days, subtracted days, changed hotels, and had her apply various discounts about 5 times trying to get the best rate! lol! I felt like the biggest pain but she was always more then accommodating!

I had never used a TA before and I think I will definitely book through them again & request my same agent. I highly recommend Dreams!!