Benefits of using a travel agent?

[ericafny]

Hi. I'm semi-new to this board (posted last week and am on every few days checking the new posts and tips).

I'm planning a trip with DBF (disney boyfriend, right?) and am using my friend's mom who is a travel agent (and who LOVES disney) to book it for us (minus the airfare, im using jetblue found amazing deals!).

I was wondering if anyone knew if travel agents get better deals on hotels than if u just book it through disney.com. I told her my budget and she says she thinks she can get me a room at either beach club or boardwalk and im thinking "how can I afford that?"

Anyone know how a travel agent works or if they get the best deals please let me know!

Thanks...

 

[ericafny]

It's me again...

Wanted to let everyone know that I booked my trip through a travel agent (sooo excited!!!) and it saved me almost $100 (as compared to booking through disney.com) AND I got a room with a king bed at no extra cost.

We are staying in Coronodo Springs...anyone know anything about it???

Erica

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Coronado Springs is a large moderate resort that has a convention center.

I believe that if you go to the Resorts Board, they have a FAQ thread set up for Coronado.

We have stayed there before and had a great time. They have a pretty good food court if I remember and a nice pool.

 

[rigs32]

If you check out the deals available (mousesavers.com), you'll probably be able to save much more. If I get a quote through disney.com, I can usually chop off up to a third by booking hotel and purchasing tickets separately.

I don't use travel agents anymore. I do it myself and save lots more money. If you don't have the time to invest in research, then go for it, but on a relatively small income, DH and I travel 2-3 times a year because we do it ourselves.

 

[ericafny]

rigs 32---

thanks for the info/advice! maybe next time i will try to do more research myself....i poked around a little bit and it seemed so overwhelming...and i decided since one of my friend's moms is a travel agent that i should just use her since i trust and know her. she did get me a good deal and is giving me great advice as to what to do/see in Disney.

i too understand being on a very limited income, as i am a graduate student and DBF is a 'starving artist'...

once other question for anyone else out there that may have info on this:

we may want to go to Universal...how is this possible if we are staying at a disney hotel, and also---is it worth it??? i was at islands of adventure about a year and a half ago (liked it), but havent been to the other park in a loong time and would really like to go back (the mummy ride looks amazing!) i know this a Disney board, but is it alright if i post about Universal too?!?! (hee hee...)

 

[HappyLawyer]

if you booked yourself you just might save more, a lot more, i would suggest if u r interested read through all these boards and see all the great stuff you can accomplish, for me, planning is half the fun

good luck in what ever u decide