Best Travel agents....again

[VogelFamily]

Had to throw in a vote for Dana at micdan.com

 

[Wendy*Darling]

I'm using Lori from Magical Memories Travel this trip too and she's been great! She got as fabulous rate at POR ($89) and at the Poly ($234) but we are looking at changing to split with AKL CL instead ($238). She's already got our info on what our "wishes" would be for resorts and tickets so that she can switch us over if this package coming out helps more. She's already said it won't, but that she would double check and give us the numbers just in case it is something where we feel the value is worth the price tag even if the total we have to spend right now is higher.

She did all of our ADRs too including CRT and an IllumiNations cruise for us and got everything we asked for on our first choice date and times.

I would highly recommend her!

 

[Tikiman]

Magical Vacatations!!!

All travel planners get the same deals so it all depends on thier other service, how quickly they get back to you and what extras they give you.

Never known anyone who tried them that were not more than happy with them.

http://www.wdwvacationplanners.com/


They are the only planner I ever decided to add a link on my pages to and the only planner I trust with my vacations. Before then I did it all myself but now I have someone who can watch out for codes, discounts and take care of any of my reservations, show bookings or requests at the resort.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Snowysmom]

I have been very happy with Jean at Magical Journeys. She has helped me plan 3 trips and is very knowledgable and quick to get back to you.

 

[cranbiz]

Count me in for another very happy Dreams Unlimited user. Also you can include DB and DSIL as satisfied DU users. We normally have Carole as out TA and she is great.

For our big family trip last December, DU did everything I asked, got me a better rate, Princess breakfast at Cindy's, booked all my ADR's and tours and suggested an great intinerary.

Now that I am more seasoned, I do most of this myself (an because of the house, stay on property less) however, whenever we decide to get away for several days (like our annaversary) we let DU do the work.

 

[Conkozan]

Whenever this question is asked, you will get a plethora of opinions. I would advise the following:

1. Book with an Earmarked Agency. These are the agencies that have high revenue with Disney, and therefore have been authorized by Disney. They also are the ones that truly have the inside track. The top three are Dreams, Magical Journeys, Small World.

2. Find an agent in one of those agencies who fits the personality you have. Not every agent and client "fit". My agent is very brief and to the point in email. She and I get along stunningly. To some she would appear to be "short" or "abrasive". I realize that she is running one of the top online companies, and personally no longer takes new clients. I do not need hand holding, and trust her emphatically. When I call her or she calls me-we can chat for hours though, she just types brief emails. Her agents are all top notch and hand picked to reflect true Disney Service. I think any of the top three agencies are similar, the agent personalities will differ.

3. Make sure you are aware of any cancel and change fee's above and beyond those imposed by Disney. I believe Mouseear Vacations charges a $25 per person cancel fee in addition to any Disney charges. This is to cover administrative costs, I have not seen this charge in relation to Dreams, Magical Journeys or Small World.

Bottomline in my opinion is to go with an agency you feel comfortable with that also has a solid reputation with both clients and Disney. Then find an agent that feels like an old friend that returns pricing AND emails within a few hours.

 

[liltoot]

I have been very happy with Stephanie from Small World. She is helping me with my vacation at the end of November. Stephanie e-mailed me yesterday to tell me she is watching for any new specials. It's nice to know that someone is looking for these deals for me.

 

[Grammy]

I have used both Lori and Dawn at Magical Memories Travel and have always been very pleased with their professionalism and service. I would recommend either to anyone. They have always scored us discounts as they are released and have nabbed our ADRs spot on as well too. Including CRT for a party of 16 on our first choice morning! I've use Magical Journeys in the past as well. I made the switch because Magical Journeys doesn't do ADRs for you and I wanted some help snagging the difficult to get ones. I have no complaints about Magical Journeys though. Always had good service and they got the discounts, I just wanted ADR service as well.

I would recommend either Magical Memories Travel or Magical Journeys without hesitation!

 

[WEDWay People Mover]

1. Book with an Earmarked Agency. These are the agencies that have high revenue with Disney, and therefore have been authorized by Disney.

Authorized to do what?

Aren't all agencies that sell Disney authorized to sell it, otherwise, wouldn't Disney be upset at them?

 

[Jenn9]

Authorized to do what?

Aren't all agencies that sell Disney authorized to sell it, otherwise, wouldn't Disney be upset at them?

I think any agency can sell Disney but only the Earmarked Agencies are those recognized by Disney as having agents that received extensive training on Disney Destinations theme parks, resorts, cruises, vacations packages, etc. These agencies kind of have a seal of approval from Disney.

 

[Hugpug]

I love the gals at Magical Journeys have used them for yesrs. Thay will help you get the best for your money and advise you the best possible options you may have. Even using the BRP as well as AAA. THey will watch for all discounts that come out and apply whenever possible to your excisting reservations.

 

[Conkozan]

Authorized to do what?

Aren't all agencies that sell Disney authorized to sell it, otherwise, wouldn't Disney be upset at them?

I think they just wouldn't pay them!

I stole this from one of the earmarked sites and XX'd out the info

XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX from XXXXXXXXX was among the 300 top-producing travel agency owners and managers who recently gathered at the Walt Disney World® Resort for the Inaugural Disney’s EarMarked conference – a conference specifically designed for “Authorized Disney Vacation Planners.” XXXXXXXXX has been designated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” (not an agent of The Walt Disney Company or its affiliates), based on its strong support in selling Disney vacations.
As a conference delegate, XXXXXXXXX had the opportunity to hear from a number of leading sales, marketing and travel authorities regarding the latest trends and technologies that are shaping the leisure travel industry – knowledge, that consumers can benefit from when planning their next Disney vacation with XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX has been in business in XXX for XX years, and has established itself as an expert on Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line® vacations.
All travel counselors at XXXXXXXXX have received extensive training on Disney Destinations theme parks, resorts, cruises, vacations packages and more, and can provide the utmost in professional assistance in planning customized Disney vacations. In fact, one reason the agency has been designated an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” is that at 100% percent of its leisure travel counselors are College of Disney Knowledge graduates. The College of Disney Knowledge is an in-depth comprehensive training course that allows agents to develop their expertise in planning magical Disney vacations.


Looks like a Seal of Approval type thing like Good Housekeeping does

 

[WEDWay People Mover]

Thanks for the clarification - it just sounds like all travel agents at an agency need to be Disney College of Knowledge graduates, and make the top 300.

Thats one good reason to use an agency, but I wouldn't use one just because it was Earmarked or not - who knows, there may be excellent agencies that are just starting out that haven't been able to make the top 300 yet.

I do think it is important to use agents that have had the College of Knowledge training.

 

[henrylovespooh]

Another happy DU user. Shirley has been my agent for years and has always taken great care of me.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I used a fabulous AAA TA in South Carolina, on the recommendation of another DISboarder. She made it all come together for us and was on top of the free dining deal before I had a chance to call her. Pretty impressive for someone who works for an agency that doesn't specialize in Disney, and she was just lovely about mailing me all my stuff promptly.

 

[tazleiten12]

Karen at Your Magical Journeys is the best!!!

I used to work for AAA and I still used Your Magical Journeys instead of the agents at my own office

I agree! Used Karen a few times, and she is great!

 

[SkipperBubba]

My vote goes to Amy K. at AAA in Reading, PA. She's very friendly and animaed, knows her Disney back and forth and always takes care of us. The online outfits may be nice, but when travelling, I like my agent to look me in the eye and tell me what's going on. Guess I'm a little old-fashioned that way.

 

[lvloopingbag]

I am another happy customer of Jean at Your Magical Journeys. I've been booking with her since 2000 and she is always great.

 

[christinou]

Another vote for DU, they are great for WDW as well as for cruises, which is how I started working with them.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thank you for all the suggestions!