Booking Resort/Vac Question

[goofyrhodie]

Hi all.....

I was trying to book a Disney vacation through a couple TA's. Their pricing was high IMO. I called Disney and got a better deal.

I would have preferred someone setting all the arrangements up for me but could not pass up the deal.

One of the TA's wants me to sign over my reservation so she can help with the rest of our trip..... Why??? Is this a good thing???

What are the Pro's and Con's to this for me and them???

Thanks in advance for all responses.

 

[Aliceacc]

I think it depends on a few things:

- how anxious are you to find the very best deal?
- are you willing to spend the time to learn about all the options, or would you prefer that someone else do the legwork?

As a compromise: do you belong to AAA? You can book a room-only reservation using your AAA number and get a 10-20% discount.

 

[BeckWhy]

I would never use a TA. But that's my opinion. I'm a control freak and can't stand a person doing something for me. Plus I think a lot can get lost in translation. For example, my cousin's dance group went to Disney to perform and their group used a TA to make the arrangements and somehow it was missed that they had to pay $600 or something for buses to bring the team to the park to perform. So a week before they left the group had to come up with an extra $600 for the buses. Had they known this earlier, then they would have had raised the money with fundraisers.

I don't know what the TA's quoted you at, or when you are going. But Disney may have a discount they can give you. The TA may have booked you in a more expensive room or gave you different park tickets or added other items to your package.

If you gave more info, such as what the TA quoted you and what it included and what Disney quoted you and what was included and when you are going... I might be able to help you a lil more.

 

[goofyrhodie]

OK. Thanks for the replys.... Here are the details...

I have had 2 quotes from 2 different TA's. I received an e-mail from Disney today so I decided to call them direct. They quoted me a price 900.00 and 1400.00 less then the TA's ... so obviouslly I booked via telephone!!!!

I let the TA's know the deal I found and now one wants to buy my vacation reservation from WDW and work on the rest of the details with me.

I have: Poly 6 nights, 6 days dining plan, park hopper - no water park and insurance.

Why do they want to do this???? What are their benefits??? What are mine???

Should I just say no thanks????

 

[Aliceacc]

It sounds to me as though you've already done all the work and now they want the commission.

How about airfare: are you up to finding the best price? (Try www.bookingbuddy.com -- it's a conglomeration of lots of the best sites out there.)

As to your dining reservations, theres a TON of info here on those.

I say you answer with "thanks, no thanks." And let them know how much money you saved by doing it yourself; there's something big time wrong with that picture!

 

[BeckWhy]

OK. Thanks for the replys.... Here are the details...

I have had 2 quotes from 2 different TA's. I received an e-mail from Disney today so I decided to call them direct. They quoted me a price 900.00 and 1400.00 less then the TA's ... so obviouslly I booked via telephone!!!!

I let the TA's know the deal I found and now one wants to buy my vacation reservation from WDW and work on the rest of the details with me.

I have: Poly 6 nights, 6 days dining plan, park hopper - no water park and insurance.

Why do they want to do this???? What are their benefits??? What are mine???

Should I just say no thanks????

Wait! You got Poly for 6 nights, DDP & park hopper for only $900?

 

[goofyrhodie]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! I thought so too!!!!! I can get airline tixs right now for 277 RT and when SW offers during Sept - I think I can get them for 150. or less.

I just want to make sure I do the right thing here - I'm scared - but these boards have helped ALOT!!!

Sooooo - Can I do the rest on my own then??? What could I possibally gain by signing it over???

 

[goofyrhodie]

Wait! You got Poly for 6 nights, DDP & park hopper for only $900?

No, no no no no..... thats the difference between quotes!!!!!

#1 TA- 900.00 higher
#2 TA - 1400.00 higher

then calling Disney direct.....

Oh I wish 900.00......

 

[BeckWhy]

No, no no no no..... thats the difference between quotes!!!!!

#1 TA- 900.00 higher
#2 TA - 1400.00 higher

then calling Disney direct.....

Oh I wish 900.00......

What was your total price then? And how many people and when are you going?



IMO I would say do it yourself... There are a lot of people on here who are willing to help you.

 

[3mickeys&me]

I never book through a travel agent. I do much better on my own booking through Disney. I book my own Airline as well.

I also agree, you did all the work, they had their chance they were gonna over charge ya. Why should you go back to them now?!?

Glad you got such a great price hope your trip is a blast.

 

[goofyrhodie]

What was your total price then? And how many people and when are you going?



IMO I would say do it yourself... There are a lot of people on here who are willing to help you.

Thank you so much for the encouragment!!! I really need it - this whole thing is stressing me out!!! lol.

Ok heres the deal:

6 Nights Poly- Garden View
6 Days Dining for 2 Adults and one DD8
6 Days Park Hopper - No water parks ??? maybe change that but figure its easy to add that one on??
Vacation Insurance

Disney - 2828.00
Ta #1 - 3750.00
Ta #2 - 4600.00

Good deal???

With all youre help, I should be fine yes???

 

[CoolPool]

Ask for an email confirmation from Disney showing everything in your package and the final cost. I think you did a fine job by yourself and if that's the difference, then stick with it by yourself. You've already saved yourself a fortune.

If you are on these boards, then chances are you already know how to do the rest or are in the process of learning. Dining reservations are a snap - its one phone call once you have your list of choices and dates.

 

[goofyrhodie]

Ask for an email confirmation from Disney showing everything in your package and the final cost. I think you did a fine job by yourself and if that's the difference, then stick with it by yourself. You've already saved yourself a fortune.

If you are on these boards, then chances are you already know how to do the rest or are in the process of learning. Dining reservations are a snap - its one phone call once you have your list of choices and dates.

Thank you! I already received my confirmation and it included everything plus a few stingray boat visits, putt putt golf, planet hollywood diniging and an item.

I sent it to my Mom to make sure I was acurate and did not loose it!!! I could not believe it!!! I hope and think its a good deal!!!

Hoping all you receive the same!!! Order the DVD!!!! If that helped me - thats ALLL I did.

I know this is good but I just need to be reassured for the DH benefit!!! lol. I cannot screw this up!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

You got an AMAZING deal!

I'm going in August for 6 nights. There are 5 of us, and only 2 count as kids. We're on the DDP, parkhoppers, insurance, garden view room at the Poly. We got the 40% off code.

Our total is $3647.35.

It sounds to me as though there was a 40% off code on the computer that the CM applied-- that's why your price was so much lower than either travel agent could offer.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It sounds to me as though you've already done all the work and now they want the commission.

Okay, now that it's been determined that the OP probably had a code which Disney applied to her reservation - but of which she was not aware, so neither would a Travel Agent be...

If the OP likes and trusts either of the Travel Agents, and would be willing to sign over the trip to that agent/agency - remember, the OP would not benefit from the commission in any way. If Disney retains 'control' of the reservation, nobody gets a commission. If a TA 'controls' it, that local-to-the-OP business/businessperson gets the commission.

Control issues aside - why NOT support local business? The OP could first make sure she understands exactly what the TA means and how it affects the OP's contact availability.

 

[Aliceacc]

I can see your point. Once I got a look at the numbers and saw the prices, it pretty much had to be a code.

For what it's worth, why not call those travel agents, give them your numbers, and see whether they can match them? It should be a piece of cake if there's a code on the computer with your name on it. If they can match the price, you might want to consider turning your reservation over to him or her.

Yes, you do lose "control"-- but your plans are already made, and probably aren't going to change. But in the event of a problem, you have someone with some experience in your corner to help fight your battles.

OUr trip is booked through AAA. Originally I turned our trip over to them to get the AAA discount; then when the PIN code came through, he just applied the code. Knowing all that I now know, I could easily handle the trip myself. But why would I do that?

But, as kaytieeldt pointed out, there's something to be said for supporting local (or any) business. Giving them the reservation won't cost you anything, but will mean a commission in someone else's pocket. And they may be able to help you with airfare or ADRs or something else along the way.

 

[Native NYer]

I'd only switch the reservation if the TA can match the price Disney has quoted. I agree with the PP that there must have been a code applied. Call Disney and ask if you had a code. Now that the code is applied, I'm sure you'd be able to transfer your reservation over to a TA.

You did get an incredible deal! We used a 30% bounceback offer and got 6 nights at the Poly (8/10-8/16) in a theme park view room, 7 day park hoppers, deluxe dining, and travel insurace for $5059.95. That's for 3 adults and 1 child. When I checked the Disney website, the same package was quoted at almost $1000.00 more! So, congrats on an great deal for the Poly!!!

Remember that you can make your ADRs starting 180 days from the date you check in. And, since you're a Disney resort guest, can make your ADRs for an additional 10 days. This gives you a bit of a jump on offsite guests. Take advantage of it, especially for certain restaurants and character meals.

 

[Aliceacc]

To the experts: I know I can change the reservation...is the free dining going to be cheaper than the $1000 off the hotel rate?

As I see the numbers:
$40 per person x 4 people x 6 nights=$960 for the dining plan. It's pretty much the same either way.

 

[goofyrhodie]

Thanks for the info everyone. Congrats to all of you who got a great deal.

I still do not know what I'm going to do - sign it over or do it myself - I'm leaning to just doing it myself. Thanks again for the advice!