Booking through a TA vs Disney

[Paton]

I'm getting ready to finally pull the trigger and book our first trip to WDW. While I like the idea of booking the trip myself, directly though Disney, I'm wondering if it would be beneficial to go through a TA here instead. I'm really wondering about how it works with exchange rates, and CC service fees when booking direct.
If anyone has any experience/ insight, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

 

[Donald - my hero]

1st off, an appropriate exciting welcome for you since i see this is your 1st post

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Others will tell you to go with a TA but i'm a firm believer in grabbing the strings and directing the whole thing myself. Your credit card will charge you the current exchange rate the day the transation is posted, easy-peasy. There is no other service fee applied.

Benefits to booking yourself?

You will get all of your information directly from Disney to your mailbox. I have read stories from those who go with a TA waiting till the week before they leave to get the coveted "Mickey Mail" that includes luggage tags for the Magical Express bus, all your coupons/details about your package from THEM.

You will get to spend hours (and hours & hours) on-line researching, planning, picking things/resorts/meals, pulling out your hair ...
Perhaps that part is a negative?? NAH it's FUN!

You might feel overwhelmed at times since it is a massive undertaking BUT you've found the perfect place to ask questions, get help, learn some inside tips from the pros who haunt these boards. heck you might even meet a few friends

Anyone out there who prefers using a TA and wants to add their 2 cents??

Which ever way you choose to go have a blast

 

[disneyseniors]

Hi and welcome first timer! You will love all the info here on dis!
I have to chime in with my own experiences. We have used a certified Disney travel agent for several years, and I would never Not use one again! But the issue is to use a CERTIFIED WDW TA, not a regular TA. The Disney TA's have a wealth of information at their fingertips. Ours sets up great airline prices, gets excellent rates on tickets, passes. It's all set up for us. She has insider information and is an excellent source of wdw info, especially useful for first timers, like yourself. As for what is charged, etc. I only know that here in the US, the Disney TA's are paid by Disney. There is no charge to you at all. It is true that you will get your Disney package with luggage tags, etc about 2 weeks before leaving, BUT I think that is great. I am the type who loses birthday cards if I buy then weeks in advance. So, for me the timing of the package works! I don't want to take a chance on losing those important papers. I love having her set all things up. Less worry for me So, I'm in the TA camp, esp for your first trip. Whatever you do, it will be great

 

[mort1331]

Fun times ahead, planning, budgeting, up late nights to secure dining and fasspasses. Hope your ready, but really its great.
To answer your question, 1st time I would use one of the TA that are well known. I see your from Ontario, stay away from the flight centers and sears, they might be certified, but they are very basic.
There are a few, but I know a lot refer Small World Vacations. I have never used them, but have heard 1st hand nothing but great things. Including getting better deals if they open up before you leave.
I used FC 1st time, and ever since have done my own, and many friends. If you have booked vacations yourself before, then jump in and read the posts, ask questions and go for it.
Have a blast.

 

[grantclaire]

Welcome to the Disboards! Warning they are addictive!

 

[minnie mum]

If you are using your credit card from home there are no extra fees, just the exchange rate, as explained by a PP.

By all means use a very good Disney certified TA like the ones described earlier if you are very unsure of how to proceed. But you still need to do your own home work. With just a bit more time spent here on the Theme parks, Resorts, and Restaurants boards you can easily learn all you need to know in order to DIY your WDW trip.

There are no offers that a TA can get you that you can't get yourself. Plus you have full control in changing any part of your stay, without having to go through the TA, or waste time waiting for the TA to get back to you.

I suppose a lot comes down to how experienced you are with travel. If you are a novice traveller, a TA may give you the sense of support you may need for this first time. I've always preferred to hold the reins myself.

 

[MegaSilver]

There are no offers that a TA can get you that you can't get yourself. Plus you have full control in changing any part of your stay, without having to go through the TA, or waste time waiting for the TA to get back to you.

We booked our 1st Disney vacation in the summer through a TA (leaving in May). One thing our travel agent was abe to do for us was apply the spring promotional rates when they came out a few weeks ago. Is this something we would easily be able to do if we booked ourselves?

Our TA is wonderful and very knowledgable with Disney, but if we are to go again, we are control freaks and would prefer to do it ourselves

 

[minnie mum]

We booked our 1st Disney vacation in the summer through a TA (leaving in May). One thing our travel agent was abe to do for us was apply the spring promotional rates when they came out a few weeks ago. Is this something we would easily be able to do if we booked ourselves?

Our TA is wonderful and very knowledgable with Disney, but if we are to go again, we are control freaks and would prefer to do it ourselves

Absolutely. Since I come to the Dis boards frequently (oh, alright, daily ) I always know a couple of days in advance when the latest discounts come out. It's a very simple matter of calling Disney to apply the discount. Now, due to restrictions and availability, I've occasionally had to adjust dates slightly or even change resorts. But it only takes a few minutes.

 

[suziespice]

I booked with a traval agency that specializes in Disney trips, they let you do as much or as little planning as you want. (fairytale dreams and destinations in Bolton, ON) (I've never actually met them, they just mail me everything). I still get mail directly from Disney. The travel agency makes sure that you are aware of all the options, like booking meals 180 days out, booking fastpasses 60 days out, and if you want, they will do the meal bookings for you. They also sent me travel tips, disney tips, etc.. love them. and they are always there if I have silly questions! it costs the same, and if the price changes in your favour, they will automatically refund you the difference.. if you book with Disney, you have to call them yourself.

 

[smiths02]

I would recommend a TA for your first visit, especially nowadays with all the pre-planning that goes into a WDW vacation. If you are less than 180 days out from your vacation start date, I would definitely recommend a TA. As PP stated, the TA needs to be a Disney specialist. Dreams Unlimited sponsors this board and the podcasts done...I haven't used them, but based on this board and the podcasts I would be using them if I didn't already have a friend who is a Disney TA.

 

[fivebyfive]

Since I come to the Dis boards frequently (oh, alright, daily ) I always know a couple of days in advance when the latest discounts come out.

Yeah but unfortunately the last promotion (Spring room off released on December 27th) was NOT found on the DIS prior.

It seems as of late that the promos only ever show in advance when they are released to Disney VISA card holders first. Disney must be really cracking down on those leaks!

 

[minnie mum]

Yeah but unfortunately the last promotion (Spring room off released on December 27th) was NOT found on the DIS prior.

It seems as of late that the promos only ever show in advance when they are released to Disney VISA card holders first. Disney must be really cracking down on those leaks!

You're hanging with the wrong crowds. I mean, of course, that you need to keep an eye on the right places. The Discounts subforum on the Resorts board. They will often hint at the Visa discount dates a few days in advance. That gives the rest of us who have to wait for the general public release a few days heads up.

 

[redrosesix]

We have always booked our own trips and I wouldn't do it any other way. I have talked to a TAs from time to time and have yet to find anybody who can do better than I can on my own since they can't give you any better discounts than Disney offers. Most of them have wanted to book us at Deluxe resorts with the Deluxe dining plan, 7 day park pass with WPF&M for a 7 day trip, I have yet to meet one that is a DIS member, and the only people I know who have been to Disney and won't go back because it's too expensive are the ones who booked through TAs.

To be honest, booking through a TA without doing your research is like going to a wedding planner and asking them to book your wedding, including the dress, and allowing them to choose all of the details. You should at the very least order the Disney planning DVD and watch it a couple of times before you even talk to the TA. If I had to use a TA I would go with Dreams (the sponsor here) since they know more than just Disney -- they'll take care of any other side trips in Florida you might be interested in (like Cape Canaveral, Universal, Tampa for Busch Gardens, etc).

I get that some people are very busy and don't have time to take care of any of the details -- but I don't think those people have the time to be DIS members either.

 

[Paton]

Thanks everyone for your input!
I just wanted to add that while I've only just joined and started posting, I have been creeping daily on here for over a year. I feel completely confident in planning myself, thanks to all the info on these boards and easywdw, I just wasn't sure if booking through a Canadian TA would make it a bit cheaper service/ exchange fee wise vs booking directly on an American website. Does that make sense? I always thought that when booking something in US $ on a Canadian CC that you pay an extra a fee on top of the exchange rate, so maybe by booking through a Canadian agency, that fee wouldn't apply?
I'm sorry if I'm not explaining that properly, hopefully someone gets what I mean

 

[cisco911]

We used a disney planner here in toronto and they were very helpful. I was going in expecting them to try and push more and more to pump up the cost but they did the exact opposite. They actual deterred us from some things and offered less expensive options that we hadn't even thought of. They don't charge any more or any less than disney and they do all the work of booking things for you but they don't overly book it so you have no flexibility. They ask you what you are interested in doing and then give you suggestions that fit you interests. Another good thing is that they have access to book your dining 180 days out. The catch is that they can book all your reservation on the first day. If you do it yourself you have to wait for each day to book a reservation I believe.

 

[Tinkershelly]

Another good thing is that they have access to book your dining 180 days out. The catch is that they can book all your reservation on the first day. If you do it yourself you have to wait for each day to book a reservation I believe.

As long as you are staying at a Disney resort you can book up to 10 days of dining 180 days from your check in day. You can do this, not just your TA. Which is the only reliable way to book dinner at Be Our Guest

 

[Skjhjb]

We used a TA for our last trip. She used to be a Cast Member - she went to Disney for a year and worked at the Canadian pavilion - her hubby and kids stayed here (they were all teenagers tho).

She was awesome. She priced out a few options for us, and then when the spring discount announcement came out, it was her that spent time on the phone getting it applied instead of me.

I was still able to book all of our ADRs and set up our magic bands & FP+ from right here at home.

And then any time I had extra cash - I just trotted over to her office and gave her the money and she sent it off to Disney.

I would absolutely use her again - she's as big of a Disney nut as I am!

 

[cisco911]

As long as you are staying at a Disney resort you can book up to 10 days of dining 180 days from your check in day. You can do this, not just your TA. Which is the only reliable way to book dinner at Be Our Guest

Good to know! And we got out dinner reservation at Be Our Guest for the last night. Looks awesome!!!!

 

[Tinkershelly]

And we got out dinner reservation at Be Our Guest for the last night. Looks awesome!!!!

Wow, good for you!