Booking Through Dreams Unlimited

[Diane0977]

Hello,
I am in the process of booking our first ABD trip for this summer (Arizona/Utah). I called and spoke with a representative from ABD last week, and put the trip on hold, but now she hasn't returned my calls for several days so I can put down the deposit and finalize our plans.

Her delay in responding has led me to look into other booking options, and I see that Dreams Unlimited has the AmEx gift card offer, which is enticing as our family is a group of 6.

Any advantages/drawbacks to using Dreams Unlimited instead of booking directly through ABD? In particular, I am concerned about room configurations, given our need to have two rooms and my hope to have them connecting wherever possible.

Thanks for the assistance! I have been reading trip reports like crazy on these boards and I hope to contribute one as well.

 

[OKW Lover]

Dreams Unlimited can do everything for you (yes, room configuration included) at the same price you'd pay ABD directly, plus you'll get the gift card. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

I've booked multiple Disney trips, including one ABD trip, through DU and been very happy with their service..

Please note that DU is a sponsor of the DISBoards (they share ownership) and I like to use them as a way of supporting the boards.

 

[jcb]

Any advantages/drawbacks to using Dreams Unlimited instead of booking directly through ABD?

I can't think of any drawbacks at all to using DU over booking directly with ABD.

The other advantage (besides the ones mentioned) is that you have a dedicated DU agent to look out for you. The agent knows who to call at ABD to resolve any issues that might arise or help you deal with a crisis.

I wouldn't book any ABD without going through kevin@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

I'll admit I'm a little biased but it is based on my experience dealing with Kevin.

 

[kristilew]

In my experience, a travel agent gets you much BETTER service from ABD than going it alone.

 

[familygoboston]

It might seem counter intuitive to find a "personalized" agent through an advice website. But I found our regular TA (after getting really great advice from him on a huge Travel Advice website He was DE and did not push his business, but his advice was so right on and when I investigated his agency, it was well a established expert in the kind of trip I wanted to take (Africa) A few of their TAs regularly make the top TA lists in the magazines as specialists for that. More importantly, they planned a stellar trip for us and followed up with good results on a fairly major problem we encountered. If you do your research, you can find some great "specialists"!

I will also second the pull some agents may have with Disney- who can be notoriously unwilling to "negotiate" when something goes kerflewy. I would imagine that if the agent does a lot of biz with ABD, like DU, they will have relationships built to solve problems before it becomes he said she said!

My first ABD I booked through a non specialist local TA (not the great Africa guy- found him later) and it was awful- lots of finger pointing and blaming, documents didn't show up on time, TA blamed Disney, Disney said they couldn't tell me. Photo CD never showed, when it did, no CDs in the case (I really think the TA took them out to look and forgot to put them back in when she sent them to me) Anyway, trip was great, TA was not, and from then on, I only deal with "specialists" who really have relationships and good advice about the place I want to travel.

We have not used DUT, yet, but I'm considering it because Kevin has been so super helpful on these boards! Again, without being overly rosy, or biased, he gives very good, helpful advice even though I had an agent already. And he's the "expert" on ABD...that means more than a gift card to me- but I won't say no to that either

Anyway, I may go DU myself this May; still mulling trips and budgets, but I'm really feeling Italy

 

[jcb]

Anyway, I may go DU myself this May; still mulling trips and budgets, but I'm really feeling Italy

Italy in May was fantastic. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2817546&page=45

 

[DisneyKevin]

It's probably weird to post on a thread where folks are discussing me....but here goes...

I just want to clarify a point.

Dreams Unlimited no longer offers the Amex gift cards.

They were hard to fulfill and guests had trouble using them. It seems they were worthless outside the country.

We have moved to a booking discount system.

Your savings is right up front and there is no gift card to deal with.

The discount is based on price and you can see the chart here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/abd/specials.htm

 

[Diane0977]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Kevin, I got your email earlier this afternoon, and will be replying shortly.

I just wanted to hear others' experience, because this is a huge investment, and I don't want to screw it up!

 

[familygoboston]

Italy in May was fantastic. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2817546&page=45

Ooo, a review

ETA: wouldn't you know- Ive already read it, and loved it!

It's probably weird to post on a thread where folks are discussing me....but here goes...

I just want to clarify a point.

Dreams Unlimited no longer offers the Amex gift cards.

They were hard to fulfill and guests had trouble using them. It seems they were worthless outside the country.

We have moved to a booking discount system.

Your savings is right up front and there is no gift card to deal with.

The discount is based on price and you can see the chart here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/abd/specials.htm

Were your ears ringing? I like this new system! Is it likely something similar would be in play for 2015 departures? I'm an early booker,so I love EBDs!

 

[Calfan]

Just want to second (or third or fourth) the positive feedback about Kevin and DU. Kevin has helped us with our first two ABD bookings: Scotland in 2013 and Central Europe for this summer. He is always very quick to respond and is always helpful and patient through changes in pre- and post-day plans, etc. He also facilitated our request for adjoining rooms and the like. We are contemplating booking Winter in Wyoming for Dec and will definitely use Kevin if we decide to book.

 

[calypso726]

Throwing in my two cents too. We booked our first two ABD trips with Kevin at DU as well. Scotland last year wave2: Calfan!) and London/Paris for this year. Whenever DH or I have had a question about any aspect of a trip Kevin has responded right away. The communication and customer service is excellent! I feel more at ease with DU knowing that they book lots of ABD trips and have a lot of experience with dealing with ABD trips.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Throwing in my two cents too. We booked our first two ABD trips with Kevin at DU as well. Scotland last year wave2: Calfan!) and London/Paris for this year. Whenever DH or I have had a question about any aspect of a trip Kevin has responded right away. The communication and customer service is excellent! I feel more at ease with DU knowing that they book lots of ABD trips and have a lot of experience with dealing with ABD trips.

Same experience here.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Were your ears ringing? I like this new system! Is it likely something similar would be in play for 2015 departures? I'm an early booker,so I love EBDs!

You can expect to see something very similar for the 2015 season.

 

[familygoboston]

You can expect to see something very similar for the 2015 season.

Yippee! it's on my calendar!

 

[k5jm]

Any advantages/drawbacks to using Dreams Unlimited instead of booking directly through ABD? In particular, I am concerned about room configurations, given our need to have two rooms and my hope to have them connecting wherever possible.

Thanks for the assistance! I have been reading trip reports like crazy on these boards and I hope to contribute one as well.

We have booked 4 Adventures with DU, and each has been a smooth and easy process. Kevin is a fantastic agent to work with. He addressed any and all concerns that my DW or I had. I would say you have more advantages with Dreams than booking directly with ABD. We would never think to book directly with ABD or any other agency.

 

[AZlady]

Interesting. I just started looking into my first AbD and spoke with an awesome rep on the phone.
I have always thought it was best to work straight w/ the company than have a middle man like DU.
I may contact them.

 

[k5jm]

The nice thing about working with Kevin at DU is that he has either experienced the adventure himself or has access to someone that has. This helps cut through any "glazing over" that might happen with ABD. You get a realistic expectation of the adventure.

 

[DisneyHeather]

Does DU help with booking flights as well?

 

[redrosesix]

Does DU help with booking flights as well?

Wow - over 3 weeks and no response.

I'd like to know this too, since I'd be dealing with airports I'm not familiar with.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Does DU help with booking flights as well?

Wow - over 3 weeks and no response.

I'd like to know this too, since I'd be dealing with airports I'm not familiar with.

I apologize for the delay in responding.

To be honest...i didn't remember that this thread existed.

I will happily help book your air through ABD. That's never an issue.

Again...I'm truly sorry that I made anyone wait 3 weeks for an answer.

If you have specific questions, you can always write to me at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com.

Thanks.