Booking with TA vs booking yourself?

[Jennygt]

I have never used a TA to book our trips, forgive me if I am ignorant on this, what are the major differences in using a TA vs self booking? Thanks!

 

[DisneyKevin]

When using Dreams Unlimited Travel, your agent will handle any changes to your reservation for you.

Your reservation will be monitored for promotions that may apply. We will add any promotion that applies and let you know how much you have saved.

Your agent will make any ADRs that you choose.

When the hold time at Disney stretches into 3 or 4 hours at a time, your agent will do that for you.

These are just some of the ways in which a Dreams Unlimited Travel agent will be able serve your vacation needs.

The cost for all of this? Absolutely nothing.

There is no cost to using Dreams Unlimited Travel's services.

 

[Cherinva]

I've used Dreams Unlimited Travel on several occasions.....highly recommended!!!!

 

[WDWAurora]

I'm using dreams for my January trip. I have never used a TA and I have well over 30 trips under my belt. I'm about to start back to work (school psychologist, so I work a school calendar) and wanted someone else to handle looking for discounts. Getting my reservations taken care of with no hassle was nice, too. So far, I'm enjoying the experience.

 

[evildiva]

I used to book myself until a few years ago and I've been a Dreams client ever since. Same pricing, but the customer service and knowing that your reservation will be handled and updated (when needed) is priceless.

I do have one question though, if I book a bounce back offer while in the parks, can I transfer it to Dreams later? If so, how?

 

[ShesAPirate]

For my December/DISapalooza trip, I decided to use a TA for the first time ever. I chose Dreams Unlimited because I know they're reliable. My trip was booked about 4 or 5 days before Disney released their most recent promos. My TA, Merrie, did all the work, and got the 30% room discount applied for me within hours of the promos being released, saving me over $350. After all the nightmares I heard from people that day, waiting hours and hours to talk to Disney, getting disconnected after those long waits, etc., I was even more grateful to have Merrie in my corner.

I also had already booked Candlelight Processional package, but I wasn't happy with the time (a little too early). Merrie took care of that, too, and got my package re-booked for later in the day.

My biggest worry with using a TA is that I can be a control freak when it comes to trip planning, and I was hesitant to give up the reigns. What I've learned, though, is that I can still play around with/book ADRs if I want to -- then I just send Merrie the details to add to my itinerary. She will also book the ADRs for me, if I ask her to do so.

This has been a great experience so far! I highly recommend it!

 

[DisneyKevin]

I used to book myself until a few years ago and I've been a Dreams client ever since. Same pricing, but the customer service and knowing that your reservation will be handled and updated (when needed) is priceless.

I do have one question though, if I book a bounce back offer while in the parks, can I transfer it to Dreams later? If so, how?

In order to transfer a reservation, you must have control of the reservation, it must have a deposit attached, it can not be paid in full and it has to have been made within the past 30 days.

You can transfer a reservation here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/transfers.htm

If you have any questions, please write to me at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com.

Thanks.

 

[mytripsandraces]

In order to transfer a reservation, you must have control of the reservation, it must have a deposit attached, it can not be paid in full and it has to have been made within the past 30 days.

You can transfer a reservation here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/transfers.htm

If you have any questions, please write to me at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com.

Thanks.

I have a reservation that I had to pay in full, but was planning to transfer it to Dreams. Should I try to transfer it anyway?

 

[DisneyKevin]

I have a reservation that I had to pay in full, but was planning to transfer it to Dreams. Should I try to transfer it anyway?

Once it has been paid in full, it is not transferable.

 

[Jennygt]

Thnaks for the info! I would of course use dreams if I go the TA route. Thanks!!!

 

[Chip_Dale]

Does Dreams book airfare as well?
If I book with a agent in Ontario I am protected by TICO (tico.ca). Do I have any protection from Dreams if an airline or anything else goes bankrupt.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Dreams Unlimited Travel never charges your card or holds your funds.

All charges are made directly to and by the Disney company.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Folks,

This thread started out to be about booking with a TA rather than booking on your own.

If you have specific travel questions or concerns, you can write to me at Kevin@DreamsUnlimited Travel.

Thanks!

 

[PixieDustD]

As a retired corporate travel agent my advice is find someone who specializes in the destination you are interested in. Since you are on the Disboards, a natural fit would be Dreams Unlimited Travel. If you were going on an African Safari or on a trip to Mount Everest you would want to go with a travel agency who had expertise in those areas.
My best analogy.... I would not want a heart surgeon taking care of my hip replacement.

Booking it yourself? Sure, you can do it. But when a discount becomes available travel agents are most likely to be the first to know. And.....if your vacation goes sideways, a reputable travel agency who books a large number of rooms, packages, etc. will have more leverage than you.

 

[mytripsandraces]

Once it has been paid in full, it is not transferable.

My TA didn't mention that when I was communicating with her about this trip; she just sent me the transfer form. I didn't have a choice about paying in full, because it was past the paid-in-full date.

 

[DisneyKevin]

My TA didn't mention that when I was communicating with her about this trip; she just sent me the transfer form. I didn't have a choice about paying in full, because it was past the paid-in-full date.

Please email me at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[mytripsandraces]

Please email me at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

Done. Sorry for hijacking the thread!