Booking Yourself vs. Travel Agent

[xa-minister]

Can you get better deals booking through places like Dreams Unlimited, or are they getting the same deals we get. I have always booked everything myself. (It's part of the fun.) But if I can get a better deal through someone else, I'm up for it.

We are going Dec 20-26, 2007 and staying at CSR.

 

[kkproulx]

I've read posts where people like to make their own reservations....reason being, you can make changes yourself when codes come through rather than making them through the TA. I like doing this all on my own since I studied these boards while trying to figure out my details, etc. Plus I didn't have to pay a TA fee!!! Good luck!

 

[DisneyFans4]

I always book myself. I had used a TA for a few years and then one trip I decided to do it on my own and I did better so from that point on I book myself.

 

[disneygal2007]

A TA is kinda your best bet. We get emails every few days with deals for vendors so it is up to the travel agent to let u know that deal.

 

[disneygal2007]

A TA is kinda your best bet. We get emails every few days with deals for vendors so it is up to the travel agent to let u know that deal. But before I became one I loved booking trips myself and still do through the disney travel company. VS A TA

 

[disneyfan55]

We have always booked ourselves except for the High School Band trip (that was a lot of fun). I have found codes for discounts and many times we have had annual passes which at most times helps greatly with a good rate. We stayed at WL for 114 per night in early Aug and CB and CS for 74 per night!! We are currently doing the free dining in 2 weeks at 591 pp with park hoppers at the All Sports.

 

[SnackyStacky]

It depends on the travel agent you use.

If you use a Disney specialist travel agency, Dreams Unlimited Travel for instance, they'll watch out for those codes and discounts for you. Whenever a code becomes available, they'll be on the phone that morning attempting to have it applied for you. They also never charge a fee - not for booking, not for cancelling - nothing. The only charges you will ever see on your card will be from the Walt Disney Travel Company.

Other travel agencies who don't specialize in Disney travel can still have codes applied - but there's no guarantee they'll do it first thing when those codes are released, they may give you a hassle about doing it, they may charge cancellation fees.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I also think with things like Mousesavers and allears ,The DIS it now just boils down to if you want and have the time to do the research or let someone else do and control it for you.

We have always booked ourselves but have put others onto a TA .

 

[Guzzi]

We booked our 05 trip ourselves right through Disney's web site. As im sure you know it is a very simple process We booked our 06 trip through Magic for Less Travel agency. The price was the same with or without the travel agent. (I checked and set up the same ressies myself for 06) I am still confused how the TA makes money since the price was the same.
They gave us some cute "pixie dust" stuff; a pass lanyard, Tour Guide Mike subscription, and made all our ADRs for us. That was pretty handy. We are looking into our trip for 08 and have already contacted our TA to get some quotes. All in all we were very happy with the experience of using the Magic for Less travel agency.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I too agree that once you book yourself it's a very simple process because you know what to do as far as looking for codes or watching out for more to come. I also like to pick my seats when it comes to my air travel or to change them as the trip becomes closer.

To answer Guzzi as to how the TA's make money I think they get a commission from whoever they book the trip with for using them. I'm not sure on this but I think it's how it works.

 

[pilferk]

I am still confused how the TA makes money since the price was the same.

They get a cut from the "vendor" (with Disney, that typically means WDW travel), in a sense. The TA buys at "wholesale" prices and you pay the same retail price WDW Travel would charge. The difference is the TA's cut.

 

[lilyv]

Disney pays the TA "fee". The customer never does. I found that Dreams Unlimited quoted me a AAA room only rate 100.00 cheaper than Disney over the phone for the same room. I'm perfectly happy to let the pros monitor the codes-I don't always have time everyday to check carefully.

 

[goofy4tink]

I"ve had about 15 trips to WDW. Some I booked myself, others I used a TA. I will say that my first trip, back in '99, I used a regular TA, one in town. Well, it turns out that she knew less about WDW than I did, and I had just started researching it!! Learned a very valuable lesson that time.
Then, when I went back to work, I didn't have the ability to check online for any great rates, codes, AP rates etc. So, I booked using DU. Loved them. They know everything there is to know about WDW, and they got me great rates. Now that I own DVC I don't have much use for a TA anymore, but if I need to book a trip and I find I can't devote the time needed, I will be using DU again.

 

[PatriciaH]

Sometimes a TA will kick you back part of their commission (if allowed) and the price will be less than what you can get yourself. Or offer extras (Upgrade, gift card, wine, etc.) A lot of agencies buy blocks of group space for things like cruises and get a better rate than you can get.