We're using an agent this time for the first time. I'm usually the planner, but my mom and cousin are going with (their own room/separate package) and I now have a 1 year old. So while I'm perfectly capable to planning myself, it's been fantastic. I chose him on a referral from a good friend who goes to WDW a few times a year, and used to work on the cruise line, so I very much trust her judgment.
I had a PIN code (he was able to use it on my behalf), so when all of the discounts were released, he emailed me later that day to confirm that he checked but our code was better than the public deals.
At our ADR window opening I sent him a list of the places that were high priority for us. He logged into my
MDE that morning and made them and a few others. Weekday mornings are busy--I get ready, then I take DD while DH gets ready, then we drop her off and head to work. I didn't have to change my routine at all. I checked my email in the middle of our morning routine and, boom, a bunch of confirmation emails.
He emailed me a little later explaining some of the extras. With our daughter in mind, he made a few other reservations that his kids enjoyed--like Akershus. Just in case. While I've ended up modifying most of the reservations he made, it was so convenient know that I had the must-dos locked in.
He'll do the same for our FP+ as well. I just need to get a list to him before that day and he'll be logging in and grabbing them for me.
It's also been convenient that I don't have to proxy my mom's reservation. She can can go to him directly to make payments, rather than have me handle it.
He also sends regular informative emails. I can imagine for WDW newbies that these are especially helpful. He picks one topic, breaks it down, offers some tips.
So can an agent offer you anything you can't do yourself? Probably not. But they can absolutely save you time and stress if you're in the mindset to let go of the reins (which is arguably the hardest part). But given you're in a position where you might have to be "camp counselor" to a couple different groups, if there's any time to give it a try, I'd say it's now.
