Differences between agencies

[Grace M]

I have several phone numbers I can call to make a DisneyWorld reservation. One is the number for Disney Destinations, one for Dreams Unlimited, another is the number on the official website for Disney. When calling to check on a double PIN I tried each of these and got different prices and options. My question is: Is there any one agency that has more flexability with pricing and upgrades? One call gave me both free dining and 30% off a moderate room. One asked me to choose, saying for two adults the meal plan would be a better deal. Another told me the room I wanted to book on the same dates I gave the others was booked and not available. Any ideas who has the best access to limited rooms, PIN or public deals etc?
Just wondering
Grace

 

[ghtx]

I don't have experience with this, but why don't you go with the one that offered you the best deal? Or, even better, call one of the others back, tell them about the better deal offered by their rival, and see if they can beat it.

This is how capitalism works.

 

[Grace M]

I just wondered for future bookings if there is one consistantly BETTER option. I do call, get info and pit them one against the other, sometimes I get something better, other times they all have the same answers within a few dollars. I asked only to learn other options that perhaps I don't know of. My thinking on booking at Disney "The more you know, the more you go!
Grace

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

I never use a travel agency so I can't speak to who is better. We always book ourselves directly thru Disney when we have a pin code. I would be interested to know who offered you Free Dining and a room discount. You can't "double up" on discounts. It's either or unfortunately. You have to do the Disney math to see which discount is better for your family. I really wish you could do both though!!

 

[mousermerf]

The actual computer system that Disney uses for reservations has a thing it does called "preferencing."

Long story short - it'll recommend what Disney needs over what you asked for.

If booking is sluggish at Port Orleans but the All Stars are running near capacity the system wont offer All stars and will recommend Port Orleans as an alternative, despite there being rooms still at All Stars.. which will become available as Port Orleans books up.

If a phone agent refuses a preference selection and forces the computer to "look again" it'll find the inventory. When you do it at home via the website you dont really get the choice to sidestep it.

That's part 1 of why you get different answers for what's available..

Part 2..

A travel agent typically isn't working in real time with the reservation systems. They really just end up calling in to the same Reservations number that you called but talking to agents who do transactions for travel agents all day. Same building, same training, etc..

They take what you've requested, calculate how much it should cost, take all your info.. and then call Reservations just like you would. They get some percentage of the amount you book as a kickback for referring you - in theory they could have sent you to Figi I suppose, but we all know it's a cottage industry of travel agents who only book Disney vacations. Might as well be paid employees of the company.

So that's part 2 of why you got different answers.

And finally.. part 3.. different phone agents will give you different answers on if you can combine codes or "double pins" or what have you. It's not really at their discretion to decide if you can or not.. but moreso along the line sof it they know how to make the computer system accept it or not if it's possible to do.

So, there you have it.

 

[DollBabyKG]

I want to know who you called that offered free dining AND 30% off rooms! I'd book for that right now!

 

[lanejudy]

I have several phone numbers I can call to make a DisneyWorld reservation. One is the number for Disney Destinations, one for Dreams Unlimited, another is the number on the official website for Disney. When calling to check on a double PIN I tried each of these and got different prices and options. My question is: Is there any one agency that has more flexability with pricing and upgrades? One call gave me both free dining and 30% off a moderate room. One asked me to choose, saying for two adults the meal plan would be a better deal. Another told me the room I wanted to book on the same dates I gave the others was booked and not available. Any ideas who has the best access to limited rooms, PIN or public deals etc?
Just wondering
Grace

So, of these you listed, only 1 is the official WDW reservation system - the number on the official website. If you want to call "Disney" use this number.

Dreams Unlimited is a travel agency that sponsers the DISboards. While their agents specialize in Disney vacations, it is not owned or operated by Disney.

"Disney Destinations" - do you mean Adventures by Disney? Or is this a travel agency?

If you have a specific PIN code, I suggest you call the number that came with it, or central reservations (the main number on the WDW website). Other TAs may or may not be able to apply it for you.

As for deals offered by TAs - you'll need to shop around to see what any are offering. Some agencies have blocks of rooms that they can book and set their own rates, when that block is sold for a date they cannot book anymore at their rates, it would need to be done through the WDW system. Others will take your information and plug it into the online system similar to how you do it at home.

 

[jamal]

Part 2..

A travel agent typically isn't working in real time with the reservation systems. They really just end up calling in to the same Reservations number that you called but talking to agents who do transactions for travel agents all day. Same building, same training, etc..

They take what you've requested, calculate how much it should cost, take all your info.. and then call Reservations just like you would. They get some percentage of the amount you book as a kickback for referring you - in theory they could have sent you to Figi I suppose, but we all know it's a cottage industry of travel agents who only book Disney vacations. Might as well be paid employees of the company.

Hi Mousemerf,

Where are you getting your information about travel agents? This is not at all how it works for me or how I book trips as an agent. Sorry if I sound rude but I wanted to speak from the viewpoint of a travel agent.

 

[mousermerf]

Hi Mousemerf,

Where are you getting your information about travel agents? This is not at all how it works for me or how I book trips as an agent. Sorry if I sound rude but I wanted to speak from the viewpoint of a travel agent.

True - but it is how many work I figured someone would mention it being done differently and it is depending on the agent/agency. Many "travel agents" are just going through the same motions everyone else does to book Disney resorts and packages, essentially a go-between.

 

[mdsoccermom]

True - but it is how many work I figured someone would mention it being done differently and it is depending on the agent/agency. Many "travel agents" are just going through the same motions everyone else does to book Disney resorts and packages, essentially a go-between.

Most of us, at least in my large network, use the TA site for bookings and avoid calling Disney as much as possible.

 

[Grace M]

I thought when I got different offers and rates I was contacting expierenced or unexpierenced agents. Now it makes sense. They all access different things at different times. Some know how to side step or run around the system others don't or won't. So it does pay to shop around. My double PIN offer was directly from Disney. It was my first call. I wanted to talk to my husband before commiting to the deal. We talked 5 hours after I called, when I called to book that deal the CM I asked for by name was off work and the current CM said it was her mistake to offer me that deal. I know I should have booked and talked later but it was within 20 days of travel and I would have lost my refund. (and we could not have made that trip with DH's schedule at work).
So thanks for all the info, sounds like we can all learn a little more about how to get the best deals.
BTW my PIN (2 PINS) came snail mail titled Dive Into Walt Disney World savings!
Thanks all
Grace

 

[budafam]

I never used an agent for my trips until I became one. Now I realize what I was missing out on. If you shop around, many agents will offer "extras" such as giftcards or presents and service that goes beyond just booking your package. Giftcards and presents essentially come out of their commission so basically they're giving what they're making back to you. Agents also do not have to handle everything, they can book as much or as little as you want them to.