Disappointed with Dreams Unlimited

[Mad4Mickey]

I have never used DU but I always use the same TA. She has been with me for 14 years . It cost nothing extra on your part to use one if you are with the right one . We once got to CSR and they claimed we had no room because they had not gotten the last payment from my TA. They called Dallas while we stood there and she had it call worked out in about 4 min flat( it was a mistake on Disneys part). I cant do it without her She has sent us out of the country several times and we always have it easy .


Wishing everyone a "Tagged" day
Oh and did I mention I have a brand spanking new Tag??

 

[BlessedMomOfTwo]

We are using DU and have been very pleased. Our agent is Carole Annette and she has done a great job of securing our PS's. I have asked her to change a few of them and she has been so friendly and made the changes right away. The communication has been great. I really appreciate having her and her expertise to help me put together our first trip there in 20 years and our first with our children.

 

[travelgoddess]

Is because it's their job. I am a TA with 14yrs experience, I do
only Disney, and cruise travel. The trick is to find an agent who
specializes in your specific needs. I assist all my clients with their
meal planning and itinerary planning, along with parade and other
important information. Some people still appreciate a good travel
agent these days. Some people have full time jobs and don't have
the time to try and figure it out themselves. Sorry to get on my
soap box guys, but sometimes I need to vent a little. Besides
being a full time agent, I am a full blown Disney Nut, and I truly
enjoy this board and everyone on it.

 

[copper0426]

I have a strange question. Who pays for DU if we don't as consumers who does? I have never made ressies through them. We have AAA which you pay yearly for all of their services and we were going through them once, but they didn't have a clue, so we did it ourselves. For the past 12 years, approx 3 to 4 times a year we have made our own ressies. We have always made them through CRO. We have only had one problem and that was when I was in the middle of making our ressies the computers went down and when they came back up, the quoted rate wasn't showing, so the CM got the supervisor and they fixed it all. We got a great rate and they were very nice about fixing everything. Anyway, I just was wondering how DU gets paid.

Diane

 

[travelgoddess]

Get paid a commission from Disney after our clients have completed their travel. It's the same price through us as it is
through Disney directly.

 

[copper0426]

travelgoddess thanks for the info, I was just wondering.

Hope you have a great Day and A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.

Diane

 

[tdsryan]

Don't all jump down my throat, but I have to be a negative nelly. The type of people who frequent this board are the people who have the least need for DU or any travel agent, IMHO. If you have never been to Disney and need help with the basics and all the little details, I can see why you would need a knowledgeable person to guide you. But the average person on these boards has been to WDW numerous times and is quite comfortable with the Net. Why do you need a middleman to make the phone call to CRO for you? If you don't want to call, book your trip on Disney's web site.

I know there are the people who are going to jump in with their unique situations. I am talking about the average, run-of-the-mill, no special needs person. If DU or the TAs were offering better prices than booking through Disney, I could understand it. But I don't need a middleman who could possibly mess up my reservation without me finding out about it until it's too late.

In this day and age of the Web, I really don't see why SO many people use TAs. Then again, I help manage a bank branch and I see people day-in/day-out clinging to their antiquated passbooks. So I guess there truly are different strokes for different folks.

Ryan

 

[judirain]

Ryan, I understand where you are coming from. I am an excessive planner and also enjoy it. What I did when I used DU is I actually booked my room with my discount myself got the confirmation from Disney and then switthed the ressie over to DU. My agent (CC) had no problem with my desire to do my own itenary. She was there for me with quick reply's and a second opinion and also some great advice, two minds are better than one. I gave her my itinerary and she printed it up and on thier form and sent it to me for reference. She handled all my PS's and the changes to the PS's, I must have driven her crazy.

I was hesitant at first mainly for the reasons you stated but I really found their service helpful and proffesional.

As I stated before, my reasoning for using DU is..... It costs me nothing. I do use and enjoy these boards.... Why not give something back? In the process you get to correspond with wonderful people. So in my mind it is not *They are charging the same price as disney so why use them* It is *They are not charging me any extra so why not show my support in this small way*

Judi

 

[Richyams]

As I stated before, my reasoning for using DU is..... It costs me nothing. I do use and enjoy these boards.... Why not give something back? In the process you get to correspond with wonderful people. So in my mind it is not *They are charging the same price as disney so why use them* It is *They are not charging me any extra so why not show my support in this small way*

That is one reason, a very good one.

Also, the ease of sending an e-mail and its done. I like having other do things for me, I have been practicing more and more. Delagation has always been tough. Now that I have learned how to do it so well, I get to spend my days doing nothing and billing for it.

I also felt that we kind of had an 'inside' connection. While I know that is really not true, it kind of is, I am sure DU is a bit more up on current events, recent problems, yada, yada, yada, that I wouldn't be aware of.

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I've been using DU because of all the horror stories I hear of people contacting CRO and getting WDTC or put on hold for long periods of time, etc. I just don't want to deal with that headache!! For me it is easier to fill out an online form and have a reservation sent to me via e-mail. I can also bounce strategy ideas, get all my PS done, etc. and e-mail updates of WDW announcements without ever having to lift a finger. I am an "average joe" who does frequent the boards so that when I make PS or itinerary requests for DU I have a good idea of what I'm after. DU also watches out for codes without you having to and makes the adjustments again without a phone call from me. For me it is convenience without extra cost! JMHO!

 

[bjb]

With DU, do you have to have your trip paid for in advance or is it like CRO where you make a deposit and pay the balance on arrival?

 

[disneyag]

DU follows the same payment schedules as CRO.

I am another satisfied DU customer. My DU agent has planned my last 4 WDW trips. I love planning all the details myself, but Tammy helps with suggestions. Also, it gets unnerving to check the boards each day for better rates. It' s nice to know that she'll do it for me. I am a true Disney veteran, but I still plan to use her for future trips.

 

[Richyams]

You would think that those of us with 3,000 or more posts would get a special discount. That would certainly set DU apart from CRO.

 

[bobcat]

Richyams that would start the counting post up again. I would like a special discount for those who have booked multiple tips with DU.

I don't use a travel agent for any other traveling but I love DU. As others have said I like having someone knowledgable taking care of the details for me. I have also forgotten to make my PS before so giving my DU agent all my restaurants and when I would like to do them is great.

Besides if you have ever waited on hold with CRO then talked to a CM that has less information than you do about hotels and rates it gets annoying.

 

[mep319]

I have planned the past 10 trips myself (all the ones I have made as an adult). I kept getting better at the discounts..but I think I did my best, our last trip in January. But you know what? It is a lot of work. I called disney and emailed DU and came up with the exact same price.... for this October. I work full time, am a mother, etc..etc.. (I'm sure a lot of us are)..and it just isn't worth it to me anymore. I still obsess and check codes, but only when I have the time. Plus the money I have saved calling for PSs has saved me an additional $50.00. The help I hope I get in booking CRT will be priceless!