Disney Authorized Travel Agencies?

[tlenzendorf]

The travel agency I was asking about has been banned from DIS so I deleted my original question. So for my better, reformatted question:

How do you find out if someone claiming to be a Disney Authorized Travel Agency actually is?

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Has anyone used this travel agency before? Got a great quote from them, but I'm a little skeptical. Their website is copyrighted 2014 and all of their specials started 12/31/2013.

My friend booked through them for last August. Got a great price on Beach Club. She said they were great to work with, had no issues at all.

 

[tlenzendorf]

My friend booked through them for last August. Got a great price on Beach Club. She said they were great to work with, had no issues at all.

Thanks. I'm nervous because the price is amazing, but I can't find any info from anyone who has actually completed travel thru them, and I found a thread that said that they are a banned topic from the boards. So I removed my post and won't post anymore, I don't want a violation. I'm a rule follower that way

 

[Mad Hattered]

I thought this was going to be trivia about Nirvana.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks. I'm nervous because the price is amazing, but I can't find any info from anyone who has actually completed travel thru them, and I found a thread that said that they are a banned topic from the boards. So I removed my post and won't post anymore, I don't want a violation. I'm a rule follower that way

You could still do a WHOIS search for the company. Companies get banned for violating DIS guidelines, so it's their ownfault they can't be discussed.
You know if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right?

 

[tlenzendorf]

You could still do a WHOIS search for the company. Companies get banned for violating DIS guidelines, so it's their ownfault they can't be discussed.
You know if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right?

Yep, exactly why I am doing my research. They have on their site that they are a Disney Authorized Travel Agency, but there doesn't seem to be a list. Who can you contact to find out if a travel agency actually is Disney authorized? I will try the WHOIS search now

 

[bradisgoofy]

Why not just use the sponsor of this wonderful board? I've used Dreams Unlimited Travel many times and they ARE a Disney Authorized Travel Agent. You get to use this board and ask any question because they bear the cost of operating this site. Show your support by using Dreams.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Why not just use the sponsor of this wonderful board? I've used Dreams Unlimited Travel many times and they ARE a Disney Authorized Travel Agent. You get to use this board and ask any question because they bear the cost of operating this site. Show your support by using Dreams.

We've always self booked and have never really paid attention. I'm sure this sounds dumb but I've never even paid attention to the sponsors before. I get focused on content. I will send them an email for a quote

 

[EagleScout]

The travel agency I was asking about has been banned from DIS so I deleted my original question. So for my better, reformatted question:

How do you find out if someone claiming to be a Disney Authorized Travel Agency actually is?

This site is sponsored/run by one of the largest disney authorized travel agencies, so hardly surprising they "ban" competitors from site (I would likely do same). But just as this is not wrong for this site's sponsors, also is not really proof the other is "bad" - but your other signs (no new deals, etc) suggests they might not be "on top of" latest discounts

 

[staceyeileen]

There is no such thing as a Disney "authorized" travel agent. Disney does have a "Disney Specialist" training program that they offer online. I have done this training myself and can tell you that I completed the training and passed the exam in a couple of evenings, and I earned the Disney Specialist certificate. Really not a hard thing to do. I guess what I'm saying is, pick a travel agent based on their reputation and recommendations from others, not just on whether they are a Disney Specialist.

 

[rt2dz]

There is no such thing as a Disney "authorized" travel agent. Disney does have a "Disney Specialist" training program that they offer online. I have done this training myself and can tell you that I completed the training and passed the exam in a couple of evenings, and I earned the Disney Specialist certificate. Really not a hard thing to do. I guess what I'm saying is, pick a travel agent based on their reputation and recommendations from others, not just on whether they are a Disney Specialist.

Yes and no. There is a special training any TA can take to become a Disney Specialist. I had a good friend who worked for a travel agency with a major department store and she was a Disney Specialist. A Disney Authorized agency is one where ALL the agents are Disney Specialists and most, if not all, only do Disney vacations. Authorized agencies have to do more than the few hours of work, but have to have advanced experience with Disney Destinations, including in-person, on-site visits.

You can locate which agencies are Disney Authorized Travel Planners at an apparently blocked site on the DIS, even though it's a Disney page. Go figure.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I personally would not use any other agent but Dreams Unlimited Travel. They do great work.

 

[siskaren]

There is no such thing as a Disney "authorized" travel agent. Disney does have a "Disney Specialist" training program that they offer online. I have done this training myself and can tell you that I completed the training and passed the exam in a couple of evenings, and I earned the Disney Specialist certificate. Really not a hard thing to do. I guess what I'm saying is, pick a travel agent based on their reputation and recommendations from others, not just on whether they are a Disney Specialist.

Really?

http://www.mouseearvacations.com/disney_planner/

http://www.smallworldvacations.com/

This site is sponsored/run by one of the largest disney authorized travel agencies, so hardly surprising they "ban" competitors from site (I would likely do same). But just as this is not wrong for this site's sponsors, also is not really proof the other is "bad" - but your other signs (no new deals, etc) suggests they might not be "on top of" latest discounts

DISboards doesn't ban companies because they're competitors; they ban them because they don't follow the rules for posting.

 

[staceyeileen]

Really?

http://www.mouseearvacations.com/disney_planner/

http://www.smallworldvacations.com/

I stand corrected! I thought the OP was just referring to the College of Disney Knowledge program, where you get the "Specialist" title.

 

[Wild4Walt]

There is no such thing as a Disney "authorized" travel agent. Disney does have a "Disney Specialist" training program that they offer online. I have done this training myself and can tell you that I completed the training and passed the exam in a couple of evenings, and I earned the Disney Specialist certificate. Really not a hard thing to do. I guess what I'm saying is, pick a travel agent based on their reputation and recommendations from others, not just on whether they are a Disney Specialist.

This is incorrect information - there are actually 13 Disney Authorized companies out there.

A few things you can do to double check is:
* Check the agencies website - if they are really authorized they can post the Disney Authorized agent logo ( you can google this )
* You can also call Disney direct - they have a list and can tell you if they are authorized.

A company can get banned for several reason - if their 'handle' sounded like the name of a travel agency that account is banned.
If they discuss travel related items in a manner that sounds like they are selling something they can risk getting banned.

You're doing the right thing - it's important to do your homework before giving your hard earned money over the phone or the internet.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Oh, forgot to mention in my last post - the authorized agencies are called Earmarked.

That might help with the search.

 

[Ofinn]

Thanks. I'm nervous because the price is amazing, but I can't find any info from anyone who has actually completed travel thru them, and I found a thread that said that they are a banned topic from the boards. So I removed my post and won't post anymore, I don't want a violation. I'm a rule follower that way

I booked through them for this August. They are great to work with. Everything showed up on MDE an looks great. I know diser's on here that have used them without problems.

 

[Ofinn]

You could still do a WHOIS search for the company. Companies get banned for violating DIS guidelines, so it's their ownfault they can't be discussed.
You know if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right?

Not always. They blocked rooms at convention rate, and our offering convention rates and tickets to their customers. They do it every year. Not that big a deal.

 

[bumbershoot]

This site is sponsored/run by one of the largest disney authorized travel agencies, so hardly surprising they "ban" competitors from site (I would likely do same).

They don't ban competitors. Aside from what has been linked to already I can think of 3 other TAs that work with Disney that I could link to right now (and have done so). They ban for behaviour, not just for being a TA.

Not always. They blocked rooms at convention rate, and our offering convention rates and tickets to their customers. They do it every year. Not that big a deal.

It's about the only way a place CAN get any sort of unique discounts when it comes to Disney. It might make cancellation or changes a bit harder, though, worth it to take note of the terms and conditions.

 

[Ofinn]

They don't ban competitors. Aside from what has been linked to already I can think of 3 other TAs that work with Disney that I could link to right now (and have done so). They ban for behaviour, not just for being a TA.





It's about the only way a place CAN get any sort of unique discounts when it comes to Disney. It might make cancellation or changes a bit harder, though, worth it to take note of the terms and conditions.

I have made a few changes already. No problem. The terms and conditions are no different than a MYW package. Actually it's less restrictive. You don't have to book a package. You can book a room only.