"Disney Specialist Travel Agents"-- any on Long Island?

[Aliceacc]

In the past I've always booked through AAA. And it's gone well, mostly because I've come to know my stuff.

But I wouldn't be adverse to dealing with someone who knows more than I do.

The thing is, I think I would want someone local-- or would I? DOes it make a difference?

And, assuming I can't do better, any agent can get me the AAA discount, right? And the DDP?? We don't use the other parts of the AAA package, but I want at least that discount.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[steelfish535]

I live on Long Island, and my mom is a Disney TA in NJ. Does that work? LOL!

She's a DVC member who goes at least twice a year, and is very knowledgeable.

 

[hookedonears]

Disney travel specialist can help people who live anywhere. For example, the best and most experienced Disney travel consultants are at "Dreams Unlimited," which is based in Orlando and is the sponsor of this board. They help and book Disney travel for people who live all over the world. I would use someone like them, instead of a travel company situated in New York, whose expertise is limited comparatively speaking.

 

[amandals2007]

My father works for a TA company called mytravelelf.com it is an ear-marked company so they know their stuff about Disney. My father can book things with you over the phone. He has gone through extensive training by Disney to book their vacations and my family goes on vacation to Disney at least once a year for the past 16 years. If you want some help, I can give you more information in a private message.

 

[pigletto]

In the past I've always booked through AAA. And it's gone well, mostly because I've come to know my stuff.

But I wouldn't be adverse to dealing with someone who knows more than I do.

The thing is, I think I would want someone local-- or would I? DOes it make a difference?

And, assuming I can't do better, any agent can get me the AAA discount, right? And the DDP?? We don't use the other parts of the AAA package, but I want at least that discount.

Thoughts anyone?

I used someone in NJ who was great. But.. and this is a big but.. I doubt they'd know more than you. We're here all the time, and see everything as it comes out. I felt awful calling her and changing my dates and ressies etc so many times. I think I just prefer to keep control of my reservation. It requires more work on my end but I like it better that way.
If you anticipate being too busy to watch for discounts etc. then you might want to go the TA route. I don't think they're going to know more than you though

 

[Aliceacc]

Once we make our reservations, we tend not to change them.

And to be honest, I wouldn't feel right booking something as big as a Disney vacation and NOT giving someone the chance to earn a commission off it.

And I like the idea of having someone to turn to in the event of a problem.

So we'll be using a travel agent, the only question is which one. I've just emailed a bunch of agents, local and other. We'll see what they say.

 

[DisneyDreamMaker]

I had the same issue a few yrs ago I wanted someone close specializing in Disney Vacations. We now use Small World Vacations, they have tons of agents all over the U.S. Our agent is in NJ, she is wonderful but if you want someone closer to you just go to their website and fill out the info and an agent close to you will be in contact immediately. I feel the same as you why not let someone make commission plus if I get really busy with school I don't worry about missing a deal cause they notify you immediately.

You can check out their website!

Good Luck
Melissa

 

[Suellen]

I use Our Laughing Place Travel... Francine. Love her. And she checks your ressie for discounts and applies them. You don't have to call and change anything.

 

[Pills]

I had the same issue a few yrs ago I wanted someone close specializing in Disney Vacations. We now use Small World Vacations, they have tons of agents all over the U.S. Our agent is in NJ, she is wonderful but if you want someone closer to you just go to their website and fill out the info and an agent close to you will be in contact immediately. I feel the same as you why not let someone make commission plus if I get really busy with school I don't worry about missing a deal cause they notify you immediately.

You can check out their website!

Good Luck
Melissa

I'm on LI, too. When we were considering using a TA, we called Small World. I then found out (on here) that I can change my reservations myself if a discount comes out, so I thanked them and just booked myself.

They were very nice about the whole thing, and I'd recommend them to anyone, even for the small amount of help I received in our e-mails back and forth.

 

[LisaTC]

Well, I'll only comment on the "local travel agent portion" on your inquiry...Since most of us email anyway, I truly do not think it is imperative to have somebody local. In this day of electronic speed, communications are swift. I booked our entire wedding/honeymoon for Jamaica via the computer to a "jamaica" expert who did nothing but trips to Jamaica and that was 11 years ago when the internet wasn't so vast. I think that's the important thing...finding a knowledgeable Disney T/A. You can become very educated just from this board alone and surpass your general Travel Agent with Disney knowledge. They are, usually, the first to know about deals/dates.

 

[Aliceacc]

Excellent points, all.

OK, so I'm not limited to LI agents.

But I do have yet another question:

I don't want to pay rack rate. The only "given" discount it AAA; all the others seem to depend on whether or not Disney chooses to offer a discount that will be valid next August.

But I want DDP. As I understand it, the only travel agents who can get me that guaranteed discount along with DDP are AAA.

Am I missing something, or is this a GOOD reason to use AAA, even though I knew more than the last 2 agents I worked with there?

I've gotten one or two email replies, and I've found at least one agent I would like to work with. But I keep looking at that bottom line....

 

[LisaTC]

But I do have yet another question:

I don't want to pay rack rate. The only "given" discount is AAA; all the others seem to depend on whether or not Disney chooses to offer a discount that will be valid next August.

But I want DDP. As I understand it, the only travel agents who can get me that guaranteed discount along with DDP are AAA.

Am I missing something, or is this a GOOD reason to use AAA, even though I knew more than the last 2 agents I worked with there?

Ok...here's where it is a bit of a sticky wicket...I know that when you book a pkg, regardless of how AAA, Disney, other Agency it will say you save % on dining when adding DP it to your pkg, varying on level of resort you book. To take advantage of a Disney dining plan, you must purchase one of the Magic Your Way Vacation Packages that include a Disney dining plan. Now, that doesn't mean you will save on the dining PLAN, just on dining...it's a play on words.

I'm fairly certain, you cannot piggy back discounts. Free dining always comes with a cost...rack rates inevitably. Free dining is only with rack rates, no matter how you figure it, it's rack rates. Now, there was no FD offered when I booked, but I did get a discount on the room -- around 15-20% ish. I've figured this out six ways to Sunday, believe me. I choose not to get the DP because we don't eat that way. I'd take a room discount any day of the week. AAA current rates are good through 2011.

As far as working with AAA or another agent, its a personal choice. Having somebody to call to get a jam fixed does have it's benefits, but they have to know Disney...period. It's good to have an ally.

There's deals out there to be had, not only via AAA. You can book things separately sometimes and get a heck of a deal via Expedia, hotels.com for the room and then buying your tickets from AAA. If you are really wanting the DP, this wouldn't be an option, but if the DP isn't that big a deal, you can save this way often times. I see it all over this board people doing this. Check out this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2705679&highlight=trip+cost