Disney Vacation Planning as a job?

[Kidgoingon40]

I just sent over 10 applications!
I'm not exactly expecting any good news because I know they can only hire so many people, but I am also not relying on getting hired. All I can do now is wait, and look for more places to apply. I would try to get a job as a travel agent locally but I am not interested in being a travel agent, I am interested in being a Disney travel agent

I completely understand I think I shall be doing the same thing!

Good luck!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Just out of curiousity, for those of you who have done this before (being a Disney planner from home, over email/phone), how many hours a week does it typically involve?

 

[TJDisneymama]

wow, this would be something right up my alley. I love planning trips for friends/family and I spend all my spare time on the Dis anyways keeping current with what's going on and offering my advice/opinion when I can. It makes perfect sense that I should do this for a living. the only thing is my Disney obsession is fairly new, only 3 or so years old so I don't have that many recent trips under my belt. I did visit WDW 5-6 times in the 80s-90s (stayed offsite), but then I didn't go back until 2011. Maybe I'll apply anyways, see what happens. I have read just about every book published on the Disney parks, the Disney company, and Walt Disney himself, so I do know my stuff.
I don't care about making money, I just want to do it so I can spend even more time talking about Disney and perhaps be able to get a discount on future trips. So if anyone out there is looking for an eager agent, let me know.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

As one who has recently been thru this process (have 2 offers I'm considering now for agencies ~deciding this weekend which works best for me), it's not as easy at it seems. Starting your own agency is a huge undertaking and having a number and completing training isn't really it. At a minimum you need to be insured to keep you from losing your shirt if someone isn't happy with thier trip and try to blame it on you. Applying with reputable agencies can be time consuming and the process can take months. Some places have multiple interviews, some have tests to take, etc. Also keep in mind that you will not make any money for quiet some time into this job, if you need immediate income this is not the business for you. You must get thru training for booking (some as long as 4-6 months training) and then wait for your guests to travel to get paid. Pay yourself back all your costs and start up fees and even as a semi busy part time agent could take a year or two before you see a proft.

There are lots of agencies out there, you need to do your research thoroughly or you may get ripped off. Beware of any agency that is willing to take you without any interview or filling out a detailed application. There are a couple "Disney" agencies that have BBB complaints on them b/c they are rip offs. Pay $XXX and you get accepted right away is a big clue they are not goign to put alot back into you as an agent. Don't get me wrong several reputable agencies have start up costs but those costs cover things like training (beyond college of knowledge), mentor programs, and support.

As far as phone line yes most agencies will require you have a dedicated phone line that only you can answer so a second one may need to be installed if your current landline is shared phone. Many phone companies can piggyback lines off each other so no actual drilling/running line instillation would need to be done, check with your phone company for options.

Good Luck!

 

[stargazertechie]

There's not much money left in being a travel agent/travel planner. Not to be a debbie downer.

 

[TJDisneymama]

As one who has recently been thru this process (have 2 offers I'm considering now for agencies ~deciding this weekend which works best for me), it's not as easy at it seems. Starting your own agency is a huge undertaking and having a number and completing training isn't really it. At a minimum you need to be insured to keep you from l :

but I'm not really interested in starting my own agency - just in becoming an agent for another agency. I don't want to get involved in all that starting and marketing a business, I just want to be the worker bee. Are there opportunities like that out there? And I wouldn't even be in it for the money, mostly for the discounts and the opportunity to visit for "training" purposes. Are the discounts good?

 

[TJDisneymama]

if anyone out there is an agent for a great agency, maybe you could PM me the name? There's so many out there, it's overwhelming.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

but I'm not really interested in starting my own agency - just in becoming an agent for another agency. I don't want to get involved in all that starting and marketing a business, I just want to be the worker bee. Are there opportunities like that out there? And I wouldn't even be in it for the money, mostly for the discounts and the opportunity to visit for "training" purposes. Are the discounts good?

The discounts can be good but you have to work hard and sell alot to be eligible for alot of them. The most popular discount card for agents requires you sell $50-100K (assuming the typical Disney only trip comission splits at lowest agent/agency commission rate) of trips to get the card. And maintain that sells level yearly to keep it. Most larger angencies are looking for motivated sellers who want to sell travel as a career not a hobby. I have found with smaller agencies they take alot of hobbyists but your commissions are smaller split and there is less business overall with those agencies. Also considering doing only WDW vacations the market is available but the profits are seriously limited b/c what happens when your loyal WDW visits after 4 years wants to go on a cruise? you send them to someone else to book, they fall in love with them and your client is gone.

There are lots of opportunities available it just depends on your qualifications and what type of commitement you want to give the job. I'll send you a PM with more info on what I have found.

 

[Hunclemarco]

I love the timing of this post because I have been researching the same thing. I have been planning trips for others as well our trips for 3 years now and realized that I should probably look into making it a business because I love doing it so much. Thanks for the info so far...keep it coming!

Me too

 

[sue_gowin]

I was in your boat almost exactly 1 year ago! I am now an at-home agent, and I try to specialize in Disney Vacations. It's a lot harder than it seems. You need to really market yourself...there are TONS of other "Disney agents" out there, and you really need to work hard to make yourself stand out. Don't want to discourage you, I'm really glad I did it, and I'm finally doing something I love, but it is difficult. You need thousands and thousands in commissions in order to get your own IATA card, and after you split your commission with your host company, you realize it may take a while to get that! Again, don't want to discourage, I think you should go for it!

 

[Trooper Alex 412]

I am in the process of starting my agency now for supplemental income and it is tough to start your own. It has taken me awhile to really get everything together and unexpected expenses. I would recomment joining an already started agency

 

[TweedleMe]

Alright, I got two offers, however one seems kind of sketchy so I'm going to look into it. The owner of Pixie Vacations said she wasn't hiring, but she gave me a lot of information and advice, she was very nice, just thought I would throw that out there. I understand the whole financial situation, and I am still going to get a part time job, and keep going to college, however having the experience and upcoming money doing something that I really do love, is something I don't want to pass up.

 

[TJDisneymama]

I am in the process of starting my agency now for supplemental income and it is tough to start your own. It has taken me awhile to really get everything together and unexpected expenses. I would recomment joining an already started agency

so you are starting up your own agency - not like OP was talking about which was just becoming an independent vacation specialist working under another agency? So will you then be recruiting agents?

 

[TweedleMe]

so you are starting up your own agency - not like OP was talking about which was just becoming an independent vacation specialist working under another agency? So will you then be recruiting agents?

I see what you are getting at here

 

[TJDisneymama]

I see what you are getting at here

 

[kritter]

Anyone have any information on how to create your own agency if your already an agent?

 

[kritter]

Anyone have any information on how to create your own agency if your already an agent?

 

[trixidixie]

I've done it and now I work for a travel agency. I ended up getting my IATA card and I get a very generous discount on Disney trips. I love planning vacations and it's definitely worth it. Getting authorized is very easy if you love Disney and know a lot about it. Just google and find some agencies and apply. You usually don't need any previous agent experience.
Good luck!!

This sounds like a great idea. I used to work for a travel agency (back in the day) and feel that I too could work for a travel agency that just does Disney (as we all know that Disney lovers are all things knowlegable when they have to plan their own trips). Why not use that info and get paid for it!!! How cool is that!

 

[Dreaming~of~Disney]

Thank you so much for the info! That sounds pretty good. I would just be thrilled to get a little money working from home. I was looking around at some different agency and saw some possibilities. I am definitely thinking about applying.

Do you usually have to have a separate land line to do this? I live in apt, and i don't think they would be very happy with me getting a second phone line installed...

I don't have a seperate landline. I have a distinctive ring. I have 2 phone numbers but they come in on the same phone. So when calls come in to my house # I get ring, pause, ring, pause. When they come into my business I get ring ring pause, ring ring pause.

 

[Dreaming~of~Disney]

I should have also said that my distinctive ring only costs an extra $5 per month on my phone bill and it includes a sepearte v-mail box. I like it because when I know it's a business call I can answer the phone appropriatly and if I don't answer they get my v-mail box with my business greeting as well.