Do you use a travel agent or book on the internet?

[XTinabell]

I haven't had very good experiences with travel agents because all they want is the commission so they don't offer any tips and I find myself getting ripped off when I talk to other ppl or read the forums and find out about the deals you guys get. In my opinion travel agents should offer lots of tips and advice when it comes to Disneyland.

So I'm wondering what experiences you guys have with travels agents, and if they're good experiences who do you book with? And have any of you bought your hotels, hopper passes and everything over the internet? Like travelocity for examle? Do they charge a hundred fees like travel agents do?

 

[dizzyami]

I always book online, always disney.com up until this last trip where I booked through costco. I have seen where many people suggest booking the hotel and buying the tickets separate - but I have always just done a package. Our very first trip had to be booked through a travel agent, and I did all the work online at disney.com and told her exactly what package I wanted - I am not sure about the commission she received because the trip was free for us.

 

[stampinshauna]

I research on the internet and find out how much I can book it for if I did it myself. Then I call a travel agent and if they can match or beat the price I'll book through them. Otherwise, I'm comfortable enough with DL and WDW to do it myself. Sometimes I book directly with Disney and do a whole package, sometimes it is better to do air, hotel, passes seperately.

I had never booked a complete package through travelocity until the other night when I helped a friend book a cruise. We checked things out online, but I did the actual booking by calling their phone number so I could ask questions. I was very pleased with the service I got.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I always do a ton of research and book myself. But that is something I enjoy doing. If you don't a travel agent may be the way to go for you.

Check out:

costco.com
getawaytoday.com
expedia.com
travelocity.com
orbitz.com

 

[abookworm]

I have a friend that is a travel agent and she said most of their work is for corporate/business accounts now. She said for individuals they don't get a commission per se but rather a flat fee from ? (airline/hotel/etc?) for each booking and it's not nearly as much as it used to be in the past. I think that's why they don't offer as much info, because they get the same amt of $ if they do a lot of work for you or just the minimum.
Maybe different companies are different but hers was a large midwest regional agency.
I also talked to her about the internet stuff and she said in the past it was a lot shadier but now it's pretty safe as long as you use a reputable company.

 

[rosiep]

I second getawaytoday.com. They had a really great hotel rate before anyone else had it. i personally enjoy the "chase" myself. I love researching the various places, getting pricing info and then booking the best price deals.
After doing such research you recognize a bargain when you see it...
Use the boards for your expert advice...you won't be dissappointed and you'll get information from people who have no vested interest in your final decision.

 

[tracer]

We have done both. Our travel agents are really great and informative. I prefer to book on line because I can get more perks. We prefer Costco.com. I do a lot of research as well before I pay anyone or anywhere, so we can get the best price and the most for our $$.

 

[jemilah]

I think most vacations are ok do to on your own except some cruises , as the agent may have experience with what times of the year to go , cabins, etc. Or some long tours. I just did our DL vacation through AAA's website. I think it can be fun to search different sites and shop your options first...have fun!

 

[XTinabell]

Thanks so much for the tips. I think in the future I'm going to do my Disneytrips myself and just surf the web for information on travelocity and the other ones you guys said were good and then maybe my travel agent can match what I find.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

another one for getawaytoday.com

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I'll have to try getawaytoday.com. We usually go straight to the hotel's website that we want to book. I compare prices with expedia and hotels.com just to make sure I'm getting a deal but I like flexibility and the cancellation policy I get going directly through the hotel.

 

[samkj]

I am a travel agent, so I book for myself. A good travel agent should be able to help you get the best price and make sure you get the dining and other reservations you want. Not everyone will do that, but if you book with a Disney specialist agency (like Dis sponser Dreams Unlimited) you should get the personal attention to ensure all the details for your trip are take care of.

 

[Mistyhon]

Hi
I am I travel agent as well and I have to agree with samkj . I happen to specialize in Disney vacations and my Clients love it when they see me and I give them all kinds of information and tips .

 

[XTinabell]

Hi
I am I travel agent as well and I have to agree with samkj . I happen to specialize in Disney vacations and my Clients love it when they see me and I give them all kinds of information and tips .

I noticed you were from central alberta, I was about to post that I have a hard time finding travel agents in Canada that specialize in Disney Vacations but I see you've already proved me wrong. Are there many disney specialist travel agents in Alberta? Do they offer an equal deal as other places offer or are they more expensive because they "specialize"?

 

[Wendi2000]

I do both. The travel agent I've used for many years and have always gotten fantastic deals with (and excellent service) is getawaytoday.com. It depends on the length of my trip and who I'm traveling with, etc. My son and I have APs, so we generally just need to book hotel and flights. I find the best flights and then book hotel either onsite if "AP Nights" are available, through getawaytoday.com, priceline.com, or by contacting Willie at Hojo's via email. If the trip is only one or two nights, and only for myself or my son and I, I will often use priceline because I am almost guaranteed Hyatt Regency (I've never gotten anything else so far) and I use biddingfortravel.com to figure out the details before bidding. If there are more people in our party, or I need more than two nights I choose another option.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I typically use the internet. But, I went to school to be a travel agent, so I know a little bit more about booking then the average person might. The last trip I booked thru an agent was in May 2000. She ended up with our flights into LAX, rather then SNA like we had requested. By time we realized it, it was too late to fix. But, the internet has grown so much since that time. There is just so much info available now.

Three of my last 4 trips have been booked thru Disney travel. The other one was peiced together thru hotel sites, orbitz/ expedia, etc. I find it easier to get exactly what I want in terms of flight times, etc when I do it all myself.

 

[XTinabell]

I typically use the internet. But, I went to school to be a travel agent, so I know a little bit more about booking then the average person might. The last trip I booked thru an agent was in May 2000. She ended up with our flights into LAX, rather then SNA like we had requested. By time we realized it, it was too late to fix. But, the internet has grown so much since that time. There is just so much info available now.

Three of my last 4 trips have been booked thru Disney travel. The other one was peiced together thru hotel sites, orbitz/ expedia, etc. I find it easier to get exactly what I want in terms of flight times, etc when I do it all myself.

Do you find the prices compare? I'm not afraid of booking on the internet I'm just afraid I could be getting a way better deal if I book a package through a travel agent.

 

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I do all of my own legwork. I've actually found better deals on my own.

 

[flagen]

We use MouseFanTravel (www.MouseFanTravel.com). They planned everything for our last trip. I used Brian there and he did a great job with setting us up with a GREAT room at the Grand Californian, the best tour at universal, a night time Hollywood tour, reservations at Spago. He even surprised us and got us Ellen DeGeneres tickets!!! How many TA's would do that?

 

[hlbtimes2]

I think you can do as well or better without using an agent providing you are willing to do the leg work. Some people want other people to take care of things for them. That is what agents are for. I'm sort of a control freak, I like to be in charge of my own details. So, I'm more then willing to do the work and get exactly what I want, for the best price I can get.