Employment with Dreams Unlimited Travel

[BridetobeDisney]

I'm sure this has been asked before but when I search, I can't find an answer. So I apologize in advance if I am repeating another post.

In the recent podcast about getting to know the crew, I think Teresa said that some TA's live in other states. Please forgive me if I misunderstood.

If I heard right, where can I find information about when and if dreams is hiring?

I'm finishing my master's in educational technology-library media but positions are hard to come by. I'm a researcher and planner by heart (and eventually profession) so my love of Disney makes me want to know everything about it. I'd love to find out more about TA position availability.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[kaligal]

It sounds like a fun job, doesn't it?

 

[CinderellasSister]

oooh, I always thought being a travel agent sounded like fun. I'm sure it has it's flip side just as any job has, but planning trips to Disney would be cool!

 

[dizneedoll]

I've been a travel agent and it's not fun, at least it wasn't for me. It's really a sales job. If you are good at sales then being a TA might be for you. I know there are some great agents out there who really love what they do but I think a lot of people get into the business without really realizing what is involved. Most of the online agencies contract outside agents to work for them, that means you get paid a commission based on how much you sell, there isn't a guaranteed salary and if you don't have a client base then you have to build one up, again it goes back to sales. A company like Dreams will filter clients to you when they receive requests but it's up to you to get them to book. I'm just not a sales oriented people person, so it wasn't for me. Besides Dreams, there are a lot of online agencies that will contract with you, some are Disney based and other aren't but you could still just specialize in Disney. Do your research and see if it's the kind of thing you would like to do.

 

[mainegal]

Thanks for an honest answer with your thoughts of the reality of what many of of think would be a fun, glamourous, romantic, exciting job.

 

[kaligal]

Not every job is for every person.

No job is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. If it were, money wouldn't have to be offered to do it! There are down sides to my job, too. I don't adore every aspect of it. Plus, there are days when I'd rather stay home than get off my duff, shower and go to work. But I do love my work.

And I bet that if I did a TA job, I'd like that. Sounds like fun job to me. Not looking to switch careers and am not looking for a j-o-b, but I know me and I'm usually right about what I'd like and what I wouldn't...and that sounds like something I'd be good at and enjoy.

I don't think I'd like it as much as I like what I do now, but it sounds good.

 

[Sphyrna]

I would love to work for Dreams Unlimited or the Dis, but I don't think I'd like being a TA. I'm an IT guy. Maybe I could be the PTO (Pete's Technology Officer)!

 

[Alztybrn]

Hah....pto!

 

[Disney_Mom333]

so no answer?

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I'll point this thread out to John, he would have the "official" answer.
I agree with Kaligal, I have known a lot of the dreams agents for many years and they wouldn't trade it for anything. Like any job it's got it's pluses and minus's but it works for some people.
As for the PTO I think that's my job

 

[Schrute Farms]

I think you need to be an Eckles.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I am reluctant to respond to this thread with any specifics because I know we will get inundated with requests to be a Dreams Agent and at the moment we are not looking to add any new agents.

Part of my job is to make sure we have the appropriate number of agents so that everyone has the number of clients they want. If we have too many agents and not enough clients to go around then we run the risk of having unhappy agents who can't earn what they want. At the moment I feel that our agent to workload ratio is appropriate.

We are also not looking to fill any other positions at this time.

Sorry I can't give you a better answer.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Sorry I can't give you a better answer.

I think it is the perfect answer.

You appreciate the interest, even if the current situation does not warrant expansion. By acknowledging that you are as equally protective of your clients as you are of your workforce, you show everyone how much they are valued.

Disney and Disney-related businesses are a business. Recognizing them to be so does not tarnish the magic of the guest experience.

 

[dalt01]

I've been a travel agent and it's not fun, at least it wasn't for me. It's really a sales job. If you are good at sales then being a TA might be for you. I know there are some great agents out there who really love what they do but I think a lot of people get into the business without really realizing what is involved.

i cut my teeth in direct sales, back when you could actually knock on doors and go in and give your product presentation. being in sales management most of my career i can tell you without hesitation that the previous statement is very true. people think that its like running a register at wal-mart or asking if you want an apple pie with your big mac (although if done properly, example;..................sir, the apple pies are fresh and hot, you can smell them from here, should i add one to your order or would you like two?) most people are simply to timid to ask for the order or take control. my wife once years ago took a job in radio advertising sales......................for one week.................PS..........everybody is always hiring..........its just a matter of the right person walking through the door.

 

[jcb]

Just for the record, I would be a horrible dreams agent.

• You want to make yet another change to your reservation?
  I don't care that you want to stay at the Contemporary, it is full.
  Don't you have something to do other than think up more activities for your vacation?
  Can't you people get your dining plans settled just for once?

All that is to say, I very much appreciate all the folks who work for dreams unlimited.

 

[VeroBeach]

It's really a sales job. If you are good at sales then being a TA might be for you....... Most of the online agencies contract outside agents to work for them, that means you get paid a commission based on how much you sell, there isn't a guaranteed salary and if you don't have a client base then you have to build one up, again it goes back to sales.

AGREED! The job is first and foremost a sales job; you can know every piece of Disney information that there is to know, but if you can't close the sale, you won't succeed as a TA. You also need to be able to find clients and nurture relationships with them.

If you search Yahoo (or your favorite search engine) for - disney travel agent wanted - or - become a disney travel agent - or something similar, you should be able to find plenty of resources to get you started.

 

[disneygirl 17]

I will say this - and forgive me if this was already pointed out.

I think planning trips to disney woudl be so much fun - however it is a 24 hour a day job. I prefer my 9-5 job - with definitive hours.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I will say this - and forgive me if this was already pointed out.

I think planning trips to disney woudl be so much fun - however it is a 24 hour a day job. I prefer my 9-5 job - with definitive hours.

Lots of travel agents have 9-5 hours.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Lots of travel agents have 9-5 hours.

Successful travel agents do not have 9-5 hours. Successful travel agents are available when the client needs them, especially when they are traveling. Successful travel agents know more than just how to book a Disney trip, even if the only trips they specialize in are Disney.

 

[dalt01]

Lots of travel agents have 9-5 hours.

Successful travel agents do not have 9-5 hours. Successful travel agents are available when the client needs them, especially when they are traveling. Successful travel agents know more than just how to book a Disney trip, even if the only trips they specialize in are Disney.

i will take that one step farther. successful "people" do not have 9 to 5 hours.