For those who use a Travel Agency to book a WDW stay

[JodyLynC]

Do you contact more than one travel agency and request a quote or do you use the same one each time you travel?

There are two agencies I have seen mentioned on the Dis board and on Mouse Savers which seem to have good reputations. When my family has decided on dates and a resort (or split stay), I will be ready to book. I prefer to shop around and get more than one quote, but I am wondering if that is necessary.

For those of you who shop around, is there usually a significant difference in price/service or are they generally about the same?

Thanks!!
Jody

 

[addiemon]

I contacted 3-4 and got pretty similar quotes, though each was slightly different (hotel, dates, park hopper or no, etc.) so they weren't very easy to quote apples and oranges. It's because I mentioned the areas in which my husband and I are flexible...if I had it to do again I would probably ask each one for 1-2 specific quotes so I could compare more, and then open up the flexibility conversations after I picked one. (That said, I would think that most of the travel agents will have access to mostly the same prices?)

I had conversations with a few of them and then just picked my fave- the one who sent me the longest and most detailed emails, 'cause that's how I roll

 

[Luna81]

I'm going to piggy back on your post For those asking for quotes, how long does it take them to get back to you? I emailed one this week, heard back after 2 days, emailed back with a question and no response yet

 

[Aliceacc]

When I decided to use a Disney Certified travel agent, I sent a long email to a bunch of agencies asking a list of questions.

The one we chose gave what I thought was the best, most comprehensive answers, and we've used her for every trip since. And we've never for a minute been disappointed.

 

[Calliaz]

I am 99% sure the pricing is the same from everyone. The only real difference is service. I use my agent because she checks for sales after I book and will rebook everything if needed. She is also extremely knowledgeable.

 

[MillauFr]

I used the agency that has exclusive discounts. It was the only one offering 55% off of the rack rates at the Poly.

 

[addiemon]

Response will depend on the agency and the agent- for example, my agent is currently out of the country being Sandals-certified. She alerted me to this in advance though. When I asked for quotes I had one or two not get back to me for a week, but most got back to me within 24 hours-- some same-day.

Are we allowed to name/recommend an agency? Sorry, noob here and I'm very curious as to which agency MillauFr is referring to!

 

[WendyRH]

I contacted 3-4 and got pretty similar quotes, though each was slightly different (hotel, dates, park hopper or no, etc.) so they weren't very easy to quote apples and oranges. It's because I mentioned the areas in which my husband and I are flexible...if I had it to do again I would probably ask each one for 1-2 specific quotes so I could compare more, and then open up the flexibility conversations after I picked one. (That said, I would think that most of the travel agents will have access to mostly the same prices?)

I had conversations with a few of them and then just picked my fave- the one who sent me the longest and most detailed emails, 'cause that's how I roll

I found the prices are the same! I shopped around once and decided to skip it from then on. I chose an agent who was the best communicator.

 

[disneyseniors]

We only use a Disney certified travel agent. Ours is the best! She is up on all that is Disney, and knows all the great deals! She is paid by Disney, so there is no added charge to our reservations. We love having her set up all our details, get us discounts, and keep track of all our plans. She has saved us a lot of money and time, and we would never do it ourselves. She also books our flights and searches for the very best prices.
I guess that I would only use a Disney certified TA, because they are well trained in all things Disney!

 

[addiemon]

Yes, agreed, disneyseniors! The agent I'm working with is Disney-certified and she's fantastic. She also offers the service mentioned above (keeping an eye out for new rates- that's actually how we upgraded from Pop Century to POR for only a little bit more than we'd originally expected to spend!

 

[JodyLynC]

Can one make a recommendation to someone else via PM or is that a violation of rules?

 

[sophia91]

Yes I also would like to know if it is a violation to hear recommendation on travel agents. I am new here as well and have been searching for a good travel agent that we can use for our 2017 trip.

 

[addiemon]

Hm...the guidelines say that they don't want the boards used for advertising or "requesting referrals"- not sure if that means requesting people use referral links or referrals that get them discounts, or if this includes recommendations?...Seems to me a thread where people maybe talk about good experiences they had with agents might be good, but again, total newbie here.

 

[scard192]

Can one make a recommendation to someone else via PM or is that a violation of rules?

DIS Boards is owned by a TA so they do not allow any mention of other TAs. We are booked for our November trip with a TA that has exclusive deals with Disney. Great prices. we have hotel, QSDP, PH for much less than the price WDW would charge. and there is a complimentary one day pass to a water park; the kids are thrilled with that!

 

[addiemon]

Thanks @scard192!

 

[scard192]

I set up a time to speak to the TA we ended up booking with and she answered all my questions and was very knowledgeable, mentioned that she was setting her alarm for 4AM on the days FD was rumored to drop to check for her clients.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Ask questions besides the price. I have several friends who do this. And I won't book with them.

- does the agency have 24/7 service in case of issues.
- does the agency have a phone that someone answers


If your agency only has part-time agents who do their work in between a real jobs and taking care of their kids they won't be available when you have a problem. And you do not want to be dependent on email if you show up at a resort and there's a problem with your reservation

 

[MommaBerd]

Here is a link to an old thread that may help you find a company that offers special deals. They cannot be named but I think if you read the page I've linked, you may have enough info to do your own research and find them. I am using them for my upcoming trip. There are a few limitations like you can't upgrade or change your tickets once you are there, no "free dining", and only standard rooms.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/august-2016-anyone-else-planning-for-this-time.3417039/page-13

 

[DisMommyTX]

We booked once through a travel agency, one of the top Disney specialists recommended by everyone for a magical experience, but for us there was no benefit. Our dates didn't match up to any of their special deals, so we paid exactly the same we would have booking directly through Disney. I figured it was worth booking through them since it didn't cost any extra, and at least someone else would make a commission. I was frustrated by the loss of control and that it took a couple days to get responses. I probably would have made some changes to our package in the months leading up to our trip, but I didn't because I always felt like I was inconveniencing her. This isn't to say that anything was wrong with the travel agent or agency, just that it wasn't best for us. I want to login and make changes on my own at midnight, or call Disney and have issues resolved in 5 minutes, not wait a day or two for someone else to look into it for me. As a 15 year dis-Vet with over 1,700 posts, I suspect you are a planner who knows what you want, so you might not appreciate the 'assistance' of an agency unless they are actually saving you money.

 

[JodyLynC]

We booked once through a travel agency, one of the top Disney specialists recommended by everyone for a magical experience, but for us there was no benefit. Our dates didn't match up to any of their special deals, so we paid exactly the same we would have booking directly through Disney. I figured it was worth booking through them since it didn't cost any extra, and at least someone else would make a commission. I was frustrated by the loss of control and that it took a couple days to get responses. I probably would have made some changes to our package in the months leading up to our trip, but I didn't because I always felt like I was inconveniencing her. This isn't to say that anything was wrong with the travel agent or agency, just that it wasn't best for us. I want to login and make changes on my own at midnight, or call Disney and have issues resolved in 5 minutes, not wait a day or two for someone else to look into it for me. As a 15 year dis-Vet with over 1,700 posts, I suspect you are a planner who knows what you want, so you might not appreciate the 'assistance' of an agency unless they are actually saving you money.

I used to be more of a Disney expert when DH and I lived in Florida. We had season passes and went multiple times a year. That was 15 years ago. Our last trip was for 4 days and was 8 years ago. Much has changed since our frequent Disney days and I am not a Disney savvy as I once was. That is the main reason why I am considering a Disney experienced Travel Agent.