Former CP...should I get a travel agent?

[YawningDodo]

Hi Dis people. I just joined up tonight after lurking and reading all your lovely threads about doing Disney solo. I recently heard a friend talking about going to WDW this fall and progressed from "ugh, I wish I could to back to WDW" to "wait, could I go back to WDW?" to "I can totally make this happen!" over the course of about a day (well, I can make it happen in about a year if I get on top of saving some extra income that just started coming in). I don't have any family members who'd want to go (I usually travel with my brother, but he's "over" Disney World...eh, to each his own) and tbh it's kind of enticing to think of going back to the days when I'd tramp all over the World all by my onesies.

"Back to the days." Yep. Former College Program kid, Spring 2006 and Fall 2009. Why yes, I did spend all my days off in the parks, frequently by myself. I'm no stranger to doing the Disney parks alone, and since then I've also taken up eating at restaurants alone and staying in hotels on business alone, so I'm pretty well trained in being non-awkward about it.

Where I do worry I may have a problem is in seriously just not even knowing where to start. Despite having worked there I've never actually dealt with the whole planning a Disney vacation thing. When I went with family, too, we went cheap on dining, and I want to treat myself when it comes to meals (thinking maybe Dining Plan? not sure). I do know that I want to go in September or October so I can attend MNSSHP and Food & Wine, and because I remember it being one of the better times for avoiding crowds. I also know I want to see the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue; I used to do those cast members' laundry, which was as close as I ever got to seeing the show.

Because I know just enough about WDW to be dangerous, I'm thinking of using a travel agent. I know you have to find one that specializes in Disney, but I'm not sure who's out there or how to pick one. And am I right in thinking they get their commission from Disney without charging the guest more? I just think it would be really nice to have someone who knows where to look for deals on my side.

Not sure what I'm going to tell coworkers. The truth, I guess; I don't want to hide what I do even though I know I'm going to baffle some people by wanting to do Disney World alone.

 

[godders]

I sorted out everything myself so I can't recommend any travel agents but a good place to start for any holiday is making a list. Start with the hotels you'd be interested in looking at, then think about tickets (park hopper yay or nay?), then I'd move on to restaurants you'd like to try, then park attractions. You'll feel a lot better if you have some idea about what you want from your holiday or if there is one restaurant you want to eat at. Also you'll have some targets for your travel agent to try to get for you

As for not telling people, entirely up to you. I told loads of people and never got any negative comments (not to my face at least) and just loads of people saying they were jealous and that they wanted to come with me.....

Good luck with your trip and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

We used a travel agent our first trip and I can totally understand why you are considering it. It is overwhelming at first. Truth be told, it didn't take long to figure it out for myself though. While I don't knock TA's at all - I also don't think they're necessary unless you really don't have time or interest in planning your own trip. The only benefit I can see is if they get 190 day ADR's over our 180 days or some sort of discount on airfare or rooms that we can't get on our own. I don't know if they still do that though, and also I know that I had to pay $100 fee for our TA to book our flights...like directly in front of me on the computer....which this trip I ended up doing myself and saved us about $400 and we had one more seat to buy than we did last time. Not that I'm knocking TA's, but working at Disney I get a sneaking suspicion you're going to enjoy the planning process...and it's not that hard once you figure it out. Also I seriously think you can get as much info if not more than a TA has on these boards. There are actually a lot of Disney specialized TA's on this board who pipe up here and there and answer questions...

Edited to Add - If you click DIS at the top isn't this board connected to a Disney TA service? I dunno it's a great place to get info though!

 

[Bete]

Probably, the best TAs to handle Disney trips is AAA, but they are ending their relationship with Disney next year.

With that said, I really think it would be hard to find a speciality travel agent for Disney. They can be found, but it would be difficult. Many will say they are experts, but I doubt they can do better than you can on your own. Making changes are so much easier if you have control. It takes time to correspond with an agent if something comes up whatever it is.

For many it's fun to do the planning, too. It takes time to do it, but it's rewarding in the end. If you really don't have the time or desire then I guess a travel agent can be useful.

By coming to the disboards you will be able to find any deals available. For Disney.

I used a AAA agent once many years ago, but I wouldn't do it now. There's so much info available on websites that you can do this on your own.

 

[YawningDodo]

I may have gotten a little over-excited last night and sent a request for a quote to ************. I've already knocked together a rough estimate on my own (thus already feeling sure I can get the money together in under a year), but I'm facing that nagging feeling that I might miss discounts that come up later if I try to do it all on my own.

I do like planning this stuff, though. I spent a ridiculous amount of time reading every last bit of the CP orientation materials when I did my programs, and I've planned a few smaller, more local trips for myself in the past. Part of what's helping me justify this cost to myself is knowing that I'm going to get months of enjoyment out of getting everything put together. Even with a travel agent, though, I'll have to work out what ADRs I want and plan my fast passes (really not sold on the whole "pick your rides 60 days in advance" thing--worried it'll ruin the spontaneity--but gotta do it so I can be sure to get on the attractions that have gone up since I was last there).

Still torn. I guess I can wait see what ************ comes up with; since all I've done is request a quote I can still back out and plan my own trip if I decide to go that way. I've got a few ideas for resorts and restaurants, and I just ordered the Unofficial Guide for 2015 so I can get started on figuring out what's new and where to eat. I know a lot of that info is online, but I've always found it easier to work out of a book, at least at first.

Edit: huh...guessing the censoring of the TA is a measure against ad spamming?