Got an idea - need your input!

[chanty]

Hi all my disboard friends!

I know...it's been a while! With the wedding, honeymoon, the move.... it's all done now and I'll soon post all my pics and my report! Thank god I wrote everything in my little notebook

While I was in Disney, I had this crazy idea...which might not be that crazy after all... There is so much planning involved in going to Disney - I guess we all understand each other, right? I planned my 11 day trip for over a year (here & there) but the last 2 months b4 the trip were the worst.

So, here's my idea - since i'm an excellent planner, organizer...(that's what I do at work) I thought...why not start my little company on the side as a Disney Vacation Planner/Helper - whatever!

Any ideas, thoughts, etc.?

I'd be doing everything from organizing reservation to restaurants to buy tickets to transportation - name it!

You're thoughts & concerns will be greatly appreciated

Can't wait to read your comments!

Chantal

 

[samsmom05]

My DH thinks I should do the same thing. We have friends of everyone in our family now calling and asking questions. I am thinking I may look into what it takes to become a TA. For our trip I new more and was more up to date then our local "Disney Specialist" TA.

 

[chanty]

So you need to become a travel agent you think?
The course is too long for me to take... anyways, at this time.

Chantal

 

[honeybear0805]

I have always wanted to do that as well. I have planned countless trips for family and friends and have occasionally known more than travel agents they have consulted! I think it would be great to be able to do this without becoming a travel agent....especially if you only want to handle Disney related travel! Let me know what you decide, I would love to hear about it!!!

 

[WIcruizer]

Add my DW to the list. I often thought Disney should offer a program for part time Disney consultants, vacation planners, etc. My wife would love promoting WDW, DCL, etc. I'm sure the reason Disney hasn't done this is quality control. It would be difficult for them to be sure we are representing Disney in a professonal, ethical, and positive manner.

 

[agotta]

I did this for a bit. It was very hard to market since I wasn't a TA at the time. So then I started being an independent contractor TA and long story short that has been on the back burner for a while. If you are really serious about this, PM. I am a certified Disney Vacation Planner and have been a TA for AAA and myself. I also worked for Disney for 5 years. We might be able to get something started between the two of us!!

 

[Lulu's Mom]

I did this for a bit. It was very hard to market since I wasn't a TA at the time. So then I started being an independent contractor TA and long story short that has been on the back burner for a while. If you are really serious about this, PM. I am a certified Disney Vacation Planner and have been a TA for AAA and myself. I also worked for Disney for 5 years. We might be able to get something started between the two of us!!

I am serious about doing something like this..... my friends and family always call me for advice on their Disney trips or anything Disney at all. This would be a great business... I just wonder how hard it would be to get it all started. If you guys want to start something count me in and let me know what I need to do, whether TA classes or what. I would LOVE to do this for a living.

Vannessa

 

[chanty]

See, I'm in Canada so I reprensent another market totally.
I don't know what i'll do yet but for sure, I need to make a market research, build my business plan and go from there.

I started my own business once 2 years ago and I guess I didn't do much preparation before hand. I stopped cause it wasn't exactly what I had in mind - don't want this to happen again!

Chantal

 

[Callalily6]

I went the publication route...You can look at my website for info: Disneyite.com.

You can get certified as an independant TA, but it usually costs something and then there aren't too many people to sell to - besides your family. One of my friends made a disney site with tons of free info and used google ad words to get her pay check.

So there are lots of things you can do. Just make sure if you are giving people advise that you have insurance...the TA companies require it (if they are good) and you don't want to risk your house or anything. Disney likes you to have a disclaimer too - that you aren't them - if you post info.

Good Luck!

And any feedback on my site would be great. It is in the "baby" stages right now. I am adding free content on the haunted mansion, cinderellas castle, hidden mickey's, pirates, small world, and what ever else floats my boat! I love boat rides!

Next trip is in the planning phase! Wa hoo!

 

[jewellmmc]

Sounds good to me! There are probably people who would love that. Still, If I were a customer I'd go to a professional.

 

[safetymom]

Are you prepared to not make a lot of money for quite a while? People will shop you and pick your brain for all sorts of ideas and then will book with someone else that beats you price wise.

Also the pay is not that good and you have to wait until they take the trip to get paid. If this is a second job that might work but do you have cash to tide you over till the business gets started.

 

[dj2]

Just make sure if you are giving people advise that you have insurance...the TA companies require it (if they are good) and you don't want to risk your house or anything.

my first thought was to insurance, too. make sure you cover yourself with a few million dollars of some kind of business umbrella-type policy.
-dj