Has the code changed your opinion about using a TA?

[tlbwriter]

I've noticed some posters are frustrated because they went through a TA and can't call Disney directly to try to use the 9/29 codes, and others are glad they went through a TA and don't have to do it themselves. What do you think?

 

[Conkozan]

I think it totally depends on what type of TA you used.

If you used a TA that has set hours of operation (10-5) and they only work those hours-you are 3 hours behind the game to start.

If you used a TA such as Dreams, Magical Journeys or Small World that you know is up and at work before Disney opens your chances are much greater.

I knew by 7:15 that I was taken care of.

 

[tone.def]

I've noticed some posters are frustrated because they went through a TA and can't call Disney directly to try to use the 9/29 codes, and others are glad they went through a TA and don't have to do it themselves. What do you think?

Well, just from speaking with a couple other people I know who are going in December - the only people who lucked out with this code were those staying in values and moderates. So if you're staying at a monorail resort or the Epcot deluxes, you're not getting the discount whether or not you booked with a TA. i don't think it mattered today either way.

 

[tlbwriter]

Well, just from speaking with a couple other people I know who are going in December - the only people who lucked out with this code were those staying in values and moderates. So if you're staying at a monorail resort or the Epcot deluxes, you're not getting the discount whether or not you booked with a TA. i don't think it mattered today either way.

I thought I saw some people got a discount on WL (I know it's not a monorail resort or Epcot deluxe, but it's still a deluxe, at least according to Disney. )

 

[mom2threeboys]

We were able to get the discount for a deluxe also. We were booked with a room only for AKL, and switched to a package with dining.
Personally, I'm glad we used a TA. (Although I will admit the compulsive side of me was screaming while I waited for email, instead of waiting on the phone! )It saved me the phone call and wait time thins morning, and we got exactly what we wanted!

 

[Delilah Bleu]

I sent an email to my TA on Sunday after reading the boards and she said it was still a "rumor" but if a discount was available and I was eligible, she would apply it to my reservation. I received an email at 7:30 this AM that she updated my reservation and we saved $359! I am so excited! And I did not have to do any of the leg work! My TA is the best!

 

[vatmark]

I got a discount at WL for 10/29-11/4. My TA at Small World Vacations did all the work and now I get a credit charged back to my credit card for $427.98. I did e-mail her right when i found out a rumor about this discount and just kept e-mailing her whenever I found out anything new. I e-mailed her this morning to look into the discount to see if it was available for the ressie I already had and she had already modified my ressie and gotten me the discount. I'm one happy camper and will definitely use Small World vacations in the future.

Annie

 

[Conkozan]

Well, just from speaking with a couple other people I know who are going in December - the only people who lucked out with this code were those staying in values and moderates. So if you're staying at a monorail resort or the Epcot deluxes, you're not getting the discount whether or not you booked with a TA. i don't think it mattered today either way.

My Magical Journeys agent got me the GF, a friend the WL and my brother the BWI all for different dates in Dec. The rates are there if they got in on time.

 

[Joan1]

My Magical Journeys agent got me the GF, a friend the WL and my brother the BWI all for different dates in Dec. The rates are there if they got in on time.

Well it depends on the dates. I have been monitoring my dates myself just out of curiosity for a while, and the week I am going showed sold out on Disney's site for over a month now but my Small World agent was able to get me a discount on 5 of the 7nts. I never thought to check each night to see what was available. I am glad she did

I asked her and she did say that some people didn't get an additional discount over their AAA because the resorts were sold out for their dates

 

[Conkozan]

I most certainly agree Joan! I am a big fan of Small World, Dreams and Magical Journeys. I do not think a normal agent in a local agency would think to check night by night they way these agencies do. I also think that while agencies all have the same availability, these three know how to best play the game to service their clients. They do not work 9-5, they have a vested interest in their clients and it shows.

 

[AngieInOH]

So glad I used TA. Lori at Magical Memories Travel was GREAT!!!!! I must admit at first I was very apprehensive about using a TA as I LOVE the planning part. But it truely has paid off. While everyone was on hold with Disney this morning I had an e-mail from Lori saying the discount was already applied to my current ressie POR. She also was e-mailing me all morning about other available options such as upgrading (at my request). So I was seeing all of these reports that no Deluxes were available but Lori was able to get WL or AKL for my entire stay (Nov 15-22).

I can't imagine trying to book this special while at work. My heart would be racing, I would be short of breath, breathing hard and on the verge (sp?) of having a panic attack. All the while my co-workers would be wondering what and the h*ll is going on over there! LOL! After a considerable amount of time being on hold with Disney I would be breaking out in a cold sweat swearing at the phone and still end up with no discount! THANK-YOU MAGICAL MEMORIES TRAVEL FOR SPARING MY CO-WORKERS AND ME TOO!

 

[Savin4Disney]

I emailed my TA last night about the discount. Saying please check for it and if I need to make any quick decisions please call me. I was not going to be near the computer today. I was out of town. I had an email tonight when I got home that she got me the discount and I saved. ... $350.00.

Now I hope she can get my sister one too. Since we are going the same day. I will be upset if she did not check my sister's when she checked mine.

 

[back2disney]

With high-speed internet you don't need a TA. Even an all-nighter on dial-up will probably save you money, costing only a few zzz

 

[michellex2]

I agree with the poster who commented on Disney focused TAs vs. a general travel agency being much more useful. I was very happy with Magial Journeys. My trip is Dec. 7th through Dec. 13 (6 nights) at Disney AKL with the night of the 13th at a hotel near Orlando airport for the flight out in the morning. As these dates were in the blackout period I assumed the discount did not apply to me. Plus, reading the boards led me to believe that deluxe resorts weren't discounted. However, evidently the discount does apply if you happen to be at a resort that has vacancies. At any rate Elaine procurred a discount of $276 for a discount I thought didn't apply to me, emailed the info in the morning and offered to book different dates if I needed them. (American Airlines cancelled the flight I'd originally booked.) All of this happened without any effort on my part -- in fact I was at the dog park with my puppy. Kinlee (the puppy) likes Magical Journeys as well since her dog park trip was uninterrupted by repeated calls to disney. aw:

 

[Wendaeh]

This was my first time using one, and Lori at Magical Memories has done a wonderful job keeping me informed, and getting me a package deal (even though she had gotten us an awesome $89 per night moderate as a group rate <special price, no dining package allowed>, the new package came out about the same, and I was now able to add the dining plan -- which will be a huge savings). She knew what I was interested in, and made it happen. She already had my new reservation on hold, so that when I gave her the ok, she could put it through. She will take care of changing my Candlelight Processional Le Cellier from the package I paid for to the dining credits, and will make sure that my other ADRs are connected with my new reservations.

Lori ROCKS!

 

[CharlesTD]

We never use TA's we find better deals without them and when you ask them about stuff they never know what you are talking about. I have a couple places in town that will call me and ask for help with Disney vacations that is how proficient they are. I am always glad to help them and the customer but most customers end up just getting the info from websites I tell them about and book on their own.

 

[wee-haggis]

We have not used TA's for the last 5 years or so. We get much better deals ourselves and the research is half the fun of planning the trip. The fact that we have never had a TA do anything more than book and take the payment may also have something to do with our choice to book ourselves. Booking ourselves also gives us much more flexibility, we are not locked into any particular tour we can cater our trip to see and do exactly what we want. I know there must be TA's out there that are excellent however we have never come across one and we have used many different agencies over the years.
For those people who use TA's and love them we are glad you found someone who takes care of all your needs but for us we will stick to planning our own trips.
Best wishes to everyone for happy and successful holidays.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

We have always used Magical Journeys - it is so nice to know that it will be taken care of for you. I read on the board about all the people having to call, hold, get hung up on, have to explain the deal to CMs, and even then not always having luck with the CMs - all this time rooms are getting taken up while they are waiting. It was nice to wake up in the morning and have an email waiting for me - letting me know it was all taken care of !!! They aren't like local TA's - they are VERY knowledgable about Disney! I have always had the best service with these guys!!! Magical indeed!

 

[huskies90]

I used a TA (Small World) for LAST year’s trip and some of things she told me didn’t make sense but I didn’t know better. This year I tried her again and comments like 'Disney does not offer AAA discount at AKL or WL' started making me think is she worried about me or her margins? Then when she was very slow in responding almost costing me to lose my airfare, I realized she is dealing in such high volume due to low margins she cannot possibly provide the service I expect. So, I booked my AAA room on my own.

Yesterday when the code came out, I was worried that those with the TA’s would have an advantage because the TA’s would call in and monopolize the CM’s at CRO getting all their customers the best discounts.

NOT TRUE. I got through and was on the phone with an awesome CM for over an hour working through dozens and dozens of combinations with me until I got exactly the best deal. There is no way a TA would have done that on my behalf and in fairness to them, how could they know exactly what I wanted?

So, No TA’s for me in the future. Sure they can apply a code for you but that is about it. I do my own research anyway and have as much general knowledge as they do but I know my own needs a heck of a lot more than they do.

 

[shanstef]

This is our third time using Pam and Chris with Mouseearsvacations and we have always enjoyed their service. Once, due to health reasons we had to reschedule a trip and they were able to do it for us preserving our discounts and not upping the price. We received a discount for our reservations at the Poly in December, so discounts for deluxes do exist. After reading the rumors for days I knew I would come into work to find an email from Pam telling me they were on top of it! They also booked our 12/10 Eastern cruise.

Shannon