Help Please! Is Transfering a resort reservation a Good Idea?

[MinnieMom18]

Hello,
Newbie here, and we just booked a 2 bedroom villa in Boulder Ridge on the phone with WDW directly and got an amazing military rate. So excited to plan this vacay with our DD/SIL/DGD and DH.

Now, I am speaking with an independent Disney planner, and she wants me to sign a transfer form for the reservation as she says we meet the qualifications to do that, (booked ess than 30 days ago and not paid in full). She has been super helpful and I am inclined to do it, but does anybody know of any fees associated with this? She didn't mention any, but I don't want to be caught by surprise. The website does advertise a "concierge planning service" that incurs $149 fee. I am not familiar with that.

 

[focusondisney]

Hello,
Newbie here, and we just booked a 2 bedroom villa in Boulder Ridge on the phone with WDW directly and got an amazing military rate. So excited to plan this vacay with our DD/SIL/DGD and DH.

Now, I am speaking with an independent Disney planner, and she wants me to sign a transfer form for the reservation as she says we meet the qualifications to do that, (booked ess than 30 days ago and not paid in full). She has been super helpful and I am inclined to do it, but does anybody know of any fees associated with this? She didn't mention any, but I don't want to be caught by surprise. The website does advertise a "concierge planning service" that incurs $149 fee. I am not familiar with that.

YOu’ll have to ask her what is included with the concierge planning service. Sounds to me like they will make your adrs & maybe fastpasses. Everything you can do for yourself for free but they will charge you to do it for you. Personally not something I would pay for. But then, I enjoy planning & making my own reservations. Be aware if you transfer your reservation to the travel agent, she will “own” it. You will NOT be able to call Disney to make requests, make changes or cancel. You would have to contact the agen to do anything like that.

I don’t personally see any reason to use an agent unless I am getting a very specific or exclusive offer that I can only get through the agent. If you don’t transfer the booking to her, I would not continue to use her for information & questions. That really wouldn’t be fair to her to take up her time & efforts but she’s won’t be getting paid. I would keep my own reservation & just use the Disboards or other online sources for information & questions. Also, if you don’t like the planning process, maybe our DD or DSIL would like to. We just took a trip with our DS & DDIL. DDIL followed a couple of blogs & started to enjoy the planning as much as I did. She would have happily made some adrs or fastpasses if I couldn’t.

 

[MinnieMom18]

Thank you focusondisney, the biggest issue I am having is that we asked several TAs for quotes and none of them offered us the 2 bedroom villa we wanted on the military rate, I do believe those opportunities are very limited and I just got lucky on the phone call, so I don't really feel "obligated" to transfer it to her since she didn't quote it to me first and in fact, told me that there were not any 2 bedroom villas available. I actually really enjoy planning and usually always do all our travel arrangements, but Disney is a little overwhelming and magical at the same time, haha. I do think we can plan our own itinerary if we get some good info and I agree, this board is a great place.

She did spend some time on the phone with me and make great suggestions for ADR that we actually booked while on the phone. She asked my password for my MDE acct, would that pose an issue for you?

 

[fab1976]

I transferred a reservation recently and had no extra fees incurred. I don’t use agents to plan my trips, but they don’t cost any extra usually and get a commission from Disney. In my eyes, I’d rather someone make a living planning travel for people than have Disney itself pocket the commission otherwise paid out to agents. The $150 “concierge service” is unusual though and I would question that before doing anything. Also ask if they can take the reservation on and still maintain the military discount. If you won’t be any more out of pocket I would switch it.

 

[focusondisney]

She asked my password for my MDE acct, would that pose an issue for you?

It would. Anyone with access to your MDE account & password can change or cancel any of your arrangements. I have only use a travel agent once since MDE was created, so I am not sure what is “normal” in that regard. It was an online agent that had a specific exclusive rate. She never asked for my MDE info nor my password. I did not need her to make adrs or fastpasses tho. She made the resort reservation then emailed me the number which I linked to MDE myself.

The agent would need a phone number & credit card to make ADRs & you could then link them to your MDE yourself. Fastpasses probably need access to your account. But why would she need that info before you even signed with her officially?

I understand it is overwhelming to plan a Disney trip. But luckily, it is done in stages so you have time to plan, strategize & get your questions answered. Besides this forum, there are other online planning sites like Touring Plans that will plan out itineraries & other helpful info for about $13 a year.

 

[Shanti]

I don't recommend transferring. I use an agent to get an agency-exclusive discount rate on the resort, but I plan everything else myself. I wouldn't trust anyone else to book my dining & FastPasses the way I want them.

Agencies make money off their clients somehow. If your agent isn't getting a commision for booking the resort (since you did it yourself already), it seems very likely that you'd end up paying that expensive and unnecessary "planning" fee that you mentioned. It sounds like a rip-off, frankly.

 

[Sue M]

I’ve never heard of a TA charging concierge fee. Most do this for free if asked- make dining ADRs, help you plan. Since you’ve already done the leg work finding and making your reservations I wouldn’t do it. Esp since she said 2 bedroom villas weren’t available but you found one.

There’s really nothing left for TA to do. You can make your dining, and Fast passes yourself. And figure out a touring plan.
I’m not sure if this is a first trip or you’ve been before. So in case it’s your first time, planning and research is everything. A great book for WDW planning is WDW The Unofficial Guide. They also have a web site touringplans.com. Cheap rate for a year subscription. I think if you buy book, web site fee is waived.
It explains the ABCs of WDW trip planning and has great touring plans.

I use a TA, but she books my resort res. I’ve never been asked for my MDE password, but I don’t have her book my FP or Dining. It’s something I’d rather do for myself.

Be sure your family is all linked on your MDE acct so you can include everyone in your FPs.

 

[MinnieMom18]

I transferred a reservation recently and had no extra fees incurred. I don’t use agents to plan my trips, but they don’t cost any extra usually and get a commission from Disney. In my eyes, I’d rather someone make a living planning travel for people than have Disney itself pocket the commission otherwise paid out to agents. The $150 “concierge service” is unusual though and I would question that before doing anything. Also ask if they can take the reservation on and still maintain the military discount. If you won’t be any more out of pocket I would switch it.

Good point. Yes, this is a military Disney planner and there are a few differences in some of the ticket procedures and she is very familiar with those nuances. This is mainly the reason I contacted her.

 

[MinnieMom18]

It would. Anyone with access to your MDE account & password can change or cancel any of your arrangements. I have only use a travel agent once since MDE was created, so I am not sure what is “normal” in that regard. It was an online agent that had a specific exclusive rate. She never asked for my MDE info nor my password. I did not need her to make adrs or fastpasses tho. She made the resort reservation then emailed me the number which I linked to MDE myself.

The agent would need a phone number & credit card to make ADRs & you could then link them to your MDE yourself. Fastpasses probably need access to your account. But why would she need that info before you even signed with her officially?

I understand it is overwhelming to plan a Disney trip. But luckily, it is done in stages so you have time to plan, strategize & get your questions answered. Besides this forum, there are other online planning sites like Touring Plans that will plan out itineraries & other helpful info for about $13 a year.

I changed my information first thing this morning. I truly think she was just helping me out and while we were talking on the phone, she was looking at possibilities and we needed to book them asap, so it just happened that way.

 

[MinnieMom18]

I’ve never heard of a TA charging concierge fee. Most do this for free if asked- make dining ADRs, help you plan. Since you’ve already done the leg work finding and making your reservations I wouldn’t do it. Esp since she said 2 bedroom villas weren’t available but you found one.

There’s really nothing left for TA to do. You can make your dining, and Fast passes yourself. And figure out a touring plan.
I’m not sure if this is a first trip or you’ve been before. So in case it’s your first time, planning and research is everything. A great book for WDW planning is WDW The Unofficial Guide. They also have a web site touringplans.com. Cheap rate for a year subscription. I think if you buy book, web site fee is waived.
It explains the ABCs of WDW trip planning and has great touring plans.

I use a TA, but she books my resort res. I’ve never been asked for my MDE password, but I don’t have her book my FP or Dining. It’s something I’d rather do for myself.

Be sure your family is all linked on your MDE acct so you can include everyone in your FPs.

I am leaning this way at this point. Thanks for the tips, its been about 100 years since we've been and I still remember buying that paperback book, Unofficial Guide....lol, so many changes and so much easier with the electronic methods.

And yes, everybody is on the MDE.

I guess what I am thinking about at this point is trying to contact for a specific BRV location with a view of the lake and I don't know if she would be able to make that happen or if it is easier to manage that on my own.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I am leaning this way at this point. Thanks for the tips, its been about 100 years since we've been and I still remember buying that paperback book, Unofficial Guide....lol, so many changes and so much easier with the electronic methods.

And yes, everybody is on the MDE.

I guess what I am thinking about at this point is trying to contact for a specific BRV location with a view of the lake and I don't know if she would be able to make that happen or if it is easier to manage that on my own.

If you want to make a room location request, you can simply contact WDW and have the request noted on your reservation. This is exactly what the TA would do, so there is no reason to transfer a reservation to her in order to do this.

I'm glad to hear you changed your MDE password. Anyone with access to that info could go in and change or cancel your reservations. There are plenty of experienced TA's who do not charge planning fees. I, personally, would be vary wary of a TA who is charging a concierge fee and wants access to your MDE account.

 

[fab1976]

The agency I use requests MDE info. They aren’t going to do anything bad, they have their reputation to keep and messing with their clients account wouldn’t help with that. This last reservation I transferred I didn’t provide my info because I had done everything myself already. Other times I was pleasantly surprised when my FP’s had been booked already when I logged on. I know some are against it but I have had nothing but positive experiences with using an agency.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The agency I use requests MDE info. They aren’t going to do anything bad, they have their reputation to keep and messing with their clients account wouldn’t help with that. This last reservation I transferred I didn’t provide my info because I had done everything myself already. Other times I was pleasantly surprised when my FP’s had been booked already when I logged on. I know some are against it but I have had nothing but positive experiences with using an agency.

I am not advocating against using TA's. I personally, however, wouldn't use a TA that charges a planning fee when so many, very experienced, TA's who work for reputable Earmarked agencies do not. It's just an unnecessary expense, IMHO.

And, if I allowed a TA to access my MDE account (which I probably wouldn't), I would change the password as soon as the reservations were made.

 

[fab1976]

I am not advocating against using TA's. I personally, however, wouldn't use a TA that charges a planning fee when so many, very experienced, TA's who work for reputable Earmarked agencies do not. It's just an unnecessary expense, IMHO.

And, if I allowed a TA to access my MDE account (which I probably wouldn't), I would change the password as soon as the reservations were made.

Yup, did that! And I agree about the fee, there’s no need to pay that, the agent gets paid by the location booked not the client.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am leaning this way at this point. Thanks for the tips, its been about 100 years since we've been and I still remember buying that paperback book, Unofficial Guide....lol, so many changes and so much easier with the electronic methods.

And yes, everybody is on the MDE.

I guess what I am thinking about at this point is trying to contact for a specific BRV location with a view of the lake and I don't know if she would be able to make that happen or if it is easier to manage that on my own.

BRV is a DVC resort and mostly owned by members. You will only be able to make general requests and none of them are guaranteed. I wouldn't expect a travel agent to have any pull in getting you a specific location for your two bedroom villa. It's not a very big resort and two bedroom villas (especially dedicated) may be limited. We did stay in a dedicated two bedroom villa on our own points a few years ago and the closet in the second bedroom was huge.

The best you can do is request a lake view villa directly with Disney.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hello,
Newbie here, and we just booked a 2 bedroom villa in Boulder Ridge on the phone with WDW directly and got an amazing military rate. So excited to plan this vacay with our DD/SIL/DGD and DH.

Now, I am speaking with an independent Disney planner, and she wants me to sign a transfer form for the reservation as she says we meet the qualifications to do that, (booked ess than 30 days ago and not paid in full). She has been super helpful and I am inclined to do it, but does anybody know of any fees associated with this? She didn't mention any, but I don't want to be caught by surprise. The website does advertise a "concierge planning service" that incurs $149 fee. I am not familiar with that.

I would not do it. You will lose control over everything. Just do it yourself. Look what you did by yourself already, you got a great rate nobody else could get for you. My vote is no.

 

[MinnieMom18]

BRV is a DVC resort and mostly owned by members. You will only be able to make general requests and none of them are guaranteed. I wouldn't expect a travel agent to have any pull in getting you a specific location for your two bedroom villa. It's not a very big resort and two bedroom villas (especially dedicated) may be limited. We did stay in a dedicated two bedroom villa on our own points a few years ago and the closet in the second bedroom was huge.

The best you can do is request a lake view villa directly with Disney.

Good to know, especially about the closet! We will be using a baby crib and some large walk in closets can work for the baby. I am wondering if the higher floors will afford a better view and my husband would like to be looking at a lake rather than a parking lot.

And yes, Ensusieasm, I think that control issue concerns me a bit. She is probably great, but what if closer to trip time, I need adjustments and she becomes less available.

However, the more I read these boards, the more I am thinking I will use the touringplan.com tool and proceed to customize our trip and try to make a note requesting a view and a crib on the MDE. I appreciate all the comments and perspectives.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Good to know, especially about the closet! We will be using a baby crib and some large walk in closets can work for the baby. I am wondering if the higher floors will afford a better view and my husband would like to be looking at a lake rather than a parking lot.

And yes, Ensusieasm, I think that control issue concerns me a bit. She is probably great, but what if closer to trip time, I need adjustments and she becomes less available.

However, the more I read these boards, the more I am thinking I will use the touringplan.com tool and proceed to customize our trip and try to make a note requesting a view and a crib on the MDE. I appreciate all the comments and perspectives.

You don't see parking lots at VWL (BRV) from the villas. Just woods on that side and lake/pool/woods on the other side.

 

[bumbershoot]

Newbie here, and we just booked a 2 bedroom villa in Boulder Ridge on the phone with WDW directly and got an amazing military rate.

Cool.

Thank you focusondisney, the biggest issue I am having is that we asked several TAs for quotes and none of them offered us the 2 bedroom villa we wanted on the military rate, I do believe those opportunities are very limited and I just got lucky on the phone call, so I don't really feel "obligated" to transfer it to her since she didn't quote it to me first and in fact, told me that there were not any 2 bedroom villas available. I actually really enjoy planning and usually always do all our travel arrangements, but Disney is a little overwhelming and magical at the same time, haha. I do think we can plan our own itinerary if we get some good info and I agree, this board is a great place.

She did spend some time on the phone with me and make great suggestions for ADR that we actually booked while on the phone. She asked my password for my MDE acct, would that pose an issue for you?

So why did you call her after booking a room on your own?

She wants to earn commission for the help she’s giving you. And she has helped you. Right now she’s giving you info for free (like what we do here), but she’s in business. The fee could be because she offers lots of service while making less in commission because she’s a military specialist. If you’re getting lower rates, so is she, but she’s an expert in this.

I’m not telling you to switch to her, but if you aren’t going to pay her (the fee or switching your reservation to her) then please stop asking her for advice. She’s a businessperson.

The MDE thing....I think that’s how some or all TAs make arrangements for you. If you wanted her help I don’t think it should be an issue.

I guess what I am thinking about at this point is trying to contact for a specific BRV location with a view of the lake and I don't know if she would be able to make that happen or if it is easier to manage that on my own.

TAs have no sway over the room assigners.

I was looking at the disney site and how it offered that resort, and it doesn’t seem to have designations. So it’s just going to come down to requests.

BRV is a DVC resort and mostly owned by members. You will only be able to make general requests and none of them are guaranteed.

And that’s the same for requests across all Disney properties, of course. There’s no such thing as a guarantee with a request.

 

[raddisneyfan]

It would. Anyone with access to your MDE account & password can change or cancel any of your arrangements. I have only use a travel agent once since MDE was created, so I am not sure what is “normal” in that regard. It was an online agent that had a specific exclusive rate. She never asked for my MDE info nor my password.

Totally agree with this. I'm surprised that she asked for your password. I would never give this information out to anyone. It is very easy to do all of your own reservations online and very easy to change and cancel if necessary IMO. The only time I would ever consider going with an independent travel agent would be if they were offering an incredible deal that Disney would not. Have fun with the rest of your planning!