How much is $200 worth anyway?

[shan136]

When we booked our WDW vacation we were lucky enough to have received a 30% off pin which saved us $360. Now that Free Dining has been extended to our travel dates I would like to switch offers in order to save an additional $200. However, our TA says that she has not been able able to get through to make the change. I received this email from her at 11:40 today:

I have literally been on hold with Disney since 9:37am, I am sorry I cannot hold any longer, I will try this evening. I just sent an email to my Disney Sales rep to tell her about this outrageous wait, I am livid and very sorry I cannot get an answer. I will keep trying, but I have not even been answering my phone. Will advise if I get through, please feel free to try on your end.

I called and was told that she must make the change and that I couldn't do it...ugh. The CM was a little snotty, she said "that this is what the TA receives her commission for". Although I appreciate the business model, I don't like how it is screwing me out of saving money.

I guess that I could be a real b****h with my TA about this, but is it worth it? After all, the only reason that I had her book the trip for us was because she is a friend of my sisters.

Note to self: next time book your own WDW vacation!!!

 

[stitchlover]

And this is why I book my own vacations! I hope you get your situation resolved.

 

[cglaura]

Couldn't you just book the free dining w/ WDW yourself, then cancel the one with the TA? You are far enough out that there shouldn't be fees involved? Unless the TA itself has a cancellation fee.

I understand with your sister and all you don't want to step on any toes, but $200 is alot of money imho. And the bottom line is, regardless of why she can't get through, if she can't get you the deal you want then you should go elsewhere.

 

[The_Aviator]

In my opinion, I wouldn't consider it fair on a travel agent to have to go through so much trouble to save money. They do operate on commissions and it just isn't right to put so much pressure on them to save money for you.

This is why I almost always choose to book myself. When I do choose to go with a travel agent, I wait until there is a price that is right before I pay, and if it does get cheaper for whatever reason, I just count my losses and move on.

 

[MichellelovesMickey]

I am regretting booking my WDW part of my trip thru a travel agent, she is absolutely wonderful, but I am limited to as what I can do. We have had no problems.
On your offer though, with a PIN code of 30% off already, you would not be able to add the free dining offer, it would be one or the other, at least that is what I was told thru Disney the past 3 years when I booked on my own and by my Travel Agent this year. I have a 40% PIN code applied (Deluxe) but I would only save money on Free Dining if I got a standard room (if even available).

 

[zoie101]

Try to change it your self, or cancel her trip and rebook one your self, that is a lot of souvies....

 

[Disneymama5816]

First off, I am sorry that you are not receiving the service that a good TA ALWAYS offers. I own my own agency and offer exemplary service. In your case, she should be on the phone early morning to get this handled. At this time of the morning (7:45am) the phone lines will be quiet and she has a special TA line to call. That being said, there is so many things that an experienced and dedicated TA can do that will enhance your planning experience. Additionally, the TA can give you the confirmation number so that you can revise/add dining, tours, etc to your reservation if you would like to do so. My clients are astounded with the things that I know about Disney and are thrilled with my services. It has never occurred to me not to check on additional discounts for clients if they come out. I figure the more money they save the more trips they will book .

 

[buzznina]

Is it me or is the OP overreacting? It's not like the TA was telling them that she could not change it, or that she was no longer going to try. She was just informing them that she was unable to get through on her first attempt and they will try again later. And somehow the OP is blaming them for "screwing me out of saving money" for something that is still in the process.

 

[vicki_c]

Is it me or is the OP overreacting? It's not like the TA was telling them that she could not change it, or that she was no longer going to try. She was just informing them that she was unable to get through on her first attempt and they will try again later. And somehow the OP is blaming them for "screwing me out of saving money" for something that is still in the process.

I don't think she is. Part of the reason to use a good Disney specialist TA is exactly so they can jump on these discounts when they are offered. If that means calling early in the morning (like the previous TA posted) to get it done, that's what they should be doing. Just like dining reservations. If you are a TA that offers those for your clients, and they're going to Disney, you had better darn well be on the phone at 7 AM or online at 6 AM to get them done for your clients, not calling at 9 AM because that's when your office opens.

I think the OP's expectations are totally correct and if she had a better versed TA, it probably would have been taken care of before 8 AM this morning without a 2 hour wait on hold that accomplished nothing. (Also the fact that she suggested the OP try herself is totally dumb - the OP can't even do that, which any TA should know).

I know a number of TAs that I love that meet all the criteria above and more and that are my friends, and I still book everything myself! Control freak that I am.

 

[ccgirl]

When we booked our WDW vacation we were lucky enough to have received a 30% off pin which saved us $360. Now that Free Dining has been extended to our travel dates I would like to switch offers in order to save an additional $200. However, our TA says that she has not been able able to get through to make the change. I received this email from her at 11:40 today:



I called and was told that she must make the change and that I couldn't do it...ugh. The CM was a little snotty, she said "that this is what the TA receives her commission for". Although I appreciate the business model, I don't like how it is screwing me out of saving money.

I guess that I could be a real b****h with my TA about this, but is it worth it? After all, the only reason that I had her book the trip for us was because she is a friend of my sisters.

Note to self: next time book your own WDW vacation!!!

As a PP pointed out, you can only use one offer. You would have to pay full rack rate for the room in order to get "free dining" so it may actually be better for you to keep your existing ressie. Good luck!

 

[3girlsfun]

I feel the pain of the OP. I tried to use a TA with this trip, as it is our first time going to Disney as a family, and first time traveling to Disney and staying on property. (We use to live in Orlando.) However, the TA was so slow in getting back to me. In the world of emails, Blackberries, Iphones, etc. I just can't handle someone who doesn't get back to me quickly. (If there entire business runs off of commissions, sales, etc.)

The TA I tried to use took about 30 hours to get back to me, and then about another 24 hours to get the quotes back to me. This was way too long in my opinion. I mean, when I can go online and get one in about 2 mins. myself. Now, I understand I am not her only client, but, I just didn't have the patience for it.

I agree, the TA should have been on the phone at 7am. I would expect any Disney TA to be up and working at 7am during their "work week."

 

[larryz]

I don't understand why your TA couldn't get thru. I called twice yesterday within a half hour at the 5 pm (EDT) hour, and was only on hold a total of 10 minutes for both calls... that was using the number Disney posted on their specials web page...

 

[worm761]

Another Disney travel agent here, and I have to agree with the others. She is not doing her job. If I were you, I would cancel with her and either book myself or go to another agent. There are plenty around that would love the business. I know it is slow here since our economy is not picking up.

 

[vicki_c]

I don't understand why your TA couldn't get thru. I called twice yesterday within a half hour at the 5 pm (EDT) hour, and was only on hold a total of 10 minutes for both calls... that was using the number Disney posted on their specials web page...

TAs call a dedicated number, not the regular numbers.

 

[shan136]

OP here. The good news is that our TA was finally able to change the reservation and now we are saving 553.00 with FD instead of 363.00 with the 30% pin. The bad news is I think she messed up my sisters discounts, although my sister won't really care to go through the hassle to fix it.

Is it me or is the OP overreacting? It's not like the TA was telling them that she could not change it, or that she was no longer going to try. She was just informing them that she was unable to get through on her first attempt and they will try again later. And somehow the OP is blaming them for "screwing me out of saving money" for something that is still in the process.

Wow, Buzzina why such a scathing opinion of my post? My frustration was really more with the process than with my TA. Yes, saving $200 is very nice, however, the cost of our trip total was $2311 before the additional savings so I kinda feel that our TA already earned her commission when she scheduled our ADRs. So, for my TA to have to spend hours making such a small change which will reduce her commission is a little ridiculous when I was on the phone and it's MY reservation.

I think the OP's expectations are totally correct and if she had a better versed TA, it probably would have been taken care of before 8 AM this morning without a 2 hour wait on hold that accomplished nothing. (Also the fact that she suggested the OP try herself is totally dumb - the OP can't even do that, which any TA should know).

Normally I would never use a TA at all, but my sister who suggested we travel with her and her family had already committed to having her friend (really more of a business colleague) book her trip for her, which is why I decided to book with her as well. It was obvious during our first meeting that she was not a Disney specialist but by then it was too late. When I brought up my 30% pin and she had no idea what I was talking about I knew I was in trouble.

 

[ccgirl]

Glad you were finally able to get thru to her and she was able to book what you wanted. Just curious, when you say you "saved" that much. Is that with the 30% off and the dining plan? Did you have the dining plan previously? Good for you, that is a lot to save.

 

[shan136]

We saved $553 total just with FD since Disney doesn't allow stacking discounts. It is a lot to save, and we didn't have to change from our original dates or resort, yea!

When we originally planned our trip we were looking at a $2700 (plus airfare & spending money) trip and we were going to book but then I found Disboards and realized that I may be able to do better. It has really helped my DH enjoy the planning a bit more which makes it more fun for me. We had a really tough year financially last year (2009) and although this year has been better, money is still a big issue for us.

Now, because of free dining we are doing 6 days at CBR with dining and tickets with hoppers plus one additional night POP for < $3000 including airfare. We are putting aside some cash for alcoholic beverages and tips and we are accruing rewards using our Disney Debit card, so hopefully we will not bust our budget while we are in the world.

 

[larryz]

TAs call a dedicated number, not the regular numbers.

Ah. That seems to work well... NOT!