Is it better to book a package thru a travel agent or book everything yourself?

[zach33199]

My parents are taking my siblings, myself and our families (a total of 13 people) to Disney next Nov or Dec.. They did this before in 2007 and booked thru a travel agent. Of course a few years later and we have more members in the family which of course means a lot more $$$. So my question is, would it be cheaper for my parents if they booked everything themselves or go thru a travel agent.

None of the current deals Disney is offering apply to the time we are looking at going. (Looking at the week right after Thanksgiving) We are wondering whether to book thru AAA when they have their Disney Sale (usually in Jan) or wait and hope that Disney offers some kind of discount when we go. We were hoping for a free dining plan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I love using a TA. For the most part they get the exact same deal as I could myself, but I don't have to deal with Disney phone lines. A good Disney TA will watch the discounts as they come out (I think they know ahead of time but are strictly forbidden from divulgine; they know so they can be prepared ahead of time) and will automatically change your reservation to take advantage of that discount. When discounts are first released, phone lines to CRO can have crazy hold times, but if you have a TA then that's the TA's job and you can just sit back and let the TA take care of it. I love it!!!

One thing I will add is that I would NEVER use a AAA TA for a Disney trip. While there may be a few out there who actually "get" Disney, they are the exception rather than the rule. You want a TA who specializes in Disney. I've heard all sorts of horror stories about using AAA TAs for Disney trips.

 

[zach33199]

What TA would you recommend? My parents have one that they deal with on other vacations but I would not call him a Disney Expert. Do you use someone locally for you?

 

[HWKI2]

We have used Magical Journeys several times and always have had a great time.

 

[tyniknate]

Love, love, love my travel agent - and she is a disney specific agent. PM me if you would like her info.

 

[mrsz06]

I used to do everything myself. But I have switched to a TA. She is GREAT!!! She doens't get me better deals or discounts but it's the little things she does. She sent me a $25 Disney Gift Card and a cute homemade photo album with our last name on it. She will even keep an eye out for new discounts that are offered and switch it if it's better than the deal I currently have. It's nice to have someone else stress about ADR's make tour reservations etc.

 

[GovieMom]

We have used Magical Journeys several times and always have had a great time.

I use Magical Journeys also, specifically DisneyDeb. Two days before the latest public discounts became official, I got an e-mail from her stating she had already gotten the discount applied to our reservation and that it saved us $900. I love Magical Journeys!

 

[krisa77]

I am an Earmarked (honor from Disney) travel agent. The deals an agent can get you are usually similar to the online deals but as a previous poster stated it saves you the hassle of dealing with things yourself (everything from booking to watching future deals). I also book meals, BBB, Pirates League, etc. for my clients if I can. I don't make any money on these things but my job is to make your trip less stressful. If anyone has more questions please feel free to PM me.