Is there really a DISCOUNT

[Tinbadge69]

Ive been pouring through dates and times of travel to find the best deals. Can a agency like Dreams Unlimited really get you a better deal? Is there something that they know that keeps you from just doing it yourself. I was look into letting DU do my vacation but has anyone ever tried getting your price then letting an agency do it for you?
What are the Pro's and Con's, or are there any?
This is not an I HATE TRAVEL AGENCY post !!
Im just getting worn out on looking for deals and cheaper tickets.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Everyone has access to the same discounts. Whether or not you want to do the research is up to you To me, it's worth it to be in control of your reservation. Travel agents are often not at their desks, and may not check in with you for days when you ask a question.

 

[mikelan6]

Travel agents are like any other profession. You have to find an agent that you trust and hope that they are looking out for you by finding the best deal for you. Also, the best deal for me, might not be the best deal for you - depending on where you go, how many in your family, etc.

 

[BriarRosie]

I wanted to add that there are agencies designated as "Earmarked", that is, agencies that do a lot of Disney bookings. And agents go to special training at Disney, as well. It's the "College of Disney Knowledge" just for that purpose.

Many of the Disney specialty agencies get notice of discounts that come out and will often check BEFORE a client knows about them. If there's a discount that can be applied, the agent will apply it and contact the customer to announce the changes made.

It helps if you tell an agent if you fall under certain criteria. If you're an annual passholder, are a AAA member, or are a teacher or work for the government, there are discounts that may apply. (The teacher/government rate is an offer common to the Swan and Dolphin properties owned by Starwood.)

I'm not an agent but know people who are or were agents.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Many of the Disney specialty agencies get notice of discounts that come out and will often check BEFORE a client knows about them. If there's a discount that can be applied, the agent will apply it and contact the customer to announce the changes made.

I'm pretty sure that's not true. (Any travel agents are free to correct me.) I usually see discount rumors on these boards that end up being true, and "earmarked" agents commenting that they hadn't heard anything.

 

[bjresmom]

As an Earmarked agent, I wanted to pop in and offer my feelings on this
First, we do NOT get to make any booking with a discount BEFORE anyone else! Yes, I WILL get up and get going in the wee hours of the morning to get my families the discounts, but if you wanted to, so could you
Second, I MIGHT get some advance notice that "Something" is going to drop on a certain date...but I never get details until that date.
Third, and most importantly: If you ask a Travel Agent a question and they do not have the courtesy to get back to you that same day (unless you e-mail at a very late hour), then I would be looking for another travel agent! In any field, it is just common courtesy to respond to calls/queries on the same day, even if it is only to let the caller know that you got thier message, and you will get back to them once you research, within 24 hours. I would expect nothing less from ANY professional I contact.
When my clients ask why they need to use me, my response is that I am here to locally represent Disney, as as I have traveled there extensively, stayed in every resort, eaten at every restaurant, and I have 4 children, so I have done the gamut I will make all dining / recreation /tour/ special event reservations, I will keep an eye on ANY promotions that are released and will apply them to all reservations that will benefit from them without waiting to hear the client ask me to do it, I will help with as detailed an itinerary as my families ask for, and I will offer my thoughts, ideas and suggestions to match as perfectly as possible the right resort, package, activities and time frame to the family and Disney. I do this at no additional charge. You will pay me what you would pay Disney directly. I say this NOT TO ADVERTISE, but to let folks know what they SHOULD expect from any travel agent who specializes in Disney trips worldwide. You don't have to settle, and you need to have total faith and trust when you invite someone into your family to help you plan.
For many, the planning is part of the entire experience. Travel agents are here when it is simply too confusing and time consuming to tackle on your own
Good Luck with your planning!!!

 

[moporotu]

There certainly are agencies, that can give you a better deal, but knowing which one is real and which one is fraud, is a difficult task.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

There certainly are agencies, that can give you a better deal, but knowing which one is real and which one is fraud, is a difficult task.

Sorry, but that's not true. Agencies cannot get you a better deal than you can get yourself.

 

[ccgirl]

I have done both. I usually book for myself. I will say the reason I used a travel agency is they did all the work for me. They kept searching the deals for me. Now, I just do it myself because I am a control freak and I like having control of my things.

I second what a PP said that you can get the same deals yourself.

 

[VeroBeach]

Sorry, but that's not true. Agencies cannot get you a better deal than you can get yourself.

Some agencies will block groups of room for a group rate (WDW and sometimes DCL); some will offer to give you part of their commission back as a rebate or shipboard credit, sometimes in the form of Disney gift cards, etc.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm letting Dreams Unlimited take care of my cruise line booking. So far

 

[Cherinva]

I mainly book my own trips, however there are occations where I will use Dreams Unlimited...if I just can't be bothered with making the ADRs and such....they are very professional.

 

[topolino]

I hardly ever use a travel agency, and never for WDW or DL trips. I haven't been able to find a benefit for using one, and as far as inconvencience - there is none. Booking ADRs and what not is part of the fun for me.

However, when I take my first Disney Cruise I will definitely use a travel agent. I'm not as knowledgeable and experienced for cruising, and their expertise would be appreciated.

 

[Michele]

Im just getting worn out on looking for deals and cheaper tickets.

I think this is the key to whether a travel agency might be right for you. They won't necessarily be able to get you a better deal than you can get yourself, but they will spend their time doing the work instead of you.

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm pretty sure that's not true. (Any travel agents are free to correct me.) I usually see discount rumors on these boards that end up being true, and "earmarked" agents commenting that they hadn't heard anything.

Bjresmom clarified it better. Agencies might hear that new discounts might drop around a certain date, or they might not.

But if they do find one before the client does, many agents will apply the discount and notify the client without being prompted by the client later.

I very rarely use an agent, but I feel there is no reason to avoid using one, especially one who specializes in Disney.

 

[YukiPhnx]

As someone visiting from another country, my benefits for using a specialized Disney TA is that they do all the long-distance calling for me so I don't need to spend money to do it myself. That's definitely my biggest reason for using a TA. I know I could do it all myself, but it's nice to have someone do all the tecnical stuff for me. I still do all of my own research and it's just great to have someone that is always there to answer any questions I have.

Just like a previous poster said, if you DO want to go with a TA, it's about finding one that will work for YOU. Not all TAs are the bad ones we hear about occassionally.

 

[dansyr2514]

I used dreams unlimited last year...and they were awesome. I probably know more about Disney than 98 percent of the people I'm surrounded by......and generally plan my own trips. But, last year I just didn't have the time to sit on the phone and do the research. I knew ...as most disboarders know the moment a discount comes out. However. I didn't have 45 minutes to sit on hold. Dreams can do that for you. My agent Jen was awesome!!! When different discounts came out she called back to see what the better deals was. I didn't lose any control and still made my own dining reservations.
I would definitely use them again....but we rented DVC points this year. However we did book our stay at the Dolphin for the food and wine classic with dreams. The package will be applied when it is released and I won't have to spend one minute on the phone!

 

[chirurgeon]

I love using a travel agent that I can trust (Kathy W, podcaster extraordinaire) A travel agent looks out for the available discounts and I don't have to. And with my new job, I don't have as much time for this sort of thing. So when the next trip is planned (DAP 2.0) a Dreams quote is in my future.

Kim

 

[chaoscent]

I am currently a DVC owner, but when I don't do DVC I use Dreams. Plus I use them whenever I stay off campus (normally first night in if I come with DH). Plus I recommend to anyone who will listen that if they aren't going to be on the boards watching and waiting, they should have a travel agent doing it for them. I know I can get the same deal, but sometimes life gets in the way and I am off the boards for 3 or 4 days and I don't have to worry that a discount has been released. I have used other travel agencies before find Dreams and as another person said, they did not get back to me within 24 hours, so I moved my business and only recommend Dreams. Penny