Niagara Traval Agent-Disney based

[lisalonglash]

Lots of people like FD&D and will defend them. Nothing odd about that. Just like you are recommending a TA that you like, so will others. And yes, there very well could be other TA companies better than FD&D - but do not put down FD&D or other TA's. I'm obviously not the only one felt that was implied in your posts. You may not have meant for that, but it did come across that way.

Exactly. I will recommend FD&D every time someone asks about a trip involving anything Disney - and I have done exactly that, many many times, to family, friends and acquaintances with nothing but happy and very satisfied experiences reported back to me

FD&D will not be on here to defend themselves. No need when they have many happy customers ready to on their behalf, right? I onced asked my FD&D TA if she was on DIS and she said none of them are allowed to. I did not ask why. I figured it was the owner's decision and her right. Besides, while other companies can become a paid sponsor and then advertise their business, I do not believe TA's can. So again, not allowed by DIS as well.

Yes, I'm also ready to defend their well-deserved excellent reputation, because I am absolutely confident in their abilities and service

 

[maryliz]

Exactly. I will recommend FD&D every time someone asks about a trip involving anything Disney - and I have done exactly that, many many times, to family, friends and acquaintances with nothing but happy and very satisfied experiences reported back to me



Yes, I'm also ready to defend their well-deserved excellent reputation, because I am absolutely confident in their abilities and service

Which is great for you! glad to hear that you've been nothing but satisfied. But they booked my SIL at Coronado Springs and never mentioned that the main pool was going down for refurb (I knew it ) but by the time everyone in their party was booked there, most of the families didn't want to be bothered changing to another resort. Unfortunate that they didn't have that info BEFORE they made their resort decision. And they're the ones that told them NOT to use the luggage transfers ... sorry, but I think that's just wrong. Nothing wrong with telling them of some of the issues that others have experienced, but to flat out tell them from the get-go to NOT do it, not great customer service IMHO. Again, to each his own.

I think everything in this world where you are going somewhere to get customer service, be it a travel agent, a car dealership, even a restaurant will always have their good and bad reviews, and you just make the best decision based on YOUR own needs. Not everyone is always going to be satisfied to the same degree, so what is "beyond fantastic" to someone could be considered mediocre to another.

Happy planning everyone!

 

[minnie56]

Personally, you couldn't be way more off on the mark than you are. I think to a lot of people, it has nothing to do with wanting to actually DO the leg work. I LOVE doing legwork on my vacations, and always do. Especially my Disney vacations.

The reason I posted this question originally was to find help on finding a travel company who knew Disney best. Im not looking for someone to plan a hotel stay for me. I can do that.

I have several upcoming cruises through DCL that I would like to have a travel agent for. Not because I DO NOT want to do the leg work. Leg work is done. It just needs booking. BUT, if there are problems with flights and transfers. I make a phone call and it's basically out of my hands. A GOOD travel agent takes care of my worry while Im on vacation. Because IM ON VACATION. I do not need to stress of what they should be doing. That is a travel agent's job. If there is a problem, they need to deal with it.

I certainly don't NEED a travel agent. I have been booking all my own trips since I was a teenager. BUT, seeing as they are now consisting of more complex travel plans, where if A doesn't work or is delayed, then B may not happen. And if I'm suppose to be relaxing and on vacation, I don't want to deal with the stress and details. It's what Im using said travel agent for.

BUT, thank you to everyone for giving me all the options. I am looking into them all

Well, I see wanting someone else to sort out any potential issues with 'flights/transfers' again as wanting someone else to do the legwork and that's okay, knowing there's a safety net there to reach for if bumps in the road occur. As for someone who knows Disney best, that isn't something that can be tought really. It comes down to a LOT of first hand experience to do it well. You may have much of your researching accomplished before you get to an agent but that isn't the case for many Disney vacationers so they need it down to the last detail done for them. A TA can be a lifesaver there and there are MANY excellent ones out there

 

[sstarke]

Which is great for you! glad to hear that you've been nothing but satisfied. But they booked my SIL at Coronado Springs and never mentioned that the main pool was going down for refurb (I knew it ) but by the time everyone in their party was booked there, most of the families didn't want to be bothered changing to another resort. Unfortunate that they didn't have that info BEFORE they made their resort decision. And they're the ones that told them NOT to use the luggage transfers ... sorry, but I think that's just wrong. Nothing wrong with telling them of some of the issues that others have experienced, but to flat out tell them from the get-go to NOT do it, not great customer service IMHO. Again, to each his own.

I think everything in this world where you are going somewhere to get customer service, be it a travel agent, a car dealership, even a restaurant will always have their good and bad reviews, and you just make the best decision based on YOUR own needs. Not everyone is always going to be satisfied to the same degree, so what is "beyond fantastic" to someone could be considered mediocre to another.

Happy planning everyone!

I think the phrasing 'that's just wrong' is a bit strong to describe a TA's opinion on luggage tags. They are just luggage tags after all. Sometimes I feel like we're are not giving people enough credit to think independently of their TA's!

Just as an example; my DH and I were once told by a TA on a trip to NYC to rent a car...not solid advice in my opinion given the gridlock in Manhattan - we just glossed over it and subway-ed around like real New Yorkers. Our TA was invaluable for a bunch of other things, it was just this point we agreed to disagree and moved forward.

I do very much agree with your last paragraph - there are always mixed reviews about any company - go with where you're comfortable

And for the record, when we do WDW - we carry our own luggage! Oh more specifically, DH rolls mine and his

I love DME, but I need my things right away. I'm the worst for having to change immediately and primp when I get in to our resort and I just can't do the carry-on thing.

 

[maryliz]

But if you're a newbie to WDW and all of the facets of DME, they are "not just luggage tags" ... they are tags that fulfill a very specific function that you won't understand unless it's fully explained to you, so that you can make the decision that best fits your personal needs. And instead of doing just that, they were told "don't do it" without much of an explanation.

I tend to give TOO MUCH info to my friends that ask , so it always baffles me when a professional doesn't do the same.

Rent a car in NYC??? Oh my! Were you comfortable riding the subway? I'd be afraid to try the subway ... I think I watch too much TV. So if we go, I think it might be taxis all the time.

 

[springsteenmickey]

And instead of doing just that, they were told "don't do it" without much of an explanation.

Sounds like someone has their Lions crossed. FDD has never said to me 'don't do it', but rather the information has been presented about DME (and other components of my vacation package) and they let me make my own decision.

I actually appreciate them advising me of the potential problems with DME because of course Disney isn't going to do that.