Pros/cons re: using travel agent

[Fuzzylife75]

From here in Sweden I wouldn't let any TA get near even thinking about putting my Disney Vacation(s) together.

They just don't have the in depth knowledge here and I'm not even sure that they get access to the off public discounts either.

But with that said, I'm fairly certain that I would be the same if I was booking from the States. Because I love it so much and when it comes to Disney, I am quite the control freak!

 

[kwdw]

After trying to work with a TA with a nationwide reputable company who CLAIMED to be Disney expert (some certification?) - who I soon learned knew far less than me - I won't work with one. He wasn't able to book me at the room discount that was clearly available online through Disney and couldn't even seem to book a room at the resort I wanted - claiming no rooms were available. And, gosh, he told me while they used to be able to get ticket discounts, they couldn't anymore. Needless to say - I booked my own trip since he could only offer me higher priced alternates to what I really wanted. Got the discount on the room at the resort I wanted.

I realize others do have good luck with TA's - but you do need knowledge of current public discount offers - and the agent needs to be able to meet those prices or do better. If you have zero time - they do provide service - but make sure you'll get the quality of service you want.

 

[richmo]

For those that use TAs do you use someone local to you or someone online?

So can anyone point me to a reputable TA?

For a Disney trip, I'd highly recommend an agency that specializes in Disney, so I would not use anyone local.

A couple that are very good are Dreams Unlimited and Magical Journeys (which I've used). They get all your information (like whether you have Disney Visa, annual passes, etc.) and find the best deals and they really shine when a package offer comes up. They have a much higher probability of getting thru to Disney when a package opens up than you would trying to do it yourself. Also, if there's a price drop or better offer after booking, they'll hop right on it.

 

[EmmyKay]

So can anyone point me to a reputable TA?

Deleted

 

[scard192]

we are booked for our November trip through an agency exclusive deal; needed to check-in before FD starts again and got a package deal with resort, PH tix, dining plan and a complimentary one day pass to a waterpark (kids are thrilled). Much cheaper than booking through Disney. If we had qualified for FD I would have booked directly myself.

 

[MsThumper]

So can anyone point me to a reputable TA?

Unfortunately, the posting rules on this board do not permit me to give you the name of the travel agency that I used.

 

[kcarp36]

Thanks so much for the extremely helpful replies, everyone!

Babsy, you totally hit the nail on the head re: why I'm not sure about a TA, as I'm hesitant to relinquish control of (possibly) securing a room-only discount to someone else. I know these get snagged up extremely quickly once released, and if a TA has a big roster to clients, they can't possibly make everyone an equal priority. If I was really busy with a job, etc. it might make sense, but I'm a SAHM at the moment so, generally, I'm available to jump on the phone at 7 AM and be persistent (or whatever the procedure is. . . ).

Botton line, I think I'll shop around for TA deals (once Disney releases 2017 rates) and if I can't find a good one, I'll book on my own and keep my fingers crossed for securing a RO discount later on. . . (I guess I should pop over to the discount forum to get up to speed : - ).

Thanks again!​

I don't know if this "theory" is right or I am dreaming it up but I have signed in to my Disney account on 2 occasions, priced trips, and saved my cart. A week or two later I would get "special" offers in the mail. I don't know if this is anything or what but I know it has happened. The offers have both been around or during the times I was looking to go.

 

[EmmyKay]

Unfortunately, the posting rules on this board do not permit me to give you the name of the travel agency that I used.

Ooopsss..did not know that, and I dropped some names. I'll see if I can remove the post.

 

[Funfire240]

we are booked for our November trip through an agency exclusive deal; needed to check-in before FD starts again and got a package deal with resort, PH tix, dining plan and a complimentary one day pass to a waterpark (kids are thrilled). Much cheaper than booking through Disney. If we had qualified for FD I would have booked directly myself.

I have this as well. I was nervous about using a TA but have had no problems. My con is making payments. We like to put a large sum down and then make certain amounts each week. I'm finding it a little more difficult to keep contacting the TA each week to request the payments where in the past I have always booked myself and could go right online and enter the payment whenever. DH now will ask if I made our weekly payment and at times have to wait until I hear back from the TA. Other than I have had no complaints -I did all my dining and experiences on my own because I just can't give that up!

 

[MsThumper]

Ooopsss..did not know that, and I dropped some names. I'll see if I can remove the post.

I don't know that it is all travel agencies, but definately the one I used can't be named.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I only book through a TA if the deal is better than what Disney can give me. I saved over 2K on my last trip by booking through a TA.

 

[terri33inne]

I can book my own trip no problem. I use a TA, and this is why I'm happy I have. The day the discounts come out I don't have to be on hold for hours with Disney to apply the discount to my resi... she does that. I tend to book everything (even the room & then do a transfer form to her), dining ,FP's etc. Although she would do them if I needed her to. I tweak it, and have made multiple resort changes on one reservation before, and she's been available to update them.

One day my daughter & I were having a great day in HS, and didn't want to leave for our lunch at Beaches N Cream. While in the park I texted her... said we're here in the park, and want to stay longer, can you see if there is anything later at Beaches N' Cream. She said she'd check... we went on with our day at HS, within 10 minutes I got a text from her with the new time of our resi. This may seem small, but to me it was great to not have to stop in the middle of the park, and reach Disney dining to move it.

Also, they're free!

 

[lsyorke]

I use a TA all the time and have gotten better prices than I could have ever worked out, without having to lift a finger. Her expertise came into play big time on a stay at BWV when the pull out couch was horrendous. Attempted to get a different room at a different resort(at the front desk) and was told nothing at all was available. Called my TA...she called me back 3 minutes later and off we went to a 2bdrm villa at OKW, for the same price as our 1bdr at BWV. Greeted at the door at OKW with an apology about the previous nights situation. She is awesome!

 

[Indychick]

I can't imagine using a TA. Then again I am a Disney planning freak. I research and plan for months. To me that is almost as fun as the vacation itself. I have never used a TA but looked into one a few times and didn't feel they could do any better than I could. I used to think about being a TA myself exclusively planning for Disney trip goers but decided to be a nurse instead . Seriously though, research it first. There are lots of places you can get free or very low cost help planning.

 

[tbssenterprises]

I've used TA and I've booked on my own. The problem with the TA is that you don't control the reservation. Any change you want to make, you need to go through the TA. That gets to be a pain in the rear especially when you make a ressie almost a year out. Many changes do occur (start and end dates, adding people, etc.)

 

[Alice777]

Piggybacking on this thread instead of creating new one.

1. Does TA charge you or Disney for their service?
2. When we went this April for the first time, we used TA who was free to us. Because we didn't know anything and had millions of questions and for the convenience, we got package deal. Now looking back, not sure if we got better deal or if I had book it myself, it would of been same or better. Obiously we didn't have good one because I found out there would be sale on the days we went so I had to contact her to as about the sale. She didn't even know about it.
3. We are going back in November and my son thinks it's still better to use TA (different company) for the convenience of it since we both work full time. We did contact another TA and got quote but I played around online and looked at Disney site for their price and tickets at Parksavers and my figure came out much cheaper than TA. Reading here, you guys are saying TA can get better quote than if I was to do it myself. Now I am confused......
4. Just curious.....everyone seem to mention not like being on the phone with Disney when making reservation because it takes too long so you use TA...why do you call instead of doing it on line? Is calling better? If so, why?
5. Because I will only need ticket for myself (since my son has year pass), I am trying to price out room at Pop for 2 of us and so far everyone seem to have about the same price range....and TA price seem no different than Disney site. Am I doing something wrong?
6. I am leaning toward buying park tickets from Parksavers for myself but still need room for 2 at Pop.

Any advise if much appreciate. Thank you

 

[richmo]

Piggybacking on this thread instead of creating new one.

1. Does TA charge you or Disney for their service?
2. When we went this April for the first time, we used TA who was free to us. Because we didn't know anything and had millions of questions and for the convenience, we got package deal. Now looking back, not sure if we got better deal or if I had book it myself, it would of been same or better. Obiously we didn't have good one because I found out there would be sale on the days we went so I had to contact her to as about the sale. She didn't even know about it.
3. We are going back in November and my son thinks it's still better to use TA (different company) for the convenience of it since we both work full time. We did contact another TA and got quote but I played around online and looked at Disney site for their price and tickets at Parksavers and my figure came out much cheaper than TA. Reading here, you guys are saying TA can get better quote than if I was to do it myself. Now I am confused......
4. Just curious.....everyone seem to mention not like being on the phone with Disney when making reservation because it takes too long so you use TA...why do you call instead of doing it on line? Is calling better? If so, why?
5. Because I will only need ticket for myself (since my son has year pass), I am trying to price out room at Pop for 2 of us and so far everyone seem to have about the same price range....and TA price seem no different than Disney site. Am I doing something wrong?
6. I am leaning toward buying park tickets from Parksavers for myself but still need room for 2 at Pop.

Any advise if much appreciate. Thank you

1. A TA should not charge you. They should get their commission from Disney.
2. If you use one of the Disney dedicated TA's, they will continue to get you the best package they can for you, even after you book. The generic TA's like Liberty, AAA, Apple, etc., don't necessarily do that.
3. Most of the time I would think the packages you get yourself or with a TA should be the same price; they're just doing the work for you. Most of the Disney dedicated TA's aren't going to get involved with airfare, car rentals, etc....they're just dealing with the Disney packages.
4. Not sure on this one. I would try to do it online also, but I think sometimes the TAs get advance access to some of the packages.
5. No - the TA price is the Disney price
6. That's fine...you can get the tix yourself, but you then can't take advantage of packages (like free dining, etc.)

 

[Alice777]

@richmo. Thank you for your reply. Last time we did use Disney dedicated TA, not generic, and that's why we were so disappointed. We asked if she can find airfare for us and she said she doesn't do that so we end up doing our own airfare (since it was our first time, I don't think we did good job because we paid around $500 from LAX/MCO roundfare). We did our own FP+, our own reservation, etc. We ask if she can put certain building we wanted and she said she did but when we arrived, they didn't find any request. We were just glad TA expense didn't come out of our pockets because we did all the work. She answered alot of questions for a newbie but I think I could have gotten better answer here.

 

[richmo]

@richmo. Thank you for your reply. Last time we did use Disney dedicated TA, not generic, and that's why we were so disappointed. We asked if she can find airfare for us and she said she doesn't do that so we end up doing our own airfare (since it was our first time, I don't think we did good job because we paid around $500 from LAX/MCO roundfare). We did our own FP+, our own reservation, etc. We ask if she can put certain building we wanted and she said she did but when we arrived, they didn't find any request. We were just glad TA expense didn't come out of our pockets because we did all the work. She answered alot of questions for a newbie but I think I could have gotten better answer here.

From what you're saying, I think the only place she may have fallen short was in not getting in your building request in the system. As I mentioned earlier, the Disney TA's usually don't handle airfare. The FP+'s and dining reservations are also something you do yourself once you have the reservation hooked up in My Disney Experience. A good Disney TA should have informed you when your FP and ADR booking windows open up, but that is something for you to do.

 

[Alice777]

Actually the problem I had with her was after we booked with her there was sale on the days we were going. We e-mailed her as soon as we found out about it and she had no idea there was sale going on. I found about the sale from here and asked about it. Couple of days later she e-mailed us back and said indeed there was sale and she had it adjusted to sale price.

I was just comparing because some posted here that some TA would look for airfare, do FP+, dining reservation and etc and importantly keep an eye on any sale on resort price. The only time we heard from her was if we asked questions or when she wanted our money.

And nothing big but I thought I would get follow up e-mail from her after we came back, just a quick note asking "how was our trip" or before our trip, "have a nice trip" but once we gave her the final payment, we never heard back from her. At minimum, if I was a TA, I think I would do followup e-mail.....