Small World Vacations - Are they safe/good/trustworthy/

[lissiesmum]

I am also a fan of SWV...and I would highly recommend Angela Dail also! I became a chronic resort changer this trip, and also panicked about the castle refurbishment (I had booked a MK view at the CR). She was very diligent about trying to get me info on the castle, and contacted me often. She also would alert me as to discounts that were offered, and shared some info on the vacation she took a few months ago with her family. She is quick to answer questions, and very, very patient. I think I changed my resort request four times: I started with Poly LVCL, then switched to CR MK view, then switched to GF GV, then back to the Poly for a TPV. Each time she changed it was done with a smile, and always a prompt response. SHe is a joy to talk to and has gone above and beyond my expectations (this was my first experience with a TA). I would not book with anyone else!

 

[lissiesmum]

So far I'm hearing lots of good things.

I'm really looking for someone who is available, reliable, attentive. Someone who knows the "ins" and "outs" of Disney. Who knows how to get me a great deal and if they don't know the answer to a question that I pose they will work on finding it.

When I decide that I want to go with SM can I ask for one of the TAs that you all have mentioned or do I just have one assigned to me?

Angela is all of those things and more! I never had to wait long for a response, and she is very pro-active and knowledgeable. When you go with SWV, you can absolutely request someone. I posted the same question months ago and Angela was recommended to me. I can PM you her direct number if you're interested. Good luck in your decision!

 

[deerhart]

We booked with them 2 years ago. They were wonderful, even gave us recommendations for ADR's based on info I had given. I would not hesitate to use them again if I needed to.

 

[DollyXXXX]

They are fantastic!!!! If I e-mailed my TA right now (being 11:37 pm), I would get an answer back immediately. I would never go through anyone for Disney again. My TA was Kathy.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

We had a poor experience with SWV for two trips a few years ago. Took days to get e-mails or calls returned, and questions were answered minimally. I got a phone call on a Sunday afternoon with no prior notice from the TA saying that the balance of my package (almost $2000) was due that day. Tried a AAA agent and had a marginally better experience for the next trip, but that was my last foray with a TA. I don't like being one of a bunch of the TA's customers, far down the list of her priorities. I book my own trips, and strongly prefer the sense of control that I have doing so.

 

[misscj215]

I'm looking at the option of booking with SMV for my next trip as I am tired of doing the work myself. lol

I'm just curious about the type of payment others have used when booking through the TA? Have you used checks, debit cards, or would you stritctly use a credit card?

Thanks!

 

[sandynd]

We booked our daughter's birthday trip last year through SWV (our first trip ever) and I have to say based on Barbara's performance, we will either look for another TA or book it myself directly. The initial booking went okay, except I had to keep correcting mistakes on the reservation (some mine and some hers). I also asked her to make ADRs as soon as she could, and gave her our preferences. She gave me the date when they would have to be called in and promised to send confirmation right away. 10 days after the date I called to ask about confirmations for dining. She got back to me two days later with reservations at weird times and in one case, to a completely different restaurant (I'm pretty sure she forgot to make them, and then made all the strange ones in desperation at the last minute.) Then the 4/3 deal came along. I had originally booked for five days, and so when I heard about the deal, I was pretty excited that we could go for longer. But Barbara never called me to tell me about the discount at all. I finally called her, told her about the discount (she acted surprised) and rebooked the ressie. I kept an eye on the date that payment was due, and I started calling Barbara aq week before payment was due, so I could split up the payments (putting it on credit card, paying it off and then putting the rest on.) Something went wrong with the Disney payment system, and they ended up, between Disney and Barbara, trying to put over $15,000 on my card in a period of three days. It took 10 days to clean up the mess and finally get it paid for, and I had to do most of the legwork of calling Disney and MasterCard myself. Finally we were ready to go, except our paperwork and luggage tags hadn't shown up three days before leaving. Another call to chase Barbara down, and we got our stuff by courier the day before we left. We had no contact with her at all after that - no checking to see if we got the paperwork, no explanation of it (and being as it was my first time, I had no idea what to do with some of it) and definitely no "pixie dust" touches. All in all, not overwhelmed with the service!!

 

[Pikester]

WOW! I've been reading about SWV and I've also read some stuff about DU and the different experiences have been truly amazing. From those who will never use either one again to those who've book many times and have had wonderful experiences. I'm so nervous about booking with either incase I get one of the TAs that those who have not had a good experience had. I did see that I could request a certain TA but I'm still nervous.

 

[Dizfan4life]

Another fan of SWV here! I have booked my last three vacations with Jodie and I LOVE her, I even have her on facebook for easier communication ! She is always on top of things and even booked our last trip at AKL for only $25 extra! Jodie offered to even book dining reservations for us, but that is just something I want to take care of.

 

[deerhart]

I'm looking at the option of booking with SMV for my next trip as I am tired of doing the work myself. lol

I'm just curious about the type of payment others have used when booking through the TA? Have you used checks, debit cards, or would you stritctly use a credit card?

Thanks!

We used our debit card and had the option of setting up installment payments up until the pay off date or just to pay it off the date it was due. Are card was on file so we didn't have to do anything to make the payoff 9except make sure the money was in the bank). I could also send an email asking for a payment to be made and they would.

They also had us make sure our bank wouldn't reject the large debit and if your bank is one that does that, they would set up to make the payoff over a couple of days.

 

[cdcw76]

I'm looking at the option of booking with SMV for my next trip as I am tired of doing the work myself. lol

I'm just curious about the type of payment others have used when booking through the TA? Have you used checks, debit cards, or would you stritctly use a credit card?

Thanks!

I used an American Express gift card, Disney Reward Dollars, and Disney Chase Visa. I had no problems at all. My 6 mo interest free showed up on my Visa statement.

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

Jodie offered to even book dining reservations for us, but that is just something I want to take care of.

My concern is I read this somewhere else where SMV did not want to book dining reservations for someone.

1) My question is does SWV include booking the dining for a customer, or do they make it aseem difficult

No sure, please let me know.


Thanks

 

[nansmama]

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[gayles]

Does " Small World "book Disney Cruise's also .... ?

 

[acwsmom]

My concern is I read this somewhere else where SMV did not want to book dining reservations for someone.

1) My question is does SWV include booking the dining for a customer, or do they make it aseem difficult

I've worked with Angela Dail for two trips now and she's always been happy to book our ADR's for us. I sent her a list of the places we wanted to go (making sure to mention what was most important to us so she could try those first), and the general times we wanted to go (earliest breakfast time, lunch, dinner before 7:00 pm, etc.). I made sure to give her the list a few days before our 180 day window opened up and she was more than happy to make those reservations for me. I did read on their paperwork that they are supposed to do the ADR's but, if you need to cancel any or make changes to them later on, then you're responsible for taking care of the changes.

 

[Pikester]

Does " Small World "book Disney Cruise's also .... ?

Yes! Right now they are offering on board credit if you book through them.

 

[gillep]

My DH and I just got back from our first trip to Disney using SWV our TA was Stephanie and she was amazing. I have over 20 emails from her with all sorts of useful information. She had our reservation changed to the 7 days for the price of 4 days promotion before it was posted on any other site. I did however choose to book my ADRs myself although she did say that she would do them for me and even provided an easy spreadsheet to fill out to give to her to book them if we wanted to. We are already planning another vacation to WDW in October and another in January and I emailed her telling her that we wern't ready to book yet but would let her know when we were ready, and she told me she would keep a lookout for deals (she emailed me this on a Saturday). I wouldn't hesitate to book with her again. Even though I could have booked everything on my own for the same price it was great to have her do it, and also wonderful to have someone to contact with any question or concern knowing that she would get back to me within moments or at the very most a couple hours.

 

[Dizfan4life]

My concern is I read this somewhere else where SMV did not want to book dining reservations for someone.

1) My question is does SWV include booking the dining for a customer, or do they make it aseem difficult

No sure, please let me know.


Thanks

Yes, Jodie from SWV did offer to book our ADR's, but that is just something that I wanted to do for our own conveniences.

 

[bellaprincess98]

Did anyone have any experiences with Sherri?

 

[Not My Fault!]

Yes, we've booked through Sherri twice now and my brother booked with her once. She is absolutely fantastic...