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

[marc1477]

Thanks for the information.

 

[Faerie]

I've been using Small World for years (I've used both Josephine and Marion) and they're both wonderful and amazing. I love that I can book my room only and they'll apply my resident discount for me when it comes out. Saves me time on the phone!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Our agent is Leigh McCarty and she is awesome.

Last trip we changed hotel and party size 3 times and she helped us through that and has made our ADR´s for every trip.

 

[ronirp]

We are using Karen Nunn and she has been great. Very prompt response, and the biggest benefit to me, patient. I have been asking her all kinds of questions....
To me, the benefit is that I have someone to "nag", and also someone that will help with all the arrangements (for example, they will make ADRs for you). In our case, we got a rebate on a DCL cruise, which would not have gotten through disney travel, and a couple of freebies for the WDW trip such as mini-golf.

 

[hobbester]

I used them last year for a 9 person trip. "Missy" was great. My DH just decided this past friday that he wanted to go again (just the 2 of us). I email Missy Saturday, we did emails that morning and I was booked by that afternoon. It was great having someone else do all the work.

 

[MassMom94]

I had what I would term a rather indifferent experience with Small World back in 2003. I don't remember the name of the agent. I had her book a Fairytale Package for us (this was that awesome buy four nights, get three free deal) and she did so. But that was it. She never offered any other information, to make ADRs (called PS at the time), etc. The only time I heard from her was when a payment was due. I didn't really know what I was doing and maybe I should have e-mailed her with more questions, asked her to help me, etc. When we went last year, I just did everything myself. Which I am doing again this year.

 

[tomerin]

we have used SWV for all of our recent trips and have been very happy with their service. our agent is josephine and she is so good thast we will always use them for our vacation needs

 

[irish_trip_mom]

Another SWV happy customer. Stephanie definitely took care of us for our first trip last fall. She knew we had special needs children, so sent us plenty of info. When we arrived at the Contemporary, and even though we'd requested South Wing and were put into the most disgusting room in the North Wing, Stephanie was right on it. She had us moved that night. She also had special treats sent to welcome our children (coloring books and pencils, which they still talk about.) You all reminded me...I need to call Stephanie to book our next trip!

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

We also use Small World (Leigh is our agent). I am a semi control freak about planning and have been perfectly happy relinquishing complete control to Leigh without any worries. She has done three WDW vacations and one Disney Cruise for myself and my parents. She makes all the ADR's and christmas party, pirate/princess party reservations, always gets back to me quickly, answers all my questions and has probably saved me about $4000 finding me discounts without my having to look for them or do code watches.

I highly recommend them.

 

[Hula Girl]

We used Beth for our December trip. She was wonderfully patient with me and answered all of my questions honestly... and ended up saving me money. I will use them again for our next trip in February.

 

[blackdahlia]

I used them to book our Disneyland trip that is coming up in in March '08. I went with them because they were a tad more $ (135.00), but I had a month to pay off the vacation. They give you a "vacation specialist" to help you plan your trip...what a joke!! I haven't been able to get ahold of them on the phone or by E-mail except to get the payments made. Even then, on the day the balance of our package was due or we would lose the reservation & deposit of $319.00, I practically had to beg the agent to call me for payment details!! Also, I asked about reservations for Blue Bayou & the "specialist" let me know that I was more than welcome to do that myself! What she didn't mention was that I could also have booked my vacation on the phone with Disney myself & had the same amount of time to pay it, with much better customer service!! I've sent 2 messages by E-mail & 2 by phone with questions, to no avail. I contacted Small World Vacations at the beginning of this mess, and recieved a stock message back, no help whatsoever. So this morning I called Disneyland directly with my request for a sofabed in our room....the man was very helpful and even said "the tavel agents book with us the same way you could do for yourself". I think Small World is in the business of selling vacation insurance, and that's it!! They recieve no special discounts that you can't obtain for yourself. You also end up doing most of the legwork anyway...at least if you end up with my "specialist". We've decided to take a backstage tour of Disney, so I'll be calling them again myself!! Lastly, if you are unhappy with your vacation planner, the company doesn't really seem to care or offer help, either!!

 

[luvmy3]

I'm sorry you had that experience with your agent. I am using SmallWorld for our trip in Setember. My agent, Deanna has been extremely helpful. She has answered all my calls promptly and has answered all my emails (one night I sent 5 in an hour) right away. She repeats everything I say to be sure she has the correct info, I guess to avoid the mistake that your agent made,
She has offered to do way more than just book our package. Being this is my first trip, it is nice to know that she is there to do the things that I would have no idea to do.
I will use her for any trips in the future and I will recommend her for any friends/family that are planning a trip to WDW.

 

[bubblefactory]

Sorry you had a bad experience but we've had nothing but excellent service from SWV. Our agent Jo is fantastic - we've booked over 200 nights at WDW and several cruises with her for ourselves and immediate family and have always had fast, accurate information and quick response to emails. She also keeps us up to date with all discounts etc and I know she always does her best to apply them.

 

[FFerret]

We used Small World our first trip in 2003 and I liked them very much.

Tried Dreams Unlimited in 2005--and gotta say they're OUTSTANDING. DU will do your ADRs for you, all you have to do is send an email. Jason (DU agent) even found a much coveted spot at CRT in 2005

 

[grumpalina]

We tried Small World to book a cruise- first for 2008 then for 2009, same dates. It took our agent AGES to get back to us. Information was like pulling teeth. while waiting (a full day in between each email exchange) I contacted Dreams Unlimited. Got immediate response, good exchanges, information was readily given, and got our cruise booked within 1 full day.

3 days later, I get an email from the first agent at Small World. Even though we had exchanged multiple emails, my latest one had somehow "made it into the spam folder" and she "just found it" Ya. ok. we're very very happy with Dreams Unlimited & might use them again to book this year's trip.

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

I am currently using SMV for our reservations and it has gone very, very smoothly! I can contact our agent (Nicole) at anytime and she has returned my calls or e-mails promptly! I love the wase of using them and will use again in the future!

 

[Kona*Queen]

My agent at SWT is Josephine, she's fantastic! We're in the UK so do everything by email. I always get a reply within a few hours (at the most!) and she always gets us the best discounts. I even booked the bounceback for August on our trip last month and made the effort to transfer the booking back to her. I know if a better AP rate becomes available, she'll get it for me. It's great knowing we can sit back and she's taking care of everything for us. I have no hesitation recommending her.

 

[farfalla818]

We tried Small World to book a cruise- first for 2008 then for 2009, same dates. It took our agent AGES to get back to us. Information was like pulling teeth. while waiting (a full day in between each email exchange) I contacted Dreams Unlimited. Got immediate response, good exchanges, information was readily given, and got our cruise booked within 1 full day.

3 days later, I get an email from the first agent at Small World. Even though we had exchanged multiple emails, my latest one had somehow "made it into the spam folder" and she "just found it" Ya. ok. we're very very happy with Dreams Unlimited & might use them again to book this year's trip.

Funny, I had that "lost in the junkmail" folder experience too with both my agents. The first one retired 3 months after I booked my vacation through her. The second one never confirmed my info. I never got my magical express luggage tags or anything. My first agent went on vacation over my 180 day window. She sent us an email telling us all to call WDW ourselves. OK...... The second agent said she booked out our reservations wrong. Lovely. They always were difficult to get a hold of. Although when I contacted the main website I got a call the next day.

Basically, it's about the agent, not so much the site. I haven't had the best of luck with SWV. But again, I need a different agent. ome people get good agents from SWV.

 

[Karlzmom]

I was hopeing someone who has gone to WDW through 'Small world Vacations' could tell me a little bit about it and how it works?

For my next trip to WDW I want to book through them because they seem like they can get me a really good price. I was just wondering how trustworthy this site is? How reliable are they when booking for you? (Its not a scam is it?) [Im very untrusting when having to give away money to other people. Especially when its a thousand plus dollars]

Just wondering what the over all experience was when booking your trip through Small World Vacations.

Thanks!

Used 'em last time, loved 'em. Would have used them again if I hadn't been sucked into making my resi when I called for a quote and to check about a code. They won't do anything for you if you are already reservation in hand, though I'd likely put the whole thing in their hands if they could book same as I already have...then they can watch for discounts.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have not used myself, but would feel comfortable with most anything recommended on Mary's site by her....

http://www.mousesavers.com/travelagent.html