So disappointed with Dream Unlimited!

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Although I had one bad experience with DU (WDW had cancelled my reservation so it really wasn't DU's fault), I have had numerous positive experiences with both Sue Ellen and Misti. They have both been very quick to reply to any emails. As someone else suggested, you might want to contact their office. Also, check your spam folder. I have found that many emails end up there.

 

[llrain]

gotcha...

Most TA's specializing in Disney do not charge any fees for using their service. They earn their commission through Disney. Some don't even charge cancellation policies, beyond those Disney has in place - DU being one of these.

For an uninformed traveler, or for someone that doesn't want to necessarily keep up with all the dates and make long distance calls to Disney all the time, a TA can be a good thing. I know it was nice for me in March when the AP codes came out for beyond 4/16 and people were on hold for hours, my TA was able to secure my AP rate for me with no effort on my part.

It's all personal preference. But, I would NOT call us nuts.

 

[lagunaseca]

I have booked my upcoming vacation (in 3 weeks) with Marla at DU and she has been great. I've made my own p.s. so far but just because I enjoy some of the planning but she has offered to make them for me several times. She always gets back to me promptly. I have nothing but good things to say about DU. Sorry you aren't having the same experience.

 

[Disney Ella]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. That definitely isn't the way DU usually operates.

 

[tkldisney]

I too am sorry to hear this. I have always booked my own, but then I love doing the planning. This year for our Dec. trip I booked thru AAA just because I wanted the room discount and dining. I am however making all my own ps arrangements. I booked my own flights and rental car too. All AAA did was room, tkts, & dining.

I hope you got the ps's you wanted. I think DU should do something for you (room upgrade, free meal) since your agent did not take care of you the way she should have.

 

[shatzjsl]

Thanks for the feedback. I sent an e-mail to my agent and copied the reservation link on DU. I will probably just do it myself next time. I don't expect the agent to be in constant contact with me but I haven't heard from her since the beginning of March when my 90 day window opened. Then it took two or three days for her to respond.

I'm glad that others have had good luck with DU, though and we will still have a great trip.

 

[Hawk]

Why would anybody think of using these agencies? Isn't this the purpose of these boards? I have used both of them and they have never been able to get me a better deal or discount than I was able get myself. Don't waste your time and effort. Do it yourself.

Tim/Hawk

 

[dmslush]

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with you DU agent. On our first trip, I can't even remember our first agents name, but there was NO communication. She wouldn't answer emails, wouldn't help me with anything. So, I mentioned it on the boards and someone names John that asked me to email him and let him know everything that had happened. He was able to change my agent to Tammy Cermack. She was a God send. She made the rest of the planning a dream. When we started planning this vacation, I contacted DU and asked for Tammy to be out agent this time also.

I would definately let management know about your experience. DU is a business and they need to know when their customers are unhappy.

As for the final itenerary, I think it is released about a week before you leave.

 

[NCombs]

why does anyone even use a travel agent to book anything disney when disney has their own makeshift travel service either via their web or call in...
arent u paying more by using an agent??? are u nuts or something??

I think with a name like disney people cant be that uninformed of booking direct..can they

You may not prefer to do this but do you really think it's polite to call people nuts because they use a travel agent? Common courtesy should extend to the internet.

 

[NCombs]

Why would anybody think of using these agencies? Isn't this the purpose of these boards? I have used both of them and they have never been able to get me a better deal or discount than I was able get myself. Don't waste your time and effort. Do it yourself.

Tim/Hawk

I'm not putting in time or effort with my reservation- DU is-that's why I'm using them. Between a high pressure job and 3 kids at home, I don't have time to be on the phone for 2 hours trying to get an AP code. That's my reasoning.

 

[NCombs]

I feel the same as you about my TA with Magical Journeys. I thought I'd get updates, but so far the only time I hear from her is when I ask for info or send in a payment.

I asked if she would make PSs for us, and she emailed back that, well, she could, but her main job was to look for codes, and she didn't think she would be able to call for me at the 90 day mark. Seems like a cop-out to me, as codes have all but stopped altogether. I emailed back and told her not to bother- I would go ahead and do them myself. She seemed happy to have me do it.

I think from now on, I will stick to making my travel arrangements myself. The ONLY thing I haven't done myself for this trip was call Disney!

I had the same experience with Magical Journeys last year. They don't do anything but book the room. I found my agent very abrasive and would never use that company again. In my opinion, for what I got from them, I should do it myself. I have to say my experience with DU has been just the opposite and I'm still a year from my trip.

 

[triplefigs]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience, but I hope you have a fabulous trip!!!

I'm using DU (Merrie Thomas is our agent) for the first time for our Christmas trip. She has been WONDERFUL, quick to respond, very helpful with choosing a resort, called Special Medical Reservations to put in medical requests for our rooms, etc. She booked us MVMCP and LTT by 7:30am on the Saturday the tickets went on sale and has us booked for the Family Magic Tour. Haven't gotten to the 90 day mark for PS yet (only 109 to go... ), but she has said she will make them all for us. (DH and I will try for CRT too so that 3 of us will be on the phones). I've planned an itinerary and where we want to eat. I'll just send that to her, and any she can't get I'll do myself.

 

[vascubaguy]

Most people use the TA's for convenience. For those that have AP's, it's much easier to have a TA monitor the AP codes than to worry about constantly watching for the codes and availability. It can also be very convenient (and save on long-distance calls) to have the TA get on the phone and book all of your travel info (resorts, PS's, etc).

For me, I used a TA to get the discount and bonus gifts. By using a AAA TA, I got the discount on the room, a diamond AAA card that gives me additional discounts at various businesses at WDW, $25 Disney Dollars per reservation (so $50 for what I booked), and a free autograph book per package. She also took care of setting up my DME stuff and said she would do my PSs (but I decided to do that myself because I knew availability was limited and might need to make on-the-spot decisions for new places).

I would definately use AAA TA's again, but only because of the discounts. Heck, if I had no other method of getting a discount I would probably still join AAA just to get that discount (the amount of savings would more than cover the membership for a year).

Anyway, just my random thoughts on TA's...

*Am I there yet!*

 

[shatzjsl]

vascubaguy, your post reminded me that I sent my agent, SUSAN, an e-mail and asked her for ways to save money. I even mentioned AAA and she said it wouldn't really save me money. The more I think about the rotten service the madder I get. No point in really getting another agent now since I'm so close to our trip. Oh well, guess I'll just chalk it up to a lesson learned.

 

[Honu]

I used DU because of all the good things I heard on this board but I am very unimpressed. The only thing they have done for me is take my room payment. I ended up making my own PS's (my choice because by 2:00 p.m. on my 90 day mark the 1st PS hadn't been made). I have received absolutely no communication from my agent, Susan, except for replies to my e-mails. I am leaving in three weeks and the only thing on my itinerary are EMH parks and the PS's that I made and sent her the information on.

This is the first time I have used a TA for a trip and I'll just say that it is a good thing I'm not paying them anything or I would be requesting a refund.

You're getting replies to your emails? I'm jealous. I usually have to send several to DU before I get a response. I would think that a company that communicates primarily via email, would use a little more care in responding to their clients. All they've done for us is book the rez and collect the money. Never again.

 

[fussnbother]

I don't want to dis DU, but...

Try one of the TA's at OLP Travel or ourlaughingplace.com

I am working with Francine and she not only stay's in contact with me often, I can email her questions and she replies very, very quickly. She calls Disney everyday to find out if she can get us this or that...How do I know this? We talk or she emails me.

The reason I use a TA when it costs me nothing? She is making all the phone calls for me! I don't have to worry about anything! She is even going to call 24 hours ahead of time and make sure our ressies are straight! She comes up with ideas for us and checks to see if we are interested. She suggested special ideas for our anniversary and how she could take care of them for us.
TA's cost you nothing unless you need to book a plane ticket and then there is an extra fee. This is also true on Expedia and Travelocity.

Give me a break! Someone knowledgeable at Disney, who makes the arrangements for me and who suggests things to do that we might be interested in all for the price she gets from Disney? I will do it...and thank her over and over again for her service!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

vascubaguy, your post reminded me that I sent my agent, SUSAN, an e-mail and asked her for ways to save money. I even mentioned AAA and she said it wouldn't really save me money. The more I think about the rotten service the madder I get. No point in really getting another agent now since I'm so close to our trip. Oh well, guess I'll just chalk it up to a lesson learned.

Do you have the Dining Plan? DU and other agencies can't book a discount and the dining plan at the same time - and only AAA can book the AAA room discount with the dining plan....

 

[rkmassa]

Oops double post.

 

[rkmassa]

So sorry to hear your bad experience with DU.

I love, love, love my TA at The Magic For Less. I won't plan a vacation there without Deb. She is the best! She sends me lots of emails with suggestions for activities, PS, recreation, etc. I get quick emails back about any questions I send to her. She emails me to let me know when she is leaving town, and gives me the name of someone else to help me if I need any help while she is gone. I just can't say enough good things about her and TMFL!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

I have received absolutely no communication from my agent, Susan, except for replies to my e-mails.

As someone who has used a few of the Disney-specialist agencies mentioned on these boards, I am wondering what exactly were your expectations? Were the emails responded to in a timely fashion? Did they answer your questions?

What type of emails did you expect to receive when she wasn't just replying to your emails?