So far I'm not impressed with our travel agent

[bpesch]

This is the first time I have used a "Disney" travel agent and so far, I'm not very impressed. We're taking a 5 day trip this Fall and I decided to try a travel agent who specializes in Disney. I usually do all the work myself, but I was curious if a TA could do better. So far, I'm not impressed. She hasn't done a thing I couldn't do myself. And I even had to remind her that our 180 day window had begun when I noticed no dining reservations a week after it opened. I'd love to hear some experiences with Disney TA's, both good and bad.

 

[Osugal9]

We used a travel agent for our first trip. As newbies I found it really helpful. She didn’t do anything I couldn’t do myself, but she made sure it got done, and I didn’t have to worry about getting up on time to book things.

She usually sent me an email a week before my windows would open up and then I gave her the list of ADRs I wanted and she scheduled all of those. She also scheduled all of our fast passes for us. I did give her my list of wants. She also secured free dining for us.

She also gave plenty of advice whenever I had questions. When we booked we did get some stickers and park maps.

So far I’m planning this trip on my own, but I’m thinking about transferring it to her or teaming up with her to secure free dining. I think TAs can be really helpful for the people who have never been before and don’t want to do any research.

 

[scard192]

So far I’m planning this trip on my own, but I’m thinking about transferring it to her or teaming up with her to secure free dining. I think TAs can be really helpful for the people who have never been before and don’t want to do any research.

be sure to check with your TA (if you decide to transfer to her) what time she will be up and trying to book FD for you. The last few years FD has dropped ~ 4:30 -6AM; some TA's do not start that early. Plus FD room inventory has been less than in the past, you might be better off booking it yourself.

 

[Meglen]

I am to much of a control freak to use a TA just seems unnecessary.

 

[DLgal]

I'm surprised to hear that TAs even make ADRs. That seems like a lot of extra work for no extra money.

 

[tinkerone]

About 10 years ago we had a B2B booked on the Fantasy, which we had booked with a DU agent. Since they specialized in Disney WDW as well we decided to book a week there at the end of our cruise using the same agent. I had never dealt with an agent for WDW before, I'm pretty knowledgeable in that area as we go several times a year. Then some family decided that they wanted to come and do the WDW part of our trip. They asked me to book everything and take care of the plans so I did it myself, leaving the DU agent out of the picture.

So the agent has our reservation and I have everyone else's. Then comes the free dining offer. Absolutely no issues with changing everyone's reservations......except mine. I sent a request off to the agent but it was hours before I heard back from her. It was a mass email sent to all her clients, not addressed to me, and it stated that she was working on the free dinning and if a reservation was able to get it she would then contact us back directly. I'm sure she had a ton of reservations to worry about and I had only 4 however if I kept my reservation and had it in hand I would not have to wait and see if she was able to get me the FD before the rooms were all taken, I could have fixed it when I fixed the rest. It would have served me right if all my other family had free dining but I was not able to get it because I had given control of my reservation to an agent when there was nothing in it that I could not have done myself.
I will never give over my reservation to an agent again. For us there is no benefit. There is no bonus cash offer, its not cheaper, I don't have to wait for someone to 'get back to me' or wonder if I'm going to miss out on a deal. I can make my own fast passes and decide if I want to shuffle them around. Same with dinning, if I can't get the exact time I want then I can play around with options and not have to wait for emails between someone else and I before making up my mind. On a recent trip I wanted lunch for BOG but could not get a group of 6 in. I was able to make 4 different reservations to fit in our group but it took me several weeks of checking several times a day. I don't think many agents would be that dedicated to making that work for us. That's JMO.

I can see where an agent would be good for someone who is a first timer and doesn't know the ropes or for someone who is laid back and doesn't care as much but if you know what you want and can book it yourself then why lose control. We have never used an agent again and probably never will.

Again, JMO and just stating my one time experience with an agent. YMMV.

 

[Ensusieasm]

About 10 years ago we had a B2B booked on the Fantasy, which we had booked with a DU agent. Since they specialized in Disney WDW as well we decided to book a week there at the end of our cruise using the same agent. I had never dealt with an agent for WDW before, I'm pretty knowledgeable in that area as we go several times a year. Then some family decided that they wanted to come and do the WDW part of our trip. They asked me to book everything and take care of the plans so I did it myself, leaving the DU agent out of the picture.

So the agent has our reservation and I have everyone else's. Then comes the free dining offer. Absolutely no issues with changing everyone's reservations......except mine. I sent a request off to the agent but it was hours before I heard back from her. It was a mass email sent to all her clients, not addressed to me, and it stated that she was working on the free dinning and if a reservation was able to get it she would then contact us back directly. I'm sure she had a ton of reservations to worry about and I had only 4 however if I kept my reservation and had it in hand I would not have to wait and see if she was able to get me the FD before the rooms were all taken, I could have fixed it when I fixed the rest. It would have served me right if all my other family had free dining but I was not able to get it because I had given control of my reservation to an agent when there was nothing in it that I could not have done myself.
I will never give over my reservation to an agent again. For us there is no benefit. There is no bonus cash offer, its not cheaper, I don't have to wait for someone to 'get back to me' or wonder if I'm going to miss out on a deal. I can make my own fast passes and decide if I want to shuffle them around. Same with dinning, if I can't get the exact time I want then I can play around with options and not have to wait for emails between someone else and I before making up my mind. On a recent trip I wanted lunch for BOG but could not get a group of 6 in. I was able to make 4 different reservations to fit in our group but it took me several weeks of checking several times a day. I don't think many agents would be that dedicated to making that work for us. That's JMO.

I can see where an agent would be good for someone who is a first timer and doesn't know the ropes or for someone who is laid back and doesn't care as much but if you know what you want and can book it yourself then why lose control. We have never used an agent again and probably never will.

Again, JMO and just stating my one time experience with an agent. YMMV.

So, just wondering, did you get free Dining after all?

 

[tinkerone]

So, just wondering, did you get free Dining after all?

Yes however it was a long 24 hour wait. Didn't get confirmation till the next day while I had the other reservations completed an hour after the phone lines opened. The agent didn't do anything wrong, it just could have turned out badly for us if we were number 192 on her list of clients to attend to. When we have the reservation we are number 1 on the list and I can contact myself very quickly and get a response right away, LoL.

 

[Allison]

The point of what a TA does is to do things for you that you can do yourself but have them do for you. What is it you thought they would do that you couldn't do?

I only use a TA if they have agency exclusive discounts and then only have them book the room for me.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I’m thinking about transferring it to her or teaming up with her to secure free dining

If anything, I'd go the more "teaming up with her" rather than transferring it to her. Why? Because IF there is FD offered this year I'm thinking it will be VERY limited. (*disclaimer we don't like the FD promotion.) I'd hate to see you leave it totally in someone else's hands who is attempting to secure FD for numerous customers, rather than being able to go online & change it yourself.

 

[tink1970]

I'd hate to see you leave it totally in someone else's hands who is attempting to secure FD for numerous customers,

Great point! When you make your own reservations, you are your #1 priority...no way to know where you fall on a travel agent's list.


I do work with a DU TA and IF I know exactly what/when/where I want a cruise, I'll have her book so I can get the OBC. Often for last minute deals or "this is just too great to pass up" (like when our previously full ABD opened up a spot) I just do it myself. I can't always wait a day, or two or send another email reminding her of the one I sent two weeks ago for her to respond (sadly this happens on a reservation or every other reservation basis). If you're a control freak, a TA isn't the way to go, IMHO. If I'm dropping enough cash to suck it up and deal with communication delays, then yes (DU has a tiered on board credit and often a small ABD discount). I don't think I'd ever use a TA for WDW or DL rooms/packages.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

We have someone in our party booked with DU and not having a great experience, I've actually been interfacing with the TA on their behalf because it's been such a hot mess. And the TA told us APs don't get discounts to MVMCP, was positive that was incorrect so I called and they clearly do get a discount. Actually trying to see if we can get Disney to pull the reservation from DU because the agent has not been easy to get a response from. Would consider going back for DCL or ABD but I'm handling all travel for WDW and DL myself from now on. It's been a total nightmare not being able to call the agency and talk to a person and being at the mercy of someone else's schedule only to get a response days later as we're trying to move resorts and all is not working for us. Lesson learned never using a TA for WDW after this.

 

[MomToOne]

I used one of the common agents on Disney boards once also. I agree the wait to see if she got it flipped to FD was excruciating. And she messed up several dining reservations which I didn't know about until I showed up at the restaurants.

Nothing specific was ever said, but I kind of got the impression that as a Value booking, working on my stuff just wasn't worth her time.

 

[Best Aunt]

So, just wondering, did you get free Dining after all?

I was going to ask that!

 

[Osugal9]

If anything, I'd go the more "teaming up with her" rather than transferring it to her. Why? Because IF there is FD offered this year I'm thinking it will be VERY limited. (*disclaimer we don't like the FD promotion.) I'd hate to see you leave it totally in someone else's hands who is attempting to secure FD for numerous customers, rather than being able to go online & change it yourself.

Oh I meant transferring to her after I secured FD. I haven’t booked anything yet! I would not recommend leaving your “free dining” booking solely in the hands of a TA. You have to assume that you are not their first priority when booking.

 

[tvguy]

This is the first time I have used a "Disney" travel agent and so far, I'm not very impressed. We're taking a 5 day trip this Fall and I decided to try a travel agent who specializes in Disney. I usually do all the work myself, but I was curious if a TA could do better. So far, I'm not impressed. She hasn't done a thing I couldn't do myself. And I even had to remind her that our 180 day window had begun when I noticed no dining reservations a week after it opened. I'd love to hear some experiences with Disney TA's, both good and bad.

At the very least they saved you a ton of work, all for free. I've never used a "Disney" specific Travel Agent, but the ones I have used had the best air fares, and hotel rates at their finger tips. I didn't have to do any research. The information is out there, but you have to spend time finding it.

 

[RajunCajun]

I have one that I have used for almost 2 years now and she is FANTASTIC. My AP has since expired but I've booked I'd say 6 - 8 solo trips through her.

Does she do anything I couldn't do? Not necessarily but I look at it as I'm helping a working mother/small business, it's free for me and her knowledge is far more vast than mine will ever be. I've ran so many scenarios by her and she has answered on time every time. Aside from her facebook page, she has one for people who have actually booked through her and responds to most questions within 20 minutes. I love that lady and will continue to use her services until one of us stops!

 

[missbrooke06]

We continue to use a AAA agent even after the extra benefits ceased because she was great. When free dining hit in 2015, I was up at 5am emailing her and she responded at 5:15 "Yep! I have to move you from BC to YC, is that okay?" People were posting FD horror stories for the next two days and I had three rooms confirmed before breakfast. Loyalty earned!

 

[bpesch]

The point of what a TA does is to do things for you that you can do yourself but have them do for you. What is it you thought they would do that you couldn't do?

For me it was more of an experiment to see if a TA could do anything I couldn't. I had heard a good TA could make a difference. She promised several things but so far hasn't been able to deliver. Which is not a big deal on this trip, it's a casual, take our time, no worries kind of trip. I haven't seen anything so far that would get me to put my future trips in the hands of a TA.

I agree it might be fine for newbies, which I am not. But for an experienced planner, I'm just not seeing the advantage to using one so far.

 

[bear_mom]

I used a DU agent and she was great. Normally I do everything myself, but this was a surprise trip for dd (was supposed to be anyway) and I was pretty sure free dining would be offered and didn’t want that hassle.

She booked everything except my FP (room, dining, and KTTK Tour). And I had an email the morning free dining was announced that my reservation was switched over. Plus she sent preliminary itineraries based on what reservations I had and what I had mentioned doing. If planning wasn’t a major part of my trip enjoyment, I would use her on every trip.