So far I'm not impressed with our travel agent

[bigbabyblues]

I've only used a TA once in 11 trips, and that was our most recent 2016 trip. She is someone I met through another Disney board and we because friends. I didn't decide to book until a discount was available, and I booked through her because I didn't have time to mess with it at that time and I knew she would book what I asked for or contact me if she couldn't.

 

[MillauFr]

Only reason I use a TA is because they were selling rooms at the Poly for 50-60% off of rack rates. I would rather book direct with Disney but they were going to charge me rack rates. No way I was going to pass up 60% off.

 

[Judique]

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.

If you didn't do any research how do you know you got the best rates?

 

[Shanti]

I only use agents when doing so will save money. I have more expertise on Disney trips than most agents have.

 

[tvguy]

If you didn't do any research how do you know you got the best rates?

My wife is one of those who likes to "double check".

 

[ohionola]

I had always booked myself but I tried a travel agent a couple years ago with a trip we were doing and it was a bad experience. I picked a travel agent that was super popular in my area on facebook. This lady did tons and tons of trips and everyone posted about how happy they were. I was guaranteed that free dining would be added if available, fast passes would be booked and dining reservations as well. The issue I had was that while this was a big trip for me ($4000) but it wasn't to her. I was never a top priority. She even admitted in an e-mail that while $4000 was a lot to me, it was actually really small compared to many of her other bookings. So I had the following issues occur.

-Free dining came out and 1 1/2 days later I got an e-mail saying sorry I wasn't able to add it. However, I had pulled it up myself multiple days. When I e-mailed telling her that is amazing because I have it pulled up myself and cancel my vacation, she magically added it.

-When it came time for fast passes, she e-mailed a couple days out and said she would be happy to do it but wouldn't do Anna & Elsa or Mine Train. This was really why I wanted her to do it because I thought great, I don't have to get up early in the morning to do this. Ended up having to do it myself.

-Was willing to take care of dining, but wouldn't add special events when released like the Epcot candle light packages or the Christmas buffet at Hollywood Studios.

-When we arrived for our stay, there was an offer to add a night for $75 or so. We wanted to add it for two nights but they wouldn't talk to us, had to go through our travel agent, even though we were already at Disney.

The only pros were

-$25 gift card
-a couple small goodies for our kids


Since then, I have never used a travel agent.

 

[afan]

I used a DU agent for our trip in 2016 and am again for our trip in Nov. We got at a time that I don't expect to get a price less than rack rate but she was able to save us enough to cover a meal for each of us. She did all of our dining, not that it was much, and made our pedicure appointments. Living on the west coast this isn't something I want to get up early and stress over. She was able to get everything within our windows including Beaches and Cream. I did do our fast passes but that trip and this trip it falls on Labor Day so it's not a big deal to get up and then go back to sleep. Depending on if the HEA dessert party keeps rolling at 180 days I'll do that but if something changes I'll have her check on while I'm on vacation out of the country next month.

I could do it myself but I won't keep checking for better rates, I have an AP this time which may help. But she understands more how it all works and I don't have time to call in if an offer comes out, I can't do stuff like that during my work day. Overall it's just easier to have her do it and like someone above said, it supports a small business. Plus she's helpful and I like working with her.

 

[tasha99]

I wouldn't use a TA for Disney. We stay on DVC points, and I know more about booking what we like than most non-Disney TA's would. We got the V&A Chef's Table a few years ago because instead of leaving a message as asked, I called and called and called for 30 minutes. Then, when told I couldn't book yet because of our split stay, I asked them to please try anyway, and to their surprise, they were able to. I wouldn't expect a TA to be as pushy and assertive as I was there, but it worked for me.

We have a TA for cruises now, though. That's a different situation--it seems like my TA has much better deals, with onboard credit and a rebate after the cruise than I can get on my own.

 

[georgina]

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!

That's great, that's how it should work. Unfortunately that does not describe all TAs and it doesn't always work that smoothly.

I had booked with a TA last fall for one of those great agency exclusive discounts and had so much trouble getting her the money to pay the dang thing off that I ended up cancelling in frustration. I had a gift card to pay it off, but she kept putting me off when I tried to contact her. Seriously, who won't take money when offered? My mom was on her deathbed and this just added to my stress. We stayed offsite instead and saved a ton, but if she had simply taken my money when offered, it would have been done.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I have used a TA for a trip to Hawaii and a trip to WDW. Both times we discovered things that we were told had been booked, had never been booked in the first place or had been canceled after they booked them for some reason. It led to some stressful phone calls and wasted time on my vacations so I will never use a TA again.

 

[kymom99]

I've never used a travel agent for Disney. I used one for my honeymoon in 1996 for a cruise and had a great experience.
A couple months ago a group of us used an agent for a cruise. We didn't find that she got us any better deal than what we could have gotten ourselves. The only real benefit was coordinating the reservations for all of us. I noticed from an email I got from delta that our flight changed and we were leaving 30 minutes earlier. She never told us that. Also our flight home was totally different from the one on the original reservation. It was better because we got home earlier but it was a totally different flight. She told us that a few days before the trip. We had to change our airport pickup arrangements so it would have been nice to know sooner. Itcwasnt sn expensive trip so I suspect we weren't her priority. My friend had used this agent before and liked her so that's why we went with her. The rest of us weren't impressed.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I had always booked myself but I tried a travel agent a couple years ago with a trip we were doing and it was a bad experience. I picked a travel agent that was super popular in my area on facebook. This lady did tons and tons of trips and everyone posted about how happy they were. I was guaranteed that free dining would be added if available, fast passes would be booked and dining reservations as well. The issue I had was that while this was a big trip for me ($4000) but it wasn't to her. I was never a top priority. She even admitted in an e-mail that while $4000 was a lot to me, it was actually really small compared to many of her other bookings. So I had the following issues occur.

-Free dining came out and 1 1/2 days later I got an e-mail saying sorry I wasn't able to add it. However, I had pulled it up myself multiple days. When I e-mailed telling her that is amazing because I have it pulled up myself and cancel my vacation, she magically added it.

-When it came time for fast passes, she e-mailed a couple days out and said she would be happy to do it but wouldn't do Anna & Elsa or Mine Train. This was really why I wanted her to do it because I thought great, I don't have to get up early in the morning to do this. Ended up having to do it myself.

-Was willing to take care of dining, but wouldn't add special events when released like the Epcot candle light packages or the Christmas buffet at Hollywood Studios.

-When we arrived for our stay, there was an offer to add a night for $75 or so. We wanted to add it for two nights but they wouldn't talk to us, had to go through our travel agent, even though we were already at Disney.

The only pros were

-$25 gift card
-a couple small goodies for our kids


Since then, I have never used a travel agent.

Geez, what a terrible experience you had with this travel agent. So sorry! Spending $4000 is no joke, such a shame she did not provide you with professional service.

 

[LovesTimone]

I have control issue's and I am a planner so for me I would not book through a TA. We thought about it for our trip to Paris and DLP, I did go see one and sorta give her some parameter's for what area we wanted to stay in, and airlines/cabin selection, and DLP info.... So she sent me a quote over later on, that was crazy... It was not in the arrondissement that we wanted to be in, nor the airline that we wanted to fly, and she actually said that she felt DLP was a waste of time and we really should just stay in Paris. As well as no king size bed options......I about passed out when I saw the number at the bottom of the page... Really not happening...So I thought well.... either I plan it or we wait a year or so. So I did it and came out sooooooo much cheaper... Honestly I would not have booked with her at any rate due to the comment on DLP...

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

Going to ask since this seems to be the bad experience thread has anyone ever had Disney pull a reservation from a TA? I've seen people do it but am struggling to get it done myself.

 

[afan]

I have control issue's and I am a planner so for me I would not book through a TA. We thought about it for our trip to Paris and DLP, I did go see one and sorta give her some parameter's for what area we wanted to stay in, and airlines/cabin selection, and DLP info.... So she sent me a quote over later on, that was crazy... It was not in the arrondissement that we wanted to be in, nor the airline that we wanted to fly, and she actually said that she felt DLP was a waste of time and we really should just stay in Paris. As well as no king size bed options......I about passed out when I saw the number at the bottom of the page... Really not happening...So I thought well.... either I plan it or we wait a year or so. So I did it and came is sooooooo much cheaper... Honestly I would not have booked with her at any rate due to the comment on DLP...

That's a common comment about DLP, even Rick Steve's basically says that in his book. There's even Disney fans that have said it's not worth going to or to not have your expectations too high. I don't care, we'll still be there for 4 nights next month before our 3 nights in Paris. I also didn't find it too difficult of a trip to plan after some research, which needs to be done for any new city you vacation in.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We always use our TA who does not specialize in Disney but always does a great job of tracking deposits, due dates, buying insurance, local hotels, etc. we travel a lot and I do a lot of my own air and hotel booking online but for cruises or more complicated travel she is invaluable.

 

[lanejudy]

Going to ask since this seems to be the bad experience thread has anyone ever had Disney pull a reservation from a TA? I've seen people do it but am struggling to get it done myself.

I don't have first-hand experience with getting a reservation released, but wanted to suggest that you reach out to the owner directly. I understand he is very responsive when contacted about issues clients have with agents. I recommend trying that route: John@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[andyw715]

Our TA was great....I'm sure with a bit of work we could do what she did (maybe), but it was nice giving her a list of what we wanted out of our trip and she went at it.
It was our first trip to WDW with the family (2 kids 7 and 9)
About a week before our trip she came over and brought an itinerary. Laminated sheets, one for each day, with our ADRs and FP+ listed and a "suggested" route with a small park map to take to maximize our park visit. Also a quick "at a glance" deck of cards with the day's ADR and FP+ times on it.

We did tweak it while at WDW but it was a great starting point for someone who is new and like working on a schedule.... She also adjusted our ADRs while we were there, she noticed a few openings at a couple of our first choices and arranged those (one being lunch at Cinderella castle). Also we decided it might be nice to have a stroller to push the worn out 7yo or our stuff....she got one from a third party delivered to our room for the remainder of the week for $50.

YMMV but it worked well for us.

 

[LovesTimone]

That's a common comment about DLP, even Rick Steve's basically says that in his book. There's even Disney fans that have said it's not worth going to or to not have your expectations too high. I don't care, we'll still be there for 4 nights next month before our 3 nights in Paris. I also didn't find it too difficult of a trip to plan after some research, which needs to be done for any new city you vacation in.

I have been reading Rick Steve's book and so far have found all the info to be great, and we are following some of his suggestion and using his guide for some of the walking parts of our trip tailoring it to our plans. I got the gist that he's not a fan of DLP but I feel doesn't downgrade it. We are on a mission to go to all of the Disney Parks....

What really burns my cookies... is I explained to the TA that we love Disney and DLP is an important part of our trip. For her to dismiss what we want to do on our vacation and our money and tell me it's not important just really rubbed me the wrong way. Along with the fact that she did not deliver on any other request... I'm not against TA's so to speak and would consider one for other trips perhaps in the future... just not her or her company...

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

To those of you who mentioned using a TA to secure free dining, I would just offer a word of caution. Your TA may have lots of customers he/she is trying to get FD for. Where will you fall in that list? The agent may also have to make split second decisions on your behalf, depending on the availability of the promo at each resort, dates, etc. That said, it may be in your best interest to try and get FD on your own, in case your TA is unsuccessful.