So far I'm not impressed with our travel agent

[kenthanson]

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

That was my thought. I use a TA to book resorts, passes, flights and other hotels but anything beyond that I book it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes booking with a TA means you have no control over your reservation without the TA help. If free dinning comes out you can't make the adjustments to your reservation. The same thing is true if the price goes down only the TA can call in and modify the reservation and by that time the reduced price may be gone. I just convinced my Nephews MIL not to book with AAA for this very reason. And guess what on Easter morning I checked and the price of her room reservation went down $200. She was able to call and make the modification since she listened to me and booked it herself. Otherwise she would have had to wait till 9:00 a.m the next day to talk to the AAA person.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes booking with a TA means you have no control over your reservation without the TA help. If free dinning comes out you can't make the adjustments to your reservation. The same thing is true if the price goes down only the TA can call in and modify the reservation and by the time the TA gets around to doing it, the reduced price may be gone. I just convinced my Nephews MIL not to book with AAA for this very reason. And guess what on Easter morning I checked and the price of her room reservation went down $200. She was able to call and make the modification since she listened to me and booked it herself. Otherwise she would have had to wait till 9:00 a.m the next day to talk to the AAA person.

 

[Texans_loyal]

Even though I knew more than the TAs I've used, I still book with them. It's not about getting a discount or reservations but helping a small business. My reservations RARELY cost more than $1K but it's something. I make my FPs and ADR. The only thing I don't like is it takes forever to get a response.

 

[Nakkira]

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.

Same. I have an acquaintance that always pushes me to use him when I travel (especially to Disney)
He was unable to do ANYTHING I couldn't do myself. In fact for the same package, he somehow came out $40 more. Also he said I had to book my airfare myself. The only thing he seemed to offer as an "advantage" was booking my dining etc. But to me that seemed a disadvantage getting a middle-man involved. I mean that takes away me freedom to "fiddle with it" and I would still have to let HIM know what I wanted, which at that point I an just log onto the app and take care f it in minutes.
So he seemed unable to save me money or really time. I failed to see the advantage.. I booked myself.

 

[roxanne_kliebert]

I'm sure there are TA who loves what they do and give their clients their all. I also believe that in time and with more clients the TA tends to be somewhat over whelmed with the work. I have used a TA for the pass 5 yrs. and over the pass 2 yrs. we have been doing more and more on our own. We make our own Dining Reservations, we have to keep up with any discounts offered in fear we will miss out. If I were a TA I would do whatever it takes to keep all of my clients in good standings, because they are trusting me with a Magical Trip whether it be their 1st or 20th it doesn't matter. GOOD LUCK to all with FREE DINING!!! Sending Pixie Dust to All!!!!

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

Even though I knew more than the TAs I've used, I still book with them. It's not about getting a discount or reservations but helping a small business. My reservations RARELY cost more than $1K but it's something. I make my FPs and ADR. The only thing I don't like is it takes forever to get a response.

I agree which is why we experimented and had another group book through DU. I think our problem is that the TA has been out a lot recently for whatever reason and it's been exceptionally hard to get a response. Every time we email there's an automatic reply about her not being able to get back to us. I'll try again after a few trips but currently this is just a hot mess. Between our 2 rooms getting messed up and now the 3rd in limbo.

 

[HuskyGal]

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.

I’ve heard of onboard credit and am using a DU agent for that. She never offered a rebate. Would you mind expanding on the rebate offered?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

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.

That is actually the norm, at least according to most people I know.

I've helped more than one friend "fix" her trip after the travel agent messed her up. Sorry, but TA shouldn't wait until the only character breakfast available is with Stitch, if the family has never watched the movie. And you shouldn't wait until you arrive to do fast passes, even it there are kiosks in the parks. Oh, and don't suggest ToT for a family with adults that don't like heights or drops.

If you want to use a TA, make sure that you are on top of what they are doing.

 

[Iya]

That is actually the norm, at least according to most people I know.

I've helped more than one friend "fix" her trip after the travel agent messed her up. Sorry, but TA shouldn't wait until the only character breakfast available is with Stitch, if the family has never watched the movie. And you shouldn't wait until you arrive to do fast passes, even it there are kiosks in the parks. Oh, and don't suggest ToT for a family with adults that don't like heights or drops.

If you want to use a TA, make sure that you are on top of what they are doing.

If you feel you need to be on top of what a TA is doing, save yourself the angst and book everything yourself. In this day and age, TA's have very little value.

 

[Tinker-belle23]

I reached out to TA to book our Disney cruise for next year as I was under the impression she would certainly find us the best price. Since I had cruised as a kid with my parents I had silver status but was unaware since it’s been about 10 years and I was unfamiliar with the status ranks. I indicated I had cruised before but she made no mention of it. She put a hold on two rooms for me the day of general booking and they were both pricier than one I had found on my own. I also didn’t hear from her until very late the day after booking (like 11pm the next night) even though most people were receiving responses the day of from different agents at the same agency. I thanked her and decided to figure things out on my own from then on. I just felt like it was a waste of her time and my own at that point.

 

[Texans_loyal]

I agree which is why we experimented and had another group book through DU. I think our problem is that the TA has been out a lot recently for whatever reason and it's been exceptionally hard to get a response. Every time we email there's an automatic reply about her not being able to get back to us. I'll try again after a few trips but currently this is just a hot mess. Between our 2 rooms getting messed up and now the 3rd in limbo.

That is just unacceptable, I'm sorry you're going through this. I would never want to use a TA again. Hope this all gets fixed buddy!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

If you feel you need to be on top of what a TA is doing, save yourself the angst and book everything yourself. In this day and age, TA's have very little value.

I don't use one. I agree, they have very little, if any, value.

But friends figure if they use a licensed Disney TA, they will do a good job. But that isn't always true.

 

[tinkerone]

I don't use one. I agree, they have very little, if any, value.

But friends figure if they use a licensed Disney TA, they will do a good job. But that isn't always true.

I know one of those in our town and to say its a joke would be generous. She had to go to Disney once for a three day visit and write a few quiz type tests on her computer. After that, you get to call your self licensed and get the diploma to put on your wall. Doesn't exactly make one an expert, lol.
Although there are lots of licensed Disney TA's that actually know their stuff and visit often one should never let that license be the deciding factor. If anyone is going to use a TA ask them questions about their experiences with Disney before blindly booking with them.

 

[tasha99]

I’ve heard of onboard credit and am using a DU agent for that. She never offered a rebate. Would you mind expanding on the rebate offered?

I think it's a personal rebate out of the agent's commission. It's not a posted deal or anything. Our cruise is $2700/pp, and we're getting $400 in OBC and $400 back after the cruise. It's not a Disney cruise, though.

 

[HuskyGal]

I think it's a personal rebate out of the agent's commission. It's not a posted deal or anything. Our cruise is $2700/pp, and we're getting $400 in OBC and $400 back after the cruise. It's not a Disney cruise, though.

Ok. Thanks for responding.

 

[Hikergirl]

I only use a TA so I can get a great deal. They are great if you don't want to handle your own planning, and the ones I've "worked" with were always great at communication if I did have questions or needed advice.

 

[Minnesota!]

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.

Yep. I use a magical TA who gets me magical prices. My upcoming trip is SO much cheaper than what I would get with DU or WDW. I do all my own FP+ and ADR's... I just use them to secure the $$$ for the room or package!

 

[pooh2001]

If we use the DIS people travel agency
We would book a moderate resort for early November
Then if free dining comes available, then can the DIS people travel agency
snag it for us immediately ?

 

[wgeo]

I wanna know who these magical people are that get rooms at the Poly for 50% off lol. I'm gonna have to learn to google better.