TA or no?

[sue_gowin]

I hate reading posts like this, it really irritates me! I'm a TA, and I bend over backwards to make sure each and every one of my clients is 500% satisfied, every time. Of course you don't have to use Disney transportation within the parks and resorts, lots of people rent cars! The fact that she didn't email you your invoice right away, and you didn't get your confirmation without begging for it is really scary. You always have the right to take the booking away from a TA, and transfer it right to Disney. Considering the lack of communication your TA is giving you, you might want to do that. You don't want to miss a final payment or something like that because your TA missed it. Also, it's just good customer service for the TA to offer to make all your ADR's for you. I always do...I've even gone to bed with my laptop so I can secure reservations first thing in the morning!
I always ask people to interview their TA before securing any type of information. Ask how much experience they have. Have they had any specific training in the destination they're going to? Do they have client references? Don't be afraid to ask....it's your money that you're spending!!!! SOrry for the rant, it's something I'm passionate about

 

[Harlemgirl720]

My mom used a friend of hers years ago. It was a disaster. From then on, I have been booking my own trips. In fact I plan all family trips.

TAs are the thing of the past (sorry TAs).

 

[SkyMedik]

Also, it's just good customer service for the TA to offer to make all your ADR's for you. I always do...I've even gone to bed with my laptop so I can secure reservations first thing in the morning!

This is the -only- reason I use a TA for Disney. I require a lot of ADRs and don't feel like being on the phone all day or being on hold (or worse, calling back every few days to see if something has opened up). If they're willing to do that for a commission, sounds good to me! Without needing these, I'd probably pass too.

 

[longrf01]

I think the OP will be fine either way. It comes down to if you don't like having a middleman in the picture. I've booked by myself many times, but lately I use a TA for two reasons.

First, she saves me money by frequently rechecking to see if I have any PINs. She also gets proactive notices from Disney about promos and knows which of her clients would benefit. Whether it's a PIN or other promo she has them applied to my account.

Second, she adds to my enjoyment of my vacation. Once I was at the World and decided to extend my stay. I left a VM for her saying what I wanted to do and what my budget for the changes was. Two hours later she called back, everything was set including changes to the return flights and ground transportation. Instead of me consuming what may have been an hour of my vacation contacting three different vendors and getting their schedules to mesh, she did it for me.

 

[reiella]

From what I understand, the Walt Disney Travel Company is technically a travel agent anyway. It just happens to be run by Disney .

If you're willing/able to research what you want to do, you generally won't benefit from a traditional travel agent.

WDW is all but an all-inclusive, so pretty much everything is covered by them anyway, you have a very limited amount of other arrangements to make.

Air Travel is probably the most common one for WDW, and you can generally get better deals if you book on your own depending on your situation/location [me, personally, I have one airline choice, so it costs the same if I book through WDTC or directly].

All in all, for me, there's not that much vendors to aggregate for a disney vacation [there can be, certainly, just not for me ] to benefit from handing off responsibility/control.

 

[Aliceacc]

I've used AAA travel agents in the past. Very nice, but I always knew more than my agents. (Not a statement on the company as a whole, but on those two people.)

This year I switched to Dreams Unlimited. We're working with Tracey H and she's a total delight. She's knowledgeable, and gets right back to me anytime I have a question. She applied our PIN to our reservation, called in our ADRS at 7 am as I was leaving for work, and had our Dessert Party booked by the time I got home from school the day they opened August up without warning.

And, for all this, I pay nothing. Someone else gets a commission for helpimg me, and it costs me nothing. If nothing else, it's paying my good fortune forward.

 

[goofy4tink]

This is the -only- reason I use a TA for Disney. I require a lot of ADRs and don't feel like being on the phone all day or being on hold (or worse, calling back every few days to see if something has opened up). If they're willing to do that for a commission, sounds good to me! Without needing these, I'd probably pass too.

I have no issues with that anymore..not since Disney started the online dining reservation system. Now, you can even book CP pkg's as well as day to day ADRs!! All online. And you can just plug in the day, time and number of guests and the system will show you everything that is available..for about a three hour period around the time you requested!!!! Love it..no more phone calls to Disney Dining for me!!!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I really don't see the need to use a TA with Disney. They make it so simple for you to do everything yourself. Personally, I like to know that everything has been taken care of, and that can only happen if I am in charge (I'm a Leo, what do you expect?! LOL)

I agree, but I am a Sagittarius , I don't use a TA and I also feel that they aren't necessary for a Disney vacation. I love planning out our Disney vacations and making all of the ADRs/reservations myself. Like others have said, Disney makes it so easy for you to do. There are so many websites out there that can help you with menus, resorts (on or off property), and any other activities around Disney...the best one is right here on the DIS, so many people to help you out with any questions (but of course you already know that ). As for flights, search different booking sites for flights (kayak, expedia, etc...) and even the air carriers themselves, you can often find deals closer to your dates if you book through the air carrier's website. Good luck and have a great time planning, that is half the fun .

 

[Disneytwinsmom]

Personally, I would never not use a TA. But I am the owner of a TA as well as a graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge, certified Disney Dream Maker and working on Disney Genius status. I feel I am able to offer to my client my years of experience, tips, fun facts and personal service that they don't get over the internet. I do not charge additional fees, I truly am in it for the love of Disney. I have gotten rave reviews from clients who have returned and said that all the insider info I had given them mae their trip magical and stress free. Vacation is supposed to be fun and without stress, I feel I offer that.

To those who have had a bad experience, I hate hearing that and I apoligize for the industry, but there arre those of us who are very good at what we do and the reviews, photos and thank yous we have received make it all worth it.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I would use a TA if you were getting an agency exclusive.

They can sometimes get prices that are not available elsewhere.

I have a great experience with Magical Vacations on an agency exclusive and am paying for labor day $158.88 a night at Grand Floridian.

I think it really depends on the situation and the agent. I never used an agent prior to booking this agency exclusive and now I am thinking I might have been missing out all these years........

I have also used agents for renting timeshare points and saved a lot of $$$ from rack rates....

IMHO - if you are saving $$$ through TA - find one you can work with... if prices are the same than just do your research here!!!

 

[MYD714]

Personally, this website is better than any TA and in some cases, better than the Disney websites.

I have no issues with that anymore..not since Disney started the online dining reservation system. Now, you can even book CP pkg's as well as day to day ADRs!! All online. And you can just plug in the day, time and number of guests and the system will show you everything that is available..for about a three hour period around the time you requested!!!! Love it..no more phone calls to Disney Dining for me!!!

I never minded calling for ADRs, but online ADRs has really helped me out--especially since I keep changing my mind about the ADRs for our upcoming trip.

I would use a TA if you were getting an agency exclusive.

They can sometimes get prices that are not available elsewhere.

I have a great experience with Magical Vacations on an agency exclusive and am paying for labor day $158.88 a night at Grand Floridian.

I think it really depends on the situation and the agent. I never used an agent prior to booking this agency exclusive and now I am thinking I might have been missing out all these years........

I have also used agents for renting timeshare points and saved a lot of $$$ from rack rates....

IMHO - if you are saving $$$ through TA - find one you can work with... if prices are the same than just do your research here!!!

That's a great rate for GF!!! I may have to look into them.

I've never used a TA for any of my vacations (Disney or otherwise). I search around for the best deals and book what I think is a good deal for my family. WDW makes booking vacations really easy. I book flights through Southwest's website then update my WDW reservation with the info for magical express.

 

[k3chantal]

Personally, I would never not use a TA. But I am the owner of a TA as well as a graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge, certified Disney Dream Maker and working on Disney Genius status. I feel I am able to offer to my client my years of experience, tips, fun facts and personal service that they don't get over the internet. I do not charge additional fees, I truly am in it for the love of Disney. I have gotten rave reviews from clients who have returned and said that all the insider info I had given them mae their trip magical and stress free. Vacation is supposed to be fun and without stress, I feel I offer that.

To those who have had a bad experience, I hate hearing that and I apoligize for the industry, but there arre those of us who are very good at what we do and the reviews, photos and thank yous we have received make it all worth it.

You have to remember on these boards that some should be a TA with the travel experience they have from going to Disney.

For me, I enjoy the planning part as much as if not more than the trip itself. I wouldn't want to hand that over to someone else no matter how much they enjoyed it because I want to have a hand in every part of my trip. There is pleasure finding a great airfare, pleasure getting the ADR's and deciding what restaurants I want this time, and pleasure from learning from these threads and other websites.

 

[CatNipRules]

I love planning my Disney trips. However, with everything that's been going on in my life I have very little time. Therefore, I'm using a TA for the first time.


Needless to say, Kelly has been nothing short of amazing. She emailed me at midnight the night that free dining was announced. It was in my inbox when I woke up and she was already on the phone. She told me that if I changed my arrival by 1 day, then I could get free dining.

I ended up getting free dining, an upgraded room and I even go $$ back.

She has always answered any questions that I have. Every single crazy one that I've had that I can't find answers to here. LOL!

I would definitely use her again. She is the best thing ever!!

 

[vicky33006]

Thanks so much for all the feedback everyone!

It's nice to read how many of you have had wonderful experiences with TAs. I'm sure there are some amazing ones out there. I think I've even met a few since having this terrible experience. The thing is, now it's a little difficult for me to put my trust into a TA.

The other thing is, Disney has been great each time I've called. CMs have been answering all of my questions, and they act as though they have all the time in the world for my questions. I never feel like I'm bothering them when asking questions. It's really a wonderful level of customer service they have going there.

Between Disney and what I read here,I feel like I can do this. For my first trip I used a TA, and it was absolutely necessary since I had no clue about anything in the world related to Disney. Now, I read on here every day and I feel like I'm getting it. For me, for this trip, doing it on my own is the way to go. I'll let you all know if I do a terrible job and the trip is a disaster.

 

[TyTysMommy]

Do you need a TA? No
Do I use a TA? Yes
Do I need to use a TA? Not really, but I found someone who specializes in Disney vacations and knows her stuff.

On one of my trips, Magical Express was brand new and there were so many glitches. They had our departure date and time all screwed up. After 3 phone calls to Magical Express I kept getting the run-around. My TA called them and straightened it all out.

On another vacation I had everything completely pre-paid before we arrived. At check-in the Cast Member said my balance was a little over $200. I instantly pulled out my cell phone and called my TA's cell phone. She answered and asked me to hand her off to the Cast Member. The CM talked to my Travel Agent on the phone and things were sorted out in minutes. It ended up being a data entry error on Disney's part that charged me for something that I didn't want.

It is nice to make a phone call when something goes wrong and my TA would tell me to relax and she will handle it. Then when she calls back, all is well again.

A Travel Agent is very nice to have when you've got one who is just as passionate about Disney as you are and she knows her stuff inside and out. She also has sent the kids little Disney gifts with our travel documents. My trip doesn't cost any more by using her and I like the feeling of having my own personal concierge.

 

[msmith07101]

Thanks so much for all the feedback everyone!

It's nice to read how many of you have had wonderful experiences with TAs. I'm sure there are some amazing ones out there. I think I've even met a few since having this terrible experience. The thing is, now it's a little difficult for me to put my trust into a TA.

The other thing is, Disney has been great each time I've called. CMs have been answering all of my questions, and they act as though they have all the time in the world for my questions. I never feel like I'm bothering them when asking questions. It's really a wonderful level of customer service they have going there.

Between Disney and what I read here,I feel like I can do this. For my first trip I used a TA, and it was absolutely necessary since I had no clue about anything in the world related to Disney. Now, I read on here every day and I feel like I'm getting it. For me, for this trip, doing it on my own is the way to go. I'll let you all know if I do a terrible job and the trip is a disaster.

I don't normally use a TA...I feel like I can find the same deals they can for Disney. I did use one for our Disney Cruise, but I actually researched and did all the work...stumbled upon a great deal late one night and booked it. Then I transferred my reservation to the TA in order to receive some onboard credits the agency was offering. For my upcoming WDW trip, I contacted a TA online that are supposed to be experts on Disney. Was trying to coordinate/book a trip with my sister and her family, so contacted the TA thinking she could make things easier. She did seem to find a slightly better free dining deal than my sister found, but didn't find anything better for me than what I had found (had a free dining pin code). We went ahead and booked with her...figured she did some work for us so she could have the booking. But honestly...don't need a TA for a Disney trip or any other trip. I have planned many trips without the use of a TA. I think if you have the time, and you enjoy the researching and planning, then you can easily do it yourself.
Keep on reading these boards and you'll have a great trip!

 

[vicky33006]

I don't normally use a TA...I feel like I can find the same deals they can for Disney. I did use one for our Disney Cruise, but I actually researched and did all the work...stumbled upon a great deal late one night and booked it. Then I transferred my reservation to the TA in order to receive some onboard credits the agency was offering. For my upcoming WDW trip, I contacted a TA online that are supposed to be experts on Disney. Was trying to coordinate/book a trip with my sister and her family, so contacted the TA thinking she could make things easier. She did seem to find a slightly better free dining deal than my sister found, but didn't find anything better for me than what I had found (had a free dining pin code). We went ahead and booked with her...figured she did some work for us so she could have the booking. But honestly...don't need a TA for a Disney trip or any other trip. I have planned many trips without the use of a TA. I think if you have the time, and you enjoy the researching and planning, then you can easily do it yourself.
Keep on reading these boards and you'll have a great trip!

Thanks!!! I do enjoy all the research and planning! The only part of it that makes me nervous is that I'm not exactly a Disney vet, so this is basically a first for me! This website is a Godsend for me though. I have learned SOOO much!

 

[maryj11]

You do not need a TA. You can search this forum and the Disney site and do it yourself. I had a AAA TA once and the next time I think I figured up a better deal then her. So I havent had one since. You can find all the best prices and discounts for yourself and make your reservations online at the Disney site.

 

[KCervasio]

I book my trips on my own but recently became an agent so it's even more fun!

 

[nansmama]

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