TA's and Pin codes

[EyeLandMama]

Ok, I hope this doesn't turn into a rant but here goes. I've booked my own trips for ages but decided, in part because of all the great reviews I've read about Disney Specialist TA's, that I'd use one for our Once In A LifeTime DisneyWorld Vacation to celebrate my son's birthday. I've been less than impressed so far, but no major complaints.....until the past few days.

On Saturday I received the coveted Pin Code. Now it's only for 20% but heck, who's complaining! I fooled around with dates and realized it wouldn't really save me any money with my current ressies. So I decided I'd try to surprise my son with an AKL Concierge 2 night stay at the end of our trip. The dates worked out and after pricing it out on Disney's website, I decided to email my TA and ask her to please find out if there are any rooms available for my timeframe with the code. That was Saturday. Today is Tuesday and I haven't heard a thing from her yet.

After reading so many posts about great TA's and wonderful email responses with very little turnaround time, I'm starting to wonder why it always takes at least 3 days before I hear from my TA. I know there are very limited rooms available at certain rates and I really REALLY want this to work out for my son.

So I guess what I'm wanting to know is this: Is this typical of your experiences with TA's, and should I just call Disney myself and try to get into AKL? I'm really dissappointed with this TA and I'm not sure where to go from here. Thank you so much in advance for your opinions.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would call the TA. If you cant call her then I would re-email the TA.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

When I go with a TA, I use Magical Journeys and Debbie gets back to me almost immediately every time I e-mail her. The most I've waited, I think, was overnight...but hey, she has a life too! Not sure about how other TA companies do it but in my experience, you've been kept waiting too long.

 

[luvdisney24]

Before you hang your TA out to dry, I would try calling them. There's always a chance the email didn't go through. Email is great but sometimes there are glitches.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

Yeah I think its been too long too. Our TA at The Magic for Less always emails us within a few hours, even if its just to say that she got the email and will get back to us ASAP with the request.

 

[safetymom]

Have you checked your junk mail or spam folders for a response?

 

[drakes]

We ran into an opposite problem. The Disney specialist TA replied to our emails within 24 hours, so that was nice, but I found we knew more than she did
Maybe I spend too much time on the DIS?

I have to admit I was not too impressed with her answers, they did not make me feel secure in our decisions.

I left it that I'd get back to her and haven't heard from her since, so I suppose planning my trip was not of interest to her commission???

Instead we're researching ourselves and booking ourselves. So far our phone calls to WDW have been wonderful and we've gotten everything we've asked for- can't complain!

Last trip (2007) we bought a package deal from a local TA, we planned 2-3 months out. We had no idea about character meals, phoning Disney the CM booked our ADR for our days and planned our dining for us! How great is that!

 

[disneyfan6301]

I have used Small World Travel for the past 4 trips and they are wonderful! Missy always gets back to me within a few hours unless I e-mail on a weekend. Sounds like you got a slow TA or your e-mail did not go through.

 

[EyeLandMama]

Thank you for all the helpful advice, tips, and opinions. I have checked my inbox inside and out. It's not in the trash section either.

Small World Travel is who I'm working with, although I won't mention my specific TA on the boards. I had heard really wonderful things about them so I'm a little dissapointed.

I did email her again, in case she didn't receive the first email, and I'll be sure to update you on what happens next.

Thanks to all for your assistance!!!

 

[mbanks21]

Or just call Disney yourself before the room becomes unavailable. I guarantee a CM will be more then happy to help you.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

When I go with a TA, I use Magical Journeys and Debbie gets back to me almost immediately every time I e-mail her. The most I've waited, I think, was overnight...but hey, she has a life too! Not sure about how other TA companies do it but in my experience, you've been kept waiting too long.

I second that about Debbie. She gets back to me practically right away and when she can't, she'll usually send me a 'I'll get to it as soon as possible' e-mail so I won't think she's forgotten about me.

I definitely think you've been kept waiting too long.

 

[plutolovr]

You have to realize that not all TAs, especially those who work from home, are at their computers 24/7. You emailed her on a Saturday, she could have been out of town, or spending time with her family.

 

[Joan1]

I left it that I'd get back to her and haven't heard from her since, so I suppose planning my trip was not of interest to her commission???

I don't get it if you told her YOU would get back to her she probably didn't want to be a bother by contacting you again. You wouldn't have probably liked it if she kept sending you emails asking if you were ready to book

To the original poster - definitely try a phone call
Does your TA have hours posted on her website or email signature? Mine does so I know that if I email her on days that she is off I don't expect a response until she is back in her office. Sometimes we feel that with email we expect immediate results all the time and that everyon is at their computer all the time. This is not directed to the poster directly just stating some idea.

Definitely check spam and junk mail folders. A lot of my work is done by email and we have tons of problems with people that have yahoo and hotmail accounts. Yahoo sometimes outright blocks our emails or responses to an inquiry and it doesn't have any words or links that I would think would put up any red flags about spam

Since you mentioned it is Small World did you try calling your TA? I have worked with them before and I know their agents have toll free numbers

You said you checked the availability online that doesn't mean that it will be available with the discounted offer. I have run into that alot with annual pass discounts. I look online see the availability but when I call Disney it isn't available with the discount

I hope it all works out for you

 

[luvdisney24]

You could also check with the Small World office directly to see if they can give you some help. They have a "contact us" tab on the bottom of their website. Good Luck! I hope you hear from someone soon.

 

[singingpixie]

I'll third the recommendation for Magical Journeys. I'm working with Karen (and have on a previous trip as well) and she is wonderful!

 

[SandrainNC]

I would also do what somebody else said and e-mail the main agency or call the main number.

I have used Dreams the last 3 trips and I always have a response the same day. And if she is going to be out of town I get an e-mail saying so and who to contact while she is away.

Sandra

 

[EnnEss]

I still don't understand the value of TAs if you're someone on these boards considering you probably know when codes and such hit anyways, you're going to have to follow up no matter what. They make your ADRS for you? Woohoo, you still have to communicate them to the TA and ive never spent more than 5 minutes actually making them for an entire week with Disney anyways. This is stereotypical of why I avoid them.

Sorry OP, everyone is probably right, give them a call. There probably is a reason for it, but if your TA is not in another will help I'm sure. Disney won't be able to ammend the ressie for you, just the TA but you could make a reservation maybe with your code to stop it from losing availability then transfer it later? Im not sure if thats possible.