To Agent or Not To Agent

[MaryLyon]

I'd like to hear impressions about using a travel agent vs planning your own trip. I was feeling overwhelmed so I contacted a Disney authorized agent. So far, I'm not impressed and don't get what the benefit is of using an agent. There's certainly no reduction in price, I feel as though I have to remind them about everything, and I thought maybe I'd have better luck in getting reservations, but that has not been the case.

I'm far enough into the process, I'm not sure that it would be worthwhile starting over, but I'd love to hear others' thoughts on using a TA.

 

[squirrel]

I have used a TA in the past and used my TA this year just for the flights.

This year she was unable to meet or beat WDW Free Dining Pkg. Last year our dollar was better so that might have been why she was able to get us a good deal.

I like the new online ADR's but it's kind of annoying that each day I'm still up early as we are staying longer than 11 nights.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Never had an agent for WDW, never will.

1. I want complete control over the planning aspects of my trip.
2. I know people use TAs so they don't have to take the time to book these things themselves but imo, if you have time to DIS, you have time to book your own vacation.
3. I also know people like to use a TA because they can watch for better discounts and apply them but again, I can find them myself and play around on it also.

For me, I am just too big of a control freak to use a TA and I know there will be DISers to help you out on the other aspects on to TA or not to TA.

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, Mary!

I'm going to move this over to our resort board for you. I think you'll get better feedback over there.

 

[eccobleu]

We used a TA for our first trip, never again. A few days before we were to leave, we found out that there was a good possibility of a hurricane affecting our trip. Our TA kept telling me that we would have to wait and see what Disney would do, if anything. So I called Disney, and they said that we could change the dates of our trip without any penalties. But since we booked through a TA, we had to go through them. This option was never offered to us by the TA. We ended up not changing anything & had a great time even with a hurricane. It was just very fustrating trying to figure something out when I had to wait on a third party.

 

[nytimez]

I tend to do everything myself. But I hear good things about Dreams Unlimited, the folks who bring us the Dis Boards.

 

[lustergirl]

Never had an agent for WDW, never will.

1. I want complete control over the planning aspects of my trip.
2. I know people use TAs so they don't have to take the time to book these things themselves but imo, if you have time to DIS, you have time to book your own vacation.
3. I also know people like to use a TA because they can watch for better discounts and apply them but again, I can find them myself and play around on it also.

For me, I am just too big of a control freak to use a TA and I know there will be DISers to help you out on the other aspects on to TA or not to TA.

I second this!!

 

[brandydan]

I tried to take care of all the arrangements for our first trip ever to WDW, and though I'm normally pretty good with travel arrangements, for WDW and all the things you need to do at the same time (flight arrangements, resort or not resort, dining plan or not, ADRs, etc), well, I got overwhelmed.

I have several deadlines at work, DH is overseas with no access to internet except for simple email, and with only a specific window of opportunity to visit WDW, I went straight to Dreams Unlimited. After, of course, checking with BBB.org. We love along the Tx/Mx border, and most of the surprisingly few TAs here cater to cruises and Spring Break vacations, or they are used to planning groups tour, hardly the type of experience just the two of us want or need.

So far I am very pleased. It did help that we had a specific set of criteria already decided (level of resort, meal plan, etc), and at least for me, my DU agent has been very knowledgable, patient and offers advice on plans and packages.

Would I love the idea of being able to plan everything myself? Sure, I find this rather fun. But for individual circumstances, this alternative might be a good one.

 

[Tam1067]

We have used an AAA agent three times because the only way to book a package with the AAA discount is by using an agent. I had no problems, and though I chose to do my ADRs myself, she would have done them for me.

We're using an agent for our upcoming Christmas trip because she got me an excellent (as in about $300 less per night) rate for Dec. 23-28 at the Grand Floridian. I could not have received that rate if I'd booked on my own, and unless some HUGE discount comes out soon, I won't be able to beat that rate, so I'm using her for that. There are times when a travel agent can save you money, so for me, it's worth using a travel agent in those situations. She says she'll make my ADRs for me, but since I'm not yet at my 90 day mark, I can't comment on her doing that. We shall see!

But I've also booked two trips on my own and been happy with those as well. So I think it just depends on your situation.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I am really pleased with my AAA travel agent! I have called/emailed him to make so many changes that I am always worried he's going to ask me to chill out! He always does exactly what I ask him to add, take off, or check in to. I have already promised him his our pair of embroidered ears upon our return!!! I would have booked it on my own, but to get the AAA discount was well worth it! Also, I just recently got a pin code for free dining and was able to apply it to my already discounted trip!

 

[Tam1067]

I am really pleased with my AAA travel agent! I have called/emailed him to make so many changes that I am always worried he's going to ask me to chill out! He always does exactly what I ask him to add, take off, or check in to. I have already promised him his our pair of embroidered ears upon our return!!! I would have booked it on my own, but to get the AAA discount was well worth it! Also, I just recently got a pin code for free dining and was able to apply it to my already discounted trip!

I just want to clarify--

It's not possible to stack discounts. You can get either an AAA discount OR something else (like the 4/3 or free dining promos), but you cannot get both at once.

AAA discounts are between 10-20% off the room portion of the package; that discount depends on the season and level of the resort.

 

[awaldo]

We've used TA's for our last three trips, after doing all the work myself for the previous trips. One experience was not so great. Since, we've used a new company, and the same agent for both, and goodness gracious, I would never go it alone again. She knows the deals before I do, she's willing to take her time to make our ADRs, and provides "little touches" that I couldn't do on my own. Also, the ability to have a "point person" to go to is invaluable. She even ran scenarios on two PIN codes we got to figure our "best deal". I think it makes a HUGE difference on which TA you use. Additionally, unlike a previous poster, my time is more valuable than sitting on hold waiting to talk to someone. I will let my TA take care of all that!

 

[Mamalisa58]

contacting Dreams Unlimited. I have used them several times, they will make all your ADRs and make a personalized itinerary based on your needs/wants. Marla is wonderful.

 

[redrosesix]

Never had an agent for WDW, never will.

1. I want complete control over the planning aspects of my trip.
2. I know people use TAs so they don't have to take the time to book these things themselves but imo, if you have time to DIS, you have time to book your own vacation.
3. I also know people like to use a TA because they can watch for better discounts and apply them but again, I can find them myself and play around on it also.

Me too!

For trips to WDW, it is just so easy to do it on my own, and I know I'm getting the best deal possible. Since we don't want DDP, I don't need an agent to make ADR's (and many won't)

However, for a place like Europe, Asia, etc. I would definitely use a TA. I actually have a friend that uses a TA for every trip -- he travels a lot, and the TA knows in advance all of the places he'd like to go, the sort of activities he'd be interested in, etc (he's now been working with her for over 10 years) -- so when she sees a special that he might be interested in she emails it to him. This is how he makes most of his decisions about where to travel and when to go.

 

[mainegal]

I used a travel agent.

The price for WDW vacation (WDW resort, tickets) will not vary much no matter what you do. If there is a special, all will offer the same thing.

A travel agent might offer their own sort of "pixie dust" - luggage tags, mini book, lanyard. I didn't spend enough to get any "bonus".

Mine made my ADRs for me. And booked to get me the AAA discount. Both I could have done on my own, but it was nice having someone else do it for me.

 

[Tam1067]

The only way to get the AAA discount with a package (tickets and DDP if you want it) is through an AAA agent. Other TAs and Disney cannot do that for you.

Also, SOME TAs get blocks of rooms for certain dates which they can offer at discounts not advertised to the public. So in that case, the TA can save you $$.

But in most cases, you can get the same deals by calling Disney directly as by using a TA.

 

[Ronni]

I used a travel agent for the first time this time--Suzy from Mouse Fan Travel.

She's been wonderful. She made all my ADRs (and I got everything I wanted), she is a GREAT communicator. I email her a question and I hear back within hours, if not minutes. It's also free! So far, I'm liking the travel agent route. I also got a free subscription to touringplans.com by using them, which is fun to use for planning.

 

[I Love Pluto]

AAA's price for a week in August was $300 LESS than Disney's price.

Obviously, we book with AAA. It just doesn't make sense any other way.

 

[bjcaed]

WE used Mouseketrips this last trip and saved a ton! They were able to get a room at POR when I could not through Disney. I assume they had blocked rooms for the 4/3. They also booked our flights through shouthwest which Disney does not offer. That alone saved up $1200 + . Scott was our agent and he was great. He rebooked our flight when a much earlier flight became available. It was sooo worry free and much less expensive in our experience. I booked our ADRs I wanted complete control of that, of course
Mourketrips.com take a a look and get a free quote!

 

[MaryLyon]

Wow, this has all been really interesting. I guess it all just depends. Thanks for the replies.

It's been hard - I work full time and have a child and volunteer with my church (and actually enjoy sleeping!) so my time is really limited, so I thought a TA would help.

It probably doesn't make much sense to backtrack at this point. But will keep in mind for the future...if we're ever able to afford to go again!