To use a travel agent or not?

[erinmomof2]

I'm getting ready to book our trip, which is a first for me. I've heard about a couple travel agents DU and Small World Vacations and I'm considering using one of those. But I'd like to know if I use a TA can I still make changes to my ressie? If a code comes out can I change my ressie or does the TA have to do it? Also I'd like to try to get ressies for CRT, is that something I should try to do myself or are they pretty good about getting the ressies you want?

Sorry about all the questions but this is the first trip that I'm planning on my own and I'm kind of obsessing over all the details.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Amyg]

We used a AAA agent who specialized in WDW and she looked out for discount codes for us. My agent offered to make ADR's for me but I wanted to do them myself. A really good agent will offer to do all of this for you. She has since gone to another travel agency so and I don't recall which one. Perhaps someone else has a TA that they have had good experiences with.

Good luck!

 

[lynninpa]

We went through a TA one time-and it was a nightmare! Just our experience, of course, yet I will never book any vacation through a TA again. We found out the hard way that if there were any mistakes or changes to be made, it was a hassle beyond believe! We have since booked all of our vacations ourselves.

 

[BlakeNJ]

Our last trip was booked with an AAA TA and it was a nightmare. Granted, she knew nothing about Disney and when a code came out, I was at her mercy. Also a nightmare. If you are considering using DU and SW agents, I think you'll be in great hands. I have heard many positive things about both and would use them for my next trip. Maybe call and speak to an agent first and get a feel for what they actually can/will do for you. Once you book with a TA, there is literally nothing you can change to the ressie. You can't even make a room request, add a b'day, anniversary etc.

Good luck,
Blakely

 

[Kaler131]

I have always had the best luck with booking everything myself. Ultimately, you are the one with your best interest in mind. I am sure that there are lots of great TAs (My MIL has a TA that she LOVES!), but I just haven't had much luck with them. Maybe I just haven't found my true match....LOL!

 

[lilyv]

So far I'm very impressed with DU. I booked AKL standard, and then decided to see about changing to pool view. No problem. It was done within 24 hours. For me, it's very nice to know that DU keeps an eye on codes each and every day. I don't have the time to always be checking. They are interested in what type of vacation we're looking for, will make our ADR's and at the end we'll get our own itinerary. Best of all, I'm making payments month by month. Our room will be paid off before we go. Gotta love that!

I didn't give up "control". I will still use TGM to basically augment my itinerary, and email my TA what I want to do. She'll just add it in to her info, and at the end it will be printable.

 

[simonkodousek]

I think DU and SW are the two best WDW travel agencies... I've never used them, but I've heard fablous things about them.

 

[trivial]

Booking with a knowledgeable, Disney-centric TA is my advice. DU has a great rep, as does SWV (which I used previously and was happy with).

 

[jls886]

We are using Small World Vacations for the second time for our trip this December. We had a great experience last time so we're using them again. Our original TA no longer works there so we were given a new one this time and we like her even more! They're so much better at looking for discounts than I am, half the time I don't even know where to look! I would be happy to PM you her name and information if you're interested.

 

[Booknut]

If I'm staying on-site I will use Dreams Unlimited, they are fantastic (especially my TA Rhonda) and its nice to know that there is someone there to back you up should any problems arise with reservations etc (as can sometimes happen!).

They also make dining reservations for you and I know my TA worked really hard to get me the reservations I wanted.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with DU!

 

[Dana49]

We use Small World Travel to book our room reservations. Any changes to the room reservations must go through them. We've used them several times and so far, we've been very happy. I take care of the rest of the trip (tickets and airlines).

 

[erinmomof2]

The thing I'm most concerned with is sitting on the phone for a large block of time making ressies and ADR's. My youngest is 2 months old and currently quite a handful. I like the idea of someone else doing the calling for me, I just don't want to miss out on getting what I want cause the TA obviously won't care as I do whether my family dines at CRT or not.


I think I'm just obsessing too much!

 

[canron]

agents are out of date..we do it all ourselves..10 years now..never any trouble..even make our own changes no trouble..

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Only use an agent if there is no other choice. if you book with an agency they own the reservation it is not yours, you cannot check on ANYTHING about it, you MUST go through them. and then you are at their mercy as to responding to you, how fast they move on something, a code for instance many are booked very quickly after they come out, if your agent does it when they "get around to it" it may well be unavailable, some charge you to make a change etc.
If you think you are capable of it, book it yourself.

 

[rwdavis2]

Making reservations is not so hard where you can't do it yourself. IMHO, a TA just adds one (or more) opportunity for something to go wrong. I would think that when dealing with a TA you would have to be very explicit on what you want and don't want and then have to go back and verify it. I just don't see the value in it.
Bob

 

[Joan1]

agents are out of date..we do it all ourselves..10 years now..never any trouble..even make our own changes no trouble..

I think this is an unfair statement since you are generalizing and not everyone you encounter in any situation is the same

To the original poster - as long as you use an agent that specializes in Disney like DU or Small World you are in good hands because they are both aware of all the discounts and their agents will be up very early on the morning of the discounts. My agent at SW has even gotten us codes added to the room reservations while she was on vacation

 

[ajcolorado]

I keep hearing that travel agents are out of date but that only seems likely if you are someone who enjoys spending a lot of time on the internet doing all of your own research. Then you have to determine whether the information is accurate or up-to-date.

I have found "niche" travel agents very helpful. For example, we went on our first cruise a couple of years ago. My daughter was graduating from high school and really wanted to do this. I'd never seen myself as a "cruise person" because I don't gamble, don't enjoy shopping etc. etc. A cruise was decidely uncharted territory for us. We used a TA specializing in cruises and she helped us pick a cruise and cruiseline that was expecially well suited for families w/ older teens who have outgrown the youth programs. She had excellent information that helped us decide when to use a ship's excursion and when to book our own. I could've researched all of that, I suppose, but it was wonderful to have someone who already knew the ropes. Just having someone go over what to expect at the port on departure day reduced my stress a lot.

Likewise, I think a good TA specializing in Florida and Walt Disney World is a wonderful thing. Have you ever seen the people - usually on other travel boards - that don't even realize that WDW has 4 theme parks and 2 waterparks, let alone the 150+ restaurant choices, hotel options and host of other actitivies. A good TA can really streamline the planning process so it isn't so overwhelming - especially when someone is not a Disney fanatic and is only planning to visit WDW once or maybe twice in their entire lives.

I've used www.buildabettermousetrip.com twice or three times for WDW trips and received great service. I've changed reservations when promotions were released and they did my dining reservations for me. We did an extended Florida trip and used a rental car for the non-WDW portion. The agent emailed me to let me know that a promotion was available that cut my car rental cost by $78.

 

[lilyv]

All TA's are just not the same. If someone chooses an non-Disney specialist TA, then they are taking a risk that the TA will not be "up" on the latest news and deals.

Specialist TA's, though, work with Disney all year long. To me, that is a huge advantage. I'm careful to only choose a knowledgeable professional-someone who's business IS Disney Travel.

Then I work WITH them, and together we are able to plan a wonderful vacation.

Why use a TA? It's a major time saver. At any given time during the year, I
may or may not have time to check all the sites, sit on the phone, run the #'s, check again........It's so nice to not have to worry about what I may be missing while I go on about my normal day. I do have other interests beyond Disney. (The secret is out!!!)

In general, I believe Disney Specialist TA's work in that field because they enjoy it, and they do want to do a great job for their clients. It must be very satisfying to get emails from clients, giving thanks for a job well done. We love going to Disney because it's a great place to make memories. What fun it must be for Disney Specialist TA's to help make that happen!

 

[trivial]

agents are out of date

Nothing could be further from the truth.

If one has a great deal of experience travelling and/or has a huge amount of time on their hands to research everything to the hilt, then I can see leaving a TA out of the picture. But as has been repeated in this thread, getting a Disney-centric TA with an established reputation can be a huge help.

 

[tley]

I enjoy using a TA for two big reasons.

1. They search for codes, constantly, and find me discounts if they are available. I saved over $500 on this trip alone b/c of their searching. I know the prices are the same as Disney, but this saves me the trouble of searching for codes each day - when someone can do it for me

2. I don't have to pay upfront. I can put down a deposit, save between that time and when the balance is due and not take a huge hit to my credit. This is a big advantage to me and others who maybe can't afford to drop $1500+ at the drop of a dime.


My family and I have used DU upwards of 10x over the last 10 years, with great results each time.