To Use or Not use a TA That is the ?

[Mjasp]

I have been reading some posts regarding TA's and a few stick out in my mind.

One is that during a hurricane last year, someone was NOT notified by their TA of changes because it was a weekend or late (don't remember exactly) while their friend was notified by DCL. So if it wasn't for their friend who booked directly with DCL they would have found out after the fact.

On the other hand, When using a TA if you should have a problem while on vacation and no one is willing to help, you can always call your TA and they can go to bat for you.

Do TA's give you a number to call, in case the office is closed and you need to reach them?

So what is everyone's opinion on this.

Thanks
Joanna

 

[tvguy]

Disney requires emergency contact numbers from every passenger without regard to who they booked through.
It is Disney's responsibility to make contact at the last minute, not the Travel Agent. Just like if your car has a safety recall, it's the car company, not the salesperson who sold you the car who contacts you.

I was monitoring the Disney cruise website during last years Hurricanes. I also monitored this board. EVERYTHING was posted in a timely fashion on the Disney website, I was 2000 miles away and knew exactly what was going on.
One problem some had was, Disney posted the updates as popups, and many of us normally block popups. Other problem is some folks may not have had internet access. But Disney maintained a 24 hour a day 800 number.

So as an outsider looking in, I was baffled how anyone on those cruises could say they didn't know what was going on.

 

[kcashner]

I was on one of the hurricane cruises last year. Because we were at WDW the week before the cruise, I didn't have internet access. Yes, I understand that things were posted as soon as they were released, but that sure didn't help me.

I call DCL several times from the park, making sure that they had my cell phone number as well as the resort location at WDW. I was assured that they would phone me directly (rather than my TA) since I was already at the parks. I'm sure that the information I was given was accurate at the moment it was given, but things changed on a regular basis.

After I called them on Friday morning (and was told that everything would go on schedule), I arrived back at the car on Friday afternoon and had a message to call my TA. I'm sure they loved me at 4 pm on Friday! From there, I went into the resort and made my own arrangements for additional lodging, DCL pickup for travel to Ft. Lauderdale, etc. I'm sure my TA would have done this for me, but after the shock of the TA call, all I could think of was finding lodging for the extra nights. I figured that I was better off standing at a DCL check in desk than a TA on the phone would have been.

So...advantage of TA vs. DCL directly--my TA gives a nice discount when I transfer a ressie to him. As far as travel changes, it is DCL's responsibility ultimately to contact you, and they do ask for phone numbers.

BYW, they had their phone lines set up to handle each group of guests appropriately...."If you are sailing on the September 25 Magic, press 2. If you are sailing on the September 26 Wonder, press 3, etc."

 

[pearlieq]

I was on one of those cruises last year and there was a great deal of confusion. The decision to sail wasn't confirmed until late, the ports changed often (no big deal, just another piece of info to keep track of) and it wasn't certain until the last minute whether or not we were going out of Port Canaveral. It's kind of hard to be certain when Disney says you're going out of Port Canaveral and the Orlando 10pm news says the port is still closed!

My TA was much less than helpful during the situation. I didn't hear a word from her and did all of the legwork myself. We did get a message or two from DCL, and I was able to reach them by phone--they were helpful.

I wouldn't book with a TA looking for assistance during a weather crisis--the good ones would keep on top the info, keep you informed, and advocate for you, but it's hard to predict whether the TA will actually do that and you won't find out until the middle of a crisis anyway.

The reason to book with a TA is that they can almost always beat DCL's price, usually by several hundred dollars. You can still speak to DCL, especially about weather situations, regardless of how you booked. Just make sure to get your DCL reservation # from the TA.

Good luck to you!!