Travel Agency or Myself?

[eeyore29]

A little background: we've been to WDW nine times and we've always booked directly with Disney. I'm kinda OCD with the planning. I look forward to it almost as much as the vacation itself. I scour the DISboards daily to see if a better deal has come out. I make my own dining reservations, and sometimes I change them a few times before we go.

This year, I've been considering using AAA or another travel agency to see if they can find the best deal possible. Has anyone ever booked on their own for a long time and then handed over the reigns to a travel agent?

Here's what I'm afraid of:
they'll screw things up.
they'll try to pull one over on me (based on some things I've heard from friends).
I'll find a better deal & won't be able to get it.

Does AAA (and other agencies like Magical Vacations Travel) keep searching for the best deal even after you booked? If I find a better deal and bring it to their attention, will they go after it for me? Or would I have to cancel with them & book on my own? Do most of them require only $200 down like Disney does? Will they get better deals than the Visa or public offers or PIN codes? Are you able to stack discounts (like the AAA% off the room plus Free Dining from Disney)? Will they find cheaper airfare than I can find online?

Is there anything else I should be taking into consideration before I decide?

 

[twoplustwins]

I am too much of a control freak to turn my Disney trip over to a TA. We have used a TA for other trips, but not Disney.

 

[Bearwater]

I guess it depends on how much time you have on your hands.

I do a lot of research and planning, but still have been happy to have the TA. Our first trip 5 years ago we used the same TA and were very pleased. So this year I contacted her again and now am working full-time. She can do all of the work for me that I don't have time to do.

 

[LindyN]

A travel agent that specializes in Disney will do as much, or as little, as you like. Its up to you. However it also depends on the agent and agency too, as not all agents are full time and accessible.

Will the agent/agency you select be available at 7am EST on code day? Is the agency accredited? Lots to consider.

Agents spend time on the phone to apply discounts after booking, and with what's been going on for the past three days its a good 90-120 minutes of holding before DRC even answers. The agent does that while you carry on with life.

Agents should not be 'pulling one over' on anyone. Any time a trip is changed, you should get a confirmation in short order. Then its up to you to review that confirmation.

Most agencies have the same policies as the travel supplier, however some may have fees. If you shop for agents/agencies, you need to ask about fees.

When you work with an agent, you need to have some faith that the agent is looking out for your best interests. Not everyone wants, or needs, an agent. Its a partnership, and many agents are happy to babysit your reservation and answer questions while you do your own dining reservations and recreation. What works for you should work for the agent.

 

[jdevine14]

I use MEI *********** and there great. I could do it myself bits is nice for them to handle everything. Leslie Henson is my agent. They don't charge any fees since they get paid by Disney so its the same rates but you always have a point of contact.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I consider myself too much of a control freak/instant gratification junkie to use a TA.

I'm on FB/the Dis/Twitter every day to stay up-to-date on possible discounts. I like to hop on the phone (or online if it's a new booking) ASAP to grab them when they come out. The thought of a TA having to call for a bunch of clients and not knowing where in the list my reservation gets handled makes me nervous. I also know waiting to hear back would make me . And by doing it myself, I can make any decisions on the fly in case the discount isn't available on the room type we want, without having to go back and forth with the TA.

I have to admit, with the phone snafus on 1/3 when the new spring discount came out, I was kind of wishing I had a TA to handle it for me. However, I know my reservation backwards and forwards and when I did finally get through and the discounted amount came in about $40 less than what I'd calculated, I knew right away that they had bumped me back to a standard room instead of garden. Even the CM said, "you're good!"

So long winded answer, for me, I don't find it worth it to use a TA. With my personality, it would probably stress me out more than taking a load off!

 

[mickeynut1]

I consider myself too much of a control freak/instant gratification junkie to use a TA.

I'm on FB/the Dis/Twitter every day to stay up-to-date on possible discounts. I like to hop on the phone (or online if it's a new booking) ASAP to grab them when they come out. The thought of a TA having to call for a bunch of clients and not knowing where in the list my reservation gets handled makes me nervous. I also know waiting to hear back would make me . And by doing it myself, I can make any decisions on the fly in case the discount isn't available on the room type we want, without having to go back and forth with the TA.

So long winded answer, for me, I don't find it worth it to use a TA. With my personality, it would probably stress me out more than taking a load off!

This is me as well. Planning is half the fun for me and if I have to search out discounts or call and be hold for awhile before talking to a CM, I don't mind that as it adds to the excitement of planning for me . I like to be able to call on a whim to ask a question, make a change, etc., without having to contact someone else to do it for me and wait to hear back from them.

 

[eeyore29]

Ok, I'm convinced. Just gonna do it myself (and love it!). Like some of you have said, I can't give up the control. I'm on the boards every day anyway and it would kill me waiting to hear back from a travel agent. DH just called & booked our next trip so I'll be (im)patiently waiting for a discount to come out for December! THANKS!!!

 

[StrwLady]

I can't imagine, having handle reservations myself for 9 trips, being able to turn control over a TA. But that is me. I am a control freak like others that have posted here.

I think if you have the time available to check the boards regularly, to make the reservation when a discount comes out and some flexibility in resorts then you should book it yourself.

I do think you can make room only reservations with the AAA discount through CRO. So that might be an option to you so you know you have a discount off the bat.

Good luck planning.

 

[designermv]

I started using a TA when I discovered that their agency-exclusive promos were beating Disneys discounts. It was worth it to give up absolute control for the rates I got. I was also very happy with their service.

 

[OKW Lover]

The owners of the DIS Boards also operate Dreams Unlimited Travel. They continue to watch for better deals after they book your reservations.