Travel Agent/Doing it Yourself

[Kimber1963]

I'm a do-it-yourself person. I've booked several trips for my extended family. They call me the family travel agent!

 

[DeirdreTours]

FanoTink-- My point is that it is WAY faster to just talk those date/resort options through with CRO than it is for the agent to hold one thing , email you, you email them back, they check the next choice etc. And, if the travel agent is not planning to check any other dates, why ask if your dates are flexible (and what the flexible dates are)?

I can see a real Disney specialist being of some value to a family that has not visited disney before and is unwilling to do any research. But the idea that an agent is going to book it faster, book it cheaper or book something that is "unavailable" to the general public, is probably false. In my case, for example, waiting a week for the agent to make that 5 minute call to Disney for me, may have cost me the dates/rates that were my first choice.

 

[cranbiz]

I have done it both ways. I planned a family vacation last Dec and let Dreams Unlimited do all the work (except airfare DW and DD(17) flew down DS, DD(23) and myself drove down. I gave Carole a list of preferred parks and restaurants and let her do the work of scheduling everything so that it worked together. She got me a better rate on my room (yes, I could have done the same thing but she was right on it and emailed me with the new rate before I could email her that they were out and I wanted it) DU got me CRT without me stressing over it, KTTK tour that worked perfectly with the MVMCP we were going to that night, picked a night for the Spirit of Aloha show on a MK day. DU did all my PS's , includine FDP. I started with POP, ended up with AKL pool view for the same as what I started with at POP.

DU / Carole did a great job in everything about that vacation, I just would email a suggestion once in a while (based upon this board) and DU was great in integrating the whole thing together. I had no stress and no worries. I would highly recommend Dreams Unlimited to anyone (and that is not because they are a board sponsor, they delivered what they said)

Not on my short trips, I do everything myself. Because I go frequently to FL now (due to the house) I find it more convenient to do everything myself as things need to be more fluid during these trips. I got the code at CBR for today's stay and did my own PS's, Have my own itinerary and ideas. I have no problems doing this and will continue in the future.

In short. I will use DU again for that all encompasing family trip. There are just too many details that they oversee that makes those types of vacations memorable. For the short (1-2 day stay) Last minuter trips and day trips, I will continue to do those myself.

 

[therriau4]

I've planned trips both by myself and with a TA, but it wasn't cheaper with a TA. However, my family had gone to WDW 6x, and each time I tried and tried to get breakfast with the princesses in Cinderella's castle, but it wasn't until we used Dreams Unlimited (on our 7th trip) that we got the coveted breakfast reservations. So it paid off that time. Good luck and have fun planning!!

 

[DisneyRocks!]

I've planned trips both by myself and with a TA, but it wasn't cheaper with a TA.

With an educated dis-er, and a Disney-specialist TA, you should end up with the same rates.

TA's offer a service, mainly to save you time, not necessarily money (except when they automatically apply new discounts to your reservations for you!).

 

[POOHDRMR]

I did alot of research myself and found that Dawn at magical memories could get great deals for end of nov,begining of dec that the other ta's didn't have.She has been very helpful and extremly fast responding to my emails.Also it was her agency that started all the information on the new AP program and they have emailed me with the new info.It is great having her to do all the adr's. I get to do all the planning and she takes care of all the work.

 

[tone.def]

With an educated dis-er, and a Disney-specialist TA, you should end up with the same rates.

TA's offer a service, mainly to save you time, not necessarily money (except when they automatically apply new discounts to your reservations for you!).

Very true - however, I find that not all info on these boards are 100% accurate, so I will always go with a TA.

 

[clb22]

I tried using a travel agent when I was working on our trip last year and she was so negative about everything and so indecisive about recommending things that I read everything I could (mousesavers and deb wills website) and booked the trip myself. And I did a much better job, saved myself alot of money, and got exactly what I wanted. And because of all the research I had done - I was better able to decide where to go and what to do - and could manuever around the parks alot faster and easier.
I also found out about all kinds of little fun things to do for and with my daughter that it really made our trip so special and memorable.
She loved getting to wake up Tinkerbell, finding the wishing well next to the castle, and scoring mega points on the Buzz Lightyear ride.
So my vote is - do it yourself!

 

[arazamataz]

I have reseached our past trips got the AP or AAA codes and then had local TA do the resi. Then if a better code came out I would have to call TA. Last trip a wanted to go early(son's got snow days off) so I asked TA to get us into WDW or Universal for two days early. She could do nothing.Well I went on line and got it myself. This trip I said let's give DU a try. Well DU TA Barbara has been great! Changed dates , new rates, pr's and she took care of everything. Emailed us back right away. So far I'am very happy.

 

[FanofTink]

FanoTink-- My point is that it is WAY faster to just talk those date/resort options through with CRO than it is for the agent to hold one thing , email you, you email them back, they check the next choice etc. And, if the travel agent is not planning to check any other dates, why ask if your dates are flexible (and what the flexible dates are)?

I can see a real Disney specialist being of some value to a family that has not visited disney before and is unwilling to do any research. But the idea that an agent is going to book it faster, book it cheaper or book something that is "unavailable" to the general public, is probably false. In my case, for example, waiting a week for the agent to make that 5 minute call to Disney for me, may have cost me the dates/rates that were my first choice.

Again, the flex dates are in the event your preferred first and second choice dates are sold out and alternate dates are needed to check resort availability unless you have stated when your parameters are - I want the least expensive option during any of the dates above - i.e. I am not locked into any particuliar dates, just want the absolute lowest price.....Disney will only allow an agency to place a courtesy hold on one option, it's an educated guest as to what the client wants unless it's noted.

To make the process faster, you can email the agent or you can call the agent directly on a toll-free number.

 

[Here's2Serendipity]

I use to do it all myself; but now I let Dreams Unlimited do the work for me. I still do most if not all the planning. I just don't have to do all the calling to try to get what I want! I has worked out great!

Jodi
(new user name)

 

[mpbs]

I also, like to do the planning for our family trips. I believe that no one is going to look out for my family like will, and I believe you also save $$ too.

 

[LiteBrite]

When I read about the Free Dining offer on Mousesavers, it seemed to imply that the deal could only be booked by a Travel agent. So, I contacted Small World Vacations through the site- it took the OVER A WEEK to email me back a simple quote.

I had a similar experience. I have never used a TA before, but when this deal came out, the sources I saw did seem to imply that you could only book through a TA. I emailed one of the ones I saw recommended on one of my favorite sites, and I also just got the "form" emails saying they had many requests and would get back to me as soon as they could.

After about 5 days of waiting, I emailed a couple of other TAs I saw recommended on other sites. Pam at MouseEar Vacations got back to me in less than 30 minutes, not with an email saying I'd be hearing from her soon, but with the quote I had asked for!

Of course I chose to go with Pam, and she's been great to work with. I've made a couple of changes to my original plan, and had several questions, and I literally have never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a return email from her! Having her as a resource feels like a luxury, since I've always booked everything myself. Had I understood that I could book this on my own I'm sure I would have done so, but I'm not at all sorry to be working with Pam - I'm enjoying it.

I still plan to make my own ARs, just so I can figure out my own options immediately when my first choices are not available. As far as airfare goes, I drive to WDW. When I do have to shop for airline tickets, so far I've always been able to find great deals just searching the internet myself.

And the other 2 TAs I emailed? The first one eventually got back to me about 10 days after my first request. The price was identical to the one I got from Pam. I never heard back from the third TA at all!

LiteBrite

 

[pkmingo]

I usually do all my bookings myself but I DreamsUnlimited had such a good teacher discount for the Dolphin for a trip in just a few weeks, I decided to go with them. The Dolphin did not have the type of room I wanted but Bob from Dreams stayed on top of it and after some hard work on his part, got the type of room we needed for us!! That is the added value of a travel agent with good contacts. If you get a good one like Bob who will do their best to get you what you want, your vacation will be much more stress free!! Hats off to Bob & Dreams Unlimited!!

 

[CM Tinkerbell]

FanoTink-- My point is that it is WAY faster to just talk those date/resort options through with CRO than it is for the agent to hold one thing , email you, you email them back, they check the next choice etc. And, if the travel agent is not planning to check any other dates, why ask if your dates are flexible (and what the flexible dates are)?

I can see a real Disney specialist being of some value to a family that has not visited disney before and is unwilling to do any research. But the idea that an agent is going to book it faster, book it cheaper or book something that is "unavailable" to the general public, is probably false. In my case, for example, waiting a week for the agent to make that 5 minute call to Disney for me, may have cost me the dates/rates that were my first choice.

In a sense, you are correct. But in most cases, the client/agent relationship and the benefit of working with a Disney Specialist begins "after" the initial quote. Sure they will most likely provide you with the same information upfront that you could get from Disney. And it's more of a benefit for some, then others. If you are a true Disney expert and love handling all the planning yourself, there may not be as much benefit, but for someone who is not familiar with all that Disney has to offer, or would just like someone to offer advice in planning, suggestions on where to stay, what to do, help with advance dining reservations and such, it's definitely the way to go. The initial quote usually just opens the door to more communication between the agent and the client.

 

[TSWJan78]

Does anyone feel guilty sending changes to your TA... we keep flip flopping dates and I feel bad asking her to make the changes.. I know it is just more commissions for her but so not worth the 10% for what i feel like are all the headaches I am causing her!!

 

[SueEllen]

Does anyone feel guilty sending changes to your TA... we keep flip flopping dates and I feel bad asking her to make the changes.. I know it is just more commissions for her but so not worth the 10% for what i feel like are all the headaches I am causing her!!

Don't feel bad about changes. Your TA is there to assist you in any way you need, changes are a part of the territory. Travel Agents know that changes on reservations are inevitable and it is just one of the services offered.

Sue Ellen

 

[Princess Mommy]

I agree with Sue Ellen, please don't feel guilty. We are there to help you have the best vacation you can possibly have- and we might even have some suggestions of our own that might change your reservation! So please, don't feel bad at all. It is all part of planning a magical vacation!

 

[DisneyRocks!]

I did alot of research myself and found that Dawn at magical memories could get great deals for end of nov,begining of dec that the other ta's didn't have.

That is because they are running a group trip and had group rates to offer.

 

[Wendy*Darling]

I did alot of research myself and found that Dawn at magical memories could get great deals for end of nov,begining of dec that the other ta's didn't have.She has been very helpful and extremly fast responding to my emails.Also it was her agency that started all the information on the new AP program and they have emailed me with the new info.It is great having her to do all the adr's. I get to do all the planning and she takes care of all the work.

Lori at Magical Memories Travel got me the same rates. We are over getting them too! Our POR rate beat the AP Best Rate Program rates and our Poly rates matched it but we don't have to spend that extra $200+ to upgrade to an AP again since we know we won't be back inside of a year this time. They've been great there! Right on top of everything! Lori definitely had the scoop on the Best Rate stuff and with all of my questions comparing the group rate deal and the Best Rate stuff trying to figure out what would be best she was very helpful and all of the info was accurate. I won't hesitate to use them again even without the group rate, it's not just the rate, the service has been good too!!

That is because they are running a group trip and had group rates to offer.

It doesn't matter to me HOW they did it, just that they got me the best rate out there for early December! Saves me more than best rate and it's more flexible.