Travel Agent Love!

[mgsquared]

I just had such a nice e-mail exchange with my Disney TA and I thought it would be nice to start a post where we share our awesome TA experiences and show the Disney TA's some love!
The kind people up at 5am getting reservations and free dining for us whole we sleep.

I'll start- I was nervous about several things including getting luggage tags for ME when I live in Austria and having dietary restrictions on top of what MDE let me choose. My TA called up disney for me and had everything added, made sure we have MNSSHP tix, and that everyone knows it is Hubby's birthday while we are there. We will also get luggage tags!

I am so excited about this trip and it's so reassuring to have a professional behind the scenes that is SO dedicated to making it perfect!

Who's next?

 

[dsnydiva2]

Curious- which TA did you use? I'm not satisfied AT ALL with our current choice who told me that the company doesn't do ARDs because "most customers like to do it themselves". So why is Disney going to pay her a commission if I am doing ALL THE WORK? I'd rather receive a discount for my late nights & early mornings making ADRs & Fast Pass ressies! PM me if the rules prevent the name of the TA from being mentioned.

 

[GaBelle]

Thank you mgsquared for starting this love fest! As a TA, I'm grateful!

 

[mgsquared]

Curious- which TA did you use? I'm not satisfied AT ALL with our current choice who told me that the company doesn't do ARDs because "most customers like to do it themselves". So why is Disney going to pay her a commission if I am doing ALL THE WORK? I'd rather receive a discount for my late nights & early mornings making ADRs & Fast Pass ressies! PM me if the rules prevent the name of the TA from being mentioned.

I'll PM you! I think this is a great place to mention that one should only use a well recommended TA! They have the power to make or break your vacation and your budget!

 

[Aliceacc]

Before I planned our 2012 trip, I decided to switch to a Disney Certified travel agent. While our AAA agents were always very nice, I always had the feeling that I knew more than they did. (I once had to explain to our agent exactly what a PIN code was.)

In true type-A style, I sent a detailed list of questions to about 15 different agents. I got about a dozen replies. Three were absolutely superior, and I chose one of those three.

And she has been remarkable.

One day a few months ago, I checked my email from school at 10:30. I found that Tracey had applied the newly released summer special, saving us just over $1000. It did involve us moving from the Beach Club to the Yacht Club,since there were no discounted rooms at the BC available with Garden View. If we were not OK with the switch, we should email her back, and she would be happy to rebook the BC. It would involve upgrading our view, and would save only $200 or so.

So, while I was teaching Algebra to a group of freshmen and SAT prep to a group of Juniors, Tracey was busy researching options, making a great decision on our behalf, and saving us $1000.

A few months prior to that, she booked our ADRs as I was driving to work. We got BOG, the dessert party, everything I wanted on our preferred date and time.

And her services don't cost us a dime.

 

[donkeyandshrek]

Before I planned our 2012 trip, I decided to switch to a Disney Certified travel agent. While our AAA agents were always very nice, I always had the feeling that I knew more than they did. (I once had to explain to our agent exactly what a PIN code was.) In true type-A style, I sent a detailed list of questions to about 15 different agents. I got about a dozen replies. Three were absolutely superior, and I chose one of those three. And she has been remarkable. One day a few months ago, I checked my email from school at 10:30. I found that Tracey had applied the newly released summer special, saving us just over $1000. It did involve us moving from the Beach Club to the Yacht Club,since there were no discounted rooms at the BC available with Garden View. If we were not OK with the switch, we should email her back, and she would be happy to rebook the BC. It would involve upgrading our view, and would save only $200 or so. So, while I was teaching Algebra to a group of freshmen and SAT prep to a group of Juniors, Tracey was busy researching options, making a great decision on our behalf, and saving us $1000. A few months prior to that, she booked our ADRs as I was driving to work. We got BOG, the dessert party, everything I wanted on our preferred date and time. And her services don't cost us a dime.

Thank you for posting this! I am a TA and it hurts my heart to read all the negative comments on DIS about using a TA. We do spend a ton of time trying to find the best deal for our clients and you don't pay a penny for our services! Thank you!

 

[mommy2twingles]

Another travel agent saying thank you. Many times TA do get a bad rap. You hear the bad stories but not the good ones. Glad you had a great experience with your agent.

 

[Shmily1]

Thank you for starting this post! It's good to hear the positives.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thank you for posting this! I am a TA and it hurts my heart to read all the negative comments on DIS about using a TA.

Oh, I can sympathize. I'm a teacher; we're not exactly universally loved on the Dis either!!!

 

[Ariel484]

Using a Disney TA for the first time...she has helped me with my upcoming Disney cruise. It's been awesome! She's truly an expert on cruising (something still very foreign to me), answers all of my dumb questions in a very timely manner, booked my Palo and Remy meals for me (and got me my first-choice times)...can't say enough great things about her. And all for free! AND, we get onboard credits for using her services. Love it.

Thank you to all of the great TAs out there!!

 

[mgsquared]

This is what I'm talking about! It's so great to have an expert monitoring all the deals for you and being up and getting the ADRs. I am debating Crystal Palace for hubby's birthday and my TA is monitoring the reservations for me.

Someone is benefitting from my vacation and I am benefitting tremendously myself. In today's economy. We have to have each other's back! Disney is the only one saving money if we don't use TA's. Good ones save US money and have a job they otherwise wouldn't. Don't we give Disney enough?
(I know my upcoming bill- while an awesome deal - is right on par with what a two week Luxury Greece/Spain/Egypt trip would cost me)

We so often only post on the Internet when something is bad and say nothing when it is good. Let's keep the TA love coming!

 

[pamjb]

Another travel agent saying thank you. Many times TA do get a bad rap. You hear the bad stories but not the good ones. Glad you had a great experience with your agent.

Maybe with a few more good TA stories, we will feel a little more loving! I love helping my clients make the most of their vacations. But I know there are many TA's that just collect their commission check!

 

[mgsquared]

*bump* I know there are more nice TA stories out there! I read them on Disney blogs and mousesavers, etc. All the time!

 

[Aliceacc]

We received our DME tags yesterday from our agent

 

[mgsquared]

My TA is now stalking for a "dining with an imagineer" ressie for Hubby's birthday! It would be the ultimate gift but I do not have time to check regularly! I am so thankful to her. Even if it doesn't work out I know we will have tried!