Travel Agent or Do it ourselves?

[ContemporaryGirl]

We are planning our third trip back to Disney for next February, and plan to stay at the Poly for the first time. What I'm wondering is, I have always used a Travel Agent in the past. I knew I was paying a little extra, but at the same time it was easy and we had plenty of time (with a year ahead to wait!) to make payments and have it payed by the time we left for our trip! Now my husband and I are wondering if the saving would be worth it booking everything ourselves........and would we have the option to make payments on the trip or would it have to be paid all at once?

If anyone could give me some imformation, and maybe even some pro's and con's they've experienced with either-or..............I would really be greatful!

Thanks!!!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

My first couple of trips, I did all by myself and had LOADS of fun doing so! My last trip I did through Dreams Unlimited and was so glad I did. I'm cheap, I don't like being on hold for any amount of time so by going through Dreams, they made my hotel ressies for me AND all the PS(s) I wanted also! My TA checked on codes for me, although at that time I didn't apply for any because I booked a package! I know better now and next time will do a room only ressie. I'm a FL resident and I get GREAT deals on room rates with all the nifty codes out there!
With Dreams Unlimited, you don't pay anymore than doing it yourself. They own this site and will look for the best deals out there for you. Be sure if you go through Dreams to tell your TA that you do or don't want the preferred room. That's the first quote they will give you as it's the first quote Disney.com gives you too when you go online to check on room quotes. I don't particularly care about how close I am to something, just so long as I know where I'm going.
Cathy Miller is my agent and she's helping me with my trip in 2006! Dreams Unlimited is the agency I recommend. There are others out there that will just say do it yourself, but for me, I hate making long distance phone calls and being on hold forever!
Here's some info on DREAMS UNLIMITED
If you would like to request the agent I'm using, do so in the area where you have to list the names of all members in your party travelling with you.

Hope I've helped,
Denise

 

[Tiggerlover91]

****BUMP****

 

[goofy4tink]

First trip in '99, used a regular TA. Paid rack rate. In hindsight...got snookered. Found these boards in time for next trip in '01. Got some decent code rates. Trip in '03...used DU and loved them. Yes, I love planning my own trips. But I can still do this but not sit on the phone for hours on end. They watch for those great rates and then apply them. THey have done really well getting me the PSs that I need. We did buy DVC last fall, but I still use DU for those add-on nights. They make the commission and I get what I need for less money. Great plan.

We love Dreams Unlimited. Saves me time and money!!!

 

[iluvtink]

Another vote for DU!!! My sister and I are both using DU and are delighted with the service & the personal attention. I also LOVE having all communication via e-mail because it makes it easy to know who said what to who, what PS's I've asked for and gotten, etc. I refer to my old messages all the time, because I can't remember what I've already asked. duh! It does help!

Kim

 

[Smcgibeau]

I vote for plan yourself. I've always gone that route with Disney. I just feel I've got more control and I can modify my trip on the fly if I have to.

I'm a planner by nature and its part of my job. So to plan is second nature to me. Plus, when I get the good deal, it feels sweeter somehow.

 

[rykdad]

I'm a combination of both. I monitor these boards to see what "deals" are available, and I plan what day/times I want my PS's for dining, but I let DU do all the "work". They make the actual reservations and calls for PS's. When I notice a deal on the boards, I will usually have an e-mail from my DU agent within a few hours notifying me of the deal and offering to change my reservation. I've already made changes twice in the past couple of months for better rates through DU.

 

[clkelley]

I always do it myself, actual total booking time 2 hours tops.

Call Disney book the initial room at rack rate - usually 10 minute phone call.

Spend two minutes each day checking delta.com for airfares, finally got fare I wanted, 20 minutes booking online

Email to Tiffany Towncar, 5 minutes

Call to WDW Play - booked DiveQuest, 10 minute phone call.

One hour on hold and booking time to get AP rate for PO FQ.

20 minutes on phone with WDW Dine one evening for a few PSs - we don't have little girls that need the Castle and we've done the CG Fireworks thing, Rose & Crown Illuminations thing, and the Tony's Porch thing for Spectromagic, so it's not critical for this trip that we get that "exact" PS.

Now I did spend hours and hours watching DIS Boards to see when the AP rates would come out, but I'll spend hours and hours on DIS boards anyway

So I guess I'll always do it myself.

Carol

 

[JC Butterfly]

If you're going to Disney, it doesn't matter who plans it, it's going to be FUN!

If you decide to plan it yourself, YES you can make payments! You can mail them into Disney or you can have it applied over the phone if you use your credit card/check card. You can pay the full amount due and you can "over-pay" if you want to be able to charge back to your room.

Since this is your third trip, you don't really "need" a travel agent to teach you the ropes, you already have a feel for where you want to stay, eat, how you want to get there etc.

Most of the Disney cast members that you call to make arrangements with are very helpful and nice. You can talk to them about their favorite places and it really is quite easy. However, if you don't enjoy being on the phone you may not find this quite as pleasurable.

Dreams Unlimited is a wonderful travel agency and they are Disney specialists. I used them for my cruise 2 years ago and will use them for that next year. I just booked a Memorial Day weekend trip at the world and was able to get the rate I wanted myself so I didn't need the travel agent. They do offer a free quote and they are wonderful about continuing to check the discounts.

I think if you use a travel agent like them, you can't go wrong unless you want the pleasure of doing it yourself!

Brenda

 

[LoveThatDarnMouse]

In the past I've done it all myself but this time, I have a 1 year old who really isn't allowing me all that phone/computer time so I used Small World Vacations, Inc. www.WDWVacations.com I found them to be an awesome alternative~they will watch for deals and codes for you and you don't spend an extra dime than if you booked it all yourself. I'm very pleased with their service!

 

[GaryWT]

Our first trip was thru AAA and worked out fine. This trip we looked at Disney.com and got a price, checked with AAA and got a higher price and checked with Dreams Unlimited thru these boards and got the same price disney.com was giving us. For the same price they would also look for savings so I did not have to, make PS's for me and help map out our stay. Sounded good to me, booked the room and length of stay passes. Just this week I was told that a $277 credit would be waiting for me when I check in, not a bad start and I did nothing but book through the right place, Dreams Unlimited.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Another vote for Dream Come True Vacations - they just saved me $390 on my upcoming trip, automatically!

-Mike

 

[HANDYMOM]

If you spend just a little time on the excellent sources there are online (allearsnet.com, mousesavers.com, tourguidemike.com) you will be a pro yourself. I did it and I have a great comfort level in all the details.

 

[4greatboys]

I like to do it myself. I love the planning--for me its almost as much fun as the trip itself--and I find I save money doing it myself. If you do go with a TA be sure to use one that specializes in Disney like Dreams--that way you know you are getting a great deal because they are aware of discount codes and things like that.

 

[denecarter]

do it myself because (for me) it's just so darn FUN

Dene'

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
First trip in '99, used a regular TA. Paid rack rate. In hindsight...got snookered.

Just wished to tell you how much I LOVE this term: SNOOKERED! Have not heard it in ages. It's one of the "King's English" greats...only found in the EAST! Thanks, for making my day. I'm plum bloody "Knackered" by all the calls and plans I've made recently! But...it's a PLEASURABLE exhaustion. I LOVE making the plans myself, and find all the work to be so rewarding and satisfying. I have used a TA in the past as well, but that was years ago. In a sense, I have BECOME a TA, and act as one regularly for all my friends/family traveling to WDW! Either way, have a wonderful time!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Just wished to tell you how much I LOVE this term: SNOOKERED! Have not heard it in ages. It's one of the "King's English" greats...only found in the EAST! Thanks, for making my day. I'm plum bloody "Knackered" by all the calls and plans I've made recently! But...it's a PLEASURABLE exhaustion. I LOVE making the plans myself, and find all the work to be so rewarding and satisfying. I have used a TA in the past as well, but that was years ago. In a sense, I have BECOME a TA, and act as one regularly for all my friends/family traveling to WDW! Either way, have a wonderful time!!

It is a great word, isn't it. Although I do tend to use DU a lot, I do love planning myself. It's more than half the fun. And I do have lots of friends/family calling me up looking for advice/help with their trips!!!

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

I wish everyone in life was as kind and helpful as all of you have been!! For some reason I was never notified that anyone ever answered my post and was just trying to get on here tonight to give it a little bump to see if I could get any imformation, and little did I know there was already so much there!!!

Thanks so much for all of your help for me and my family I hope you all have wonderful future trips to Disney!!

Thanks again

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

I emailed dreams unlimited, but did not see a date for the February 2005. Only 2004. They immediatly comfirmed that I had made a request, but still have not sent any quotes............do any of you know how long it takes for them to get back to you on these, or maybe it's just because its to far ahead for them to book at this point?

I'm just to impatient I guess!!! Anxious to see how much we need to start putting away!!


Thanks for any info!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by ContemporaryGirl
I emailed dreams unlimited, but did not see a date for the February 2005. Only 2004. They immediatly comfirmed that I had made a request, but still have not sent any quotes............do any of you know how long it takes for them to get back to you on these, or maybe it's just because its to far ahead for them to book at this point?

I'm just to impatient I guess!!! Anxious to see how much we need to start putting away!!


Thanks for any info!

I'm not sure if this will do you any good as you don't have an agent as I do from using Dreams before. For my dates in 2006, I sent them to my agent through email and she sent me a quote back with the exact dates I wanted and a request for a one night's deposit. If you'd like my agent's email, maybe she can do for you what she did for me. Just let her know in the email what you're looking for and her name was given to you by me....I'll give you my last name in a PM if you'd like, along with my agent's email address.
Send me a PM if you're interested.

Denise