Travel Agent....or not???

[Carlyzmom]

To all you Disney veterans....it is beneficial to use a travel agent? I will be booking a package. Is there any benefit to do it through a travel agent, or should I just call Disney direct.
Also, is it better to book room and park passes together as a package or separately?
Thanks in advance!!

 

[KatMark]

We have used MouseEarVacations for our last five trips. If you want any information, feel free to send me a private message and I will happy to give you our contact, etc.

 

[Wendi2000]

If you're a veteran there really isn't much need to use a TA unless you want someone else to check on better deals than you originally booked for you. I booked the first couple of trips with Small World Vacations and couldn't have been happier with the service - I loved that I could email my travel agent all of my ADR requests and she would make them all for me so I didn't have to get up at the crack of dark and make a lengthy long-distance call to do it myself.

The last trip I booked on my own. I almost used Small World again for this trip, but I actually forgot to get back to my TA in time to make my deposit, so I ended up calling Disney on my own and rebooking the same thing.

If you know it all, I don't think a TA is very important, but if you want someone to send you tips on WDW, make all of your arrangements and reservations for you, and watch for discounts you should use a TA.

 

[EnnEss]

The TA can do things for you depending on which TA you use, like the disney specialists will do dining reservations and that kind of thing, but they're usually online so its only viable if you dont mind email communication. I book through Disney usually because TAs are just an extra layer if you know what you want and what you're doing and most TAs just don't know that much about disney. The specialists will look for codes too apparently, but if you're on here you may do that already.

Package vs room only, package must be paid in full 45 days out, has some cancellation fees beyond that and if you downgrade its a 50 dollar fee. Prior to that a 200 dollar deposit is due (as always, all air would be too), and you can cancel all but air up to the 45 day mark and get that deposit back.

Room only, due at check in, 1 days deposit immediately, full refundable up to the week prior i think. Some promotions aren't available unless you book a package, like the one that just ended with free ticket upgrades.

For me, the TAs just always end up being a hassle. Some people swear by them. Personal preference really.

 

[themcgoos]

Have done it both ways, twice on own, 3 times with AAA, happy both ways. Sorry not much help.

 

[tejasranger]

We used dreams unlimited travel. I liked the concierge service. She booked our rooms and our preferred dining reservations. It was convenient and easy. We booked everything together except airfare, dreams unlimited does not provide airfare. Ours was the magic your way package with deluxe dining.

 

[Seahunt]

Another for Dreams Unlimited

I like the fact that they will automatically keep checking your reservation when deals come out to see if they will save you any $$$. Per their website explanation:

Dreams Unlimited
Q - Why should I use your service?

A - There are several reasons to use our service. First, if you are booking through Dreams Unlimited, we constantly check to see if new deals are being offered that would lower your rates. Second, we will handle all of your Advance Dining Reservations at Disney World restaurants, book tours, etc. and third, we will provide you with a detailed itinerary, customized to your needs. No other travel service offers this much!

Q - How does the "Discount Checking" service work?

A - On some occasions, Disney will lower their rates. This decision is usually based on time of year, resort, occupancy rates, etc.

At Dreams Unlimited we are constantly monitoring for discounts. When specials are announced, our system automatically flags any current reservation that may be eligible for the lowered price. Our agents then check to see if the reservation can be converted to the sale promotion. While we cannot guarantee that we will be able to lower your rate, we will work diligently to make it happen.

 

[frdeb1999]

We have done it both ways and prefer to go with a TA. We work long hours and it's nice to have them do the work for us. If you have a good one they will make sure to stay on top of everything and notify you of any rate changes and such. Ours also does little extra things to make our trip more memorable.

 

[tigergrad]

I prefer to do the planning and booking myself. After many trips to WDW, I have found little ways of cutting costs. Packages always seem to have items that I do not need. I use things like AP or AAA rates. I comb the DISBoards and Mousavers to find up-to-date information. I have even helped to plan vacations for friends and family. I have also rented DVC points and found this to be a great way to stay at a deluxe and save lots of money.

 

[phisigprincess]

It was beneficial when I was planning a Disney trip and a wedding at the same time. My ADR date was the week of my wedding and I knew I couldn't handle both. It was a very good experience and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, but I also enjoy working on my own trips from start to finish.

 

[Katiebell]

We went with a TA last time because it was our first visit, and it was overwhelming! She was able to help with some things like getting us great seats for La Nouba, and getting Water Parks and More added for free (that was the special last year).

This year we are trying Your Magical Journeys because it was highly recommended to us by several people. I feel like I know the ins and outs of WDW better this year and could actually have booked it on my own -- I always plan our DL trips on my own, every detail start to finish. BUT the price she quoted was the same as Disney's base rate, and she will watch for free dining or any other fall promo and automatically switch our ressie if we qualify. And I figured, hey...the TA's should know before anyone else, right?

 

[jeanninepl]

We use Travel Magic and LOVE them. We have recommend them to all our friends and family going to Disney and they have been thrilled too.

They had a phone consult with us on everything we wanted to do then they booked it all and sent us a small itinerary. It was wonderful and I highly recommend them.

 

[trivial]

The only reason we didn't go with a TA for our first trip (except for our cruise) is that we ended up staying on DVC points, which a TA can't facilitate. But if you're buying a package, I would definitely recommend using a TA.

 

[Wendybird55]

I really think it depends on how you like to plan your vacations. I used a TA the first 2 times I went to Disney (that's before EPCOT) and never again my last 20 times. There's plenty of info out there to research and learn about Disney and you can call Disney as often as you want and ask as many questions as you meed. I like to plan trips and don't mind making the phone calls and figuring things out - for me that's part of the fun of traveling.

Other people prefer to have an expert make the plans and deal with the phone calls and details and such including airfare.

So it's up to you - if you're not cofindent with making your own plans and want help, or if your schedule is very busy and you're not sure if you'll have the time to plan, use a TA. I would highly recommend you use a TA that someone recommends as a TA with little Disney experience is useless.

If you like to have more control over your trip planning and enjoy the process - then do it yourself. There's plenty of experts on these boards who can help with your questions. Plus making changes is not uncommon with Disney reservations. If you make your reservations then decide you need to change something, you can always call Disney and if it's available, they'll make the change. Plus going onlime you can plug in different dates, hotels, plans, etc to get an idea of the price differences before you make your final decision.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

[sherabby]

Last year I called Disney directly. This year I used the website. I tried to contact a travel agent but their prices were so similar.

 

[Carlyzmom]

Another for Dreams Unlimited

I like the fact that they will automatically keep checking your reservation when deals come out to see if they will save you any $$$. Per their website explanation:

Dreams Unlimited
Q - Why should I use your service?

A - There are several reasons to use our service. First, if you are booking through Dreams Unlimited, we constantly check to see if new deals are being offered that would lower your rates. Second, we will handle all of your Advance Dining Reservations at Disney World restaurants, book tours, etc. and third, we will provide you with a detailed itinerary, customized to your needs. No other travel service offers this much!

Q - How does the "Discount Checking" service work?

A - On some occasions, Disney will lower their rates. This decision is usually based on time of year, resort, occupancy rates, etc.

At Dreams Unlimited we are constantly monitoring for discounts. When specials are announced, our system automatically flags any current reservation that may be eligible for the lowered price. Our agents then check to see if the reservation can be converted to the sale promotion. While we cannot guarantee that we will be able to lower your rate, we will work diligently to make it happen.

Can you give me the link to their web site? Thanks!

 

[luvdisney24]

I have used Small World Vacations for many of my trips. They always watch for discounts and apply them without my having to be on the look out for them. There's nothing better than getting an email from the TA saying they just saved you a bunch of money. I highly recommend Small World.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Can you give me the link to their web site? Thanks!

This statement is also true of other Disney Specialist Travel Agencies. My agency also books airfare and communicates by phone as well as e-mail. Please PM me if you are interested or for further information.

 

[safetymom]

www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

 

[mickeynut1]

I need to be in complete control of my reservations so I book on my own through Disney. I have had a few occasions where I needed to modify dates or resorts so all it took was a simple call to Disney to change it rather than call or email a TA and wait for them to get back to me. But everyone is different....some like the idea of not doing any leg work while others (like myself) enjoy doing it all It just depends on what you feel more comfortable with.