Travel Agent or Not?

[JetsFan73]

Trying to plan our trip to WDW and just starting to feel like a TA might be able to do it better. Any suggestions on doing it myself vs using a TA?

 

[KBennett]

Depends. If you have the time to due the research and make the calls you can usually do as good or better. There are a number of dedicated Disney Travel agents and they are great because as new offers come along they keep you in mind.

 

[F1Julie]

For me, planning is half the fun and I really enjoy it. I do it all myelf. It's my vacation after all. For a travel agent, it's just a job.

 

[DebbieB]

I've never used a TA for a Disney trip and I've never paid full price. I would be especially cautious of package deals.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

If you are going to use a Travel Agent, make sure they are a travel agency that specializes in Disney travel, there are quite a few good ones. You will hear many rave reviews for Dreams Unlimited (they sponsor these boards), I personally use Dream Come True Vacations - Joe has saved me quite a bit of money in the last year alone. Others use Mouse Ears Vacations or Small World Travel. Many others exist.

Many of these agencies will automatically apply discounts to your existing reservation to get you the best deal. They also provide extra services such as assistance with priority seatings and itinerary planning - all at no extra cost to you.

 

[swilphil]

I recommend Dreams Unlimited. They will get you the cheapest rate available. When codes come out, you don't have to worry about checking the boards every morning, making long distance phone calls and waiting on hold for over a half hour. I use DU mainly because of their ability to get hard to come by PS's. I also like be able to request and change my PS's online.

 

[Laralyn]

I've had a great experience with Kim at Small World Vacations. She's been really helpful!

 

[leighe]

We almost always use a Disney-specialist (is that a word?) travel agent. It makes everything a breeze and they usually even look for discounts and apply them for you without you having to do anything. However, DH never wants to stay concierge because our TA usually takes care of getting all our PS's, special plans, etc., so we wouldn't really take advantage of their staff.

 

[ncbyrne]

I have used American Express travel and also Dreams Unlimited. Both were good, Dreams was better. However, if I have the time, I really prefer to book everything myself. I look for rental car codes, book my airfare 331 days out using free Skymiles, and research a LOT of hours for the right resorts (we always hop three times on a 2 week trip). For me planning is have the fun. But...it does take a lot of time. A WDW trip thru a TA is just a matter of one phone call. Both ways have advantages.

 

[megrod74]

Will the TA automatically apply the code or do you have to ask them to do it? Also, do they book room only reservations, or packages only?
Thanks!

 

[VAgal76]

Typically the TA (WDW specialist) is alerted of codes before we are. They just roll their sleeves up and apply them when they become available. I can't imagine having to ask for a code from an agent that specializes in WDW. I've stayed concierge and used a TA (which is Magical Travel). My TA can focus on my resort needs by booking the rooms I want and getting the discounts, etc. while concierge IPO can focus on my other needs such as CRT ressies, cruises, etc. Magical travel and other TA's will book PS's and special extras like surf lessons, cruises also. I've handed these requests to IPO as well since sometimes they can pull strings for you.

I found it much easier to hand over my booking to a TA. I don't want to spend a lot of my time on the phone booking my vacation. It's just that - MY VACATION. I like to be able to dream up what I want to do, tell them my requests and simply "WATCH" the magic happen. I want my vacation to be as stress-free as possible, which would be taking advantage of pre-arrival planning assistance that's available to me.

Now, if you are a control freak a TA may not be the way for you. You can't call WDW CRO directly about your reservation though you could call them about resort room information if you had a specific question. You MUST go through your TA to make any changes to your reservation. It really depends on your preference. If you don't mind handing it over, by all means get yourself a good TA! Let them book your vacation, get your discounts, arrange your PSs and any other special activity you are interested in. If you don't agree, there's no problem with booking yourself either! It's all in what you want to do.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[VAgal76]

Typically the TA (WDW specialist) is alerted of codes before we are. They just roll their sleeves up and apply them when they become available. I can't imagine having to ask for a code from an agent that specializes in WDW. I've stayed concierge and used a TA (which is Magical Travel). My TA can focus on my resort needs by booking the rooms I want and getting the discounts, etc. while concierge IPO can focus on my other needs such as CRT ressies, cruises, etc. Magical travel and other TA's will book PS's and special extras like surf lessons, cruises also. I've handed these requests to IPO as well since sometimes they can pull strings for you.

I found it much easier to hand over my booking to a TA. I don't want to spend a lot of my time on the phone booking my vacation. It's just that - MY VACATION. I like to be able to dream up what I want to do, tell them my requests and simply "WATCH" the magic happen. I want my vacation to be as stress-free as possible, which for me would be taking advantage of pre-arrival planning assistance that's available to me.

Now, if you are a control freak a TA may not be the way for you. You can't make changes to your reservation through CRO. You must go through your TA. It really depends on your preference. If you don't mind handing it over, by all means get yourself a good TA! Let them book your vacation, get your discounts, arrange your PSs and any other special activity you are interested in. If you don't agree, there's no problem with booking yourself either! It's all in what you want to do.

TA's can book room only or packages reservations.

Here are several links to TAs that are WDW Specialists:

www.*************.com
www.wdwvacations.com (Small World Vacations)
www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com (supports this board)
www.dreamcometruevacations.com

These are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are several others out there. You can check them all out and see which one you are most comfortable with. I don't like strictly e-mail communication. I like the idea of being able to call my TA if I felt the need to. DU and Small World are e-mail only. Some people prefer e-mail communication and some don't. Just another preference to consider.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[gbanshee]

I would definitely say to use one of the Disney Specialists Travel Agencies. some are Earmarked meaning that Disney has given them their seal of approval.

I use www.yourmagicaljourneys.com because:

1) You don't have to sit on hold for ages.
2) You don't have to pay long distance.
3) You don't have to watch your computer endlessly to see when codes are released.
4) Just reserve, sit back, and watch the price of your vacation drop!


gb

 

[JetsFan73]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I have done some research and have decided to go ahead and use a TA. I have gotten a great referral from a friend at work...who has been to WDW more times than I can count.

She recommened Grand Getaways Travel. I have checked out their website and requested a quote and I have already received a response with a price on 3 different resorts that INCLUDED the new discount codes. I am so impressed and very pleased.

Their website is www.grandgetawaystravel.com -- I highly recommend them. I am tough to please, so that says something!

 

[FoodLover]

Originally posted by VAgal76
I don't like strictly e-mail communication. I like the idea of being able to call my TA if I felt the need to. DU and Small World are e-mail only.

Actually, while the initial contact at Small World is by e-mail (via an online form), each client is assigned to a specific agent and is given a toll-free phone number for that agent. You can call your Small World TA anytime.

 

[jenjersnap]

Wow, shh, better not tell my Small World TA that we are supposed to communicate only through email ...

Seriously, I speak with her often (probably more than she would like since, yes, I am a bit of a worrier and a control freak) and she has an 800 number.

I have enjoyed that she has made most of our PS reservations (I have made some dining changes and additions, just called Disney myself). In fact, we had ruled out CRT as a possibility based on reading about the troubles getting a PS, but she recommended it and seemingly had no trouble getting a PS for there or at CP right before MVMCP or anywhere else for that matter.

The only downside is that I asked while on the phone with Disney to add a request to our package reservation and they couldn't do it. That's been absolutely the only issue for me.

We are staying room-only at AKL before our package starts and I used Travelocity for it when the lowest rate wasn't available thru the TA or Disney directly. Now that experience has been terrible and I will never repeat it.

 

[Taratink]

We just our vacation with DU. Our TA is Marla and she is great. Very profesional and she applied a code to our existing ressie and saved us over $600. I have planned our trip last year and planning thru DU is much better.
Tara

 

[VAgal76]

Originally posted by FoodLover
Actually, while the initial contact at Small World is by e-mail (via an online form), each client is assigned to a specific agent and is given a toll-free phone number for that agent. You can call your Small World TA anytime.

I must have misunderstood something I read. Sorry about that! They are Mousesaver recommended and I've heard nice things about them. Glad to know they do provide a number to talk to your agent.

JetsFan73 - Glad you found your knack. Happy Planning!

 

[JetsFan73]

Thanks so much for everyone's help. My wife usually handles all of our vacations. This time I am trying to surprise her so I definitely needed all the help I can get.

I quoted with a few of the agencies recommended to me in the post. Everyone got back to me relatively quickly and had similar quotes. They all provide similar services too, except for Magical Journeys...I was told by their agent that they don't handle Priority Seatings or Airport Transfers. These are 2 things that are important to me b/c they help make the vacation less stressful. From what I have heard Priority Seatings can be tough to get.

My colleague from work referred me to Grand Getaways and the first thing I did was make sure they do all of the things I need and they do!

My wife is going to be so surprised!! Thanks again everyone.