Travel agent vs Direct with Disney

[Baloo and Bagheera]

I think a majority of people on this site will say they prefer to book directly through Disney. The reason.... we wouldn't be on here if we didn't want to find out the information for ourselves. That said, we all know people that don't care to do the research or ask questions and those people might be better suited with an knowledgeable travel agent.

 

[cjsm&d]

I have used a travel agent in the past but started booking the trips through Disney myself because I like having control of my reservation. For Disney cruises I would go through a travel agent though.

I also like to book through Disney myself. Got the 4 plus 3 free deal last year and for our upcoming trip! I also enjoy making my own dinner reservations etal...

 

[cosmicrays]

I use a vacation planner. She got me a great deal, helping with the planning and dining and was there for us when we had an issue at the resort. I was very happy with her services and there was no charge.

 

[daisyx3]

I have always used AAA for my non-DVC reservations, but this will be the last time and here's why:
1) after my deposit was in and recorded, she informs me that while my 45 day mark is 2/17, they want my balance on 2/10 so it can "process" by 2/17. I get paid 2/12 and told her the last $400 was coming 2/12 (which is how I figured the 2/17 day would work), so she kind of sighed and said they'd call them and "let them know it was coming'. How are they sending it, carrier pidgeon?
2) Also, they now charge $10 per person for booking the package at AAA. I had hoped to get the $50 gift card for booking in January (it was Disney month at AAA) but no, that also has blackout dates. So while I did save the percentage on my room package, I didn't save as much as if I would have booked room and tix separately.
I really like my TA, and I realize these things aren't her call, but having to pay another $50 and pay 52 days out instead of 45 is sinking the benefit of using her.
Daisyx3

 

[msminnieears]

This is my 3rd and last year to use a TA. Now that you can make dining reservations on line, it makes a difference if you use a TA. I recently found out that wasn't able to preorder a disney photopass and get a discount. This was also because I did not go directly with disney. The rates are the same and you can find out discounts through the dis and other website just as fast. It also helps if you are a Disney Visa cardholder.

 

[aussietravellers]

I have just booked my second trip with Magical Journeys who are disney specialist TA. I was so happy with them so have used them again.

The reason I have gone with a TA over doing it myself even though the price is the same is that I have found not being a resident of the USA its an expensive phone call to call Disney to make changes to my bookings and I love the fact that my TA will find discounts and better deals for me and apply them to my booking. I don't have time to check for deals every day, so wouldnt want to miss one, then I would have to work out the time difference and it often means getting up in the middle of the night to call.

It's just easier using the TA and she is just great!

 

[aussietravellers]

I will ONLY book with disney if I book with a travel agent in the UK you get to pay a single room suppliment on top of the room charge. The one I tried for virgin holiday was an extra 70%

Paula you can book with the disney specialist agents in the USA, you don't just have to use a TA in the UK. We are in Australia and use a TA in the USA, we communicate via email and I think most of the TA's that specialise in Disney do make bookings for people who live outside the USA. You may prefer to to the bookings yourself which is fine, whatever works best for you
But I just wanted to let you know for the future and to save on international phone bills holding to book and make changes, that you can book with the TA's in the US which saves all of those international phone calls.

 

[luvdisney77]

I agree with a lot of the previous posters. I booked through AAA, and prefer to do it myself.

1. I like having the control over my ressie. Like someone else said, you have to go through the TA for all changes, and they do not always understand how to work the codes and are much less determined to call Disney and really push for them.

2. I called a AAA agent this past time when I was making my ressies, they have an additional $25 gc going on, the AAA TA tried to tell me I needed a home away from home because we had 7 people (after I had already told her their ages) I said, we want the ASFS...to which she replies you can't because of the people you have. Um, NO I have a 4 month old DD, an infant. THen she asks me how many adults. I restate that have a 13 yr old and a 10 yr old which I understand is an adult in the eyes of Disney...No No she says, they are still considered a child. SHEESH. That was it for me. If she doesn't even know the basic stuff...FORGET IT!

I will take it from here, thanks.

 

[CanadianGuy]

My first few trips to Disney ... I used to TA in part because I didn't know the lingo, the package stuff was confusing to a first time customer etc.

After I got a handle on how it all worked, I was very comfortable booking myself.. but I would still use an agent for Cruises or more complex arrangements at the Disney Resort. Since I normally travel by myself and don't book packages or even ADR's, it simple enough to do on my own.

At the other end of the spectrum, a co-worker went to Disney about 18 months ago and he booked with an online agent (Dreams) and for them - it was perfect. They just said what kind of food they liked and disliked, took the MYW + Dining package and setup an evening out for Mom + Pop while the kids stayed at the Resort Pool with the grandparents.

For them - all the pesky arrangements, ADRs etc.. Were chosen for them because they had no clue. And that was (and I quote here) "The perfect vacation.. it was amazing".

I gave them the basics on stuff like EMH and dining credits ... and few other basic tips (get there early - take afternoon breaks etc) and it all worked out fantastically.

As with everything in life, Your Mileage May Vary.

Knox

 

[Disneymama5816]

As stated before, a TA cannot get a better deal than what anyone could get on the website. What a good TA can offer is superior customer service, being available at all times of the day (in this era of technology, this should not be an issue), itinerary planning if needed, restaurant reservations, watching for sales, etc. I offer this to my clients at no cost. For people who do not want to plan their own vacations, or are too busy, this is an invaluable service. I have planned many vacations for people who have never been to Disney. Those people would have had a VERY hard time finding the info that I provided at the onset. Just my opinion.

 

[jpecora1@nycap.rr.co]

For upcoming trip in July, Disney price and AAA price were within a few dollars, except AAA included travel insurance and Disney price did not. With AAA you get a slight room discount and it's enough to about cover travel insurance. Our trip costs enough where the insurance is nice piece of mind, but others may be willing to take this risk.

I do all of the planning myself and dont rely on the AAA agent. The AAA agent does make all of our ADR's though - I just give her the restaurants I want with day and preferred time and she books them for us. She got everything we wanted both last year and for this year upcoming - most at the times we wanted or in a reasonable proximity of the times we wanted.

She also said that if she sees a code come out she will let us know, or that if we get a pin we can contact her and she can rebook the trip if the pin is beneficial. So booking with AAA doesnt tie you into anything other than a $200 deposit you need to make when booking.

 

[LukenDC]

As stated before, a TA cannot get a better deal than what anyone could get on the website.

One exception, however, is that a TA can reserve a block of rooms at a group rate and then offer those rooms to clients at a price that is substantially lower than the price listed on the WDW website.

 

[writerriann]

For a veteran Disney-goer, I would say book yourself - no sweat.

For a newbie or someone who's planning a big group, I might opt for travel agent depending my level of OCD

I used Caylie from Small World last year. She was great - especially when we had to rebook when DS caught swine flu the day before we left.

 

[jordancej]

I used to go through a TA in my first couple of Disney trips, but now since i'm a Disney Veteran! i do all the bookings myself. I know where to find discounts now, and i like having control over the reservations. Plus i just really enjoy all the planning!

 

[MomToAp1699]

We used a Disney Travel Agent for our first trip in 2007 and when we decided last year to start planning again for this year we contacted her again.. She was wonderful to work with the first time and this time has been no different.. She is always quick to respond to emails, answers as many questions as I want and is more than glad to make or change any ADR's I want or let me handle them myself if I want.. The service was wonderful and personal and I am very glad we get to deal with someone who is concerned about our special vacation..

 

[disadventurer]

You can do this yourself. Used AAA once. I like making my own reservation and not having to go through someone else. It's so easy calling Disney yourself as everyone is happy to help you change, add, delete, dining, whatever. With a TA you must wait for them to call you to change etc. Personally, I like dealing with Disney direct and using the DISboards for honest opinions. Good luck with whatever you decide and make it magical!!

 

[MomToAp1699]

e. It's so easy calling Disney yourself as everyone is happy to help you change, add, delete, dining, whatever. With a TA you must wait for them to call you to change etc.

We changed our Dining Reservations ourself.. My mother even called and changed one to add her and my step dad.. And We used a travel agent.

 

[jpecora1@nycap.rr.co]

We changed our Dining Reservations ourself.. My mother even called and changed one to add her and my step dad.. And We used a travel agent.

Right - we called and changed our Fantasmic ADR from HV to MM after the resi was made by the AAA agent. The agent jsut gives you all the confirmation numbers and then you can change them yourself if wanted.