Travel Agent vs DIY for WDW trip

[alexb]

My wife and I planned the last three trips to WDW ourselves. We are talking about a trip in 2009 and I was wondering what some of the benefits are of working with a travel agent, especially if we decide to stay on property. We are fine using the WDW website and other sites but of course it takes time and I am trying to decide if I'd rather pay a little more and have someone handle the arrangements for us. The trip would be DW, DS8, DD5 and DD3. I'd be interested in hearing about other's opinions and experiences. Thanks.

 

[kar0066]

I did my January 2008 trip myself, and I am doing my December 2008 through AAA. AAA saved me $125. I compared the identical reservations from the Disney site to what AAA offered for my December trip. I did a comparison with a regular travel agent, and they were higher.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Any reputable TA should quote you either a price that is less than or equivalent to WDW site and never charge you any type of booking fee. The reason being is that Disney Specialist TA's use CRO/WDW Travel to make reservations for their clients. It is in your best interest to use this type of TA and not a third party to protect yourself and your vacation. AAA is also a very reputable agency that deals with Disney alot, but not all of their agents are Disney specialists.

Also, keep in mind, that package pricing for 2009 will not be available untl sometime in August, so getting a quote at this point, will not be an exact price. You can however, book a room only reservation to insure that you get the location/resort you want and your TA will be able to reprice your room only as a package once the rates become available.

As you mentioned, the time consuming things of planning a trip becomes the TA's responsibility and therefore takes the weight off your shoulders. ADR's can be made by a TA, codes can be applied (when available) with out you looking for them, etc. There is definitely a benefit to using a TA for some people, others like more control of their vacation.

I'm sure you will get many recommendation on TA's that other Dis'ers have a had great experiences with and continue to use over and over again.

Good Luck in your planning!

 

[pixiefairy]

We booked through a Disney only travel agent that came highly recommended by friends that used her last year. While it was extremely easy to just tell her our kid's ages and likes, and have her make all ADRs or any special event booking (like BBB or the Pirate experience), she has been hard to get a hold of at times. She also seems to have an aversion to celebrating birthdays at WDW...telling me that the CMs don't want to have to do that for ALL the people that come through the parks, and how annoying it is for the surrounding guests. She's tried to talk me out of things that I now have to schedule myself anyway (like special occasion cakes). The next time we go, we are planning it ourselves.

By the way, we don't pay her a red cent...she gets paid through Disney. Or that is how i understand it. It was our first trip in 9 years, and alot has changed. But, if you hang out on the Dis and do research, I think that booking your own magical trip is a great thing to do!

 

[lpoeppelman]

My wife and I planned the last three trips to WDW ourselves. We are talking about a trip in 2009 and I was wondering what some of the benefits are of working with a travel agent, especially if we decide to stay on property. We are fine using the WDW website and other sites but of course it takes time and I am trying to decide if I'd rather pay a little more and have someone handle the arrangements for us. The trip would be DW, DS8, DD5 and DD3. I'd be interested in hearing about other's opinions and experiences. Thanks.

I'm actually a Travel Agent, so I'll give you my 2 cents

Authorized Disney Travel agents get a commission from Disney on your vacation. I don't know the exact percentage, I think it is around 10-12 percent. So, no, you should NEVER pay a fee to work with a Travel Agent when booking a Disney trip. But, should you use one??? Well, I believe that is really a question that involves two variables: #1: How much do you like planning your own trips? and #2: Is the Travel Agent knowledgable and respectful of what your needs are?

#1: If you are the type of person who likes to do things yourself and don't like handing them off to others, you might want to consider doing the planning yourself. Will you save money? Likely, no. I can't see a monetary advantage. But it will take a lot of work and research on your part; however, perhaps that is best if you like to have control over your trip planning. If you don't mind putting it into someone else's hands, than call a few travel agents in your area and feel them out. See who gives you the most information about Disney that matches your wants/needs as a traveler. Ask them questions like: Have you been there? How many times and for how long? What is your favorite hotel at Disney? How's the transportation at that hotel? Tell me about the dining plan? What do you think are the best attractions in the parks (the don't miss one's)? Basically, ask them all the questions that so often get answered on this board. If they can give you an answer, then they probably know what they are talking about. I think you'll know after the interview.

#2: Travel agencies really vary. I don't think one agency is even better than another agency. It is really the agent who makes the difference. Some are all about the $$$, while others, I believe, truely want to make it a memorable experience. I'm in the latter group... in fact, I've been known to talk people out of expensive vacations and tours that I thought they wouldn't enjoy... things that would have gotten me a lot of commission... but hey, I just couldn't do that. I really want my clients to have the experience of their lives no matter where they are visiting. The best thing you can do is screen the agents and interview them. Ask question. Find out what they have done for other clients.

So, if you are someone who can let go a bit of your vacation plans... I say, get a travel agent. But get someone you like, can communicate with, get ahold of (at least within 24 hours if they are busy), and most of all.... someone's who's been there. Don't go to someone who has only been to Disney once. Find someone who knows it like the back of their hand!

Good luck!

 

[caroline1851]

I'm doing it myself and it's easy and cheaper (flight). My friend is going through a travel agent and it's been more difficult and her flight was wayyyyyyy more exp because they only book it thru Delta and not Southwest.

 

[t1gger1968]

I started off with a travel agent, but ended up canceling the reservation and making one myself directly through Disney. While having a travel agent can be great, but it was a hassle having to go through them whenever I have to make any kind of changes. I have to call them, and then wait for them to call Disney (whenever that may be!) and then wait for them to call me back. Sometimes, I have to call couple times before the changes are made. Since doing it myself, I find it much easier. I pick u pthe call to Disney and make the change and it's done.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

We booked through AAA to save $$$ (plus you really should have AAA anyway when driving around with kids - I don't know how to change a flat!!). We are going with my parents and my inlaws. My parents had their own agent because they had just booked another vacation through her, so they were stuck with her. I have to say, even though our agent didn't know all that much, she was way better than the one my parents are using - I really just didn't like her. She wasn't a nasty person or anything, but certinaly didn't have that Disney spirit - it was as if she just didn't want to help my and my inlaws out with our vacation because she wasn't going to get the comission or something! I'm glad I don't have to do anything through her again! So I think its very important to "like" the agent you are using, and make sure that she knows and understands what you are looking for in a vacation.
I would never in a million years allow anyone to make my adrs for me, I think thats just crazy! What if she books bad ones, or bad times - then what do you do?? Yeah, she could call back to re-do them, but it would be outside of the 180 days, and who knows what you would get then!
So I say talk to a few agents, find one you feel "gets you" and go and save that $$$ - spend in on a turkey leg!

 

[clorenzen]

I was planning our own trip last year (first time) and I didn't know about specials or codes or any of that, so on a whim I got a no obligation quote from a travel agent and it was a nicer resort for less! After that, I will always use the travel agent. Our agent is very easy to get a hold of through email, and was fine with not doing our airfare or ADRs. It's the same price, and I've got an expert on call for no extra cost, so why not? Just make sure you use an agent that has some sort of official affiliation with Disney. PM me if you want a recommendation.

 

[lgiltmier]

I have had a GREAT experience with a Disney-only agent. I am typically a DIY-er, but I used her on recommendation of a friend. I LOVED having her make my ADR's - very efficient that way. She doesn't mind at all if I call in to make changes, but the one time I tried I was on hold so long that I finally just emailed her and let her take care of it. She is always back to me within the day with confirmation #'s or alternate suggestions if I can't get what I want.

I recently came across info on the Pirate Cruises - and I emailed her. Within a few hours, I had an email explaining all of my options without having to search the Disney site for it! I gave her my day/location preferences, and we quickly had a reservation.

I highly recommend it...PM me if you'd like a recommendation.

 

[timzagain]

I've done a DIY trip before. This year, my party of 5 (DH, me & 3 girls) will be joined by sis, BIL and her kids, my parents in August 2008 - free dining- YIPPEE! (Thanks again, DIS'ers - I'd never even heard of free dining before I joined DIS!)

We're working with a Disney only agent for this trip! And I am SO glad that we've gone that route. We've had to make quite a few changes along the way and DIY'ing would have been a nightmare especially considering the astronomical cost of overseas calls from the Caribbean to the US!

I've compared our agent's quote with a quote from Disney - it's the same!