travel agent vs. self planning

[beachcorey]

This is our first time at WDW so feeling overwelmed with all the in's and out's I have a travel agent doing all the planning. After reading all the in's and out's should I call her and find out what she has planned so far and if I should be calling to make ADR as well?

 

[monty]

I like to make the plans myself and get my Disney TA to implent them.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

If you want to do certain things or eat at certain restaurants, then by all means just tell your TA and I am sure they will do those bookings for you.

And remember this.. you pay the same amount to Disney except if you do not use a TA, they keep the commission, if you hire a TA, Disney pays their commission out of the price that you are paying for the room. So you are not paying extra for the TA's services.. and some TA's do all the legwork for you, make dining reservations, do an itinerary etc.....

 

[Uncleromulus]

By all means call her and find out what she's doing for you. You may (after having read these boards!) have a few of your own ideas as well. Your TA should be aware of those. You really want her sending you to places YOU like--not just places she likes, or THINKS you might like.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Self Planning. Is always better. This way when you book something you know exactly what was done instead of going through a 3rd party. Just my opinion.

 

[sand2270]

I have never used a travel agent before, I am a bit of a control freak and like to be in charge of everything. That being said, with our first trip to DisneyWorld happening next year I was feeling a bit overwhlemed. I am using Small World Vacations based on a recommendation from mousesavers.

She has taken care of my room only reservation and my special requests. My understanding is she will also help me find discounts once they come out.

Regarding ADR's, she would take care of those for me, but I can't seem to let control of that out of my hands so I will still be taking care of those.

It also isn't costing me anything and it is nice to have an expert helping me in the areas that I want help.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Control freak here to. That's why I take care of my own ress. It just makes me feel better.

 

[disnut8]

Your dining reservations are not tied into your resort reservation at all. Your travel agent can make the seatings for you or you could do it yourself.

The one thing I would be nervous about using a travel agent to make my dining reservations would be what happens if the restaurant and the time you've chosen is not available? What would the travel agent then do? Make a decision on your part or have to call you back and update you. Then you would have to tell her an alternate plan, she'd call Disney back, etc.

You do it yourself and told something isn't available, you have your list of second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth choices right there.

I would just hate to have a travel agent try for a seating a restaurant that you've said you really want to eat at but the only time she could get was 9:30 and that's way too late for you. But she did what you wanted - she got you that reservation.

 

[lilyv]

Your dining reservations are not tied into your resort reservation at all. Your travel agent can make the seatings for you or you could do it yourself.

The one thing I would be nervous about using a travel agent to make my dining reservations would be what happens if the restaurant and the time you've chosen is not available? What would the travel agent then do? Make a decision on your part or have to call you back and update you. Then you would have to tell her an alternate plan, she'd call Disney back, etc.

You do it yourself and told something isn't available, you have your list of second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth choices right there.

I would just hate to have a travel agent try for a seating a restaurant that you've said you really want to eat at but the only time she could get was 9:30 and that's way too late for you. But she did what you wanted - she got you that reservation.

I 100% agree. Your reason are exactly why I make my own reservations. I see no advantage in having a TA attempt to make dining reservations.

 

[planitdad]

My feeling is that travel agents are unnecessary except for informing frequent travelers of deals that come up. I have not had good luck w/ TA's and feel a Disney vacation is too detailed to trust all to a TA. I know they help some and some are very good at what they do, but not the ones I have dealt with. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

My mom was a travel agent for 15 years so she did all of my travel until 5 years ago when she retired. Since then I've been doing all of my own travel online. I have to say there are some great perks to booking through a TA. Many of them have extensive travel experiences and can be very helpful. I stopped traveling to anywhere but Disney for a couple of years because I was really unhappy with the vacations that I booked. They looked great online but in person weren't.

I recommend doing a little of both. Especially since this is your first trip. Find what you like, get the TA's opinion and let her help you. My upcoming trip is the first that I've booked through a travel agent in 5 years. I went through Magical Journey's. I had her book my vacation. I just told her when and what I wanted. They will rebook for my date when discounts come available and that's why I decided to give them a try. I don't even need to call her. She's just get on the phone at 7 am the day they are available and handle everything for me. It's a nice convience.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

My mom was a travel agent for 15 years so she did all of my travel until 5 years ago when she retired. Since then I've been doing all of my own travel online. I have to say there are some great perks to booking through a TA. Many of them have extensive travel experiences and can be very helpful. I stopped traveling to anywhere but Disney for a couple of years because I was really unhappy with the vacations that I booked. They looked great online but in person weren't.

I recommend doing a little of both. Especially since this is your first trip. Find what you like, get the TA's opinion and let her help you. My upcoming trip is the first that I've booked through a travel agent in 5 years. I went through Magical Journey's. I had her book my vacation. I just told her when and what I wanted. They will rebook for my date when discounts come available and that's why I decided to give them a try. I don't even need to call her. She's just get on the phone at 7 am the day they are available and handle everything for me. It's a nice convience.

I agree totally! If it's your first time to Disney then you might want to use a TA even though Disney Travel Co. will help you. Now if you going any other place than Disney I would definately use a TA.

 

[disneygal2007]

I like to make the plans myself and get my Disney TA to implent them.

I'm a TA and To me it is fun to let my clients pick what they want. I am here to give them my advise. Make their reservations sit on the phone and jot down their ideas or plans. But myself before I became a TA I would get on here and allears and spent countless hours planning. I even give my clients the sites I love. Good luck

 

[DLBDS]

I can second SMV, Inc. I've used them for 5 trips. My TA handles everything except ADRs. I like to be in charge of that myself as I make changes at times. Dreams Unlimited does the same thing but I haven't been able to hook up with them yet. (Tried when free dining was announced but my TA from SWV got back to me quicker.) Really want to give 'em a try though. Love that their services are FREE!

 

[danielle.st]

I decided to do my own ADRs. I'm glad because our TA loves LeCellier and Coral Reef (as do so many here) but I know from looking at the menus that we wouldn't care much for them. Also, I have a friend going thorugh a TA who was told that there are only 2 TS choices in the MK that use the ddp. The TA goes to WDW twice a year. That kind of misinformation makes me glad I didn't just leave everything to a TA!

 

[StitchBelle]

When my mom, sister, and I went to WDW this past April we booked with a TA at our local AAA office. And based on our experience we'll book with the same agent for our next WDW trip.

We met with her about three or four times before our trip. The first visit we picked out travel dates, booked our airfare, resort (we already knew where we wanted to stay), and dining plan. A couple months later we went back and told her what we wanted for our ADRs. I think we went in a few months later wth some questions, then the last time was a few weeks before our trip to get our packet of stuff.

I understand some people wanting to do all the planning themselves so they know the what and when of everything, but for me, I prefer a TA because of all the details that go into planning a WDW trip.

 

[karenr766]

I would choose going through a TA. When you deal with a TA, if something goes wrong, the possiblity of recourse is much greater. You can head to the agency as opposed to going through the internet or talking to a person. If tickets should get lost in your mailbox, you may encounter problems in resolving that problem. If the travel agency misplaces or loses your tickets through the mail, then it is their problem to resolve. I enjoy going to an actual person rather than doing my reservations via phone or internet. I agree that self-planning is an important part of your trip-and possibly the most fun. With that said, you definitely need to have a game plan in place so that when you book through a TA you will have an idea on dates, resorts, types of tickets (Park Hopper, Water Parks and More), and any packages (DDP) that you may want to include. This way you will not be as easily swayed by a persuasive or dissuasive TA.

 

[newtodis]

I think it's a very personal decision to use or not use a TA. Personally, one of my best friends in the world is a Corporate TA. I would never think of putting that kind of pressure on her to plan my Disney vacation. By doing my research here on the DISboards and other sites, I have a better idea of what I'd like and what times I'd like to be there. I'm also the control freak and planner of the group so even when we travel with my friend's family, I'll be doing the planning for all of us. I am, however, taking advantage of the sevices provided to club level guests for our Dec trip. I was able to "let go" a little bit and give them my list of ADRs to be made. It was a huge relief when I got the email confirmation back that everything we wanted was reserved and I didn't spend a minute on the phone. You just have to find the right balance for your family.

With it being your first trip, I would certainly (like I did for my first trip) do some research about "must see" things on your trip. Find a list (for us it was things in the park) that we wanted to see. If we saw more, that was great. As for eating, I made a couple of ADRs but not too much since I didn't really know what I was in for and it worked out well.

Good luck!!!

 

[lilyv]

I think we're discussing two issues. You can use a TA for your room reservations, and still prefer to make your own dining reservations.
There are pluses and minuses to using a TA for room ressies. It's hard to get info on the alternatives like you do over the phone with Disney. I can get quotes for 3 or 4 resorts in about 20 minutes over the phone, and it can take me days to get a quote for 1 resort with a TA. That said, sometimes having a TA can be helpful. Not every one follows the discounts and codes, and having a TA that will do this for a client that needs that service could save the client some money.

Personally, I don't think it's ever helpful to have a TA book dining reservations. There are too many alternatives offered over the phone, and a TA would have to just take their best shot and hope it works out.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I plan all my trips myself, and book them all myself. I just don't trust anyone else to do it, LOL.