Travel Agents for F.W. reservations?

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I saw several references to travel agents (or perhaps it was worded differently?) who book Fort Wilderness reservations.

Could someone please pass along any agents you have used and are happy with?

Thanks!!!

 

[Rhonda]

Dreams Unlimited is a sponsor of these boards! If you'd like a quote, feel free to just click on the link in my signature!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Dreams Unlimited is a sponsor of these boards! If you'd like a quote, feel free to just click on the link in my signature!

Oh yippie! Thanks! Silly me -- I thought DU only dealt with hotel & cruise ressies!

I definitely will check you out in the near future - right now we already have our next 2 trips (camping & cruise) planned ....... but I really should have a 3rd trip up my sleeves sometime soon, shouldn't I?

Thanks again!

 

[Disneefun]

Question for Rhonda: Last time I looked into using DU, I was told they could only book the cabins, not the campsites. Is this still true or has it changed?

Before we got the camper I used DU all the time and loved them, but once we got it, I stopped b/c my agent said that they couldn't book campsites. I'd go back to DU in a second if you're doing campsites now.

 

[hebbynan]

We booked our FT trip through our AAA travel agent. She had stayed there before and was extremely helpful when it came to answering all of our questions.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!! FW here we come!!!!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

I use Magical Journeys. Great service.

 

[rapriebe]

Question for Rhonda: Last time I looked into using DU, I was told they could only book the cabins, not the campsites. Is this still true or has it changed?

Before we got the camper I used DU all the time and loved them, but once we got it, I stopped b/c my agent said that they couldn't book campsites. I'd go back to DU in a second if you're doing campsites now.

I just tried to use them and it would only let me reserve for Cabins. It's a shame they don't reserve for campsites also.

 

[Donna]

pardon my ignorance, but why would anyone want to (or need to) use a travel agent when you can just book online yourself with just a few clicks? I guess i'm wondering what the advantages are? honestly, i thought with the internet the way it used so widely now, how TA's even stay in business!

 

[Disneefun]

Well, the thing I liked best about DU is that when you book, you tell them what discounts you can get (AP, AAA, Disney Visa, etc.) and they keep checking your reservation when codes come out and apply what they can to get you the best deal. It saved me the time of sitting on the phone, getting a rep. who couldn't find the codes, having to call back over and over to see about discounts, etc. I could just forget it and let DU deal with it.

Generally I book most travel online, but then again, other hotel chains, car rental companies, etc. will let you apply discount codes when booking online. Most have a more transparent process than Disney's. With Disney you either have to call in yourself or have someone else do it. I sure liked it better when DU could do that for me. But since Disney won't allow TA's to book campsites, I have to do it myself. The only drawback to the camper, I guess.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

pardon my ignorance, but why would anyone want to (or need to) use a travel agent when you can just book online yourself with just a few clicks? I guess i'm wondering what the advantages are? honestly, i thought with the internet the way it used so widely now, how TA's even stay in business!

My travel agent has been able to get me in when I couldn't. I tried getting a preferred site with no luck, but she was able to get it for me. Plus, I don't have to worry with checking every day and piecing together one day here and another day there and trying to get a discount. She takes care of all that for me at no extra charge.

 

[Rhonda]

I will book a campsite!! DU actually leaves it up to each individual agent to decide if they will book campsites. And, since I have FW experience, I will definitely book campsites!

Feel free to request me if you fill out a Dreams request form, and I'll be happy to help you!

Or, you can just email or PM me too.

 

[dtum]

Rhonda got me a campsite with no problem. This is our first time trying a TA. So far just the fact that I don't have to worry about getting the best discount or finding a code and having someone else plan our itinerary...i would sit with extra magic hours a.m./p.m. and figure it all out before and it was a pain. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this works out and have already told my DD about DU and they will use them in the future.

 

[Disneefun]

I will book a campsite!! DU actually leaves it up to each individual agent to decide if they will book campsites. And, since I have FW experience, I will definitely book campsites!

Feel free to request me if you fill out a Dreams request form, and I'll be happy to help you!

Or, you can just email or PM me too.

Cool. Good to know. My previous agent a DU, who I liked a lot, told me that it was Disney's policy not to allow DU to book campsites. But now that I know different, I'll be sure to ask for you next time I need a ressie!!!

 

[kmccain]

We booked our FT trip through our AAA travel agent. She had stayed there before and was extremely helpful when it came to answering all of our questions.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!! FW here we come!!!!

My AAA agent may my reservations for me also and I was very happy with her. My Hoop Dee Doo reservations could be made (180 days out) on a Sunday and she called me on a Monday to make sure I made them or if I wanted her to. She called me on a Saturday before we left to make sure I didn't need anything. Then I received a nice card in the mail when I got home. She was great!

She made sure I got my discount on my campground. I just had the piece of mind that her agency was attached to the reservation, not just us.

 

[Donna]

Wow, this is all good to know info! i had no idea that they could get your discounts applied like that. It would make things alot easier.
btw, how does one become a DU agent? is it tied into DIS in that you must be a moderator? i've noticed most agents seem to be moderators. is there schooling involved? thanks for the info!

 

[ajcolorado]

pardon my ignorance, but why would anyone want to (or need to) use a travel agent when you can just book online yourself with just a few clicks? I guess i'm wondering what the advantages are? honestly, i thought with the internet the way it used so widely now, how TA's even stay in business!

We've used www.buildabettermousetrip.com and received good service. I still think travel agents are helpful, especially if they have a special niche and can give good information. For example, a Disney TA should be able to offer advice on restaurants or LaNouba or rides appropriate for certain age groups.

The internet is a wonderful place for people who love to research but there are others who are just too busy or simply do not find researching a trip as enjoyable as the trip itself...weird, but true. I love researching things - we're doing a big extending family trip to DC & Williamsburg next year and alot of the research is falling to me. I enjoy it but there is no getting around the fact that it is very time consuming.