Travel agent's knowledgeable about WDW, does it really matter?

[Amyg]

I've been reading these boards for the last 6-8 months and have noticed quite a few people asking for a recommendation for a TA (AAA or other).
Just wondered if it really mattered because I think it might be easier to have a good agent who is in a city nearby instead of hundreds or thousands of miles away. I've done a LOT of research both online, in books and at TGM. Although this will be my first WDW trip (and I'm sure the World will be much more than I can imagine) I feel that I don't have many questions to ask a "seasoned" WDW TA that I can't ask at these boards.

Having someone who I have to either spend $$ to call long-distance or email and hope I can get an answer within a day can be exhausting!

So am I missing something? To those who have used a TA far, far from home, why has the particular TA been so much better than someone closer to home?

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon you.

if you don't mind spending your hours looking for the deals....in that case why get a TA at all....

that say if you want the best prices with the least amount of work - the travel agency here is one of the best

I don't work for them.....

travel agency are out to make a dollar. If they book you in a medium (moderate) when you asked for a value - telling you the value were filled - you won't know would you.....

for a disney trip I won't use a travel agency....

with this site and a few others you don't need a travel agency at all

www.mousesavers.com

 

[paladin]

I was a travel agent for 15 years and it's just like any other business - some are good, some are bad, some will know alot about WDW, some won't. It doesn't matter where your agent is located - it matters what they know and how they work. If, however, you are going to do all of the checking for deals and such, there really isn't any reason to use an agent.

travel agency are out to make a dollar. If they book you in a medium (moderate) when you asked for a value - telling you the value were filled - you won't know would you.....

I have never worked at an agency that would allow/encourage behavior like this. Do not think that all agents are lying to their clients; agencies that I am familiar with would fire an agent for a stunt like this.

 

[UtzigTravel]

travel agency are out to make a dollar. If they book you in a medium (moderate) when you asked for a value - telling you the value were filled - you won't know would you.....

Than that is not a travel agent out for you, and one you should not use.

Just today, I was working on a quote for a client. They had called disney prior to someone referring them to me. They had quoted a 6 night room w/ 4 day Magic your Way passes. They thought that they could just go from one park to another to include the water parks. The clients already had airline tickets purchased and were in Orlando for 7 nights.

When I had them read me their itiniary, I advised them what they had booked. They were very pleased that someone was assisting them. So there are cases where booking through a travel agent does work and help..

 

[ENSOCK]

I used a TA for the first time to book my trip. She helped me. I found out later that if I would have booked 2 weeks later I would have had to pay extra for prices have gone up.

 

[mbb]

they're a Board sponsor, they're good, and all experienced at Disney

...and they know all about the Dis!!
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/wdw_main.htm

(and I can only wish to be a Dreams Agent!! )

 

[spiceycat]

a TA who is familiar with WDW can generally give you a better detail than one that is not....

I did get told that my time was filled - so I called the resort - and then cancelled that reservation and NEVER worked with that TA again....

lots of TA are unaware that Disney even has codes and other things.... Disney tells them (well I think it does) - but some don't think they need this information....

plus I don't know of many TA (besides this sponsor and a few others - dreams unlimited) that would actually lower your price if they found a code or a package that would work better. I think they still do it...

 

[Amyg]

Well, I think what I'm getting at is that I'm using a TA from out of state when I could have easily used someone here. I only choose to use an out of state TA because of this board. I already knew which hotel, how many days and exactly what package I wanted, which restaurants I wanted to book and am using TGM for touring the parks.

So for those people who used out of state TA's, I wondered how the TA helped you in a way that any other not so WDW experienced TA could not have.

I'm missing out on a more personal relationship because I'm not able to just pick up the phone to speak with my TA (without long distance charges). You know, look him/her in the eyes type of thing. I think that a local TA could have done exactly the same thing my current TA has done thus far.

 

[UtzigTravel]

plus I don't know of many TA (besides this sponsor and a few others - dreams unlimited) that would actually lower your price if they found a code or a package that would work better. I think they still do it...

Personally, I watch the prices for my clients...

As a matter of fact I have a file on my desk waiting to call to add the free dining on the 4th....

All in who you work with...

Tim

 

[Trena]

If you have time to do the research, I think you can do just as well by yourself. If you'd like to use an agent, get one that specializes in Dinsey. I bet they would work with you over email or an 800# at no charge to you if you tell them long distance is a concern.


Trena