Travel Agents

[Donald Applecore]

Are there any benefits for using a travel agent over calling disney ourselves? We pretty much know exactly what we want so we don't really need any help planning.

Thanks so much

 

[jimmiej]

I quit using a travel agent when I figured out I knew more about WDW than they did. After all, I had read all the guidebooks & lived (LOL) on this site!

If you know what you want, just call Disney & do it yourself. I would only contact a TA if you run into problems getting what you want.

For me, planning is part of the fun of a WDW trip.

 

[TreeOfLife]

The main benefit is all the money you save doing it yourself.

Doing your own research will benefit you and buying ahead of time will too. For example, you won't have to deal with the vouchers they give you and have to stand in lines to swap them for tickets anywhere.

Most people who use travel agents are insecure about doing it on their own, but it really is not difficult at all. And the truth of hte matter is, teh agent does not come along on your vacation. In the end it is you all alone looking for the sites and stations just as if you'd booked on your own...

 

[madonna31]

I quit using a travel agent when I figured out I knew more about WDW than they did.

well...that all depends on what travel agent you are talking to...

A Disney Specialist knows more then a regular TA (there is actually a course you have to take through Disney to become one) I know - I am one.

Contrary to popular belief - Disney TA's can help you out more then one might think. For one - we make all the long distance calls for you to WDW - so you don't have to. Second - we know before these boards do when codes are about to be released; therefore allowing us to *jump in* and get the discount before most even know it's available. Third (and this just happened back in May with a client of mine) when CRO claims that *there are no more rooms available at that resort for that time frame with the AP rate*, chances are that they will make an exception to this rule for their own (Disney Specialists).

Most importantly - we have access to a Disney Travel Agent Website that the public doesn't. These area's get into great detail about rooms, Disney parks, and offers live help - so questions can be answered a lot faster then trying to call CRO.

Yes most of the fun is planning the vacation yourself - but trust me when I say - it's even more fun to talk to someone such as myself about your upcoming vacation, because I understand what your so excited about!!!

Hope that helps...

 

[madonna31]

The main benefit is all the money you save doing it yourself.

Ask any of my clients - on the contrary, they saved thousands more when they booked their trip through me...

Certified Disney Specialist's won't cost you a cent, Disney pays us a standard commision fee!

 

[caitycaity]

i figure out what i want and then book through a travel agent. i've never paid more througha travel agent than i would if i did it myself, so i am not sure why cost is mentioned here. as madonna mentioned -- they get paid a commission from disney.

though i have booked plenty a trip on my own, one time i couldn't get what i wanted (ap rate at a certain hotel for certain dates) and a travel agent hooked me up with exactly what i wanted. ever since then, i have used travel agents b/c i like to give them the business. it costs me the same (or less) than it would if i booked it myself and it helps them out, so why not?

 

[madonna31]

though i have booked plenty a trip on my own, one time i couldn't get what i wanted (ap rate at a certain hotel for certain dates) and a travel agent hooked me up with exactly what i wanted.

That is exactly what I was talking about in an earlier post. I had a client that was very frustrated because they were booked at the POR from May 3 - 10 and when they called to get their AP rate, CRO told them that "due to the construction of POFQ, they had no more POR rooms available at the AP rate" so they transferred their exsisting reservation over to me - I called, and got them the AP rate.

You see, we have a seperate 1-800 number for TA's only. Many times, they have more rooms at the discounted rate that they offer to us for our clients. Like I said; Disney likes to *take care of their own...*

and you are 100% correct you don't pay for a TA - so I'm not so sure as to why cost was mentioned either?!?

 

[KellyJ]

We've booked our own trip many, many times. A couple of trips ago (after a trip when I absolutely drove my husband crazy watching and calling for annual passholder rates) we discovered Dreams Unlimited.

If you use Dreams Unlimited they will also make all your PS arrangements for you and give you all kinds of touring tips. All that in addition to making all your reservations at the resorts of your choice, noting all your preferences, and watching the prices for any special codes or rates that come along.

Thanks again Pete, for these wonderful boards and the wonderful services of Dreams Unlimited!

Kelly

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to the DIS, Donald Applecore. I'm really glad you found us. I hope you enjoy planning your trip here and can visit us often.

I found Dreams Unlimited to be just very helpful. They will keep checking for lower rates right up until your trip. They got me a great rate a couple of weeks after I had already booked my trip.

They will also get those difficult to obtain reservations like Illuminations cruises or Cindy's breakfast for you.

I've been very pleased with Dreams

 

[nativetxn]

I thought you might like a link to <b>DREAMS UNLIMITED</b>

Just in case you want to check them out.

 

[thinkerbell]

I think it just comes down to personal preference. I don't use a travel agent but the only reason that I can give you that I don't is because I am a control freak when it comes to our vacation. Not really any other area but vacations. I want to know what is going on at all stages. If I want something changed, I want it changed immediately and I want to speak to the people doing the changing. I have a hard time sitting and waiting on someone to get back to me. I HAVE heard (or read) on these boards numerous accounts of how good the folks are at Dreams Unlimited are though.

 

[TreeOfLife]

madonna31... Let's see if you can beat what I got: Dec 18 - 24 AKL, savannah view. Dec 25-27 HRH. Transfers Happy Limo, maybe a taxi between AKL & HRH. Oh and of course, if you price a package just show me how I save more money over APs.
Don't forget the discounts I can get being a DC member, aaa, fanclub, entertainment, promo coupons available online, Emerald Club, Delta Skymiles and about $200 in webbies...

Tip: Can't go beyond $1700! And that is for three people, a mature adult, a teen and a kid. And no, I am not driving... Just squeezing every offer I stumbled on booking on my own.

Dazzle me

 

[caitycaity]

tree of life -- i don't think her point was necessarily that she could save you money (though they certainly can sometimes), but that it wouldn't cost extra just to use one.

 

[TreeOfLife]

caity, and my point is that using one makes you spend more money. Oh Disney pays them, but where does disney get the money from?
So like in my case, many people do not use travel agents because they save more otherwise...

And I am still looking forward to a better deal than what I got by myself, through a travel agent...

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

I think it really depends on pure luck and the agent you're working with. I did use an agent a few times to book a WDW trip, but that was an agent that was at my work, one of our benifits. She WAS a Disney specialist and she could get a great deal for me pretty often, better or the same as doing it on my own. Plus if we booked a Disney trip through our work they often included a discount, so it usually worked out better.

Now that I don't work, but have a travel agent that also is a Disney specialist, I find her prices never beat what I can get on my own. I do use her for other trips, usually come out better uing her.

Some agents are great and work their booties off for their clients and others check prices once or twice and that's it. So if you plan on using an agent, go with one you have worked with before or that someone can give references for. I've heard great things about Dreams Unlimited.

There are benifits to using a great TA, but I find doing it own my own often saves money and it's part of the fun for me. If you do it on you're own make sure you know about any discounts and such, never pay rack rate!!! Read a few books, the web is a great source of WDW info and check and double check your prices. I thought I had a great deal, but someone helped me save another $100, so double check all your figures.

Pammy

 

[madonna31]

Tree of Life - caitycaity is right, my point wasn't necessarily that I could save you money - I just couldn't understand how you can say that it cost more?!?

The first thing you misunderstood was anything to do with packages. Yes if you call and try to book a Disney trip through Disney - they will try to shove a package down your throat.

I NEVER said I deal with packages, IMHO they are a complete rip-off - it is ALWAYS cheaper to book your trip separately so I would get you the AP rate (or whatever rate is the cheapest for your timeframe)

"Oh Disney pays them, but where does disney get the money from?"

I already answered this, but once again - they get a direct cut of the booking - after all is said and done and the client returns home from the holiday.

I am not about to *Dazzle you* for your sheer entertainment on this thread - if you would like me to look into these dates for you, please PM me.

Off the top of my head, quite honestly, $1700 for airfare (if you are flying) within the US for 3 (perhaps 2 - don't know how old the "kid" is), accommodations for 9 nights (3 of those nights off Disney property) and HappyLimo service is not that big of a deal.

A client of mine (which you can find here on the DIS) just returned from Walt Disney World and I got him $139/night for Lagoon view at the Grand Floridian Resort which is normally $455/night...now THAT'S a deal...

 

[Donald Applecore]

Thanks everybody for all your replies -- it's certainly given me a lot to think about!

 

[PoohBWV]

I too am a TA and Disney Specialist. In a recent post by TreeofLife it was stated that

"Oh Disney pays them, but where does disney get the money from? "

I just wanted to make you aware that if you book through CRO, Disney keeps the commission. If you book through your TA Disney pays the commission to the TA. You never see the commission. Disney knows better than to charge a client less than they would quote to a TA for the same room. TA's still book the majority of rooms at Disney and Disney knows this. That is why they provide us with programs like the Specialist program, fam trips, and our own website. Using a TA who is knoweldgeable about Disney and who understands that packages are almost always not the way to save the most money will not cost you a cent as we don't currently charge for our services.

Bottom line is, if you have the time to do all the research, don't mind doing it and aren't worried that you have no one to turn to if things go wrong with your vacation, then have fun planning and go for it. If you don't have an abundance of time on your hands, don't want to do all of the research necessary and want the assurance of knowing you have someone to call if at the last minute your flight changes, res changes etc., then call Dreams Unlimited or your TA.

 

[madonna31]

Exactly!

Thank you for that PoohBWV

 

[bunnyfoo]

Out of curiosity, if you make the reservations yourself and then transfer them to a TA, do they still get the commission?