Travel Agents

[TreeOfLife]

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

It's OK, dear. I understand...


The time I booked through an agent was the time I wasted the most money and time ever. The first time, of course. When thos packages were an even lousier rip off. It encouraged me to do my own searches. With the Internet, the best travel deals are available at the fingertips of the travelers, paying no comissions or higher prices to cover Disney's pay to the agents.

Without exposing yourself to scammers, you can spend 10 days at WDW, three people, tickets and transportation included, visit two parks and stay onsite both times for way under $2000. Booking directly and taking advantage of reputable companies and their promos. The ones I use are Delta Skymiles program, Entertainment book's, US's Fan Club, Hard Rock All Access Club, AAA, Disney Club, National's Emerald Club, Programs that reward with webcertificates and cash and even RFC's Safari Club promos that help you save a little here and there.

I order the actual tickets directly, avoiding extra lines. Nobody annoys me with vouchers that make me stand in lines as if I was purchasing them the first time anyway. That is a concept not everyone knows about before booking through agents!

Several resources on the Internet help you plan and save, you just need to research them and use them! With the hard-earned money you save, you can afford to splurge during your vacation or plan the next one rather than send travel agents off on their next free vacation.

 

[PoohBWV]

Hi Bunnyfoo: Yes the TA would still get the commission.

TreeOfLife: You said"I order the actual tickets directly, avoiding extra lines. Nobody annoys me with vouchers that make me stand in lines as if I was purchasing them the first time anyway. That is a concept not everyone knows about before booking through agents!"

It depends where the TA gets your tickets and the type of ticket. If it is a special promo like Canadian specials, vouchers are given as they are sold only to Canadian wholesalers so that non-Canadians cannot purchase them, but if I am selling regular Disney tickets that I purchased from Disney - you get the tickets! It seems that you have had a really bad experience with your TA. Sorry to hear that, but please understand that not all of us are like yours was.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yepk you can probably save a 'little' money by really running down all those other avenues. For me, and I have used a regular TA once, booked all my own stuff once and now am using DU, I love DU! My agent has gotten me exactly what I've wanted, when I wanted it. Well, I did have to change my dates for my IllumiNations cruise but I got one in the end. Since I'm back at work short-term, I haven't been able to sit here waiting and watching for the great codes, or to be on the phone making my PS's. Yes, I am a control freak also. I have changed my resort three times, changed over to a package (that is saving me big bucks and allowing me to upgrade to a deluxe), and made and changed my PS's more times than I can count. Has it been a hassle? Nope. Shirley has been terrific. I just send her an email in the morning or late at night, and voila! My needs are met. While I know that some may not think this is the best route to go, I have to say that I will be using the services of DU again and again. My next vacation, a trip cross country to Utah, I will have to do myself. Maybe DU will branch out for that trip??
As with everything is life, different strokes for different folks. If DU works for you (and they work for many, many of us) then go with them. If you would like to do it all yourself, well then, you go right ahead.

 

[madonna31]

It's OK, dear. I understand...

hope it's that you *Understand* that I don't enjoy wasting my time to show you that I CAN beat that $1700 for your entertainment...

It encouraged me to do my own searches. With the Internet, the best travel deals are available at the fingertips of the travelers,

ummm...just how did you think Disney Specialists find deals?!? Trust me - it's NOT through Disney - as I mention earlier, they are a rip-off...

paying no comissions or higher prices to cover Disney's pay to the agents.

lol...you don't actually believe that do you? I booked my clent at the GF for 10 nights at $139/night (again; normally a $455/night room) that rate is unheard of for GF lagoon view, yet I still got my commision?!?

you can spend 10 days at WDW, three people, tickets and transportation included, visit two parks and stay onsite both times for way under $2000. Booking directly and taking advantage of reputable companies and their promos. The ones I use are Delta Skymiles program, Entertainment book's, US's Fan Club, Hard Rock All Access Club, AAA, Disney Club, National's Emerald Club, Programs that reward with webcertificates and cash and even RFC's Safari Club promos that help you save a little here and there

No offense - but you say this like it's *new information*...or something, actually you missed about a dozen more. The first thing I do with a client is ask them a series of questions that will help me to identify with what one of the hundreds of Disney discounts they qualify for...

rather than send travel agents off on their next free vacation.

OMG - too funny, please tell me where oh where I get this *free* vacation that you are referring to? rotfl...what really makes me laugh is how you make it out to be *this huge commision* that Disney pays us....rotflmbo....yeah - THAT's why I have another job...I get 50% off for my own personal vacations because I am a Travel Agent - not depending on how much *Disney* I sell for them. Which is really not much less then most discounts - if fact at times it's more then other discounts that are out (see above about the GF)

I don't understand why you keep mentioning packages??? When I first booked my honeymoon to WDW - I booked through a *regular TA* and was paying $5800 US for 14 nights at the GF. Then I found a Disney Specialist in the US - the booking dropped to $3500 US for the exact same reservation (which is when I decided to become one).

I am sorry if you got ripped-off in the past by a regular TA who knew nothing about Disney and made you pay for a package, but please don't blame their mistake on people who obviously have had more training and knowledge then they did!

 

[erikthewise]

If you're talking about an "ordinary" travel agent, and you know the ropes, you are generally better off doing it yourself if so inclined.

But there are a few Disney Specialist travel agencies that are so good even experts can benefit by using them. I had done our 2001 vacation on my own except for the cruise, and thought I knew everything (I did!). But for some reason I decided to let OLP Travel (at www.ourlaughingplace.com) handle our room reservations last year. They (actually Laura) were terrific. When relatives cancelled on putting us up our last night just a couple weeks before we left, she was able to get us a one-night extension at AKL that I hadn't been able to get through CRO.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Disney Specialists are WAY different than regular TA's. Even though I live right here I still use a TA to book my resort stays. Hey someone else should get the money than just Disney. And Madonna, I have a trip coming up in early January, I may just put it in your hands.

 

[TreeOfLife]

MADONNA31, just post how you can beat my budget, hunny. More show less blabber.
Just tell me how I can get 7 days at AKL, savannah view, two nights at HRH, tickets and air included for three people under $1755! Altogether 10 days. Oh, and the flights have to be non-stop! You are the one saying you can get better, I am the one claiming you can't. Just show us all!
And no, the TA I originally used went to one of those "DIS" trainings to be called a specialist too...

Yepk you can probably save a 'little' money by really running down all those other avenues

Only in my case, thousands of dollars is more than just "a little" money..

 

[springsteenmickey]

Originally posted by 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

Wow, I guess you have a lot of free time on your hands or your time is simply not worth money. Either way great for you. I tend to have limited time on my hands and doing all that research and stuff would most definitely use up at lot of my time and cost a lot more than any commission a Disney specialist would earn from a trip that I book with them. I have actually used Madonna and $139, Grand Floridian, Lagoon view, that was me. I had all my passes sent to me, my itinerary, pick up limo at the airport, you name it, my wife and I were ecstatic. I would say that we were more than dazzled.

 

[springsteenmickey]

Originally posted by TreeOfLife
MADONNA31, just post how you can beat my budget, hunny. More show less blabber.
Just tell me how I can get 7 days at AKL, savannah view, two nights at HRH, tickets and air included for three people under $1755! Altogether 10 days. Oh, and the flights have to be non-stop! You are the one saying you can get better, I am the one claiming you can't. Just show us all!
And no, the TA I originally used went to one of those "DIS" trainings to be called a specialist too...

Only in my case, thousands of dollars is more than just "a little" money..

Wow, not it's under $1755, previously it was $1700 ... I smell something funny. At this rate you will be at $5000 by next week

 

[TreeOfLife]

Wow, I guess you have a lot of free time on your hands or your time is simply not worth money.

Really?! And those are the only ways you can find the best deals, having nothing to do, huh? Well, a professional woman with a career, a brain and a computer is a wonder woman now! Thanks...

Anyhow, I have yet to find an agent that can get what I can, for better prices and more effectively... I finally gave up on it and just do my own stuff.. Much more efficiently. If I can, anyone else can!

Wow, not it's under $1755, previously it was $1700 ...

Oh my, you really prove your point with a $55 difference!
What a brainiac


Just stop trying to change the topic, some of you, and prove me wrong!... If you can...

 

[springsteenmickey]

Oh my, you really prove your point with a $55 difference!

Thank you

 

[springsteenmickey]

Treeoflife, it is no wonder that you got such a good rate booking your self. I noticed that you will be there at one of the slowest times of the year at one of the least stayed at resorts since you need a bus to travel to where ever you want to go to unless you wish to pay for a cab. Ironically, the day when the price jumps drastically you will be taking your entourage off site to the competitor’s hotel. Saying that you got a great rate is like me tell you that I can book a Disney trip for 1 week and only pay the price for a 3 day trip – a promo Disney is now offering.

As for the business women with a brain comment because you can use a computer, it was not my attempt to insult you, I was just stating a fact about my time. However, seeing that you insult everyone who tries to give you an honest opinion I can see how you took it that way.

 

[ozzel]

I used to book all my rooms myself too - but after talking with Madonna - she can get much better deals than I can. Most importantly, she can get those AP rates when CRO says they're all booked. I've run into that problem plenty of times. She's gonna be my source for all future plans.

I've had poor experience with TA's in the past. They just don't do the homework - they don't want to take the time. It takes a disney freak to plan a great disney trip - and Madonna's a disney freak - I know! I'm looking at a January trip too - that's a busy and expensive time - but I trust Madonna will get me that deal.


-KP

 

[ozzel]

Just stop trying to change the topic, some of you, and prove me wrong!... If you can...

will this person recieve any financial compensation for taking the time and effort to browse the internet, find the best deals, & check availablity for all YOUR flight, transporation, hotel and ticket needs?



wait a minute - I think I just figured out how you do it.....

 

[cleo]

Are we playing nicely today?

Please remember this is 'Respect Your Fellow Posters Day', not 'Kick Each Other In the Shins Day', which only happens every 5th Sunday in November.

 

[madonna31]

will this person recieve any financial compensation for taking the time and effort to browse the internet, find the best deals, & check availablity for all YOUR flight, transporation, hotel and ticket needs?

Im happy to see that someone here realizes as to why I am not about to waste my time to *Dazzle you* Treeoflife...as all you want me to do is all the research that you have obviously already done and after all is said and done, you will keep your own ressie - 'cause you've already made up your mind that you don't want to use a TA - so what's the point of me taking my time to do it?!?

just post how you can beat my budget, hunny. More show less blabber.

Why are you being so condescending towards me on this issue is beyond me.. I only came into this thread to help out the original poster - my apologies if you are the only one here that doesn't believe me or any other DIS members here that are talking about Disney TA's...

 

[stitch'smom]

I have found an amazing TA who has saved me over $1,000. She is extremely attentive and treats me like I am her only client. Since she is so good I have referred at least 5 people to her. I hope she does get some sort of compensation. She absolutely deserves it.

Getting back to the original post, I think to you need to decide what is better for you. I like using TAs because if I have an emergency that comes up, I just have to make one phone call and it's all taken care of. I used a different TA when we went in '99. My son was waiting for a transplant and we decided (after MUCH discussion) to take him to DW. I booked through a TA. I took him to the doctor the day before we were supposed to leave to get an all clear, but it turns out the doc wanted us to wait if we could. I called TA as we left the doctor's office and by the time I got home an hour later she had everything changed for three weeks later. Was it the best deal? No it wasn't. At that point we were just looking for some way to try to relieve some of the stress.

I am going again in September. This time alone. No kids or anyone. I decided to use a TA basically for the same reason. Even though my older son is doing great, I have a younger son who has the same disease that caused the first to have the transplant. 2nd son has required numerous hospitalizations too. If anything happens and and I need to get home quickly, I want to be able to make one phone call and have it taken care of.

I know my circumstances are extreme but it still is the same point. You make all the arrangements yourself if you chose to, you can have someone make the big arrangements (hotel, plane, etc.) and you do the smaller, more personal ones (priority seatings, tours, etc) or you can let someone do it all for you (mine will make any PS, tour etc arrangements for me if I wish). It is whatever you are comfortable doing.

treeoflife, I'm just wondering which one you are. The kid, the teen or the "Mature Adult"

 

[apnic]

Wow - I came here to sing the praises of my good friend and personal Disney Specialist, Madonna, and I see that some disgruntled feelings were passed her way for no reason at all. Ouch, talk about taking advantage of the kindness of strangers and stomping it into the ground.
When I went in February, it was a quick, solo, no-frills trip... but I still used Madonna because she knew the best, least expensive way for me to go hassle-free. I trusted her judgement and advice, and ended up way under my initial budget due to her knowledge. I appreciated it so much then, and I still appreciate it now. Even though I know tons about traveling to WDW blah blah blah, I still use her because she can "deliver the goods" for me better than I can myself.
So, for the OP, I would recommend using a Disney Specialist, and I'd personally vouch for Madonna's expertise.
-AP

 

[TreeOfLife]

ROFLMAO
WHOA!

Let the flamin' begin!

But remember that my whole point has always been: You can do it yourself and pay far less! And heck yes, arriving on the last value date was not an accident. It keeps the rates at value prices for your entire visit. There's my first saving tool for our holiday trip

So DC, AAA, skymiles, etc., aren't impressive enough, huh? Oh well, they are getting me to Orlando for far less than anything or anyone else! No travel agent promos or discounts can beat that, obviously.

I have a friend (yeah went to those quickie Disney specialist training programs). Selling ten packages to friends she traveled free, onsite visit and all... Yes we do end up compensating the agents!

Don't make Madonna31 post how she can beat my rate without paying her???

In fact, if she can prove me wrong I think she'd triple the number of customers in a heartbeat.

Not a personal attack on people who earn a living like any other, but travel agents are becoming a thing of the past. In a decade, I doubt travel agents will be what they used to be. They already aren't at the present! With the Internet, the best rates are available at your fingertips. A little planning ahead gets the ball rolling. Every chance you get, do some searches. The money you save could be in the thousands. And then nobody should resent paying thousands on a vacation that someone else could put together for far, far less!

Now, I do agree that paying extra is helpful the first time. But after you learn how easy it is to go it alone, you'll kick you head for not doing it sooner. And like I said before, if I can do it, so can anyone else! It is nice to return from a vacation and not drag those bills!

 

[ozzel]

there's only one thing to do when talking to a brick wall - turn around and walk away. Because there's no getting through.