Travel Company or Disney Direct?

[rosiep]

I have had two agents researching prices for me and both are the same as Disney's pricing. I read somewhere that if I book through an agent then only the agent can make changes or access info...this sounds like a drawback to me. The upside is they are very well informed regarding codes and that would save me the trouble of constant viligance...although come to think of it..I'd probably watch like a hawk for the codes anyway.

Any suggestions, advice or stories to relate regarding either of these approaches?
Thanks

 

[CanadianGuy]

Rosie:

I'm moving this over to the resorts board as it's more of a booking related question.

You are correct. If an agent makes your booking, only the authorized agency can make any subsequent changes for you. You can't make changes directly.

Knox

 

[lustergirl]

I used disney travel every time I book a vacation because I am in complete control of any changes that I want to make. I am the "middle man" so to speak. I book online and find it very easy to do so.

 

[rosiep]

I used disney travel every time I book a vacation because I am in complete control of any changes that I want to make. I am the "middle man" so to speak. I book online and find it very easy to do so.

Thanks..Does anyone know: If I book with a Disney Agent on the phone (heck-why shouldn't someone get something even if it's only help reaching a quota) can I still access my ressie online at the Disney site?

 

[Melissa_E]

Rosie,

You can, once you book you'll still get e-mail confirmation and a link to your ressie.

 

[BreezysMom]

I used a TA in my area that specializes in Disney Travel for our last trip and for a upcoming trip. A small family owned business a few towns over.

I liked the TA route because she has been to Disney A LOT and had very useful advice, she made all my ADR's and got all the times I requested, when my flights changed, she made all the adjustments and so forth and the best thing is that she got an early scoop on discounts and was able to save me a few hundred on our last trip and over $800 for our trip in 12/08! I made some requests, suggestions and she incorporated them with her knowledge.

Frankly I got very overwhelmed at all the planning and researching for our first trip ever and she helped me incredibly. When we got our final documents she had this nice spiral file with our ADR's and suggestions and so forth and it did not cost me one cent extra!

I like to be "in control" of things but I was happy to hand it off to her and look forward to what she suggests for our first holiday trip next year! I will e-mail her our ADR's in the spring and she will do all that work too! She is truly like my own private concierge and I love it!

 

[gwcollins71]

I usually do it myself. We had AAA do it the last time to save some $$. Our agent was fantastic, but I don't like being hands off. I didn't like having to call her, wait for her to call me back and then do something.

I kind of like being in charge and I was worried that something would go wrong and I wouldn't be able to fix it. Everything was great though.

I guess it depends if you are the hands on type or want it taken care of for you.

GOod luck.
Gretchen

 

[TLSnell1981]

I also like the freedom I have by booking directly with Disney.

 

[simonkodousek]

We used a TA for our last two trips. The first one (in 2004) was great, but the second one was horrible. We had seats scattered all around the plane, and they expected our 10 year old to sit alone between two strangers... NO WAY!!! Next time we will be going directly through Disney.

 

[BigTiggerGuy]

I used Dreams Unlimited for my last two trips and can't imaging booking a trip without them. My agent found a Visa code for me and saved me over $500 on my reservation. Also, I love being able to pass my ADR's onto them and have them make the reservations. I just don't have time to sit on the phone and wait. I have never had a problem getting ADR's and if my time wasn't available they always found something with maybe a 15-20 minute time difference.

 

[rosiep]

UGH!

I am waiting for the second quote and if it is the same as Disney's I think I'll go ahead and book it myself. Even if I hand it off to a travel agent I'm still going to be checking for codes and and making myself crazy....why drag another poor soul into the madness???

 

[themudd4]

I love my AAA TA. I save a few bucks, and I am in complete control. I tell her what I want and when I want it and she makes it happen. She also lets me know of things I may not know of...lol but thanks to the Dis those are few and far between). She also sends me lil pamplets and booklets to flip through anytime anything new comes out!
Another thing...AAA sometimes gives out there own perks in addition to what Disney may be offering. It may be worth a phone call!

 

[tone.def]

We used a TA for our last two trips. The first one (in 2004) was great, but the second one was horrible. We had seats scattered all around the plane, and they expected our 10 year old to sit alone between two strangers... NO WAY!!! Next time we will be going directly through Disney.

That sounds like a problem with the airline, not a TA

 

[rosiep]

I love my AAA TA. I save a few bucks, and I am in complete control. I tell her what I want and when I want it and she makes it happen. She also lets me know of things I may not know of...lol but thanks to the Dis those are few and far between). She also sends me lil pamplets and booklets to flip through anytime anything new comes out!
Another thing...AAA sometimes gives out there own perks in addition to what Disney may be offering. It may be worth a phone call!

I just got a quote from AAA, it was slightly less than Disney's. I asked the agent if I could apply codes from my Disney Visa when they come out for October and she said she wasn't sure. She also advised me to call right away for my adr's (but I know I can't do that until 180 days out..my trips in October). It didn't inspire confidence that she knew her Disney.
I'm thinking I'll probably just do it myself!

 

[themudd4]

I just got a quote from AAA, it was slightly less than Disney's. I asked the agent if I could apply codes from my Disney Visa when they come out for October and she said she wasn't sure. She also advised me to call right away for my adr's (but I know I can't do that until 180 days out..my trips in October). It didn't inspire confidence that she knew her Disney.
I'm thinking I'll probably just do it myself!

It is true that not all AAA TA's are created equal! Call back and ask to speak to their WDW specialist!
Your correct 180 days for ADR's...don't forget the +10! If you call on your 180 day out day, and you are a resort guest you can book for that day plus an additional 10 days...so it is 180+10!
Sorry I don't know about the points on the Disney Visa combined with AAA, but I am sure someone on here will be able to help you!