Trip Planning: TA vs DIY?

[ChasingLeslie]

We are taking our kids to WDW for the first time next year, and it's also for our 10 year anniversary. In the past, I've always used AAA for booking, but this time I think I'd like to work with an authorized Disney agent or just do it myself.

If you've worked with an agent before, were there extra discounts/bonuses/freebies...? Or was it just about someone else handling the details for you? I'm a very organized person but some of the info on this board about changing ressies and stalking for ADRs makes me anxious. I am wondering if there are more perks with a TA (besides just their knowledge).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Spunky946]

I'm a travel agent and get paid by Disney, so the prices I get my clients are the same,

The difference is that my clients pay me and if I need to add a discount or anything else, I sit on the phone.

I will do as much or as little as a client wants or needs. I can make adrs or fast passes or of the clients want to do so, they can.

 

[MandiC]

I used a TA for the discounts, I did all the planning, fast pass selections and adr reservations. She would have had I wanted her to but I am a little too type a for that

 

[To the honeypots]

I used the TA to get the "magical deal" for the room/tickets, but I will be making our own ADRs and Fp+s.

 

[SweetMissy]

I think years ago TAs offered special rates, this was our experience anyway. However, not anymore. Since we've been doing Disney every year, TAs give the exact same price I had always found online. This is why the last couple trips, we just book it ourselves. IMO there's no point in using a TA, unless you're a 1st timer and haven't done any research. Good luck!

 

[Pesky]

If we are renting DVC points, I won't use a TA. If we go with a regular room or rent a villa through Disney, probably will. I know offers and specials can come out and I'd prefer not to keep track of it. Plus it lets someone else earn a bit of money at no cost to me. I will probably do all of our ADRs and FPs because I'm a control freak like that.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm still unsure, but I have plenty of time.

 

[Meghoya]

For the parks, I do it myself. TA rates aren't any better and there aren't usually good kickbacks. Also, I like to be in control. I knew someone who had issues with her travel agent and that agent then cancelled all her ADRs right before her trip!! Totally unprofessional, and rare I'm sure, but I know I'll be online at opening time the right number of days out and I can't guarantee a travel agent won't be busy with his/her other clients or own family at that time and miss the reservations I wanted.

If it's your first trip and you need general park and resort information, then a TA might be helpful.

I do use a TA for the cruise, though, because they have better access to knowing which rooms are guaranteed connecting and they give great onboard credits for using them.

Meg

 

[MyFamily8]

We are going for the first time this May. We used a TA. She booked our vacation package and made our reservations for us and that's it. They don't do special discounts or anything. I told her what restaurants and time frames we wanted and she did it. We are suppose to get help with itinerary planning and such. She was great when I said I was interested in booking with her but since we did she has been pretty much silent. It's been a let down. She gave all this hype about helping us plan everything and how much she loves helping people plan. Here on out I will do everything myself.

 

[MandiC]

There's no harm in pricing it out with an agent and if they can't get a better deal than you can, just booking it yourself. I book through another mom who is a friend of a friend. She did get me a better deal than we originally got through Disney on the phone (I actually called Disney and canceled our original booking to book through her) Not only did I save money but it does make me happy that I also helped her out. So win/win in my book. She was very respectful of my over planner personality and didn't try to plan anything for us, which is what I wanted but I have heard from others that she is great if you want to plan.

 

[Feberin]

We went last May and planned everything ourselves. It felt really overwhelming at first but I loved reading up on everything and planning our trip. In fact I look forward to the next time we go and starting to plan that trip. We're thinking we'll go in like three years and I'm already starting some basic thinking about where to stay. I felt like we got a really great deal for our trip and can't imagine we would have saved more with a travel agent.

 

[btk2333]

Diy- I'm way too ocd to let someone else plan my vacations