Using a Disney Vacation Planner "Post-Pandemic"?

[Hiker_Mom]

We’re a family of four (Myself, DH, DS15, DD12) looking to head to Disney World in Spring 2022. We didn’t go on vacation in 2020, and aren’t going this summer, so in terms of budget we’ve got more to spend than we would usually have.

Now things are opening up, our kids activities starting again, people returning to offices, etc., (delta variant/possible spike notwithstanding) we’re beginning to get back to our pre-pandemic routine. Being busier than before and with a bit of extra to spend which we saved in the pandemic, we’re seriously considering using a Disney Vacation Planner to take away some of the stress of figuring everything out and possibly get a booking completed faster.

We know things have changed enormously since the pandemic, and things continue to change with Disney World, and we know that means bookings may be happening faster, people might be uncertain about what will be open, etc., so on the one hand using a Disney Vacation Planner seems like good value and logic. That said, part of me is also thinking that they might not know what the situation really is with booking availability, what will be open, etc. (especially if Disney don’t yet know!), so I’m also not sure if the money we’d spend on a planner would actually be worth it.

I’ve read they can apply discounts even after the trip is booked if Disney allow, and that their knowledge is also excellent (though I’ve seen a few negative reviews here and there), but does anyone here have any information on how the value of using a Disney Vacation Planner has been affected by the pandemic? I know it’s still going on, but I figure since the parks have reopened there would be some information as to what the value of a Disney Vacation Planner is now versus pre-pandemic.

We haven’t been to Disney in ages, and my DD has never been, so we really want to get it right, but I don’t even know if I can call a Disney Vacation Planner and just ask for advice without booking; I don’t want to treat any of them like a free expert advice service!

Any help or input would be great; thanks so much.

 

[My Grandpa]

Hey Hiker Mom ..... FIRST: Welcome to the DIS Boards. Great community here.
SECOND: Who is a DVP and you have to pay them? Run Away!
THIRD: I'm doing almost the same thing and for late April 2022. Here is what I have done for all of our trips: First ~ work through travel planning section of the Disney website. Get familiar with the basic variables resorts, rooms, add-ons ~ have fun with it. Call a family meeting when you get to the waterparks add-on. Run some dates through the online system? See what takes place. You can go as far as clicking the "PAY NOW" button to see a summary BEFORE you actually pay. BUT DON'T DO AN ONLINE RESEVATION FOR WDW.

Now now pick up the phone and call one of the WDW vacation planners. They have the knowledge, patience and the WDW Resorts experience to give you great info / details / updates / etc. They know that not every caller results in a booking. But if YOU come to them well-prepared, with a set of dates & wiggle room dates at either end, who is coming, any issues that need accommodation and the cost range group you are interested in. Here in Vermont, I'm luck we have a very accessible AAA office ~ and they've been helpful and booked 2 trips for us. We're now Members at Costco and their Travel deals to WDW are really good but somewhat random, and don't look for any help from their website ~ I've never needed a sales rep ~ booked 2 with them ~ but that's after going thru the updated learning process.

All you can expect from the Disney smile on the other end of the phone is EVERYTHING they know at this time. Do they know that even as we speak, DISNEY Brass are meeting in Newfoundland to sell WDW to Amazon to be used as a world wide distribution center? No, they don't know that. And come to noodle on it, neither do I. Buy the Insurance. Things will be as they will be. I'm not interested in things that don't interest me ~ so when it comes to the Happiest Place on Earth, hurricane season, sink holes, COVID closings ,,,, just push it aside and deal with it when it needs a dealing. HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[lanejudy]

If you are asking about using a Travel Agent -- look for one who specializes in Disney, such as the sponsor of the DISboards. Otherwise, there is little value to using one. You should never have to pay a TA, they are paid commission by WDW.

Now to your questions... really, I think you will need to decide what dates, what resort to book, and how many park days. The TA can offer suggestions or advice if you want to know about different resorts for example. But I wouldn't want the TA making that kind of decision without my input.

At this time, theme park reservations are required to enter a park each day. This is in addition to your tickets. It is recommended that you make these reservations at the time of booking; though there doesn't seem to be any problem with availability recently. You can always try to change them later if you shift your plans.

Later decisions -- mostly just dining reservations unless you want to do any "special" activities. At this time FP+ is not in use so no FPs to book.

I guess it comes down to what level of decision-making do you want to leave to someone else. And do you trust that person to make those decisions, are they knowledgeable enough. I feel that by the time I've done the research to make the decisions, I might as well do the reserving myself as well. But you do make a point that a good Disney TA will usually watch for discounts or special offers - be sure you ask them to do this for you. Bookings are high so it's possible there may not be discounts; I recommend booking what you are comfortable paying, then if a discount is released you can try to upgrade (like if your budget is value, book value; then try for moderate or deluxe if a discount fits).

And feel free to ask questions here as you go along!

 

[julie-o]

I used a Disney travel agent for last two trips and it was incredibly helpful. And they get paid by Disney, not you. No extra charge for you.

 

[Rory607]

I always use an agent because I find it helpful, but some people don’t think it is worthwhile. But it definitely should not cost you anything, so if they try and charge you, find someone else.