Using a Travel agent or website?

[hthrbells]

Any recomendations on where to find better deals? Does the average travel agent have access to better rooms and rates?

 

[LukenDC]

A travel agent can continuously monitor your reservation and immediately apply any discounts and codes that may come out. That saves you time and money because you do not have to scour the Internet everyday looking for codes and perhaps missing something.

There are many Disney specialist travel agencies and I recommend using one. They are the most savvy about codes and discounts.

 

[drewswife]

I used a travel agent once. They did not automatically apply codes - I had seen the code in the newspaper and called them to see if it was applied. They said they would take care of it. It would not have been done if I had not called.

Since then I have been boking myself on the website and then when the codes come out - I call and have it applied.

 

[hthrbells]

thanks for the input

 

[tww369]

I used Dreams Unlimited Travel to book last years trip, they will get you any available discounts that are available automatically. This year after getting quotes from Dreams Unlimited and the Disney site I just booked with Disney's web site because the price was the same. Keep in mind that with Dreams Unlimited you wont be able to just call your travel agent on a whim they use e-mails only..

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I used a travel agent once. They did not automatically apply codes - I had seen the code in the newspaper and called them to see if it was applied. They said they would take care of it. It would not have been done if I had not called.

Since then I have been boking myself on the website and then when the codes come out - I call and have it applied.

I think you used the wrong travel agent.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've moved this over to the resorts board.. it's a better fit there than on theme parks.

Thanks!

Knox

 

[agentpleakley]

We've used Instant Impressions for past 2 trips. We actually were referred to Sandy on these boards. She is awesome --can't say how pleased we are. While we can do it ourselves, she is a blessing. Also, on our last trip we had a mix up on our reservation in the Disney computer, she saved the day -- called her at 9:30 at night and she was right on the problem.

 

[jerseygal]

I just saved $210 by booking Magic Your Way With Deluxe Dining Package through AAA, 4 night package....Ask for a "Disney Specialist" when you call AAA!!!AAA will also apply any future codes you receive through Disney...

Good Luck!

 

[frdeb1999]

We've done it both ways and now always use a TA. Just easier and they do all the work for you. Ours is fantastic and calls or emails whenever something new comes up she thinks we may be interested in.

 

[Shmily1]

I always book ours. I want total control and if my plans are screwed up, I know where to find the person who did it I'm always afraid of surprises... you know, the kind where you have a reservation when you leave home, but you don't when you arrive at your destination!!!

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

We've done it both ways- TA and booked the trip ourselves through the website. I don't think I'd ever use a TA again for Disney because on our 2005 they didn't get much right at all. Everything from not telling us about MNSSHP, to telling us that because we were newlyweds, we would be ASSURED that we wouldn't get a room with a view of the parking lot (stayed at AKL that trip). Yep, we got a room with a view of the parking lot. I upgraded (out of my pocket) to a savannah, but when I confronted the TA, they were snotty and informed me that these were my problems because I didn't do enough research. I would just like to add that on that trip we (my wife or I) hadn't been to WDW in 25 years, so we didn't know anything about what to expect and I specifically told the TA that.

Just a word of advice- if you decide to use a TA- I'd strongly suggest to stay away from Liberty. They were awful. When we planned April's trip ourself, we found it a little time consuming, but not overly complicated. We selected everything we wanted and more.

 

[iuki]

When we were at WDW in September 2007, we made reservations under the "bounceback" program (free DDP) for September 2008. When we got home, we received an e-mail confirmation from Walt Disney Travel Company. However, no travel agent's name was shown in the e-mail, but there was a phone number. Is this the same situation as Dreams Unlimited Travel where no TA is assigned to your case?

Has anyone dealt with Walt Disney Travel Company?

iuki

 

[Ilovestitch]

Has anyone dealt with Walt Disney Travel Company?

iuki

Walt Disney Travel Company = booking the trip directly with Disney.

So, you are not using a travel agent. You just call Disney directly and talk to the Cast Member that answers.

 

[MomWDW]

I have done it myself and used Magical Memories Travel. Doing it myself I was applying the codes and making my own ADRs, Magical Memories did it all for me.

 

[Cruella 66]

I've done both and last year was my first to use a TA from The Magic for Less. That was GREAT because she monitors for discounts (I'm jonesing for one of those magical 40%'s off...I'm NEVER so lucky) PLUS she also calls and makes our reservations for whatever we want to do. She was fabulous and we're using her again this year.

 

[Kira G.]

I used a travel agent once. They did not automatically apply codes - I had seen the code in the newspaper and called them to see if it was applied. They said they would take care of it. It would not have been done if I had not called.

Since then I have been boking myself on the website and then when the codes come out - I call and have it applied.

Not all travel agents are Disney specialists. There is a Disney specialist training (the "Disney College of Knowledge") that you can do to get a specialist designation. A regular T.A. without specialized Disney knowledge will probably know a lot less than someone who regularly uses the Dis!

The main reason to use a travel agent is not necessarily to save money - they don't have access to any codes that you can't find out about in other ways because Disney doesn't offer specials directly to travel agents. Use a travel agent because they take care of your needs and do the work for you! A good travel agent will solve problems, cut through red tape, and keep an eye out for discounts for you - in general relieve your stress and not add to it!

 

[miraged]

I always book with Pam Schuck, as she is a certified Disney Travel Agent. She even won a trip from Disney to Disney World in Paris last year. She co-ordinates our DDP with early and late hours at the parks, and makes all of our dinner reservations. Everything works out perfectly. In fact, I asked her on our last trip, Sept/ Oct of 2007, about where to find the Singing in the Rain Umbrella at MGM, since we had never been able to find it and she gave me exact directions. So good, in fact, that I was able to share with other guests who wanted to take photos of their children with the umbrella that they needed to stand on the black mat with at least one foot to make it rain. I love having a travel agent so much, I am planning on taking a course myself.
Have a great time!
Donna

 

[Eoywin]

We used Mei Travel for our honeymoon last year, and our TA was awesome - made our ADR, got our MNSSHP and La Nouba tickets, and saved us a boatload of money.

We plan on using them again for our next trip!

 

[Cruella 66]

Singing in the rain umbrella? I've never heard of it! Where is it located???