Using a travel agent

[BeckyScott]

I promise, this does get relevant to disabilities...

I went to the Disney website and put in our info to get a price on what we want. Then I went to two different Disney-specialty online travel agencies and requested quotes. All 3 numbers came back exactly the same.

Are there any obvious advantages/ disadvantages to doing the reservations myself as opposed to thru a travel agent?

Specifically, I had read somewhere (and probably here on the disboards although it's been a while ago) that if you go thru a travel agent then the agent is the one that needs to do all the ADRs, and any special stuff you need the travel agent is the one who has to contact Disney.

I would prefer not to do that, as for example, if an ADR is not available at the time I want, for me to be able to "think on my feet" and re-arrange the way I want to re-arrange. Also, my understanding is that with dietary restrictions I would email Brenda Bennett, and likely some of the restaurants would contact me prior to our trip. If we go thru a travel agent, will that still happen, or will the travel agent be handling that? I would prefer to speak to them myself so there is no confusion.

It apparantly isn't going to save me any money to use a travel agency, we are traveling at a peak time, and that was the main reason I requested quotes, to see if it would be cheaper that way. Barring any other really good reason, I am thinking it best just to do it myself.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[SueM in MN]

I would agree with everything you wrote.
One of the things that is most important for someone with a disability is control.
One of the main things you give up with a travel agent is control.
You may have a good travel agent who understands your needs and will do everything well, or you may have someone who thinks they do. And, in some situations like the ADR one you mentioned, the TA might have to guess what you would chose.
We do use a TA sometimes for flights. We have one we have used for a number of trips and she's very good at finding flights at good prices that meet our criteria. But, for anything else, we schedule ourselves.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If you're booking for yourself and have any special room requirements, make sure you know how to phrase it. If, for instance, you need to be near to a bus stop or on the ground floor because of mobility problems, make sure you have the request listed "for medical reasons". Also, be aware that there are two types of accessible rooms: one with a tub with grab-rails, and one with a roll-in shower. If you need an accessible room, make sure you specify your requirements clearly.

A lot of people like to ring up a few days before they fly out, to make sure they have all their requests met. It's a lot easier to fix something a few days before you arrive, than when you get there, tired from the flight.

Have a great trip!

 

[mrmagicmph]

Using a travel agent or not is completely up to you. However, one thing that you've heard is incorrect. While a Disney specialist travel agent CAN make your ADRs for you, they DO NOT have to do so. You can tell them that you'd prefer to that yourself and they're more than happy to. Additionally, you can always contact Brenda Bennett yourself at any time. She's terrific and has never asked me if I'm using a travel agent or not; she just gets back to you with what you need.

The one thing about travel agents, even when traveling at peak times, is that sometimes specials may come available that the travel agent (if it's a good one, I wholeheartedly recommend one of the Disney specialist agencies over any other type, if you're going to use one) will almost immediately contact you to find out if you wish to be rebooked on 'that' special or not.

Anyway, whatever you decide, Enjoy the Magic!