Using an agent to book WDW trip

[TulipMom]

We went to WDW in Sept 2015 and booked everything ourselves. I got really into the planning and made a successful touring plan. But, I've heard such positives reviews from friends about their experiences with a disney travel agent.

I decided to check out using an agent for our next trip in Oct 2017. My main reasons for using an agent are: #1: to have someone to watch discounts (For our last trip, our hotel that we had booked had discounted rooms offered later but there were no more discounted bookings available by the time I became aware of the promotion)
#2: to see what someone else's ideas are for how to plan our trip. Maybe they'd have some suggestions that we hadn't considered.

But, I still intend to schedule all ADRs and FP+, as I enjoy doing it.

We've been working with an agent who was recommended to us. Over the weeks of sporadically communicating with her, she's gone on 2 Disney trips during which she does not respond to emails. This makes me concerned about how well she'll be watching for discounts and how available she'll be when we may have immediate questions. I emailed her yesterday letting her know that we're ready to book and received an "out of office" reply. I haven't received any personal communication from her. We're ready to book and want to do it yesterday.

Is this pretty typical? Is it unreasonable of me to want a response from a travel agent within 24 hours? I'm leaning toward either booking it myself or with another agent, but I feel bad because she's been sweet and probably spent an hour (cumulatively) of her time quoting and emailing me previously.

And I'm also just kind of wondering if a travel agent is worth it at all for someone like me who knows where we want to stay and wants to do all the reservations anyway. Any thoughts, experiences, or tips?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Honestly, unless your agent can get you special pricing or provide incentives, I see no point if you otherwise intend to do ADRs and FP yourself.

 

[Farro]

Just do it yourself. You'll have less stress when you know it's being done on your timeline and the way you want.

 

[Canooknic]

That is the reason we don't use travel agents! A few trips back used the corporate TA from the company DH works for, they had recently hosted a convention in Orlando and were able to offer us 50% off park tickets because they had leftovers - it definitely made sense to do that but I was so frustrated when I wanted to change something and had to wait for my TA to be back in the office.

Unless I can get a super-amazing deal I'll never use a TA just because I like to have control of my booking (control freak!!!!)

 

[cwis]

Did your travel agent specify an alternate email address to contact? If so, you might send an email there sharing your concerns.

You seem like to be the kind of person that likes being in control. Would you be able to forgive your travel agent if she made a wrong decision for you? If not, you should maybe think about making the reservation yourself.

(Disclaimer: I am this kind of person, and it is always a stressful event when I need to wait more than 48 hours after I send an email for a reply.)

 

[NYCANC]

My Disney TA is wonderful! We were at Disney at the same time and whenever I texted her- she texted me right back!

She got me club level for less money than my 1st room (when it became available with another promotion).

I did all my ADR's but I had her do my FP's and she did amazing- better than I could have done! She listened to everything I said and took notes.

 

[DeanDoug]

My wife is a travel agent specializing in Disney and I don't think your experience is typical. Surely, travel agents, especially part time travel agents will have some time away, but you shouldn't be left waiting long unless they communicate that with you. My wife responds to inquiries even when we are on vacation... she may not be able to gather quotes, but again, will communicate that. Have a magical time!

 

[fsupharm77]

My wife is a travel agent specializing in Disney and I don't think your experience is typical. Surely, travel agents, especially part time travel agents will have some time away, but you shouldn't be left waiting long unless they communicate that with you. My wife responds to inquiries even when we are on vacation... she may not be able to gather quotes, but again, will communicate that. Have a magical time!

My wife is the same way.

 

[fsupharm77]

And I'm also just kind of wondering if a travel agent is worth it at all for someone like me who knows where we want to stay and wants to do all the reservations anyway. Any thoughts, experiences, or tips?

A good TA will be worthwhile for you if you are going during a time that may open up free dining. As we all know the website almost always crashes when they announce it and the phones are usually backed up for hours. My wife has been on hold with them for 2-3 hours getting clients packages changed over. That is time I wouldn't want to spend in the phone.

 

[iheartbelle87]

I like to book everything on my own for the same reasons you mentioned BUT I booked our May trip using a TA as she was able to get me a quote that was $500 LESS than the Disney website which for us is significant. But that would be the only reason I would do so- otherwise I don't see the point.

 

[MillauFr]

Just do it yourself. You'll have less stress when you know it's being done on your timeline and the way you want.

This is generally the way I feel, but I was unwilling to give up the 55% discount the TA was offering for rooms at the Poly. The discounts Disney was offering were a joke compared to my travel agent. Same thing with cruises. I wanted to book direct by Costco was selling the rooms on the cruise for 9% less than Disney would sell them to me for.

 

[pamkat1820]

I was dead set against using any travel agency. Our first 2 trips I booked everything myself. But then I came across an agency here offering a great deal. To be completely honest I have not been able to find a deal directly with Disney that can bet it since 2009 with the buy 3 get 4 free. U have to shop around for the best deal and what works best for you. Both times when we have used an agency we booked the room and tickets with them, but I have done all our ADR , FP and flights myself

 

[Vasiliki76]

Has anyone gotten a better deal than renting the DVC points? I honestly didn't even consider using a TA because I didn't think a bigger discount was possible. I tried in 2015 and the amounts were higher. I felt bad having a TA do the work and then not go w/ them due to price. I'm wondering if I should at least get a quote for 2018 before the DVC rental.

 

[ErinsMommy]

first and only time we used a travel agent was through AAA and I HATED everything about it. I couldn't call about my reservation other than to make FP or ADRs, and felt like the requests I made to the travel agent was putting her out. I asked her to turn the reservation back over to me, which she did, and have been booking direct since.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I prefer to do all of the booking on my own. I like to have 100% control over my reservation, etc...

That being said, I have used a TA in the past for a great deal and will do so again if that's my cheapest option.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I was unwilling to give up the 55% discount the TA was offering for rooms at the Poly.

When the discount is substantial, it can be worth a little nuisance.

Has anyone gotten a better deal than renting the DVC points?

Yes. It is frequently similar in pricing to get into SSR and OKW using Disney discounts vs. point rental. In most other cases, you have to also consider that the discount you're getting with a TA is for a different room/room category. DVC units have different layouts, different amenities and different housekeeping schedules.

I have definitely seen times when you can get a Poly Standard room or a Contemporary GW room cheaper than point rental. In the latter case, a GW room has a better layout for a group of 4 than a BLT studio does, and will actually accommodate 5, unlike a BLT studio.

 

[bumbershoot]

And I'm also just kind of wondering if a travel agent is worth it at all for someone like me who knows where we want to stay and wants to do all the reservations anyway.

I can't see a reason unless there's a discount you truly cannot get elsewhere. Having someone else offer ideas? Just ask here. We answer for free. And I actually don't think that's something to expect of a TA.

Keep an eye on the discount forum here and you'll know just as much as a TA. And I'd rather be on hold myself than have a TA with twenty other clients be on hold for me.

This is generally the way I feel, but I was unwilling to give up the 55% discount the TA was offering for rooms at the Poly. The discounts Disney was offering were a joke compared to my travel agent.

Same thing with cruises. I wanted to book direct by Costco was selling the rooms on the cruise for 9% less than Disney would sell them to me for.

Oh if it's THAT TA with that discount, sure. Not that I've used them.

And Costco for cruises absolutely.

But I personally am not asking them for advice and ideas. I get those here. The TA is solely to get me a better deal.

 

[Vasiliki76]

When the discount is substantial, it can be worth a little nuisance.


Yes. It is frequently similar in pricing to get into SSR and OKW using Disney discounts vs. point rental. In most other cases, you have to also consider that the discount you're getting with a TA is for a different room/room category. DVC units have different layouts, different amenities and different housekeeping schedules.

I have definitely seen times when you can get a Poly Standard room or a Contemporary GW room cheaper than point rental. In the latter case, a GW room has a better layout for a group of 4 than a BLT studio does, and will actually accommodate 5, unlike a BLT studio.

Thanks! I'm going to start watching that board before I book 2018. We got a huge discount last time w/ the point rental, but I like the idea of getting a discount and then better cancellation policies. Will save on insurance.

 

[JB Smooth]

which travel agents do you recommend for disney? the only two ive quoted in the past week were the same price as Disney.

 

[buzznina]

I will use our TA when they have their own TA exclusive special, because I have not been able to beat it in the past, else I just do it myself. Our TA is great, I asked a simple question and told her no rush in getting back to me since I knew she was on vacation. I received an email that evening from her answering my question. She has always gotten back with me the same day or the next day if I sent her an email at night.