Using Travel Agents

[NCDisNut]

Can you guys please help me as I begin to plan a trip?

I've been to Disney many times, and I'd like to go back in November. Usually, I make all of my own travel plans, but I'm extremely busy this time, and I wanted to consider letting a travel agent help. I tried to use Dreams Unlimited one other time, but they told me they could not put me in the cabins because there were none available. I called Disney, and booked the two cabins myself.

Now, as I reconsider using a travel agent, I have several question:

1) Is there one travel agent that can be trusted more than others?
2) Do some travel agencies just try to push "their products"?
3) Should you get help from more than one agency and then just choose the best offer?

Thank you in advance for any help that you can provide.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I would definitely reccomend a Disney Specialist Travel Agent. They are more knowledgeable about the Disney product that any other out there. And they will usually develop an itinerary and make your dining reservations.

Your experience with Dreams is a common occurence. When your agent looked into a cabin, it may have been unavailable. But then folks cancel things and they become available.

I'm not sure what "product" a travel agent could push. But the Disney specialists don't push anything, that I know. They're usually very honest in answering questions based on YOUR needs - not based on what kind of commission they may get from you.

Also beware - once you make a reservation with an agency, if you decide you want a different agent, chances are you'll have to cancel your reservation and rebook with another agency. A lot of agencies, out of professional courtesy, won't transfer a reservation that's held by another agency.

I hope you're able to find what you need!

 

[safetymom]

I recommend using a travel agency that has Disney specialists. Online travel agencies sometimes have a different block of rooms to sell, where Disney has access to more rooms. Also as Snacky mentioned sometimes they are sold out, then someone cancels, and if you call in at the right time you will get the room.

Dreams is a great agency to deal with. They are very knowledgeable about WDW.

 

[jann1033]

really stupid question..... who pays for a ta?? is it more to use one? if not what are the pros and cons

 

[SoosieQ]

It is not more money to book with a TA as oppose to Disney directly. If you book with a TA you do not have to sweat the small stuff. Also price is not everything, service is. Find an agent that you work well with and does not considered you just a sale.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

Disney pays the travel agent a commission for their work but this does not cost the customer any more.

 

[fanofdisney]

How do I find a Disney specialist? I would also like to use one next time. Less stress! I was so afraid last time that I would book a flight for a wrong time and not notice, among other mistakes which I'm quite capable of.

 

[SoosieQ]

Disney Specialist usually use that in any advertising that they do or you might call Disney and they can direct you to someone. OR you could always ask the agency when you call if they have a Disney Specialist on staff.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I prefer using a travel agent for our big trips. Weekend getaways, I do myself. I am not sure if we are "allowed" to say here the ones we use. The one I am using was highly recommended and so far has saved us hundreds of dollars. I can call or email with any questions and the response is lightening quick. My gal is even watching and will adjust my package if a better deal comes along between now and the time we go.

 

[NCDisNut]

Well, by pushing a product, I guess it seemed that the person I was working with really wanted to put me into a specific resort and didn't want to entertain anything else. I asked for the cabins, and she told me that they weren't available and recommended another resort. I responsed that I'd either like the cabins or the Wilderness Lodge, and she replied that neither was available and offered to put me into that same resort. I had checked before contacting them, and cabins were available. I check when she replied the second time and they were still available. After her second email, I just booked it myself.

It really made me wonder if their agency had secured a block of rooms at a good rate and was trying to push them. I don't remember which resort it was... Saratoga maybe.

Also, today I went online to Disneyworld.com and checked availability and priced out my trip. I contacted a travel agent and told them what I wanted and them came back with an identical (or at least very close) quote. I was hoping that they'd be able to get something better than just standard off the site stuff.

I guess that's what led me to my final question. Is this an area where you should get multiple quotes (from different agencies not agents within the same agency) or is that considered to be bad form?

Thanks again...

 

[isyt]

I am a stay at home Disney specialist and I do agree with everything people have said. Usually TA's ( besides our friends are on the dis) are the first to find out new promotions and search out the best way to book your vacation. A DS should be able to tell you about tours, restuarants and set up of the parks. You should never be paying more for the use of any TA but some agencies now charge a ticketing fee because airlines don't pay commissions any more. The most important thing is that you are comfortable with whom ever you choose. Good Luck!!

Just saw your last post and Disney very seldom gives ta's special deals, Usually the only discount would be AAA. A non AAA agent can get you a AAA rate if its available. Generally that is it, most of the time any agent should get you air cheaper, almost never get air through Disney.

 

[SoosieQ]

If you do call different agencies I would be honest with them about getting other quotes. Also make sure that each agency is pricing out the same thing (apples to apples). If they are looking at the same thing than they should have the same price, it would be the customer service that will divide them

 

[NCDisNut]

Good advice. Thank you

 

[TN Traveler]

NCDisNut--
Hi, I'm going to try and answer some of your questions as best as I can w/o getting flamed. I am a travel agent; have been for 10 yrs. I specialize in family vacations, cruises and honeymoons. I also work from my home so that I can put my kids on the bus as well as be home when they get off the bus. Having a flexible schedule like this allows me to meet my clients on THEIR schedules, not them having to break their necks to get to me during usual office hours. With that being said, I would strongly encourage you to find an agent in your area that specializes in Disney. Ask if they have been through any courses on Disney. I have. I went through the College of Knowledge several years ago and continue to update myself on all the new things coming out. I admit, I may not be as knowledgeable as some agents that are strictly Disney Agent b/c I have not eaten at every restaurant or stayed in every resort there but I think I'm fairly well informed about the Park. The nice thing about using an agent for ANYTHING you do is we do all the work and you don't have to pay us! The cruise line, tour company or hotel pays us. I also recommend using a local agent b/c you keep your money and your business in your home town. I don't like dealing w/anyone that I can't meet personally--call me old fashioned but I like the one on one contact.

You mentioned that an agency you were working w/couldn't get the specific cabin/resort you wanted so recommend trying another. Here's how that works. Most tour companies have a certain number of rooms available at each resort. When those are sold out, they can request the space but usually you won't get it. A good agent will offer you other resorts that are comparable to the one you are looking for. She/He will continue to request the specific resort for you if they have a deposit on the trip. I know recently I had someone booked in a certain Disney resort, they wanted to change to a different one so I called Disney EVERY DAY hoping the resort had a cancellation and I was able to make the change. It's very time consuming and unless I have money in house on the booking, I won't do it. Same goes for specific cruises or cabin categories.

If you would like more details on this and how things are handled, you can send me a PM and I'll be happy to shed a little light on it. I think alot of people believe you have to pay a travel agent a fee but you don't...or at least those in my area (Nashville) do not charge a fee. Our services are free. Travel agents are not known for their large incomes; we do this because we love travel and love working w/people. That's why I do it. I love people, I love helping w/honeymoons and vacations and making people happy.

Hope to hear from you!!

Karen aka...TN Traveler

 

[gigi1313]

i, too, have always been a do-it-myself travel planner... have even planned and arranged/booked trips for friends and family members... but for our last trip, i was so stressed w/running all the numbers, grabbing the discounts, trying to compare apples to apples and calling wdwtravelco that i finally gave up and sent my requests to a few agents for quotes... i was fortunate enough to find an agent right here on the disboards that was a wealth of knowledge and easy to work with and extremely efficient... so much so that i have referred friends and family members to her... our trip was wonderful due in part to her untiring assistance!

we're already planning our next trip and before i even ran it past dh, i ran it past my TA! LOL!

if anyone would like her email addy/website info, just pm me

 

[mom2grace]

NCDisNut--
You mentioned that an agency you were working w/couldn't get the specific cabin/resort you wanted so recommend trying another. Here's how that works. Most tour companies have a certain number of rooms available at each resort. When those are sold out, they can request the space but usually you won't get it. A good agent will offer you other resorts that are comparable to the one you are looking for. She/He will continue to request the specific resort for you if they have a deposit on the trip. I know recently I had someone booked in a certain Disney resort, they wanted to change to a different one so I called Disney EVERY DAY hoping the resort had a cancellation and I was able to make the change. It's very time consuming and unless I have money in house on the booking, I won't do it. Same goes for specific cruises or cabin categories.


Karen aka...TN Traveler

I am in a similar situation....I am at a deluxe, and want to downgrade to a less expensive room at the same resort. TA says they are not available to book yet (going 5/06), however on the WDW website I can book it all the way through. My TA works for one of the ones highly recommended on this board.

Is the commission based on the dollar amount of the booking, or is it a flat rate?

Can you give me advice?

 

[SnackyStacky]

I am in a similar situation....I am at a deluxe, and want to downgrade to a less expensive room at the same resort. TA says they are not available to book yet (going 5/06), however on the WDW website I can book it all the way through. My TA works for one of the ones highly recommended on this board.

Is the commission based on the dollar amount of the booking, or is it a flat rate?

Can you give me advice?

Commission is based on the rate of the room you book.

You should definitely be able to downgrade. EVERYTHING is out for 2006.

 

[CarolA]

I have used DU without a problem.

Probably the reason the cabins were avaiable is that Disney keeps some to sell themselves. Not all rooms/cabins are made avaialbe to TAs. (Having just priced a cruise I know WHY Disney is keeping them.... thier quote was several hundred dollars higher then DU, CostCo or Travelocity!)