What do you think about this advice from a Travel Agent?

[Kat&Dom]

A co-worker of mine is heading to Disneyworld next month. Her travel agent told her park their vehicle at Epcot every day and catch the train to all the other parks. I was like "What?" It just didn't make sense to me. I told her it would be smarter to park at the park she is visiting and if they do park hop, to show her parking pass to avoid paying parking a second time (they are staying offsite and renting a car). I told her that the monorail just runs between Magic Kingdom and Epcot and there are no trains to the other parks . I wasn't sure if the travel agent was talking about the Trams so I told my co-worker that each park has trams that give you a ride to the front gate of the park so you don't have to walk. I can't for the life of me figure out the Travel Agent's advice and how that would be even helpful.

I kind of feel sorry for my co-worker because everyone she has talked to has given her different advice. She came and talked to me today because she knows that I have been several times. Her brother-in-law told her to not even bother with World Showcase at Epcot because there is nothing for kids to do. I told her about the passports, the kid's activity centers, what each pavillion offers - like the rides at Norway and Mexico. Her daughters are just a little older than my son so I know that they would love the World Showcase.

I explained the fastpass system to her so she is quite excited to utilize it. She was like "Why doesn't everyone use fastpass?" I told her that some people think it costs extra, some can't be bothered to do research about it and some people figure that they are at the ride so they might as well stand in line.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Thank goodness she has you to talk to! I don't understand either why a travel agent would suggest that. They obviously have never been to Disne, . and do not understand the transportation system.

 

[roxysmum123]

I told her that the monorail just runs between Magic Kingdom and Epcot and there are no trains to the other parks .

And beyond that, its two separate trains on two separate tracks so it's not like she can hop on at Epcot and hop off at Magic Kingdom!

Clearly that TA needs to look at a map of WDW.

 

[newdeal]

Clearly you are steering her in the right direction and her agent is clueless

 

[minnie mum]

Just another reason why I will never book a WDW trip with a travel agent. Almost impossible to know in advance if they REALLY know what they're talking about. Glad you were able to help out your friend.

All of our friends know that we're long time Dis vets, so are frequently asked questions. While we are more than happy to help out, we also always recommend that newbies get a really good WDW Guide Book and read it cover to cover before they go. Or even better: before they make their reservations.

 

[redrosesix]

Thank goodness she has you to talk to! I don't understand either why a travel agent would suggest that. They obviously have never been to Disne, . and do not understand the transportation system.

Ditto

Maybe park at TTC for the day -- maybe -- but I'd definitely park where I was visiting.

 

[monkey30]

WOW I guess that TA has no clue!!

I got a call from another friend asking about DL! She was asking all these things and the TA told ehr the fastpasses cost extra blah blah blah. I swear this TA is on crack I have had a few talk to me after booking with him, and she asked me if I figured WDW would have been cheaper and I told flat out yes, next time come to me and I will help you plan it!

 

[Sue M]

I think most general TA's don't have a clue about WDW. We would only consider using a Disney Authorized Vacation Planner. They specialize in Disney Vacations and in my experience do know all about Disney.

Sad some TAs give out info even though they haven't a clue, and have never been to WDW.

If your friend was park hopping, it would make sense to park at the second park they will end up in, so their car will be at the park they will leave to go home from. They can just take the bus, boat, monorail to the morning park.
Much easier then leaving at park closing and trying to get back to the morning park to get the car.

Myself, I happily stay on site, and don't bother with a car

 

[Disney Addicted]

I think most general TA's don't have a clue about WDW. We would only consider using a Disney Authorized Vacation Planner. They specialize in Disney Vacations and in my experience do know all about Disney.

Sad some TAs give out info even though they haven't a clue, and have never been to WDW.

It's too bad most people don't google Disney *before* contacting a TA. This board was so easy to find and after a few reads I was convinced to only contact a DAVP.

 

[fan1080]

I booked with a TA for every Disney trip we've been on. There are other reasons to do so beyond them being Disney knowledgable.

I take care of all the research on cost, planning, ticket requirements, etc, and then give her the details of what I want.

As for the advice given by the TA in this thread, definitely bad advice, but likely nothing more than an honest mistake.

 

[newdeal]

I booked with a TA for every Disney trip we've been on. There are other reasons to do so beyond them being Disney knowledgable.

I take care of all the research on cost, planning, ticket requirements, etc, and then give her the details of what I want.

As for the advice given by the TA in this thread, definitely bad advice, but likely nothing more than an honest mistake.

I can't think of a single reason to book through a travel agent that provides any benefit other than keeping them in a job. Other than that it is far better and easier and usually cheaper to book separately by yourself.

 

[LSmith]

I can't think of a single reason to book through a travel agent that provides any benefit other than keeping them in a job. Other than that it is far better and easier and usually cheaper to book separately by yourself.

I booked with a travel agent once, in 1997, when I didn't know what I was doing. Never had any need to again.

 

[nichanda]

I booked with a TA for my upcoming trip, just to have the peace of mind that I didn't mess anything up when it comes to flights/hotels.

However, I asked advice on some Disney topics, such a recommended length of park tickets, Universal ticket questions (if two days was needed or just one day), transfers to and from the airport, etc. Other than give me the prices for the park tickets for different number of days, she didn't have any advice for me and basically ignored my questions. We booked with her only because she found a better deal on flight and hotel than we found, but ended up arranging our own airport transfers, and park tickets.

This was the first time booking with this TA as usually we go with another TA, who is outside of our town. We decided to try this TA as she was local. For all upcoming trips I'll be booking with our previous TA as she is much more knowledgeable and offers advice where ever she can. If she doesn't know the answer, she will find out and let you know quite quickly. I got the impression this TA only seen the dollar signs, and not the customer service aspect.

I guess it's all in finding a GOOD TA, then sticking with them.

 

[xipetotec]

Just wow... I guess some travel agents don't specialize in Disney cause that's just... I don't even...

 

[wasabi girl]

I always used an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to book my trips until my daughter became a cast member...

I used my TA for convenience. I was working 60+ hours/week and didn't have time to do all the research, book dining, tours, tee times, transfers if I flew into Sanford. I don't think I ever paid more than if I booked directly with Disney. For people who hang out on the Disboards, I doubt that any really need a TA. Everyone here is so knowledgeable and helpful...and you can find several opinions on nearly everything you've wondered about. This is a great resource. BUT how many people going to Disney actually bother to do their research? Obviously this includes some TAs.

 

[Disney Addicted]

I can't think of a single reason to book through a travel agent that provides any benefit other than keeping them in a job. Other than that it is far better and easier and usually cheaper to book separately by yourself.

Well, honestly if you have a good TA there are plenty of good reasons to book with a TA. Problem is... it sounds like there are more "ehhh" TA's than good ones.

Sure, I consider myself highly Disney knowledgeable. But I'll still book my Disney trips with my Disney TA! If something goes wrong with my reservation, I'll know she will go to bat and get it resolved so I don't have to. Wanted to add 2 more days once but online reservations were showing CSR sold out. I phoned her and she was able to get the 2 extra days added. My TA will also book my meals at 180-days out - 1st thing when dining online opens. I have total access to change my ADRs or tweak them as needed after that.

Same with airfare. Only so far we travel out of Buffalo and do that ourselves as Canadian TA's cannot.

 

[Alderbrook]

My GF & her family stayed offsite the first time they went to DW a few years ago & their hotel shuttle only went to Epcot & they had to make their way to whatever park they wanted to go to from there & make their way back to Epcot to catch the shuttle back to their resort so maybe it's considered to be the "central travel point" because of the monorail?

 

[LuvSnowWhite]

Don't forget to tell your friend about "Kim Possible" for the kids at Epcot. There is so much for kids AND adults at Epcot.
As for TA. I used a Disney specialist TA for my last trip and she was very good. I think they just take the stress of the booking off one's plate. If you are busy working, etc. If a better offer comes up after you book these Disney TA's will be able to apply the less expensive package. Little things like that. Oh and her name was "Minnie" how apropos.
Having said that I have booked my own trip this time right on the WDW site, and it's easy to do the ADR's online.
It's good that they have knowledgeable friends like you who can give them accurate advice.

 

[fan1080]

I can't think of a single reason to book through a travel agent that provides any benefit other than keeping them in a job. Other than that it is far better and easier and usually cheaper to book separately by yourself.

If something were to go wrong with a flight (cancelled specificly) while you are away, you are on your own without a TA. A TA will look after those issues for you and make any arrangements needed. If you are on your own, you will have to take time out of your vacation to make alternate arrangements.

My TA doesn't charge me to book through her, she gets commission for the sale. So since it doesn't cost me anything, it's a simple decision to know I won't have to take time out of my vacation to fix something if it was required.

A good example is the whole fiasco a few years back when a carrier here in Canada went under, stranding thousands of travellers without a flight home. I can't imagine the nightmare that would have been trying to find alternate return flights.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Many credit cards now offer travel insurance when you book. We put everything on our TD Visa travel rewards card so if flights are cancelled then visa will reimburse us for the lost ticket. It is all covered. I personally will never use a travel agent again. It was the first time we had gone (as adults), and didn't know any better. Now we book everything ourselves. It just makes sense especially with the Internet now, you can compare prices and research out things yourself. We do all of our trips this way now, even when we did Alaska and Texas.