Which TA to go with?

[impulse]

Hi all, I've been reading the DIS board for some time now, but only started posting just now!

A bunch of friends and I are planning to go WDW for our graduation in a few years. I thought I'd start planning/researching early to ensure a quality trip ahead.

We've decided to go with an online TA, however, we're stuck between 3 of them.

There's Dream's Unlimited , Small World Vacation , and Mouse Ear Vacation. Which one do you think we should go for?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

We've used Dream's Unlimited to book our past 3 trips and the upcoming trip. My agent has been great. She got us the AP discount and PS's (or ADR's) every single time...

 

[tone.def]

They seem to be the big names floating around on the DIS. Basically, they all do the same job - make your ressie, search for deals/discounts, make your dining ressies. I use none of those 3... Personally, I use Dream Come True Vacations. They do the same job as the others. The agent I have is a Canadian (not sure if that matters to you or not).

Go with whoever emails you back first with the best quote!

 

[impulse]

Thanks folks for the response!

I think I'm going to go with what tone.def said, and see which ones gives me the best quote.

tone.def -- Did having a Canadian agent provide you with an advantage of some sort? Like easier flight booking from Canada or something else?

 

[tone.def]

Thanks folks for the response!

I think I'm going to go with what tone.def said, and see which ones gives me the best quote.

tone.def -- Did having a Canadian agent provide you with an advantage of some sort? Like easier flight booking from Canada or something else?

Impulse - if you want flight booked for you with your online Disney TA, you're into a whole new ballgame now...

~ From DU site: At this time Dreams Unlimited Travel is no longer offering air fare through the Walt Disney Travel Company. We suggest contacting your preferred carrier directly, or visiting their website, to purchase air.

~ Small World Vacations does not have anywhere on their quote request form for flight

~ From DCTV: At this time Dream Come True Vacations is only offering air fare through the Walt Disney Travel Company as part of your Magic Your Way Package. Airfare is not available with AAA/CAA/Annual Passholder or any other Room-Only options. Airfare is only available for US airports.

~ Mouse Ears does have a flight option listed, but I don't know about what they book.


My thing about having a Canadian agent is the whole "buy local" to keep our economy moving. Like when I buy clothes, I look for "Made in Canada" tags.

For flight, you are not going to get a good deal out of Canada to Orlando, unless you count $400 as a good deal (I don't). If you can, go to an airport in the states. Fly Southwest - download their DING software. I got my flight roundtrip for $97.21 USD. Chances are good, you'll get a better deal with air fare by booking it on your own.

 

[misslissa]

I was told by one of the Mouseearvacations people that it is better off to book your own flights, however, if you give them your flight numbers and stuff, they can provide you with insurance for that flight.

It definitely is more cost efficient. And, although you are in Toronto, you will definitely want to consider flying out Buffalo or somewhere else that is American... it is much much much cheaper, and I for one, hate flying out of Pearson.

 

[impulse]

Oops, forgot that they don't provide flights!

Yea, I'm going to go with Buffalo for sure, it's a lot cheaper that way.

As for which TA, I'm going to ask for a quote from all of them once the date looms a bit closer, it's still kinda far away right now.

I have to say, everyone on this board is very helpful and nice, thanks everyone!

 

[minnie56]

When booking with online TA's if they are in the U.S. They are not part of 'Tico' and therefore if they go out of business or anything else should go wrong, you are out your money.
Often you 'get what you pay for' with a Travel Agent..

 

[tone.def]

When booking with online TA's if they are in the U.S. They are not part of 'Tico' and therefore if they go out of business or anything else should go wrong, you are out your money.
Often you 'get what you pay for' with a Travel Agent..

Do some more research on that...

From DU:
Q - Do I have to pay you up front for my vacation?

A - No. The deposit requirements are set by Walt Disney Travel Co., Inc.(deposit rates vary based on the resort or package you select). That deposit is made via Dreams Unlimited directly with Disney. At no time does Dreams Unlimited ever charge your credit card. This way you are assured that your deposit is applied directly to your vacation at the time of booking. Packages do require that you pay the balance 45 days prior to your arrival. Again, that payment is made directly to Disney via Dreams Unlimited.


From DCTV:
When you see your credit card statement, it will say that the charges were paid to the Walt Disney Travel Company, NOT to Dream Come True Vacations.


I don't think Disney is going out of business anytime soon!!!

Many agencies in the states are covered by either IATA or CLIA, both insuring, governing bodies in the states, like TICO in Canada...

I researched this far and wide before I booked my trip!

 

[minnie56]

Many agencies ARE part of CLIA (Cruise Line Agencies) and Iata (Not all)...but they do not always have to protect Canadians...Trust me, I have heard some stories when dealing with online travel companies. Not to say this is the case with DU..but lots of them are 'here today and gone tomorrow' especially in the U.S! It just pays to be choosy and careful..They take your money, and the Supplier, Airline, Cruise Line never see it and that leaves the buyer out in the cold!

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

We've decided to go with an online TA, however, we're stuck between 3 of them.

There's Dream's Unlimited, Small World Vacations, and Mouse Ear Vacations. Which one do you think we should go for?

I'd be interested to hear how you narrowed your choice to those 3, and also, what your experiences have been in dealing with each.

Also, when do you plan on taking your trip?

Michael

 

[impulse]

I'd be interested to hear how you narrowed your choice to those 3, and also, what your experiences have been in dealing with each.

Also, when do you plan on taking your trip?

Michael

A large amount of people, Canadians and U.S. citizens alike have been using Dream's Unlimited, plus the fact that they have good customer reviews from all over the place.

The other two are largely used as well, good reputation, good customer reviews. All of them are also protected by different agencies... Authorized Disney Vacation planner... generally I picked out these three because it's what I've seen, in large quantities, on the DIS board and other consumer-run disneysites.

As for when we're going on the trip, we're planning on summer of 2007, which sounds far away when you first say it, but alas, it's only 1 and and a half years away! And with a lot of my friends coming on this trip, I'd thought I get started -- just a tad early, rather then scrambling at the last minute. This means I won't really be asking for a quote just yet, but at least I got it down as to what to look for in a TA.

Hope this help DisneyGeek2000!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I would not use a travel agent that is not a member of TICO. You have no assurances from an American online travel agent. Most Canadian travel agents have at least one member of their staff who has received specialized training from the Walt Disney Company.

Another poster has already pointed out the positive nature of spending one's travel dollars with a Canadian travel agent -- if you're determined to use a travel agent, why not keep at least some of your money working in your community?

 

[impulse]

Another poster has already pointed out the positive nature of spending one's travel dollars with a Canadian travel agent -- if you're determined to use a travel agent, why not keep at least some of your money working in your community?

Err... I didn't say I was going with any particular TAs, in fact, I won't be asking for a quote from any TA until some time later...

I came on this board asking for advice on which TA to go with, and thank goodness I did, because tone.def gave me some info about Dreams Come True, a Canadian TA that I've never heard of. And it's great to keep that as a part of my option.

Infact, if anyone has any Canadian TA that they know that does offers as good of a price as all the TAs I know so far, and are cover by TICO, please feel free to list it in your post!

I mean, it would be a lot easier since I maybe able to contact an agent in Toronto or nearby area, my investment would be covered by TICO, I'd spend the same amount of money, AND keep the Canadian economy going -- There's literally no reason for me to not to use Canadian TAs, I'd be stupid not to.

The problem is that the only one I know so far is Dreams Comes True, and when it comes to the pricing of this vacation, I want to be able to grab the lowest prices and the most delicious deals. And I can't do that unless I ask a quote from multiple TAs first.

So please, if anyone has any Canadian TAs that offers the same pricing and is covered by TICO, post them! I would love to know about them!

 

[Cruiser1969]

I'd also be interested in this information. I'm completely torn when it comes to booking my trip.

 

[minnie56]

I am a TA as one might suspect

I specialize in Cruises (all lines) and Disney and have take the accredited Disney training course in addition to being Disney 'obssessed' myself!!

If I can be of help or guidance I would be happy to do so. Just PM me!

Karen