Who else feels like a DVC/Disney travel agent?

[littlestar]

We're getting ready to head out to Disney tomorrow. My daughter works in surgery at a local hospital. Most of the nurses know she is going to Disney AGAIN. She is the resident Disney resource for her hospital - word gets out, you know. She has promised some nurses to "ask mom" about any good deals for packages this spring and summer. She also has promised to pick up park brochures/resort pictures to bring back for them.

We laugh and say we feel like Disney travel agents. I'm thinking about printing up a help sheet for the next time someone wants advice on what Disney hotel to stay at, flights, cars, park passes, etc.

I know we can't be the only ones that get these questions. How about some of you other DVC members - do you get lots of "how do I plan a trip to Disney questions?"

 

[The4OfUs]

I actually go through the whole DVC "explanation" A LOT. For example, the kids had dental appointments last week and I ended up talking about DVC to the hygenist, and now she wants to take a tour when she goes down in October. LOL! And everyone I talk to about it goes "You should SELL these things!" I guess I get a little excited... *blush*

 

[Florida Princess]

A funny story about DVC info. My Husband had a DVC Golf shirt on while taking his stress test. All the nurses gathered around the treadmill asking him questions and getting info about Disney and DVC. He was fine for a while but then had to say " I'll talk more when I'm finished running on this machine." He laughs about it now but at the time he said between trying to talk so much and walk(FAST) he thought he would have a heart attack!
Good news was that his health and heart were fine AND the staff got all the info that they needed.

Florida Princess


DVC---OKW since 1992

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Yes, I've done some tip sheets when some friends and family have gone to Disney World. Suggestions on where to eat, snacks not to miss, attractions not to miss. The most recent couple has a 9 month old and had no idea about the child swap. Good thing they talked to me!

I love it, and they really appreciate the tips (although they think I'm a little nuts...)

 

[FamilyGuy]

I had never been to Orlando before December of 2004. just a couple of months later I am, full of knowledge, DVC membership in hand.

I was a gathering a couple of weeks ago, with several of our neighbours, and after talking about all things Disney for about an hour, including our decision to purchase DVC, they started commenting that I should work for the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, as I probably knew more about Orlando that most employees there..... LOL

Funny thing is, most of my information was picked up here and also from the other sites such as mousesavers / allears as well as the unofficial guide book!

At what point is it considered going overboard?

 

[ChickieToo]

I'm usually a little hesitant to talk about Disney too much because some people don't get that it is more than the parks. It's the resorts, it's the Boardwalk at night, it's the safety and convenience and all the things that keep us coming back. But people do seem to find out we're experienced Disney-trippers and we get asked lots of question. I give them my books, links to websites, brochures, etc. Just yesterday waiting for my daughter at dance class, an aquaintance who asked for Disney advise for a holiday park/cruise combo trip was just gushing about the great time she had, and she was thanking me for all the help. She was explaining how she wants to go back already and she just got home. Then she asked the big question: "Do you know what that DVC is about? I wanted to take the tour, but was too busy!" Well, I finally came clean and explained the whole thing to her. Now she wants to join that too. Same thing with another friend of mine who went for the first time in Novemeber. Three weeks later she was looking at her pictures and called me and said "I want to go again!"

It seems like almost everyone I help out ends up getting Disney fever and wants to go again. Except my inlaws--too expensive for their taste. LOL! At least now we never have to offer to take them on our points again. However, my FIL did say that I should write a newsletter about how to make the most of your Disney trip. Little does he know that I know nothing compared to some other DISsers!

A least I have another friend that takes the family to Disney on a yearly basis--at least someone understands the insanity!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I was told I give more information than a travel agent! I just finished planning meals for my S-I-L's brother.
Gee, maybe I should charge by the hour LOL.

 

[WDWLVR]

DH and I are the Disney resource for family, friends and co-workers.


Just gave the in-laws time a Vero as an anniversary present. Gave them room options and dates - told them to pick the ones they wanted and I'd do the rest.

We've done it for the parks and cruises too.

I always do a scrapbook after each cruise/visit and that opens up lots of questions and comments from co-workers.

 

[alsipd]

I AM the Disney Travel agent for our family. Anytime anyone goes to Disney they call me for options and "Best Practices"!

I have to say, it is cool to be in demand!

 

[eva]

We definitely are the travel advisors for family and friends going to WDW. It's funny, my husband will come home with lists of questions from co-workers who are planning a trip. We have been members since 1997 and have 6 referals to DVC under our belt. We have been asked so many questions about DVC from people returning home, that I finally made up a 3-ring binder with all the DVC information that I know and tons of pictures for them to look over. It also contains contact information for our guide. I think that we have made an impression on her. Every trip we have had a voicemail from her waiting for us in our villa.

 

[DVC-Don]

My wife and I have a small business. I came back to the office one afternoon last week and someone was sitting in a guest chair at my desk. I asked my wife what was up and she said "she wants to talk to you about going to WDW". Word gets out .......... I was glad to help.

 

[DisneySpence]

Yes it seems any time a family member has friends going to WDW they get them to call us for tips and hints and general info on everything from rooms to tickets and airfare. I keep telling my wife we need to start charging a fee for all this work we do we eventually end up planning their entire trips.

 

[Bugeye]

We have a terrifiv travel agent, bar none but when it comes to Disney, she'll call me to ask questions about likes and dislikes, little known facts, etc.

 

[rocketriter]

My wife is the Disney Guru for her entire law office. They all come to her to help them plan their trips, and she does a great job--neither commando nor lazy, just nicely balanced.

 

[Divamomto3]

My BIL says he could see me as a DVC Guide. He thinks I should be selling them. I am definitely asked a lot of Disney questions. And I can't help myself from offering up advice. So now I'm on the code watch for a non DVC friend who's looking to save money at the Poly. Before I convinced her to stay onsite, she <gasp> used to stay offsite! eeee-gads!

It's an obsession and I definitely think I could be a full time Disney planner.

 

[deanna2426]

So much so that I actually became a travel agent, specializing in...you guessed it Disney!!!

I spent so much time planning other people's trips and saving them tons using codes, etc. My DH and I were at a b-day party for one of my friend's husbands. They were telling everyone how much I saved them and said "you really should be a travel agent." I thought about (had been in marketing/PR for years before having my DSs, looked into taking a course. I went to school for 12 weeks, passed my TA proficiency test, and got a job as an outside agent (working from home). Now I make money for booking and planning those trips.

No one is paying any extra b/c Disney (and the other tour operators, etc.) pay my commission. Most of the time they are actually saving money b/c they never knew about codes, etc. In addition, I usually do their PSs and give them other helpful info!

So, it is true that you can turn your passion into a profession!!!

 

[KennyK]

It's amazing, We must all come from the same home. Oh!! we do, Mickey's home. My wife, daughter and myself are constantly helping out friends and co-workers plan trips, give information on events, restaurants etc.

Now with the new ticket prices and plans, the questions have increased.

It's amazing how many people go to the parks and don't have a clue on what to expect.

Just a few pointers, some web sites and available books to purchase helps most of them out. Many people comment that I should also sell DVC because we are so positive on this great program. So many people think its the typical time share. (same room, same week option) OH SO WRONG!!.

Kennyk

 

[littlestar]

Deanna2426, that is so cool that you get to do what you love and from home to boot.

Most people do want to take their kids to Disney, at least once in their life.
The first time we even knew about the resorts was 1994 with a stay at Caribbean Beach. We loved it. We didn't even know about DVC until 2000 and we thought it would be outrageously expensive (even more than the deluxe hotels) so we never checked into it. Then in 2001 we met a family that had BWV points and we grilled them about it off and on for four months. Then I found the DVC section of the DIS boards and the rest is history.

I really love all the Disney hotels, from value all the way up to Deluxe and Home Away from Home. I'm so glad Disney has all the different price ranges on their properties so young families can experience the magic. It's always fun to see a parent's face when they find out, hey, maybe I don't have to have the last name Gates or Vanderbilt to afford that Disney trip .

 

[momsgoofy]

Wow! This boat I've been sitting in just gets bigger and bigger....

I've always been the planner in our family, much to DH chagrin as when we first met he was a "fly by the seat of your pants" planner. (I'm reforming him...says he's still the same way, but does so only because his wife is such a great planner...what could he be fishing for??) In the past I've used a TA to do all of the calling for me, but with the help of the guidebooks and mostly DIS boards and a few other sites I've done all of the research to make her life easier. The TA always asks me to come back with loads of info for her and I do...she is a great person who does a lot for me...until now. Since we joined DVC at Thanksgiving I've been doing all the planning, researching and calling to MS myself. It isn't hard...I'm almost done with our Christmas trip.

But, the hard thing is right now I'm trying to help my Dniece who is taking her DH, DD 6, and DD 2 to WDW for their first trip in March...yeah, tried to tell her go at a different time because of the crowd size and knowing her DH doesn't have much patience, but it's the only time they can manage to go. She bought some package from a timeshare...not our beloved DVC, shame on her...and is driving from southern Illinois.

Aargh! Having only one child who started going to WDW when he was 7 I'm at a loss for tips for her. I have posted some of her questions on the DIS boards and am getting some great replies so hopefully it will help. She doesn't have any free time to check the boards herself because he job is crazy...she's a probation officer and a Domestic Violence Liason for the local police department...yeah, there are some stories there I'm sure. She deserves to have a magical trip and I hope I can help. I'm debating about buying her one of the 2005 guidebooks...either the Passporter or the Unofficial Guide which ever one is published already.

It is funny how once people know you frequently go to Disney they start asking questions. It happened to me when I was on an interpreting assignment...one of the clients noticed my plate holder from WDW and asked if I'd just been when I said no, but we were going on a DCL trip in a week she started asking all kinds of questions because she's hoping to go next year. I told her that I'd try to do one of those "tip sheets" you all mentioned for her and bring it into the office the next time I worked there. She was very grateful.

I'm working on my older sister to join DVC so we can pull our points for a big trip...she's hesitant because her in-laws are of the mind that everything Disney is way too over priced...fooie on them.

So, yeah, I guess we all tend to become unofficial Disney travel agents in one way or another.

Laura ºoº

 

[carone0318]

I just started my new job back in Nov, they know that I love Disney, but don't know my hidden talents. That's ok, it gives me time to focus on my own trips. At my old job, I was known as the guru. People would ask why do you go back blah, blah, blah, but those are the same people who would run to me when they were going. Just got an email from an old co-worker this morning about buying passes. It's my way of helping spread the magic.

One time I noticed that there were a lot of mgrs asking me about Disney and then I figured it out, that the mgr's yearly meeting was in Orlando and everyone was wanting to bring their families. Saved those folks a few dollars. I also help DH's co-workers too. I consider it a hobby more than anything else.