Will booking through a travel agent save money 2020?

[DopeyRN]

So I'm just starting with planning. I have read prices are going up 35% in 2020. What is the current thinking...is it OK to book directly through WDW or can travel agencies actually save you money. Our last trip onsite was 2001 and when we traveled during the 80s and 90s I always booked through WDW. Thanks in advance!

 

[OKW Lover]

A TA may save you money. At the least, it won't cost any more. A good TA, like the ones at Dreams Unlimited Travel who sponsor the DIS Boards, will continually check your reservations to see if there is a better rate.

 

[_19disnA]

I have read prices are going up 35% in 2020

If you read that online somewhere that is not an official Disney site, probably means nothing. All sorts of people post random opinions/hunches/guesses all over the internet even when they no idea what they are talking about. Until Disney releases their prices, you have no idea how much they may/may not go up. A travel agent associated with Disney may provide a discount, you just have to see what they are offering.

However, once you book with an agent, Disney won't speak directly with you about changes/updates to that reservation.

 

[OKW Lover]

once you book with an agent, Disney won't speak directly with you about changes/updates to that reservation.

Good point. This is why you need a good, reputable TA that is very familiar with booking Disney. One that will be pro-active is securing the best rate when they become available.

 

[Aurora79]

Prices for most of 2020 are out now. You can just go to the Disney website and price your vacation. And yes, prices did go up, but it’s definitely not 35% across the board. For example, our specific package went up 15%. Some resorts and room types went up more than others. Now, that’s not to say prices won’t go up again, which is why I booked early.

I chose to use an agent this time because even though she can’t get me a discount now (since none are currently out for my dates), she will constantly check for discounts, and if one comes out that fits my dates, she will apply it for me.

 

[_19disnA]

Lots of older threads about travel agents & discounts. IF you are going to use an agent who has a Disney affiliation that provides them discounts not available to the general public is different from someone who just looks at the Disney site to see what is offered. ANYONE can do that and you can just as easily make your own reservation.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have saved money booking with an agent but we have also gotten bigger discounts by booking directly with Disney. We have found that we can get good discounts between January and September with Disney discounts, especially the annual pass holders and bounce back discounts. But we use a travel agent who can get us discounts during October, November and December when Disney doesn’t have very many discounts.

 

[Wild4Walt]

It's worth looking into but it can be a hit or a miss as to what the agency has available for offers. Once we called and our dates worked out and we saved about 700.00 off of a moderate resort for 10 nights. Another time we called and the dates we preferred were the same price as Disney. So it really depends on when you're going and what's available.

 

[Sandiz08]

If your dates are flexible, travel agency deals could work out for you, but they don't always have what you are looking for. You are also having to wait for them to put out deals, which may or may not happen when you want it to happen.

 

[Smittolis]

It all depends on priorities and convenience. We have used a TA and loved it, best price we have ever ever got at the Poly! So there are deals to be had! The downside is that you cannot call Disney and make changes to reservations etc.. as they are done via the TA, so if there are issues then they act as a go-between. Some people like this as they take care of things, others prefer more personal control so its not for everyone. I know for us, when we have done it and locked in a deal / price. If someone else came out that was a better offer they were able to swap it over so long as there was availability. This reduced the risk of being locked in to a higher rate but also gave you the comfort of knowing you had something booked.

I think with SWGE opening, there won't be much in way of discounts for TA's that reflect the sheer demand, so I'd look around and see what you can get!

 

[Kelly014]

The first few years we went I booked myself because I wanted to be in control of all FP, discounts, ADRs, etc. I eventually checked with a TA and she has been able to get us a cheaper package three years in a row, and I still have total control over all the details. We always have a water park day, and end up with a water park discount on top of a room discount, so it makes sense for us, but depending on specific plans I'm sure it varies from trip to trip and family to family. It doesn't hurt to get a quote though!