Yes/No to Travel Agents?

[Karmel96]

I'm fairly new to the site and was wondering if anyone out there recommends using an on-line travel agency for booking their WDW trip? I went over 2 years ago and just booked the hotel through WDW website (did airfare elsewhere online). We (me, DH, DD7 and DS4) will be going for a week in early Feb. 2008. We plan on staying at POR. I just thought a travel agent may be able to get me a better deal than online with WDW, but I don't want to pay the agent extra $! (We need all we can get since the budget is already tight!) Thanks all!

 

[pepe of ohio]

In all our trips, we have only used a travel agent once, long ago and only because she was a friend, all our others trips, over 38 have just been by calling CRO and using an AP code, pin number code, or just using AAA discount. Never had any problems, never paid rate rate, have come up with some kind of discount every time. All are travel has been done by us via the phone, again no problems. We've dealt with CRO is alot of years and trips, got resorts we asked for and dates, they ask us about any ADR's, which we usually have only have a couple and are given all our reservation numbers, no fuss no muss.

We prefer to hear everything from the horses mouth and TA's can be slow on the draw, non Disney informed and hard to get ahold of, some reservations can not be looked up on-line and making changes can be a hassle because of a scarce TA. Going right to CRO elimates all thses problems, one call and all the answers are given, we prefer going it alone.

 

[DISUNC]

I ONLY use the AAA TA for my WDW trips. Due to the time of year you are going you can get up to a 20% discount. Also Through AAA you get some minor perks.

If you will be driving you will get Diamond parking at the parks, this is up front next to the handicap spots in all the parking lots.

You also get a 10% discount on everything purchased at The World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney. We usually wait to purchase all our souvinears in one shot there. Also....If you have the stuff ship home (and you live out of Florida) you dont pay tax. The shipping fee is minimal!

If you have little ones there is also some sort of special story time thing with characters (I am not too sure about this option...never used it.)

By using AAA last year for our 11 day trip, I estimate I saved about 500.00 in all!

ps NEVER PAY EXTRA FOR A TA! That is a ripoff! They get their pay from the commisions

 

[C_leen]

I've never used a TA before, but I've never spent this sort of money before for vacation! I think if you decide to use a TA, use one recommended by the popular boards and is a disney specialist. I have found the mousesavers web site very good and I used the travel agency recommended on this site. I also got a bid from Dreams Unlimited which is a sponsor of this site. I don't believe there was a charge for me from either agency. My trip has fallen into the likely free disney dining time frame, and I just sent my TA a list of two additional booking options if we can't just modify our current ressie. I feel relieved to have someone helping me with that as people were on the phone up to 2 hrs and they were just competing with other Disney Visa holders!

This agency offered to do all of my ADRs, but I did do this part myself.

 

[AlleyKat]

I just thought a travel agent may be able to get me a better deal

No such luck!

Be the master of your own destiny...search for the cheapest airfare possible, book your resort for choice reservations(requesting the area/room YOU want)and purchase your park passes through Disney(the store or on-site upon arrival).

 

[themudd4]

The only TA I use is AAA. As the PP mentioned you can save $ on your room at Disney with this discount. It is worth buying if you don't already have it.

 

[SummersMom]

I got quotes from Disney direct (over the phone was cheaper than online) as well as 2 travel agents online. They all came in at the same price. I chose to go with Small World Vacations, thinking I would get something extra by not booking direct through Disney. This has turned out to not work in my favor. I'm the kind of person who likes to have control and when I chose a travel agent, I lost that control. I can't check my Disney reservation directly online, nor can I call Disney with room requests, etc. They tell me I must go through my travel agent. For me it's hard to trust someone else and hand over the control ... next time I'll book direct through Disney if the price is the same.

 

[hthrbells]

Our tavel is a friend but I have to tell you she did save us some money, not to mention she had access to rooms that were other wise booked. Before I remembered our friend was one I called a place and I felt like I was dealing with a push salesman. Good luck

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

This is my family's first trip to WDW and we are using an on-line travel agent. One that is based out of Orlando and is a certified Disney specialist. I must say, from our personal experience, we are very happy this is the route we decided to take! We have had no problems getting in touch with our TA through e-mail or phone. All the TA's at this agency have blackberry access and all e-mails have been returned usually within the hour, if not minutes. We like it, because we just told them all of our specifics(room requests, dining requests, package type, etc) and our TA did the rest! On Monday, they had 20 agents calling at 7am to change all eligle reservations over to the free dine(thus saving me time...especially when I have a 3 year old and a 9 month old). At my 180 day mark, the reservation team at this agency had 15 people calling at 7am on a Saturday to make my ADR's and other clients as well. Again, what a great time saver! I have had many changes to make, all were handled efficiently and correctly. Plus, this particular agency has extra little freebies for booking with them like a pair of free mouse ears, small disney plush, postcard from Mickey for the kids, etc.

So, there you have it! For us, it's a time-saver. But, if you prefer do things yourself as some of the other posters have said, then go for it! BTW, we do not get charged for the TA's services. They get a commission from Disney.

 

[trivial]

I just thought a travel agent may be able to get me a better deal than online with WDW, but I don't want to pay the agent extra $!

I've only used a TA with my Disney cruise, but we didn't have to pay the agent anything (in fact, we benefited financially, as we got cash-back as a bonus). I'm not sure if this is standard across the board, but I didn't think you had to ever pay travel agents; the travel companies pay them for sending business their way.

 

[Snork]

I use a travel agent. Even though I know more then they do by now about WDW, it is a peace of mind thing. If you have a good one, they will look out for you. The first time free dining came out, they called me and told me that they set me up for it. Two trips back my wife and I had to change our dates and they did all the work and we didn't have to pay a thing for it. The way I see it, it is not costing me anything for thier services and even though they do not know the best time of day to do TOT, they can handle the stuff I cannot. They are gonna work hard for you because they want your return business (although I have heard horror stories about bad ones....).

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I used Small World Vacations for our upcoming trip and am very pleased. This will be our first trip to Disney and I am very satisfied with the service I've gotten. Our TA responds to my emails (my many, many emails ) within minutes and is a wealth of knowledge on Disney.

 

[ctpooh]

NO NO NO NO!!! You are able to find the same if not better deals as the agents. Just do your research. It makes the trip even more special.

 

[jessica52877]

I have used 1 once, for a disney cruise. NEVER again! I was unable to call and check on anything myself! Wanted to try and change dining, never heard from my TA and had issues trying to do it myself. In the end it all worked out, but never again.

We wanted to book another cruise recently but the TA would not give out room assignments on the cruise, said it was done after I booked, well we were booking 2 rooms and I couldn't have one on another deck or even down a different hallway. She was unable to guarantee me 2 rooms next to each other (didn't have to connect) and I said no thank you.

For disney I do it ALL myself. The deals are out there and always as good as AAA if not better. I have checked, therefore i continue to do it myself. Yes, I chose to be on hold the other day for 1 hr 42 minutes before anyone picked up but that was my choice. My son was fine playing, not to mention I could give him my full attention for most of it. I did 2 loads of laundry, changed all the bed and cleaned the bathroom in that time, probably more then if I hadn't been on the phone, so to me it was no inconvenience.

 

[amelia1]

That depends on if you want to spend the time doing the research yourself. If you aren't the type to search for the best deals and aren't worried about getting the absolute cheapest rates, then use a TA. Like others have said...you can get just as good if not better rates if you take the time to research all options yourself.

 

[rlrx]

This will be our second trip using a Southwest airlines Disney vacation package and have been very happy with their rates compared to others. The most important thing to us was having a direct flight so we started with the airline.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

We have always used a TA through AAA and have gotten great service with her. (Except the trip this year is a surprise for my wife--and she almost spilled the beans when we saw her in the mall last week). I just like the satisfaction us telling her what flights we want, what hotel we want, what ticket package we want, and then let her book them for us. I suppose I could do the same thing, but it's more of a hassle, to me. I did book one trip through Expedia for a joing Disneyland/Hawaii trip, and I will NEVER use them again. Long story on that one and I will not bore you with the details, but they changed a few things that upset some plans. and left a bad taste in my mouth. I 'll still with our TA.

 

[Karmel96]

Wow- what a great response! It sounds as though everyone is split on the issue, as it is a personal one. I guess I'll give it some more thought (I have the time; we're not going for another 9 months!). It sounds like those who did use a TA either did it with an online-Disney approved one or with AAA. I'll look into it; can't hurt, right?! I'm mainly concerned about getting a good deal on a room. I plan to do airfare myself, and I don't think I could give up the control of letting someone else plan my ADRs, especially since I want to try for Cinderella Castle this year! I'd be heartbroken if they couldn't get me in, but I'd deal with it a lot better if I couldn't get myself in (at least I know I tried; maybe they'd just forget! )
Thanks again all!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

The ADR's I book myself. I just let the agent book all the other, including getting tickets for MNSSHP when they go on sale and for Cirque du Soleil.

 

[Rustysmom]

I used an online TA that is a Disney specialist. It cost me the same either through them or doing it myself, and and although in the end the TA was great and was able to get me the free dining, I think I might do everything myself next time. I was very nervous waiting to hear if I was going to get it and I think I'd just rather call myself. He did save me an hour on the phone though. Plus I got a free subscription to Tour Guide Mike. But I hate not having control over my reservations.

P.S., I made all my ADRs myself.