do you use a travel agent or book direct with disney? About This Page:

[stinkerbelle5186]

I am going to be booking a trip for next year and i am just curious as to who has used a travel agent and who has booked direct with disney. Are there any spesific reasons that you choose one over the other?

[mdobereiner]

I do it myself, only because that's a big part of the fun for me. I have found that both online and calling are very easy to plan (I prefer online just because I like to look at different options before I choose.) We did go to a TA because we were anticipating a large group coming, but in the end I decided I could book it just as easy myself (I really like to see everything in front of me.) I have seen some people on here have very good experiences with TAs though. GL!

[Sue M.]

I mostly use a TA but it's important to get one who specializes in WDW travel IMO. They don't charge, and it's a wonderful service. Esp. if WDW has specials coming out, the TA will automatically switch your res. to the discount to get you the best rate possible. They know when WDW comes out with discounts immediately, or sometimes a day or two in advance. They will work with you on planning and suggest the best booking for your needs. WDW Travel offers no suggestions, and you have to ask direct questions to see if there is a discount.
Sometimes there are even multiple discounts out, and your TA will do the "Disney math" to figure out which is the best one for you. So yes, I think using a WDW specialized TA is very worth it. there are many, the ones that sponsor on Passporter, Mouse Fan Travel, then there is Ears To You, Dreams Unlimited, to name a few.

[mojjo]

I got a TA that specializes in WDW. I'm usually swarmed with work around the time we'll be making ADRs and can't always keep up to date on the deals available so that's why I got one.

[ChristineJ]

I book myself because I don't want to relay on someone else, If I wana make a change I wana be able to call myself and do it and not have to wait on someone to make that call when they can, I like the disney mail coming straight to me and If I just wana call and check on my ressie or whatever else I can.

[kangelop]

Originally Posted by Sue M.

I mostly use a TA but it's important to get one who specializes in WDW travel IMO. They don't charge, and it's a wonderful service. Esp. if WDW has specials coming out, the TA will automatically switch your res. to the discount to get you the best rate possible. They know when WDW comes out with discounts immediately, or sometimes a day or two in advance. They will work with you on planning and suggest the best booking for your needs. WDW Travel offers no suggestions, and you have to ask direct questions to see if there is a discount.
Sometimes there are even multiple discounts out, and your TA will do the "Disney math" to figure out which is the best one for you. So yes, I think using a WDW specialized TA is very worth it. there are many, the ones that sponsor on Passporter, Mouse Fan Travel, then there is Ears To You, Dreams Unlimited, to name a few.

I totally agree . I watched the message boards and am working with a TA that posts here and always seemed to offer good advice. I figure others may have information I don't have, and it is better for two people to be watching my back, not just me.

[mcc0313]

I booked once through AAA for my boss whose trip I was planning (and I was able to get her a discount on the room due to her AAA memebership). Since then I have gone through her for our trips. In all honesty I usually know the disocunts before she does (thanks to the boards) and I do all my ADR's and such but she is such a sweet woman who puts up with all my various changes that even when I book a trip using another discount other then AAA (like our upcoming trip with free dining) I still call her and let her book it. It comes out to the same if I booked it online or called and if she can make a bit of commission on it then I am happy for her to do it (and she is grat about calling Disney when it comes to making changes or payments).

[jodileigh]

I kind of get the best of both worlds! I happen to have the world's greatest travel agent so I always have her do my booking for me. That way she gets the business! But, I make all my own plans and just tell her what I want. The plus is I can make any choices I want and she is the one who gets up in the early morning and books things for me at the very first opening! As we know, some places (lecellier, hoop de doo, etc) book up really, really fast, so Francine gets on the phone at the earliest second possible! Also, when a good rate becomes available, she is on the phone at the earliest possible moment to either book my ressies or adjust them for me! So, for me, having a travel agent is the way to go b/c where I work full time, have two active kidlets, and am a dh who is gone most of the time, being able to make all those calls at the earliest possible moment wouldn't be doable. I make the decisions and Francine does the leg work! It's a beautiful thing!!!

[duck addict]

I use a TA (a Disney specialist).
The price is the same, so I let a professional do the work. She makes my ADR's for me and also gives me options when new deals come in from Disney (for example, last year she snagged me an upgrade and the price went down $167 on a 5 night stay )

[mickey0823]

As a TA, I can tell you that using a TA's services can be of great value! We take care of all of the details (including ADRs) and at no extra cost to you. We will also automatically rebook your package when special rates are announced. Plus, we can add a litlle bit of extra magic to your trip that you wouldn't be able to do if you booked on your own. As others have mentioned, you really do want to find a TA that is a Disney Specialist.

[lyonmommy]

We have used a TA each time we went to WDW, and have done fine in the past. For this trip however, I discovered that there are some things Disney won't tell you because you booked through a TA - like questions about your reservations and certain things. I didn't know this before and I wasn't thrilled. Our TA does not specialize in WDW and I know significantly more about it than she does. I think that she does an adequate job, but since she is not "into" WDW like us. I don't think she "gets it". Does that make sense? In her defense, I am always reading and researching things about "the world".

For our trip after 09, I will use a TA that specializes in WDW - especially now that they can do the ADRs. I will look forward to talking to someone who understands what we want and why. It will also be cool to get the best deals!!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I do it myself, simply because I am a control freak.

I would feel miserable, stressed out, and out of control if I let someone else take over the booking for any of my vacations. It calms me to have complete access and control over all of my reservations, lol.

But on the flip side, I can see how someone who doesn't enjoy planning and gets stressed out by it would really love to use one.

[EddieCVS]

I do it myself online. It's simple!

[home4us123]

I do it myself but have thought of using a TA for our next trip

[WeRDisneyFanatics]

I book myself because I am a control freak, lol! I like to be able to call about my reservation if there's a question/problem/change rather than go through a middle person.