Travel agent vs DIY??

[Sunshinegrl243]

My family (total of 9 w extended fam) has a trip planned in October. We originally booked through a travel agent specializing in Disney. But when it came time to get our FP+ reservations, she said that's something she takes care of. Ok no biggie- I gave her our top requests. The next day she said she had gotten what we asked for. When I asked what times the FP were for, she said that's one of her services and not to worry about it. When I let her know I wanted to pop them into a touringplan, her solution was one of two options. She could turn over the MDE account to me and I'll be responsible for the rest of our planning. Or leave it up to her. What would you do? (She's very nice, super responsive, I think I've seen too much by reading the DISboards!). Just seems odd that it's all or nothing...

All this to ask- is it really that hard to manage the reservations/planning myself? Seems like yall do just fine with it.

 

[Fiddysmum]

Uuuhhhh that's a little annoying. My TA and I share the MDE so I can see what's going on. Even if she is creating a tour plan for you, why can't you see it?

 

[Sunshinegrl243]

The crazy thing is I don't even want access to MDE necessarily. I just wanted to know the times of the FP+!! Why should that affect what she's doing?

 

[Lillian Gracey]

That's definitely annoying. There should be no reason she can't even tell you what your FP+ times are. You should be able to make your own FP+ selections even if you are using a TA. I'm using a TA for this trip due to a big discount. I linked up my reservation to my MDE account and I did everything myself including making ADRs and FP+ selections.

 

[Vernie822]

I don't get why she won't let you see them! Lol. I mean if it's easier for her to do everything & not even get on MDE that's understandable, but she definitely needs to let you know what time they're for! That's how you plan your days!

 

[alicat8]

To answer your question, no it's not hard to manage yourself. Kind of annoying and possibly time consuming, but if you need to take the time to tell a TA what you want anyway, you can handle it.
I did it for the first time ever on our last trip and won't do it again. I didn't like not having access to our hotel reservation, and I didn't really see her purpose.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

You don't have access to your own MDE account? Will she give you access eventually?

If it were me I would definitely take control of the MDE account for my own trip and immediately change the password.

It's My Disney Experience, not TA's Disney Experience.

 

[Sunshinegrl243]

To answer your question, no it's not hard to manage yourself. Kind of annoying and possibly time consuming, but if you need to take the time to tell a TA what you want anyway, you can handle it.
I did it for the first time ever on our last trip and won't do it again. I didn't like not having access to our hotel reservation, and I didn't really see her purpose.

Wait, so you won't use a TA again, or you won't plan it yourself again? I think I'm going to just ask her to clarify why she can't share the times with me - and then decide from there. Doesn't make any sense...

 

[Sunshinegrl243]

You don't have access to your own MDE account? Will she give you access eventually?

If it were me I would definitely take control of the MDE account for my own trip and immediately change the password.

It's My Disney Experience, not TA's Disney Experience.

She said in the past, if she shares the MDE info too early, things can get confusing (I guess maybe with two people trying to change reservations/FP+?). Yes, she would share the MDE once all planning is done and we're ready to go on the trip. I think I've got my answer - I need to just do it myself. Like I said, I know too much now from reading DIS - and I can always ask questions here if I get stuck. Thanks everyone!

 

[Julylady]

I am WAY to obsessive to let someone else control my MDE. It makes me shiver just to think about it!

 

[alicat8]

Wait, so you won't use a TA again, or you won't plan it yourself again? I think I'm going to just ask her to clarify why she can't share the times with me - and then decide from there. Doesn't make any sense...

No it doesn't make sense. I wouldn't use a TA again.

 

[MataHari22]

That seems super odd, and like super controlling behavior to me. Why can you not know what times your own FP+ are for? That would really bother me, but I suppose I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone else plan my vacation for me. You are not out of line in any way to ask what time your FP+ are for, but I think she is totally out of line for giving you that answer.

 

[minnie mum]

This sounds really off to me. Call me cynical or suspicious, but I've never heard of this kind of ultimatum before from a reputable TA. When you are only asking for information? Demand a written copy of all the reservations that she has made, including all moneys paid to Disney to date. Maybe I'm jusy t twitchy tonight because the news had a report of a TA who bilked a large family of thousands of dollars for a trip they were taking. They didn't realize there been victimized until a day or 2 before the trip.

This probably isn't what happened here. I'll bet she just didn't make those FP bookings like she said she did.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

She said in the past, if she shares the MDE info too early, things can get confusing (I guess maybe with two people trying to change reservations/FP+?). Yes, she would share the MDE once all planning is done and we're ready to go on the trip. I think I've got my answer - I need to just do it myself. Like I said, I know too much now from reading DIS - and I can always ask questions here if I get stuck. Thanks everyone!

Absolutely, you can ask questions here and you will get many answers

Have a great trip !! I'm jealous I don't have a "next trip" planned yet

 

[Sunshinegrl243]

This thread right here is why I love DIS. I went ahead and emailed her - asked her to turn over the MDE account info. Also asked for a summary of the room reservations/MNSSHP tickets, etc. Good grief - I thought I was making things easier by using a TA, but I guess I need to trust myself next time to get it done!!

 

[JasonMouse]

This is more of a problem with MDE. Travel agents' responsibility is to ensure your vacation goes smoothly and that they have the ability to fix anything with just a phone call. When something messes up in MDE, you'll be spending some time at Guest Relations. A travel agent can't help you move accounts around, because not everyone has their own email address or account in MDE.

 

[NYCANC]

Uuuhhhh that's a little annoying. My TA and I share the MDE so I can see what's going on. Even if she is creating a tour plan for you, why can't you see it?

Same here. My TA created a MDE acct for me and right away she sent me the log in info.
She made my ADR's and my FP's. She emailed me right after both with the places and times listed.
Just today, I texted her to let her know I added an ADR and she logged in after to play around with my FP's that day since one is during my ADR.
Good Luck!

 

[skuttle]

We use a travel agent to book our trip so that they can keep an eye out for discounts and get them applied. However, we always make our own itenerary and do our own ADRs and FPs.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Same as skuttle. We make FPs & itinerary, as well as ADRs. TA helps with questions, discounts, room bookings. Ours is very helpful, already changed our resort once & added discount. Helped with recs for room request then added request to reservation.

 

[MrInfinity]

If she gave you access to the MDE, nothing would stop you from changing the password, locking her out, and then cancelling her and going it alone. It's protecting her interests. Terrible TA, but that's life.

I am using a TA this time, but we established ahead of time that I'd have an MDE acct, full control, and he helps me w whatever I need. It's great. Totally helpful, not restrictive. I would not cancel on him even if I found a better deal, it's just been a great experience.

I would tell her you'll do the MDE stuff and never deal w them again. No, it's not a lot of work... and since you seem to want to do it, you should do it. It's your vacation!