How to become a part-time Disney travel agent? - The DIS Discussion Forums

StitchesGr8Fan · 05-09-2012, 11:36 AM

I want to use my Disney knowledge, organizing skills, and free time to be a Disney travel agent part time. I have no idea where to start. I want to work from home and be someone's employee, not have a business of my own. Any idea where to start?

evildiva · 05-09-2012, 11:57 AM

I'd be interested in this as well. Everyone always tells me I should write a book on trveling to Disney World.

Kimberly Hill · 05-09-2012, 03:15 PM

There are a gazillion and a half travel agencies - starting with Dreams Unlimited - that are Disney-focused or deal heavily with Disney. There are all sorts of business models from mega-agencies with several hundred agents to small 1-2 person agencies and each of them handles bookings, clients, and commission differently.

If you're planning to work from home, most likely you're looking at an independent contractor (IC) position, not an employee. You're essentially running your own business, responsible for your own taxes, and receiving commission checks, not paychecks.

Google "disney travel agent" (which only Disney employees are, by the way) or "disney vacation planner" and start reading. Talk to friends who've used agencies. Visit websites and fill out the application form.

One thing to remember - it's a sales job, not a travel job. You have a fabulous product to sell but you have to get out there and sell it. It's very hard to get rich, or even make a living, by selling Disney (or most travel) so keep that in mind while you look.

Best of luck!
- Kimberly

DisneyKevin · 05-09-2012, 04:51 PM

The above is some good advice.

Most people think this is an easy job.

Trust me....it's not.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY JOB....but the hours are long, you don't really get a day off and you might not see a dime for 12 - 14 months.

The majority of folks that start doing this, stop very quickly.

Justin Jett · 05-09-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

The majority of folks that start doing this, stop very quickly.

So true......I lasted a year.

SugarSpice · 05-10-2012, 06:35 AM

The very first thing you have to do is get certified. I'm currently in "Travel School" through a local travel agency. They gave me all of the materials, books, assignments, etc. I have a year to complete it and turn it in to them.

dalt01 · 05-10-2012, 09:30 AM

if you have a dream, follow it. whats the worst that can happen? i like to think about a scene from the first Transformers when the yellow car rushed up to save them from the bad guy, shia.....Get in the car. Megan.....NO...Shia....listen do you want to be old and grey and think back that you were afraid to get it the car??????? all your life well meaning people will tell you what you cannot do. follow you own heart.

DisneyKevin · 05-10-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalt01

if you have a dream, follow it. whats the worst that can happen? i like to think about a scene from the first Transformers when the yellow car rushed up to save them from the bad guy, shia.....Get in the car. Megan.....NO...Shia....listen do you want to be old and grey and think back that you were afraid to get it the car??????? all your life well meaning people will tell you what you cannot do. follow you own heart.

I wasn't suggesting that anyone give up their dream.

I was explaining that this is not the easy job that folks think it is and trying to point out some of the things you might experience along the way.

It's been my experience that people starting a new job / career, are usually doing it as a way of supporting themselves.

As you will see no financial gain until weeks after your guest has completed travel, this can mean working for months and months with no income.

It takes dedication to provide a service for which you will see no financial reward for maybe a year or more.

As I said previously, most folks that start this end up stopping pretty quickly.

baby1disney · 07-10-2012, 05:05 PM

I have been thinking about this too!! But if the local TA around my area aren't hiring, are there any good/great online TA that I could go through?? Also, how can I become a certifiable Disney TA?? I want to able to take those classes as well a become a certifiable TA. Anyone who has that information..I'd greatly appreciate it!!

CRSTEPHE · 07-21-2012, 05:21 PM

Ditto.

MJonesMBA2001 · 10-30-2012, 08:21 PM

It seems like a lot of you are discouraging people from looking at becoming a Disney certified travel agent only on the basis of the earnings side, noting that it's a sales job. I know you're being prudent and cautious about setting expectations, but I think most of us know it's a sales job, and that the income will be slow to start, and is 100% commission. That's something that people like me who truly want to do this, maybe part time to start, understand, and want to build a business with that in mind.

I think that many of the questions that I had about doing this, which I would love to do as well, have been answered, except for one, well actually two.

If someone does get on as an Independent Contractor with an agency, and pass all the certifications, does that person qualify for Disney (or other) travel discounts of their own? I'll admit, potential Disney discounts are a big factor in me wanting to do this, in addition to the sales job, Disney, and long term potential.

Second, do most agencies have sales quotas?

Thank you all for these great insights you've given so far!

DisneyKevin · 10-30-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJonesMBA2001

It seems like a lot of you are discouraging people from looking at becoming a Disney certified travel agent only on the basis of the earnings side, noting that it's a sales job. I know you're being prudent and cautious about setting expectations, but I think most of us know it's a sales job, and that the income will be slow to start, and is 100% commission. That's something that people like me who truly want to do this, maybe part time to start, understand, and want to build a business with that in mind.

I think that many of the questions that I had about doing this, which I would love to do as well, have been answered, except for one, well actually two.

If someone does get on as an Independent Contractor with an agency, and pass all the certifications, does that person qualify for Disney (or other) travel discounts of their own? I'll admit, potential Disney discounts are a big factor in me wanting to do this, in addition to the sales job, Disney, and long term potential.

Second, do most agencies have sales quotas?

Thank you all for these great insights you've given so far!

The questions you have would best be answered by your potential employer.

anonymousegirl · 10-31-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJonesMBA2001

It seems like a lot of you are discouraging people from looking at becoming a Disney certified travel agent only on the basis of the earnings side, noting that it's a sales job. I know you're being prudent and cautious about setting expectations, but I think most of us know it's a sales job, and that the income will be slow to start, and is 100% commission. That's something that people like me who truly want to do this, maybe part time to start, understand, and want to build a business with that in mind.

I think that many of the questions that I had about doing this, which I would love to do as well, have been answered, except for one, well actually two.

If someone does get on as an Independent Contractor with an agency, and pass all the certifications, does that person qualify for Disney (or other) travel discounts of their own? I'll admit, potential Disney discounts are a big factor in me wanting to do this, in addition to the sales job, Disney, and long term potential.

Second, do most agencies have sales quotas?

Thank you all for these great insights you've given so far!

I think a lot of the responses were about making sure the OP had reasonable expectations and a clear idea of what the job entails.

So many people I talk with think I am off traveling getting free hotels, cruises and trips to Disney. The reality is if you are busy enough to earn agent perks, you are often too busy to take advantage of them!

airhead991 · 02-16-2013, 03:00 PM

Hi all! I am new here and I would LOVE for anyone that has info on becoming a Disney TA to message me!! Please! I realize it is a very demanding job, and I have read all the pros and cons... I am still interested... I would appreciate any help! Thank you!

heffalumpicwoozle · 03-26-2013, 02:50 PM

I am a native Floridian who relocated to Texas last year. I have been visiting the Disney World Resort for over 20 years. I would love to become a part time agent. Any ideas?

05-09-2012, 11:36 AM	#1
StitchesGr8Fan DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,917	How to become a part-time Disney travel agent? I want to use my Disney knowledge, organizing skills, and free time to be a Disney travel agent part time. I have no idea where to start. I want to work from home and be someone's employee, not have a business of my own. Any idea where to start? __________________ '86-offsite, '91-Buena Vista Palace, '92-offsite, '97-offsite, '98-Magic Music Days, '06-ASMu, '07-FtW, '09-ASMu,'10-POR,'12-Poly (Honeymoon!)

05-09-2012, 11:57 AM	#2
evildiva Reading "Twilight Series" has produced unhealthy expectations in men. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 309	I'd be interested in this as well. Everyone always tells me I should write a book on trveling to Disney World. __________________ Katie June 1990 Grovsners, April 1995 Magic Music Days (Kissime), April 1997 Magic Music Days (Kissime), July 1997 Cocoa Beach, May 1999 Daytona, November 2005 Pop Century, Apirl - May 2007 Pop Century, September 2008 Pop Century, April 2009 Pop Century (solo), October 2009 All Star Sports (solo), December 2009 Pop Century, April 2010 Pop Century 30th B-Day Trip, October 2010 Pop Century, December 2010 Boardwalk Inn/Podcast Cruise/Beach Club, October 2011 Pop Century, December 2011 Pop Century Solo Disapalooza, 2013 Pop Century Jingle Jungle 5k

05-09-2012, 03:15 PM	#3
Kimberly Hill DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 581	There are a gazillion and a half travel agencies - starting with Dreams Unlimited - that are Disney-focused or deal heavily with Disney. There are all sorts of business models from mega-agencies with several hundred agents to small 1-2 person agencies and each of them handles bookings, clients, and commission differently. If you're planning to work from home, most likely you're looking at an independent contractor (IC) position, not an employee. You're essentially running your own business, responsible for your own taxes, and receiving commission checks, not paychecks. Google "disney travel agent" (which only Disney employees are, by the way) or "disney vacation planner" and start reading. Talk to friends who've used agencies. Visit websites and fill out the application form. One thing to remember - it's a sales job, not a travel job. You have a fabulous product to sell but you have to get out there and sell it. It's very hard to get rich, or even make a living, by selling Disney (or most travel) so keep that in mind while you look. Best of luck! - Kimberly __________________ - Kimberly

05-10-2012, 09:30 AM	#7
dalt01 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 3,589	if you have a dream, follow it. whats the worst that can happen? i like to think about a scene from the first Transformers when the yellow car rushed up to save them from the bad guy, shia.....Get in the car. Megan.....NO...Shia....listen do you want to be old and grey and think back that you were afraid to get it the car??????? all your life well meaning people will tell you what you cannot do. follow you own heart. __________________ DaltonJasperPaigeMain Street before they turn the color on...................................

07-10-2012, 05:05 PM	#9
baby1disney DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 1,691	I have been thinking about this too!! But if the local TA around my area aren't hiring, are there any good/great online TA that I could go through?? Also, how can I become a certifiable Disney TA?? I want to able to take those classes as well a become a certifiable TA. Anyone who has that information..I'd greatly appreciate it!! __________________ "Be grateful that Walt's dream is a place that inspires us to believe, feel, and know that magic also lives in us."~~ Me DBF DS(9) SSR w/DF and family--December 2006 OKWw/DF and DS and inlaws--October 2007 AKV w/DH, DS and inlaws--March 2009 SSR w/Inlaws--October 2010

05-09-2012, 04:51 PM	#4
DisneyKevin Kelvis Above the Pearls Below the Crown Such a tease! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 8,307	The above is some good advice. Most people think this is an easy job. Trust me....it's not. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY JOB....but the hours are long, you don't really get a day off and you might not see a dime for 12 - 14 months. The majority of folks that start doing this, stop very quickly.

05-10-2012, 06:35 AM	#6
SugarSpice Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 164	The very first thing you have to do is get certified. I'm currently in "Travel School" through a local travel agency. They gave me all of the materials, books, assignments, etc. I have a year to complete it and turn it in to them.

07-21-2012, 05:21 PM	#10
CRSTEPHE Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 195	Ditto.

10-30-2012, 08:21 PM	#11
MJonesMBA2001 Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 97	It seems like a lot of you are discouraging people from looking at becoming a Disney certified travel agent only on the basis of the earnings side, noting that it's a sales job. I know you're being prudent and cautious about setting expectations, but I think most of us know it's a sales job, and that the income will be slow to start, and is 100% commission. That's something that people like me who truly want to do this, maybe part time to start, understand, and want to build a business with that in mind. I think that many of the questions that I had about doing this, which I would love to do as well, have been answered, except for one, well actually two. If someone does get on as an Independent Contractor with an agency, and pass all the certifications, does that person qualify for Disney (or other) travel discounts of their own? I'll admit, potential Disney discounts are a big factor in me wanting to do this, in addition to the sales job, Disney, and long term potential. Second, do most agencies have sales quotas? Thank you all for these great insights you've given so far! __________________

02-16-2013, 03:00 PM	#14
airhead991 Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 2	Help becoming a Disney TA Hi all! I am new here and I would LOVE for anyone that has info on becoming a Disney TA to message me!! Please! I realize it is a very demanding job, and I have read all the pros and cons... I am still interested... I would appreciate any help! Thank you!

03-26-2013, 02:50 PM	#15
heffalumpicwoozle Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1	I am a native Floridian who relocated to Texas last year. I have been visiting the Disney World Resort for over 20 years. I would love to become a part time agent. Any ideas?

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