To Use a Travel Agency or Not?

[beachdreamr1229]

With the news that 2021 bookings will be opening soon, I'm starting to get back into planning mode for next year. I'm hoping this is the right place to post. I'm a DLR native that hasn't been to WDW since 2000, so the whole process is a little overwhelming. I'm trying to figure out if booking a WDW package through a travel agent would be beneficial. My family will be traveling with 7 people (4 adults, 3 kids) and will have to book 2 rooms with requests for adjoining/connecting and ADA accessibility for one of the rooms. I know some people would say to just call Disney, but I absolutely hate booking anything over the phone because I like to see what I'm ordering to make sure it's all there. I've heard a lot of good things about Disney travel agencies, but I've also heard that some of them haven't been responsive with covid closings and that you don't have as much control over ADRs and FP selections because the travel agency does it for you (assuming FP and ADRs come back of course). So, what are your experiences? Do you recommend using a travel agency or just calling Disney for a larger family of travelers?

 

[CheshireCas]

I used a travel agent for the first time this year, and I couldn't be happier. The communication is amazing, and she takes all of the dreaded work off my shoulders. I've always planned myself, and feel like I have quite a bit of Disney knowledge and didn't need one. I decided to try it out this year, and I will never book one myself again. It was too easy and too seamless. The TA was so valuable during the COVID craziness and was very knowledgeable.

 

[OKW Lover]

If you do use a TA, be sure it is one that is Disney experienced. There are many that advertise Disney but its just a sideline for them. Dreams Unlimited Travel is the sponsor of these boards. Why not give them a try. www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

 

[VandVsmama]

With the news that 2021 bookings will be opening soon, I'm starting to get back into planning mode for next year. I'm hoping this is the right place to post. I'm a DLR native that hasn't been to WDW since 2000, so the whole process is a little overwhelming. I'm trying to figure out if booking a WDW package through a travel agent would be beneficial. My family will be traveling with 7 people (4 adults, 3 kids) and will have to book 2 rooms with requests for adjoining/connecting and ADA accessibility for one of the rooms. I know some people would say to just call Disney, but I absolutely hate booking anything over the phone because I like to see what I'm ordering to make sure it's all there. I've heard a lot of good things about Disney travel agencies, but I've also heard that some of them haven't been responsive with covid closings and that you don't have as much control over ADRs and FP selections because the travel agency does it for you (assuming FP and ADRs come back of course). So, what are your experiences? Do you recommend using a travel agency or just calling Disney for a larger family of travelers?

My DH & I are going to WDW in January 2021 and I'm doing through a Dreams Unlimited Travel agent. She's been awesome. She and I chatted a couple of months ago over the phone first so she could understand what our travel dates are, what sort of on site resorts we were thinking of staying in, etc. At that particular time, it was possible to book a room-only "package" for 2021, but you couldn't add tickets or anything else to it yet. She said that once WDW opens up regular packages for 2021 (which will be some time in the next week), she will call WDW and get tickets added to our room-only 'package.'

There was an initial deposit of something like $200-$250 that I had to pay at first. All of the payments are through Dreams Unlimited Travel's website and those funds that you pay with your credit card or Disney gift card goes directly to WDW right away.

What the Dreams agents will do is if between your initial booking and your actual travel dates, WDW comes out with a special discount offer, the Dreams agent will FIRST check your reservation against the discount offer to see if it will save you money. And if it does, they will call Disney to get your reservation updated to save you the extra $$. This is done BEFORE they assist new clients. It's pretty great.

I've been getting regular emails from my Dreams agent with new information as WDW releases it, so that's been very helpful & informative.

 

[Minniefan18]

If you use a travel agent you can't call Disney and modify. The travel agent has to do that. Other than that I think using a travel agent is very helpful!

 

[Ladyfish77]

This is the perfect time to use a travel agent. They are going to get the updates on changes quickly and can make a call to update all their clients as needed. They are going to be your best advocate! I have a WDW trip booked with a Dreams Unlimited agent, and am really happy I don't have to sit on the phone for hours to get things adjusted during this crazy time. I had to cancel a non disney trip and spent hours on hold to get a refund on my cancelled airline reservation.

 

[OKW Lover]

If you use a travel agent you can't call Disney and modify. The travel agent has to do that.

So you just call a different number to make your changes?

 

[upbeatred]

I have never used a travel agent before. Used Mike with Dreams Unlimited and he has been awesome. Lots of communication, emails super fast. I will probably use him again, even though I can do it all on my own just to support the travel agents out there. It has been a brutal year for them.

 

[JM23457]

So you just call a different number to make your changes?

You have to contact your travel agent & wait for him or her to make changes. That's the only downside: because they control your reservation, you can't make reservations or reservation changes as quickly as you could yourself.

I typically only use a travel agent when there is a financial incentive to do so. However, I have had only good experiences with my travel agents. I've also noticed that I'm more likely to get a surprise resort room upgrade when booking through an agency.

 

[FatBambi]

This is our first trip using one, and she has taken so much stress off of our backs. I can't imagine having to be on hold for hours to change things like she has for us in this time.

 

[kristen821]

I book on my own. The travel agents don't get better deals but some may give something in return for booking with them. I asked for a quote from a travel agent this time just to make sure the prices were the same. Her price came back way lower. Turns out it was because she did not get tickets for the number of days I asked for, but booked me for a more expensive hotel then I asked for as well. When I realized her mistake she said well she never books all star sport because she doesn't like it (even though that was my preferred resort of the allstars) and she always books 5 day tickets even though I specifically said I wanted 7 since I am staying 8 days. I told her to cancel I was going to book it myself and she had the nerve to respond back that she doesn't give quotes just to have customers book themselves. She probably should book what they ask for then, so in my experience, I would rather do it myself to be sure I am getting exactly what I want.

 

[JM23457]

The travel agents don't get better deals but some may give something in return for booking with them.

It depends on the agency. Some actually can get the clients lower room rates on occasion than what the general public can get. Some give something back themselves, as you mentioned. Different agencies offer different perks.

 

[FatBambi]

Mine got me a lower rate than I had given myself. But also, now I am extra thanking my stars for her now because she can call first thing and play phone tag for my resort, while I will be doing my park reservations tomorrow!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I am leaning toward using the travel agency I think, not for discounts, but more because I just don't have the time to sit on the phone with Disney. It's just hard to give up the control since I've always been such a planner. But, I think it will be easier hopefully, with so many little details.

 

[FatBambi]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I am leaning toward using the travel agency I think, not for discounts, but more because I just don't have the time to sit on the phone with Disney. It's just hard to give up the control since I've always been such a planner. But, I think it will be easier hopefully, with so many little details.

Mine let me have as much or as little control as I wanted for booking my own things, she just had to book at least the hotel for me. But she was as involved or uninvolved as I wanted her, with the exception of the Park Reservation tomorrow - I legally have to do that myself.

 

[Amy&Dan]

If you use a travel agent you can't call Disney and modify. The travel agent has to do that. Other than that I think using a travel agent is very helpful!

This. I'm currently booked with a TA. I've used TA's for year but this is the last time. I've contacted her 3 times in the last 10 days to cancel but she has not gotten back to me. I have no doubt she's swamped with all of this but just a quick auto response to let me know the timeframe of when I can expect her to get back to me.

Don't assume a Disney specialist will be a guarantee of ease and communication.

 

[Pillialle]

In my view, it's better to use a Disney-savvy travel agent who can handle the details and ensure your requests are met.

 

[jerrywilliams]

It saves a lot of my precious time , so my answer is yes. Vacation should be full of joy, not the worries.
Have a look at Viator reviews for example and see what people have to say about the agency.
I am sure if you will try it once, you not gonna want to plan your vacation anymore by yourself.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

FYI, The original post is over 3 years old.