DIY vs Travel agent

[mom2febgirls]

I currently have a room only reservation for a room at Beach Club next May. I would normally use a WDW travel agent, but since we are staying only 2 days after a cruise the official disney travel agents I know about require a 3 night stay.

Unfortunately, the only room available was a waterview room. Since it is for my dd's high school graduation we'd like to splurge on a CL room.

So a neighbor advertised that she is a disney specialist and I am considering letting her assume my reservation so she can monitor and hopefully a CL room will open up (and I don't have to check every day).

Since there is no cost to me, is there any negative to doing this? I can still manage my reservation in MDE, right?

 

[greg9x]

Will she check every day ? TA's come in a large swath of ability/service. Does she have access to availability that you don't ? Just because she's a TA, doesn't necessarily make her a good one.

Unless I knew she was top notch, I'd leave the checking up to me. If you think she's good, then you could give her that commission since it's only being kept by Disney right now.

But think there's a time window to transfer.

 

[drwadadli]

I agree with @greg9x, she probably is not doing anything different what you can do. If she is that good, then you deserve to give her something for her time. If it is just because you don't want to check everyday like she would do, then that is up to you.

For me, I would just do it myself. It takes what...5 - 10 minutes or maybe 15 minutes top....to check it everyday. Check it in bed before you fall asleep or first thing in the morning while you are having your coffee.

 

[Wild4Walt]

So I'm an old travel agent so I'll weigh in here a bit - you've already done most of the leg work. You're already booked and just needing some assistance in monitoring if a Club room comes open.

Is she not only going to monitor the room type, but also book your ADRs and FP's? Some agents will and some won't so it's a good question to clarify.

If she's going to do those things for you as well as monitor the room, then it can save you some time.

If that's not in her wheelhouse, unless you trust her and want to throw the commission her way, I wouldn't do it. If that's the case, then keeping control of your own reservation would be better for you.

If you were at the starting point in your planning, I'd say go from it. Having an agent who can narrow down some options for you and check various sites and price points can be very advantageous and save you some time. BUT since you've already done the heavy listing and decided where and when you want to stay, for me, there would have to be more perks than just monitoring for a room type.

 

[Kevlar10]

My personal opinion would be to do it yourself. My SIL is going the week before we are for their first ever trip. They are using a TA and they have had a few issues. First, they gave the TA a list of reservations that they wanted and were not able to get all of them and a few were not at times that they wanted. The TA said they would keep looking and did manage to improve one or two of the times but not get the others they wanted. Second, free dining became available and I told my SIL and she contacted the TA who said that there was very limited options available. I was able to find an "upgrade" to a deluxe resort with free dining at only a $200 additional cost compared to our original package, saving us a lot in the end. Granted, I spent almost 1 1/2 hours on the phone to get it but to me it was time well spent. I actually found a suite at BC for my SIL, with free dining at about the same extra cost that we paid. They contacted the TA and were able to get that. I also kept an eye out for the ADRs shevwas looking for and found them 2 that she really wanted. I was looking for similar ones myself and just lucked out finding theirs. I think it really depends on how persistent the TA is about looking for what you really want. I checked every morning for the things that we really wanted until I had all of things we wanted. I'm not sure every TA would do that. For me, it was more about the satisfaction that I was able to find what we wanted and in the process hopefully made my SIL's vacation a little more magical.

 

[Lynne G]

I would say, the biggest negative is that once the TA has your reservation, it "belongs" to them. Thus, any changes to the reservation need to be done by the TA. For me, I have a great TA, so do not mind that he is my contact with Disney. Though I usually do my own ADRs, he has gotten ones I asked him to. Note that TAs have no better access to ADRs. What they do have, is time to continually look. Some are better at that, then others.

But yes, once the TA books your room or package, it will be in your MDE, it should be. When I use my TA to make my reservation, it's in my MDE quickly, and the only thing I have to change in the MDE, is where the magic bands are sent. My MDE has the ship to address per-populated with my TA's address. I just go in and change it to mine after I see the reservation in my MDE. That's the only little issue I have when I use my TA to book a reservation.

Totally up to you, if you think that TA will be diligent enough to let you know when a better rate comes out.

 

[Aliceacc]

I love the convenience of working with a good travel agent.

I remember the day a few years ago when I checked my email during my 3rd period study hall... discounts had come out that morning, after I left for school.

There was an email from my travel agent. She had tentatively moved us from the Beach Club to the Yacht Club, saving me $1000. She was asking whether it was OK. (My directions had been: Please start us at the BC, but feel free to move us to any Deluxe that sleeps 5 if it offers a significant discount.)

Had I waited until I had time to call it would have been lunchtime, and I think I probably would have missed the discount.

In my job at least, it's simply not possible to be on the phone when I would like to be. My day is determined by ringing bells, and working with a good travel agent makes trip planning so much easier! She books our ADRs too-- so delightful to check that email and find that I've gotten everything I wanted while I was busy in homeroom and teaching a few classes.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I use a TA that offers agency discounts. I booked Jersey Week back in January and already had a nice discount. No searching, no waiting and it's a better deal than Disney would give. I do everything else myself including flights, ADRs and FP+.

 

[Babsy]

I like to do it myself. I have missed a few deals because I couldn't get hold of my TA in time. I don't think that any TA is as obsessive about poring over my plans like I am. So, I accept my addiction to all things Disney and plan like a crazy person! LOL

If you don't want to be hands on, you can probably let a TA handle it. It's a personal choice that also depends upon the type of TA you are considering.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Out of about 20 trips. Ive mostly done the planning myself. his year's trip is extra special to me so I decided to go with a TA who was recommended by a friend, and is a Disney approved (or whatever they are called). We made our reservations in Jan. I was hopeful that we'd get either free dinning, or a room discount at least.(Our dates worked for both) We got neither one. To say that I'm not exactly pleased with how this is turning out is putting it mildly. This trip will be my husband and granddaughters' first trip, as well as my husband and I are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. It is what it is, but since I have the persistence and drive to go after what I want when it comes to Disney, I doubt that I'll ever give that power over to someone else again. Paying full rack rate for everything and at this late point I don't dare cancel to make a different type because there are no room availability for ASMu Family Suites.

 

[moonshadow]

I also need to be in control. I once used a TA who was very good, however I didn't like to email or leave a voice message when I needed something done. These days you have to move quickly when an ADR or FP is available or a discount comes along.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used a TA a few times. The first time I didn't know any better and used our local TA. She had no clue how to go about getting stuff for WDW!! Found that out when she called me to tell me that she hadn't been able to book CRT for my dd's 6th birthday!!! Ah, that had to be done right on the 60 day prior mark! Even I knew that from seeing it on the internet...AOL back in the day, '99!!! But, she waited until a month before! So, no birthday breakfast with the princesses for dd!!! Learned my lesson. I booked my own stays for the next few years. When I went back to work, in the schools, I wasn't able to sit at my computer and watch for discounts, so I used Dreams Unlimited. They got me some great deals. I didn't feel badly about booking my own ADRs (PSs back then), and my agent didn't mind. She was able to get a few hard to get meals.
But, once I was back at home, not working, I went back to booking my own trips. I like to have complete control.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't dare cancel to make a different type because there are no room availability for ASMu Family Suites.

If you were always shooting for the suites it’s possible they never had availability at a discount or with FD. Might not be the TA’s fault there.

 

[buzznina]

If you were always shooting for the suites it’s possible they never had availability at a discount or with FD. Might not be the TA’s fault there.

Exactly, I have never seen them included in FD and rarely ever see them included in room discounts.
Plus, some people expect the TA to be magicians. Like a PP that noted the TA did not get them the ADR "times" that they wanted and also "were not able to get all of their ADRs". If that ADR is not available, a TA has no special powers to make it available, and as noted they kept looking and trying. Not sure what else you would want them to do Some people just need to be in 100% control, I use to be that way until I found a great TA that also offers deals better then what I could get on my own, and yes I know how to scan for all types of deals, including stacking.

 

[alleymaxx]

I would use a TA that specializes in Disney or from an Earmarked Agency. It doesn't cost you anything. Using an agent doesn't mean you lose control. If you want control over your ADR's & FP's, let the TA know. They can be there as a guide if you need them. Most TA's I know will bust their tale to get you the room that you want. They WANT you to walk away happy. That means repeat clients. Also most agents share dining cancellations among themselves or they pay for services that alert them when a reservation comes available. Most guests don't want to pay $20 a month for that type of service but for a TA its their livelihood.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

The TA I use for my late August deal doesn't even make FP+ or ADR's. She doesn't even offer it. I don't know if it's just for that particular time of year but I'm fine with that. The deal can't be beat and I want to make my own anyway.

I referred a coworker to the same agency and she loved the deal but really wanted them to make her ADR's but the agent refused. She stayed with them because it was the best deal she could find.

 

[alleymaxx]

The TA I use for my late August deal doesn't even make FP+ or ADR's. She doesn't even offer it. I don't know if it's just for that particular time of year but I'm fine with that. The deal can't be beat and I want to make my own anyway.

I referred a coworker to the same agency and she loved the deal but really wanted them to make her ADR's but the agent refused. She stayed with them because it was the best deal she could find.

That's very unusual. I've heard of agents that try and charge extra but a good one should not or at least IMO. I know several that work for various agencies and they all provide that as part of their service free of charge. Of course IF its something the client wants.

If its a good deal though who cares I'll book my own. But for 1st timers that's kind of scary.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

That's very unusual. I've heard of agents that try and charge extra but a good one should not or at least IMO. I know several that work for various agencies and they all provide that as part of their service free of charge. Of course IF its something the client wants.

If its a good deal though who cares I'll book my own. But for 1st timers that's kind of scary.

I paid $200ish a night for the BC and Poly. I was perfectly happy booking my own. They do offer recommendations and help in that aspect but i bet they get tons of people who book with them during that time. It would probably be impossible to book each persons ADrs since it’s such a short booking window.

Others on this board have used them too. I don’t know if they’ve had the same experiences.

 

[buzznina]

I paid $200ish a night for the BC and Poly. I was perfectly happy booking my own. They do offer recommendations and help in that aspect but i bet they get tons of people who book with them during that time. It would probably be impossible to book each persons ADrs since it’s such a short booking window.

Others on this board have used them too. I don’t know if they’ve had the same experiences.

We use them and our TA offered to do ADRs, but we rarely do any ADRs. I DEFINITELY want to do my own FP+, because I have adjusted our park days based on these.

 

[OKW Lover]

since we are staying only 2 days after a cruise the official disney travel agents I know about require a 3 night stay.

Have you looked at Dreams Unlimited Travel, the sponsors of these DIS Boards?