PDA

View Full Version : Travel agent or internet?



eryn
07-04-2006, 09:14 PM
I am just wondering if people book thier Disney vacations with a Disney specialist or on thier own on the internet? And what are your reasons for choosing?

I Heart Disneyland!
07-04-2006, 09:15 PM
I do all of my own legwork, but, it does take time. We have AP's, so, that helps with not worrying about the tickets for DL. I find that a lot of the sites that offer GREAT hotel and airfare deals are the same prices as the hotel and airline sites themselves, so, I'd rather deal direct with the hotel or airline of choice and NOT a middleman, in case of a problem.

annieb727
07-05-2006, 04:20 AM
If you're willing to do the legwork as previously stated, you can save a lot of money. I actually enjoy (REALLY ENJOY) the planning stages of a trip - I couldn't imagine handing it all over to a travel agent.

The same goes for packages - generally - you can get a better deal by purchasing everything separately - though some people like the convenience. There are also some perks that you cannot get with doing your own thing - example is the AAA packages - if you stay at one of the resort hotels, you get an enchanted fast pass (which allows you to hold more than one fast pass at a time). There are things like that...but generally from strictly a money perspective, it's a lot cheaper to do it yourself.

We have annual passes...I'm planning a trip for four (two adults & two kids) staying off property (Desert Inn) in October - staying for 9 nights and driving from the Seattle area - for $2900 - that's allowing $50/day for food for the adults and $25/day for the kids (they're 2 & 4 years old) - that includes gas and everything!! I've even included a couple character meals. Now it would cost about $600 or $700 more (so total of $3600) if we had to buy passes...but a package deal would cost a LOT more than this.

Doing a package (through disneyland.com) would cost $2240 to stay at PPH, then we'd STILL need to pay for food, gas and all that other stuff!! Which would still add on another $1500+. That brings my cost to over $5300.00. Now I've never stayed at an on site hotel - and people say they're great and I don't doubt it...I'm just never really in my room enough to justify it...I spend all my waking open park hours IN DL or DCA, so the room is just a place to crash after a very full day...so I'm ok with spending $69/night for a mediocre motel (but that is still a VERY close walk to DL).

kohl
07-05-2006, 09:12 AM
Now I've never stayed at an on site hotel - and people say they're great and I don't doubt it...I'm just never really in my room enough to justify it...I spend all my waking open park hours IN DL or DCA, so the room is just a place to crash after a very full day...so I'm ok with spending $69/night for a mediocre motel (but that is still a VERY close walk to DL).


We used to think the same thing. I couldn't justify the amount of money, but then we got our AP's and the times we usually go we can usually get good deals on the Disney hotels, so we really aren't paying that much more for a room and we really love staying on property.

annieb727
07-05-2006, 09:29 AM
We used to think the same thing. I couldn't justify the amount of money, but then we got our AP's and the times we usually go we can usually get good deals on the Disney hotels, so we really aren't paying that much more for a room and we really love staying on property.

I would do it if I could get a great deal like that -- like the $99 AP nights...never have been able to...if I could...I most certainly would make a change of plans!!

samkj
07-05-2006, 10:44 AM
I own my own travel agency so I have a different perspective on this. It depends on your priorities and how well you know Disneyland. There are many benefits to using a knowledgable Disney travel expert especially if you aren't familiar with Disneyland. A TA should be able to help you make decisions on where to stay, where to eat(as well as handle any reservations) and help with your daily itinerary. Do you like look around a various internet site to find the best deal for all possible dates? A good TA will check your 1st choice dates as well as other similar days to find the best deals(I recently saved some clients $120 a night on their hotel by having them arrive a week later). Disney has so many small special touches that unless you a very familiar with the parks you may miss (Princess storytime and Turtle Talk for example) and a Disney specialist should be able to point out these things, so you do not miss them. I love to search around, research and find the best bargains as well as all the little known aspect of whereever I will be vacationing. It's part of the reason I became a travel agent. My sister just wants to know the bottom line, without the fuss. As long as she has a nice hotel room to check into when she arrives she is happy.

It comes down to do you like researching hotels, restaurants, etc... (many do, including most people on this board!) or do you want to book everything as simply as possible(tell your TA where and when you want go, let them handle everything else)?

Amy

Susan L
07-05-2006, 10:46 AM
How do you know when those AP nights are happening? Is there a schedule they put out with your AP?

annieb727
07-05-2006, 11:26 AM
How do you know when those AP nights are happening? Is there a schedule they put out with your AP?

They generally announce them a month or so ahead of time...and they go quickly...sometimes less than a month...just gotta keep calling and asking.

mommy-san
07-05-2006, 03:08 PM
We did a fun sun package last October. Our agent left out very important details, our info package consisted of stuff taken from the internet and we ended up with a rental vehicle from the wrong place. She also neglected to have us chose our seats for the plane- with a 1 year old and a 5 year old it was an important thing that cost us $120.00 to fix. This was not an inexperienced agent, just a lazy one I think. When we went back in february, we did it ourselves the whole way and felt much better about the whole trip. The agent had us all scared about the trip from LAX to Disneyland- but finding a shuttle on our second trip was EASY, and we were by ourselves instead of doing the whole milk run. Our hotel was cheaper by far, and we definately liked that! Regardless, the first trip was less hassle but cost more. Once you've been there and know what to expect I'd do it myself every time.

blackjackdelta
07-05-2006, 04:04 PM
Never had an enjoyable travel experience when booking thru a TA. Tried the local disney expert at AAA and a local TA who puts on area travel shows and is a "Disney Expert." I found better oportunities by doing the research myself and if anything goes wrong, I am the one to blame. I knew more about DLR then both of them put together. I do not think either one ever went to the park.

Just my .02

Jack

rosie
07-05-2006, 04:20 PM
I prefer doing all the legwork myself. It makes me feel like a junior slueth to track down the best deals. Plus, researching helps pass the time until the trip date nears. I'm not going again until December and so researching the hotels etc...gives me something to do...other that spending all my time here at Mouseplanet!!:rolleyes:

Klutch
07-05-2006, 04:32 PM
As I've mentioned in other posts, when it comes to travel agents, a good one can be great and a bad one can, as illustrated above, create big problems.

The problem is that most travel agents these days are very young women with almost no experience. They are trying to earn points for free trips and will often book vacations based on getting the most points rather than what's best for the client. Many good, experienced travel agents left the business when airlines significantly cut commissions back in the 1990's.

However, there are some good travel agents who can really help you. I'm lucky to know a great local agent at Small World Travel. She was my agent before she joined Small World. Since I trust her, I followed her to Small World and recently booked a WDW trip through her. I'm pretty Disney saavy, but my agent was able to teach me a thing or two. Obviously, I can recommend Small World Travel. (I'm pretty sure they are a Mouseplanet sponsor.)

When booking a Disney Trip, it's important to use an agent who is not only experienced, but who specializes in Disney. Many other agents just know how to setup a good drinking binge in the Bahamas or Mexico. :rolleyes:

As for packages, it is my impression that they can be a good deal for Disneyland if you intend to stay at a "deluxe" Disney resort. Since there are no "Value" or "Moderate" resorts at Disneyland, those packages are pretty steep.

So, should you use a travel agent? I would say if you aren't very Disney saavy and know a good one who is experienced and specializes in Disney, absolutely. If you are very Disney saavy, maybe not.

adriennek
07-05-2006, 08:51 PM
I don't purchase packages for Disneyland but I make all of my reservations, Disneyland or otherwise, through my AAA travel agent who is a GEM.

Most recently, I was in a panic because other MP posters were reporting that they were getting high rates for the weekend I needed. The lowest rates were about $120 at icky motels on Katella. My AAA agent had access to a company that had blocked rooms - I got a room at Hojo's for $70 a night! I was very pleased.

Since booking through my AAA agent I have had very positive experiences at several properties. I feel like they know that I'm going to tell her if I have a good experience or not, so the good PR is worth something to them. I can tell you that it has worked! One property gave us fantastic service. We told our agent and since that time she has referred several clients to that property and all have had good results.

The only package I've ever booked was a trip to Catalina, not Disneyland. The rates we had and the perks involved were worth the package price. And our agent arranged for a special gift in our room - it was a bottle of wine. A gift was part of our package but my agent knew us well enough to tell the hotel exactly what kind of wine to leave for us. :D

I absolutely think it's been worth it to cultivate a returning customer- business relationship with our AAA agent!

Adrienne

hlbtimes2
07-06-2006, 10:59 AM
The last agent I used was in 2000. She booked us into LAX, after I asked to be booked in to SNA. I was not happy when I found that out. It was too late to fix. I've booked 3 of my last 4 trips with Dinsey travel. Some online, some on the phone. The other trip I peiced things together for me and two friends. The cost was about the same, but I couldnt get the room I wanted booking as a package (they were sold out of that option).

eryn
07-06-2006, 11:28 AM
I really appreciate everyone answering. The reason for my question is that Im opening my own home based agency (yes, i am a young woman with no experience,yet!), but I am a Disneyland fan. I try to get there once or twice a year. I have been thinking that I would love to eventually book just Disney vacations, obviously after a few years of getting to know DW and the cruiseline first. But from what ive noticed, I might have to specifically target first-timers! After my first trip with an agent who didnt help AT ALL!, i started booking my own trips. Anyway, thanks for all your info!