Am I missing out by not using a travel agent? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I have been to Disney many, many times and have always either booked with the Disney Travel Company directly or had my AAA agent do it. Truthfully, he tends to get the same rates I can get. I have always wondered if there is any benefit to using an actual travel agent. Can you get access to DVC hotels?
My question is: Do you use a travel agent when you plan your Disney trips? If so, what services do they offer? Do you get better rates, or special benefits?
Thanks in advance,
LV
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May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.-Nelson Mandela
Last edited by lucretziathevagabond; 05-03-2018 at 12:38 AM..
Anyone can pay to stay in a DVC resort with two notable ifs. A) If you can afford one and B) The bigger if—there is anything available.
There are sometimes villas available for cash. Usually, these will be the 1-bedroom or larger as the studios go quickly to members.
You can also arrange to rent DVC points for your stay, most commonly through a broker. That’s the less-expensive way of staying in a DVC resort unless you’re lucky enough to have someone give you a stay on their points.
And no, you don’t need a TA to arrange any Disney vacation. I think working with a TA is mostly for your ease and convenience unless you have never gone to WDW. In the latter case, a Disney-specialist TA can be very helpful, educating you as well as booking the various things you need or want.
With the My Disney Experience app or program, you can do everything yourself but rent DVC points. You’ll need the website of a rental broker such as David’s DVC Rental for that. MDE makes booking as easy as follow-your-nose when you know what you want to do and when.
We used to use a AAA agent nutso about Disney but found we preferred to book our trips ourselves. In fact, doing that is a good part of the fun as simple as using MDE is. Disney even provides a Special Offers link for discounts on stays. We’ve gotten some great deals through it.
As for info on the details, that’s where the PassPorter LIVE! Guide planner comes in. Get one of those, use MDE, and you’re your own travel agent.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
I personally use a travel agent for WDW travel, between my odd work schedule and the time differences (I'm on the west coast) I find it easier to have the travel agent do my bookings for dining and fastpass because I would never be able to be online when the booking windows open. Also on our last trip she saved us over $300 when Disney offered a room/ticket deal that was lower than our original booking, she was able to cancel our original reservation and get us the better rate.
I don't use a TA for WDW trips, but I my TA for his help with cruises, including our river cruise this summer, and for booking our Adventures by Disney trips.
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my TA for his help with cruises, including our river cruise this summer, and for booking our Adventures by Disney trips.
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