How to become an independant certified Disney travel agent?

[DisneyJoe]

Our pleasure - only one small minor clarification:

Complete the Authorized Disney Vacation Planner program with the Disney Genius or College of Disney Knowledge online to get the proper title (if actually available in Canada)

You will definitely be able to take the agent education courses that are part of Disney Genius and College of Disney Knowledge - that is offered to any agent who has access to the Disney Travel Agents website.

The Authorized Disney Vacation Planner or Earmarked program depends on if the program is offered in Canada, and if the agency you join has met the qualifications for the program.
Good luck!

 

[dizknee]

I just fell upon this post. What a great subject.... I can shed a little more light.

It is insanely difficult to do what you are hoping to do Markz. Particularly in Quebec. QC have become VERY strict on travel agents & agencies. I started our Disney "only" travel business in QC. I was working for a host agency and it was incredibly difficult for four years. So much so with OPC, IATA, and language laws; I completely changed provinces. I moved to the maritimes.

I now run a thriving travel business from home, make my own hours, enjoy small town community life, spread the magic, and enjoy some wonderful experiences. I only sell Disney destinations or Disney Cruise Line and have travellers from 13 countries, most Canadian provinces, and a few US states.

I was fortunate enough to work a high paying IT job while perfecting the brand and getting my Travel Consultant Diploma. I have attended and graduated from several on-site trainings, have completed all online trainings, and have researched the parks & cruises more than 50 times. It's a lot of work, dedication, and sacrifice. You will not get rich quick and shouldn't expect people to be knocking down your door in droves. Competition is fierce. You have to do more and create relationships with your travellers. For some, they have been saving for years to bring their family on this ONE vacation. It's important to make sure they come back wide eyed and smitten with the magic.

I know of a handful of high quality Disney travel agencies in Canada. I continue to have great relationships with them because we all work to create something special.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Make every day a magical one.

Rob

 

[poloma1021]

Like so many on this site, I am interested in venturing into Disney travel sales. I currently am an event planner. My love for Disney has guided me to trainings with a Disney specialist adding pixie dust to my events, sent me researching the soul and spirit of Disney, and of course it leads me multiple times a year to WDW to immerse myself in the magic. I would love to be able to translate this into a profession. I already plan Disney trips for friends and associates, tracking specials and individual preferences and am the resident military deal expert! However, the IATAN, CLIA, E&O and then state specific restrictions are mind boggling! Should I find a host? Should I specialize? What I have found is most sites have an angle and I would love some magical feedback! Can anyone assist before I am as mad as the Hatter! ;-)

 

[luv]

Knowing parks, hotels and restaurants is the easy part. Any idiot can learn all that. Planning vacations for family and friends - also easy. I've done that. Dealing with vacationers wouldn't be all that difficult, either, if you have decent customer service skills.

Making money is the harder part. Paying taxes, fees, et cetera...and accountants/lawyers to figure them out. Getting people to pay you so you make the money. That is the hard part.

There are so many Disney vacation specialists. If I wanted to be a TA who specialized, I'd pick some other destination. Less competition.

But that's me.

 

[DisneyJoe]

There are so many Disney vacation specialists. If I wanted to be a TA who specialized, I'd pick some other destination. Less competition.

In comparison to other niches (wedding planning, luxury, adventure etc), Disney trip planning is still very small - it just seems big to you since you are a Disney fan and hang out on Disney forums.

If you plan on targeting online fans as your client base, yes, there is too much competition for those clients; I have found that marketing to the offline client base is much more lucrative.

Sales skills are what is needed - selling yourself and your value to others. Once you learn that, and get a marketing system in place with referrals, it just takes patience.

poloma1021, working with a host is the easiest way to start - but do your research! Many will have you pay a fee and then give you very little to no support.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Like so many on this site, I am interested in venturing into Disney travel sales. I currently am an event planner. My love for Disney has guided me to trainings with a Disney specialist adding pixie dust to my events, sent me researching the soul and spirit of Disney, and of course it leads me multiple times a year to WDW to immerse myself in the magic. I would love to be able to translate this into a profession. I already plan Disney trips for friends and associates, tracking specials and individual preferences and am the resident military deal expert! However, the IATAN, CLIA, E&O and then state specific restrictions are mind boggling! Should I find a host? Should I specialize? What I have found is most sites have an angle and I would love some magical feedback! Can anyone assist before I am as mad as the Hatter! ;-)

Paloma send me an email pam@kingdomkonsultant.com. And I will answer your questions. Please make sure you mention your WDWMagic name because I do get a lot of emails asking how to become an agent or if I am hiring.

Pam

 

[real mad hatter]

Like so many on this site, I am interested in venturing into Disney travel sales. I currently am an event planner. My love for Disney has guided me to trainings with a Disney specialist adding pixie dust to my events, sent me researching the soul and spirit of Disney, and of course it leads me multiple times a year to WDW to immerse myself in the magic. I would love to be able to translate this into a profession. I already plan Disney trips for friends and associates, tracking specials and individual preferences and am the resident military deal expert! However, the IATAN, CLIA, E&O and then state specific restrictions are mind boggling! Should I find a host? Should I specialize? What I have found is most sites have an angle and I would love some magical feedback! Can anyone assist before I am as mad as the Hatter! ;-)

Afraid it's too late.

 

[poloma1021]

Thank you Pam, I sent you a message. LOVE the reply RMH, of course, "We're all mad here." ;-)

 

[poloma1021]

Good point luv, thank you. I use to work in the legal world and will reach out to those contacts for guidance as well.

Disney Joe, I have noticed so many sites have fees and they range in cost as well as application processes. Though I fully understand the application process, I view it like applying for credit; it isn't very good to apply for too much/too many. How can you avoid this and still find a host that you fit well with?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Disney Joe, I have noticed so many sites have fees and they range in cost as well as application processes. Though I fully understand the application process, I view it like applying for credit; it isn't very good to apply for too much/too many. How can you avoid this and still find a host that you fit well with?

Start off trying to get info and a feel for the agency. A few things to try:

- email them - see how fast you get a reply
- ask to speak to the owner or manager on the phone
- ask to contact (preferably by phone) existing agents

Those who give great support to their team will have time to answer your emails and also to talk to you on the phone (within a reasonable time frame) - and they won't hesitate to give you the contact info of a few of their existing agents.

I look forward to hearing what you find out. ;-)

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

When I signed up with my agency I sent an application and the owner of the agency arranged a time to meet face to face within the week. I felt very comfortable with them and still chat with the owner regularly though my business is from my home and I rarely see her face to face.

The start up fees for me to work from home were minimal. It basically covered my licence to sell travel insurance plus a $20.00 admin fee to get me started with all of their computer systems. There is another home-based agent in my area with another company who paid over a thousand dollars more than I did to start working. If you are not comfortable with the start up fees, don't do it. I made back my initial fees from the commissions off my very first booking.

I do specialize in Disney vacations but I don't limit myself to that. I book everything from Cuba to Australia, cruises and tours, whatever a client needs.

I doubt I would get much money from Disney alone...though it is my favourite vacation to book

I actually spoke with my Disney Sales Rep today to get some Disney goodies for a display and a gift basket for a travel show I'll be participating in. I love when they send me Disney goodies

 

[AmandaC]

Hi, I am very new to the forum. I just found out I could be a travel agent that works from home. I have done some research this past week about doing this and read most of the forum chats on this site even dating back to 2006. When I googled work at home travel agent KHM Travel was the first to pop up. Does anyone know of this company? They want you to pay around $50 a month for their website, kind of like an MLM set up is what I feel. Is this normal and have you heard if this is a good company. I went to mickeyvacations.com and submit my info and called the number and noone has gotten back to me at all. I would love to do this full time but I am a bit scared that I will jump into the wrong company and have it cost me more more money that it should. I want to make the right choice with a valued company.