Are there Authorised Disney Travel agents/Planners in UK?

[WDW_Jon]

Hi, wondering if anyone has the answer...

I've seen so many sites for small organisations who are authorised Vacation planners who do Disney/Orlando based in the US but not seen anything in the UK?

I know the main guys around this place are the Kingdom Konsultants and wondered if they would know?

Multiple reasons for asking...
1) Some friends of mine wanted to know if there was a UK based specialist as they get fed up of the Fly drive packages etc from the big operators (Virgin) who get you a reasonable deal and show you the hotels in brief without any explanation of the size of WDW and transport particulars within resort etc... They assist with nothing than herding you on the flight and do nothing to help make a trip unique and I know from experience that unless you know quite a lot about the place it's hard to arrange anyhting from this end...

2) If there isn't anyone i'd like to do it!

Any help would be good...

 

[Master Yoda]

I do not know of one but I would hardly consider my knowledge definitive on the subject.

 

[WDW_Jon]

I do not know of one but I would hardly consider my knowledge definitive on the subject.

Well that's 2 of us who don't know of any! Do you guys get any businees from the UK or is it all closer to home?

 

[Master Yoda]

Well that's 2 of us who don't know of any! Do you guys get any businees from the UK or is it all closer to home?

I know that I do not simply because the agents in the US can not book the UK only offers.....which can be pretty amazing deals.

 

[WDW_Jon]

I know that I do not simply because the agents in the US can not book the UK only offers.....which can be pretty amazing deals.

Oh right, so you are saying that we already get good deals here through the bigger agents?

I would suspect we could do better on prices if things were booked direct throught the resorts and Disney itself or would you not agree?

I know the ticket prices and dining offers are very good...

 

[Master Yoda]

]Oh right, so you are saying that we already get good deals here through the bigger agents?[/B]

I would suspect we could do better on prices if things were booked direct throught the resorts and Disney itself or would you not agree?

I know the ticket prices and dining offers are very good...

Not really. Disney has UK resident only promotions that US agents can not book UK clients under. Many of these UK only promotions are much better than the promotions offered to the general public. I can book UK residents under general public or AP promotions but the UK only promotions are frequently better. Hence the reason I do not have many UK clients.

 

[DisneyJoe]

The Authorized Disney Vacation Planner program, or Earmarked, is a US only program.

 

[WDW_Jon]

The Authorized Disney Vacation Planner program, or Earmarked, is a US only program.

Really? Seems strange, surely they would be able to authorise suitably vetted agents around the world if they wanted? Surely that would make sense?
Unless of course they would rather have the standard 'lets get you on a plane and give you a free car and free burgers for 2 weeks' packages we get so often...

I'm sure they make plenty of money off those though... :veryconfu

 

[WDW_Jon]

Not really. Disney has UK resident only promotions that US agents can not book UK clients under. Many of these UK only promotions are much better than the promotions offered to the general public. I can book UK residents under general public or AP promotions but the UK only promotions are frequently better. Hence the reason I do not have many UK clients.

Ok, assume they're just happy with the bulk packages the big boys sell on that basis, would be nice for people to receive a bespoke service like yours outside of the US...

Not all brits are familiar with what's even at Disney unlike many americans, I suspect the majority booking big trips have no idea what to expect when they get there, people I speak with just assume it's just princesses in one park and you have to drive everywhere etc etc, never mind the fact that the resorts are so vast and offer so much and there is so much you can actually do in WDW that requires forward planning due to high demand...

Don't suppose the KK want to franchise a UK department and go global!??

 

[real mad hatter]

UK Best deals.

Well this year is our fifth WDW vacation and have been booked with First Choice,now joined with Thomsons,and Thomas Cook,we couldn't afford Virgin prices,almost £2000 more than we paid this year.Attractions Direct are a English based company who now not only deal with tickets for USA,but now book your entire holiday,hotels,flights,tickets,infact their web site is Complete Orlando.com.Believe it or not,they undercut WDW resort hotels.:wave:

 

[WDW_Jon]

Well this year is our fifth WDW vacation and have been booked with First Choice,now joined with Thomsons,and Thomas Cook,we couldn't afford Virgin prices,almost £2000 more than we paid this year.Attractions Direct are a English based company who now not only deal with tickets for USA,but now book your entire holiday,hotels,flights,tickets,infact their web site is Complete Orlando.com.Believe it or not,they undercut WDW resort hotels.:wave:

Interesting, ok thanks for that, not sure what the demand is for a Orlando specific travel company which is obviously why there aren't loads around, still interested as I think it would be a great job... :lookaroun

 

[real mad hatter]

Ocean Orlando .

Ocean Orlando are another UK based company,I keep getting e-mails from Lisa who works there.The prices are good,not as good as Complete Orlando.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Really? Seems strange, surely they would be able to authorise suitably vetted agents around the world if they wanted? Surely that would make sense?

The variations in law would make it difficult.

For example, there are certain rewards that Earmarked agencies receive based on sales (points, not cash, to be redeemed at Disney locations - many are gifts for our clients, some are to reward our agents). Due to Canadian Law, a Canadian could not receive these same reward points.

Let me clarify the program too - the agency (not agent) earns the right to be part of the program based on their sales and their dedication to selling the Disney Destinations products. Once they meet certain criteria, Disney can offer them a contract to be part of the program, which is mainly an enhanced marketing program to help the agency sell even more. "Vetting" mostly consists of meeting revenue goals.