Authorized Disney Travel Agents

ExtinctJenn

ExtinctJenn

Well-Known Member
What Authorized Disney Travel Agents do you use and why?

Have you ever had a bad experience with one?

What are your thoughts on the commission TAs receive?

Do you feel pressured to book through them once you've contacted one?
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Well in my single experience it was identical to the penny between what I was quoted by my TA and what I was quoted by Disney and the TA explained that essentially a percentage of the total went to her if I used her but if not that percentage was just in Disney's pockets.
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The price for identical packages will be the same, but when you start factoring in shorter call times, online booking, up sales, etc, that TAs produce, it works out for Disney to pay the commissions over the long term.
 
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ExtinctJenn

ExtinctJenn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
DisneyJoe said:
You're only thinking single transaction and not the big picture. Think of time and labor and many phone calls etc.
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Master Yoda said:
The price for identical packages will be the same, but when you start factoring in shorter call times, online booking, up sales, etc, that TAs produce, it works out for Disney to pay the commissions over the long term.
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Right... guys I'm just saying the out-of-pocket for the guest paying for the trip is identical. I'm not arguing why they deserve a commission.
 
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ExtinctJenn

ExtinctJenn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
DisneyJoe said:
Your original post almost sounded like we shouldn't be taking money away from Disney, at least that's how i read it.
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Nooooooooooooo! I was simply asking how folks felt about the concept of commission to the TAs (i.e. is it enough, do you think they should get a flat amount vs. percentage, do you think if they are getting a commission then when you don't use a TA it should be less, etc.)! In no way do I disagree that these folks should get paid for the service they provide!
 
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D

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Nooooooooooooo! I was simply asking how folks felt about the concept of commission to the TAs (i.e. is it enough, do you think they should get a flat amount vs. percentage, do you think if they are getting a commission then when you don't use a TA it should be
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That's a much bigger conversation, especially since consumers don't have all of the info to have that discussion.
 
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M

MountainMedic'sWife

Active Member
I booked through Small World Vacations for my December trip. I debated as to whether or not I should even use an agency. I was doing a "room only" reservation, but, since I had never stayed on property before, I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss any discounts. So when fall discounts came out, Small World changed my reservation immediately and saved me another $375. I didn't think my hotel and situation even qualified, so if I had made the reservations myself, I might have missed the discount. So, for me, they were well worth it.
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
ExtinctJenn said:
What Authorized Disney Travel Agents do you use and why?

Have you ever had a bad experience with one?

What are your thoughts on the commission TAs receive?

Do you feel pressured to book through them once you've contacted one?
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I think some that are authorized don't actually specialize in Disney. I don't put much stake in them being simply authorized. I'd get one that specialized in Disney and that I knew something about, like Kingdom Konsultants.

No bad experiences.

I don't know what kind of commission they get and I don't care. So long as I'm getting the best deal I can get, I'm happy. :)

I wouldn't feel pressured, but I wouldn't contact someone who works on commission (like a realtor or TA) unless I was sure I was buying. I don't like to make people work for free, KWIM?
 
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WDW-LUVR

WDW-LUVR

Active Member
I use Kingdom Konsultant. LOVE LOVE Jenell. Never have had any problems. Even if I booked my own bounce back I will come home and switch it over. As far as the commission, they do work hard for it. Never do I feel pressured to book through Jenell. I love talking with her, and it gives me an excuse to contact her. LOL A little info, just because they are a Disney Specialist does not mean they don't book other vacations as well. LOL I did this, we are planning a Caribbean vacation and my husband tells me to call Jenell, I reply Jenell doesn't do other trip she only does Disney. Well she called to me to finalize our disney trip and we got talking about the Caribbean vacation, and she says I do, do other trips, you do? Well YEAH now I will book all our vacation through Jenell.
 
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WDW-LUVR

WDW-LUVR

Active Member
MountainMedic'sWife said:
I booked through Small World Vacations for my December trip. I debated as to whether or not I should even use an agency. I was doing a "room only" reservation, but, since I had never stayed on property before, I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss any discounts. So when fall discounts came out, Small World changed my reservation immediately and saved me another $375. I didn't think my hotel and situation even qualified, so if I had made the reservations myself, I might have missed the discount. So, for me, they were well worth it.
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Similar thing happened with me one year book a trip with Jenell Kingdom Konsultians, and life was going on and completely forgot to watch for the GP FREE DDP code to come out and found out about the day before or the day it was coming out. I called Jenell panicking and she says you set I have you covered.
 
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D

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
luv said:
I think some that are authorized don't actually specialize in Disney. I don't put much stake in them being simply authorized. I'd get one that specialized in Disney and that I knew something about, like Kingdom Konsultants.
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Actually, most don't specialize in Disney.

Disney offers a Authorized Disney Vacation Planner contract to those who will dedicate a certain effort to marketing and selling Disney Destinations, and who have proven themselves already with a certain level of sales. They then get extra marketing and sales support from Disney.

I'm a little biased as an owner of an agency, but I agree that you should use an agency that specializes in Disney.... ;-)
 
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dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
DisneyJoe said:
Actually, most don't specialize in Disney.

Disney offers a Authorized Disney Vacation Planner contract to those who will dedicate a certain effort to marketing and selling Disney Destinations, and who have proven themselves already with a certain level of sales. They then get extra marketing and sales support from Disney.

I'm a little biased as an owner of an agency, but I agree that you should use an agency that specializes in Disney.... ;-)
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Just to back up @DisneyJoe here, for instance AAA is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. So while a few people report having success booking their trips through AAA, I hear more "meh" stories than anything else. Agents not booking ADRs on time, not knowing anything about the latest discount code, etc. Since they deal with any sort of travel, their Disney knowledge is nothing compared to what the specialists will offer. So while they may work fine for your average Joe Schmoe Disney tourist, someone who hangs out on a WDW message board and knows about 180 day ADRs will benefit from working with a specialist.
 
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TAMarie

TAMarie

Member
ExtinctJenn said:
So I've got to ask you... that larger percentage of folks who contact you for a quote and then don't book through you... do you take that personally? If it was a friend/family member would you be upset with them for making the decision to book through Disney instead (for whatever reason)? I know that sounds like a leading question but it's not intended to be. I'm very curious if when you have the option to mix business with family/friends, does it ever go badly for you?
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I don't take it personally, but I do wonder if they got a better price elsewhere and if so, where. If a friend/family member asked for a quote and then booked elsewhere, I wouldn't be happy - who would?
 
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TAMarie

TAMarie

Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Couldn't agree with this statement more. If someone doesn't see the benefit of using an agent and knows they can get the same information/service by calling Disney directly, then you can't be surprised when they don't book with you right?
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Disney doesn't spend the amount of time with clients that separate agents do, finding out family member's wish list of things to do, or favorite Disney characters. Nor do they offer extra incentives such as $100 gift card for vacation packages booked by Sep 30 for example. If agents only spit back quotes then we wouldn't be in business...
 
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ExtinctJenn

ExtinctJenn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
TAMarie said:
Disney doesn't spend the amount of time with clients that separate agents do, finding out family member's wish list of things to do, or favorite Disney characters. Nor do they offer extra incentives such as $100 gift card for vacation packages booked by Sep 30 for example. If agents only spit back quotes then we wouldn't be in business...
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I agree however the comment you quoted was in response to a post saying if all the TA does is nothing more than provide a quote then the point of using them is lost.
 
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tractorm3

tractorm3

Active Member
I USED KK and leave in just under 13 days now. I could not be happier with the treatment and service I get from them. I used 7 different gift cards from a wedding and my debit card to pay balance on my trip, not only just a trip but my honeymoon! There has never been an issue and rarely do I not get an email with a very detailed response with in 24hrs of sending. They put so much of their personal experience into what they do. I feel better talking with them then the folks at Disney.
 
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