How to become a Disney travel agent?

woverbay11

woverbay11

New Member
I am a stay at home dad and my youngest will be starting Kindergarten in July so I will have a lot more time on my hands. I have always loved planning vacations and absolutely love Disney World. We are DVC members and try to go at least every year. So I figured what better to do than to use my love for Disney to help others enjoy the most magical place on earth. Can anyone give me any tips on where to start?

Thanks!
 
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HyppyChick

HyppyChick

New Member
I've read over this thread and let me first say that the gurus have provided a TON of information that I have found invaluable. Thank you for spending your time to provide us "wanna be's" with your knowledge and experience.

I am on the brink of starting my own career as a travel agent. I want to specialize in Disney Destinations. In my pre-mommy career, I had many years of customer service and excelled in organization and administration. I'm learning marketing and sales through reading and research. I believe that with a little training that I would excel.

Here's my dilemma: It's been over 5 years since I've been to a Disney Destination. Life has gotten in my way ever since I booked my Disney cruise just to find out a few days later that I was pregnant with my miracle baby and that I would be 28 weeks pregnant at the time of the cruise (DCL doesn't allow preggos past 26 weeks). I've assisted friends and family in booking their own trips but haven't been able to work out my own trip until now. I am happy to say that my family will be staying at the Poly in April 2015. YAY!

I've researched probably every Disney focused travel agency on the internet and every single one is looking for either REAL travel agent experience or a recent trip. My thinking is that between now and my April trip, I should take as many classes as I can in travel, marketing, and sales.

What else should I be doing?
 
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wannabeBelle

wannabeBelle

Well-Known Member
Bobby Steormann said:
Commission is around $200 a trip I hear.
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As others have said this is a percentage of the sale and may not be $200 at all, it depends on what was sold and the commission split that you earn with the agency you work for. Also keep in mind that you don't get paid at all if the client cancels the trip or doesn't book with you, regardless of what you assisted with. Marie
 
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Chasafras

Chasafras

New Member
I have been interested in Becoming a Disney Travel Planer for several years but I felt I did not have the time to properly give but things have changed. I have looked around at a few agencies & I am just unsure of which ones are best to go with. I am looking for one that will give me the proper training I need to get started & that will have continuous education, & support. Any advice will be appreciated.
 
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Kingdom Konsultant

Kingdom Konsultant

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Chasafras said:
I have been interested in Becoming a Disney Travel Planer for several years but I felt I did not have the time to properly give but things have changed. I have looked around at a few agencies & I am just unsure of which ones are best to go with. I am looking for one that will give me the proper training I need to get started & that will have continuous education, & support. Any advice will be appreciated.
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Please feel free to send me an email. Pam@kingdomkonsultant.com.

I get approximately 10-15 emails a week from people that want to sell travel. Please make sure that you mention this post

Pam
 
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TigerLilee

TigerLilee

New Member
I have an extensive background working for Disney and separately working as a travel agent, however, that experience was quite a few years ago. I have spent years now raising three beautiful boys, who each are on the autism spectrum. It has been challenging. Now that my life will allow for it, I would like to return to my first love, Disney, as a travel consultant. I'm wondering if my past work experience is going to matter to anyone.
Also, I haven't been to any of the parks in 6 years, although I am planning a cruise and trip to Disneyland Resort this Fall. Do you guys think I have to put my dreams on hold until I've revisited every park again? I have started researching various agencies that are accepting independent contractors but I'm wondering if my experience counts for anyone. Thoughts anyone? I would appreciate any wisdom on journeying back to the workforce.
 
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Kingdom Konsultant

Kingdom Konsultant

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It would definitely count towards something, at least at my agency. Feel free to contact me. I am currently on WDW visiting my daughter, so I wouldn't respond until I am back in the office midweek.

Pam
 
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D

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
TigerLilee said:
I have an extensive background working for Disney and separately working as a travel agent, however, that experience was quite a few years ago. I have spent years now raising three beautiful boys, who each are on the autism spectrum. It has been challenging. Now that my life will allow for it, I would like to return to my first love, Disney, as a travel consultant. I'm wondering if my past work experience is going to matter to anyone.

Also, I haven't been to any of the parks in 6 years, although I am planning a cruise and trip to Disneyland Resort this Fall. Do you guys think I have to put my dreams on hold until I've revisited every park again? I have started researching various agencies that are accepting independent contractors but I'm wondering if my experience counts for anyone. Thoughts anyone? I would appreciate any wisdom on journeying back to the workforce.
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Having the experience working as a travel agent previously would possibly count some if applying to my agency, depending on the experience and how long ago it was, but I place a higher importance on recent Disney vacation experiences. If you haven't taken a Disney vacation in 6 years, you haven't experienced Magicbands, Fastpass+ and My Disney Experience which is a large part of assisting someone who is traveling to Disney today.

I know of at least one Disney-focused agency that places an emphasis on hiring Disney Castmembers.

Each agency owner has different criteria for hiring and definite reasons for setting that criteria.

Good luck!
 
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DiSnEyF@n

DiSnEyF@n

Well-Known Member
real mad hatter said:
Welcome aboard.I host Disney parties every three months,at my house.Other Disney friends bring food & drink,and we watch others vacation dvd's and discuss various things,swop ideas,I do a Disney trivia game,etc.My first one this year is in two weeks so I'am busy getting things organised as they'll be around 12 to 15 guests.;)
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What a great idea!!!
 
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M

mjmyers10

Member
I started an agency on my own 4 years ago. I just do it part time but it's gotten bigger every year. The most important part of an agency is finding customer. You can know everything there is to know about Disney, but if you don't have customers, it won't help. Same is true if you can find customers, if you can't service them, you won't be successful. You get out what you put in. I went through a host agency that didn't have any upfront costs (they just take a percentage of each sale). It took me a good year before I started seeing some real trips booked. 95% of my business now comes from referrals and repeat customers. I am glad that I did it because I enjoy helping people plan trips. Good luck!
 
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Kingdom Konsultant

Kingdom Konsultant

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I've been selling for over 14 years now and the amount of repeat and referrals I get is off the charts. I would say that my agency as a whole does an outstanding amount of this type of work but we also get a ton of new clients from our advertising outlets like @wdwmagic !

Pam
 
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mgat5

mgat5

New Member
I know this post started a while back... I'm looking for current information into becoming a Disney travel agent. I have sent a few emails to a few agencies and I know it may take a while to hear back from them.
Besides Disney knowledge, is it always necessary to have Travel Agent experience? Thank you!
 
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Kingdom Konsultant

Kingdom Konsultant

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mgat5 said:
I know this post started a while back... I'm looking for current information into becoming a Disney travel agent. I have sent a few emails to a few agencies and I know it may take a while to hear back from them.
Besides Disney knowledge, is it always necessary to have Travel Agent experience? Thank you!
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No it is not necessary. Personal travel experiences such as taking a recent Disney cruise and traveling to Walt Disney World within the last year are also a plus.

Pam
 
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Kingdom Konsultant

Kingdom Konsultant

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Some start by getting a little experience by taking courses on the travel institute online and taking their TAP exam, others contact agencies directly with their resume and travel experiences. Some agencies have an online application process, others just offer an email for applicants. I don't do either simply because I get a tremendous amount of people that contact me on a weekly basis that there is no need to. LOL

Pam
 
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