Is a travel agent necessary?

[Heatherly30]

I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip for September. I priced out everything on the Disney website and also contacted a travel agent for a quote. There aren't any specials available right now, so the price I was quoted is the price I got on the website.

I am a planning fanatic and will be researching everything possible between now and the time we leave. If a discount or special is offered, I will know about it (that's just me). So, is it necessary for me to use a travel agent? Will they be able to save me any more money than I am able to save doing my own homework? Do they ever see "inside/travel agent only specials" that the general public never sees?

I may still use an agent since they can offer me specific park information that I'm clueless about.

If I book today and the free dining option comes available next month, will they be able to get me that special, or will I be stuck with my original reservation?

I know that this forum has strong ties to Kingdom Konsultants! Are they a free service, or do they charge for their services?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyJoe]

They do provide you with your agent's phone number after they send you your quote. I am hoping that the initial conversation I am able to have with KK clarifies questions and concerns before they start doing the work. I have several different scenario possibilities for our trip, but I was only able to present Small World with one of those options.

Nothing against KK here, I think Pam and Marie are both awesome, but why aren't you giving Small World a chance? They gave you a quote, you said there was a mistake, and the agent gave a phone number - did you email them back? Did you call the agent? Why are you bailing on them so quickly (if you are)?

Just curious!

 

[juscet]

It really comes down to how much you know about WDW. If you are booking your first trip you may feel more comfortable with using a travel agent. Most travel agents will also book your meals too. That is a huge plus. Personally I like booking things myself just because it is part of the fun of WDW. I would say if you feel comfortable with it, to book your own trip. Especially since the price you can get (at least in my experiences) has been comparable to what a travel agent can get.

 

[Katybug]

I like to have a travel agent because it's less stress for me and there is no additional fee. Also, the travel agent always knows when new deals come out. For example...when the buy 4 get 3 free came out I had no idea. My travel agent called and told me and saved our group about $2000 (we have 18 people going). I would have never known the deal was out if I didn't get on these boards or had a travel agent!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I'll jump on the bandwagon for KK as well. I've been doing my own travel arrangements for years, and continue to do my own preliminary research, and airline arrangements. I travel for work, so I have assorted tools to make the process pretty easy.

Disney however has gotten so complicated. There are all sorts of special packages, short time deals, incentives, packages, discounts like AAA...some announced, some not. I know if I make the arrangements with KK, they will follow up on that stuff for me. I still make my own ADR's, but would be comfortable in asking them to do it if I were pressed for time.

While AAA does offer some nice packages, the Disney specific knowledge of agents is hit or miss. I'm sure there are other local agencies that specialize in Disney and do a great job as well.

It is very important to me that I can email or call Pam, Elizabeth, Marie, Richard or the other great folks. When I call back, I talk to the same person I have been working with...and in an emergency, I know I will get one of them with seamless service and product knowledge.

One other important thing to remember is that there is no charge for using them. You will get the same rate (or better) of anything you can find on-line.

I have plenty of other things to plan for in my trip!

 

[Prof Ecks]

I agree with everything people have said about KK. I have used Pam and her colleagues for years, for both my family trips and for group trips and they have done an amazing job. I plan the trip and she puts it into action. I am a worrywort and she always responds to my questions and stays in touch during the whole time between the planning and the date of the actual trip. After so many years and trips I consider her a friend not just a travel agent. She is the only travel agent we have ever had where everybody in the family knows her name!

One of the things I look forward to most in the planning of a trip to WDW is getting in touch with her and starting the process of putting the trip together. It is part of the fun. Pam and the people at KK are just as into Disney as the most ardent fan among us. I can email Pam questions about what to expect at any hotel or restaurant or show and she gives you great feedback.

She is putting the finishing touches to a 7 day trip to WDW at the end of May for us, with a villa with a savanna view at AKL, a great set of meals at great times (including a dinner at Sanaa), a lunch at the castle with the girls, and front row seats at Cirque. I created the plan and she made it happen without a bit of stress (for me anyway).

 

[bennyw01]

never use an agent, i tend to blag up a deal through Delta, US Air basically an american or canadian carrier and always take a connecting flight from london, usually like atlanta or cincinati, chicago etc. then depends if you wanna stay in disney or not, i got friends ive known my whole life who work hotels in the area and usually book with them but if you wanna book disney its great through disney them selves usually they like to entice you through cool rewards discounts etc, last time i stayed in disney they gave me a free limited pin set, 4 large tumbler mug things with mickey on and 4 towels for the lagoon. just be assertive you are paying loads for your trip might as well get as much as you can cause you dont have to book through them.

 

[jjgoo]

I want to offer a couple of other perspectives in favor using an agent.

1. It doesn't cost you any more, why not use an agent and help support the industry and help keep people employed?

2. We had to cancel our vacation at the last February at the last minute for various reasons. Pam from Kingdom Konsultants was right there to take care of the process for me. It was necessary to cancel, but really the last thing on my mind at that time. It was invaluable to have an agent to take care of things. You never want something to go wrong, when you have an agent there is someone on your side if needed. Thanks again, Pam.

I will always use an agent. :wave:

 

[kimmychad]

we enjoy planning our own trips, but the lady I use at mousefan travel gives me a gift card for letting her help me so thats what I do.

If you do call disney try to be informed as possible before you call. the last time we had a vacation I wanted to book my dining 190 days out and was told it was too soon. I explained to her that as a disney guest I can book up to 10 days before offsite guests could. she wasn't aware and had to confirm with someone else. A visitor that didn't know better would have taken the castmembers word for it.

 

[Heatherly30]

I used an agent! I too work on commission, so I was delighted to help someone make a few extra dollars! I know I could have done it on my own, but she did help me make some important decisions (since hubby leaves everything to me).

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

That's great! I hope that they took great care of you!!!!

Pam

 

[Heatherly30]

Pam,
Denise took good care of me and presented me with options and ideas I hadn't thought of or considered. The resort for one! I wasn't considering Port Orleans, but apparently it is one of your favorites there at KK. The pics on the WDW website didn't do it justice. After I visited other sites and found other pics, I could see why you all like it so much! So, if I can get adjoining rooms (or at least close rooms) in the area I requested, I will be a happy traveller!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Good! I'm happy that she took such good care of you. Denise is a real gem1 Not only is she a great agent but she is also my office manager! She will take very good care of you!

Pam

 

[wannabeBelle]

I Agree!!! All of my co workers are just amazing!!! As previously mentioned a few times on here, we all manage to back each other up seamlessly. For example starting tomorrow afternoon I wont be available via e mail or phone for a few days as some of us are headed down to Disney for on site training for travel agents. Richard is going to be assisting anyone who e mails me or needs help booking a great vacation in Disney while I am away. So if your agent is out, you will be getting another agent who is just as familiar with Disney and will be able to complete the booking for you. Thanks again to all of our great clients, you are the reason we love what we do!!! Belle

 

[Computer Magic]

I used an agent! I too work on commission, so I was delighted to help someone make a few extra dollars! I know I could have done it on my own, but she did help me make some important decisions (since hubby leaves everything to me).

I am the same way. I use a combo of KK and myself. I figure why not give KK commission, they are great people and it doesn't cost me more. I do my own planning. However I give my ADR to KK. They get up much earlier then I could to make sure I get my dinning times.