Travel agent vs booking on your own

[DimpledDevil18]

I need some of my experienced WDW friends to settle an argument between my Dad and I.

I'm trying to plan a trip for next October during Food and Wine for myself and possibly my sister. We have used travel agents to book in the past and most recently used a AAA travel agent for our trip this past August. I originally went onto the Disney website and got some figures for the dates I had in mind. Meanwhile my Dad called up his AAA agent to see if she could get a better rate and she wound up with the same exact figure I got through the Disney website.

My Dad is very old school and thinks he knows it all. So he is convinced that there must be something wrong because he swears the travel agent has given him better deals than booking through Disney directly. He says in the past he has called Disney and gotten astronomical rates and that AAA was cheaper. I say he's wrong and prople mainly book through a travel agent for convenience or if you are not very familiar with Disney.

So do you get cheaper rates through a travel agent or is it the same as booking it yourself through the website without the work?

 

[Takeitforgranite]

Travel agents are great for newbies, but they never saved me any money. The first couple times we went, it was handy to have someone take care of things for you and advise you. After we learned the ropes, we started comparing and always got the exact same price as the Disney site. I felt like it was easier to just do everything online, though the agents were always friendly and helpful.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I have booked direct and through AAA. The rate has always been the same. I use AAA because it's on my street and convenient for me. I just stop in and tell the agent what I want and they have it done with airfare when I stop back in.

However, I have a question. Does Kingdom Konsultant also help you with the airline? I looked into one of these agencies and they didn't include that.

We can within any vacation package offering. We cannot do international flights. That having been said I do encourage my clients to check the pricing themselves as well to compare. Marie

 

[Master Yoda]

Travel agents are great for newbies, but they never saved me any money. The first couple times we went, it was handy to have someone take care of things for you and advise you. After we learned the ropes, we started comparing and always got the exact same price as the Disney site. I felt like it was easier to just do everything online, though the agents were always friendly and helpful.

I found the exact opposite to be true.

I know my way around the Disney system more than most. I even worked for Kingdom Konsultants as a TA for a few years. Aside from a last minute room only reservation I will never call Disney again.

The simple reason is I get better service from @Kingdom Konsultant s than I do from Disney and it does not cost me a dime.

When I want to book a trip I email my agent Marie (@wannabeBelle ) directly with the details. If what I want is available she puts it on hold and emails me back with the details. I give her a go not go for launch and I am done. I never have to think about the trip again until the day I leave. I don't have to spend my time looking for discounts and trying to get them adjusted if something does come out. I don't have to deal with making ADRs as Marie also does that for me.

I can't imagine going back to do all that myself and still never having a better outcome than when Marie books my travel for me.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I found the exact opposite to be true.

I know my way around the Disney system more than most. I even worked for Kingdom Konsultants as a TA for a few years. Aside from a last minute room only reservation I will never call Disney again.

The simple reason is I get better service from @Kingdom Konsultant s than I do from Disney and it does not cost me a dime.

When I want to book a trip I email my agent Marie (@wannabeBelle ) directly with the details. If what I want is available she puts it on hold and emails me back with the details. I give her a go not go for launch and I am done. I never have to think about the trip again until the day I leave. I don't have to spend my time looking for discounts and trying to get them adjusted if something does come out. I don't have to deal with making ADRs as Marie also does that for me.

I can't imagine going back to do all that myself and still never having a better outcome than when Marie books my travel for me.

People are gonna start to think we are married again!!! LOL LOL LOL Marie

 

[Master Yoda]

People are gonna start to think we are married again!!! LOL LOL LOL Marie

I would not sweat it. My actual wife is cool with it.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I would not sweat it. My actual wife is cool with it.

Love my Mrs Yoda!!!! Marie

 

[Ted Daggett]

AAA used to provide a special parking pass (AAA Diamond parking) when you booked with them that allowed you to park in the AAA green diamond lot, which was near the handicap lot. They have since done away with that program, I think as of January 1, 2015. I did not book through AAA, but bought a AAA pass on ebay, since they are good for the entire year. I know I used one in 2007 and maybe one in 2012 as well (took DME other years).

I think part of the fun of going to WDW is planning the trip. I would never let someone else plan my trip for me. They would have to pay me to take that fun away from me.

 

[jaklgreen]

I always book on my own since, for me, it is half the fun. I love keeping up on all things Disney and frankly, I don't trust that a travel agent has either the inclination or the time to keep up on all of the offers if something better came up. Your dad is just old school, from a time before the internet and only travel agents had information on hotels and flights. I remember those days and it was true that AAA used to have the best deals for WDW. Those days are gone and you are better off doing things yourself if you are willing and able to.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I don't trust that a travel agent has either the inclination or the time to keep up on all of the offers if something better came up.

A generic travel agent probably doesn't, most just want to book the trip and move on to the next one. However, an agent that works for a Disney focused/specialist travel agency would definitely have both the time and the inclination, as many do it full time, and for most, Disney is all that they sell.
There are hundreds of these types of agencies, and thousands of agents, such as WDWMagic sponsor Kingdom Konsultant. They are online at 6 am for ADRs and 7 am for FP+. They will spend hours on the phone with Disney working for their clients. Agents that are from an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency (or Earmarked) are required to complete yearly training from Disney.

 

[yensid67]

The best part of taking a Disney vacation IS the planning! I have never used an agent of any kind. I do all the research myself and although it seems a bit frustrating and stressful, in the end its all worth it! You want to go to Food & Wine for October 2017, but do you HAVE to stay on property? You can save as much as a couple hundreds depending on your hotel preference! We are going October too, and if I would have booked through hotel site our room would have been $1,000.00 for 8 days, going through a different site, the same room at the same hotel is $470.00 for 8 days! So definitely a great savings. For tickets, try undercovertourist.com, They have the best pricing for tickets for all attractions from WDW to Sea World to International Drive to Dinner Shows and more! One stop shopping! If you need any info on hotel site I used let me know...

 

[JillC LI]

The simple reason is I get better service from @Kingdom Konsultant s than I do from Disney and it does not cost me a dime.

^^^ This.

The best part of taking a Disney vacation IS the planning!

I agree that the planning is fun, but sitting on the phone getting quotes is not. Monitoring the web for discounts is not. I research and select the resort I want, the restaurants I want, the parks and FP+s I want, the touring plans I want, but I let Kingdom Konsultants book the trip for me. So much easier.

 

[jaklgreen]

A generic travel agent probably doesn't, most just want to book the trip and move on to the next one. However, an agent that works for a Disney focused/specialist travel agency would definitely have both the time and the inclination, as many do it full time, and for most, Disney is all that they sell.
There are hundreds of these types of agencies, and thousands of agents, such as WDWMagic sponsor Kingdom Konsultant. They are online at 6 am for ADRs and 7 am for FP+. They will spend hours on the phone with Disney working for their clients. Agents that are from an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency (or Earmarked) are required to complete yearly training from Disney.

But the OP is using AAA. They have no reason to keep up with 1 person's Disney trip, especially since they hardly get anything as far commission from Disney now. I can see a Disney focused agent where they are constantly monitoring all things Disney. But some random AAA agent, I really can't see that they would do that.

 

[jaklgreen]

I agree that the planning is fun, but sitting on the phone getting quotes is not. Monitoring the web for discounts is not. I research and select the resort I want, the restaurants I want, the parks and FP+s I want, the touring plans I want, but I let Kingdom Konsultants book the trip for me. So much easier.

Well, I enjoy it. Its kind of like a little challenge to see the best price that I can get. If I went with someone else, I would always wonder if it really was the best price/deal that I could get. So I like to know and be satisfied that what I am doing is the best for me.

 

[Master Yoda]

But the OP is using AAA. They have no reason to keep up with 1 person's Disney trip, especially since they hardly get anything as far commission from Disney now. I can see a Disney focused agent where they are constantly monitoring all things Disney. But some random AAA agent, I really can't see that they would do that.

Quite correct on that. AAA agents are hit or miss. The first one we had was great and new Disney like the back of her hand. The second and last one we encountered...well...she was petty sure WDW was somewhere near Orlando.

 

[kniquy]

I think you get better deals if you search out the rates/deals yourself. There are not really any savings on park tickets comparing AAA to undercover tourist, i don't believe they have any better access to room discounts. My co-worker went through a travel agent for her families trip and was having the travel agent book their dining reservations. I would never think of that. I am someone who wants control and who wants to make a decision as to where and when we eat. It is just a matter of convenience to use a travel agent. Probably more for those who are not computer savvy and know how and where to look for discounts, dining reservations etc.

Keep in mind a travel agent is not going to be able to book your room through a DVC rental -- this saves a ton compared to direct disney rooms. If the goal is to save money then research this option. If convenience is the only factor then i guess AAA is the way to go.

 

[kniquy]

I think part of the fun of going to WDW is planning the trip.

I couldn't agree more!!! This is why i have a trip planned for this April and already am in the planning stages for our big family trip in April of 2108. I love researching and learning about the different restaurants we haven't tried or the little less known things you can do in the parks/resorts. Some people can't wrap their head around all that needs to be done for a Disney trip -- it is unlike any other vacation. So easier to put it in the hands of an agent. I have been nominated as our Disney vacation planner and tour guide -- I get input from family and work to fit in all their wants

 

[Pirate Magic]

For the first time in almost a decade we were in need of a travel agent, thanks to CM discounts. We did this year use Kingdom Konsultants, Marie @wannabeBelle and she was beyond awesome. Everything including some changes slid perfectly into place & questions promptly answered. Perfect experience. Would never book a non-CM trip again without her assistance.

I have used Kingdom Konsultants for years. Marie is my travel agent too!!! She has gone over and beyond giving me the best quote for a trip. If she see a better deal she will make sure she will do her best to get it for you. When I first started to go to Disney I use to book my own trips, then I went to a different Disney travel agent ( but didn't like the agent and the service I was receiving). I have been with Marie and Kingdom Konsultants since 2009 and they always been fantastic.

 

[Pirate Magic]

I think you get better deals if you search out the rates/deals yourself. There are not really any savings on park tickets comparing AAA to undercover tourist, i don't believe they have any better access to room discounts. My co-worker went through a travel agent for her families trip and was having the travel agent book their dining reservations. I would never think of that. I am someone who wants control and who wants to make a decision as to where and when we eat. It is just a matter of convenience to use a travel agent. Probably more for those who are not computer savvy and know how and where to look for discounts, dining reservations etc.

Keep in mind a travel agent is not going to be able to book your room through a DVC rental -- this saves a ton compared to direct disney rooms. If the goal is to save money then research this option. If convenience is the only factor then i guess AAA is the way to go.

I have never experienced "not being in control" when I am booking with a travel agent such as Kingdom Konsultants. When it is time for booking our Dinning arrangements I give a time frame and the dates and the places we want to go and usually there is no problem. But I am also planning on my side if I see some party or event we want to do we do it sometimes I will book it or I have Marie book it. But I don' t feel like I am not in control of the vacation or the booking. As a matter of fact Marie one year booked my vacation at least three or four times getting me the best deal. That would be way too much time that I don't have. But to each is own, if that's what makes you happy go for it!!!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

If you find that another TA can get you a much better deal than the one you've already signed up with, is it ok to switch? I'm having an issue where I got another quote out of curiosity and it was much lower than what I'm already paying.

 

[DisneyJoe]

If you find that another TA can get you a much better deal than the one you've already signed up with, is it ok to switch? I'm having an issue where I got another quote out of curiosity and it was much lower than what I'm already paying.

To be fair give your agent a chance to match it. Make sure you're making an apples to apples comparison too.

If you're already booked, you'd need to cancel and rebook to change agents. Watch out for non refundable things like insurance and air.