Using a Travel Agent?

[Beetuna]

Hi guys,

So from one of my recent posts, I have seen there are some benefits to using Travel Agents when booking for Disney. I don't want to get into a discussion on using a TA vs not using one.
What I would like are any opinions or feedback on the MANY options I've seen mentioned in just a few places! Some of them are even being suggested on my own posts!

Magical Memories
Small World
Dreams Unlimited
Mouse Ears Vacations
Mouseketrips
SmallWorld Vacations
AAA
Magical Vacations
Magical Journeys
Kingdom Konsultants
Off to Neverland Travel
mymagicdestinations


That is a lot of options!

Does anyone have any solid feedback, or positive/negative experiences, with these? How is one supposed to choose?!

Thanks!

 

[Beetuna]

I think in choosing someone, the attributes I'd be most interested in would be depth of knowledge (maybe by looking at time of experience) combined with current # of clients. I would tend to lean toward someone with fewer clients, as to not compete for attention or service.

 

[Iakona]

As a Project manager that is extremely organized and a little obsessive about details I am now booking my 7th (I think) trip with KK. So far they are 6 for 6 is complete satisfaction and since this trip has been a little more hectic than past one's Pam has already come thorugh for me.

As for being biased? Absolutley. I have had them book 6 trips for me and each trip has been amazing. Why wouldn't I be biased? I am always biased towards excellence and see no reason to expeirment when KK steps up everytime with exactly what I need. Noow I have to go and send Pam my ADR desires and pray she can pull it off!

 

[Disney_Belle]

I think in choosing someone, the attributes I'd be most interested in would be depth of knowledge (maybe by looking at time of experience) combined with current # of clients. I would tend to lean toward someone with fewer clients, as to not compete for attention or service.

Or you can play eenie meenie miny mo

All kidding aside, as Pam mentioned previously, each of us have completed the College of Disney knowledge training, we have attended conferences and trainings, as well as taking numerous personal vacations to WDW, and other Disney destinations, therefor experiencing it from a guests point of view too.

I think the big thing is we all have a passion for what we do. Its not just a job, and no person is ever looked at as a "general customer". You are our client and we make sure we understand what the needs and expectations each individual has. Not every person likes the dining plan, not every person wants to stay at a value, moderate or deluxe resort. Everyone has different tastes and budgets and we pay close attention to the details. And, from personal experience, and I know many of the other agents can agree, many of our clients have become personal friends of ours.

You never have to worry about competition and attention of service, we help you as much as you want us to. Some clients like us to handle everything, some clients like us to do the booking, but they enjoy doing their dining reservations. Its all on personal preference of how much of the vacation and planning you want us to do for you.

 

[karenatwdw]

When we booked with AAA we recieved AAA discount than when I recieved a pin for our room I also got that. I never saw anyone there use a script they always answered my questions I may not be liked for this but I think you say what you can offer with out cutting down another I would never say only use AAA and I am sure the others are very good. It never hurts to call 2 or 3 get a price and what you get with your pkg. And go with the one that feels the best to you every family is differant and maybe needs somthing differant then another family. I always check out more than one and go with my gut feeling.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I think in choosing someone, the attributes I'd be most interested in would be depth of knowledge (maybe by looking at time of experience) combined with current # of clients. I would tend to lean toward someone with fewer clients, as to not compete for attention or service.

Hi Bee, I Am Marie, one of the other agents from KK. As others have said, we have the experience and knowledge to help make our clients trips magical!!! I am traveling down to WDW anywhere between 4 -6 times a year on average, so my opinions, thoughts, recommendations etc all come from personal experience. Gloria, one of our newest agents is usually traveling with me with other friends, family, etc. She has extensive background in travel both on a personal level as well as professional as she has arranged business travel in her previous career as a personal assistant to an attorney, for him as well as meetings for small and large groups all over the world. She has all the experience you could possibly ask for as well as a small (for now!) client base. Feel free to E mail her at Gloria@KingdomKonsultant.com
BTW Richard, you have the Island part right, I am from Staten Island although I was born in Long Island.
Thanks for all the positive reviews from all of our clients, it means the world to us!!! Have a great day everyone!! Marie

 

[shoppingnut]

I think in choosing someone, the attributes I'd be most interested in would be depth of knowledge (maybe by looking at time of experience) combined with current # of clients. I would tend to lean toward someone with fewer clients, as to not compete for attention or service.

Before joining KK's, I had been booking my Disney trips with them for many years. I always received excellent service and they would automatically get me any discounts that I was entitled to, so I never had to be on the lookout for them. I have been going to Disney since the 80's and I generally go between 4-6 times a year. I've been on the Disney cruise twice, but have been on 20+ cruises overall. Planning a Disney trip is very much like doing group meetings where there are numerous components that all need to mesh together in order to have a great trip. At least with Disney one doesn't have to worry about which way a bagel has to be sliced!! Please feel free to contact me at Gloria@KingdomKonsultant.com. Gloria

BTW, thanks Marie!!

 

[wannabeBelle]

Oh and one more thing.....We are a completely fee paid agency meaning you dont charged for any booking/planning assistance that we do for you!! We dont have a mailing list as such, Signing up for our page on Facebook is the about the only notification system we have like that, although we always respond to our e mails. We just dont do "cold calls" nor will we sell your personal information to any other marketing entity. Your privacy and security are important to us and are preserved as part of our business model. Hope this information is helpful!! Marie

 

[DisneyJoe]

I would tend to lean toward someone with fewer clients, as to not compete for attention or service.

I know a few agents (none are among these Disney specialist agencies) that charge a "retainer" fee in order to survive financially - yet it allows them to set a limit on the number of clients that they accept. Most of them sell luxury travel.

Apparently this model is working very well for them.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Wow talk about KK overload! :king:

I'd love to see bios for the agents--are there any on the website? I couldn't find anything like that. When using the services, are you just 'assigned' someone, or do you pick a particular a person?

We actually have a bio page in the works. I am hoping to have it up and running soon.
You do have a choice, you can either ask for a specific agent or I can give your information to an agent.

Pam

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I know a few agents (none are among these Disney specialist agencies) that charge a "retainer" fee in order to survive financially - yet it allows them to set a limit on the number of clients that they accept. Most of them sell luxury travel.

Apparently this model is working very well for them.

I could never charge someone a fee when I am already getting paid a commission from the wholesaler and be able to sleep at night. It just doesn't seem honest to me.

Pam

 

[DisneyJoe]

I could never charge someone a fee when I am already getting paid a commission from the wholesaler and be able to sleep at night. It just doesn't seem honest to me.

The "retainer" fee pays their yearly salary - and also helps to make sure that no one is wasting the agents time with trips that are quoted and never booked.

They use the commission to "enhance" the clients trip by adding "free" limo rides, dinners, and other enhancements, etc.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

That must be some fee if it's paying their salary......

Pam

 

[CP_alum08]

I have used AAA and was pleased. They lady we used was quite knowledgeable of all things WDW and helped us alot (even though we pretty much knew what we wanted). If you do use a 'generic' travel agent just make sure they know WDW inside and out

 

[DisneyJoe]

That must be some fee if it's paying their salary......

$500/year retainer/fee. He limits his client list to 200 clients. He has a waiting list....$500 fee x 200 clients = $100,000 salary.

From the travel supplier commission, he takes an administrative fee to cover shipping and other basic costs. The rest he returns to the client in some form.

He's completely upfront with all of this; nothing is hidden from the client.

All of his time is spent servicing paying clients; no time is wasted on price shoppers.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I pay my shipping etc out of pocket and I couldn't turn anyone away.

Pam

 

[Beetuna]

I understand the point of the fee-based services... but for someone new to TAs, I am leaning toward the fee-free providers to see how I like the experience.

 

[drantis]

I'd also like to voice my support for Pam and her team! I've been working with Pam for the past three years to plan my solo trips. Prior to that, I did all my planning myself and had such a hard time getting everything planned the way I wanted. Pam has been so great with my fickleness and the amount of times I've changed my mind with various parts of my vacations.

One thing that I found really awesome was that on my trip last year, Pam called me to let me know that the space shuttle would be taking off that day and that I'd probably be able to see it. It was such a great surprise!

 

[stitch1626]

I had to add my own praise for the KK crew, especially Richard. I've been booking Disney trips on my own for years as a Florida Resident, but decided I needed some help when the "family" (all 14 of them) decided we should do a Christmas Reunion at Disney. I have to say that Richard was a life saver, not only was he able to follow up on all the room reservations for Passholders, non passholders and Florida residents alike, he managed the nearly impossible of getting dining reservations for a party of 14 at every resturant we wanted on the trip. Every time I had another change or heard about something new, like the photo sessions at Animal Kingdom Lodge or something crazy like two days before finding out that half the family "forgot" to sign up for Magical Express. He was a blessing from beginnging to end and now I'm sold on having someone else take the stress off me. Thanks again.

 

[DonChi]

For me it was mouseketrips.

 

[Master Yoda]

I had to add my own praise for the KK crew, especially Richard. I've been booking Disney trips on my own for years as a Florida Resident, but decided I needed some help when the "family" (all 14 of them) decided we should do a Christmas Reunion at Disney. I have to say that Richard was a life saver, not only was he able to follow up on all the room reservations for Passholders, non passholders and Florida residents alike, he managed the nearly impossible of getting dining reservations for a party of 14 at every resturant we wanted on the trip. Every time I had another change or heard about something new, like the photo sessions at Animal Kingdom Lodge or something crazy like two days before finding out that half the family "forgot" to sign up for Magical Express. He was a blessing from beginnging to end and now I'm sold on having someone else take the stress off me. Thanks again.

You are making my head swell again!:lol: Thank you so much for the kind words. Booking your group was an absolute blast.