to use a TA or not to use a TA?

[entirelysplendid]

I hope this is the correct forum to post this question in With the June 19 date quickly approaching I am really struggling to decide whether to use a travel agent to book our 2019 trip or to do it myself. This is our second trip and I booked the whole thing last time (4 years ago) and I really enjoyed it, but it was a last minute trip and I was able to use a discount offer to book the Grand Floridian at a bit of a reduced rate. This time around we will be planning many more months in advance. I am afraid if I book everything myself I won't be able to take advantage of any discounts that might come along as the travel dates draw closer. I also wonder if there is an advantage to using a travel agent to help book meals and other experiences. Even if I use a TA I'd still like to be able to book some dining and our Fast Passes myself. Any thoughts on using or not using a TA?
Any advice is greatly appreciated - Thank you!!

 

[OKW Lover]

There is no reason you wouldn't be able to take advantage of a better rate that might pop up if you book yourself vs using a TA. However, I'd add that using a good TA will help because they will keep an eye out for better rates which you might miss. Keep in mind that the sponsors of the DIS Boards is Dreams Unlimited Travel. Find them at www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com.

 

[stace1214]

I never used a TA until our most recent trip and I definitely will again. I liked that she was able to take care of booking our trip and checked and applied the best available discounts as they became available. We've been so many times, I didn't need any help with ADR's or FP. I did all of those and when I couldn't get an ADR I had hoped for, she kept checking and eventually was able to snag it. Even though I truly didn't need any help with planning, I was happy that as a small business, she was able to get a commission from my trip.

 

[Woosterguy]

I never used a TA until our most recent trip and I definitely will again. I liked that she was able to take care of booking our trip and checked and applied the best available discounts as they became available. We've been so many times, I didn't need any help with ADR's or FP. I did all of those and when I couldn't get an ADR I had hoped for, she kept checking and eventually was able to snag it. Even though I truly didn't need any help with planning, I was happy that as a small business, she was able to get a commission from my trip.

Well said!

 

[patty57]

I have never used a TA, because I love the planning. It's an illness.

 

[Minniemouse07]

If you enjoy planning, the key is to work with a TA that gets that. I tried two different TAs at different agencies (including DU) before I found the one that fit me. She is a rock star that is on top of every deal and discount and is a wonderful resource for things I'm not yet familiar with, but I take care of my own ADRs, etc.

I booked our July trip in January. A few months later, some summer deals came out. By the time I arrived at my desk for work the morning the deals were released (about 8:30am), I already had an email telling me that she had compared all the deals and the one I had was still the best option.

 

[SG131]

I think it’s all about finding the right travel agent. I was definitely very disappointed when I used one. I would’ve rather been up at 5am myself for when discounts were released than wait till 9 am when she finally got to work and got to my folder. However, I’ve heard some people have agents that are really on top of the deals. If you do go with an agent make sure you do some research. They are DEFINITELY not all the same.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I think it’s all about finding the right travel agent. I was definitely very disappointed when I used one. I would’ve rather been up at 5am myself for when discounts were released than wait till 9 am when she finally got to work and got to my folder. However, I’ve heard some people have agents that are really on top of the deals. If you do go with an agent make sure you do some research. They are DEFINITELY not all the same.

I tried an AAA TA one trip. There was a HUGE discount deal released that we knew about two days before. I spent two days trying to contact the TA to make sure she would check for the deal. She didn't respond until the day after it was released...and all the availability for our resort was already gone. I was livid. It was also pretty sad that I knew more about traveling to WDW than she did. The AAA preferred parking pass wasn't worth it!

 

[SG131]

I tried an AAA TA one trip. There was a HUGE discount deal released that we knew about two days before. I spent two days trying to contact the TA to make sure she would check for the deal. She didn't respond until the day after it was released...and all the availability for our resort was already gone. I was livid. It was also pretty sad that I knew more about traveling to WDW than she did. The AAA preferred parking pass wasn't worth it!

My experience was AAA too.....

 

[Staren]

I worked with a Dreams agent last year, and she was really helpful. I'm not using a TA this year, but only because I'm renting DVC points this trip. A good TA can help with those harder to book things like tricky ADRs, tours, and special events along with the discounts. As someone with a physical disability, I liked having another person helping to make sure that the right accessibility requests are made. I'll definitely be using an agent again.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think it’s all about finding the right travel agent. I was definitely very disappointed when I used one. I would’ve rather been up at 5am myself for when discounts were released than wait till 9 am when she finally got to work and got to my folder. However, I’ve heard some people have agents that are really on top of the deals. If you do go with an agent make sure you do some research. They are DEFINITELY not all the same.

I agree with this. I wouldn't just book with any TA. Get recommendations and then talk to a few of those recommended TA's. Let them know what your expectations are - that you are looking for someone who will try to apply discounts the day they are released, someone who will book ADR's and FP+. If you find one you like and who is willing to do that for you, go for it. If not, I would book it yourself, watch these boards for discount release days and do the ADR's and FP+ yourself otherwise, you may end up in a situation where the TA isn't so quick with discounts (which only they can apply once you book with them) or ADR/FP+ (which you can still do yourself). Personally, unless the TA is offering me something more than what WDW is offering (swag or further discounts), I'm doing it myself.

 

[dismoose23]

I hope this is the correct forum to post this question in With the June 19 date quickly approaching I am really struggling to decide whether to use a travel agent to book our 2019 trip or to do it myself. This is our second trip and I booked the whole thing last time (4 years ago) and I really enjoyed it, but it was a last minute trip and I was able to use a discount offer to book the Grand Floridian at a bit of a reduced rate. This time around we will be planning many more months in advance. I am afraid if I book everything myself I won't be able to take advantage of any discounts that might come along as the travel dates draw closer. I also wonder if there is an advantage to using a travel agent to help book meals and other experiences. Even if I use a TA I'd still like to be able to book some dining and our Fast Passes myself. Any thoughts on using or not using a TA?
Any advice is greatly appreciated - Thank you!!

I am going through the same thing. DW and I would love to stay at BWI for our anniversary. I have contacted Dreams and see what they would be able to offer me. Hopefully with how good the summer deals were this year for BWI, the Dreams agent can land us a good one for next year (although no guarantees). I will just have to see what I will have to pay up front before the deals come out.

 

[bumbershoot]

I am afraid if I book everything myself I won't be able to take advantage of any discounts that might come along as the travel dates draw closer.

You can take advantage of discounts when booking on your own.

I also wonder if there is an advantage to using a travel agent to help book meals and other experiences.

If you're a high powered attorney constantly in court, or you travel internationally all the time, or you homeschool 10 children, or are incredibly busy otherwise, then it might be an advantage to have a TA book those things for you.

I never would want someone else to do that. If I need to compile where I want to eat and when, then why would I not just do that?

I have never used a TA, because I love the planning. It's an illness.

People like us should *be* TAs lol.

I am going through the same thing. DW and I would love to stay at BWI for our anniversary. I have contacted Dreams and see what they would be able to offer me. Hopefully with how good the summer deals were this year for BWI, the Dreams agent can land us a good one for next year (although no guarantees). I will just have to see what I will have to pay up front before the deals come out.

DU can't get you any deal that's better than what you would be able to get for yourself, FWIW.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I only use a TA that books agency exclusive deals. I book almost a year out and a discount is already applied and the discount is ALWAYS better than Disney. I'm doing two nights in November at POFQ for $180 a night through my TA. Then I'm going to BWV for a week on rented points.

My TA doesn't do anything else. She doesn't book FP or ADRs but I'm fine with that. I like to do the rest myself and it's worth the deal she gives me.

 

[AngieInOH]

I used one the first year that I went. Although she was very knowledgeable and got me everything I wanted I didn't like the fact that I had to go though her every time I wanted to change an ADR.

I'm thinking of going with a TA this time that provides the agency exclusives discounts. I was told I could go through them and would still be able to book my ADRs and FP. Plus I figure if I can't get something myself they would be an added resource to help me.

 

[entirelysplendid]

I never used a TA until our most recent trip and I definitely will again. I liked that she was able to take care of booking our trip and checked and applied the best available discounts as they became available. We've been so many times, I didn't need any help with ADR's or FP. I did all of those and when I couldn't get an ADR I had hoped for, she kept checking and eventually was able to snag it. Even though I truly didn't need any help with planning, I was happy that as a small business, she was able to get a commission from my trip.

Oh, I hadn't really thought of it this way, but I like the idea of supporting a small business for sure!

 

[entirelysplendid]

I have never used a TA, because I love the planning. It's an illness.

Hahahha! Yes, I love planning too! I guess I'm most concerned about missing any discounts, but if I watch for them I'm unlikely to miss them.

 

[entirelysplendid]

Thank you everyone for your quick and helpful replies! I appreciate the additional points of view --- thanks again!

 

[ErinsMommy]

we started using a TA because they offered agency exclusives and we got discounts that we otherwise couldn't have gotten if we booked direct.

 

[Dave006]

I used one the first year that I went. Although she was very knowledgeable and got me everything I wanted I didn't like the fact that I had to go though her every time I wanted to change an ADR.

Just a note for others reading this thread with any TA, you can have complete control over your ADR, FP+ and almost any other thing you can think up. The only thing you can't do is to directly access is your package or room only reservation which is a Disney restriction to add / change rooms requests or other reservation specific items directly related to your package or room only.

There are many great Disney specific TAs that will allow you to do as much or as little as you want in the planning stage and even once you get to the resort and parks a good TA can help should any issues pop up.

Dave