There are two types of people when it comes to travel. Those who like to be in control of every little detail of vacation planning and those who just want everything planned out for them so that they can just enjoy their vacation. I have always been the former type. In fact, years ago, when I put together a trip to Disney World for me and 20 of my closest friends, they gave me the title of cruise director for the entire trip. They were not wrong. I had everything planned down to the hour. Nowadays, I can have that trip planned down to the minute.
In this post, I will explain the pros and cons of booking with a travel agent and if having a travel agent is right for you. I will also give details on my style and background to see if I would be a good fit for you.
Misconception: Travel Agents Are Too Expensive
A common misconception about travel agents is that they are another additional expense to an already expensive vacation. For travel agents like myself, who deal primarily with Disney travel, we get paid by Disney. You might think that Disney would charge you extra in order to cover the commission they pay travel agents, but they do not. The price you find on your own for a Disney vacation is the same or higher than the price I can find for you. Go ahead and check me on this. Do a search on the Disney website for your vacation dates. Then send me an inquiry using one of my forms and I will return your inquiry with prices and options. Disney often runs specials for travel agents, so we can find you better rates than you may be able find on your own.
Let Me Do The Waiting For You
In 2022, Disney Cruise Line updated their telephone reservation system. During the switchover (which took months), it was common to experience 6+ hour wait times on hold. Even now that the switchover is done, it is possible to experience hours on hold. Travel agents have a dedicated line to call, so our wait times are a lot shorter. If you have to make a change or even cancel a booking, it is easier for you to email that change to me and have me call it in for you.
One Downfall
I have discussed some of the pros of having a travel agent, but one con is that you won’t be able to make changes directly with Disney. As mentioned before, we save you time by not having to wait on hold. But a booking that was made by a travel agent can only be changed or cancelled by a travel agent. You can still call in to make dietary requests or check on any general questions, but a Disney reservations specialist will refer you to contact your travel agent for any booking changes. This was a deal breaker for me when I was booking my own vacations. I like being able to call in directly to Disney and make my changes without having to go through a middle man. To me, this is the biggest drawback to having a travel agent. If you are like me, a travel agent probably isn’t right for you (ironic, right?)
Why Choose Me?
If you are not like me, and want someone else to handle all the travel planning headaches, then the next question you may have is why should I choose you to be our travel agent?
I have an extensive background in the travel and service industry. I have worked for Disney, Princess Cruises, and Ritz-Carlton. In fact, I was quite shy before going through the Disney University Training Program and I can honestly say that working at Disneyland changed my whole perspective on life for the better. As the saying goes, you can take the cast member out of Disneyland, but you can’t take Disneyland out of the cast member. I will use my Disney knowledge to ensure that you have the best vacation possible. I will offer you tips and tricks that will help with everything from navigating crowds in the parks, to revealing dining secrets aboard the Disney Cruise Ships. So go ahead and put our service to the test…be our guest!