Why Should I Use a Travel Agent?

11 Reasons Why You Should Book Disney with a Travel Agent

 

1. Disney Travel Agents Have a “Disney Degree”

Disney Travel Agents have successfully passed the College of Disney Knowledge courses and must re-certify each year. The majority of Travel Agents specializing in Disney choose to do so because of their passion for Disney travel. They have been there, know their way around, and have knowledge to share. They are the experts when it comes to the beloved Disney theme parks.

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Walt Disney World is constantly growing and changing, and Agents must keep up with the latest news and details to pass along to their clients. One important detail is the ever-changing refurbishment list. Disney is always having to update their attractions and resorts. They regularly post a list for Travel Agents to pass along to their clients. For instance, there are routine winter pool closures, ride overhauls, and Waterpark updates. Each January, the Skyliner is down for maintenance. A good Travel Agent will make you aware of this and lessen its impact on your trip.

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2.  Knowledge of Disney Parks & Resorts

A knowledgeable Agent can help you pick the perfect resort for your family and help you stay within your budget. With over 25 Disney World resort hotels to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming trying to pick the best one for your family.

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Dreaming of a stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort but afraid it’s out of your price range? If your travel dates are flexible, a good Agent can assist in helping you find the lowest rates possible to make your Disney dreams come true. They are always staying up-to-date on the latest special offers on resorts and park tickets.

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Did you know that you can book a Walt Disney World package with just a $200 deposit? Knowledgeable Agents will know all the tips and tricks on how you can budget and afford the Disney vacation of your dreams. Your Disney Travel Agent can also help you set up a payment plan to help budget for your upcoming trip!

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3. Save Time – Disney Planning is Complicated

Who knew that planning a vacation could be so difficult? There are so many working parts to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation. From park tickets to park reservations to Disney World and Disneyland resorts, there is a lot to navigate when booking this special vacation. Once you narrow down your travel dates and resort hotel, then you must decide on the more difficult steps.

How many days do I need in the parks? Which parks are age appropriate for my children? Do I really need a park hopper ticket? Do we want to add a dining plan to our package? If so, which one – there are two (2) to choose from at Walt Disney World Resort!

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You can read books, blogs and ask all your friends what they recommend, and chances are you will get a different opinion from each one. Yep, everyone has their own opinion about the “right” way to do Disney. You need to decide what is right for you and your family.

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This is where the knowledge of a Disney expert is beneficial. A good Disney Travel Agent will give you the pros and cons to all the different package components and allow you to decide what works best for you and your family vacation.

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4.  Save Money – Yes, Seriously

One common misconception is that booking a Disney vacation through a Travel Agent is more expensive than booking direct. This is simply incorrect. The price you pay for a Disney vacation package, regardless of where it is booked, is the same across the board.

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However, booking your vacation with a Disney Travel Agent can at times save you money. Here’s how:

Disney often releases highly sought-after travel discounts throughout the year. If you book your package before the discount is released, you can still take advantage of the deal. Your Travel Agent will automatically price check that each of their guests is getting the best deal. If a new special is better, they will automatically apply the new savings and let the guest know. If it’s not a better deal, they will leave everything as is, and keep their eyes peeled for future promotions that could save their guests more. You do not have to do anything.

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There’s no need to search the blogs or Disney’s site for discount offers, as your Agent will monitor this for you. You do not have to call Disney to apply the promotion when it is released; your Agent will do this for you. In late 2021 there were reports of people spending 4-6 hours on the phone waiting. If you use a Disney Travel Agent this doesn’t have to be your experience.

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5.  Premium Concierge Services offered by Disney Travel Agents

Hat’s Off Adventures does not charge any fees for their services. There are some agencies, however, that charge planning/concierge fees for itinerary planning. If the Travel Agent is going to charge a fee it should be advertised on their website. If you are uncertain, always ask before booking. In most scenarios if you are booking tickets and/or a stay on property there should be no fee.

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The possibilities are endless, depending on the Travel Agent you choose. Each Agent has different specialties to offer. Some other common benefits to using a Travel Agent in the Disney vacation planning process include:

• Free travel quotes

• Detailed Dining Plan explanations

• Assistance in choosing a package

• Park navigation assistance

• Character location

• Insider tips and tricks

• Airport Transfer Booking (Shuttles, limousines, town cars)

• Stroller / Scooter rentals

• Grocery delivery orders

• Assistance with Birthday/Anniversary Celebrations

• Booking Specialty Fireworks Cruises and dessert parties

• VIP Tour Scheduling

• Scheduling Golf tee times

• Scheduling Spa Treatments

• Assistance with runDisney (some Agents specialize in this area of travel)

 

6.  Disney Dining Reservation Assistance

ADRs – also known as Advanced Dining Reservations – are one of the most important details to Disney vacation planning for anyone looking for character dining experiences. Dining reservations used to open 180 days in advance, however changes Covid restrictions altered that to 60 days in advance. This means there is even more competition for those reservations when that booking window opens. A Disney Travel Agent can do initial bookings and then watch for spots that open up that your family really wanted.

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A good Travel Agent will be able to assist you with all things Disney, including dining reservations. Most Disney Travel Agents will also book your dining reservations for you. If this is something you prefer to do on your own, you will certainly be able to. Simply tell your Agent you would like to handle this planning on your own. Remember that Dining Reservations open at 6:00am 60 days out from your arrival date and you could be sleeping and wake to this already being done for you!

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7.  Disney Genie+ and Virtual Queue Assistance

Fastpass+ reservations ended when the theme parks closed due to the coronavirus in 2020. After reopening it never came back. Since Genie Service has been introduced. Genie+ is an additional ticket add-on that allows you to book rides and experiences one at a time throughout the day. Your Disney Travel Agent will be intimately familiar with what strategy you should employ and whether it makes sense for your family. Knowing what your family’s priorities are will allow your Agent to tell you if the cost is worth it every day or if you should wait and only add it on your Disney’s Hollywood Studios day, for example.

There are currently 2 rides that employ a “Virtual Queue” at Walt Disney World. To ride these rides, you need to log into your MyDisneyExperience app at 7am and try for a spot. A Disney Travel Agent will explain this process to you so you can have the most Magical day in the parks!

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8. One Point of Contact Throughout the Planning Process

When you book your vacation with a Disney Travel Agent, that Agent will be your main contact throughout the planning process. You will go to your Agent with all of your questions and concerns. Your Agent will then work with Disney on all the details. You will not need to contact Disney for anything.

 

If you book your reservations directly through Disney, you will speak with a different Agent (Cast Member) each time you call. You will not have the personal relationship you develop when you work directly with one Travel Agent. There’s no need to explain something more than once when you have just one point of contact.

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9. Emergency Contact During Travel

No one wants to think about an emergency occurring during their vacation. Unfortunately, these things happen. When you book your vacation with a Travel Agent, you have someone on stand-by throughout your travels. All you have to do is pick up the phone, call or text your Agent, and they start working behind the scenes to assist on your behalf. If you book your vacation through discount outlets such as Costco, I can assure you they won’t be there to pick up the phone and help in the event of an emergency.

 

10. Take Your Adventure Beyond Disney

Yes, we know this whole post is about reasons to book Disney with a Travel Agent, but most Agents can do more than just Disney. If you’re looking to expand your Florida vacation to include Universal Orlando resort and Universal Studios be sure to bring it up on your first contact with an Agent. They’ll let you know if that’s an area that they can help you out with.

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11. Be Prepared for the Worst

This is something we never even used to think about a few short years ago but should something shut down the parks or impact your vacation you’ll have someone dealing with it on your behalf.

Disney planning is in constant flux as things change. There is always the chance of health (Covid?) and hurricanes that can impact your vacation. Having one point of contact allows you to get valuable information in real time from one person. It takes the stress off you having to keep up with the ever-changing Disney landscape.

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Already Booked and Need Assistance?

Have you already booked your Walt Disney World vacation and realize you are overwhelmed? Many Disney Travel Agents will offer concierge planning services for a fee.  If it has been less than 30 days since you made your reservations, you can fill out a form with Disney and have your reservation transferred to an Agent.

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The best way to have the easiest time planning any vacation is to use a Travel Agent.