Disney - TA or do your own research?

Thinking of going during Spring break in April.
Do you go to a TA or do the research yourself?

Thanks!

Any tips?

Disney - TA or do your own research?

I've never used a travel agent. Just don't see the need for us personally. I like to plan my own trips, and it's SUPER easy going on the WDW website. Spring Break is SUPER busy though, so pack your patience!

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

Both, I did a lot of research and still was happy I used a TA, the Disney specialist booked the package, make my dining resevations ( after We discussed restaurants) and book my fast passes ( after we discussed them first). I did not want to get up at 6am to book dining when I had to get to work or at midnight for fast passes.
It's not like I didn't plan my vacation, but they helped me with the process, to me, using a TA is a no brainer, it's free and they help navigate the craziness!

Message edited 8/16/2017 5:39:35 PM.

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

I did it all myself because I stayed off site and TA's don't make anything if you do that and did not give me the time of day...which is completely understandable.

If you plan on staying off site - FB groups, and Disney focused blogs and podcasts are awesome for the latest info. In the long run - I was happy I was able to plan it myself - tailored to my family, our costs, and timeline.

Disney - TA or do your own research?

I used a TA and thank god!!!!!! She booked all my dining and fast passes for me.

She also guided me through various scheduling I had. We are goign because I am running a 10K and Half there so there is a bunch of things I needed to schedule around.

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

I used a TA based on a rec from a friend. I believe she is a vendor on here. It's free and she books your dining res and fast passes for you. Once less thing I have to do.

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

My sister used a travel agent and I listened to her itinerary and told her where to make tiny changes for over $1k of savings.

I'm sure they can be helpful... but I wasn't impressed.

Disney - TA or do your own research?

I've been to Disney over a dozen times- so i didn't really need help with booking dining or fast passes or general planning. BUT i booked through a TA so she did it for me she got up at 5:45 AM to get on and do my dining for me (after I told her which ones we wanted, etc). And i still could go on and change them if I wanted to, which i did for a few of them. AND we were going during the time the Free Dining was realeased- so she sat on the phone for who knows how long to get that discount applied to our reservation to make sure we got the free dining. So its not necessary, but really helpful. Some agencies even offer agency only discounts or room credits for disney cruises or whatever, too...

I also look at it as helping out a small business, too. IF i'm going to disney anyway and she gets a little bit of commission if i book through her--- then, why not help her out?

Message edited 8/17/2017 10:10:26 AM.

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

If I ever went- which is probably less likely to happen than a second eclipse this year - I would use a TA.
I have no desire to get the masters degree needed to navigate booking a Disney trip. It's wayyyy to complicated for me and I have zero patience for that kind of stuff.
Just tell me what time to get to the airport and where to go when. Done

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

Posted by NervousNell

If I ever went- which is probably less likely to happen than a second eclipse this year - I would use a TA.
I have no desire to get the masters degree needed to navigate booking a Disney trip. It's wayyyy to complicated for me and I have zero patience for that kind of stuff.
Just tell me what time to get to the airport and where to go when. Done

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

Posted by Dolphinsbaby

Posted by NervousNell

If I ever went- which is probably less likely to happen than a second eclipse this year - I would use a TA.
I have no desire to get the masters degree needed to navigate booking a Disney trip. It's wayyyy to complicated for me and I have zero patience for that kind of stuff.
Just tell me what time to get to the airport and where to go when. Done

I feel the exact same way. Just thinking about Disney gives me a headache.

Disney - TA or do your own research?

I do it myself because we stay offsite.

I had stress about booking it - and wasn't able to get all of the dining I wanted 180 days out. For that - I think a TA is well worth it.

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

I plan it myself but that's because I enjoy it.

I have no problem outsourcing things I am either not equipped or not willing to do.

FWIW I think TAs will help you if you book offsite but you have to pay them a la carte. (Totally understandable - they are not volunteers.)

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

Message edited 8/17/2017 9:12:51 PM.

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?

We are doing Disney for the first time next April and I booked through a TA my friend booked through and recommended. I am a very organized and detailed person and starting researching Disney and was completely overwhelmed! Our TA is always available for questions and has kids the same age as mine so she gets what we want to do. She will walk me through everything and then book all our reservations and fast passes. With our first trip and so much to do in Disney, I didn't want all that work and stress on me and worry that I missed something.

Disney - TA or do your own research?

I book it myself and then transfer the reservation to a TA. I do that because I don't want to get up with the roosters to book dining and fast passes. I do all the planning myself though. The TA executes the itinerary I design.

Re: Disney - TA or do your own research?