Why a Disney World Travel Agent Is Coming In Handy for This Expert
I enjoy Disney World trip planning just as much as the family trips we take there. While the pandemic has pushed back our next trip, the planning continues. Many find Disney World planning tedious and maybe even masochistic, but it’s fun for me. I feel I’ve become an expert in the types of free and low-cost Disney World trips where we focus. Hence, I never gave much thought into using a Disney World travel agent. But with a bit of reflection after our latest trip postponement, I figured using a travel agent was worth a try. Here’s why I decided to use a Disney World travel agent for our next trip.
Our Pandemic Era
I enjoy Disney World planning, but I’m not particularly fond of keeping up with the ever-changing pandemic policies. Beyond the health and safety protocols, understanding current table service restaurant reservation options, ride considerations without FastPass +, and resort changes are areas a Disney World travel agent can provide a helping hand. What I once spent minutes (or, gasp, hours) researching can now be answered in minutes when I just ask the agent.
Donald Rumsfeld
Setting politics aside, former Secretary of Defense (and recently departed) Donald Rumsfeld issued one of my favorite lines ever back in 2002:
“Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tends to be the difficult ones.”
As much as I love Disney World, there’s much I still don’t know, and even more I don’t know that I don’t know. A Disney World travel agent can fill holes in my plans that I don’t even know I have. While our previous trips were successful and enjoyable, that was based on my knowledge and expertise at that time. As Disney World continues to evolve, my travel agent stays up to speed on developments and keeps a close watch on implications to our plans.
I’m Not Sidelined
Perhaps I’m a bit of a control freak with Disney World planning. I’m certainly not alone here. Before, I erroneously thought that using a travel agent would preclude me from having my desired level of planning involvement. Recently, I discovered I have the best of both worlds; I can be as involved as I want to be (or not). I can view the primary aspects of the trip in My Disney Experience like I always have. My travel agent is transparent on pricing, and I can easily follow along on Disney World’s site.
Using a Disney World Travel Agent Isn’t More Expensive
Disney World travel agents obtain a commission based off bookings they make for their customers. That price isn’t passed on to customers (at least, not in my situation). The price is the same, or better, than what one can achieve directly with Disney World. Agents can more easily and flexibly hold resort room(s) at lower rates while you make related trip decisions. Mine recently did so with the Wilderness Lodge before we finalized the booking.
You Can Pay with Gift Cards!
One of my primary methods for free or deeply-discounted Disney travel is by using Disney gift cards that, you guessed it, are free or deeply-discounted. Disney World travel agents accept these cards for payment! Whether it’s gift cards or other points, miles, and travel hacks, your strategies may be more compatible with an agent’s processes than you think.
Help at Crunch Time
In the past, I’ve been consistently successful booking dining and attraction reservations when windows open. However, I’ve noticed it’s gotten gradually more hectic with each trip. Having a bit of help from a travel agent during this crucial time will be a huge win.
Using a Disney World Travel Agent – Conclusion
It’s natural that many Disney World experts will continue to fly solo with their planning. But it’s worth knowing you have options for help if or when you need it. So, which travel agent am I using? Joe Cheung, of course! Even if you aren’t necessarily ready to jump all the way in quite yet, he’s very helpful with any initial questions you may have. You can email him directly here: josephcheung@travelmation.net. Have you used a Disney World travel agent? How did he or she positively impact your trip?
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I’m a part time travel agent and really started my wanderlust in the miles and points world. My favorite love/hate part is trying to figure the best way to use miles, points or cash to get the best travel. I think it pays to use an agent for cruises, all inclusives, places you don’t know very well and are complicated. I specialize in small group travel in Israel and car factory tours in Germany and Italy so I know that better than most. I have some Disney experience but using a person like Joe makes a lot of sense and would be a better agent for Disney than I would be or going it alone. He has a passion for Disney and knows many of the best deals. I think using a travel agent right now makes extra sense since covid rules are changing by the hour. It can save you a ton of time. Even a simple phone call to cruise line, Disney, airline can take hours.
DaninMCI,
All good points! Thanks for reading.