Travel Tips

Why You Should Book With A Disney Travel Agent

Disney's Animal Kingdom Tree of Life

It is a huge misconception that simply visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth, a Disney Resort, is all you have to do to have a great Disney vacation for the entire family. However, you would be sadly mistaken. If you are in the midst of planning your first visit ever, you should really take my advice to heart — you need to utilize an Authorized Disney Travel Agent/Planner.

Booking your Disney vacation with a travel agent specialized in Disney Destinations, versus one that is just a regular travel agent,  can make all the difference in the world. 

Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

When you use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (TA) can take the stress out of planning your Disney destination trip. Planning your trip can be a complicated, overwhelming and tedious task for both first-timers and a seasoned regular. Using a TA can make things so much easier! I’m going to break down a few of the amazing things that your Disney TA can do for you to make all your wishes come true. 

Once you learn the ropes, like us regulars, you often forget how challenging starting a vacation plan can be. Luckily for you, we have years of experience, many of us veterans know all of the basics of planning–from where we should book ADRs (advance dining reservations), FastPass+, leveraging discounts and more–inside and out. However, for first-timers the whole process is foreign and often daunting. This is why there is serious value in utilizing an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

I recommend Magic Lamp Vacations as our preferred Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. It is also one that I personally work for and love their whole process! The difference can be seen with their concierge level service and able to customize your package and provide tips and tricks. 

Tips on Finding a Good Travel Agent

I can recommend myself all day long, I can recommend using any agency, but you need to make sure to find the right Disney Travel Agent to assist with your planning. While any travel agent can book Disney Destination packages, not every agent is knowledgeable with the ins and outs of the parks. It is very important to find a travel agent who specializes in Disney vacations.

There are several easy ways to find an agent in your area who specializes in Disney vacations 

  • Try searching the Travel Leaders Network. You can select your state and search for an agent closest to your area. The Travel Leaders Network is a highly respected group of travel agents across the country.
  • Talk to your friends. Find out who they used for their trip. Personal referrals are always the best way to go.
  • Research different Disney blogs. There are thousands to choose from. Many of the blogs will have a preferred agent and/or agency that they recommend.

These days, many travel agents work out of their home offices communicating with their clients via phone, email and text message. This makes it very convenient for clients to work with travel agents in different parts of the country. Find a travel agent who makes you feel most comfortable and go from there.

Why I Am An Authorized Disney Travel Agent

Unlike the traditional, large-scale travel agencies, most Disney-specializing agents became agents because we love Disney, really enjoyed planning our own trip!  We did not get into it because of a desire to build some highly profitable business empire. 

Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are usually Disney fans who exclusively plan Disney travel. Because we are passionate about Disney, we actually know about Disney. The same can not always be said about a traditional travel agent..

On the other hand, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are only becoming more relevant thanks to the service and answers they provide in response to Disney vacations becoming increasingly complex. 

We know Disney inside and out (we are literally tested on it!) and have lots of first-hand experience. We will be up at the 180-day mark to make your ADRs, prepared to score you the prime FastPass+ selections, constantly monitoring new discount offers to see if we can reduce the cost of your trip, and generally able to assist with other facets of trip planning.

1. Travel Agents Have a “Disney Degree”

I bet you didn’t know that Disney travel agents have to successfully passed the Disney College of Knowledge courses and must get re certified each year. The majority of travel agents specializing in Disney choose to do so because of their passion for Disney travel. You will find that a lot of them own or write for Disney blogs and websites. (I’m a perfect example)

If you haven’t seen all over the news, 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 (Coming Soon). Disney is always having to update their attractions and resorts to make sure it always staying up to date. 

What is worse than booking a vacation online only to find out that the pool at your resort or your favorite attraction is closed for refurbishment throughout your stay, nothing! Booking with a Disney Travel Agent can prevent things like this from happening.

2.  Knowledge of Disney Parks & Resorts

The first and biggest reason to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is the service. Imagine the knowledge-base of this blog (assuming you think I’m knowledgeable), but coming from your travel agent! They can provide tips to your particular circumstances, preferences, and needs. That’s what a good Authorized Disney Vacation Planner provides. They’re there to hold your hand and give you personalized advice.

A knowledgeable agent can help you pick the perfect resort for your family and needs, all while staying within your budget. With over 25 on-site resort hotels, in various price points and amenities, it can be a little overwhelming trying to pick the best one.

Do you dreaming of a stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 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 help grand all your Disney Wishes.

Better yet, 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. Learn more about how you can finance your Disney vacation in Secrets to Affording a Disney Vacation.

3. Save Time – Disney Planning is Complicated

Who knew that planning a Disney vacation could be so difficult? There are so many working parts to a Walt Disney World vacation, it’s almost as if  you need a PhD in Disney. Once you narrow down your travel dates and resort hotel, then you have to decide on the more challenging parts.

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 Disney Dining Plan to our package? If so, which one – there are three (3) to choose from.

You can educate yourself by reading books, blogs and asking all of 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. However, you have to decide what is right for you and your group.

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

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 incorrect. The price you pay for a Disney vacation package, regardless of where it is booked, is the same across the board.

Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are paid a commission by Disney on the trips they book, so you’re not paying anything extra. I don’t know why Disney pays us, but my educated guess is because it’s essentially Disney ‘outsourcing’ the planning resources they’d otherwise need to provide. 

Essentially put, if you’re not calling Disney, instead calling your travel agent, you aren’t tying up their guest services or other Cast Members. Which is win-win-win. Disney doesn’t have to assist with your questions, the Authorized Disney Vacation Planner can make money doing what they love, and you’re able to get free advice and help planning your trip. 

The biggest ‘winner’ there is notably you. You have only one contact person who gets to know you, is responsive to your requests & questions, and feels a vested interest in making sure you have a great trip. You don’t call Disney, wait on hold for an interminable amount of time, and receive inconsistent answers from random Cast Members.

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. The most popular discount is always the Free Dining offer that has been typically offered for guests traveling during the months of August, September, November and December. Other discounts offered throughout the year include Room Only discounts (up to 25% off) as well as the Play, Stay, Dine & Save discount offered in the Spring.

Therefore, if you book your package before the discount is released, you can still take advantage of the deal. If applicable, your travel agent will apply the discount to your package as soon as the promotion is released, without you having to remember. You do not have to do anything, but wait patiently for your Disney vacation.

There’s no need to search the blogs or travel sites for discounted offers, since 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. Sometimes this process can take hours on the phone. Hours that your agent is on hold instead of YOU, isn’t that worth using a DTA.

5.  Premium Concierge Services

Most Disney Travel Agents do not charge any fees for their services. There are some, 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.

Magic Lamp Vacations will charge a concierge fee for booking your ADR and FastPass+ reservations.  However, we will teach you how to do this yourself if you wanted to save on that fee!

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:

6.  Dining Reservation Assistance

ADRs – also known as Advanced Dining Reservations – are one of the most important details to Disney vacation planning. Especially for anyone looking for character dining experiences. Dining reservations open 180 days in advance. This means it is always best to start planning your vacation at least 7 months in advance. 

You will need time to research the different restaurants, as well as the details on the different Disney Dining Plans and their credits (this can be confusing). 

Most Disney travel agents will also book your dining reservations for you as part of their normal services. If this is something you would 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.

7.  FastPass+ Assistance

Most Disney travel agents will explain the FastPass+ process and many will offer to book them for you. Magic Lamp Vacation will book these for you at a nominal fee. 

FastPass+ reservations are available to book online through your My Disney Experience account 60 days in advance for guests staying at Walt Disney World resort hotels and 30 days in advance for guests staying offsite.

The FastPass+ system can be confusing as there is a tiered system in Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There is also a limit to the number of FastPass+ that you can get in a day and other policies in place that your DTA will know. For more details on how the FastPass+ system works, read The Ultimate Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World

8. One Point of Contact Throughout the Planning Process

Isn’t it nice to be able to call one person when you have questions, concerns or just want to double check your vacation? You’re in luck, 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.

The same is not true if you book your reservations directly through Disney, you will speak with a different agent (Cast Member) each and every 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. They understand your needs, desire and ultimately you!

9. Emergency Contact During Travel

No one wants to think about an emergency occurring during their vacation. Unfortunately, these things do happen. However, 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 your agent and they start working behind the scenes to assist on your behalf. That way you do not have to worry about your vacation, only the emergency. 

 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.

You Can Do It Yourself

Now that you know why I recommend a DTA, sometimes it is not for everyone. There are some people who have obsessive personalities and prefer to have total control over their vacations, or actually enjoy spending hours reading blogs like this one. 

Even if you are a control freak like me, it might make sense to book through a vacation planner so they monitor discounts and be your liaison with Disney in the event My Disney Experience issues arise, while you can do the “fun” stuff like planning ADRs and FastPass+. 

Most vacation planners will be as hands on or off as you specify, and it’s pretty easy to let them know what you expect of them and what you’d like to do yourself. Which if they provide a concierge service you might save a few extra dollars and do that yourself.

Final Thoughts

We have laid out reasons an Authorized Disney Travel agent is beneficial for you, it is truly a personal decision.  If you have decided that you are really needing help with planning or just want to save that time reach out to me. I work with Magic Lamp Vacations to bring you the best Disney Vacation!

Are you looking to travel to other Disney Destinations such as Disneyland, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney? Using a travel agent for these destinations is always a good idea too!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you’d share it via social media to help spread the word. We put a lot of work into making this site a helpful planning resource, and hope it’s useful to you!

We also love to hear from you!  Tell us about any experiences you have had with a Disney Travel Agent! Whether it is good, bad or ugly!

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