We have all read the horror stories online about a Disney vacation that went wrong. Guests standing at the gates of the Magic Kingdom with their “Universal” ticket wondering why they couldn’t get in, or they are at the park asking for Harry Potter. Maybe it was the family that was very athletic that thought they could walk from Epcot to Animal Kingdom not realizing those were highways on the maps and not walking trails. These might be extreme examples of misinformation – but you get the idea.
I’ve said it before and will say it again, when booking your Disney vacation you should always enlist the help of a Disney travel agent. There are many benefits to booking with them, but now the question is – how do you find a GOOD one? How do you make sure that the agent you’re booking with is a well-versed Disney professional travel advisor? What questions could you ask to make sure they know what they’re doing before you book with them? It would be hard to come up with those questions if you’ve never been, so I’ve done it for you.
6 questions you should ask your Disney travel agent before booking with them
1 When was the last time you visited Walt Disney World yourself?
Walt Disney World is probably the most complicated of the Disney destinations. You might need to arrange Lightning Lanes, park reservations, virtual queues and dining. There are 4 theme parks to consider plus water parks, parades, shows, fireworks and transportation options – so many things that can impact your stress level on vacation. If your agent hasn’t been to Walt Disney World in 5 years, how will they know what options are best for your family? Reading online doesn’t put things in to context and sometimes they are completely misinformed opinions. You have to experience the crowds at the Magic Kingdom fireworks in order to tell you a good spot to watch them from! Having an agent who has been to the parks recently means they have validated the information first hand – and they’ve focused on things that will matter to their clients.
2 Do most of your clients get the dining plan, memory maker, or hopper pass when they go?
This is a great way to start the conversations that help you understand the experience that your agent brings. They will have not only their own personal stories, but feedback from clients on how these options worked for them. They know where the value is and how to maximize it. Dining plans aren’t for everyone and a good agent will tell you that.
In case you’re wondering – I love the Memory Maker option and recommend it to everyone!
3 How big is your team and how many of them sell Disney?
Having someone that has other Disney experts on the team will ensure that you have back up in the event your agent is sick or is on vacation when you have a question. It also means they have knowledge to tap in to if they don’t have personal experience on the subject you need. For example – one agent on the team may have a child with allergies that can share that first hand knowledge about the process of eating at a buffet with allergies. If they are a good team, they’re sharing all of that stuff with each other regularly. No one agent will have experience in EVERYTHING Disney has to offer – but a good team will.
4 How much is your service and what is included?
This is a tricky question and an important conversation to have. Some advisors charge fees and some don’t, it depends on the agency and their business model.
What is included in the service? Do they load your reservations in to your Disney account? Do they provide a consultation with tips and advice? These are examples of things they may or may not include.
Beware of agents that make “guarantees” of certain dining reservations or that they can apply a future promotion to your reservation. False promises are definately a red flag.
5 Tell me about your agency
Finding out if the agency has any regulations to follow (in Ontario travel agencies are heavily regulated to the benefit of the clients) is a great place to start. Regardless of where the agent lives, if the Agency head office is in Ontario, all of agents have to follow the laws in place to protect their clients.
Ask about the owner, how do they provide support to their agents and what other destinations do they sell. Yes you want an agency that has a Disney focus, but a good agency will sell all kinds of travel. This way they can serve you no matter where you want to go, it’s about building a relationship. A good agent is like a good hairdresser – when you find one you like, you stay with them!
Sometimes you will see agencies advertising they are ‘EarMarked’ by Disney. While this status is given to agencies – it has NO BEARING on the qualifications or experience of the individual agent. The designation applies only to the agency and is based on a combination of sales volume and time. While agencies are proud of the status – it has no benefit to the client. You can have a really fabulous agent at an agency that is not EarMarked, and a not so good one at an EarMarked agency.
The other thing to be leary of are the big box stores (Costco) or ‘order takers’ who don’t build a relationship with their clients. These places traditionally have higher turnover and less access to up to date information. Generally they are not prepared to assist once the booking is made or you could be dealing with a different agent than who you booked with, think of more of a call centre experience. They also have very different terms and conditions – beware of those cancellation policies!
The last big warning sign is if your ‘agent’ is trying to recruit you to BECOME an agent. Promises of discounted or free travel if you “sign up” and book your own trips – this is an indication of a multi level marketing team and…well….run. That’s not how the industry works.
6 The last (and most important) thing you should ask your agent before booking with them is “why do you do it?”
This is such an important question, and you should listen carefully to the answer. A really good agent is professional, dedicated and a Disney fan too! They want you to go and love it as much as they do, but they recognize that your family deserves a customized experience – not a cookie cutter of what their family does. They can make recommendations based on professional knowledge and personal experience to ensure that your trip is one designed to maximize YOUR experience.
That’s the thing about us ‘Disney people’, we get so excited when someone comes back from vacation and says they understand the Disney magic we were talking about. When you find an agent that is a real Disney fan, you can be sure they’re invested in you having the most fantastic and magical experience ever!
If you’re looking to plan your vacation – contact my team at Playcation Travel Ltd because of course I’m going to recommend my own team, they were all hand picked by me!
Do you have a great question you think I missed that you should ask your Disney Travel Agent?
And if you’re still wondering if you NEED at Travel Agent – read my 5 reasons why you do!
Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Travel Agents
Do Disney travel agents charge a fee?
Some do and some don’t – it really depends on the agent and how they run their business. Typically if you’re booking a package, most agents do not charge a fee. It’s always good to ask what’s included when you work with an agent so that you know exactly what you’re getting.
Is it more expensive to book Disney through a travel agent?
Booking with an agent who is booking directly with Disney will get you the exact same prices.
What does it mean if a travel agency is “EarMarked” by Disney?
Earmarked is a status Disney gives to travel agencies based on multiple factors, but it applies to the agency, not the individual agent. That designation does not correlate to your agent’s personal experience or knowledge. It has no value for the guests at all.
How do I know if a Disney travel agent is legitimate?
Start by asking about the agency they work with and whether it’s registered with any travel regulator. In Ontario, Canada the agencies are regulated by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. This means that all agents who work with that agency (regardless of where the agent lives) are required to follow the laws in place to protect the consumers.
Also look for additional professional signs such as a website that is up to date and well maintained, and a branded email address tied to the website and not a gmail account.
What happens if a Disney discount comes out after I book?
A good agent will keep an eye out for new promotions and check whether one can be applied to your existing booking. Not every discount will work for every reservation, since it depends on the offer’s rules and availability. There is also the possibility of “Disney math” where the new promo ends up costing you more. A good agent will know the difference and be able to advise you.
Be wary of any agent who guarantees that there will be “future discounts” or that they can apply them – nobody can promise that.
Can a travel agent guarantee my Disney dining reservations?
No, and you should be careful with anyone who says they can. A good agent can help you plan which restaurants to target, know exactly when your booking window opens, and try to secure the reservations you want. But availability is never guaranteed, even for agents.
