Hi there. I’m a former Disney Travel Agent aka Disney Travel Planner, and just recently retired after 16 years of doing a job I loved more than almost anything. Even almost more than planning my own trips to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and across the world to other Disney Parks.
There are two things I’d like to set straight right away.
First, I’m not revealing my real name because Disney trip planning is not something done by me anymore. I’m retired and don’t want to be bombarded because it’s just that time to enjoy life and do for myself and my family.
Secondly, I’m not affiliated with Middle of the Magic Travel who works in partnership with Doctor Disney. I worked for a company based out of Washington state, and loved it. Doctor Disney is a friend of mine, and he asked if I’d write up some articles dealing with travel agencies, Disney trip planning, and the like.
So, here I am.
My first piece is going to help out those that have never used a Disney Travel Agent (DTA) and those that have as well. It’s not so much a “pet peeve” list, but a list that tells things that would have made life a lot easier for my clients and for me when dealing with some of those clients.
1.) We actually know what we’re doing. – Believe it or not, your DTA does know a thing or two about Disney. Most are like me though and wouldn’t lie to you. If I hadn’t been on a particular Disney Cruise ship or to a particular park yet, I wouldn’t act like I had. Honesty works.
2.) We are human beings. – It never ceased to amaze me how often an email would come to me with an automatic request or order or demand. There’s nothing wrong with starting things out with a “Hello” or “How are you?” We want to be friends with our clients and not have this be a strictly professional-sounding relationship. It’s Disney. Let it be fun.
3.) Don’t go rogue on us. – When booking your Disney vacation, agents will take all the work out of it. We will book your room, tickets, dining, FASTPass selections, reservations, and anything else, but based on what you want. It’s a relationship in which you (clients) will talk to us (agents), tell us what you want or like, and we go do it for you.
Please don’t go behind our backs and change everything or check up on us by testing us with questions or calling Disney. If you want us to do something, simply ask us to do it. This is our job and we will be more than happy to do what you ask.
4.) Don’t scam us. – DTAs are going do every single thing they can so that your trip is the most fun, most amazing, and most cost-efficient. It’s not like we are trying to shoot up the prices because that wouldn’t benefit anyone. While the majority of agencies provide free quotes for Disney vacations, don’t abuse that fact.
If you have an agent quote your Disney vacation for you over and over again, but realize you can’t afford it or it’s the wrong time or something comes up, then that is understandable.
If you have an agent quote your Disney vacation for you over and over again, but then go ahead and book the trip yourself? That’s just wrong. Having someone spend their time and effort to help you, but then ditching them when it comes time for completion, is just wrong.
5.) This really is our job. – Yes, we love sharing our knowledge and the magic of Disney, but this is a job we do for a living. Not booking with one of us, yet asking us tons of questions and trying to get the information out of us…well, it’s just not right. We made this our career choice and while we may not get paid directly by our clients, but booking trips is the way we support our families. Most (all) agencies will only charge a fee when booking a client that isn’t getting a Disney Resort package. If you book a package, then nothing extra comes out of your pockets to agents.
Please don’t try to get something out of us for nothing.
Remember, Disney Travel Agents are there to help you and make your trip as perfect as possible with as little stress on you as well. Just allow them, trust in them, and let them.
