This article is inspired by the posts I read on Facebook when people ask for advice about their upcoming Disney World vacations. I just have to say, as a travel agent who plans Disney World trips – do yourself the biggest favor and simply book your trip with a Disney travel agent!
Disney recommends it and they pay travel agents their commissions – clients do not. At my agency there are absolutely no planning fees. You pay the same price, to the penny, as you would pay if you book on your own directly with Disney. We offer free expert advice, carefree planning, and complimentary scheduling of everything you need regarding your trip. We even keep watch on specials that Disney offers and apply them to your trip for you!
If you have never been to Disney, it can be extremely overwhelming, leading to countless hours of researching online, and anxiety over your vacation. There is no reason “anxiety” and “vacation” should be in the same sentence. Why spend all that money on a vacation that you are dreading?
We book trips for all kinds of clients: from the first time Disney guest who needs extra information and support, to the veteran guest who visits Disney every year, to the Disney Vacation Club member who simply wants someone else to go through the hassle of waking up by 7am and scheduling all of their fast passes for their entire trip.
People on some of these Facebook groups who answer questions posted by people who are genuinely seeking advice are often giving the wrong advice! And while friends may have good intentions, their advice isn’t always accurate either. It would almost be amusing to read, if it wasn’t so sad that it can affect someone’s once-in-a-lifetime-vacation.
Someone recently told a future Disney guest that the dining plan cannot be used anywhere in the parks. Excuse me, what?? I don’t tell clients whether to purchase a dining plan or not to. I simply provide what it includes and the costs, but it most certainly includes restaurants that are located in the parks.
Another person said that the parks smell bad (I won’t say of what). Is that why past guests swoon over scented candles labeled Main Street USA? The smells from the bakeries and candy stores along Main Street are amazing!
Another person said the food in the Be Our Guest restaurant is awful and to skip it. I, on the other hand, would happily eat a jelly sandwich if it meant I could sit in that restaurant again and feel like I am actually in the Beast’s castle. My family loved the food. I tried the grey stuff and it is delicious!! The whole experience was magical for me and magical to so many other people. How do I know? Because the restaurant sells out in a matter of minutes when reservations become available 180 days prior to dining. I presently have clients that booked only about 90 days before their arrival date and I have spent weeks trying to get reservations for them. I’m thrilled to say I have some extremely happy clients tonight because I was able to grab reservations for their upcoming October trip just this morning!!
Most people mean well, but what was true a couple years ago when a friend went to Disney may not be true anymore. You need to seek advice from certified Disney experts.
Then there are people who just don’t understand Disney and the magic it can bring to it’s guests! They do nothing but make up negative things just to make others feel like they do. Why make your friend feel like they made a bad decision in planning their vacation? It makes no sense to me. If someone sincerely had a poor experience in Disney, it should have been brought to a cast member’s attention and/or their travel agent’s attention so it could be fixed immediately. There is a reason Disney is number one when it comes to customer service. And there is a reason Disney World is the number one tourist attraction in the world. Don’t let anyone influence your expectations. Let yourself be happy. Look forward to the memories you are about to make! LET THE MAGIC IN.
If you have booked a Disney trip on your own and you are feeling stressed? It’s not too late to be that happy family pictured above. Simply check to see that it hasn’t been longer than 30 days since you put down your deposit with Disney and that you haven’t paid in full. Then contact your favorite travel agent and ask them to take over your reservation. It’s a matter of filling out a simple form! Your travel agent can take care of all the remaining details for you and maybe even fix things that aren’t as they should be.
Planning a vacation is a travel agent’s job, there should be little work on your part. Perhaps that is why Disney encourages guests to book through travel agents and then pays the agents for their time and efforts – so guests have a HAPPY experience at Disney and let others know! I was a teacher before I got into travel so I am no business expert, but it seems like a practical and simple business policy where everyone benefits. Don’t you agree?
So plan smartly, call a travel agent, and let someone else take care of everything for you, for free! (And I’ll stop reading the Facebook posts with bad advice, that give ME anxiety!)
Happy travels and say “Hi!” to Mickey for me!
~Laurie
Contact me for a free travel consultation today!
215-435-4151 LaurieFiveStarTravel@gmail.com
Laurie at Five Star Travel Group 