Disney people: Who DIDNT use a TA?

[ribollita]

You do not need a TA unless you find the planning overwhelming. I am going five times this year (yes, LOL) without a TA.

[Deleted]

We didn't and we had a blast I feel like that is unnecessary because of the magic bands and their app. You can change your FPs the day of and restaurant reservations through the app. Some have cancelation policies though.

[jeaniebueller]

We never did either. I used disboards and the undercover tourist crowd calendar.

[bronxgirl]

I've never used one and don't see the point if you're staying on property. Disney controls their own pricing so TAs can't get you any better of a deal or any special perks that you can't get for yourself. Between the Disney website and reading blogs/ message boards for tips I've always had great trips that were very easy to plan and book myself.

[mellymel]

We aren't using one. I'm an awesome planner and I don't see the benefit, lol

[undecidedowl]

Aug 5, 2015 13:38:13 GMT -5 @starry said:

Me. I am confident in the power of Google and disboards.

Yep. If you are willing to do the research yourself you'll be fine. There is tons of info available.

[ilikedonuts]

We never have.

[countthestars]

We never do. It's always been fine

[minzy]

Somewhat related question: is it possible to just show up and do whatever's available the day of? Surely people do this, right? We're looking at staying offsite with relatives and going to the parks for a couple of days, tops, and I'm not sure I want to get in to dining reservations and fast passes etc.

[bcarp30]

I've never used one

[Yankees21]

Aug 5, 2015 13:58:14 GMT -5 minzy said:

Somewhat related question: is it possible to just show up and do whatever's available the day of? Surely people do this, right? We're looking at staying offsite with relatives and going to the parks for a couple of days, tops, and I'm not sure I want to get in to dining reservations and fast passes etc.

I'm still a little ways from doing Disney with my son, but I think this is how the majority of people do it. It will still be fun

[thejen626]

Aug 5, 2015 13:58:14 GMT -5 minzy said:

Somewhat related question: is it possible to just show up and do whatever's available the day of? Surely people do this, right? We're looking at staying offsite with relatives and going to the parks for a couple of days, tops, and I'm not sure I want to get in to dining reservations and fast passes etc.

It will depend on how busy the park is. I have not-fond memories of my boyfriend wanting to suddenly eat in a sit down restaurant, and nothing being available. We had to walk all over the park asking evey hostess. We ended up eating McD's fast service for dinner.

People plan because it makes the trip enjoyable. Dining reservations and fast passes aren't hard or time consuming, but they save you a lot of time and effort on the day of.

I used to work for Disney and I'm a planner, so take my word

[pooh8402]

I didn't. I enjoyed all the planning.

[ssmjlm]

We didn't and I had a group of 6. Once we had our room from renting points the rest was easy. I just put myself in charge of all the reservations and FP since no one else cared anyways.

[xtine22]

Aug 5, 2015 13:58:14 GMT -5 minzy said:

Somewhat related question: is it possible to just show up and do whatever's available the day of? Surely people do this, right? We're looking at staying offsite with relatives and going to the parks for a couple of days, tops, and I'm not sure I want to get in to dining reservations and fast passes etc.

Yes, we are passholders and go several times a month. Many times I will book our FP on the way to the park in the afternoon. We typically go in the when I get out of work. The only thing I can't get are Mine train and A&E meeting. We also booked a lunch ADR for memorial day that Friday at Hollwood and Vine, which was were I wanted to go, I just stalked it for a couple days and had backup places if nothing opened up. 

[londoncalling]

Aug 5, 2015 13:38:13 GMT -5 @starry said:

Me. I am confident in the power of Google and disboards.

This.  And easywdw.

[kittycatlove]

We didn't and it all worked out fine. But I'm a planner and enjoyed it.

Don't plan on using one for any future trips either.

[water*drop]

I am an awesome trip planner, so I didn't use one, and our trip was great. I did read The Easy Guide to Your First WDW Visit book (all of the information is available on the websites of the two authors, but I liked having it all in one spot), and I used the WDW prep school website, disboards, and asked questions here. Really, once the room was booked, everything was much less overwhelming and fell into place easily.

[pinkdutchtulips]

I've never used a TA for Disney but if we plan a huge family get together - upwards of 20 people- I'll get in touch w a friend of mine who happens to be a Disney TA

[Amy]

Well, I am one, (Disney TA) but didn't use one for our first trip. Basically, I'm just there to make suggestions, make sure you get discounts and do your dining and FP selections if you want me to. It's free, so I think it's nice to have, but obviously not totally needed if you are willing to spend a lot of time researching.

[anna7602]

I've taken DD to EuroDisney three times. Each time, we've just hopped on the commuter train from Paris and an hour later, we've walked though the gates of Disney.

I've also done the drive from Miami to Orlando to spend a day or two at Disney last-minute, but this was pre-kids and over 10 years ago.

[cajunmom]

We used a TA once but did everything ourselves every other time. You can do it without a TA.

[lishie]

I don't use a TA. And the one time I used one, they didn't make reservations for my anyway, so there was no benefit for me.

[lishie]

Aug 5, 2015 13:58:14 GMT -5 minzy said:

Somewhat related question: is it possible to just show up and do whatever's available the day of? Surely people do this, right? We're looking at staying offsite with relatives and going to the parks for a couple of days, tops, and I'm not sure I want to get in to dining reservations and fast passes etc.

I've never just shown up since fast pass plus came out, but I've booked a trip two weeks prior, booked a couple fast passes just a few days ahead, and changed things on the fly, and still had a great time

And my friend did just show up day of, booked fast passes and loved her day at magic kingdom.

[wavepool]

Aug 5, 2015 13:58:14 GMT -5 minzy said:

Somewhat related question: is it possible to just show up and do whatever's available the day of? Surely people do this, right? We're looking at staying offsite with relatives and going to the parks for a couple of days, tops, and I'm not sure I want to get in to dining reservations and fast passes etc.

[br
We bought tickets the day before and booked our fast passes when we got there. We didn't get exactly the times we wanted, but we got to do all but one big ride. We ate at a counter service restaurant in MK with no wait. We had a great time!

[browneyedgirl9]

I have never used a travel agent, and never felt I needed one to plan a Disney trip. I have always found planning on my own to be pretty each for Disney, they have so much info available.

[curbsideprophet]

We did not use a TA. No regrets so far.

[imojoebunny]

Aug 5, 2015 13:58:14 GMT -5 minzy said:

Somewhat related question: is it possible to just show up and do whatever's available the day of? Surely people do this, right? We're looking at staying offsite with relatives and going to the parks for a couple of days, tops, and I'm not sure I want to get in to dining reservations and fast passes etc.

I think a TA is a travel agent or a ticket agent.   We have never used one and have been 8 times.  

We we stay off site, with family.  The last two years, we have found if you don't get fast passes and reservations in advance, you will not be going on the popular rides until very late in the day, or not at all, and will have to eat at the hot dog French fry stands.  We suck it up now, make reservations at a decent restaurant for lunch because it gives us an hour or so to cool off (it's always hot, seemingly), use a clean restroom, and we all do much better with higher quality food.  I liked it better when we just got fast passes once we were at the park, but that ship has sailed.  

[stephm0188]

I've never used a TA and don't see the appeal. I prefer to make my own plans. Control my own destiny, that sort of thing.

[Amy]

Aug 5, 2015 15:34:14 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Amy, thanks for the insight. I do have a question for you, can I book our hotel and buy our tickets separately through like Un.dercoverTo.urist? How does that affect our FPs? Do we still get the Magic Bands? Do the people with the DP get an earlier time to book reservations than others? How does DVC points work with staying on property and with FPs and dining? That last one may be good for @starry too.

Sorry - my children are trying to kill me.

Chile covered it pretty much.

You can book just room through a TA and then link the tix you get from UT. Then as soon as a discount comes out, TA will get you switched over. If you are staying onsite you get a 180+10 time frame for your ADRs (so you can make them for your entire trip vs one day at a time).
As long as you've purchased and linked your UT tix by 60 days out, you get to do FPs at 60 days.
You still get magic bands
DP has no early advantage, just makes character buffet pricing easier to swallow and it's nice to have it pre-paid. But it's just personal preference.
Message me anytime!