Travel agent question

[liverandonions]

Hello, I'm getting conflicting information on whether travel agents for Disney are free. We've already booked a rental home off site and only 5 out of 12 of us will need airfare. We want help booking dining, fast passes, magic bands etc. I thought they were free but now my sister is hearing if we don't stay on site it's not. Does anyone know?

[panicked]

Yes, they are free

[liverandonions]

Oct 2, 2016 17:45:34 GMT -5 panicked said:

Yes, they are free

Do you know what website we use to find one? They all seem to have "Disney themed" sites but aren't actually related.

[panicked]

Oct 2, 2016 18:08:05 GMT -5 liverandonions said:

Oct 2, 2016 17:45:34 GMT -5 panicked said:

Yes, they are free

Do you know what website we use to find one? They all seem to have "Disney themed" sites but aren't actually related.

I don't. I can give you the contact info for my travel agent, if you'd like. She got us an AMAZING deal on our last trip and handled everything for us.

[ribollita]

Oct 2, 2016 18:13:20 GMT -5 panicked said:

Oct 2, 2016 18:08:05 GMT -5 liverandonions said:

Do you know what website we use to find one? They all seem to have "Disney themed" sites but aren't actually related.

I don't. I can give you the contact info for my travel agent, if you'd like. She got us an AMAZING deal on our last trip and handled everything for us.

But you booked a room through her, right?

I don't think there are Disney TAs who book the noted items unless you also book an onsite room.

[panicked]

I just checked with my TA friend. She said they can book whatever you need, however they make virtually nothing, so without a room/package, not many will.

[liverandonions]

Thanks, sounds like we could try one out but we may just need to go with one for a fee.

[miss1180]

Oct 2, 2016 19:37:46 GMT -5 panicked said:

I just checked with my TA friend. She said they can book whatever you need, however they make virtually nothing, so without a room/package, not many will.

This is what i was gonna say.... The TAs that specialize in Disney are free, because they get commission from Disney. So it makes sense that they want to book a Disney hotel, dining plan and tickets  (a whole package) for you, too-- because they get commission on all that. so if you just have them book your your tickets, thats hardly any commission for all the work--- so you'll probably get less help HAHA
 
I would look for a TA that you can pay a fee to--- or just ask for help on here, or from friends that go to Disney a lot that can kind of walk you through it...

[curbsideprophet]

You can book dining and FPs yourself. You don't need a TA to do that for you. Do you have concerns about the process? We can answer questions you might have. Do any of the other adults in your party have an MDE account?

You can practice making dining reservations. Just make sure you cancel it on time.

You can go into MDE and assign everyone a color for their Magic band. There is not much to do there.

[revolution]

Honestly, if you are staying offsite and that's all you need to do, I'd just book the dining and FP's. It's all pretty easy and we can help!

ETA:  In my experience, the TA don't do air travel, you book that yourself and tell them the flights if you are using the magical express. And my current TA doesn't do FP's or magic bands.  

[liverandonions]

Oct 4, 2016 9:20:32 GMT -5 revolution said:

Honestly, if you are staying offsite and that's all you need to do, I'd just book the dining and FP's. It's all pretty easy and we can help!

ETA:  In my experience, the TA don't do air travel, you book that yourself and tell them the flights if you are using the magical express. And my current TA doesn't do FP's or magic bands.  

Thanks!