New Codes are Out

[FoodLover]

There are three new codes out. They give excellent discounts (up to 45% off) at the Disney resorts from 2/14/02-4/20/02 (with blackout dates on Easter weekend).

Good only for residents of Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and CANADA! Full details here:

http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#states

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[BethR]

Great news for residents of these states and CANADA!!!
(Aren't these the same dates as the postcard codes?)

 

[Babblin'Boo]

Keep 'em coming, Disney!

I do not want to believe that the codes were banned, responding to pressure from travel agents to keep the rip off packages in business!

 

[FoodLover]

Babblin'Boo, I think you're way off base with that accusation. It's the second time I've seen you post it, so I feel compelled to respond.

In my experience, good travel agents will go out of their way to find the best deal for their clients, including sniffing out code discounts. (Disney does not send this info to agents -- they only get package info from Disney.)

There are dozens of agents who check my site for bargains all the time -- I know because they write and thank me for the information. I also recommend an excellent agent on MouseSavers, and I know that she is extremely conscientious about finding her clients great deals, even though it puts less commission in her pocket.

Are there greedy, lazy or uninformed travel agents who will try to sell only packages? Yes. But I don't think it's at all fair to paint all travel agents with the same brush.

I am very tuned in to the travel industry and receive many travel industry publications, etc. I have seen absolutely zero evidence that travel agents are trying to get the discount codes eliminated.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[Babblin'Boo]

The good ones don't have to worry about my comment and concerns, Mary.

But I have checked these boards off and on for several months and have seen heavy arguments regarding those codes, between agents and people who took advantage of them. Several agents seem to resent the fact that many travelers are taking advantage of anything that helps them skip the purchase of those packages, saving hundreds of dollars each time they travel to the parks. It is not a secret that each package takes hundreds of dollars out of your wallet, not accounted for if the components were itemized.

The first time I took my family to Disney I booked through a travel agent. When I found how much money I overpaid, compared to booking on my own, I could not believe it! I was given vouchers that I had to stand in lines to swap for tickets at Mears and the parks anyway and was placed in a hotel offsite with "free transportation to the parks". They did not tell me that the buses were hot, packed like sardines, came every four hours, and always arrived about at least a half hour late...

The second time I booked on my own, saved about $700. The third time, I used codes. Saved close to $1,000. This year, I compared Delta's Skymiles packages to the expenses of booking on my own and I must admit that their fares came very close to what I came up with, but that is not what I normally find. I compared Disney's packages and am saving well over $1,000!!

Most travelers want to save money when visiting the parks, and many travel agents seek the perks that come with selling those packages. I never met one that offered to get me the most economical alternatives. I only dealt with those that recommended basic packages over deluxe, instead. How are they going to make a commission otherwise?

When I noticed the sudden disappearance of the codes, I was naturally suspicious. Not meant to insult honest travel agents, I believe my comment was not offline.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Not taking sides here, but just stating my experience.

We booked Poly Concierge for the first time through a travel agent. He was a "senior travel counselor" or something like that.... I don't remember all of the exact details, but I got the impression he was one of the big wheels in the organization. He got us rack rates, a VERY expensive cadillac through National and assured us he was getting us the best deals.

The very next year I booked the entire thing myself - the exact same trip - same time of year - and saved over $1000. I did my homework and then called him and asked for his very best offer on the trip. I politely declined, saying I could get it much cheaper booking it myself.

This specific guy had NO knowledge of Disney, their parks, their resorts, their discounts, NOTHING. I guess the advice I would give is to shop around. I am sure there are plenty of travel agents that do indeed try to get their clients the best rates, and if you find one, congrats! I just feel a lot better doing it myself and being in control. If I have a question, it's a phone call (or two) away (Ok, maybe three... this is Disney ) rather than trusting the whole thing to someone else.

 

[FoodLover]

Obviously I think it's very possible to get a great deal on your own, by doing a lot of research. That's what my site is all about. However, if you're not oriented that way (some people consider it a real drag and/or find it overwhelming and stressful), the right travel agent can save you all that work.

In shopping for a travel agent to help you with Disney travel, I recommend seeking someone with the Disney Specialist designation. The agents who can call themselves Disney Specialists have been through extra training (The College of Disney Knowledge) and they know a LOT more about booking a Disney vacation than the "generalist" travel agent would.

Of course, the other thing to look for is a solid recommendation from someone you trust.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by FoodLover
Obviously I think it's very possible to get a great deal on your own, by doing a lot of research...However, if you're not oriented that way...the right travel agent can save you all that work.

In shopping for a travel agent to help you with Disney travel, I recommend seeking someone with the Disney Specialist designation. The agents who can call themselves Disney Specialists have been through extra training (The College of Disney Knowledge) and they know a LOT more about booking a Disney vacation than the "generalist" travel agent would.

This is exactly the reason for Dreams Unlimited AND the training that DU agents have. IF you are not inclined to do the legwork yourself, I would recommend that you consider www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com You can trust that you truly are getting a Disney Specialist AND you are supporting this site.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread!

 

[Babblin'Boo]

Don't specialists train to sell you packages, though?

The biggest advantage of booking on your own is the savings you get avoiding them (on the average, close to $1,000 each time!) Nowadays, with the Internet, a few hours worth of research time saves you more than peanuts. Paying hundreds of dollars for someone else to do the research ( only among the choices they offer, however ) is not something most consumers are willing to do, at the present. It is easy to see why the codes and other savings threaten such industry.

 

[kozmo]

I wish wdw could give mililtary rates to our canadian brothers and sisters,i know how wonderful i felt after 9-11-2001,to know they were beside us through thick and thin!!!

 

[kellyla]

Kozmo,thanks very much for that.That was a nice thing to say about Canada.I always feel we are overlooked because of our big brother to the south.

Babblin'Boo,I have taken the Disney College of Knowledge courses(I earned my ears)and alot of the course is how to sell a package deal to Disney.

 

[josierac]

Mary, I agree with you totally. Years ago before the internet got so big with WDW, there wasn't many way's to find out about the discounts.

I for one would love for disney to offer the packages without passes like they used to or give better rates for the packages. I also try to find the best rates for my clients. I price it with and without the packages depending on what they are looking for. Some people actually like having everything done and paid for so the packages are worth it for them.

The packages don't only benefit the travel agents with higher commissions, it also benefits disney as they make more money.

I know some agents that will only book pkgs because they used to do it seperately for clients and then the client used to take that info and just book it themselves. So you have an agent who has put in a lot of time and effort (pkgs are easy) and has nothing to show for it.

 

[Babblin'Boo]

I don't believe you can say that the agents have nothing to show for it.

Sell several packages and your family gets a free Disney vacation, at the expense of those who overpaid hundreds of dollars in packages!

 

[Lucky4me]

My two cents:

I started a small travel consulting business from knowledge I gained here on the DIS, Priceline, and websites like Marys. I don't get paid through the supplier like a TA but take a cut of the savings I find for the client. (based on what they would have paid through a TA) I have checked with TA's all over the city and they can't touch the deals I find. You can't fault them for wanting to make a living and the internet has certainly hindered them in doing so. If I was a TA or owned a Travel business I'd be scrambling right now to figure a way to stay in the game.

I really don't think travel agents want to trick or be under handed with anyone about package deals, but packages are the way they make money. TA's are salespeople and will want to sell the most expensive package a customer can afford. Thats just business and not a bad thing.

I hope Disney keeps rates the way they are. I don't mind hunting for the deals. If they made it easy, I'd be out of business!

 

[HelphelpmeRhonda]

What kind of TA charges the client? If you are asking for a percentage of the savings that is charging the client. All the Disney agents I know get commission from Disney whether the room is full price or half price. They don't make as much commission but people keep coming back to them to find good deals. I can't understand you taking money from the guest, unless I am missing something.

 

[BethR]

This thread was started to inform people of the availability of new discount codes at WDW NOT to debate the benefits of Travel Agents or packages. PLUS we are coming dangerously close to personal attacks which are not permitted on these Boards. IF this thread cannot get back to its original purpose, it will be closed. Thank you!

 

[Babblin'Boo]

Beth, nobody is attacking anyone. However, I perceive you are threatening to censor open expressions about the purchase of packages through travel agents.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by Babblin'Boo
I perceive you are threatening to censor open expressions about the purchase of packages through travel agents.

Not censor BB, just promising to keep this thread on track of its original intent or to close it, as is my job as a Moderator. If you would like to debate the pros and cons of Travel Agents, you are welcome to start a thread about it on our Debate Board.