perks of disney travel agent

Theme Parks for Grown-Ups

11 Amazing Benefits You Get as an At-Home Disney Travel Planner

Travel Agent · Travel Guide

All the Discounts, Special Training, and Benefits You Receive as a Travel Agent

Imagine receiving huge discounts on your Disney vacations. Not just the normal discounts that anyone can get. Discounts that make your travel obsession a little more affordable.

That’s the life of a Travel Agent. As a travel professional, you get access to incredible benefits like discounts on Disney hotels, theme park tickets at reduced rates, and the ability to tour cruise ships for free.

Not to mention getting paid to plan theme park vacations.

Um. Yes, please! 

This article is a continuation of my Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Disney Travel Planner. That’s where you can learn the travel lingo I use in this article and get an in-depth look at starting a career a Travel Agent.

I’ve been a Disney Travel Planner for three years and have built my travel business from nothing. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I could get travel benefits and make magic for a living. 

Now I want to share all my experience with those of you who want to start your dream job too!

To get started, sign up for my FREE course below: How to Jumpstart Your Career as a Disney Travel Planner in 5 Days!

Helpful Resources for Travel Agents

• Frequently Asked Questions About Starting a Career as a Disney or Universal Travel Planner
• Host Agency Reviews
• How to Jumpstart Your Career as a Travel Agent in 5 Steps

Earn Commission for Your Own Vacations

Yes, you can earn money by booking your own vacations! Whether you’re booking a vacation for yourself or a client, you will earn money doing it. This means you’re getting a fairly large discount on your own travel plans. A commission can be earned on Disney hotels, theme park tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars, and other travel.

How do you get paid for your travel?

You will receive your commission once your vacation is finished.

How much of a commission do you receive when you book a vacation?

It depends on the price of your purchases and the commission cut you get from your Host Agency. 

As an example, you will earn about 10% commission on Disney World packages. Meaning, you can book a vacation including tickets and a hotel stay for about $2000 and get back around $200.

That’s a fantastic discount if you already plan on staying onsite. You can apply any deals or discounts Disney may be running at the time too!

Prefer to watch a video about the perks of becoming a Disney Travel Planner? 

Watch the video below and follow me on YouTube for more!

Booking Incentives

Most companies will give you incentives to sell more travel. For example, Disney recently ran a campaign that allowed you to earn a free Adventures by Disney River Cruise if you booked three River Cruise packages. Many other travel companies run incentives whether it’s for free cruises, tours, or resort stays. The incentive motivates you to sell more, earn more commission, and receive bonus vacations for yourself!

Property and Ship Tours  

The opportunity to tour Disney properties and cruise ships is my favorite benefit of all! Disney will often schedule private tours for Travel Agents in Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney cruise ships for Travel Agents. The purpose of the private tour is to familiarize yourself with hotels and cruise ships you haven’t visited before. This way you can explain the properties to your clients in detail and sell vacation packages more effectively.

The hotel tours give you a chance to see the rooms, facilities, and restaurants up-close. While the Disney Cruise Line tours allow you to experience a Disney cruise ship without paying for a full cruise vacation. For both, you will have a guide that can answer any of your specific questions.

Plus, it’s super fun to visit the properties if you’ve never been on a cruise or stayed at a Disney resort!

Sales & Marketing Assistance

College of disney knowledge.

Ever fantasized about going to Disney school? Want to major in Churros with a minor in Fireworks? Well, you’re going to love the College of Disney Knowledge.

Sadly, you won’t be able to learn how to make churros. You will be guided through course units that teach you about the theme parks and other Disney destinations. Chances are you probably know a lot about Disney, but these courses are designed to fill in the gaps for other experiences you may not know about. Getting to know all of Disney makes it easier for you to sell diverse vacation packages like Aulani or Adventures by Disney. Your clients will appreciate your Disney knowledge too!

In-Person Training

The Disney Institute offers training seminars focused on leadership, employee engagement, and service. The program is a great way for travel leaders to hone their sales skills. The program travels to regions across the U.S. so you don’t have to go too far from home! Disney Institue courses have a fee, but they offer discounts to Travel Agents sometimes.

Additional in-person training sessions are held throughout the year too. Last year, AMA Waterways and Adventures by Disney held a Lunch and Learn where Travel Agents came together for a seminar. 

Universal Studios also hosts in-person training sessions across the country. These sessions are free to Travel Agents! It’s a great way to meet other travel professionals and learn about the theme parks from the company’s leaders.

Work from Home

What’s better than getting to work in your Mickey pajamas? In all seriousness, working from home means working around your schedule and on your terms. I wanted to make a career change because I wanted the flexibility of working from anywhere. Now I have the ability to work during my own set hours and I’m only accountable for myself.

One Word of Advice: Create office hours for yourself and stick with them. Communicate to your clients what hours you’re available and do not contact them outside of these hours. 

Unless it is a true travel emergency, there is no reason for your clients to be contacting you at all hours of the night. Create clear boundaries or people will begin to take advantage of your time, whether it is intentional or not.

Travel Perks For Experienced Travel Agents

All the perks I’ve mentioned are valid for new and experienced Travel Agents. Once you become more established and earn your IATA or CLIA card you will have access to a lot more benefits! 

This is true for theme park vacations and almost any other destination you decide to sell. Organizations like Sandals, ClubMed, Funjet, and AMA Waterways provide Travel Agents with the opportunity to take Familiarization (“FAM”) Trips. FAM Trips are a way for Travel Agents to experience the destinations at a highly discounted rate so they can sell the product easier.

I mean, it’s pretty much the coolest training session you’ll ever be a part of.

On top of that, you can earn deals with other industries like tours, rental cars, or transportation companies. When you sign on with a Host Agency they will be able to tell you what kind of Travel Agent rates are available.

Disney Resort Discounts

Disney and Universal often provide Travel Agent deep-cut rates for onsite resorts. The rates are usually quite good and you’re allowed to share the room with your immediate family. I’ve seen rooms be discounted by about 50% in the past. The only disadvantage is that the rooms are subject to availability and there are some blockout dates around Christmastime. Despite that, you’re getting a fantastic rate for an official Disney hotel. You will have to have a valid IATA card to make the reservations.

Offsite Resort Discounts

Most chain hotels will offer Travel Agent discounts too. If it’s not explicitly listed anywhere on the website, just call the hotel and ask for their Travel Agent rates. If anything, you will probably get the commission back for booking with them.

Discounted or Free Theme Park Tickets 

Some Host Agencies will offer a free one-day pass to the theme parks and others will give you a good discount on them. This is dependent on the status of your Host Agency and you will have to check with them to see if you qualify.

Other Discounts

The main discount that Travel Agents go crazy about are hotel rates. Outside of that, you can get a ton of discounts on Disney cruises, Aulani, Adventures by Disney, and pretty much anything else they own.

Much like the resorts, you can get some pretty hefty discounts on any of these. I’ve seen cruise cabins for $1600 be discounted to $800. This depends on cruise availability and they usually release cabins around two months in advance of the departure date. This means you will have less time to prepare for travel, but you’ll get a nice deal.

You get to Plan Disney Vacations for a Living

I truly believe this is the best perk of all. When I learned that people were making a living planning theme park vacations, I knew it was my calling. I daydreamed about the day I could quit my office job and become a full-time Disney Travel Planner. Now I spend my days looking up rates for Disney hotels, creating in-depth itineraries for the parks, and connecting with amazing families across the country.

The job is fun, but it’s also extremely gratifying. I’m constantly receiving feedback from my clients expressing their gratitude about how I made their vacation an amazing experience they will never forget.

Check out this email I received from the Jackson family.

“I just wanted to follow up with you after our trip and tell you what a fantastic time we had! It was seriously the best vacation we’ve ever taken. The weather was great (luckily), the kids had a blast, and everything was soooo convenient! The Polynesian was an A++ recommendation and you made everything so easy for us. Thanks again for all of the help – we’re already trying to figure out when we can go back!” -Trent, Chicago

Emails like this tell me that I chose the right career and I’m doing my job well. There’s nothing better than doing something you love, making magic for families, and earning money while you do it. Want to learn how to get started as a Disney Travel Planner right now? Fill out the form below and learn how to start your new career!

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Table of Contents

Why become a Disney trip planner?

How to become a disney travel agent, save money as a disney vacation planner, how much do disney travel agents make, final thoughts on becoming a disney travel agent.

If you’re a fan of Disney and you like to travel, it’s possible for you to combine these passions into a career or side hustle. By becoming a Disney travel agent, you can earn money by making bookings for clients and also save on your own Disney adventures.

Here's a look at how to become a Disney travel agent and the ways it can save you money and help you earn some cash while helping others make their Disney dreams come true.

As a Disney travel agent:

You can receive benefits on personal travel, such as discounted hotel rooms, free theme park tickets and complimentary Disney cruises.

You control your own schedule and how much you work.

You will be able to work from home in most cases.

You’ll earn a commission on successful bookings.

» Learn more: 10 ways to save on your first — or next — Disney vacation

Becoming a Disney travel advisor is similar to the process of becoming a regular travel agent.

First, you’ll need to meet specific travel agent requirements — but there are additional criteria needed to specialize in selling Disney vacations.

You’ll have to become familiar with Disney’s entire portfolio of products including Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Lines, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii and Adventures by Disney. In addition, clients may also ask Disney travel agents to book Universal Studios, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line packages.

If you’re already a travel agent , you can register for Disney travel agent training on the Disney Travel Agents website. Once you’ve created an account, you’ll need to complete the College of Disney Knowledge training, which includes online classes and information about Disney Destinations.

If you’re not already a certified travel agent , you’ll need to become one before signing up for Disney travel agent training. Certification programs vary in terms of cost, time commitment and requirements. Once you've completed a program, you can choose to join a travel agency or operate on your own as a small business. At this point, you can register for the Disney training.

Once finished, you’re eligible to become an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and entitled to all the benefits that the designation includes.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

Disney travel agent benefits are one of the reasons to become a Disney vacation planner. Perks include special access to discounted hotel rates and other advantages, like:

Disney travel agent discounts

Disney travel agents can take advantage of discounted rates on accommodation and park entrance fees for their personal trips as well. This also applies to Disney branded hotels, in addition to other properties, cruises and excursions that include:

Disneyland Resort Hotels.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.

Adventures by Disney.

Disney Cruise Line.

Select all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.

The discounts will vary based on where you’re going, but you can expect to save up to 50%.

Adventures by Disney are guided vacation packages, which include Antarctic cruises, European getaways and more.

» Learn more: What a travel agent can do for you that a search engine can't

Complimentary Disney Park Hopper tickets annually

Businesses want you to be familiar with what you’re selling. After all, the better you know a place, the more capable you’ll be of helping clients choose the right vacation.

To that end, Disney provides Authorized Disney Vacation Planners with complimentary theme park tickets . As a standard Disney travel agent, you’ll receive a one-day Park Hopper ticket to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland each year.

Or, if you want to visit for a longer period of time, you can opt for discounted two- to 10-day Park Hopper tickets at Walt Disney World.

The highest-performing travel agents are recognized by Disney’s EarMarked. This invite-only program grants extra support and perks, such as additional complimentary theme park tickets.

» Learn more: Is the Disney Park Hopper worth it?

Discounted Universal Studios tickets

Cheaper tickets aren’t limited to Disney. As a Disney travel agent, you’ll also receive up to four half-price tickets to Universal Studios per year.

» Learn more: How to go to Disney World for cheap

Discounted Disney cruises and increased commissions

Disney cruise travel agents can also score reduced or free tickets to Disney cruises. Depending on the travel agency you work with, agencies with a high number of sales can earn increased commissions on sales associated with cruises.

» Learn more: How much does a Disney Cruise cost?

Disney travel agents work on commission, which means that they make money only when their clients book and complete vacations.

Disney pays up to a 10% commission to travel agents, depending on the package booked for the customer. Disney cruises yield a higher commission. If you’re working independently, you’ll receive the full commission amount — so if your client booked a $5,000 vacation pretax, you’d receive $500 in commission.

You can also opt to join an existing travel agency. These companies offer more support and can help you if you’re just getting started. Depending on the agency, it can also provide marketing support and send leads your way.

If you choose to join a travel agency , you’ll split your commission. The rate for this will vary based on where you’re working, but you can expect to receive up to 75% of the total commission Disney pays out.

This means that if you had a client taking a vacation that cost $5,000 pretax, Disney would pay the travel agency $500. At a 75% split, you would be paid $375. It’s less than you’d make if you were operating on your own, but it may be worth it for the added support and access to interested clients.

» Learn more: The best Disney resort for adults

There’s no denying that there are benefits to becoming a Disney travel agent. This includes free theme park tickets, discounted rates at official Disney hotels and even savings on cruises. Aside from these perks, you can also turn your passion into a job by selling Disney vacation packages to customers.

Whatever your reason for wanting to become a Disney travel agent, you’ll need to first become a certified travel agent, then complete Disney’s specialized training program.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-3x Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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How to Become a Disney Travel Agent – Complete Guide

• How do I become a Disney Travel Agent?

Ever since we started Pixie Vacations we get asked how to become a Disney Travel Agent?  So we created this Disney Travel agent complete guide to help you out and hopefully give you a good understanding what it takes to sell Disney vacations.

First I want to start by saying you are not technically a “Disney Travel Agent”  you would be a Travel Planner that specializes in Disney vacations and you would be working for a travel agency.  If you are looking to work for the Disney Company at their Central Reservations (CRO) this is a different job altogether.

• What we are going to cover
• What is a Disney Travel Agent AKA Travel Planner that specializes in Disney destinations?
• How do I become a travel agent that sells Disney vacations?
• What to look out for and what questions to ask to be a travel agent.
• We will cover the skills you should have to sell travel.
• We will get in-depth into some marketing tips, and also cover frequently asked questions about becoming a Disney travel agent.
• What legal pitfalls to avoid and helpful links to do your homework before becoming a travel agent.
• What is a Disney Travel Agent?

In most cases you will need to find and apply at a travel agency.  We will go over what to look for in a travel agency later in this article, so don’t worry.  Also in most cases you will be selling Disney Destinations as an independent contractor and your “Title” will be a travel agent that specializes in Disney vacations, not “A Disney Travel Agent” because you are NOT working for the Walt Disney Company.

To find travel agency’s just do a google search on: “How to become a Disney Travel Agent”,  “Be a Disney Travel Planner”, “How to sell Disney vacations”, and search terms like this.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get into what to look for in a Travel Agency.

• FirstHeading

How to pick a Travel Agency

What are the advantages to being a travel agent that sells disney vacations, what other advantages are there for disney travel agents, disney travel agent (dta) training, which disney focused travel agency should i work with, commissions and commission splits, when do you get paid, red flags and scams, support systems at the travel agency, what skills do you need, seller of travel licenses and legal questions.

• It's awesome to be a Disney Vacation Planner

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Doing your research is key.  There are loads of travel agencies that have travel planners that work as contractors offering Disney Vacations and it can be overwhelming.  Start with the owners of the travel agency.  Do some basic research on each travel agency.

• Does the travel agency have a professional looking website?
• Can you find the owners name, address, phone number and email on their website?
• Does the owner answer the phone or call you back?

I know this sounds really basic but you can tell a great deal from the travel agencies website.  If you can’t call the travel agency this is a red flag.  If you can’t speak with them then how are clients supposed to speak with them if there is a problem?  You should be able to talk with someone, that’s what your clients will expect and you should expect.

Who are the owners?  What is there experience in travel and with the Disney Company?

Does the travel agency have travel agents already?  If so email a few and ask them how they like the travel agency, how long have they been there?

We will get into more ways to determine which travel agency is a right fit for you indirectly in some of the following topics below.  Let’s move on.

You might hear that you get to travel for free.  You get to stay at Walt Disney World and Disneyland hotels for Free.  Not exactly.  There are Disney travel agent benefits but if you want to be a travel agent just for the benefits this is not the job for you.  The Disney travel benefits should be looked at as extras you earn for becoming a successful agent that sells Disney travel destinations.

There are travel agencies out there that will ask you to pay them a fee $300 – $500 to join them and in return they will let you get a CLIA ID card or access to the Disney booking site.  This is not how you should become a travel agent in our opinion.  This should be a job, not something you do for a CLIA card.

Let me step back a little.  To get travel agency benefits like discounts on a hotel room you need either a CLIA or IATA Agent ID.  To get a CLIA Agent ID card this is what you need according to CLIA’s website:

CLIA card requirements

To qualify for CLIA Individual Agent Membership (IAM), your affiliated agency must be a current CLIA Travel Agency Member. CLIA recommends that agents generate a minimum of $5,000 in total agency commissions from cruise bookings within the 12 months prior to enrollment.

So to obtain this card they recommend that you have sold $5,000 in COMMISSIONS in your PRIOR 12 months in CRUISE bookings.  IATA has similar requirements but they don’t just focus on cruise bookings.

You will need your CLIA or IATA Agent ID card to be able to register for travel discounts.

Also you need to meet your travel agencies requirements and also the vendors requirements to be able to get the travel deal.  So there are many layers to being able to save a little on a room.

Again, don’t focus on the travel discounts, they are not worth it.  You need to focus on selling vacations and offering exceptional service to clients and help them plan their most amazing vacation ever.  If you do that your sales will come and you will be on your way to being able to apply for a CLIA or IATA agent ID card.

Work at home .  Most positions are as independent contractors (IC) and you can work your own hours and work from home.  Like any job the amount of time and effort you put in will help determine how well you do.

Money / Commission.   You will get paid a commission in most travel agency positions as an IC.  So when someone books a vacation with you, you will get a percentage of the commission.  We will go over travel agent commissions in more detail in this article.

Travel.   Depending on the travel agency you sign up with, you might be offered training trips or FAMS.  These are Familiarization trips that travel vendors and travel agencies do to show you resorts, on-site training, excursions, etc.  These FAM trips can be free or offered at a discounted cost and usually for the FAM cost you will get a room, training, and some meals covered.  Getting to the FAM is normally not covered so you would pay for your flights.  For Example a Universal Studios Orlando FAM can cost around $300-$400 for the FAM fee.  This of course varies so don’t quote us on these costs.

FAM Trips – Also depending on the agency you work for could determine if you get invited to a FAM trip.  If you want to learn more about Sandals and Beaches Resorts and your agency does not sell that much of those properties you might have a harder time getting onto a FAM trip with that vendor for example.  Travel vendors are not looking for people that want a discounted vacation, they are looking for travel agents that truly want to learn and sell their destination.

When you join a travel agency they will get you a Disney Travel Agent (DTA) account.  This is where you take the Disney College of Knowledge Classes, book Disney vacations, read Disney News, and this is your central hub for Disney Marketing pieces too.

The Disney College of Knowledge is free.  You should not be paying a travel agency for access to DTA.  The College of Knowledge has online classes that will get you up to speed on all the Disney destinations and offerings.  Here is the link to Disney Travel Agents .

You need to complete all of these Disney College of Knowledge online classes to be able to take advantage of travel agent Disney offers, like a free admission ticket to the parks.  Don’t worry the online Disney training is not difficult.  You will watch the training section videos of Disneyland, Disney World, Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Line, etc and take an online quiz at the end of each section.

You could complete all the Disney College of Knowledge classes in a day if you set yourself down and just go from beginning to end.  It would be better if you dedicated at least a few days to complete the Disney College of Knowledge training classes.  Other Family vacation destinations like Universal Orlando Resort also have online training .

There are many things to look at before selecting a Travel Agency that specializes in Disney Vacations.

• Does your travel agency sell other things besides Disney? If not will you be losing business when your client wants to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, to an all inclusive resort, book a honeymoon, etc. and will your client come back to you and remember you 5 years later if they want to go to Disney again?

Here is the Earmarked logo for reference

• Is your Travel agency an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner or also known as EarMarked? An EarMarked Travel Agency has passed standards Disney requires to offer them this special designation.  If the travel agency does not have this logo on their website, then they are most likely not Earmarked.To determine if the travel agency is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can go to this website:  http://www.authorizeddisneyvacationplanners.com/   This will not tell you what level they are in the EarMarked program but it will at least tell you if they are Earmarked by Disney.  The agencies are listed in random order and you will have to reload the page several times to see them all.

Every travel agency starts someplace to become an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner so figure out if you want to start with a newer agency that is not Earmarked or an agency that  has already moved up the different status levels.  Every agency at one point was not Earmarked, so understand that you should not solely make your decision on picking a travel agency based on this EarMarked status.

You need to also know that just because a travel agent is EarMarked does not mean it is a good agency.  So do some research and contact other agents at that travel agency that have been there for several years and ask them how they like the travel agency, do they get paid on time, what support do they get, etc.

The reason you wanted to become a Disney travel agent should be to get paid.  Yes it can be fun and rewarding, but it takes long hours and at the end of the day you should get paid for your work.

Every Disney Specialized Travel Agency pays differently but most pay you commission.  You would not be an employee in this example, but an independent contractor that gets paid when you book a vacation for a client.

Travel vendors, like Disney, give Travel agents a commission.  This is NOT an extra cost added to a vacation.  It’s sort of like a finders fee.  When you book a Walt Disney World Vacation Package you get a commission for that booking.  If you search the web you can figure out what commission levels are for different vendors.  But for this example lets say you contact someone you know and they book a Walt Disney World Vacation Package with a room, park tickets, and the Disney dining plan staying on property at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort.  The cost of the Disney Vacation let’s say is $4,000.

Disney will pay a percentage of the $4,000 to the agency as a commission. So let’s say for this example that the commission earned is $400 to make for easy math that would be 10%.  Once the party travels Disney will send the $400 commission to the Travel Agency.  After the travel agency gets the commission check they will send you a percentage of that commission.  What you get depends on the travel agency you work for and what they pay their travel planners.  Some travel agency’s pay 40%, some pay only on certain types of bookings, some pay a flat fee of $25 – $50 per booking no matter what is booked.  The majority of travel agencies pay 50% to 90% commission.   So  in our example the Disney vacation of $4,000 has a 10% commission that is a $400.  If the agency gives you a 50% commission split then you would get $200 and the agency would get $200.  This is just an example with made up numbers and percentages, but it should give you an idea how commissions with vendors and agencies work.

The more you sell with some travel agencies the higher commission levels you reach. So you might start at 40% commission and then go to 50% and then to 60% and so on based on your sales numbers with the travel agency.

This is also how travel vendors operate like Cruise Line Vendors for Example.

If you work for a small or new travel agency a Cruise Line vendor might be paying 10% commission to that agency.  As the agency sells more Cruise Line vacations the agencies commission level can go up to 15%, 16%, for example.

So your commission split that you get from your travel agency is important as well as the commission levels that travel agency gets from it’s vendors.

Simple Commission Split example:

Agency A – Gets 16% Cruise Line Commission $5,000 Cruise x 16% = $800.00 commission

Agency B – Gets 10% Cruise Line Commission $5,000 Cruise x 10% = $500.00 commission

You are making $300 more for just this one booking in this example so do your homework when you select a travel agency to work with.

Also equally important is what commission level you are getting from the travel agency.  Are they starting you at 40% or higher?  What commission goal levels do they have?

You will get paid AFTER the guest travels.  If you book a 2024 vacation and that’s years away, you are not seeing any of that money until that guest gets back from there 2024 vacation.  If the guest cancels you don’t get paid.

You will need a ramp up period to build a client base and then to book those clients every year and word of mouth referrals to grow.  This takes time and then you have to wait for those clients to travel.  So don’t plan on being a Disney travel agent and quickly quitting your day job, unless you really work non-stop and have an outgoing personality and sales background.

This is called the Complete Guide to becoming a Disney travel agent because we want to make sure you have the best and complete information to make an educated decision.  This section is not to scare you, but to make you aware of what could happen and how to be on the look out for scams.

First, when you got your first job did they ask you to pay them $1,000 to work for them.  No!  If someone is asking you to PAY THEM to Work for THEM that is something that should make you think twice.  Now I understand that travel agencies have costs to cover and even we charge a small fee to join because we have to pay for training systems, and other onboarding expenses.  So $100- $200 to get set up can be expected to invest in starting out.

Why can scams happen – Because you don’t get paid until after the client travels this has led some people to setup and run travel agencies as a way to rip you off.  Maybe they first created a small travel agency for fun and it just got out of hand, or maybe they have a background in doing this scam over and over again.  This is again why you need to do your homework when looking for a travel agency to join.  You can avoid a travel agency that is not going to pay you simply by contacting several of the agents that work there.  Contact agents that have been at the agency for several years (4-5 years min.) so you know they have a track record of payments and know whats going on at the agency.  If the agents are all new it’s hard to tell if agents have left because of issues with getting paid or if the agency is just getting started.

Disney pays Travel Agencies.  If you are working at a Travel Agency and not getting paid and are constantly told they are waiting for Disney to pay them, this is most likely not true.  You can contact Disney yourself and give them your booking number to see if it has been paid.

How the Scam works.  You join the travel agency and sell $200,000 in vacations but most of the people don’t really travel until 8 months or a year from now.  The travel agency also that you work for says they have 90 days to pay you.  So there is this long time line that the travel agency can have you booking vacations for them and not pay you.  When these vacations do travel and you still don’t get paid, you might be told that the vendor has not paid the travel agency yet, etc.  So now you might be owned $20k in commissions and another $20k in future not traveled commissions before you realize that the travel agency has no intention of paying you.

You can avoid all this by doing some research and not just signing up with any travel agency you come across.  Again this type of scam is also rare and just something you should be aware of.

Money and commission levels are important but a good support system is also just as important.

Look for a travel agency that has a focus on Disney and Family Vacations.

Do they have training?

Look for a travel agency that offers FAM (Travel agent training trips).  How many do they offer, when was the last one, and how much was it?

What is the owners background and what support do they offer?

Does the travel agency offer Leads?  Does the travel agency do marketing to get exposure for their agents and to get leads?

Does the travel agency have an account rep. at the different vendors you  are going to use that you can call if you have an issue?

What support is there when you need it?

What is the agency owners background?

More established travel agency’s will have a dedicated rep. at each vendor to help if there is an issue.  You might also have a special phone line you can call to book with certain vendors if your agency is one of their preferred agencies.  This could cut down wait times when you are trying to book a vacation for a client.  Having account reps. also helps tremendously when you have a client at a property and they have an issue.

Does your travel agency have conference calls, webinars with vendors, and other ways to learn and share knowledge?

These are all things you should look for and consider when deciding on a travel agency.

To be successful as a Disney travel agent you need good communication skills.  You will need to put in the hours to learn the Disney Destinations, like Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney.  You also need to be more than just a big Disney fan.  This is a job and requires time to build up clients, keep clients, learn vacation destinations, and time to book and help your clients.  It will take time to get things going and being persistent is key.

You will be communicating with Disney and clients via email and on the internet, so an internet connection and a computer is needed.  A phone number / cell phone is needed and we would recommend a dedicated phone number so you can answer your phone professionally.  You can get a Google Number or other services offer free phone numbers so you can keep your existing cellphone and just change the ring tone.

You should be a people person.  Someone that can take little direction and just run with it.  You need to be comfortable talking with people.

You really should be a salesperson at heart and just decide to sell Disney vacations instead of another product.  If you can’t SELL this job will be difficult for you.  If you know and love Disney, that’s great, but you need to run this like a business and be able to sell the Disney destinations, organize client bookings, plan marketing and social media posts, attend local events and get out in your community or virtual community.

If you are the go to person at your church, school, business, or other clubs / events, you will have a base of customers to plan vacations for.

Technology skills are also helpful.  Posting on social media, marketing, emailing, etc all play into you being successful as a Disney travel planner.

Another Heads up section that is not so much fun to talk about but needs to be covered so you are aware.

I am not a lawyer so I would recommend you contact a travel lawyer, but here is how I understand the Seller of Travel Licenses requirements for Florida and California.

To sell travel your travel agency is required to have a sellers of travel license in certain states.  For example you should see Florida Sellers of Travel Ref No STXXXXX at the bottom of the travel agencies website and also CST XXXXXXXX for California’s Seller of Travel Licenses.  If you don’t see these on their website that travel agency can not market anyplace that a FL or CA resident might see a vacation offer.

With the Internet a consumer in FL and CA can see a travel offer anyplace.  So then it seems to reason the every travel agency needs to have this license.

If a resident from Florida or California sees a post, website, Facebook post or anything offering travel services, vacations, deals, that agency can be fined or worse.  If you as an independent contractor sell travel to anyone in these states you might come across issues.

How can you determine if the travel agency is registered in California?  Here is the CA Sellers of Travel Website Information:

“California requires all sellers of travel to register with the Attorney General’s Office and to display the registration number on all advertising. While not assuring that a company is reputable, a valid registration signals that the seller of travel has at least followed the law to be registered.”

Read more at the California Seller of Travel Website.

Check to make sure the travel agency has a CA Seller of Travel Licenses here.

From the CA Sellers of Travel Website:

“When you’re at a travel agency, ask to see the seller of travel’s registration acknowledgement — a one-page document issued by the Attorney General’s Seller of Travel Program. Be sure to check the expiration date to determine whether the registration is still valid.

You also may use the “ Seller Search ” feature on this website to assist you in determining whether a seller of travel is registered with our office. Since there are many similar seller of travel names, please spell out the full name and address of the company.”

From the Florida Sellers of Travel Website:

https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Business-Services/Sellers-of-Travel

“The sellers of travel law requires any person or business that is a seller or promoter of travel-related services to register annually with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), unless exempt. Sellers of travel are required to provide proof of assurance in the form of a performance bond, in an amount not to exceed $25,000, or $50,000 if they sell vacation certificates.

FDACS is authorized to collect registration fees and impose penalties for noncompliance of the law.”

Check to make sure the travel agency has their FL Seller of Travel License here.

Also you should make sure your travel agency has E&O Insurance.  This is Errors and Omissions Insurance.  They should be able to show you the current years binder page.

It’s awesome to be a Disney Vacation Planner

There is so much information here and some of it can be daunting, but being a travel agent that specialists in Disney vacations is also so much fun.  Yes it is work, but it can be rewarding planning vacations to the most magical place on earth.

If you would like to apply at Pixie Vacations please fill out our application form.

Application form Pixie Vacations

Step 1 of 3

What Social Media accounts do you have?

Previous experience.

Are there Disney classes for non-agents? I’ve been an agent in the past, however not a strictly Disney agent. I’m having a hard time trying g to get an agent position but would love to take classes.

Hi, The DTA classes are just for travel agents.

i would like to apply to be a travel agent

Hi, Christine,

Please write to [email protected] and be sure to include information about your qualifications, sales experience, networking or how you would generate vacation sales, etc. Thanks.

I have already completed the Disney training but would love to work with Disney vacations I am certified in cruises but really want Disney exclusively

Hi, Tammy, Please fill out the form enclosed if you have not already. Have an awesome day! 🙂

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9 Reasons Why You Should Use a Disney Travel Agent

In an age when we can instantly go online to research and book our vacation, do people even still use travel agents?  Yes, they do, and for good reason!  Actually, for several good reasons.  But it usually boils down to a central theme… having someone else handle the research and logistics so their vacation doesn’t start to become work .  And for a complex destination like Disney World, that’s even more important!  Sure, you can do some research here on our site to find out how much your trip will cost (our Disney World Cost Calculator is great for that) — but when you’re ready to book, we suggest you call in a professional!  Here are our top nine reasons why you should use a Disney travel agent.

Our pick for the best Disney travel agency is The Vacationeer !

Their team of 90+ agents specialize in Disney World, Universal, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney vacations.  They offer free, no-obligation quotes and their travel planning services are free of charge!

– 1 – Their services are free, and they’ll work within your budget

These may not be the most compelling reasons to use a Disney travel agent, but they’re such common misconceptions that we feel it’s important to clear them up right away.

Most travel agents do not charge you a fee to use their planning services.   Why?  Disney is paying the agent a small commission in exchange for handling your booking.

This cost comes out of Disney’s profit on your vacation… it’s not passed on to you.  In other words, booking with an agent is no more costly than booking without an agent.

A few travel agencies have begun charging an itinerary planning fee, but this is not the case for most agencies.  You shouldn’t have any trouble finding reputable agencies that don’t charge you anything to book your vacation.

And remember, a reputable Disney travel agent will never pressure you to upgrade to a larger room you don’t want, or buy a more expensive ticket package than you need.  A healthy working relationship with your Disney travel specialist is one in which your agent knows your needs and your budget, and doesn’t try to force you to book something you won’t like or can’t afford.

Interestingly, many travelers discover that their trip is actually CHEAPER than if they had booked it on their own ; their travel agent often offers suggestions on discounts and package deals that the traveler might not have known about otherwise.

They can also help you set up a payment plan for your trip, so you just pay a small deposit upfront and then pay the remainder on your own schedule.  A good travel agent will help you make a plan to pay for your Disney vacation in a way that works within your budget.

– 2 – Disney is Complex and Constantly Changing

We’ll just come right out and say it.  Going to Disney is complicated.

What started out as a single theme park in 1950s California has grown over the past seven decades into a global enterprise with parks, cruises, and tours all around the world.  In Florida alone, Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping and entertainment district, about two dozen resort hotels, a sports complex, golf and mini golf courses, fishing, boat rentals, parasailing, camping, adult/executive education, convention centers, youth education programs, and so much more — not to mention a standalone beach resort on the Florida coast and two thriving cruise ports with ships sailing to distant ports of call.

And, more importantly, these already-complex vacation destinations are constantly changing.  Rides and restaurants open and close, booking policies change, nuances of park hours and crowd levels can affect the overall experience.  You either need to invest a ton of time and effort to research all of this on your own, or you need to find someone who studies this information day in and day out and keeps track of all the changes.

Attractions come and go. Does your agent pay attention?

That’s where having a good Disney travel agent comes in.  They follow Disney like it’s their job… because it IS their job!  That brings us to our next reason…

– 3 – They Are Focused Almost Exclusively on Disney

Pretty much any travel agent, whether they work for one of the big national names or the mom-n-pop place down the street, can book a Disney vacation for you.  But if your vacation is the only Disney trip they’ve booked all year, are they really going to know everything needed to make your vacation magical?

As we mentioned above, Disney is always changing, and having a travel agent who relies on outdated knowledge can mean the difference between getting what you want or missing out on critical parts of your vacation.

As an example, let’s say you call up a massive national agency or wholesaler to book a vacation at Walt Disney World in Florida.  Suppose the travel agent you speak with hasn’t booked a Disney trip in a few years.  If they haven’t kept up with all of the news coming out of Disney in those two years, they could be missing some major changes!

Perhaps the best examples of this are the major changes at Disney that happened between 2020 and 2022:

• You didn’t just need theme park tickets — you couldn’t get into a park unless you also had a theme park reservation (and those rules changed in 2023 and will change once again in 2024!)
• The FastPass system was completely replaced with two new offerings
• The Extra Magic Hours program was replaced with two new offerings
• A new roller coaster opened at Epcot, but you couldn’t just stand in line to ride it
• The timeline to make dining reservations changed, and the Disney Dining Plan was suspended (and is due to come back in 2024)
• The way to get from the airport to the hotel changed

Of course, the early 2020s were far from typical.  But even without a pandemic upending everything, there are still significant changes that happen each year.  Imagine the impact that not keeping track of those changes could have on your trip!  Don’t risk it… pick a travel agent who focuses primarily on Disney vacations!  They’re the ones who’ll know everything that’s needed to make your trip a success.

– 4 – An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Receives Training Directly from Disney

A reputable Disney travel agent doesn’t just focus on Disney… they have been trained using official Disney training materials and have been designated an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner .  That means you’re getting vacation planning services that are based on accurate information provided directly by Disney.

The College of Disney Knowledge

Disney offers comprehensive training for travel agents, known as the College of Disney Knowledge .  This program requires agents not only to go through an extensive series of training modules, but also to pass tests of their knowledge prior to graduating.

When your travel agent is a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge, you’ll know they’ve been extensively trained and tested on Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney.

Some agents take their Disney education even further by attending in-person training at Disney.

Authorized Disney Vacation Planners

Disney has a special term for travel agencies which specialize in Disney Travel, have fully trained their agents on Disney products, and agree to uphold Disney’s high standards.  They’re called “Authorized Disney Vacation Planners,” and you should look for that specific wording on your agent’s website.

Finding an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is crucial if you want to be sure you’re working with a travel agent/agency that truly knows Disney.

The logo displayed by Authorized Disney Vacation Planners | Image © Disney

Disney recognizes the highest-performing travel agencies by awarding them a higher  EarMarked designation.  Every agency starts out at the Bronze level and, based on annual booking activity, can progress up through Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels.

Very few agencies achieve Platinum or Diamond level EarMarked status.   Find one and you’ll know you’re dealing with an agency that books thousands of Disney trips every year… true experts!

Looking for a trustworthy travel agency that specializes in Disney Vacations?  We highly recommend contacting The Vacationeer , our number one pick for the best Disney Travel Planners .

This EarMarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency doesn’t charge any fees to use their planning services, and all of their agents are graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge.

– 5 – You have a dedicated contact for your vacation planning

Planning your vacation without using a Disney Travel Agent means you’re either going it alone online, or you’re stuck dealing with call centers — several different phone numbers, too.  Want to book dining?  Call this number.  Need a hotel?  Call that number.  Booking recreation?  Still another number.

After you wait who knows how long on hold, you’ll be connected to a helpful Cast Member… but you’re going to speak with them on the phone once and (in all likelihood) never again.  Need clarification on something about your vacation you discussed with them earlier?  You can call back, but it’s practically impossible to get the same person back on the phone a second time.

Even if you do miraculously get the same person on the phone a second time, they could have taken dozens or even hundreds of other phone calls since then.  The odds of them remembering your situation?  Pretty slim.

Most Disney travel agencies, on the other hand, will assign a single travel agent to you.  That agent will serve as your single point of contact before, during, and after your trip.

They’ll take the time to get to know you and your family — what you like and don’t like, what’s important to you, and what’s not of interest — so your vacation is exactly what you want.

Think of them almost as your own personal Disney concierge .  It’s great for your first Disney vacation, and even better when you’re ready to go back for another!

– 6 – Disney Travel Agents watch for new discounts and apply them for you

This is perhaps the best benefit of using a Disney travel agent.  Imagine having your trip booked, then getting this email a few months later from your agent:

Hi there! I wanted to let you know that Disney just released a new discount of 20% off certain resort stays.  Your reservation at Coronado Springs is eligible for the discount, so I’ve gone ahead and applied it to your booking.  Your total cost went down by $500! Have a magical day!

That’s the best kind of email there is!  A good Disney travel agent will watch over your reservation, ready to swoop in on any new discounts or promotions that might pop up. That’s why a travel agency such as The Vacationeer is the best place to book your Disney World Hotel reservation .

Working without a travel agent?  IF you happen to hear that a new discount became available, you’ll have to join the hundreds and hundreds of other Guests waiting on hold to modify their reservation.  And there’s a chance that by the time you do hear about it, the offer might have expired or is sold out because there were only a limited number of rooms available.

– 7 – Your travel agent makes all of the reservations for your Disney Vacation

It seems pretty obvious, but let’s take a moment to think about what this really means.

Your Disney travel agent knows your travel plans.  That means they know when you can book your hotels, when you can book your dining reservations, and when you can book recreation and dinner shows.  They even know how to reserve transportation to and from the airport.

And they’ll do all of that, exactly on time, right when the booking window opens.  Any delay in booking these reservations can mean that you lose out as other guests take your spot… and some booking windows open at 6AM eastern time!  If you’re a west coast resident, you’d probably rather not wake up at 3AM to try to grab a popular dining reservation.  Let a Disney travel agent do it instead!

Even if you don’t mind a few early wake up calls, you’ll still be happy to know that it’s all being handled for you so you don’t have to spend your valuable time doing it.

Your Disney travel specialist is happy to book your hotel, Advance Dining Reservations, add-ons such as character experiences and special holiday parties, and any other time-sensitive reservations for your vacation.

This sign won't concern you if your agent has already made your reservations!

– 8 – They can help if something unexpected comes up

Picture it.  You’re all set for the perfect vacation.  And, despite all of your planning ahead, something just… goes wrong.  Maybe your flight gets canceled so you need to adjust your check-in date — a major storm in Florida (or at home) causes everyone to change their travel plans at once and hold times are skyrocketing — or someone in your group gets sick at the last minute and you need to change your plans.

Those situations are terrible enough as-is.  Now imagine if you could just call your travel agent and ask them to deal with the issue.  With no agent, you’re stuck dealing with everything on your own.

That’s the extra peace of mind you get when you book through a Disney travel agent.  They’ll do everything possible to make sure your trip starts off smoothly — but if a snag comes up anyway, they’ll handle it for you so it’s one less thing you have to worry about.

Cancelled Flight? Let your travel agent adjust your hotel reservation.

– 9 – Your agent loves to answer questions about your Disney World vacation.  Seriously.

As you might imagine, most Disney travel agents love Disney themselves.  They’re often annual passholders who visit the parks a few times each year, and many of them are also frequent cruisers.

But the best Disney travel specialists don’t just love Disney… they love to share Disney with others.  And that means they’re eager to answer questions about Disney destinations, including sharing their own personal experiences to help guide you.

With lots of Disney travel under their belt, your travel agent can easily offer recommendations for you based on your interests.  Interested in finding out what the best attraction in each park is?  They can tell you their favorites.  Is this ride too scary for kids?  They can share how their two-year-old responded.  Wondering about the best things to do when your cruise visits Castaway Cay ?  They’ll tell you things that first-timers can easily miss.  And if you ask for dining recommendations?  Hope you’ve got some time, because they have a long list of favorites!

Ask them nicely enough, and they might even talk about Bruno.

Have we convinced you that it’s worth it to use a Disney travel agent?

If so, reach out to the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at The Vacationeer !

There’s no charge to use their services, so get your free no-obligation quote today!

More questions about using a Disney Travel Agent

We’ve extensively covered the reasons why you should use a Disney travel agent, but you might still have a few more questions…

What’s the process when booking through these agents?

The process of booking through a Disney vacation planner can vary from agency to agency, but this is typically how it goes:

• Your contact information
• General information about what you’re looking for (destination, time of year, and any other “big picture” information)
• The agency connects you with the agent who will be handling your trip.
• The agent has an in-depth discussion with you about your vacation, asking questions (and answering yours), making recommendations, and narrowing down the choices with you.
• The agent provides you with a quote or proposal for the trip.  This may be a formal written document or a simple email/verbal quote.
• You and your agent discuss any desired changes.
• The agent books your trip as discussed.  Payment for the trip itself typically begins at this time depending on the payment schedule of the destination/products.
• Your agent forwards you a confirmation/overview of the trip and any purchased products.
• They book your dining, tour, and recreation reservations as soon as the booking window opens.  The best agents will keep searching for hard-to-get reservations.  Our site’s travel agency partner The Vacationeer uses a custom-built app to alert their agents of new openings!
• They add any new discounts that become available, reducing the cost of your trip whenever possible.
• They remind you of any upcoming payment deadlines that need to be met.
• They let you know about any important updates that will impact your trip.
• You go on vacation!
• Following your trip, your agent will usually follow up with you to make sure everything went well.

What are the Cons of booking with a Disney Travel Agent?

There are really only a couple of potential cons to using a travel agent to plan your Disney vacation, and there’s a good chance that neither of them will be a deal-breaker for you.

If your trip is booked through a travel agency, only the agency can modify or cancel your reservations on your behalf.

That’s not to say that your trip can never be modified or canceled.  It just means that you  cannot call Disney (or go online) to change your dates, modify your room type, move to another hotel, or call the whole thing off and get a refund.  Instead, you’ll need to have your travel agent do that for you.

For most people, that’s not really a con — after all, the entire point of using a travel agent is to have someone manage your reservations for you  — but you should be aware of that limitation before you book.

Most Disney travel planners do not book flights.

Because these boutique travel agencies focus primarily on Disney destinations, they typically don’t deal with airline reservations.  Again, for most people, this isn’t really a concern.  With easy online searches that consolidate all airline options into a single search result , booking a flight is nothing like the mystical ordeal it used to be.

And with flight delays and cancellations becoming increasingly common, this is one area where you want to be directly capable of modifying and adjusting your plans yourself (perhaps even in person at the airport during your trip) without needing to have a travel agent contact the airline.

Even though most Disney travel agents don’t handle flights, they do arrange transportation between your airport and your hotel or cruise terminal.  The basic mantra is: if you can get yourself to Orlando, your travel agent can get you to Disney!

What are the most important things to look for when picking a Disney travel agent?

The two most important things to look for when picking a travel agency for your Disney vacation are:

• Is the agency an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (preferably EarMarked at the platinum or diamond level)?
• Does the agency charge clients any fees to use their services?

Final thoughts on the reasons why you should use a Disney travel agent:

For most travelers, using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner makes a lot of sense.  Anyone, from the first-time visitor to an annual passholder who visits multiple times each year, will find some level of value in using a travel agent to plan their trip.

For the first-timer, the agent will be there to hold your hand every step of the way and make sure you don’t miss out on things you didn’t even know existed.

For those who know Disney like the back of their hand, it’s a relief to let someone else do all the tedious tasks so all you have to do is hop on a plane and go!

And for those who fall somewhere in between, you’ll be happy to have someone who’s been keeping up on all the rule changes and new offerings since your last visit so you’re not caught by surprise.

So, is using one really worth it?

Perhaps “worth it” isn’t exactly the right word because you’re not paying anything extra to use their services.  But yes, we feel that using a Disney travel agent is a worthwhile way of planning your vacation.  The little bit of control you give up by bringing a travel agent into the mix is very much outweighed by the benefits you gain.  And with vacation dollars (and vacation time) seeming to be harder and harder to come by, it’s comforting to know you have another set of eyes watching over your trip for you.

I’ve already booked my trip.  Is it too late to use a Disney travel agent?

You may still be able to use a Disney travel agent even if parts of your vacation are already booked .  Typically, an agent can still handle things for you if your initial booking was made within the last 30 days and you haven’t yet paid in full.

Ready to book your Disney World trip?

We hope our article on reasons you should use a Disney travel agent has helped you understand more about the services provided by these travel professionals.

If you’re ready to use the helpful services of an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , we strongly recommend contacting The Vacationeer .

They’re a Diamond-level EarMarked travel provider, and their team of 90+ Disney fanatics are all graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge .  Your vacation will be in great hands with them!  They don’t charge any planning fees , and there’s never any obligation to book .

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The Ultimate Guide To Becoming A Disney Travel Agent

Ankita tripathy.

Oct 24, 2023

• Travel Guides

Becoming a Disney travel agent might be your dream job if you’re a Disney enthusiast and love planning trips. Imagine combining your deep knowledge and passion for all things Disney with the rewarding opportunity to help others create magical memories that will last a lifetime.

This comprehensive guide is designed to provide you with everything you need to know to embark on your exciting journey as a travel agent for Disney.

From understanding the intricacies of Disney destinations to mastering the art of creating personalized itineraries, you’ll gain invaluable insights and practical tips that will set you up for success in this magical career path. Get ready to unlock a world of possibilities and make dreams come true as a travel agent for Disney .

Understanding the Role of a Disney Travel Agent

Discussing from the tour operators’ perspective, the travel agents establish coordination with the other stakeholders, like the hotel owners, so that the clients do not have to take any responsibility for the same. 

Besides these two major ones, they make the reservations, suggest the upgrades, and deal with the complaints most calmly and diplomatically.

At the same time, they ensure that they keep the product and brand knowledge up to date. It is an impotant part of the service. Now, when you narrow the discussion down to Disney travel agents, they are on the same line.

A Disney travel agent is a specialist who plans and books Disney vacations for clients. They have an in-depth understanding of Disney experiences, including theme parks, cruises, resorts, and other offerings. They use this knowledge to help clients choose the best options based on their budget, preferences, and desired experiences.

What Does a Disney Travel Agent Do?

Disney travel agents provide personalized service to their clients. They handle everything from advising on the best time to visit, selecting the right resort, securing dining and FastPass+ reservations, and planning daily itineraries. Their goal is to make the planning process as stress-free as possible for their clients, ensuring they have a fantastic Disney vacation.

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent

This section discusses some ways you can become a disney travel agent. Let’s discuss some of the points that offer you an idea in this section.  

1: Immerse Yourself in All Things Disney

The first step to becoming a travel agent for Disney is to understand all things Disney deeply. Visit the parks, stay at the resorts, dine at the restaurants, and immerse yourself in the Disney experience. This firsthand knowledge will be invaluable when advising your clients.

2: Complete Disney’s Training Program

Disney offers an online training program called the College of Disney Knowledge. This program provides comprehensive training on all Disney destinations, including Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney. Completing this training is a crucial step in becoming a Disney travel agent.

3: Join a Travel Agency 

Once you’ve completed your training, you can join a travel agency specializing in Disney. Most agencies provide excellent commission splits. 

Benefits of Being a Disney Travel Agent

Being a travel agent for Disney comes with several benefits.

1: Flexible Schedule

You can set your hours and work as a Disney travel agent anywhere. This makes it an excellent career option for those seeking work-life balance.

2: Potential Earnings

The earnings potential as a Disney travel agent can vary greatly depending on the volume and type of bookings you make. However, you can earn a substantial income with dedication and hard work.

3: Exclusive Information and Discounts

Disney travel agents often have access to exclusive information and discounts not available to the general public. This can benefit your clients and allow you to enjoy discounted trips to Disney destinations.

Tips for Success as a Disney Travel Agent

1: stay updated.

Disney travel agents must stay updated with new attractions and promotions regularly introduced. This will ensure you provide the best service to your clients.

2: Prioritize Customer Service

Top-notch customer service is critical in this field. Be responsive, and attentive, and go the extra mile to ensure your clients have a memorable Disney vacation.

Networking with other travel agents and industry professionals can provide valuable insights and opportunities. It’s also a great way to stay informed about industry trends and developments.

The Ultimate Guide To Becoming A Disney Travel Agent – In Conclusion

Becoming a travel agent for Disney can be a gratifying and fulfilling career for those who have an unwavering passion for Disney and derive joy from assisting others in planning their dream vacations.

By combining your deep love for all things Disney with the proper knowledge, comprehensive training, and unwavering dedication, you can transform your affinity for the magical world of Disney into a prosperous career.

So why not embark on this enchanting journey and make dreams come true for Disney enthusiasts around the globe? Start your path to becoming a travel agent for Disney today and unlock a world of endless possibilities.

• 10 Best Places To Travel In January – Travel Guide 2024
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• The Perfect Getaway: Discovering The Closest Beach To Disney World!

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Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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Come January, and you can't help but stare out the window. As the temperature drops, you daydream about visiting somewhere warm. We are here to give you ideas about warm places to visit in January. Fortunately, January is a fantastic month to travel. Rates start to decline as the holiday rush fades, making it the perfect time to take a flight to sunnier and greener pastures. Naturally, it depends on your goals. Nothing compares to visiting the Serengeti in January for a warm-weather bucket list trip. When it comes to finding a good airfare deal, keep an eye on flights to Hawaii. This is when prices drop to attract travelers and boost the state's economy following the Maui fire. Visit Curaçao for the best of everything, including warm weather, direct flights, beaches, culture, and cuisine. Stay at the recently opened adults-only boutique Kura Botanica. It is housed in a UNESCO World Heritage building. This is a surefire way to beat the winter blues. 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Travel To Florence: What To Do In The Evenings In The City

BY  Ankita Tripathy Mar 25, 2024

If you're finally on vacation in Florence, you'll definitely want to know how to enjoy your trip at night as well. Here in the evening, it is mostly the piazzas, clubs, and restaurants that come alive, all perfect places to discover another face of the city. 5 Things To Do In The Evenings While Travel To Florence Florence is a city that deserves to be experienced even when the sun goes down. While during the day it is interesting to wander around visiting monuments and attractions, in the evening, it is more pleasant to slow down and enjoy its beauty at a leisurely pace. Moving well in advance and choosing the best Florence hotel deals will give you the chance to find the most convenient lodging in the center, so you can move around in comfort and with ease, even in the evening. That said, here are 5 things to do in Florence as the sun goes down. Treating Yourself To A Tuscan Dinner: Travel To Florence Top Attraction  You can't say you've been to Florence without treating yourself at least once to a delicious dinner in full Tuscan style. Take advantage of your vacation to also explore the food and wine side of this city and choose one of the many restaurants where you can try typical local appetizers, first courses, main courses, and desserts. Among the traditional dishes, you are sure to find the famous Florentine steak, lampredotto, ribollita, tripe, schiacciata, and delicious Santucci. Accompany your dinner with an excellent glass of local wine. At the end of your meal, you can also end the evening with a delicious Italian gelato, which you can try at one of the many gelato shops dotting the center. Related: Best Places To Visit In Italy Taking A Walk Along The Arno River After Dinner Walking around without following a specific itinerary is one of the best experiences to have in the evening in Florence, especially after dinner when there are less people around. At this time of day, the city is truly magical and can show you another aspect of its beauty. It is a must for your travel to Florence.  One of the most striking points to reach is Ponte Vecchio, from which you can admire the Arno and the surrounding landscape. The famous jewelry stores will surely be closed, but this makes the bridge the main protagonist of the scene. You can take advantage of the moment to take memorable souvenir photos and capture the view from a different perspective. Travel To Florence And Admie The Duomo Without Crowds One of the best times to reach Piazza del Duomo is definitely in the evening. After sunset, the square begins to empty out, and admiring the Duomo in all its magnificence becomes even more impressive. You can also decide to reach the square in time for the sunset: admiring it from the top of the Dome or from Giotto's Bell Tower is impressive. Chilling Out In Piazza Della Signoria Piazza della Signoria is one of the most beautiful squares in the evening. Located a stone's throw away from the Uffizi Gallery, it is a great place to spend a few hours, if only to sit and admire the many wonders it houses. In fact, it is one of the city's main squares, home to the seat of civic power and the copy of the David. It is also one of the most popular gathering spots for tourists because of its elegant outdoor cafes and monuments. Visit The Academy Gallery With An Evening Tour Finally, it might be a good idea to take an evening tour of the Accademia Gallery so you can see the original statue of Michelangelo's David. In fact, there are guided tours that also start in the late afternoon, around 5 p.m., so you can avoid the crowds that invade the museum during daylight hours. There are also other attractions that give you the opportunity to join tours like this, such as the Uffizi Gallery or Palazzo Vecchio. Things To Know About Florence When planning to visit Florence during your holidays, you must have an idea of the evening life and the whole thing. This particular section provides a little discussion regarding Florence as a city. Cost Of Living If you wish to stay there for a week, the hotels will do it, but if you intend to stay longer, you must know the market prices. The groceries, restaurants, and transport prices are quite affordable in Florene compared to other major European cities. However, leisure activities can be quite costly. Therefore, you must take additional precautions and prepare for the stay budget there. The cost of renting the flats bank is in the area where you want to live. You can even find rent as low as  900 Euros in San Nicolo! Shopping While You Travel To Florence To Save Money Don’t get disheartened about finding the price of food products in Florence. Supermarkets like COOP and SISA are great places to shop for your daily requirements, there. There, you can find farmers’ markets in Florence. In the local shops, you will be able to find good deals for the day. It can give you good savings. You can easily enjoy bulk shopping and get cheaper deals compared to supermarkets.  What Are The Best Neighborhoods For Expats In Florence? When you intend to stay for a few days in Florence, you definitely understand the local culture. Living in the safest and best neighborhood will be the best choice. The district is on the south side of the Arno River. It is known for its massive art galleries, restaurants, and antique shops. These are the places where you find yourself close to the culture of Florence.  Mention needs to be made of the Duomo neighborhood. This is the place for those fascinated with old things and historic neighborhoods. The place is located right in the heart of the city. Moreover, it has become one of the prime spots for tourists. Apart from them, you have the San Marco neighborhood, which has a lot of similar characters.  Read Also: 10 Facts That Will Make You Fall In Love With Italy Unlocking The Secrets: Key Ingredients In Italian Cuisine Which Is The Best Time To Visit Auli? – Travel Guide

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent

By: Author Courtney Derqu

Posted on Last updated: January 3, 2022

Do your friends come to you to help them plan their Disney World vacations? Do you chuckle when someone tries to pick up a map when you visit Magic Kingdom together? Are you obsessed with the idea of Disney World and already planning your next magical vacation before the Magical Express, er, I mean Mears Transportation (that’s gonna take some time to get used to) drops you back off at the airport? If so, you might make the perfect Disney travel agent!

If you’ve been thinking of swapping your hat for a set of Mickey Ears, we have some helpful tips. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a Disney travel agent in 2022:

Why Are Disney Travel Agents Important in Today’s Digital Age?

Disney travel agents are a different kind of breed because they have pixie dust in their veins. Like many Disney fans, being able to visit the website, snag hard-to-get dining reservations, and find out what new and exciting experiences are coming to the parks is enjoyable, but for first-timer Disneygoers, the process can be incredibly overwhelming. 

Even though the ease of booking everything yourself online sounds simple, Disney offers so much that it can leave vacationers with an overwhelming sense of option paralysis, especially if they’re not sure what will be appropriate for their child’s age or any special accommodations they may need. Disney travel agents will be able to provide you with a customized itinerary to make the booking and experience of your Walt Disney World vacation as simple as possible.

Furthermore, your authorized Disney travel agent will be able to seek out the best promotions to help reduce the cost of your Disney World vacation. 

Read more: Disney World Discounts

How to Become a Travel Agent for Disney World

Your first step will be to go to Google to find an authorized travel agent who works specifically with Walt Disney World or any of their other properties. When you’ve found the company, you’ll want to read their “About Us” section to find out if they are an authorized Disney Vacation Planner. This is important because as an authorized Disney travel agent, you will be able to contact the parks on your client’s behalf in the event of any changes. This is necessary, especially in today’s pandemic world, since airline cancellations and travel restrictions can occur at a moment’s notice. 

Once you’ve found a travel company you want to work with, you’ll have to find out if you meet the requirements. Since you’ll be planning Disney World vacations, many companies require applicants to hold sufficient knowledge of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line. Furthermore, you may be required to have traveled to one of these destinations or taken a Disney Cruise. 

Depending on the company, you may be required to have visited the Disney theme parks and stayed on Disney property a certain number of times. All of this information can be found on the company’s website where you would apply to become an authorized Disney travel agent. 

What Skills Do I Need to Become a Disney Travel Agent?

Aside from your love of all things Disney, travel agents must be able to work independently at home. This is a bit more common nowadays since so many people transitioned to remote employment over the past two years. 

However, working remotely requires discipline and self-regulation. If you want to become a Disney travel agent but are worried about working from home, there are a few tips to make doing so easier: 

• Create a routine. Wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This will help you stick to a schedule, which will ultimately make you more productive. 
•  Set up designated work hours where you can minimize distractions and interruptions. 
• Don’t forget to stand up and stretch. At the office, you’re constantly getting up to speak to other co-workers or visit the breakroom. At home, you don’t have these options, so you have to make a concentrated effort to move your body as often as possible.
• If you can, open your windows to get some fresh air and sunshine. This will keep you more alert. 
• Make a playlist – anything Disney-related will work just fine!
• Add some greenery to your desk or workspace. 

When you’re working from home as a Disney travel agent, it’s important to find ways you can keep your body active so you can stay productive. However, as many of us Disney fans can attest to, doing something you love makes work feel a lot less like “work.” 

Read more: Small Ways to Add Disney to your Home

In addition to being able to work from home, Disney travel agents will need to be able to use a computer efficiently, as well as have a friendly demeanor to work with customers. As with every job, you never know who you may be dealing with on the other end or what frustrations or concerns they’re facing, so having customer service skills is an absolute must. Disney travel agents must also have sufficient social media skills to be able to share promotions and client testimonies to either their personal or company Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter accounts. Likewise, they should be able to successfully engage with customers if they are contacted via direct message. 

What Will I Need to Get Started? 

If all of that sounds good, you’ll need to possess a few things at home to get started. Make sure you have access to a dedicated phone line to speak to customers and to call Disney when needed. You should also own a desktop computer or laptop to be able to get your work done, as well as have access to basic office supplies such as file folders, pens, notepads, planners, printers, and Wi-Fi access. 

What Does a Disney Travel Agent Do? 

A Disney travel agent will be able to help you with every step of your Disney World vacation from start to finish. This includes getting your park tickets, booking ground transportation after you fly into the Orlando International Airport (MCO), obtaining dining reservations and hotel reservations, and even stroller/wheelchair rentals if someone in your party needs them. While many VIP tours aren’t currently in operation due to the pandemic, a Disney travel agent will be able to book these reservations, as well, when they return. 

Best of all, a Disney travel agent can scour the web to find the best promotions and discounts for their clients. Disney often releases promotions throughout the year, including up to 25% off room-only discounts, military discounts, Florida-resident discounts, free dining, and Play, Stay, Dine, and Save discounts. These are always announced on Disney’s website. 

Furthermore, if you find a better promotion for your clients, you can go back into the system to apply the new discount, making sure your clients are always getting the best rate. 

What Kind of Benefits Do Disney Travel Agents Get? 

Again, this will vary on the company, however, Magical Travel , for example (who, disclosure, we partner with), offers some pretty magical benefits such as: 

• Discounts for personal travel
• Insurance coverage to cover errors and omissions
• Online and onsite training
• Marketing materials to help build your business
• A private website dedicated to travel agents with up-to-date information
• Private Facebook group to connect with other travel agents
• Competitive commission rates
• A personal toll-free number with your own extension to make it easier to connect with clients

Many authorized Disney travel companies do everything they can to set their travel agents up for success at the onset. This helps take the guesswork and intimidation of starting a new career or side hustle as a Disney travel agent. 

How Do Disney Travel Agents Get Paid? 

Disney travel agents work completely on commission, meaning you will earn money based on how many vacations are booked. So, for example, if your travel agency books a magical vacation, you’ll get a percentage of the commission they earned through the booking. This rate will vary depending on the company, so it’s always recommended to ask these types of questions early on so you know what to expect. 

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been thinking of becoming a Disney travel agent, you should do it. As we enter a new year, it’s a great time to take a chance and pursue your dreams. As a Disney travel agent, you’ll be able to incorporate Disney magic every single day. Plus, 2022 is all about the side hustle!

Are you a Disney travel agent? If so, leave some tips for those who are interested in joining below. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for Disney tips and tricks. 

As a self-proclaimed Mouseketeer, Courtney Dercqu is a fan of all things Disney. Between decorating her desk with souvenirs from the park, to making unique mouse ears and having a dedicated Disney Instagram, Courtney is a true believer in the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation. Having had more than 200 articles published on various content, Courtney’s excited to share her knowledge and experience with everyone! Be sure to follow her on Instagram for all the Disney magic.

How To Become A Disney Travel Agent

Posted on Last updated: February 17, 2024

If you are wondering how to become a Disney travel agent, this post is for you! Guest post by Heather of WDW Travels . 

If you’re a Disney fan, have you ever considered becoming a travel agent? It’s not as hard as you might think!

This article will answer all your questions and give you tips on how to become a Disney travel agent from someone who was one.

If you love planning Disney vacations for your friends and family, then this might be the perfect job for you.

How do you become an independent Disney travel agent? 

The first thing that you need to do is figure out what travel agency you want to work for.

You can do a Google search for “Disney Travel Agencies” to get started.  I also suggest you do research and talk to people.

Contact a few agencies and see what their commission structure looks like and also find out what their yearly fees are.

I jumped on the first agency that responded to me and in the long run, I should have done more research! 

In particular, look for agencies that are “EarMarked”, or designated as Authorized Disney Vacation Planners.

Here’s the logo to look for on the agency’s site: 

Once you have found the right agency you will sign a year long contract and agreement and pay your fees for the year.

The fees go towards software the agency needs and other licenses.

When I started the fees were about $250 for the year.

Once you are set up with the agency you then will need to complete the Disney College of Knowledge.

This is an online course where you will learn about everything Disney travel. There are separate sections for Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruiseline and Adventures by Disney.

Once you get your certificate at the end, you can then start booking trips for clients!

How do Disney Travel Agents get paid?

Disney travel agents get a commission based on the amount of the travel package that they book.

The agency gets the money directly from Disney and then the agency will give the individual agent who booked the trip their commission.

With most travel agencies the travel agents work solely on commission, and they do not receive their money until after you have traveled on your trip.

How Much Do Disney Travel Agents Make Per Booking?

This can vary depending on what agency you work for. Like I said above, do your research.

Here is how my commission plan worked:

The agency received 10% gross commission directly from Disney. So if you book a $5000 trip, the agency gets $500.

The agent then has a commission split. Mine was 60/40 meaning that the agent would get $300 (60%) and the agency would keep $200 (40%).

Obviously the more that you book the more money you make! Some agencies will give you more of a split the more you book per year.

Something that you need to keep in mind is that you will not get paid until after the client travels to Disney.

So if you are booking a trip one year out, that means your commission is one year out.

What Are The Perks Of Being A Disney Travel Agent?

Being a Disney travel agent can be really a lot of fun.

If you love Disney and love planning trips then it could be a really great fit for you!

Depending on the Travel Agency that you work for, the “perks” can vary.

There are some agencies that have yearly meet ups with all of their agents at the parks to just have fun or as a trip for further training.

The agency that I worked for offered 100% net commission on my own travel once I had booked $5000 in trips for guests each year. 

Is It Cheaper To Book Through Disney Or A Travel Agent?

Believe it or not, it actually costs the exact same amount whether you book thru Disney directly or use a travel agent.

That’s because if you are using a travel agent, they are actually paid by Disney.

If you are looking online at package prices and find a great deal, your travel agent can find that same exact deal for you.

Sometimes they can even find deals that you didn’t know about. They can also be the ones to wait on the phone or online to get you the hard to get Dining reservations.

Does Disney Have Their Own Travel Agents?

Disney has cast members who work the phones to book the trips that people call into Disney to book, however they are not “travel agents” they are just Cast Members who work in that department.

Why Am I A Former Disney Travel Agent?

I learned a lot while I was a Disney travel agent and not just about Disney.

I learned that just because I loved Disney didn’t mean that I should just focus on being a travel agent.

There were a lot of factors in me not renewing my contract with the agency I was working for.

For me it was tough to have to wait until after the client took their trip to get the commission.

Also, personally, I didn’t feel supported by the agency, and finally the yearly fees nearly quadrupled after my first year and I just didn’t see the value in paying that amount of money for what I was getting in return.

And that’s where my blog, WDWTravels , was born. I chose to take my knowledge and love of Disney and start a blog to help people plan their Disney vacations.

Even though it didn’t work out for me as an agent I wouldn’t discourage anyone from trying it out, it may be a perfect fit for some.

About Heather

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve loved traveling to Disney World. As a former Disney Travel Agent I have planned trips for people from all over the world including close friends and family members. Let me help you plan your best trip yet to the most magical place on earth! Click here to visit Heather’s site. 

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A Comprehensive Guide To Becoming A Disney Travel Agent

The vast and diverse travel industry offers numerous opportunities for those seeking a fulfilling career. One such enchanting and highly sought-after niche within this industry is being a Disney Travel Agent.

If you have a deep passion for all things Disney and derive joy from assisting others in planning their dream vacations to the magical world of Disney, then this could be the perfect career path for you. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of what it truly means to be a Disney Travel Agent.

We will explore the various responsibilities and skills required to excel in this role and the steps you can take to embark on this exciting journey.

Table of Contents

The Enchanting Perks of Being a Disney Travel Agent

Being a Disney Travel Agent isn’t just about helping others create magical experiences – there are many benefits for you, too. As an agent, you may have access to discounted accommodations, tickets, and even cruises. Imagine exploring Disney’s magical realms at a fraction of the cost.

Becoming a Disney travel agent can come with several perks, although the specific benefits can vary depending on the agency you work for and your individual arrangements.

In addition to these perks, there are also potential earning opportunities. As a Disney Travel Agent, you earn a commission on the vacation packages you sell, which can add up significantly over time. So, if you’re searching for “Disney travel agents near me,” consider becoming one yourself and reap these excellent benefits.

It’s important to note that the specific perks can vary, and being a successful Disney travel agent often requires dedication, strong customer service skills, and a genuine passion for Disney destinations .

Additionally, the travel industry is dynamic, and staying informed about changes in Disney policies, promotions, and attractions is crucial for success.

📖 Recommended Reading: If you’re looking for more useful information, check out The Allure of Off-Peak Disney World Visits: What You Need to Know .

Your Magic Carpet Ride to Becoming a Disney Travel Agent

Starting your journey as a Disney Travel Agent requires some essential tools and resources. You’ll need a phone, reliable internet, and a computer to connect with your clients and book their dream vacations.

However, the most important requirement is a deep-seated passion for Disney. Your enthusiasm will shine through when you’re helping clients plan their trips, making the experience even more special for them.

Moreover, the role offers a great deal of flexibility. Whether looking for a full-time gig or a side hustle, being a Disney Travel Agent can fit into various lifestyles. This means that you can be the “Disney travel agent near me” for potential clients no matter where you are.

Remember that success in the travel industry, including as a Disney travel agent, often requires time, dedication, and ongoing learning. As you build your reputation and client base, you may find opportunities to work with more flexibility or part-time, depending on your preferences and business model.

The Role of a Host Agency in Your Journey

You might consider working with a host agency to support your journey as a Disney Travel Agent. A host agency, like Boardwalk Travel Agency , can provide the necessary support and resources to help you succeed.

They handle the administrative tasks, and free you to focus on what you love – planning magical Disney vacations.

A host agency plays a crucial role in supporting Disney travel agents by providing resources, tools, and assistance to help them operate their businesses more effectively. A host agency provides support for training and education for Disney agents, marketing support and administrative assistance among other roles as well.

Different host agencies may offer varying levels of support and may operate under different business models, so agents should choose one that best fits their needs and preferences.

The Magic of Training and Support for New Agents

As a new agent, receiving proper training and continuous learning opportunities is crucial. This ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest Disney offerings and can provide the best service to your clients.

Moreover, as a new agent, you should look for a host agency that offers comprehensive support. This could range from answering your questions to providing marketing materials to help you attract more clients.

With the proper support, you’ll be well on your way to becoming one of the top “Disney travel agents near me.”

Embark on the Magical Journey of Becoming the ‘Disney Travel Agents Near Me’

Becoming a Disney Travel Agent is an exciting career path filled with magic and joy. Not only do you get to help others plan their dream Disney vacations, but you also enjoy numerous perks and potential earning opportunities yourself.

So, if you’re passionate about Disney and love planning trips, we encourage you to take the first step toward becoming a Disney Travel Agent.

With the right tools, training, and support, you could be the answer when someone searches for “Disney travel agents near me.”

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission for any purchases made through the links. Your trust is important to us, and we ensure that all products or services we recommend meet or exceed our editorial standards .

Last Updated on December 7, 2023

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Pros and Cons of Using a Disney World Travel Agent

Planning a trip to Disney World can be stressful, especially if you’ve never visited Orlando before.  And between buying tickets and researching hotels, it’s certainly worth weighing all of the pros and cons of using a Disney World travel agent. Well today, we will explore this exact question, as we’ll examine all of the advantages and disadvantages the average person will encounter when using a Disney Travel agent, and help you figure out if they are truly worth your money—or if you’re better off booking everything by yourself.

Pros and Cons of Using a Disney Travel Agent

Let’s begin with the basics—how do you go about selecting a Disney travel agent (or agency) in the first place?

Choosing A Disney World Travel Agent

Any travel agency can help you book Walt Disney World accommodations and park tickets. However, if you want the best Disney experience, you’re of course going to want to find the best Disney World travel agents . 

In this case, you should find an agent who is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (also known as an “Earmarked” Disney Vacation Planner). This can be done as easily as searching for one online. Authorized Disney planners are travel agents who specialize in Disney theme park vacations, as well as Disney cruises. They must participate in the “Disney College of Knowledge” program to learn all there is to know about Disney resort policies, procedures, and pricing. They’ll know more about Disney World vacation planning than the average travel agent, and can offer personalized guidance based on the activities your group enjoys the most. Before choosing an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, it’s a good idea to look at their online reviews. Also, have a list of any questions ready to discuss with your chosen vacation planner, so you’ll have a good idea of how much they can assist you.

Benefits of Using a Disney Travel Agent

Let’s begin with the first benefit or “pro,” which revolves around the very important topic of reducing your stress.

Reducing Your Vacation Planning Stress

Making plans to visit Walt Disney World can be complicated. Between choosing accommodations for your group, making park reservations and choosing the right type of tickets, trying to get dinner reservations, and figuring out the Genie+ system, all that planning can seem mentally exhausting. If you want to book your vacation yourself, most of it can be done on the Walt Disney World website. There is a lot of information on their site, but it can be a little overwhelming. It can take some time to read through a lot of vacation options that you don’t want, before finding the options you do want. 

Instead of hunting through the website to find everything you want to do, you can tell your vacation planner your preferences, and they will do the legwork for you. They might even make suggestions for activities you didn’t know about. Be sure to give the names of everyone in your travel party (even children) to the travel planner, so they can make sure all your park reservations and tickets are linked. A travel agent can help you decide if you want to use the Park Hopper option or buy tickets for any after-hours special events that might be happening during your stay. They can also take care of booking any special tours that are offered, such as the popular “Keys To The Kingdom ” tour at Magic Kingdom. Don’t forget about Walt Disney World’s excellent water parks! Your travel planner can book your tickets for Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon , too. 

Other benefits that a travel agent might help with include booking a flight, arranging transportation to and from the airport, and finding information on stroller or wheelchair rentals. 

Knowledge of the Best Accommodations

An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner should be able to make recommendations on the best hotel to fit your budget and group size. They’ll have the best information on hotels amenities to make sure you’ll find a place that best meets your needs. 

If you need special accommodations, such as ground floor rooms or accessible rooms, a travel planner can communicate directly to the hotels with your requests. If staying at a hotel with a table-service restaurant is important to you, or if Disney-themed decor in your room is important to you, your agent should be able to help you find the perfect place. Working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is especially useful if you’ll be traveling with a large group. Making resort reservations for multi-family groups or school trips can be a challenge! It’s not impossible to do it yourself, but it will probably mean spending a great deal of time on the phone with Walt Disney World. Disney’s Authorized Vacation Planners have the expertise to make sure your group will be ready to have fun as soon as they arrive.

Help Plan Your Dining Reservations

Many of the restaurants in the theme parks, with the exception of “quick service” restaurants, will require advance dining reservations. If you’re staying on the Disney property, you can make your dining reservations online or through the My Disney Experience app once you are 60 days from your check-in date. 

Although this sounds fairly simple, it can take up more time than you might realize. It might be easier, especially if you want dining reservations for a large group, to have your Travel Planner handle this for you. It would be a good idea to give the Planner a list with several choices of your preferred restaurants and meal times.  

Once your reservations are confirmed, they should show up on the My Disney Experience app along with your park admission and tickets. In fact, anything your Disney Travel Planner arranges for you can be viewed on the app.

In short, when you’re seeking the best places to eat at Epcot for dinner, or you desire a tasty breakfast at Magic Kingdom the next morning, you’ll likely sleep a lot easier knowing someone with more knowledge and experience planned out your day ahead of time.

Help Save You Money

An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner doesn’t have access to any discounts that aren’t available to the general public. However, when Walt Disney World does offer special rates on hotels or vacation packages, your Travel Planner will be one of the first to know about it. 

Disney does offer special deals periodically with little notice, so you might miss an opportunity to save money, but your Vacation Planner will know about it right away. For instance, if there is a special rate suddenly available for a comparable hotel to the one where you have reservations, your Vacation Planner could call and ask if you’d like to switch hotels to the one with the better rate.

Enjoy Less Known Disney Experiences

There are so many more options than just theme parks on a Walt Disney World vacation! Experiences known as “Enchanting Extras ,” for example, add an extra bit of magic to your vacation.  Sadly, they are yet another thing you’ll need to plan ahead for. 

Thankfully, your Authorized Vacation Planner can help with most of these experiences. 

For example, you might want to book a tee time at one of several golf courses at Walt Disney World if you need a break from the theme parks. Or, if a bit of luxury self-care is something you need, your Planner can make an appointment at one of the resort spas for you. Whatever extra bit of Disney magic you’d like to enjoy, your Vacation Planner can help make it happen for you.  

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Cons of Using a Disney World Travel Agent

While I don’t think that there are any overwhelming “cons” or disadvantages to using a Disney World travel agent, there are a few things that I think are worth being aware of before you hire any individual or travel agency.

You Have Less Control Over Your Trip

For some people, making all the reservations, and scheduling dining reservations, is actually part of the fun of the whole vacation prep experience . It can build excitement for your upcoming trip. It can also be fun to review everything on the Walt Disney World website as a family activity; kids love to feel like they’re included in the planning. If you’re the type who enjoys making plans and organizing, using the services of a Disney Authorized Vacation Planner might not be for you. Using a Vacation Planner means relinquishing a little bit of control over your plans. Any changes to your itinerary will have to be made by calling your travel agent, not by contacting Disney directly. This means that, if for some reason, you need to cancel a dining reservation or change park admission reservations, you have to call your Vacation Planner to do it. If any original plans were made by a travel agent, Disney won’t accept modifications to those plans unless the travel agent does them. 

If you are already on your vacation and need to make some “last minute” changes to your plans, you’ll still need to do so through your agent. You should feel confident you will be able to reach your Vacation Planner, and that they will respond quickly, so discuss this with your Planner to see if it will be something you’re comfortable with. 

At the end of the day, you are the one that hires the travel agent.  So, to that end, I suppose one could argue that you still have ultimate power.  But, just like when you hire any professional (like a financial advisor, for example), you’re naturally going to cede some control in order for the hired professional to do their job.  

So if you’re a person that relishes that control, and perhaps dislikes having a bit less flexibility in making alterations to your vacation plans on the fly, then you might want to go the route of booking your Disney vacation all by yourself.

You May Find Cheaper Accommodations Yourself

Disney Vacation Planners are limited to only booking Disney property hotels and “Good Neighbor” hotels as part of a Disney vacation package. Staying at one of the Disney hotels is fun and definitely adds some “magic” to your vacation, but if you’re vacationing on a budget, you might be able to find a hotel or vacation rental home nearby for less money. 

Vacation rental homes can be a more affordable option for multiple families traveling together. If you are a member of any rewards programs for individual hotel chains, using rewards points could save you a considerable amount at an off-property location.

Your travel agent might be able to help you book offsite accommodations, but they also might charge a fee for this service. Also keep in mind that if you stay off Disney property, you’ll need a vehicle to drive to and from the parks.

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Not All Travel Agents Are Created Equal

While it is unusual to have a very bad customer experience with anyone related to the Disney industry, some Vacation Planners will give you better service than others. Some have more flexible time to devote to your needs, while others may only be reachable within established work hours.  

Before trusting any travel agent to help with your vacation, spend a little time finding out if they’re going to be as available as you need them to be. Ask any travel agent or vacation planner how many times they’ve visited Walt Disney World, and how recently they’ve visited. Also, ask them how easily they can be reached in case plans need to be modified or if any last-minute travel problems occur. Check online reviews to see what other travelers have said, as well.

It really can’t be overstated that if you want to hire a travel agent, you should use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for your Walt Disney World trip. An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner shouldn’t charge you a fee for their regular services. They are paid a commission from Walt Disney World, based on the bookings they make for you. The Authorized Planners have experience and knowledge of Disney vacations that is unparalleled. That being said, you should always do a little research before booking with any planner. 

Are Disney World Travel Agents Worth It?

We’ve described just a few of the pros and cons of using a Disney World travel agent, and hopefully you’ve found this analysis to be helpful. The decision to use a Disney World travel agent depends entirely on your own preferences, but I do have some additional thoughts here.

If you are the type of person who feels making travel plans is part of the thrill of your upcoming vacation, or if you just prefer to have total control of your own plans, you probably won’t want to use a travel agent. Or maybe you will want to have a Vacation Planner handle some of your plans, while you continue to take care of your dining reservations yourself or your ticket purchases or resort accommodations yourself. Give consideration to how comfortable you will be with trusting someone else to plan your family’s vacation. However, if planning and scheduling seem like a tiresome chore to you, using a Vacation Planner is probably the best choice you can make. A Disney World Vacation Planner is definitely beneficial for planning large group vacations.Save yourself some stress and let a professional do all of those tedious tasks for you! You can communicate to your agent about your priorities and preferences, then let them spend the time making the magic happen.

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Michael has been visiting Disney World since he was a kid. He's also been to Disneyland and sailed on the Disney Dream. Michael is the owner and editor of Countdown to Magic.

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Here's What You Need to Know Before Becoming a Disney Travel Agent

Do you dream of helping people plan Disney vacations? Check out this expert advice.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

If you love Disney, have impressive knowledge of theme parks, and consider yourself an expert vacation planner, you might have what it takes to become a Disney travel agent. A dream job for many fans of the Mouse, these travel agents spend their days talking about all things Disney and helping guests book unforgettable trips.

Sue Pisaturo owns Small World Vacations , a top Disney vacation travel agency, and has watched the industry grow for more than 25 years — so we asked for her best tips on how to become a Disney travel agent. Here's what you should know before embarking on a magical new career.

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent

There isn't just one way to become a Disney travel agent, and the requirements and expectations vary depending on your goals, the agency's standards, and your location. Some aspiring agents want to work part-time to plan trips for their friends and family, while others pursue it as a full-time career. Either way, most agents work remotely instead of reporting to a physical office. States have different laws impacting travel agents, and many of these professionals are independent contractors, so it's important to educate yourself on the applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure that you and your agency are compliant.

There are learning programs, like the College of Disney Knowledge and modules on the Disney Travel Agents site, that can help agents deepen their knowledge of Disney destinations. But Pisaturo says the best preparation is first-hand experience. Go to the Disney theme parks, stay at the resorts, eat at the restaurants, go on a cruise with Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney, and visit Aulani, Disney's resort outpost in Hawaii. It's important to familiarize yourself with the brand's offerings so you can effectively advise future travelers.

Disney travel agents spend their days helping guests plan magical experiences, so they need to stay up-to-date on Disney news and trends. Needless to say, most agents choose this career path because they love the company — but you'll need to have both passion and knowledge to be successful.

Finding the Right Agency

To be a successful Disney travel agent, you'll want to find the right agency fit, and there are a few basic things to know before you get started. Disney travel agencies provide a service to travelers by booking their trips, and Disney in turn pays those agencies — not the agents themselves — a commission. Each agency negotiates its own commission split with agents, so you'll receive a portion of the firm's earnings, as determined by your employer. Some agencies expect agents to find their own clients (many agents use social media to market their services), while others provide leads directly to agents. Travel agencies vary in size and policies, so Pisaturo suggests that you pose plenty of questions to your potential agency before signing on. Here are her top asks:

Fees: Do they charge upfront fees and, if so, what are they? Find out about any other fees the agency charges agents, including any for training and education.

Contracts: Are there any mandatory sales quotas or hours? Is there a contract for independent workers and, if so, how long does it last?

Agency support: How long have their agents been with them? (This can be a good indicator of satisfaction with the agency.) What support does the main office provide to agents? Does the agency provide leads, or are agents responsible for generating their own sales? Does the agency provide assistance with social media marketing, including information about Disney's rules and restrictions? How often are agents paid commission, and what method does the agency use to pay them?

Agency information: Is the agency an Earmarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and, if so, at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond level? Does the agency belong to Universal's U-Preferred program? (Since many travelers like to visit Universal and Disney parks in the span of one trip, it's helpful to know if your agency works with both brands.) Is the agency accredited by the Better Business Bureau? Does the agency belong to other professional associations? Has the agency been involved in any lawsuits with agents, guests, or vendors?

These are critical questions you'll want to ask before starting with an agency. Of course, it's always helpful to search the agencies you're interested in online and to check out their social media pages.

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Unlocking The Magic

We talk about Disney World, Disneyland and Universal

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent

September 1, 2023 by Unlocking the Magic

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent in 2023

Becoming a Disney Travel Agent offers many benefits that can make the role professionally and personally rewarding. Being a Disney Travel Agent means having the opportunity to help families plan unforgettable experiences, all while cultivating a deep understanding of one of the world’s most beloved brands. 

Income Is Not Limited.

As a Disney Travel Agent, your earning potential is not capped. The commission-based structure allows for flexible income that corresponds directly to your level of dedication and the number of clients you serve. The more effort you put in and bookings you secure, the higher your income. This can be particularly advantageous for those seeking a career with financial rewards proportional to individual hard work and success.

Work From Anywhere

Being a Disney Travel Agent offers the flexibility to work from virtually anywhere. With the primary tools being a computer, cell phone and a reliable internet connection, you can manage your business from home, a coffee shop, or sometimes even while on vacation. This level of flexibility is particularly appealing to those who value the ability to set their schedules and work in a location of their choosing.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a digital nomad, or someone who dislikes the restrictions of a traditional office setup, this career provides the liberty to shape your work environment according to your preference.

Disney Travel Agents Are Eligible For A Variety Of Benefits, Including:

Free Tickets:

Disney travel agents who complete specific training programs or meet certain membership requirements may be eligible to receive free theme park tickets. For example, College of Disney Knowledge graduates receive a one-day Park Hopper ticket for Walt Disney World, and travel agents who complete the Universal and U training program receive a free Universal Orlando 3-Park 3-Day ticket.

Discounted Travel:

Disney travel agents are eligible for discounts on Disney park tickets, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. The deals available will vary depending on the travel agent’s membership status and the type of travel they are booking.

In addition to these benefits, Disney travel agents can access exclusive resources and information about Disney and Universal destinations. This can be helpful for agents who are planning vacations for their clients.

Work Doing What You Love.

Being a travel agent for Disney or Universal offers financial rewards. It brings the joy of helping others make magical memories. The work allows you to combine your passion for travel and love for these theme parks into a fulfilling career. Imagine spending your days planning and discussing exciting adventures for families and groups.

This doesn’t just grant you exclusive perks, benefits, and the satisfaction of doing what you love – bringing joy to people’s lives through unforgettable travel experiences. 

Potential Tax Write-Offs

There are some tax benefits to being a Disney travel agent. Namely, any Disney vacation you go on can potentially be tax-deductible as a research expense. This is an excellent perk for anyone who spends much time at Disney destinations.

Please note that we are not tax experts and urge you to consult a tax advisor before writing off these   expenses .

You will have the potential to earn a competitive commission and gain exclusive access to resources and discounts that can enhance your and your clients’ Disney experience.

Finally, the role can allow you to work from home and set your hours, making it an excellent option for those seeking a balance between their professional and personal lives.

Understand How the Commission Works for Travel Agents

Disney travel agents earn a commission for each vacation their clients travel and typically split their commission with the agency. Ticket sales are also commissionable, and those are usually paid out by the supplier quicker, making it a great supplement to an agent’s income. Commissions also vary and are typically higher for those who book more sales or are experienced. Agents also usually receive a higher commission on clients they find themselves vs. any potential leads given to them from the agency.

What to Look For As A Career As A Disney Travel Agent

When researching Disney travel agencies or jobs, there are several factors to consider. One of the critical aspects when considering a travel agency, is the level of support and resources the agency provides. Along with this includes a strong commission structure for you to succe ed. Finding a balance between independence, support, and potential earnings will help you find the best fit for your career as a Disney travel agent.

What Skills Are Needed To Become A Successful Disney Travel Agent

Excellent communication skills :.

Disney Travel Agencies look for candidates who are passionate about Disney, have excellent customer service skills, and possess a keen attention to detail. They value individuals who can use their knowledge of Disney products and services to create memorable vacation experiences for clients.

Proactive :

Agents are always in high demand. They anticipate the client’s needs, staying one step ahead to ensure a seamless travel experience. Whether promptly addressing queries, foreseeing potential issues, or taking the initiative to provide personalized recommendations, a proactive approach can significantly enhance client satisfaction.

Reliability

Reliability is a paramount quality for Disney travel agents. Clients entrust their vacation plans to the agent, expecting timely and accurate information and promptly resolving any issues that might arise. An agent’s ability to consistently meet these expectations can significantly influence their reputation and success in the industry.

Handling stressful situations with grace is crucial in this line of work. Travel planning can be complex, and unexpected obstacles are often part of the process. An effective Disney travel agent can manage these challenges calmly and efficiently, ensuring clients’ vacation experiences remain undisturbed.

This helps maintain client satisfaction and contributes to the agent’s professional growth and resilience.

Experience With Disney Products

Experience in the travel industry and a thorough understanding of the Disney brand are invaluable assets for a Disney travel agent. This wealth of knowledge enables them to craft travel experiences that align perfectly with Disney’s unique magic and charm.

Whether recommending the most enchanting Disney resorts or guiding clients through the vast array of entertainment options at Disney parks, familiarity with the Disney brand empowers agents to bring clients’ dream Disney vacations to life. Additionally, industry experience equips them with the skill to navigate the complexities of travel planning efficiently, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable process for their clients.

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Home » Uncategorized

15 Reasons to Use an Authorized Disney Travel Planner

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: November 26, 2023

• Pinterest 22

If you haven’t been to Walt Disney World in a long time or if it’s your first time, you may be surprised to know just how complicated and overwhelming the planning process can be, and in our opinion, using an Authorized Disney Travel Planner will make the entire experience 100x times better .

In this post, we are going to talk about why you should use an Authorized Disney Travel Planner (Disney Travel Agent) and all the benefits you will receive in doing so.

We can understand why people would be hesitant to use a travel agent to book a Disney trip. Nowadays, almost everyone knows how to go online and shop for plane tickets, get a hotel, and buy tickets to theme parks, and on the surface, it seems like an easy proposition here too.

Personally, I am a super planner, and on any trip that I take anywhere else in the world, I book everything myself. But Disney World is another animal altogether. After 40+ years of visiting Disney World, I’ve come to realize that even for myself, it’s much easier and less stressful to have someone do all the heavy lifting for me.

Honestly, I run a Disney planning website, and even I get confused at times with all the constant changes Disney makes to the planning process. For things like dining reservations, navigating Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, figuring out how to beat the crowds, touring strategies for the parks, and getting the best discounts, it seems like they change almost every week.

So when I think about people who haven’t been to Disney in a decade or people who are planning their very first trip, it’s almost unthinkable for me to see them attempt to do it all on their own. Why suffer 

First of all, let’s get this out of the way…using a Disney Travel Agent is 100% FREE, so there is no additional cost over booking directly through Disney. If someone wants you to pay for this it is a red flag and you should look somewhere else immediately. 

We are all about saving money when visiting Walt Disney World , and this is absolutely the #1 way to do that. If you are looking for our recommendation for the best Disney Travel Agent, that is hands-down Show You the World Travel .

They have decades of Disney planning experience, they have by far the best customer service and it’s who we personally use when planning our trips to Disney World. I’ll talk more about them later, but I want to focus your attention first on all the reasons why you should use a Disney travel agent in the first place.

Because no matter which company you end up using, I wholeheartedly believe that you will have a much better experience using any Disney Vacation Planner.

Before we get started, if you are looking for some of our most popular Disney planning guides, take some time to read through these:

• Disney World Planning Guide
• Best Disney World Resort Hotels
• Best Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World

Before we get started, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. There we bring you the latest Disney vacation planning tips including how to save money, where to stay, and the best things to do. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

Table of Contents

What are Authorized Disney Vacation Planners

In short, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are knowledgeable travel agents that specifically are approved for selling Disney travel. This could be Walt Disney World, Disneyland, the Disney Cruise Line, or any Disney destination in the world.

With online booking these days seen as the norm with infinite amounts of popular booking sites, Disney utilizes specialized independent contractors who work with an affiliated travel agency.

Disney has trained and prepared authorized vacation planners to be equipped with modern technologies to meet a different age of clients in the 21st century.

These vacation planners can book Disney vacations for guests over the phone, over the Internet, or through email. They are NOT Disney employees and are instead independent contractors.

Remove the term travel agent from your dictionary and instead replace it with Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

What Locations Can Disney Travel Agents Book?

Disney Travel Agents are qualified to deal specifically with Disney Vacations, from cruises to Disney World trips to Disneyland trips to Adventures by Disney trips, and the list goes on and on. 

Here are specific locations Authorized Disney Travel Planners can book:

• Walt Disney World Resort (FL)
• Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Water Parks: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon
• All Disney World Resort hotels, as well as non-Disney resorts
• Disneyland Resort (CA)
• Disney Cruise Line
• Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Adventures by Disney

Often these travel agents can book other locations as well, it just depends on where they are specifically qualified. Many of them will do Universal Studios trips as well as some other Luxury Caribbean Resorts and Cruise Lines. 

How It Works

Many guests THINK using a travel agent, or specifically an Authorized Disney Travel Planner will cost them additional money. This is NOT the case. The client pays nothing extra, instead, the travel agent makes money and their commissions directly through the travel supplier, which in this case is Disney. 

Disney will compensate travel agencies a percentage of the total trip, including hotel rooms and park tickets once the guest completes their vacation. If you’re asking the travel agency to book any other aspect of a trip, such as airfare or additional add-ons, it’s likely they will charge a small fee to do these things since those other companies do not give agencies any commissions. 

When a Disney Travel Planner books your trip, they will get all the necessary information from you. Names, addresses, pertinent travel information, etc… They will walk you through all the steps and essentially book the trip entirely for you, once they know all of your preferences. 

The great part is that they will be the single point of contact for your trip, and essentially handle everything for guests from cancellations to dining reservations to park tickets to any other adjustments that guests need to make. 

They are essentially an employee that you have around the clock to assist and help you with every aspect of your trip planning!

They will work around your schedule and communicate with you in whatever way you prefer including phone, email, or text messages. 

Reasons To Use a Disney Travel Agent

So now you know what a Disney Vacation Planner is, why should you use one?

When using Disney travel agents, you can get an experienced and highly qualified Disney expert that will help and guide you every step of the way. Even if you know a LOT about Disney and you’ve planned trips in the past, they can make the planning stage so much easier and more fun.

In this section, we will touch on our Top-15 reasons why using a Disney Travel Agent is not only easy, but it’s plain smart. Let’s dive right in…

1. Personalized Service

The first and absolutely best reason to use an Authorized Disney Travel Planner is the customer service and personalized support that you get. Imagine having someone who has planned dozens, if not hundreds, or thousands of Disney trips, and they want to share all those tips with you!

They know all of the ins and outs of planning a Disney trip, and can tailor it to the needs of your family and the preferences that you have to make your trip perfect. They’ll be able to keep a regular conversation with you up until your trip starts, making sure that you absolutely love your time at Disney! 

A good Disney Travel Planner would be glad to assist in any way they can! After all, the reason they likely became an agent was because of their love for all things Disney! 

Plus, these agents would like repeat business and they know the only way they will get it is if they make the trip as painless as possible for the guest. 

Trust me, there’s nothing better than not having to deal with a problem and sitting on the phone for hours with Disney support trying to fix a tiny little detail. It’s like having a full-time employee at your disposal 24 hours a day. 

2. Disney Travel Planners are FREE

Unlike other travel agents, which often ask for a flat fee or an upfront cost to use their services, Disney Travel Planners are entirely free for guests ! That’s right, you won’t pay anything extra to use one over the cost of the same trip booked directly by calling Disney or online

The reason this is possible is that Disney gives some of the profits that they make from the trip back to the agency after the trip is complete, and that’s how they get paid.

This means your trip isn’t more expensive by using an agent! In fact, in a lot of ways it’ll be cheaper (more on that in a minute). It’s an absolute no-brainer! 

3. They Can Save You a TON of Money

Disney Travel Planners can save you significant money! They have access to all of the latest deals and promotional offers from Disney, and they’ll likely know about them before you do! 

This means that for instance if you book a trip in January but two months later in March a better promotional deal becomes available, a Disney Travel Planner will help you get the better deal! They’ll be able to cancel your first time and re-book you for the second trip, at a cheaper price. 

They’ll of course ask you first and then inform you of the savings of doing so, but usually there is no reason not to do it.

They get special notifications from Disney every time there is a new offer, and they can start applying that discount immediately to your reservation. 

Timing is crucial here since oftentimes the offer is limited and by the time regular guests even hear about the new offer, all the Disney Vacation Planners have already booked it for their clients, leaving regular people like you and me out of luck.

Not only just this, but right from the start, they’ll be able to assist you in saving money by purchasing the right hotel, the right park tickets, and whatever other choices on your trip can save you money! They’ll ensure you don’t buy something that isn’t necessary for your family, which you may not understand on your own.

READ: How to Save Money at Disney World

4. You’ll Save Lots of Time

If it’s your first trip to Disney, you are in for a rude awakening…booking a Disney trip can be VERY time-consuming! From the park tickets to the resort room to the other add-on experiences you want to enjoy, everything takes time to book.

And it’s even worse if you’re visiting another country on an “Adventures by Disney” trip, trying to figure out everything you need to do. This can be extremely overwhelming! 

A Disney Travel Planner will take all the legwork out of it for you. They can assist you with plane tickets, transportation to/from the airport, transfers, and SO many other aspects of your trip that you won’t even need to think about! 

But what if you have a problem or need to make a change or an adjustment to your trip? Your Disney Travel Planner will do it for you! 

Everyone reading this is also extremely busy in their everyday life, and there is nothing worse than sitting on hold for 1-2 hours every time you need to fix an easy problem. Just imagine the amount of time you’ll save! 

5. Wealth of Disney Knowledge

You may not know that all Authorized Disney Travel Planners have to complete the College of Disney Knowledge online training course equipping them with endless knowledge of all of the Disney Vacations you can possibly go on. They know all the tiniest of details that you need to have prepared for your Disney Vacation. 

Just in Walt Disney World for instance, even if you’ve been several times, are you well-read on the hundreds of different dining options, constantly new attractions, 30+ different resorts, multiple transportation options, and every other aspect of a Disney World Vacation? Likely not. 

It can be overwhelming to plan a Disney trip, especially if things don’t go exactly to plan for you during the planning process. While blogs like ours and books can be helpful, you still may need a little extra personalized help. 

Someone who truly knows how to maximize your vacation as much as humanly possible, and who can explain it all to you is priceless. For example, if they don’t know at least half of the things on our Best Disney World Tips list , find someone else.

That way, if something goes wrong, or maybe you can’t get some of your desired advance dining reservations or a hotel reservation for a particular resort , the Disney Travel Planner might be able to assist you! They’ll do whatever they possibly can to impart their knowledge to benefit your vacation. 

6. Help Pick the Right Time of Year

An experienced Disney Travel Planner can help you figure out the best time of year to visit the Disney Parks based on your family’s availability. Not only does picking the right time save you significant amounts of money it can also minimize crowds as much as possible. 

A Disney Travel Planner will know exactly when the crowded times of the year are, when the cheapest times of year are, and when there are special events that would be of interest to your family. By taking into account the needs and interests of your family they’ll be able to assist you in maximizing both your time and your money.

You can always consult an online guide like our Disney World Crowd Calendar , but they can explain it to you based on your specific dates for traveling and help you choose if you are stuck deciding when is the best time to go.

7. Plan Your Days

These days it’s imperative that you have some kind of schedule if you want to maximize your time at Disney as much as possible. 

Planning your day wrongly and not making the fullest use of your time can cause you to miss some of the most important things, while also wasting unnecessary time that could have been better spent doing other things.

With things like Genie+ , nighttime shows , dining reservations , and long wait times for attractions , you’ll want to have a definite plan of attack for each day of your vacation. By properly planning your days, you can have more time to relax, go on rides, shop, or whatever else you are looking to do. 

A Disney Travel Planner will help you figure out the most important parts of your trip and the exact right time to do those activities.

8. Book Dining Reservations

Booking dining reservations is one of the most stressful parts of a Disney trip, with many of the most popular restaurants booking up within minutes of being available. 

Walt Disney World, prior to the pandemic, had a 180-day rule. This meant that guests can book their restaurants 180 days before the start of their hotel reservation. 

However, this 180-day rule has now been replaced by a 60-day rule, allowing guests to book their dining reservations only 60 days in advance. Doing this requires you to have to wake up at 6:00 am EST and quickly book them before they fill up. 

Obviously, most guests don’t want to wake up that early and make their reservations (myself included!) The good news is that your Disney Travel Planner can do it instead! 

Simply give them your restaurant choices and they’ll do the best they can in obtaining the restaurants of your choice during those windows. This makes it SO much easier and means being able to sleep in!

9. They’ll Help with Lightning Lane Reservations

If you’re not familiar, Disney recently replaced FastPass+ with something called Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. It’s a paid service that allows guests to pay a daily rate so that they can reserve “Lighting Lane Reservations” and essentially have little to no waits to get on rides. 

It’s a little bit of a complicated process and it takes a little bit to figure out the ropes, even for tech-savvy people like myself. For a full understanding, read our Genie+ and Lightning Lanes guide .

There are a lot of things to figure out when it comes to making these Lighting Lanes, but the good news is, a Disney Travel Planner can help you! 

They’ll explain the entire process to you, help you decide which rides to use your reservations on, and basically everything but booking the actual ride reservations (this needs to be done from the park as your day progresses). 

After they assist you and walk you through it, you’ll probably be an expert and can help me write my next guide!

10. Help with Hard-to-Get Resort Reservations

Already it is overwhelming when attempting to decide which of the resorts at the different Disney locations around the world is best for your family. Factoring that in with the fact that many resorts sell out quickly, you’re limited with how much time you have to book the resort of your choice. 

A good Disney Travel Planner will be able to assist you in figuring out your family’s needs and the best possible scenario for you. They’ll help you make reservations and make it much more likely that you’ll get your 1st choice of the resort you want. 

11. They Will Help You with Transportation To and From the Airport

Families traveling to Walt Disney World used to rely on the complementary Disney bus called Magical Express. This is no longer available and guests will need to figure it out themselves in deciding the best transportation to and from the Orlando airport . 

With things such as shuttle buses, trains, ridesharing services, private transport, etc… it can be confusing to decide what’s the most efficient and reasonably priced transportation option for your family. 

A Disney Travel Planner will assist you in not only walking you through the different options, but they’ll also be able to help you book the transportation option that you’d like to use for your trip. 

12. They Can Plan All the Extra Magic

If done right, Disney Vacations will have a little bit of extra magic at every turn throughout the trip, and good travel planners know exactly how to spice things up and make it as perfect as possible. 

Maybe it’s with a one-of-a-kind excursion on a Disney cruise or maybe it’s a special nighttime fireworks cruise on one of the lagoons at Walt Disney World. A Disney Travel Planner can tell you all of the additional experiences and costs in helping you make your trip as amazing as possible! 

There are so many add-on experiences you can book to add some flair and uniqueness to your trip and a good Disney Travel Planner knows ALL about these experiences and which you’ll like most.

13. One Point of Contact for Planning Your Trip

Having one point of contact for your entire trip makes it so incredibly simple! Rather than worrying about talking to different Disney Cast Members every time you call, for each segment of your trip, you literally only need to talk to your Disney Travel Planner! They’ll do all of the rest for you. 

Whether it’s making changes to your vacation or getting individual questions or concerns, the agent will work out all of the details themselves, and they’ll communicate them directly with you when finalized. You won’t need to explain yourself to multiple different people, just one. 

14. Help During Your Vacation

What if you end up having some concerns or issues on your vacation? Whether you have questions about making Genie+ Reservations, trying to make some last-minute dining reservations or even an emergency situation, contact your Disney Travel Planner and they will tell you what to do! 

They’ll assist you until the very end of your vacation and it’s time to come home.  That way you can relax and have someone else handle the legwork for you while you worry about just relaxing and having the best possible time on your vacation.

This has happened to us multiple times, and thankfully they’ve helped us resolve our issues.

15. You’ll Be More Relaxed

And lastly, you’ll simply be more relaxed when you have a Disney Travel Planner. Even though they are a blast, Disney Vacations can be stressful between the parks, the waits, the people, etc, and you’ll have a lifeline whenever you need something for your trip. 

By having a skilled and qualified Disney Travel Planner, they can be available for you whenever you need them. That way you can truly enjoy your trip, and if you have any concerns at all, they are one phone call or email away giving you that extra peace of mind. 

Ready to Start Planning Your Disney Vacation?

If you feel overwhelmed planning a Disney vacation, use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner such as Show You the World Travel . They are experts on every Disney location and can tell you where to stay, what to do, how to save money, and give you personalized service for your most magical vacation ever!

Travel Agents vs. Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

While it can be tempting to use a bigger travel agency with a company like AAA or Costco, we’d absolutely recommend avoiding it. While they might be able to offer some incentives and a bit of knowledge, it’ll be NOTHING like the personalized care you’ll be getting from a qualified Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. 

Many of these larger travel agencies have never even been to the destinations for which they sell trips, and they certainly aren’t kept abreast of the latest news and changes to the vacation destinations they’ve been to. 

They also won’t be available for you if you have a simple question, nor will they attempt to save you money at every possible opportunity. They don’t care, nor do they need to care. Their job is to book you for a vacation and their job is complete. 

On the other hand, a good Disney Vacation Planner sees out a vacation and wants to ensure every aspect of the trip is great from the planning process until arriving back home after the vacation is over. They have a long-term vested interest in establishing a relationship with you as their client. Their business relies on it. 

You can’t even compare the two types of travel agencies. Trust me, a small qualified Authorized Disney Vacation Planner wins EVERY day of the week. 

When using a Disney Travel Planner, there are a few other important tips to keep in mind in making sure you partner up with the right kind of agency. Here are our favorite suggestions:

How to Choose the Right Travel Agent

It can be overwhelming when deciding what travel agent to choose for your upcoming Disney Vacation. There are many great Authorized Disney Travel Planners but there are also other non-authorized travel planners. 

Here are a few things you can do to choose the right one: 

• Make sure they have a stellar reputation , if possible, check to see if they have an ‘Earmarked’ classification. That means they are classified by Disney as a good company that is recognized for offering both terrific service and knowledge to guests. 
• Make sure the agency is accredited by either IATA (International Air Transport Association) and/or CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association).
• See what their response times are when you reach out to them to see how their service appears to be. If they don’t respond in a timely manner now, it will be like this throughout the whole planning process so find someone else.
• Ask them questions about their experience and how many times they’ve visited the Disney Destination that you would like to book. Again, if they haven’t been themselves, it’s not a good sign.
• See if the agency has any reviews on Facebook or Google .  

Be Careful Who Takes Your Money

It’s imperative that you find out how the different agencies handle your money. If you’re making out any kind of payment, do they send it directly to Disney? Does it get processed directly by Disney? 

Any agency that collects and holds your money in its own accounts is a major red flag . It could mean that they are in financial trouble and need your funds for their own cash flow. They could be using your money to pay off their suppliers for other vacations. You’ll have no guarantee that they will eventually pay Disney for your vacation. 

This could mean that Disney can eventually even cancel your trip if they don’t get paid in a timely manner, as is the case with Disney cruises. In any case, make sure you use a credit card that offers good protection for your trip. It’ll give you just that little extra security. 

Watch Out for Extra Fees

More and more agencies with Authorized Disney Vacation Planners charge additional fees for their booking services. This is to account for the additional time and hassle for the agents to book Disney trips these days.

And while it still could be worth it, you can avoid these extra fees by picking the right agency. Why pay more if you don’t have to?

Many agencies still don’t charge these additional fees, and there are plenty of free alternatives in which you don’t need to pay these additional fees. Just find out prior to booking with whatever agency you go with.

Do You Save Money Using a Disney Travel Agent?

You will save money in most instances using a Disney Travel Agent, but not always directly. The cost of using a Disney Travel Agent is exactly the same cost as you’d pay if you booked the trip directly through Disney. 

But…a Disney Travel Agent will save you money by doing things such as helping you book at the right time, purchase the best resort and ticket package, and continue to look for additional savings for your trip even AFTER you book your trip. 

To make it simple for you, you will never pay more using an Authorized Disney Travel Planner, and you will pay less 99% of the time than you otherwise would.

Are Disney Travel Agents Experts?

Disney Travel Agents are experts in the field of Disney Travel knowledge. They’ve had to complete the College of Disney Knowledge and likely other training through their individual agencies. They know A LOT about Disney, plus they’ve likely been on several Disney trips, which gives you the confidence they absolutely know what they are talking about.

Can I Be Involved in the Planning Process?

Absolutely! Disney Travel Planners will ask you a myriad of questions in the beginning stages to find out all the interests of your family. If you have specific suggestions that you’d like to enjoy for your trip, notify your agent. 

They’ll do everything they can to tailor your Disney trip around your interests and the things that are most important to YOU. 

Will a Disney Vacation Planner Help Me During My Trip?

Disney Vacation Planners are not just there to help you BEFORE your trip, they’re also available during your trip. Things happen on vacation, from emergencies to needing last-minute changes, and your Disney Travel Planner will assist you! 

Can I Get a Disney Vacation Planner If I Already Booked My Trip?

It depends on how you booked your vacation. If you booked it directly through Disney, it isn’t a problem at all and is quite simple to do for agents. 

On the other hand, if you’ve booked it through a third party you will likely need to cancel your vacation first. Not every third-party company has the same cancellation policies, it just depends. 

How Do I Contact a Disney Travel Agent?

Once you find a reputable Disney Travel Agent, you can contact them online or by phone. We recommend Show You the World Travel as our go-to choice for planning a Disney Vacation.  

We know they are trustworthy and offer tremendous customer support because we’ve used them primarily for our Disney Vacations.

Is it Worth it to Use a Disney Travel Agent?

Despite the fact that we’ve been on dozens and dozens of Disney trips over the years, we STILL use a Disney Travel Agent. Using them isn’t just for knowledge, but it’s for ease and saving time for us. They just make it incredibly simple and pain-free from the very get-go. 

When you add the positives and the negatives of booking your own trip and compare that to the value that a quality Disney Travel agent will bring you, it’s not even CLOSE. 

We wholeheartedly recommend it! And worst case you try it out and don’t like it, you don’t need to ever do it again. But we guarantee if you do it once, you won’t go back! 

When to Not Use a Disney Vacation Planner

The only types of people that likely wouldn’t benefit from a Disney Vacation Planner would be obsessive planners that want to plan every single detail of their trip , without relinquishing any type of control . 

When you use a travel planner, they are the only ones who can make any kind of adjustments or changes to your trip, and for some people, giving up control can be difficult. 

The good news though is even IF you are this type of person, you can still benefit by using a Disney Vacation Planner. You can talk to them about wanting to do certain things yourself such as planning dining reservations and booking your Lightning Lane Reservations or whatever else interests you and they will accommodate.

I’d dare to say that most Disney Vacation Planners would relish the fact that they don’t have to do every aspect of your trip, and would invite you to take part in some of the more time-consuming responsibilities for them if you want to get involved.

Ziggy’s Personal Recommendation

While there are plenty of good Disney Travel Planners out there, I personally recommend Rene Cittadino and her wonderful team of experts at Show You the World Travel . We use them all the time for our vacations to Walt Disney World, and have always had incredible experiences using them.

First of all, they have over 20 years of experience in the travel agency and planning trips to any of the Disney theme parks, cruises, or adventures is their expertise. One thing we like is that they are a small agency, so you will always have more personalized service.

We’ve heard nightmare stories from people using some of the bigger agencies where oftentimes, sadly, you are just a number and don’t always get the service you deserve. That’s not the case here.

In fact, their agents have waited on the phone for 7 hours to make reservations for me when I couldn’t get through to Disney. That’s what I call service!

Another thing I love about Show You the World Travel is that they are always trying to save me money. Even after I’ve already booked a vacation with them, they will alert me when Disney comes out with a new offer that is cheaper than the one I already booked so I can save more.

They also are great at keeping up with the latest policies and updates around the parks, which was a lifesaver during the pandemic. Basically, they take the stress out of planning a Disney trip and make it pain-free at a time when Disney keeps making it more and more difficult for guests to understand.

And of course, they are absolutely, 100% free to use, so there is really no need for me to do all the planning myself. I just tell them when I want to go, where I want to stay, and what I want to do, and they do the rest.

Honestly, I couldn’t be happier using Rene and her amazing team, and if you value that pristine customer service and making your Disney trip planning easier to handle, you can contact them for a free quote to get started .

And tell them Ziggy sent you! 🙂

That wraps up our thoughts on why you should use a Disney Travel Agent on just about any Disney vacation. We hope that we helped show you why it can make your planning process almost stress-free and save money at the same time.

If you are thinking about going to Walt Disney World in the coming future, here are some other popular articles where you will find all the info and tips you need to plan your trip.

• Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
• Disney World Crowd Calendar
• When are the Best Times to Visit Disney World?

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our article on why you should use an Authorized Disney Travel Planner…

• What is your favorite way to visit Disney World for cheap?
• What budgeting tips have you learned over the years that can help others save money?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

sara lefever

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

I’m using one now for a Disney cruise I’m taking in March. What are ur thoughts on getting a gift for travel planners at the end of the trip for all their help! Ideas? Amount to spend on a Cruise vs Park trip. Theres obviously a whole different level of planning between those 2 vacations. Thank u!

Should I use a Disney Travel Agent?

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Please click my disclosure policy to learn more.

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If you’ve done any research into taking a Disney vacation, you’ve probably noticed just how complicated it can be. That’s why some people prefer using a Disney travel agent.

Some people love planning their own trips, but that isn’t the only option. In fact, booking your trip with a Disney travel agent might be the right choice for you.

But, it’s not for everyone. We’re going to take a look at the ins and outs of using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner so you can decide whether using a travel agent is what’s best for you.

This post also includes an interview with my pick for the best Disney travel agent , Siera Duiser from Destinations in Florida. You can request a free no obligation quote from her at any time .

Table of Contents

6 Benefits of Using a Disney Travel Agent

If you’ve read any of my posts, you know my mission is to help people have a stress free Disney vacation planning experience. Sometimes, this just might mean using a Disney travel agent.

Actually, instead of using the term “Disney travel agent” they are called “Disney vacation planners”. You’ll see me use both phrases interchangeably throughout this post.

1. Using a Disney Travel Agent is FREE!

Probably one of the most frequently asked questions is: How much does it cost to use a Disney travel agent ?

Because most of us automatically assume there is a charge whenever someone is providing us a service. But today is your lucky day because using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is completely free!

Disney vacation planners are paid a commission directly from Disney on the trips they book. What you do need to ask about is whether or not there is an additional fee for more advanced concierge services like itinerary planning.

An authorized Disney vacation planner should have this information posted on their website, but if in doubt, always ask.

If a travel agency tries to charge you a fee for simply working with them to book a basic Disney vacation package, walk away . There should be no charge for that from authorized Disney travel agents.

2. Your Own Personal Sounding Board for Planning Ideas

Frankly, having someone at your disposal to help make the many decisions involved in Disney vacation planning is nothing to sneeze at.

Sure, I try my hardest to fill this gap by providing as many posts as I can to help you make these decisions, but it’s not the same as having a conversation with someone about it.

There are MANY confusing parts of Disney planning. What are park pass reservations? What is the difference between Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane reservations?

I think you get my point. The sheer volume of decisions necessary when planning a Disney trip is staggering.

Disney travel agents are trained professionals who can help guide you to make the decisions which work best for your family.

Even if you have no idea of the dates you want to go, the resorts you want to stay at, or what parks you want to visit, a Disney vacation planner can help.

3. A Disney Travel Agent Might Save You Money

Another very popular question that comes up is: Is it cheaper to book Disney through a travel agent? The answer to this is no…and yes.

There are no extra discounts for booking with a Disney vacation planner, so there is no specific advantage there.

However, the advantage lies in the fact that authorized Disney vacation planners have their fingers on the pulse of all things Disney.

Because of this, they know all of the Disney discounts you might be eligible for .

Disney releases their discounts in fits and starts throughout the year. If a discount is released that applies to your reservation, your Disney vacation planner can secure the discount for your reservation. 

If you made your reservation yourself a year in advance and never heard about the discount, that’s hundreds of dollars down the drain you could have saved.

Your Disney travel agent can make sure you never miss a discount.

For example, let’s say you know you want to nab any discounts for you Disney resort that rolls out. If you and your Disney travel agent have talked about this beforehand and she/he knows what you want, they can book it immediately.

This is essential as discounted room inventory can book up very fast.

4. Disney Vacation Planners Help Choose Your Itinerary

A major part of planning your Disney trip is deciding where to go on what day. Let’s face it, there are a lot of things you could do each day!

A Disney vacation planner can help you narrow down your priorities AND have tips for which days to do what things.

For example, did you know that Mondays are always more crowded at Magic Kingdom? I bet a Disney travel agent does!

5. Sit Back and Relax!

This gets right back to my mission to help keep you stress free when planning your Disney trip.

Working with a Disney travel planner can help keep your stress levels down in multiple ways already mentioned here.

In addition to letting them do a lot of the work, it’s nice to simply have the single point of contact to bounce ideas and questions off of .

As a therapist, I’m fully aware of the value of just having a trusted person to talk to about things. Disney trip planning is no different.

6. Help in Case of Emergencies

What if you are on your trip and something goes very wrong? It could be anything. Just give your Disney travel agent a call and they can start working on things behind the scenes.

Hopefully you never need to use this aspect of the service, but it’s nice to have as a back up, just in case.

Downsides to Using a Disney Travel Planner

Of course, there are some downsides to using a Disney travel planner. Whether or not these are a deal breaker for you is up to you to decide.

These cons might not bother some people at all, while others won’t even consider a Disney travel agent because of them.

Giving Up Control

Let’s face it, some of us are control freaks (I’m in the corner raising my hand sheepishly…) and can’t tolerate the thought of letting someone else take the reins in booking a trip.

If that’s the case, no biggie, a Disney travel agent isn’t for you.

However, there is a lot of middle ground here. You can work with a Disney travel agent and still book your own dining. Talk with your agent to determine just what level of participation you want to have.

All Changes to Your Reservation Must be Done by the Disney Travel Agent

This one really only applies to the main components of the trip, like your resort, tickets, dining plan, etc. If your vacation package is booked through a Disney vacation planner, they are the ones who have to make any changes to your reservation.

You will not be able to do it on your own.

Again, you still have ultimate control over your Disney dining reservations, this is mainly just referring to changes to your resort reservation.

So if you originally book Art of Animation but decide you want to switch to Pop Century , your agent must do it for you.

All Disney Travel Agents are NOT Created Equal

When choosing your Disney travel agent it is important to work with an Authorized Disney Vacation planner. Sure, any generic travel agent can book the basics of a trip to Disney World.

However, will that travel agent know the ins and outs of booking a Disney vacation? Or that dining reservations should be made 60 days in advance?

The single biggest advantage of using an authorized Disney Vacation Planner is tapping into their wealth of knowledge. Most Disney travel planners are people who simply love all things Disney.

These are people who are passionate about planning Disney trips and know Disney like the back of their hand.

A generic travel agent simply doesn’t have the same knowledge, so you miss out on many of the benefits listed above.

And this knowledge isn’t just limited to Disney World or Disneyland. They can help book trips to any of the Disney parks around the world, Disney cruises, and Adventures by Disney trips.

What Does Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Mean?

The phrase “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” is language that comes straight from Disney. This is a term they coined to apply to Disney travel agencies that they feel meet their exacting standards.

Essentially, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are earmarked Disney travel agencies. Disney gives them their seal of approval.

Frankly, using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner helps you to know it is an agency you can trust to do the best possible job.

Disney travel agents even have a “degree” in Disney! Each year they attend the Disney College of Knowledge to get recertified. Talk about being up to date in all things Disney.

Finally, all of that brings us to my interview with Siera…

Interview with Disney Vacation Planner Siera Duiser from Destinations in Florida

Just as a brief introduction, Siera is a Top Seller with the Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, Destinations in Florida .

She has been featured in Huffington Post, Fox News, Brides, and more! So without further ado…

Why did you become a Disney vacation planner?

I have always loved all things Disney and even travel in general! I grew up visiting Disney World a couple times a year with my family and visited some incredible places both inside the country and all over the world.

I enjoyed planning my vacations and wanted to share my knowledge and experience that I had gained over the years to help other people make memories on their adventures.

How long have you worked as a Disney vacation planner?

I have worked as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for about 9 years now.

What does a Disney vacation planner do?

I am as involved as you want me to be. Some guests use my services just for the resort booking process and discount watching to make sure that they get the best deal possible on their vacation (since I take care of all discounts for you) while others need help with making their dining and itinerary decisions. I’m happy to help with whatever you need for your vacation. 

What planning services are complementary and which have an additional fee?

All of my services are free to my guests who book their vacations through me. The only time there is a fee is for guests who need help planning their vacations, but have booked on their own.

Why is it important to book with an authorized Disney vacation planner?

The Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is a designation given by Disney that shows these agencies are approved and recommended by Disney. We are even paid by Disney this way ( so my price is never higher than booking on your own ). We also have completed Disney’s College of Knowledge training to prove that we know the parks and resorts to Disney’s standards.

What is your favorite part of helping people book their Disney vacation?

My favorite part of helping people book their vacation is planning special experiences that will become priceless memories with their families. Whether it be a special dinner to celebrate their child’s birthday, a romantic dinner for a honeymoon, or a princess’ first visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, I love helping my guests plan their special moments. 

What other destinations can you help with?

I can book destinations all over the world! I specialize in both family travel and romance travel. In Florida, I help many guests add a day or an extended stay at Universal Orlando Resort to their Disney World vacations, but I also book all cruise lines, all inclusive vacations, Hawaii, and so much more! 

What is your favorite Disney memory?

I have so many favorite Disney memories, from when my husband and I went for our honeymoon to my kids’ birthday celebrations over the years! I think I have to say that my absolute favorite Disney memory is my wedding. I got married at the Polynesian, took wedding photos in both Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and then stayed for my honeymoon.

Do You Want Siera to Help You Plan Your Disney Trip for FREE?

Nicole here, popping back on in. If you are as impressed with Siera and her love of Disney as I am, it’s easy to get your no obligation vacation quote. You can contact her by clicking on the button below and filling out the form . She will get back to you as soon as possible.

Should I Use a Travel Agent for Disney World?

In the end, this is a question only you can answer. It’s definitely not for anyone, but it could possibly be for you. Go with your gut. Read through everything I’ve said in this post and give it some thought.

However, here are some instances where you definitely want to consider the option of a Disney vacation planner:

• High stress levels – You are feeling so stressed out while planning you are missing out on the fun and excitement the planning process should bring
• Last minute trip planning – Planning a last minute trip to Disney can be more complicated and very time sensitive. A Disney vacation planner knows exactly what needs to be done in this situation
• Large groups – If you are traveling with a large group, whether that is extended family, a sports team, or anything else, the complexity of booking increases dramatically. Not to mention, using a Disney vacation planner can help cut down on some of the inevitable drama…

What if I Already Booked My Trip and Decide I Need Help?

It’s never too late to try to get some assistance with planning your trip. However, since the Disney vacation planners are paid via commission on booking the package, things might look a little different.

Many Disney vacation planners offer these additional concierge services for an additional fee.

If it is within 30 days of booking it is also possible to contact Disney and get your booking transferred to your Disney travel agent. This will help save you the concierge fee and get the agent their commission.

I guess as an alternative, you could always cancel your reservation and have your travel agent rebook. Clearly this only works if there’s plenty of time left and the room you want is still available, but it’s worth a shot.

Your Thoughts on Disney Travel Agents

Have you ever used a Disney vacation planner? Did you have a good or a bad experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

Don’t forget to follow The Disney Journey on Pinterest and Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest news and updates.

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How to Become a Disney Travel Agent – My Journey

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For many, the dream of becoming a Disney Travel Agent is as enchanting as the Disney vacations themselves. Disney holds a special place in the hearts of countless people including mine and the opportunity to assist families in creating magical experiences is truly amazing. Fortunately, I recently found out that the path to becoming a Disney Travel Agent is not too difficult at all and a great stay at home job.

With the right agency, you can be up and running fast. I think in just a couple of days I was able to begin booking Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise, and Disney’s Aulani vacations. I have only been an agent now for a little over a year and it has been an amazing ride!

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT?

To embark on the journey of becoming a Disney Travel Agent, there are three fundamental requirements to consider:

• Disney Knowledge and Passion: You do not need to have visited every park multiple times or been on every cruise, but having a deep understanding of the Disney theme parks, resorts, cruises, and other disney vacations is an important part. While you don’t need to know everything, the more you know, the more it will help you. A genuine love for Disney and its products will come across to your clients and will help you sell vacations more.
• Basic Computer Skills: You know how to browse the web, You know how to book your own vacation?, than you got this. As a travel agent, you’ll work with online booking systems, Disney’s system is super easy to work with. If you can book your own vacation, you can book others, it’s not very complex. You will also have to manage itineraries, and communicate with clients via email or text.
• Excellent Communication Skills: I think the biggest thing to being successful, is knowing how to communicate with clients . Being available for them, being excited to plan their vacation, listening to the clients needs. Those are the things that set good travel agents apart from bad ones

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY AS A DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT

Step 1: Finding the Right Agency – I did some serious research on this one!

The initial step in becoming a Disney Travel Agent is to join an authorized travel agency that is registered with Disney as an official seller of travel.

My first place I reached out to join was the agency I booked my last couple Disney Vacations, Best Day Ever Vacations, I used their services for planning our own trips and they have a program that specializes in bringing on newcomers.

It all sounded great, but I am a person who does their due diligence so I reached out to 34 other agencies (yes 34, I have an excel spreadheet of them all)

So, there were 34 agencies I reached out to, here is what I heard back and the replies were almost always the same.

1) No Reply back at all (this was the most common one, 22 of these), and trust me I follow up. Still no reply. 2) Do I have an existing book of clients and have I been a travel agent for over 3 years. 3) Have I booked over $50,000 in bookings in the past 12 months, or can I guarantee that I will book $50,000 in my first year. 4) We are not hiring at this time. (4, at least they replied ?)

I was really shocked! How do people ever start if no one will hire newcomers. So I ended up right where I started which was Best Day Ever Vacations . I asked why are they only ones I found taking on newcomers and their answer was “If you love Disney, and you love to help people, you will be good at being a Disney Travel Agent”

HOW TO SIGN UP

Joining Best Day Ever Vacations was a super easy process that can be completed online, and the best part is (like I said before) you don’t need any prior travel agent experience.

They offer two courses based on your preferences:

• Classic Travel Agent Membership – For those who want to explore Disney Travel Agency as a side hustle, booking vacations for family and friends while making some extra income. (this was the initial route I took and then upgraded later on to the
• Fast Track Membership – For those who aspire to become successful travel agents quickly, they offer a more dedicated program in which they source incoming leads of people looking to plan a Disney Vacation to help build your clientele. I think they guarantee a minimum of 2 leads per week but I know that myself and my friends average probably 4-5 leads per week.

Upon joining, you will receive training on booking Disney vacations, and this training is available at the time of enrollment, regardless of your prior travel experience.

The only requirement is a passion for helping families book Disney vacations. Im going to repeat this, having good communication skills is important as well. It’s a lot of emails and texts with clients and a few phone calls here and there.

One of the benefits of having personal experience with Disney vacations is that it helps you understand your clients’ needs and preferences better. If you’ve visited Disney resorts or cruises before and can’t get enough of them (that’s me in a nutshell) this job might be an excellent fit for you.

BENEFITS AND PERKS OF BEING A DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT

Let’s dive into my favorite part! Perks, Perks, Perks! Being a Disney Travel Agent not only allows you to create magical vacations for your clients but also offers incredible discounts on Disney vacations.

That’s right! When you are a Disney Travel Agent you can experience the magic of Disney firsthand at some sweet prices……. oh yeah!

Disney wants its agents to be immersed in everything Disney, so they provide special discounts to agents, allowing them to explore resorts and cruises themselves.

Here are some of the discounts you can expect once you complete your training or renew it:

• 40-50% off Disneyland Resort Hotels
• 40-50% off Walt Disney World Resort Hotel stays
• 30-40% off Aulani hotel rooms
• Incredible Disney Cruise discounts on select sailings (we have sailed for as little as $25 a day)
• up to 50% Off 1-10 day Park Hopper Tickets for Disneyland and Walt Disney World!

Each of these perks can be utilized once per calendar year and can be enjoyed year after year as long as you keep up with your training, typically requiring 1-2 hours a year.

There’s a minor requirement, though. You need to have a CLIA or IATA membership, which you can obtain through your agency. The Clia card does cost $119 per calendar year for an agent ID card, which is necessary to book the above perks.

I know certain agencies might require you to book a certain amount before granting access to a CLIA card, but fear not; programs like Best Day Ever Vacations do not have this requirement. So, get ready to experience the magic and share the joy of Disney with all your clients!

Fam trips or familiarization trips are awesome. The way fam trips work for Disney at least is they offer a certain amount to their travel agencies based on the agencies sales. The cost ranges but it is usually very cheap (like a couple hundred bucks) You get to visit the parks, learn about Disney, stay in an amazing hotel and there are some fun private events.

Since Best Day Ever sells a ton of Disney Vacations they get quite a few of these fam trips to give out to their agents. I will be going on my first one next February.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU EARN AS A DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT?

Probably one of the first questions that came to my mind after contemplating how to become a Disney Travel Agent is, “How much money can I make?”

Let’s get straight to it: the industry standard for commission on a vacation package is typically 10% of the vacation cost before taxes. When it comes to Disney vacations, most agencies receive a 10% commission across the board, with a few exceptions and then split that commission with their agents.

When I was researching agencies I found that most agencies took the majority of the commission. Best Day Ever Vacations is known for starting new agents at an 70% commission, with the potential to increase from there. This means that if you book a vacation with a $500 commission, you’ll earn $350 at a 70% commission rate.

Breaking Down Commissions

Consider the cost of an average Disney vacation for a family of four at is $6,320. With the agency commission set at 10%, and you receiving 70% of that commission:

• $6,320 * 10% = $632.0 * 70% = $442.40 Agent Commission for One Booking

Most agents receive their payments through paypal or direct deposit. If you book just one vacation package per month, you can expect to earn approximately $200-$500. However, if you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, you could easily make well over $700 on a single booking, given that these cruises can cost an average family between $5,000 and $12,000.

So, put on your Mickey ears and prepare to start planning unforgettable vacations!

HOW TO ATTRACT CLIENTS

Another common question when discussing how to become a Disney Travel Agent is, “How do I get clients?” Obviously, you kinda need clients to be able to book vacations. Here are some strategies to help grow.

• Personal Networking: Start by reaching out to friends and family. Personal connections can help you get your business off the ground initially.
• Local groups: Church groups, school pta’s, local chamber are all great ways to grow your clientele.
• Social Media: Utilize social media platforms to attract potential clients. Facebook groups are great for this one. Share Disney tips, highlight amazing deals, and showcase success stories from your clients.
• Google My Business: Register your name with Google My Business to appear in local searches when people look for Disney Travel Agents in their area.

I was doing pretty decent on my own, but I really wanted to do this full time, so I eventually decided to do the Best Day Ever’s Fast Track program. There you get a bunch of incoming leads that end up booking vacations. Do all of the leads book vacations, I wish!, but a decent amount do and the best ones are the people that book multiple vacations or have a multi-family vacation. I booked a $27,000 cruise for a family of 12 last month and it was so awesome.

ARE THERE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO BE A DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT?

When it comes to booking Disney vacations through travel agencies, In my research I did notice many impose minimum requirements, while others may not. The specifics depend on the agency you choose to join. Some agencies may require you to complete at least one booking per month or year, without specifying a minimum dollar amount. As long as you complete a booking within the specified timeframe, you’ll maintain your agent status.

On the other hand, some agencies may have a minimum annual booking requirement, such as $5,000. failing to meet this requirement could result in losing your agent status or receiving a lower commission percentage.

Best Day Ever doesn’t have those minimum requirements. Whether you book once a year, a few times a year, or not at all, you will still be considered an agent.

THE BEST DISNEY AGENCY TO JOIN

In my opinion, selecting an agency boils down to five crucial factors that fits your goals!

• High Commission Rate: Look for an agency that offers a competitive commission rate to maximize your earning potential.
• Training: Ensure that the agency provides comprehensive training to help you offer the best experience to your clients.
• Low Startup Fees: Seek an agency with affordable startup fees to allow you to turn a profit quickly without incurring substantial debt. Some agencies charge exorbitant joining fees or ongoing monthly fees.
• Variety of Booking Options: Opt for an agency that allows you to book various types of vacations beyond Disney, such as cruises, Universal, and more.
• No Sales Minimums: Avoid agencies that impose minimum booking requirements, as these can be unfair and may result in a loss of commissions.

For me, obviously Best Day Ever Vacations checked all these boxes. I have loved it, several of my friends have joined and I have even had friends of mine who were agents from other agencies move over to Best Day Ever.

Becoming a Disney Travel Agent requires a commitment of time, and a commitment to your clients. If you have a love for Disney and enjoy working with people and planning vacations, this might be the perfect career path for you.

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How To Become A Disney Travel Agent – Get Started Today

The term “travel agent” can sound outdated at times. Who walks into a travel agent shop and books their vacation when it can all be done online? This is a valid question when it comes to travel in general. With websites like Expedia, Priceline and Google, there’s almost no reason to even speak with a person in this way. But Disney travel agents are different.

Disney knows that technology has advanced past the need of in person meetings when it comes to travel. This is why they have built a solid platform for their travel agents to use as they book clients vacations via the phone, internet and email.

This alone has sped up the process of booking a Disney vacation while keeping the personal touch of a human.

If you’ve ever tried to book a Disney vacation on your own without having done it before, it can be overwhelming. There are so many components for the theme parks and cruises that one can get lost very easily or miss out on something important.

That’s where a trained Disney travel agent comes in. Travel agents with Disney have been trained on all their vacations including theme parks, cruises, Adventures, Aulani and resorts.

This allows the trained agent to provide not just the basics of booking for a client, but inside information to make sure they get the most out of it. And when this happens, the client becomes one for life.

How To Become A Disney Travel Agent Selling Disney

To become a Disney specialized travel agent you first need to join an authorized travel agency that is registered with Disney as a seller of travel. MainStreet Travel is one of the easiest companies to join online as they typically get you started training same-day and ready for booking within 24-48 hours.

They are an approved agency with Disney and have been trained agents for over 10 years. Their program is easy to join , has friendly and helpful team managers, and most importantly, on-time with their commission payments.

Joining an agency like MainStreet takes little to no travel skill at all. This is because all your training is provided at the time of joining. The only “skill” you need to posses is a desire to book Disney vacations. A background in sales and customer service is always a plus.

The biggest thing that helps any new agent is if they have been on a vacation before to one of Disney’s resorts or on a cruise. If you have found yourself wanting to go back again and again, this job is probably right for you.

You’ll also want to have a dedicated workspace for when you do get started. Training and booking in a quiet place whether at an office or home is desirable. You don’t want to be booking a clients vacation while your dog is barking or kids are hitting you with pillows (this has happened).

You always want to sound and be professional when it comes to booking so having a place to go is something you’ll want to make sure you have.

You’ll want to make sure you have access to a computer full-time, a phone and the internet. Most of your bookings will come via email or online through websites like Facebook or Instagram. Thus being able to respond to these, even on the go, is important.

Make sure you brush up on your communication skills as well. While most bookings are not done over the phone, some guests do like to speak to you like this so be ready.

There will be guests who know exactly what they want to book when they reach out to you and there will be some who know nothing and will rely on your expertise to help book them a magical vacation. When you’re prepared for all of the above, that’s when you’ll succeed the most.

Can I become a Disney Travel Agent on my own?

You will need to join an agency in order to become a Disney Travel Agent and sell travel to clients. This is due to the need of many certificates and licenses that agencies already have in order to work with suppliers and states.

Becoming a Travel Agent During the Pandemic

It may seem like during the global pandemic, with travel slower than normal, it’s the worst time to become an agent specializing in Disney travel. The truth is, it’s just the opposite. The need for agents once travel gets back to 100% is going to be tremendous. Once airlines and resorts reopen fully, with no limitations, people are going to want to travel. Even as we write this, Summer have been selling out at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line. And the demand is only going to increase come summer/fall time.

What this means for anyone considering becoming an agent with a focus on Disney is now is the best time to get yourself situated and trained because come post-COVID, things are going to get crazy and there will be a lot of people booking Disney vacations .

Lastly, Disney has suffered through a lot during the pandemic with closures and full stops but demand has never changed. Traveling in general has become harder but now more than ever people want to get back to Disney to resume what they already had planned all along.

How Much Money Does A Disney Travel Agent Make Selling Disney?

Don’t put it past yourself to ask this question. While it’s fun to help others book their vacations, you deserve compensation for your time and effort.

Of course this question is a loaded one as there are some many factors that go into it including vacation type, how many guests are traveling, accommodation type, tickets, if they need airfare or transportation and anything else you can think of that a guest may utilize while gone.

The standard industry pay on a vacation package is 10% to the agency. This is the price before taxes are added. Some components like airfare may pay less than 10% or not at all. When it comes to Disney, you can typically expect an agency to get 10% across the board with a few exceptions.

Now as an agent working for an agency, you are going to collect a bit less than this. Why? Because most agencies take about half of your commission for themselves. This is an industry standard but does have some flexibility. Many will offer a tier program that lets you keep more as you book more.

An agency like MainStreet or Boardwalk actually starts you out at 70% and then lets you go up from there. To date, they are the highest paying agency for new agents. What this means is, an agent working for MainStreet who books a vacation with a commission of let’s say $425 will ultimately collect $297.50 at 70%.

When an agent completes a booking, most of the time they are going to be paid after the travel takes place. This is because Disney only pays after the guest has travelled, for obvious reasons. Cancelled trips don’t pay thus agencies have to wait.

As an agent, you can expect to be paid within 30 days after your guests have finished traveling. MainStreet however, will complete the payment to you within 7 days or less which is another nice perk that they offer.

Most agents are paid by direct deposit or check though some can be paid by PayPal or Venmo.

Any agent who books one vacation package a month can expect to make about $200-$300. This is because the average package costs a client around $2,500 to $3,500 for Disneyland in Southern California and about $3,500-$4,000 at Walt Disney World.

Some vacations, like Disney Cruise Line , will earn an agent well over $300 on a single booking as most cruises run the average family $5,000 to $6,000.

There are so many ways to bring this number up as well with add-ons so keep that in mind.

We’ve had many people ask us what the Disney Travel Agent salary is per year. There is no “salary” per se as an agent is paid based on their bookings and there’s no guarantee on the amount of these an agent does.

If you’re looking for something that pay hourly or a salary each year as an agent, this is not the job for you. However, the upside is that your earnings are unlimited.

For instance, a booking could net you several hundred dollars. Doing a few of these each week would pay much more than earning $12 an hour.

Do I Have To Start A Business To Become An Agent?

That’s totally up to you! No matter what you choose to do, you will always be considered an independent contractor to an agency and not an employee. What this means is that you will receive your full pay without any taxes being taken out by them.

This also means that when you file your taxes, you’ll need to pay any taxes you might owe, whether you’re a sole proprietor (yourself as a business) or as a business.

There can be benefits to both of these and we would highly recommend talking to your tax person to figure out what’s best for you. Don’t let any of these ideas scare you from starting. It’s actually much easier than you think and so are the taxes.

Many travel agents like to register as an LLC for the protection that it offers as well as the various tax write-offs. Again, we’re not offering professional advice here so talk with an expert. Typically this is done when you expect to be paid more than a certain amount each year.

We’ve seen agents write off their computers, phone and office space. Basically anything you use to work your job and provide for your clients can typically be written off. Just something to keep in mind as you move forward.

What Is Disney’s Travel Agent Training Like?

It’s pretty simple actually. Agencies like MainStreet will send you a welcome packet after you’ve joined. It goes over everything including pay, perks (see below) and how to start your training.

Training is done online and in most cases can be started right away. Disney offers something called the College of Disney Knowledge which helps train a new agent on each of the destinations they offer. This includes Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line , Adventures by Disney and their beach resorts.

The entire training process can be done in about 24 hrs though we highly recommend taking it slow to begin with. You really want to learn what’s being taught as we guarantee you’ll use it as some point.

College of Disney Knowledge sessions are done in Powerpoint presentation with voiceover. There are times where you will watch videos and visit the Disney Travel Agent website for references.

You can pause, stop and continue any lesson later if needs be. Each lesson has a quiz at the end and to become “certified” you’ll need to complete all the core lessons and then take a 50 question quiz to pass.

While studying super hard probably isn’t necessary, you will want to take notes. Memorizing cruise ship names and the names of restaurants they offer isn’t something to just glaze over.

You’ll also be expected to know different vacation components like tickets and their options, resort hotels, lands inside the parks and names of firework shows to name a few.

Even going beyond Disney and into the realm of Universal Vacations , the training is the same. Work at your own speed.

Are There Any Perks To Disney’s Travel Agent Program?

Of course! One of the great things about the DTA program is that they want their agents to be involved in what they sell. This means offering some special discounts so agents can visit and familiarize themselves with resorts and cruises.

We will highlight one thing before getting into the details: All perks from Disney are subject to change. While we have not seen them change per se in over 5 years, this doesn’t mean they won’t. Basically, don’t bank on something.

Disney typically offers the following agent discounts once you have completed (or renewed) your training:

• About 50% off a Disneyland Resort Hotel
• About 50% off a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
• About 30-40% off an Aulani hotel room
• About 50% off a Disney Cruise Line Booking
• One free 1-day Disneyland Park Hopper Ticket
• One free 1-day Walt Disney World Hopper Ticket OR a deeply discounted multi-day Hopper Ticket
• Discounted Adventures by Disney Itineraries
• Discounted River Cruises through Adventures by Disney

Again, these are earned upon completion of your training each year AND proof of a CLIA or IATA membership.

Your CLIA or IATA membership will come from your agency. While some agencies enroll you for free into these programs, there is a cost for your agent ID card at $120 per calendar year. This ID card is necessary to book any of the above perks. Be aware that there are agencies that require you book so much before giving you access to a CLIA card. Programs like MainStreet do not.

While it may seem steep, the savings on any one of those components will easily cover (and then some) the cost of the ID. If you don’t plan to travel in a certain year, then you don’t have to get it.

Completion of your training and your ID card is required to complete your booking of any of these perks. Booking is done online and in real time meaning you should only book once you have completed everything and have your CLIA card.

What’s an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” or “Earmarked” Agency?

A lot of people come across this term or marking on agency websites. The term Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is part of an optional program that private agencies can join. The program, referred to as “Earmarked” is a way for Disney to recognize agencies who have consistently sold a certain level of revenue for each product (Aulani, Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney World) for at least two years in a row.

By doing so, Disney invites these agencies to participate in the Earmarked program. Agencies who accept can reach different levels within the program including silver, gold, platinum, etc. Agencies must improve upon their sales each year in every category or they face removal from the program. There is no difference in how travel agencies book whether they participate in the program or not.

Host agencies typically do not participate in the program due to having independent contractors instead of employees. Again, the program is completely optional and up to the agency to decide whether they want to participate in it or not. Agencies who are not Earmarked are still authorized to book Disney vacations and have the same tools as those who are.

Best Disney Host Agency

A host agency provides you with access to suppliers, support and tools. a Disney Host Agency does just this for Disney Destinations including Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney. You’ll gain access to and be able to sell them making commission.

We’ve already mentioned them serval times but right now the best Disney Travel Host Agency to join is MainStreet Travel. They have been growing for several years and have moved from private to host in the last year. This means that they are accepting agents to join their program right now.

We love MainStreet Travel for a lot of things but here’s our top list:

• 70% of all commission paid (industry average is 50%)
• Tons of suppliers – Disney, Universal, Cruise Lines, VAX, Sandals, Expedia and more!
• No monthly or yearly fees. Just a one-time $99 fee to join.
• Online training – Train online at your own pace.
• CLIA access – Get your CLIA card for agent benefits
• Online Tutorials – Lean how to complete tasks, market, and train through videos.
• Giveaways and benefits every month including cash.
• Support – Live chat, email and phone support.

There’s a lot more to their program but as a Disney Host Agency, you won’t find a better option. Take a look at their agent website and go thought their FAQ’s.

How Do I Market Myself To Clients?

While an agency gives you everything you need to book a clients vacation, finding that client can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The best place to start is social media. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and the top three places to create profiles. TikTok is also becoming a great place to get followers.

Create a profile and then invite your friends and family. Ask them to share your page or profile with their friends. Let them know you book Disney vacations and you should get a pretty good response as most people love Disney.

On your pages, stay active with posts about special offers and fun tips or hacks. While these take very little effort, they can produce great results as people get excited when they learn about cool Disney things.

You can list yourself with Google My Business so that when people search for Disney vacations in your area, your name pops up. This is a great way to get locals to your website/phone/email asking questions and eventually booking.

On Facebook, join local community pages and let people know you’re available to book Disney vacations and how they can reach out to you.

There’s an endless number of options to get potential clients talking to you. Be patient though. Bookings don’t just come overnight (sometimes they do). Keep at it and eventually it will pay off.

Are There Minimum Booking Requirements?

For some agencies there are and for some there are not. It comes down to the one you join. Some may require you to book at least once a month or maybe even once a year. These ones don’t have a dollar minimum so all you need to do is complete a booking, whatever that may be.

Other agencies may require you to hit a minimum dollar booking amount, say $5,000 each year. Not hitting this mark may cause revocation of your agent status or a decline in your commission percentage.

The MainStreet agency has no minimums for agents so whether you book once a year, never a year or 3 times a year, you’re an agent. Agents who book more than 35 bookings a year with them can increase their commission percentage, up from 70%.

What Is The College of Disney Knowledge?

Travel Agents wanting to sell Disney Destinations will take the College of Disney Knowledge training courses provided by Disney. The College gives agents an introduction to all their products including Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, Adventures by Disney and the Disneyland Resort. Courses consist of video presentations as well as quizzes at the end of each one.

Each year travel agents have to retake the basic courses that have been updated with new information. To graduate from the College of Disney Knowledge agents must complete each of the basic courses and then pass the annual assessment that consists of 25 questions about all 5 products. After passing with 80% or more agents receive a certificate showing that they have successfully completed the College of Disney Knowledge.

Outside of the 5 basic courses, agents can also take advanced classes that dive deeper into each product. These courses are being updated throughout the year and are not required to take.

Agents who pass also receive access to yearly benefits that include hotel and ticket offers at a discounted rate for the agent.

In order to join and train in the College agents must join an agency like MainStreet Travel. Once under them they can register and start taking the classes.

Make sure you look for a reputable travel agency who can help you sell Disney products. If you want to focus on just Disney, find someone like MainStreet who does just this . They offer free E&O insurance, are a Registered Seller of Travel in CA and FL and they offer superb customer service.

You should know that being an agent requires a time commitment, especially during training. You’ll want to focus on getting this done and learning all you can before you start selling.

Working from home is a nice perk but you’ll want to make sure you have a few items including a laptop, internet and phone.

Agents get paid a commission and it typically isn’t at the time of booking. It’s when the travel has taken place by your guest. Once done, an agency will pay once the supplier has paid them.

It’s a great idea to create a Facebook Page for your agency and invite friends and family to like it. Then keep active posting deals and fun trip ideas. These get people excited about taking a Disney vacation and can easily turn into bookings. List your agency online so people can find a Disney travel agent near them.

Joining the right agency can make or break your experience so be sure to choose one that can support you!

How to Become a Travel Agent and Work From Home

Do you love to travel? Are you a master at finding great travel deals?

Becoming a virtual travel agent might be your ideal work at home career path!

Working as a travel agent might seem a little outdated in today's world of Kayak and Airbnb, but in reality, many people still prefer to work with travel agents.

Experienced travel planners help travelers save money, time, and travel-related headaches.

Home-based travel agents generally work for a host agency (a company bonded and accredited by the Airlines Reporting Corporation or the International Airlines Travel Agents Network) as independent contractors.

As a travel agent, you'll earn a commission on the travel arrangements (flights, hotels, rental cars, travel excursions , and more) you book, and you'll often have access to special deals and travel discounts. You can choose to work in a particular niche, such as cruises or business travel, or work with clients looking into a specific type of travel (adventure, Disney vacations, eco-friendly, budget, or luxury travel).

One of the great things about becoming a work at home travel agent is that it's a relatively easy startup business idea, and the costs are low. With a basic home office (including an internet connection, a phone, computer, printer, and website), you can get started with a host agency.

So if you love to travel or if you love to help other people fulfill their vacation dreams, you may want to start a home-based travel agent business!

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Travel Agent?

The basic skills you'll need as a travel agent include attention to detail, excellent research and communication skills, high-level organizational skills, and a knowledge of geography and travel destinations. You'll also need to be tech-savvy and have a solid understanding of programs like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. 

If you're working as an independent contractor, the host company will usually train you; some host agencies charge a fee, while others do not. While there are travel agent certificate programs that you can take, you may be able to break into a travel role if you have customer service, hospitality, marketing, or sales experience under your belt.

Getting Started as a Work at Home Travel Agent

According to Host Agency Reviews, travel agents with three years of experience make an average of $46,400 per year . However, there are some travel agents making six figures per year. It all depends on your experience, the number of clients you retain, hours worked, and commission and support from your host agency.

Agents who work in specific markets or on particular vacation types (like destination weddings or luxury travel) can become very familiar with their market and, thus, enjoy even greater success. Working in particular markets, like weddings or corporate travel, can also make a big difference regarding salary.

Remote Travel Agent and Consultant Jobs

If starting your own business seems intimidating, many companies within the travel and hospitality industry hire at-home travel consultants, reservationists, and planners for full-time and part-time positions. Best of all, many of these positions come with travel perks!

To start, you may want to explore:

• American Express
• Kemp Travel Group
• Vail Resorts
• Working Solutions
• World Travel Holdings

Exploring Host Agencies

Finding a good host agency is key to getting started as an at-home travel agent. If you're just starting, you'll want to familiarize yourself with host agency options to get a feel for what each can offer.

• American Society of Travel Advisors
• Cruise Planners
• Disney Vacation Planner
• Dream Vacations Advisors
• Dugan's Travel

How to Select a Great Host Agency

When it comes to what they offer their consultants, travel agencies vary significantly. There are many factors to consider besides who offers the best commission.

For example, do you prefer a large agency or a small agency? Locally-based hosting can be easier for new agents who might need extensive support and training. On the other hand, national agencies may offer more flexibility and growth.

Carefully weigh your agency options and perform background research. Sites like Host Agency Reviews and Find a Host Travel Agency can help. They offer tips and ratings for finding the best travel agency that fits your needs.

Perks of Becoming a Travel Agent

Aside from being a fun business opportunity, being a travel agent offers some amazing perks .

If you enjoy travel, you might enjoy taking "FAM trips" or "familiarization trips" to various locales. Cruise lines, hotels, and tour guides know the best way for you to sell their services is for you to try them firsthand. So they offer perks, including complementary and deeply discounted fares, as well as opportunities to use their services and explore all your amazing options.

You can also save big on your own travel with great discounts! You'll score awesome deals before anyone else even hears about them. As a travel agent, you'll have access to discounts because, of course, the more you travel, the more business experience you rack up.

The best part? You can deduct those travel expenses from your taxes as part of your business! You can also deduct things like advertising and expenses related to your clients. This amounts to big tax savings for you!

Other Ways to Make Money in the Travel Industry

If you love the idea of working and traveling, but you're unsure about becoming a travel agent or consultant, there are many other options available.

Traveling to another country as an Au Pair is a great option if you enjoy working with children. When you work as an Au Pair, you'll live with a family, helping them with household chores and childcare. In return, you'll get free room and board and a small stipend that you can use on your days off. Being an Au Pair allows you to experience life in another country for an extended period of time. Becoming an Au Pair does come with some fees you'll need to pay, such as your flights, travel visa, and insurance.

Customer Service Representative

Customer service is an excellent way to break into the travel industry and work from home! Many companies provide full training for these roles as well as a host of benefits. You can work for airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel booking sites, and other travel-related sites and industries. For these work from home positions, you'll generally need your own device (laptop or computer) and a high-speed internet connection. Check out this article for a list of hospitality companies that hire remote customer service reps.

ESL Teacher

You've probably heard of being an online ESL tutor , but did you know you can travel to another country to teach English as a second language? Most countries require ESL teachers to have a bachelor's degree and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. Like being an Au Pair, there will be fees for your flights, travel visa, and insurance. Depending on which host company you use and which country to travel to, your housing may be free or purchased at a reduced cost. How much you can earn will vary as well. For more information on traveling and making money as an ESL tutor, check out the resources below.

• EF (Education First)
• International TEFL Academy

Local Coordinator

If you enjoy working with high school and college students, consider becoming a local coordinator . In these independent contracting roles, you'll work with educational organizations and programs to place and mentor students interested in foreign exchange programs. These part-time positions are a flexible and easy way to make extra money from home. Some programs also offer incentive trips and perks for their local coordinators.

Social Media Marketer Specializing in Travel

Do you love to travel and you're looking for ways to earn money from home, there are plenty of opportunities to take your travel beyond Instagram snaps and shares on Facebook… but if you're really great at social media, you could also become a social media manager in the travel industry! Many of these positions allow you to work from home for a travel-based company, sharing posts and connecting with their customers.

If you prefer to create your own schedule and be your own boss, become a local tour guide! With this idea, you'll need to be in the know about the food, culture, and history of the area you're helping tourists explore. With apps like  Showaround  and  Viator , you can create your tour, book customers, and make money from your travel expertise. You can also look at local tour operators and see if they have any openings for tour guides. Explore this article for more tips on making money as a tour guide .

Travel Writer

Magazines, guidebooks, and websites are often looking for freelance travel writers to contribute their experiences and give readers recommendations. If you have writing and communication skills and you travel often, this might be an excellent option for you.

The income for travel writers varies greatly, but many writers make great money by documenting and sharing their travels. Travel writers, according to ZipRecruiter , earn an average of $24 per hour. I think these numbers sound high, but I wasn't able to find any other stats for how much travel writers really earn.

Travel Blogger

If you prefer to write and document your own travels, start a travel blog ! With blogging, you can make money with affiliate marketing, ad networks, sponsorships, product sales, and more! The great thing about blogging is it's affordable and easy to set up, and there are many free ways to promote your content through social media. My friend, Julie Bonner, has a travel blog where she documents her family's RV travels. In one year, she was able to generate $5,000 a month from her blog, all while traveling the United States and Canada.

Travel Influencer

Have you been documenting your travels on social media? Then make money while traveling the world as a social media travel influencer. Whether your specialty is Instagram , Pinterest, TikTok , or YouTube , you can earn good money through paid sponsorships, advertising, and affiliate marketing. Besides building an engaged audience of followers, you'll need to become skilled at taking photos and videos, editing, and writing captions. How much you can earn as a travel influencer will depend on how many followers you have, your reach, your engagement, and which platforms you're using. According to this article in Vogue , a travel influencer with 1-4 million followers can earn $31,000 per post!

Travel Nurse

If you're a registered nurse , you can sign up to become a travel nurse. These nurses travel to areas where there are nursing shortages in work in a wide variety of settings. Nurses typically work in one location for 13-16 weeks, then move on to another location. Not only is travel nursing a great way to see the country, but it's also lucrative. The average travel nurse can earn $59.66 per hour plus housing stipends. If you're interested in travel nursing, check out these sites for assignments.

If you have a passion for travel, there are many ways you can earn money working in the travel industry. From becoming a work at home travel agent to finding ways to document and share your own travel experiences—there's an opportunity for every traveler out there. Explore your options and pack your suitcase! Check out this post if you're looking for ways to make money while you travel the world!

Holly Reisem Hanna is the Founder and Publisher of the award-winning career website  The Work at Home Woman.

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A Comprehensive Guide To Becoming A Disney Travel Agent

The vast and diverse travel industry offers numerous opportunities for those seeking a fulfilling career. One such enchanting and highly sought-after niche within this industry is being a Disney Travel Agent.

If you have a deep passion for all things Disney and derive joy from assisting others in planning their dream vacations to the magical world of Disney, then this could be the perfect career path for you. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of what it truly means to be a Disney Travel Agent.

We will explore the various responsibilities and skills required to excel in this role and the steps you can take to embark on this exciting journey.

The Enchanting Perks of Being a Disney Travel Agent

Being a Disney Travel Agent isn’t just about helping others create magical experiences – there are many benefits for you, too. As an agent, you may have access to discounted accommodations, tickets, and even cruises. Imagine exploring Disney’s magical realms at a fraction of the cost.

Becoming a Disney travel agent can come with several perks, although the specific benefits can vary depending on the agency you work for and your individual arrangements.

In addition to these perks, there are also potential earning opportunities. As a Disney Travel Agent, you earn a commission on the vacation packages you sell, which can add up significantly over time. So, if you’re searching for “Disney travel agents near me,” consider becoming one yourself and reap these excellent benefits.

It’s important to note that the specific perks can vary, and being a successful Disney travel agent often requires dedication, strong customer service skills, and a genuine passion for Disney destinations. Additionally, the travel industry is dynamic, and staying informed about changes in Disney policies, promotions, and attractions is crucial for success.

Your Magic Carpet Ride to Becoming a Disney Travel Agent

Starting your journey as a Disney Travel Agent requires some essential tools and resources. You’ll need a phone, reliable internet, and a computer to connect with your clients and book their dream vacations.

However, the most important requirement is a deep-seated passion for Disney. Your enthusiasm will shine through when you’re helping clients plan their trips, making the experience even more special for them.

Moreover, the role offers a great deal of flexibility. Whether looking for a full-time gig or a side hustle, being a Disney Travel Agent can fit into various lifestyles. This means that you can be the “Disney travel agent near me” for potential clients no matter where you are.

Remember that success in the travel industry, including as a Disney travel agent, often requires time, dedication, and ongoing learning. As you build your reputation and client base, you may find opportunities to work with more flexibility or part-time, depending on your preferences and business model.

The Role of a Host Agency in Your Journey

You might consider working with a host agency to support your journey as a Disney Travel Agent. A host agency, like Boardwalk Travel Agency, can provide the necessary support and resources to help you succeed.

They handle the administrative tasks, and free you to focus on what you love – planning magical Disney vacations.

A host agency plays a crucial role in supporting Disney travel agents by providing resources, tools, and assistance to help them operate their businesses more effectively. A host agency provides support for training and education for Disney agents, marketing support and administrative assistance among other roles as well.

Different host agencies may offer varying levels of support and may operate under different business models, so agents should choose one that best fits their needs and preferences.

The Magic of Training and Support for New Agents

As a new agent, receiving proper training and continuous learning opportunities is crucial. This ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest Disney offerings and can provide the best service to your clients.

Moreover, as a new agent, you should look for a host agency that offers comprehensive support. This could range from answering your questions to providing marketing materials to help you attract more clients. With the proper support, you’ll be well on your way to becoming one of the top “Disney travel agents near me.”

Embark on the Magical Journey of Becoming the ‘Disney Travel Agents Near Me’

Becoming a Disney Travel Agent is an exciting career path filled with magic and joy. Not only do you get to help others plan their dream Disney vacations, but you also enjoy numerous perks and potential earning opportunities yourself.

So, if you’re passionate about Disney and love planning trips, we encourage you to take the first step toward becoming a Disney Travel Agent. With the right tools, training, and support, you could be the answer when someone searches for “Disney travel agents near me.”

The post A Comprehensive Guide To Becoming A Disney Travel Agent appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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Title: A Comprehensive Guide To Becoming A Disney Travel Agent Sourced From: travelexperta.com/guide-to-becoming-a-disney-travel-agent/ Published Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 19:39:43 +0000

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In an effort to motivate its advisor partners, many top-notch Caribbean hotels are offering special perks for travel specialists who show initiative through bookings.

“Incentives are not only great to earn, but once you use them, it helps in business growth,” said Dilworth Daley, a Caribbean travel specialist and owner of Daley Destinations, “which is such a win-win for us as travel advisors.” 

To access this content, subscribe now. Choose from two tailored subscription options: Caribbean Journal Invest for comprehensive investment news or Caribbean Journal Travel Advisor for targeted content for travel agents and advisors. Subscribe today to unlock this article and receive our biweekly newsletter. Categories: Caribbean Travel Advisor , News Recent Articles

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In an effort to motivate its advisor partners, many top-notch Caribbean hotels are offering special perks for travel specialists who show initiative through bookings. To access this content, subscribe now. Choose from two tailored subscription options: Caribbean Journal Invest for comprehensive investment […]

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Hyatt Just Opened a New All-Inclusive Resort in Mazatlan, Mexico

All-inclusive , news.

Mazatlan has been one of the fastest-growing destinations in Mexico in recent years, with a booming hotel pipeline and continued flight growth, out of the United States and Canada.  Now, it’s the newest home of Hyatt’s quickly-expanding Dreams all-inclusive brand.  […]