Are you thinking of taking a Disney World vacation? If so, one of my top recommendations is to use the services of a specialized Disney travel agency.  It may seem like hiring someone to book your trip would be totally unnecessary because –  quite frankly – why pay someone when you can just go online and book it yourself? Well, as you will see in this article, there are several flaws in this assumption. So let’s start by looking at the pros and cons of booking your trip with a knowledgeable Disney vacation planner, and then review the 7 best Disney travel agencies in the industry so you can be sure you are working with a trusted and reputable Disney vacation specialist.

Pros of using a Disney Travel Agent

It’s Free!

Surprisingly, using the services of a Disney vacation planner is totally free to you, the client. How is this possible? Well,  Disney considers travel agencies to be their marketing partners. They help Disney promote the Disney brand and help vacationers plan their trips. As compensation, Disney pays travel agencies a small commission for their hard work. As for you the client, you pay absolutely nothing extra.

And no, there are no hidden fees. Booking with a Disney travel agency does not make your trip any more expensive than if you were to book yourself. If fact, it often ends up making your trip less expensive!

Best Deals Possible

So not only are the services of Disney travel agents free, but they can potentially save you more money. How is that possible? For one, specialized Disney travel agents are privy to all of the discounts, promotion, and special seasonal rates that Disney periodically offers. As you book your trip, your agent (assuming they are on top of things) will apply any of these discounts to your trip so you get the lowest rates possible.

Another thing your Disney trip planner can do is change your existing reservations in order to lock in lower rates. So say you have already booked your trip, then your vacation planner spots a brand new promotion that could be applied to your existing reservation. They will go back into the system, change your reservations, and capture that lower rate for you.  So long as you are working with an astute Disney vacation planner, you should end up with the absolute lowest rate possible for your Disney vacation.

If you are not sold on the ideas of free services and saving money (ummm…hello), then maybe the following benefits may convince you.

Experience and Insights

Using a good Disney travel agent is really crucial to having a great Disney vacation. The best Disney travel agencies will require their agents to have graduate from the Disney School of Knowledge before they are hired, have a passion for all things Disney, and have tons of first-hand experience visiting Disney parks. You really need to pick an agency that specializes in Disney World vacations, not just travel in general.

I don’t know of any Disney travel agents that have joined the profession just for the money. No, these are some of the most die-hard Disney enthusiasts out there. Most have been to the park 10, 20, or even 100s of times! Sharing their experiences and insights with others is really more than just a job –  it’s also fun and rewarding.

The best disney travel agents know when a new attraction/restaurant opens,  which resorts are best for kids/families/couples/weddings, which pools are the biggest or are best for children, which mode of Disney transportation goes where, how to avoid the crowds, etc.  You really need plenty of first-hand experience to know the what, where, and hows of Disney World. Only the best Disney vacation planners have these types of insights. Lucky for you, they will share it with you to make your vacation as magical as possible.

Planning your Itinerary

Besides answering your questions, you really want a Disney travel agent who can help you plan a daily itinerary so you never run into confusion or missed opportunities during your trip. Want to go to Magic Kingdom the first day? Great, but where do you eat and what rides and attractions should you prioritize? How about Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios? And what about the nightly fireworks or the “Movies under the Stars?” The best Disney travel agents will fill in the blanks so your itinerary is complete –  from the time you arrive in Orlando to the time you depart.

Booking your Trip

Once you have decided which resort to book, how many days of theme park tickets you will purchase,  and which dining plan to indulging in, your Disney travel agent will book these aspects of the trip for you. However, there is more to it than just these three things.

Your Disney specialist will also be up at the crack of dawn (at the 180-day mark) to book your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) and make your FastPass+ ride selections (at the 60-day mark).  And if you don’t know what I mean by “FastPass+,” then you really need find a Disney vacation planner asap!

Disney vacation planners will also book reservations for any other event which you may want to see or do.  So, when all is said and done, the best Disney travel agencies put a lot of time and effort into booking your trip so you don’t have to. Did I mention their services were free??

Cons of using a Travel Agent

At the Whim of the Agent

There is only one major downside to using Disney travel agencies. By handing over certain responsibilities to the agent, some people may feel they aren’t in total control of their own trip.

While Disney travel agents are obligated to book your resort reservations, tickets, and a dining plan of your choice, you can have as much or as little involvement in the other aspect of your trip as you wish. So if you want to reserve your own dining and FastPass+ reservations, you can certainly do that.  That’s the good news.

But what happens if you want to change some aspect after your trip has been booked? In these cases, you must go through your travel agent to make the changes. This means you and your agent must keep your communication channels open, even after your trip seems set-in-stone.

If your Disney travel agent does everything you ask of them – and does it correctly – then there shouldn’t be any concern for this loss of control. But what happens if your Disney travel agent misses deadlines, or doesn’t call you back if you have a question or need to make a change to your reservation? Being unable to reach them can be a major problem! The solution: find a reputable Disney agent that is accommodative and easy to get ahold of.

This is a good segway into the next section: the 7 best Disney travel agencies.

7 Best Disney Travel Agencies

There are tons of Disney travel agencies to choose from. They all sound great on the surface,  so how do you pick the right one? I always say: ask around, solicit feedback from friends and family, and check out online forums. Find out if these agents were responsive, informative, and helpful in every way. That sort of thing can work.

If you have stumbled on this article, chances are good that you don’t have any leads at this point. That’s fine. So to help you narrow down your options, here is a list of the best travel agencies in the business. The list is based on the feedback I have received personally and from reviews I have read online. Everyone’s experience may differ, so I recommend calling at least one or two from this list, request a free quote, and ask a few questions.  If you feel like you have made a good connection and the person you talk with seems on top of things, then you may have just found the right Disney agent for you.

Here is our list of the top 7 best Disney travel agencies:

1. The Vacationeer

The Vacationeer is a smaller travel agency with a fantastic roster of caring and attentive Disney specialists (known as “Vacationeers”).  Besides Disney World, the agency books Universal Studios vacations, cruise lines (Disney, Princess, and Royal), and a few other magical destination resorts like Sandals and Beaches. But their overwhelming focus is Disney World vacations.

What I really like about The Vacationeer is their customer-first approach to doing business. Their agents are trained to be patient and responsive to the needs of the client, and they put in the extra effort to make the client completely satisfied with the end result. Whether it’s family vacations, honeymoons, couples getaways, budget travel, or lavish trips, the Vacationeer will accommodate you in every way they can.

All Vacationeers are graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge and know Disney World like the back of their hand. With a satisfied client-base from around the country, this agency has proven itself – time and time again – to be one of the most reliable (and friendliest) Disney travel agencies in the business.

For a free, no obligation vacation quote, call The Vacationeer toll-free at 1-833-4MY-TRIP or write them at info@vacationeer.com.

2. Once Upon a Vacation

With around 20 Disney vacation planners, Once Upon a Vacation goal is to meet your expectations without trying to upsell with all of those pricey extras. They have a fabulous team of Disney specialist waiting to assist you with every step of your Disney vacation. As a mother of 3, Mindy (founder) really knows what it takes to create magical Disney World family vacations.

3. Mouseketrips

Mouseketrips is one of the largest and well-known Disney travel agencies out there. They pride themselves on their great custom service and strive to meet the expectations of their clients. Each of their “Disney Geeks” has graduated from the College of Disney Knowledge and knows the in’s and out’s of the park. A solid agency.

4. Dreams Unlimited Travel

With a customer service center located 1 mile from the Disney Cruise Line terminal, this Florida travel agency specializes in all types of Disney vacation packages. One unique aspect of this company is that everything is done online and through emails. While most people are probably more comfortable communicating and making arrangements over the phone, others may appreciate this more informal way of conducting business. If so, Dreams Unlimited may be well-suited for you.

5. Glass Slipper Concierge

If you are less concerned with saving and more concerned with doing it up in style, the Glass Slipper Concierge may be the agency for you. As the name implies, Glass Slipper Concierge is focused on luxury Disney vacations. So if you don’t mind paying more to get the best out of a Disney vacation, this travel agency will happily to guide you through the luxurious elements of the park. If you are looking to do Disney on the cheap, look elsewhere.

6. Off To Neverland Travel

Started by travel industry veterans, Off To Neverland Travel has over 100 “Magic Makers” working as Disney specialists. The agency books Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney vacations with the goal to help you make vacation memories. Off To Neverland Travel has a great staff and is eager to please their client-base.

7. Mickey Travels

Mickey Travels takes pride in offering friendly and dedicated customer service to their clients.  They book travel to Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Aulani Hawaii, and guide you through every step of the process to make sure you get the vacation of your dreams. Mickey Travels has received many positive reviews – a testament to their dedication to the client.

We hope this provides a good starting point for planning your trip. Have a magical Disney vacation!