Calling All Disney Vacation Planners...Host Agency Reviews Wanted

I tried to post the link for you but it wouldn't let me. If you google online travel agent course Rutgers it should give u the Rutgers online classes listing then scroll all the way down travel and hospitality
 
Thank you. I am currently reading The Home Based Travel Agent by Kelly Monaghan, and while it is pretty out dated, it still has some good info and I'm finding it helpful.
 
How do you know what host agencies are the best?

Which ones have been around longest? Are earmarked? Can book outside Disney too. Don't charge fees yet have the best commission split?

Anyone know? lol
 
I would check out www.wishdrawals.com. They are a new host, have a small team that they work very closely with, and ask for no upfront fees. I have been emailing back and forth with them. Very nice guys!
 


How do you know what host agencies are the best?

Which ones have been around longest? Are earmarked? Can book outside Disney too. Don't charge fees yet have the best commission split?

Anyone know? lol

You could look on their websites, contact them, or contact those that work for them if you know any TAs. Sometimes word of mouth is the best help you can get.:thumbsup2
 
Here is my advice (I've been a Disney Vacation Specialist for 3 years):

- Use Google (search for EarMarked or Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agencies)
- Can you call and speak to the owner? What is the response time to your emails?
- Ask to speak to existing agents
- Ask about their application process
- Run far, far away from those who take a fee and make you an instant agent!

I love the agency I work for and we definitely have a team feel. We are constantly in contact with one another and can ask questions and get instant responses. We all work from home and most of us are SAHM's like me. I can also book non-Disney vacations (most cruise lines, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland, all-inclusives, etc). I am Disney focused but have done a few non-Disney vacations for close friends.

You have to be ready to devote time to your business. Most likely, you won't get leads from the agency and it's word of mouth marketing. You have to treat it as a job, not a hobby.

I do as much or as little planning as my clients want me to do. For some, I do day by day itineraries and others don't need that. Some like to book their ADR's on their own and some want me to handle everything. It is a wonderful job and it allows me to do what I love and stay at home with my kids.
 


I know this thread is older, but still wanted to comment to save others time that might still be reading. I looked into Off to Neverland; however, I found their program to be beneficial to them much more than it is to you. 40% commission and if you want a larger split, you have to pay for it. That's right, they want a fee for a higher commission rate. So, if you are booking a $4,000 cruise for your own lead, the overall commission would be roughly $400, and they are taking $240 and you make a whopping $160. I find it interesting that they pay themselves more than you make for getting the business and doing all of the work involved. Even if you sold $100,000 a year, it appears you don't get a higher commission rate unless you pay for it. For some, it may be easy to make up the difference, but for me, it's the principle of it. I am falling head over heels for Disney as I watch my little one enjoy all they have to offer, so I thought maybe becoming a TA would be a fun thing to do, but that info alone gave me second thoughts. I hope I didn't overshare! :mic:
 
There are a lot of costs that go into running an agency, so all of them will have a "commission split" where you keep part and they keep part. The key is finding a split that's fair! 60/40 is not so fair, in my humble opinion. It should be more like 70/30 with the option of going higher based on your sales. You have to have liability insurance if you're an agent, so a lot of hosts will ask that you pay an annual insurance fee, which is fair, but it should be a reasonable amount. And they should have some kind of training or support system! A good agency to check out is Key to the World Travel (keytotheworldtravel.com).
 
TheWazFam, that is not a good deal. Keep looking. You can find way better than that.:goodvibes
 
I know this thread is older, but still wanted to comment to save others time that might still be reading. I looked into Off to Neverland; however, I found their program to be beneficial to them much more than it is to you. 40% commission and if you want a larger split, you have to pay for it. That's right, they want a fee for a higher commission rate. So, if you are booking a $4,000 cruise for your own lead, the overall commission would be roughly $400, and they are taking $240 and you make a whopping $160. I find it interesting that they pay themselves more than you make for getting the business and doing all of the work involved. Even if you sold $100,000 a year, it appears you don't get a higher commission rate unless you pay for it. For some, it may be easy to make up the difference, but for me, it's the principle of it. I am falling head over heels for Disney as I watch my little one enjoy all they have to offer, so I thought maybe becoming a TA would be a fun thing to do, but that info alone gave me second thoughts. I hope I didn't overshare! :mic:

I have been with Off to Neverland for almost 4 years now and that should tell you something (the 4 years part). :-) In order to get the higher commission, there is a fee to cover your insurance and to gain some other benefits but I don't think it's unreasonable at all. I will say that the level of support from technology to advertising to training to sales to morale is outstanding and I'll gladly give up some of my commission to receive those benefits as I could never do all of that for myself for what it ends up "costing" me (60% vs. 70% commission at other agencies) each year. I also appreciate that all OTN agents are held to a very high standard of integrity and level of service to clients so I don't have to worry about coming on the DIS and reading about a client wanting to fire their Off to Neverland TA due to lack of communication, knowledge or a host of other reasons.

With all of that said, you should choose an agency that will best fit your needs as you move forward in this field. I just wanted to point out that sometimes there is more to consider than just the commission split. :-)

-Astrid
 
I am very interested in hearing about some legitimate agencies. Could people PM me about their agency, good or bad?
 
If anyone has experience with OTN as a Magic Makers, I would love to hear about it! Strongly considering joining and I would be very appreciative if you could share the good and the bad. Please feel free to PM me.

Thanks!!
 
I made it through the online interview portion of Off To Neverland Travel, but they turned me down after a phone interview because I had never used Disney Dining plan and they were looking for someone who had. I really think I could have made a wonderful agent, I spend hours a day researching all things Disney. Just because my family doesn't prefer to use Dining doesn't mean I can't book it for someone else.

But I digress. I feel they offer a lot and would make a great host company. I would have gladly worked for them. I think they made a mistake in not choosing me, because I could have made them a lot of money. I would have worked my butt off because I love Disney and Disney travel so much.. But Oh well. Their loss. My opportunity will turn up.
 
I am looking for opportunities as well. I am a sales professional with 15+ years of sales experience. I understand how to network and generate my own leads. I am a DVC owner/renter and have been to Disney World 30+ vacations. I have been on a Disney Cruise. I would consider myself to be highly knowledgable on the Disney product. I am looking for a part time situation and would love to hear from agency's looking for a sales professional.

Please PM any opportunities.

Mike
 
I know this thread is rather old and has not had posting activity since April but I was wondering if those who have had success with finding an earmarked agency would PM me information about their agency and their experiences as a TA. Any information good or bad would be greatly appreciated.
 
I know this thread is rather old and has not had posting activity since April but I was wondering if those who have had success with finding an earmarked agency would PM me information about their agency and their experiences as a TA. Any information good or bad would be greatly appreciated.

I agree! Me too! I am VERY interested in pursuing this very soon :cheer2:
 
The agency I work for pays 80 percent commission and is a Disney earmarked agency... that said, I can also book any type of travel which is a huge bonus. One group trip to Cancun netted me enough money for a week at a suite at ASM.. not to mention the travel benefits Disney offers to travel agents.

Can you PM me with your agency? I am a full time pHD candidate but would love to make someone's dream vacation come true! I have the extra time and the drive. Thanks!!
 
Does anybody think I would have a chance at becoming a home-based Disney agent who specializes in Disneyland? I've never been to WDW or on a Disney cruise. But I've been to DL probably 75 times over the course of my lifetime. I'm very knowledgeable about DL, but not with anything else Disney out of California. I'd be willing to learn, though!

Would host agencies even consider me?

Thanks. :)
 

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