The reason being is that Expedia or disneyworld.com cant answer specific questions like Is the dining plan worth it? or Is Be Our Guest any good?. They also serve as a way to build comradery within a travel agency. Before you can even think of submitting a job application, you should first brush up on your Disney knowledge. Mickey Travels is one of the highest rated Disney vacation travel agencies for a reason, and I highly recommend using them for your next visit! Ears of Experience was founded over a decade ago by Amy Westerman. Disney can still be your specialization, but this way you can widen your client pool. Know the best restaurants? There are four levels of Walt Disney World annual passes Pixie Dust, Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass which range in price from $399 to $1,399. These designations mean that these agencies have been selected as the highest producing Disney travel agencies in the business. When you file for taxes, youll fill out a 1099 form rather than a W-4. The highest-performing travel agents are officially recognized by Disneys EarMarked program. WebWork With a Diamond EarMarked Travel Agency Earn top-level commissions selling Disney destinations directly through the Walt Disney World Travel Company as an The easiest way to follow-up with two short emails once they get back from vacation. Is the owner supportive and responsive? Do they like working there? You should also have the ability to communicate with your fellow travel agents and work through issues together. Some Host Agencies will let you plan any destination that youd like to. We hope these insights will give you a better chance of landing a Disney travel agent job at one of the premier agencies. When do I start getting paid? Disney travel consultants are no different; as a Disney travel agent, youre entitled to some excellent perks, like: How often do you travel to Disney? A Host Agency will invite you to Be Our Guest!. Also, take note of how many reviews different agencies have. Learn more: What a travel agent can do for you that a search engine can't. I started this industry knowing little about the travel agency business, but with a ton of knowledge and passion for Disney! That led employers to report a willingness to continue work-from-home after the pandemic. Depending on the agency, it can also provide marketing support and send leads to you. After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa set off to travel the world using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) 5. Easier said than done! Keep your information easily retrievable in case a client calls with questions. The best percentage splits you can expect to find will be around 80/20 (agent/agency). There are also different levels of Earmarks vacation planners can earn based off of experience and customer satisfaction. Even if its just once a year, you can take advantage of highly-discounted rates on accommodation and park entrance fees. From a clients perspective or a travel agents perspective, its always better to work with/for an Earmarked Platinum Producer or an Earmarked Diamond Producer agency. For example, you will be expected to make your clients dining reservations on their behalf. Clients depend on Disney travel agents to take the headaches out of planning and booking their trip. In other words, you will not have a salary or wages to rely on. Well, it depends! April 27, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. The best Disney travel agencies are always those that are in a position to provide client leads to their agents. Hi! This will help them create a memorable vacation for your family and truly have the best experience at the happiest place on Earth. The Ultimate Guide to Disney Cruise Line for Adults, What's it like being a Disney and Universal Travel Planner? Whether you charge a planning fee or not, you will still be earning a commission from Disney and it will come at no extra cost to your clients. If an agency is too small, they probably dont have any brand recognition or marketing budget to bring clients to you. Your email address will not be published. Ask friends about their experiences and recommendations. In most cases, this lag time usually takes anywhere from a couple of months to up to a year, depending on how far in advance your client books their vacation. As a Disney travel agent, youll also receive up to four half-priced tickets to Universal Studios per year. Therefore, effective Disney travel planners should not only be computer savvy but also be social media savvy. You will be looking out for the best interests of your client, so if a deal pops up that can save them some money, be ready to act! Who are the Best Universal Travel Agents? Traveling to Disney World really is like traveling to a whole new country because there is so much to do and see, so much food to try, and so much money to be spent! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It isnt always a requirement. This doesnt just apply to phone conversations, but also to the written word. Your Full Name (required) Your Email (required) Your Phone Great tips! What could be more rewarding than getting paid to do what you love? There are four levels of Walt Disney World annual passes Pixie Dust, Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass which range in price from $399 to $1,399. Its no surprise that Disney travel agent jobs require a passion for Disney Destinations. PO Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830 I understand that I can withdraw my consent for marketing messages from Disney Destinations Travel Agency Sales at any time. Assigning Editor | Travel, SEO, Travel Loyalty Programs. Disney World Without a Smartphone: Can It Be Done? Do I get free vacations if I become a Travel Agent? The best Disney travel agencies will make sure you succeed. Youve found the place where dreams come true. What could be better than that? I do like using an agency that specializes in Disney because they can search for the best deals and give the one on one service needed. How can I go about doing that? Expect to be asked which destinations you have been to, and when. , youll need to become one prior to signing up for Disney travel agent training. Some of the best reasons to become a travel agent include the benefits that youll receive, such as special access to discounted hotel rates. Im not affiliated with any of these companies and havent worked with them so my referrals are simply suggestions! Since your compensation is entirely commission-based, an effective marketing strategy will be key to your success. Keeping up with all things Disney is extremely important and requires you to seek the information willingly and frequently. I know, I know. Sandals & Beaches Resorts and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line packages are something you might be required to know about. This course will take you through the process of choosing a Host Agency and kicking off your career. Hi Crissandra! There are plenty of reasons to become a Disney travel agent: You can receive benefits on personal travel, such as discounted hotel rooms, free theme park tickets and complimentary cruises. Which Disney World Park has the Most Rides? They are also a Diamond level authorized Disney Vacation Planner Travel Agency which means they are one of the best of the best when it comes to booking epic Disney vacations! This will give them the incentive to stay with you and not waste your time. If youre already a travel agent, you can register for Disney travel agent training on the Disney Travel Agents website. Join Facebook groups and chat with your fellow Disney fanatics. This is when you actually get to use the nifty marketing plan you made in Step 3! As the top-tier agencies, Disney issues them more comp tickets and FAM trips than they do for the Earmarked Gold and Silver producers (and especially more than the non-Earmarked agencies). FAM trips invite travel professionals to the park so they can learn first-hand what an area has to offer. The best Disney travel agencies have a good support network in place. We are looking for someone able to devote 20+ hours a week. Their services will save you time and money and it wont cost you a dime! Sabrina guided me as a mentor to set goals for business, market myself as my own brand, and provided opportunities to learn and collaborate with our team of agents. The Agency is your host and youre the one calling all the shots. You can receive a free quote right on their website as well. Click here to apply for a job at The Vacationeer. In a nutshell, they want all the good qualities and none of the bad! This agency is also incredibly focused on each customer, taking you step by step through the planning process and ensuring all of your needs are met! Ive only ever used a Host Agency so I wouldnt be too much help. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Understand How the Commission Works for Travel Agents. Learn more: How to go to Disney World for cheap. The sole notion Share the Magic exists is for one reason: to All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Its important to find high-paying clients, but a higher priority should be keeping the good clients you already have. If they have over, say, 200 travel agents, chances are you will get lost in the shuffle. Im sure there are a few more questions floating around in your head right about now. As I said before, hiring a Disney vacation planner isnt always the best choice. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Our opinions are our own. This will give you the opportunity to learn about the industry and reduce the initial investment of starting a business. They have in-depth knowledge of everything happening in the parks and can make top-notch recommendations based off of your familys interests. There are a few that focus on Disney destinations but there are loads more that will allow you to book anything! Getting the inside scoop from a current employee can be very helpful. After youve worked with a great client youll want to keep them so they keep coming back for every vacation! Small World Vacations is also known for their prompt responses to all of your concerns! Best Ways to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World, Best Places at Disney to Watch a Rocket Launch. If you answered yes to both of these questions, its possible for you to combine these passions into a career or side hustle. This certainly applies to being a Disney travel agent! Your breadth of knowledge may need to expand even further beyond Disney and Universal, depending on which destinations your travel agency books. Having a good organizational system in place is key to keeping all your information in order as you juggle multiple client trips at once. These tickets often end up in the hands of travel agents. Since Disney pays travel agencies a 10% commission rate on booked travel, this means that a best-case scenario on a $5,000 vacation would result in $400 commission to the booking agent ($5000 x .10 = 500 x .80 = $400). If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. There are multiple days and processes involved in making the most out of your trip to Disney, and for this reason, it might be best for you to hire a travel agent. Are Adventures by Disney Escapes Worth It? This is something you can ask about when applying. They stay up to date on all the upcoming attractions and customize your itinerary based on all the interests of For new Travel Agents, I highly recommend you join a Host Agency before starting your own. Also, check out the Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency Locator here for more ideas! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Typically, working with a Disney travel agent should be completely free as they are paid a commission from Disney for assisting you with your vacation. Are you a type-A planner with an incurable passion for travel and a love for delighting others? Any Questions? Although you are called a Disney Travel Agent (or Planner), you are not an employee of the Walt Disney Travel "Being a part of this team is like being a part of an exclusive club! Or have you ever dreamed of using your in-depth knowledge of Disney destinations as a career?Then as a Disney focused travel agent, you can begin crafting truly magical vacations for your clients. There are plenty of people in the world who are willing to work with you so they can have a super magical vacation. Comp tickets are complimentary tickets given to travel agencies as a way to promote their resort. However, your agency doesnt need one of these honors in order to provide you with a ton of help and a lovely vacation. If youve been a travel agent before, then your chances of being hired are much greater right out of the gate. So, how much do Disney travel agents make? Specializing in Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line, they also offer other options, as well. The best Disney travel agencies are always those that are in a position to. Adventures by Disney are guided vacation packages thatll take you all around the world. Planning a trip to Disney can be very time consuming. This invite-only program grants you extra support and perks such as additional complimentary theme park tickets. Once you have identified a few agencies youd like to work for, its time to actually apply for the job. Do you have great tips and tricks? Therefore, agencies want to know if youve actually been to some of these places youll be promoting. They do exist in the Travel Agency world. When is the Cheapest Time to Go to Disney World? We respect your privacy. Travel agents who complete the Universal and U training program receive a free Universal Orlando 3-Park 3-Day ticket. This doesnt just apply to phone conversations, but also to the written word. It helps to have a large circle of friends, family, and acquaintances to pitch your services to once you become a Disney travel agent. Namely, any Disney vacation you go on is tax-deductible as a research expense. It is important that our clients feel special, valued, and happy when working with us. I mentioned before that Destination Magic calls their agents Magic Makers. And thats true. A diamond and platinum level vacation planner are the top tiers of Disney vacation planners and have an extra level of trust with their clients. The real trick is to find clients who arent tire-kickers. Here are a few things you should expect when applying for Disney travel agent jobs. There are TONS of online resources to keep up with the latest Disney news. Most host travel agencies categorize their travel planners as independent contractors. This means your sole source of income will be a commission from booking the clients travel. The commission split between the host agency and travel agent varies with each Disney agency. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Required fields are marked *. Maybe its time to brush up on your knowledge of Universal parks. You are expected to respond as soon as you are able to. That led employers to report a willingness to continue work-from-home after the pandemic. Effective agents are calm, cool, and collected, as well as upbeat, articulate, and helpful. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. As a top-tier, high-end agency, we attract the kind of clients you love to work with, so you can really make magic happen. Turns out, there is still a high demand for Travel Agents! This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Remember the types of things weve outlined when filling out the application. April 27, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. Stay tuned for o, Its a sunny day at Disney World. This sounds intimidating, but I assure you its not! The first step is to decide whether you want to work at a Travel Agency, start your own business, or join a Host Agency. You can also let your agent know everyones favorite movies, rides, and characters in order to make sure you hit all of your favorite spots while on your trip! There are a lot of different ways to use marketing to find clients. Plus, youll get a special deal if you sign up for my newsletter first right here! FAM trips can be a great learning experience AND a lot of fun! FAM trips can be a great learning experience AND a lot of fun! These types of fees should never exceed a few hundred dollars. Make sure the group allows you to post about Travel Agencies. They do not charge for their services as they only make their money through the commission Disney pays them for booking vacations. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. There are four levels of Walt Disney World annual passes Pixie Dust, Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass which range in You should have good training and the owner should be available to answer your questions. Basically, If youve never been a travel agent before, this is where you can show a Disney agency that you at least have some related experience in doling out advice and planning Disney vacations, albeit unpaid and unofficial. Their intense love of Disney helps them stay on top of all the new things happening at Disney World and ensure you are getting the best bang for your Disney buck! The Hot C, The best part of the evening was watching the litt, Host Agency 101 for Future Disney Travel Planners, Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency Locator here. This will assure the Agency that you are passionate about the job, but not that you can do it well! That only 16 out of 1900 agents listed in the surveys received qualified tells you a lot about the quality of work these people do. These are the most popular Host Agencies that specialize in Disney. Like, how much do Disney Travel Planners make? The Pros and Cons. This will bring in more sources of income and high-paying clients. The Vacationeer is a smaller Disney travel agency, but that doesnt take them out of the running! However, for the most part, Disney travel agents are left in the cold to fend for themselves when it comes to acquiring new clients. Webto work with! Disney travel agents must possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and be comfortable meeting new people. Someone might ask you to book Aulani (a Disney Resort & Spa), Disney Cruise Line vacations, and/or Adventures by Disney. We also explain the, 1. Next, they will want to assess your commitment to the job. What I didnt get a chance to mention is that they have a lot of themalmost 70! are complimentary tickets given to travel agencies as a way to promote their resort. When a Disney travel agent books travel on behalf of his or her client, Disney pays a 10% commission to the host agency, and then the host agency forwards the agents share of the commission to him or her. Have no idea how to create a marketing plan? These companies are registered Disney travel agents who screen individuals on their Disney experience and knowledge. Effective agents are calm, cool, and collected, as well as upbeat, articulate, and helpful. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. What do Disney Travel Agencies Look For When They Hire? However, many new Disney travel agents are unaware of the pitfalls and challenges they may soon encounter. organizational skills and self-motivation. Hence, the use of the word host.. Or, if you want to visit for a longer period of time, you can opt for specially discounted two- to 10-day Park Hopper tickets at Walt Disney World. Small agencies might not have the infrastructure, technology, or business savvy of larger agencies. A Disney travel planners universe of knowledge should never be limited to just Walt Disney World and Disneyland. These companies offer more support and can help you find your feet if youre just getting started. Be timely with your responses and helpful with your advice. The more trips you book the more money you will make. If youre not already a certified travel agent. Namely, any Disney vacation. with, and up to around 70-80% as the agent books more and more trips. Honor and build on the foundation of ongoing environmental justice work. want to know if youve actually been to some of these places youll be promoting. Are you a fan of Disney? Social media plays a major role in marketing these days. The main benefit is that you have access to book travel without your own IATA or CLIA number. Since 2012, the Enchanted Traveler has become the go-to travel agency for moms and dads who want to save time and relieve the stress of planning a family vacation to Disney destinations and beyond. 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Absolutely! Be patient once youve submitted an application. The awesome part is that most (if not all) Travel Agents who work for Host Agencies work from home. The 7 Best Disney World Souvenirs Youll Want to Buy. Those arent your ideal clients. Destination Magic is a boutique travel agency that refers to their agents as Magic Makers. Each team member is experienced and an authorized Disney Travel Planner, leaving you with peace of mind. As an Independent Consultant, this is still your business and no one is going to manage it for you you must be a go-getter! If you enjoyed this article, please like our Countdown to Magic Facebook page! This will help them a lot when booking your magical vacation. See if you can reach out to a current employee and get some feedback on the company. Web Decades of In-depth Disney Knowledge Dining Reservations done for you! If youre not already a certified travel agent, youll need to become one prior to signing up for Disney travel agent training. Honor and build on the foundation of ongoing environmental justice work. Also, beware of MLMs! You can get a free quote on their website and learn everything you need to know through their blog! So youve brushed up on your Disney knowledge, know what types of Disney travel agencies to look for, and learned what agencies look for when hiring. Here are some of the main benefits to becoming a Disney travel advisor: First and foremost, being a Disney Travel agent is a job. Im interested in helping veterans and active military families plan vacations using the specific discounts they can qualify for. PRIVACY POLICY. Becoming a Disney travel agent may entail morning, afternoon, and nighttime phone calls or correspondence, so having this flexibility and availability is important to a host agency.