This course will take you through the process of choosing a Host Agency and kicking off your career. 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. Disney travel agents receive a commission for the trips they book (i.e., no salary or hourly wage). Some agencies charge their agents an annual E&O (Error & Omissions insurance) fee as well as other fees so be sure to research what you are expected to contribute before signing up to work with a host agency. Advertising your services will be just as important as the work itself. A few years ago, I had no idea that people still used Travel Agents. Nearly all Disney travel agents work from home. What could be more rewarding than getting paid to do what you love? For this reason, we are highlighting them as ourtop pick. Disney If youre traveling during a holiday, be sure to ask them about special holiday events so they can leave time in your schedule for these! Want to learn more about Host Agencies? Before you can even think of submitting a job application, you should first brush up on your Disney knowledge. Travel Weekly has released its annual Power List ranking the travel agencies that report $100 million or more in travel sales. The Vacationeer prides itself on its satisfied client-based and its happy Disney travel agents. When applying to a Disney travel agency, do your best to convey these positive traits. Avoid Disney travel agencies that are run like multi-level marketing schemes. to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland each year. When do I start getting paid? |. Do not sell or share my personal information. Once you've completed a program, you can choose to join a travel agency or operate on your own with a small business. No. Once youve created an account, youll need to complete the College of Disney Knowledge training, which includes online classes and other valuable information about Disney Destinations. We are looking for someone able to devote 20+ hours a week. As a standard Disney travel agent, youll receive a one-day Park Hopper ticket to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland each year. The more trips you book the more money you will make. The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Being a Disney or Universal Travel Planner. time to dedicate toward building a business. These types of agencies are usually more interested in making money off you from the get-go than making you a valuable team member. Training should always be provided by your host agency free of charge. Join our Team - Magical Travel Disney has their hands in a lot of different travel markets including adventure travel, adult-only experiences, weddings, honeymoons, and more. Its still very possible to get hired as a Disney vacation planner with little to no experience. This way, they have enough time to round up all of your paperwork, ensure everything is paid for, and hand off all of the information you need to you! Be timely with your responses and helpful with your advice. If youve been a travel agent before, then your chances of being hired are much greater right out of the gate. The Vacationeer provides their agents (appropriately named Vacationeers) with some of the highest payout ratios in the industry up to 80%. As their travel planner, these hassles now become your responsibility. A Disney travel planners universe of knowledge should never be limited to just Walt Disney World and Disneyland. It helps to have a large circle of friends, family, and acquaintances to pitch your services to once you become a Disney travel agent. BRAND + WEBSITE BY CARRYLOVE DESIGNS. How Many Days Do You Need for Each Disney Park? Without going into too much detail, these are booking numbers given to Agents or Agencies who have sold a certain amount of travel. You can double-check whether a Host Agency is an MLM by searching for it in the HostAgencyReviews.com database. Youll be immersing yourself in Disney while creating magical Disney trips for your clients. They also serve as a way to build comradery within a travel agency. You do not want to alienate potential clients with a bad attitude or a sales pitch, but you shouldnt be wishy-washy in the process. This means good cell phone service and high-speed internet access. This pays for any of the resources and fees that they are paying for. Agents usually receive a higher commission on clients they find themselves vs. leads given to them from the agency. We also explain the, 1. So, for some people, booking a travel agent to help them with their Disney World trip is incredibly important while also saving them time and money! I use all of these methods to advertise my services, but I primarily use my blog to get my name out there. 9 Must-See Harry Potter Rides at Universal Orlando Resort. ", We are people from all over the world with different backgrounds who all have different strengths, even within a team of similarly skilled people. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Clients can be sensitive. This will put you a cut above most of the applicants that Host Agencies receive. Yet when the right mix of people and skills are brought together, the results can be amazing. This means that youll be expected to wake up early in the morning to make these reservations for your client. Disney Learn more: What a travel agent can do for you that a search engine can't. 2. Certification programs vary in terms of cost, time commitment and requirements. This means that if you had a client taking a $5,000 vacation, Disney would pay the travel agency $500. We work for you to give you the best vacation experience that fits your family's needs. As a standard Disney travel agent, youll receive a one-day. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If you are just starting out as a Disney travel agent, its understandable that you will have plenty of questions. Know the best restaurants? This doesnt mean you shouldnt try! the VACATIONEER Ears of Experience was founded over a decade ago by Amy Westerman. That led employers to report a willingness to continue work-from-home after the pandemic. Someone might ask you to book Aulani (a Disney Resort & Spa), Disney Cruise Line vacations, and/or Adventures by Disney. The owner should be available to speak with you directly to answer your questions, address your concerns, and support you through your journey. Mickey Travels is also one of the top Disney travel agencies out there. You can also opt to join an existing travel agency. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Want to dig deeper? If you encounter an agency with upfront training course fees, registration fees, etc., this should be a red flag. Small agencies might not have the infrastructure, technology, or business savvy of larger agencies. A Host Agency will invite you to Be Our Guest!. FAM trips can be a great learning experience AND a lot of fun! How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World? Your days are filled with thinking about, talking about, researching, and booking Disney Destinations. There are plenty of people in the world who are willing to work with you so they can have a super magical vacation. You should also have the ability to communicate with your fellow travel agents and work through issues together. You choose your clients, decide on planning fees, and work your own hours. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. However, your agency doesnt need one of these honors in order to provide you with a ton of help and a lovely vacation. Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. Disney World travel agents are typically highly trained and Disney-focused agents that can help you plan the entirety of your vacation. Since this is a complicated process, I list some great resources you can use to start your own newsletter in my free Travel Agent course. Legitimate Disney travel agencies will have, (International Air Transport Association) and/or. , youll need to become one prior to signing up for Disney travel agent training. It will also take about 50% of your efforts. Having a large circle of friends and family to market to should help you hit the ground running. Theme Parks for Grown-Ups LLC is an independent affiliate of Nexion LLC. Know how to avoid crowds? Web Decades of In-depth Disney Knowledge Dining Reservations done for you! I watch blogs and read up on it constantly, but I dont know if its a requirement? Whatever your reason for wanting to become a Disney travel agent, youll need to first become a certified travel agent and then complete Disneys specialized training program. You dont want to be just another number, a faceless member of the team. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. This means no traffic delays, no commuter expenses, and you can sleep later and start dinner earlier. I am glad I found Mousketrips. The highest-performing travel agents are officially recognized by Disneys EarMarked program. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. Most of them do indeed have photos, which is great, although Id much prefer to see every single one of their Mouse Experts provide an image of themselves to make everything feel all the more personable. For Disney fanatics, becoming a Travel Agent is a DREAM job. The Pros and Cons. You have a responsibility to your client to provide them with excellent service and you are paid for the service you provide. well-traveled within the Disney destinations. If you have any concerns, your Disney World travel agent should be easy to reach. They also serve as a way to build comradery within a travel agency. 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. They have in-depth knowledge of everything happening in the parks and can make top-notch recommendations based off of your familys interests. This type of job gives you a level of independence seldom found at other jobs. sign up for my newsletter first right here! Once you've completed a program, you can choose to join a travel agency or operate on your own with a small business. 5 Steps to Becoming a Disney Travel Planner - Theme To get you started, Ill briefly describe the process of starting your career as a Travel Agent that specializes in theme park vacations. Furthermore, you may encounter Earmarked Platinum Producer and Earmarked Diamond Producer agencies. And, if you plan to head over to Universal Studios, they can help you with that too. Theres no denying that there are great benefits to becoming a Disney travel agent. The 7 Best Disney World Souvenirs Youll Want to Buy. Are Adventures by Disney Escapes Worth It? There are so many Disney fanatics out there, so why would any agency hire anyone but a genuine Disney enthusiast? Its also not something you can sit down at your computer and do all at once. Amy and her team are committed to creating the best, most stress-free Disney vacation possible. This article explores the ins and outs of how to become a Disney travel agent, including the benefits and drawbacks of working in this profession. 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! Or the owner might be overly reliant on you or demand too much. However, for the most part, Disney travel agents are left in the cold to fend for themselves when it comes to acquiring new clients. Click the box below to request a free, no-obligation quote from the Disney Travel experts. If an agency is too small, they probably dont have any brand recognition or marketing budget to bring clients to you. Best Work Sign up here to get the template, which I send on Day 2 of the course! Im currently working in a field totally unrelated to travel but Im 49 and would like to have an established skillset to transition to once I retire. If its your first time booking a trip to Disney, you can find yourself lost down a rabbit hole of information when trying to score the best deals or make the best plans. These designations mean that these agencies have been selected as the highest producing Disney travel agencies in the business. The Earmarked Travel Agency designation simply means that Disney recognizes the agency as having met the highest standard of service and sales volume in the industry. Sign up for my email challenge by clicking here or filling out the form below. This is especially true if you haveDisney travel experience. As you can imagine, whittling down the best Disney World travel agents to the best of the best is no easy task. Some groups dont like it because they are often affiliated with their own Agencies. With great photos, forthright information, and updates on whats going on at the parks, these travel agents will be there to help youand will be ones you can hold accountable thanks to their social media presence. Types of Disney World Annual Passes. If you do choose to join a travel agency, youll need to split your commission. This will help them create a memorable vacation for your family and truly have the best experience at the happiest place on Earth. Keeping up with all things Disney is extremely important and requires you to seek the information willingly and frequently. Im sure there are a few more questions floating around in your head right about now. 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. Apply for a Host Agencies. The Vacationeer The Vacationeer is a smaller travel agency with a fantastic roster of caring and attentive (Cruise Lines International Association) accreditation and require their agents to complete the College of Disney Knowledge (an online course for Disney travel agents to learn about different resorts, cruise lines, etc.). Be Our Guest Vacations is yet another fantastic Disney travel agency with a lot of information and perks for you to take advantage of. Michael is the owner and editor of Countdown to Magic. Sarah Bergmans Disney World Without a Smartphone: Can It Be Done? At this point, you can register for the training mentioned above. What do Disney Travel Agencies Look For When They Hire? Discounted tickets arent limited to Disney, either. I am worried I might accidentally apply for one! Epcot vs Hollywood Studios Best Park to Visit? So I really like that Ears of Experience notes this on their website, recognizing that for some parents, this is priority number one. April 27, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. Were looking for someone who has traveled to a Disney destination at least 4 times in the last 8 years, with at least 2 of those to Walt Disney World in the last 4 years.