How to become a Disney travel agent?

Are you talking about like a CLIA number?

Dad Answers

Yes. That and more.

If you are a current travel agent working under someone else. How do you get your own license to work for your self?

I appreciate your feed back!
Thanks!

Dad Answers

You don’t need a license. The problem you’ll have is you need a host. If you can find a host (someone to book through) you can go out on your own.

Maybe I missed something, but it seems you did not actually answer the question. You mentioned how to become a travel agent, but the question is how to become a DISNEY travel agent. Also, telling someone to “read a book” isn’t really answer either.

Disappointed

I am currently planning my Disney holiday and loving it, I eat, live and breathe it! But I have to say if I hadn’t done it before all the research, time etc would be really over whelming, and I know others that have been totally been put off going because of this. I LOVE it

So…

I have been considering in setting up as an “advisor”, not like booking the actual holiday but just help with booking restaurants, fast passes etc, do you think there’s a market for this?

Thanks Ruth

I have no travel agent experience but the love and passion to talk, read and learn about anything Disney. I also would like to be an at-home planner. What should my first step be. Are any of the online programs reputable?

My Disney hope….

Dad Answers

I haven’t checked any of the online programs in a long time so I can’t help you there.

You might check with our partners at Destinations to Travel. Destinations to Travel Contact Us page

Hi.
I am part of a larger agency and wanting to go off by myself. Can you advice where to begin. I’ve searched but cannot find anything other than joining another agency. Thanks

Dad Answers

There are several big “hosts” that you can join if you’d like to go off on your own. You can also get a CLIA number and try to get in touch with suppliers on your own.

I am currently employed but a large travel agency selling only Disney Destinations. I would like to stop sharing my commision and leave the agency. I do not know where to start. Can anyone help me? tlctjohn@aol.com

I sell Disney on the side.. Because its my passion. But, just being honest, no matter how good I am.. Most people love the idea of booking it themselves. As the cost is exactly the same either way, it makes it hard to compete. My biggest mistakes have been sharing my wealth of knowledge to folks who “plan” to use me, but end up doing it on line anyway. So, I save the inside tips for after the actual booking! I agree travel is best left to those who understand it but just being for real.. That matters less to people these days and DW spends much in advertising to solidify that concept. It’s a lovely side thing and I get 10 percent off of my own trips.. Which are many! Other then that however… I haven’t quit my day job! I do so love the mouse!!!!

Joe R,

I agree with you. Being a Disney based travel agent is not something you can do as a hobby. Knowing Disney as your product is only a small part of the job. Do I love Disney? Yes. Does that make me a good business person? No.

At Destinations to Travel (Dad’s travel partners) I personally work with my agents to make sure they understand how Disney works and how to keep their clients happy. We all love Disney but it doesn’t stop there. Communication with our clients is one of our top priorities – knowing the correct questions to ask and the right answers to their questions.

This is not a job for someone who wants to do it “just for fun”. This is a long-term commitment to providing customer service that is not available when you book through Disney directly. Our Disney knowledge is important, but our people skills and communication is also very, very essential.

If you consider Disney to be your biggest competitor, you weren’t taught properly how to sell yourself and your services; you haven’t learned to show your value as an agent.

There is SOOOO much more that a travel agent can do above and beyond what Disney can do when you call into a call center with hundreds of phone agents; for one, your client can contact you each time instead of calling the call center and not getting the same person each time.

Travel Agents are making a strong comeback because of this – clients WANT and NEED KNOWLEDGEABLE agents to plan trips for them and give them proper advice.

Unfortunately, too many people think they can just call themselves a travel agent and make some extra money, they come in with a hobbyist mindset. The business needs professionals! Unless you are dedicated to learning the business, learning indepth about destinations and learning about sales as your number #1 priority, you will struggle.

My recommendation is to find a Disney-focused travel agency that takes agents and trains them properly in Disney as well as sales techniques. If you find them, and dedicate yourself to working this as a true business, you will be successful and more than happy with your yearly commission.

Be sure those that you contact put an emphasis on training and becoming a sales person, not just being a hobbyist.

Good luck!