How Much Disney Costs Through a Travel Agent vs Booking Yourself — Is It Worth It?
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort? One question might be whether you should book it yourself or use a travel agent that specializes in Disney family vacations. Your budget is one factor, of course.
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But there are other considerations, too.
Disney vacation prices vary depending on whether you book a Value, Moderate or Deluxe resort, and the type of deals you can find at any given time. In March 2025, for instance, you can save between 20% and 30% on stays of five nights or more between May 1 and July 31.
As an example, GOBankingRates priced out a five-night stay from July 15 to July 20, for a family of four with two kids, ages 7 and 9. The lowest-priced resort on the list was used for comparison purposes: Disney's All-Star Sports Resort. With four days' worth of single-park tickets, the total came to $3,420.66.
A travel agent who preferred to remain anonymous said that this was the best deal available right now. Of course, you could spend more at a higher end resort.
In short: A regular person can snag the same deals as a Disney travel agent.
However, you may earn special perks with a travel agent that can help reduce costs. For example, some agents offer gift card incentives to entice new customers or reward loyal clients, or put together a 'goodie bag' style package to get their clients excited about the trip.
Plus, once you find an agent you trust, there's the reassurance you are getting the best price.
'A travel agent that specializes in Disney destinations will know the latest deals. They will also move your booking from your current deal to a better deal if a new, better deal is released,' said Steven Griswold, owner of the travel agency Pixie Vacations.
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In most cases, using a travel agent for your Disney vacation should not cost more than booking yourself.
'Some travel agents do charge a planning fee, so it's aways a good idea to ask about that when looking for a travel agent,' said Theresa Bauman, a Disney travel agent. 'Most just get paid on commission, but either way, you are helping out a small business!'
Some Disney fans found they could save money by staying off-site, but only if they have affordable access to a VRBO or they own a time-share. Cate Cremin, a frequent traveler from New Jersey, often uses her timeshare to reduce the overall cost of a Disney vacation.
'Shades of Green tickets, which is a military benefit, reduces the cost of park tickets,' she added, but this benefit is only available to eligible service members and their spouses.
'Getting Disney gift cards when they're on sale at local retailers also helps with cost savings for in-park spending,' Cremin said.
Lisa Marie Arnold, a mom from Bay Shore, New York, agreed. 'We buy gift cards from Sam's Club when they're running a special, and we'll use those gift cards to pay for souvenirs, hotel, park tickets — anything.'
She added, 'Saving money at the parks has become harder. We do Walmart pick-up orders for water bottles and snacks to save money at the parks.'
Arnold said she has never used a travel agent for her Disney vacation, because she likes to have control of her trip without funneling her requests through another person.
But, if you are a Disney first-timer or trip-planning isn't your forte, a travel agent might be the solution.
'Disney World, in particular, can be overwhelming, especially if it's your first time going,' Bauman said. 'Using an expert relieves stress by helping you find the best accommodation to fit your needs, preparing you to navigate the parks and teaching you how to use the app.'
Griswold agreed. 'A travel agent that specializes in Disney will know extra time-saving tips, have insider advice to share and will be there to help you every step of the way.'
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4 Easiest Frugal Living Tips Perfect for Beginners in 2025This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Disney Costs Through a Travel Agent vs Booking Yourself — Is It Worth It?
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