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Booking a trip to Walt Disney World can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time. It makes sense to work with a Disney travel agency that has the experience and professionalism to help you through the process.

As you research different travel agencies, you’ll probably encounter some touting themselves as an “Authorized Disney Travel Planner” or “EarMarked.” What is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and how are EarMarked agencies different from other travel agencies? Let’s examine these terms and distinctions to clear up the confusion.

Why Work with a Disney Travel Agency?

There are lots of options when it comes to booking a Disney vacation. You can book directly with Disney, go through a third-party travel website, or book your trip with a travel agency.

We are confident that the latter option will provide you with the most value. Here’s why.

Your Disney travel agent acts as a personal advisor and a one-stop shop for all your Disney needs. They answer your questions, give you advice, and provide you with insider tips based on their own experiences visiting the park.

From theme parks to resort hotels, restaurants to transportation, payment plans to My Disney Experience accounts, your Disney travel planner can advise you on all aspects of your vacation. You will work together to create a vacation package that’s tailor-made to your goals.

When you’re ready to book, your Disney travel planner will make all of the time-sensitive reservations – park tickets, hotels, dining, VIP services, ground transportation, stroller rentals, and more.

They will also scout out the best promotions and then apply the lowest rates to your vacation package.

Best of all, the services of a Disney travel agent are 100% commission-free. They provide all of this value and you never pay a dime!

Not All Travel Agencies Specialize in Disney Destinations

Any travel agency with IATA or CLIA membership can register with the Disney Travel Agent system and apply to sell Disney vacations. But while general travel agencies have the ability to sell Disney trips, they aren’t laser-focused on Disney Destination sales.

This doesn’t mean that these agencies are incapable of providing you excellent service. However, it’s important to make the distinction between general travel agencies and those that are specifically focused on Disney trips.

The difference between having a good Disney vacation and a magical one lies in the details. When the entire business revolves around Disney, you can be confident that your Disney travel planner knows everything about your Disney destination and has the experience to book your trip exactly how you want it.

Seek out a well-regarded and established travel agency that specializes in Disney vacations. Make sure they are licensed sellers of travel and are commission-free. And if you’re someone who never settles for anything but the best, or you just want the extra assurance that things will be handled correctly, then consider working with an EarMarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

The Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Difference

Although there are plenty of Disney travel agencies with excellent track records, not all of them are EarMarked as Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agencies. Disney bestows this designation on a select number of agencies as a way to recognize their excellence and to rank them among the best in the industry.

How does an agency become EarMarked as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner?

To be included in Disney’s EarMarked Program (and accepted as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner), the travel agency must specialize in selling Disney Destinations. They must also demonstrate a multi-year track record of achieving high sales volume.

What is the actual sale volume required to be included in the EarMarked program? Disney doesn’t disclose this figure publicly, but they do contact the agency and invite them into the EarMarked program once the goal is reached.

Customer satisfaction is also an important factor. The agency must meet Disney’s requirements of excellence and demonstrate a history of providing value to its clients. You can’t have satisfied clients without providing them with superior customer service.

Disney travel planners within EarMarked agencies are required to have a broad understanding of Disney Destinations. It’s true that most Disney travel planners start out as Disney fanatics and enter into the profession with lots of existing Disney knowledge. Even so, new hires are instructed to complete the Disney College of Knowledge coursework before starting on the job.

The Disney College of Knowledge online classes are a series of comprehensive training courses about the ins and outs of Disney’s theme parks, resorts, vacation packages, cruises, and more. Disney College of Knowledge graduates are better equipped to advise their clients after successful completion of the course. You can never have too much knowledge about Disney Destinations!

The Vacationeer is Ready to Book your next Disney Vacation

At The Vacationeer, we focus on providing our clients with the best Disney vacations possible. We are there to answer your questions, provide insider tips and tricks, make your time-sensitive reservations, and provide you with the lowest costs available.

Our “Vacationeers” are some of Disney’s most passionate fans. We keep up with the latest promotions and park developments, and we regularly visit the parks ourselves. Vacationeers know everything about Walt Disney World because it’s our job to do so!

As a testament to our growing and satisfied client base, Disney recognizes The Vacationeer as an EarMarked Gold Producer and an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

You can be confident we will put our hearts and minds into planning a trip that you and your family will remember forever!

Contact us today to learn how The Vacationeer can bring some magic into your next Disney vacation! Click Here for a free quote.

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