Hey Howdy Hey Wendy and welcome to planDisney!
One of my biggest tips for anyone starting to
plan a trip to Walt Disney World Resort is to consider a travel agent. With a land footprint the size of the city of San Francisco, Disney World has so much to offer for anyone in your party. It might be tough to figure out where to start, what to include and how to make the most of your trip. Our friends at various travel agencies can make this process so much more enjoyable especially considering you won't have to do the heavy lifting on planning, they will!
Thank you so much for your question on the specifics of travel agencies as they might offer various specialties when it comes to planning a trip to Walt Disney World. The biggest thing you need to look for is if the agency itself is EAR-marked and has its "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" status. This is a special distinction that Disney gives to agencies that go above and beyond for their Guests when planning trips to Disney World. There are several distinctions as well with colors such as gold and platinum that will guide you to the more experienced agencies.
When you work with an authorized Disney vacation planner, you should get an experience that is fun, informative and COST-FREE! Some agencies out there might talk about being "Disney Specialists" but also have costs associated with their services. Working with EAR-marked agencies is another way that Disney has distinctions for helping Guests know what the experts are!
Wendy, if you do an internet search for "authorized Disney vacation near me", this should give you a list of agencies you can contact that will help you plan your trips. Just make sure that you do see the Disney distinction on their home page, with the "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" logo complete with ears and/or is EAR-marked status of gold, platinum and such, as this is kind of a big deal that comes with heavy bragging rights in the travel industry!
I hope this helps to clarify the Disney Experts out there for you and some tips on how to find them. If you have any further questions about planning or trip or anything else, please stop by and visit your newfound 'Ohana here at
planDisney for any other questions!
Happy planning,
Nick