Become A Disney World Travel Planner: A Magical Career

If you're a Disney enthusiast who loves to travel, you can turn your passion into a career by becoming a Disney travel planner or agent. Disney travel planners or agents help clients book trips to Disney destinations, including theme parks, resorts, and cruises. They receive benefits such as discounted hotel rooms, free theme park tickets, and complimentary Disney cruises. Additionally, they earn commissions on successful bookings, which can be lucrative, especially for comprehensive trips.

To become a Disney travel planner, you must first become a certified travel agent. This involves completing a certification program and potentially joining a travel agency. Then, you can specialise in Disney vacations by registering for Disney's College of Disney Knowledge training and becoming an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. It is important to familiarise yourself with Disney's portfolio of products and destinations, including Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Lines, and Aulani.

When choosing a travel agency, consider factors such as training programs, business goals, costs, and community. Additionally, ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Being a Disney travel planner requires a good understanding of Disney offerings, strong sales skills, and the ability to create tailored vacation experiences for clients.

Understand the role: You are a travel consultant or planner, not a Disney employee

It's important to note that, as a Disney travel planner, you are not technically a Disney employee. You are a travel consultant or planner who offers Disney vacations. You are a travel agent "planner" with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency. So, you would be a travel planner that specializes in Disney vacations.

You will need to become familiar with Disney's entire portfolio of products, including Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Lines, Aulani, and Adventures by Disney. In addition, clients may also ask you to book Universal Studios, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line packages.

You will need to complete the College of Disney Knowledge training, which includes online classes and information about Disney Destinations. This training is provided by Disney and is required for all sellers of Disney travel. It is important to note that this is not a paid training program.

As a Disney travel planner, you will be responsible for marketing your services and generating your own leads. You will not receive a regular salary or wage; instead, you will work on a commission basis. This means that you will receive a percentage of the cost of each vacation you book.

It's also worth mentioning that you will need to comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations, as well as any industry standards or requirements. Additionally, you may need to obtain certain licenses or certifications, such as a Seller of Travel license or an IATA/IATAN or CLIA membership card.

Training: Complete Disney's College of Disney Knowledge and other training courses

Training is a crucial aspect of becoming a successful Disney World travel planner. Here are some key details about the training process:

Disney's College of Disney Knowledge:

Disney offers a comprehensive training program called the College of Disney Knowledge. This online program is designed to educate travel planners about Disney Destinations, including Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, and Adventures by Disney. The College of Disney Knowledge is a fun and informative way to learn about selling Disney destinations, and the best part is that it's completely free!

Other Training Courses:

In addition to the College of Disney Knowledge, there are also other training opportunities available. Some agencies, like Pixie Vacations, offer their own detailed training courses specifically for their travel planners. These courses cover not only Disney destinations but also other popular vacation spots like Universal Orlando Resort, all-inclusive resorts, and cruise lines. On-site training opportunities and agent trips may also be available to enhance your knowledge and skills.

Furthermore, it is beneficial to have personal experience with Disney destinations. Visiting the theme parks, staying at the resorts, dining at the restaurants, and participating in cruises or excursions will provide you with first-hand knowledge that you can use to advise your clients effectively.

Continuous Learning:

The learning doesn't stop once you complete the initial training programs. To stay up-to-date and provide the best service to your clients, continuous learning is essential. Disney often introduces new attractions, resorts, and experiences, so staying informed about the latest offerings is crucial. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the latest travel trends and participating in regular refresher training will ensure that you remain a knowledgeable and competent travel planner.

Training Support:

When choosing a host agency to work with, it is essential to consider the level of training support they provide. Look for agencies that offer ongoing training and resources to help you succeed. Fora, for example, provides its advisors with access to a comprehensive online platform, community app, and local chapters to connect with fellow advisors and share knowledge.

Sales experience: You'll need to be a salesperson and have a network of contacts

To become a Disney World travel planner, you'll need to be a salesperson and have a network of contacts. This is because, as a Disney travel planner, you'll be working on commission, so you'll need to be able to sell vacation packages to clients. It's also important to have a network of contacts so that you can build a client base and generate leads. Here are some tips to help you become a successful Disney World travel planner:

• Understand the commission structure: Disney travel planners typically work on commission, which means you'll need to be comfortable with selling and have the drive to succeed. The commission can vary depending on the package booked, but it's important to understand how it works so you can maximize your earnings.
• Develop sales and marketing skills: To be successful, you'll need to be able to sell vacation packages to potential clients. This requires strong communication and persuasion skills, as well as the ability to build relationships and networks. You'll also need to market yourself and your services to attract clients.
• Build a network of contacts: Start by reaching out to your friends, family, and community. Let them know about your services and ask them to spread the word. Join organizations and groups where you can meet potential clients, such as schools, churches, or special interest groups. Utilize social media platforms to build an online presence and connect with people.
• Create a marketing plan: Invest time and resources into developing a marketing strategy to promote your services. This could include creating dedicated social media accounts, posting engaging content, and running targeted ads.
• Stay up-to-date on Disney offerings: To be an effective salesperson, you need to know the product inside out. Stay informed about the latest Disney news, attractions, and packages. This will help you make recommendations and create tailored vacation plans for your clients.
• Consider joining a travel agency: Joining a travel agency, especially one that specializes in Disney vacations, can provide you with support, training, and access to leads. They can also help with marketing and provide guidance on industry regulations and compliance.
• Complete Disney's training program: Enroll in Disney's College of Disney Knowledge or their travel agent training program to deepen your knowledge of Disney destinations and offerings. This will make you a more effective salesperson and help you better serve your clients.
• Be proactive and organized: As a Disney travel planner, you'll need to be proactive in reaching out to potential clients and following up on leads. Stay organized by keeping track of client interactions, bookings, and other important information.

Skills: You must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be organised and have good computer skills

To become a Disney travel planner, you must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be organised and have good computer skills.

Excellent communication skills are essential when interacting with clients and providing them with recommendations. You will need to be able to convey information clearly and effectively to ensure your clients understand the details of their trip and can make informed decisions. Additionally, strong communication skills will enable you to build rapport and establish relationships with your clients, which can lead to repeat business and referrals.

Being organised is crucial for success as a Disney travel planner. You will need to manage multiple bookings, keep track of important dates and deadlines, and ensure that all the necessary arrangements are made for your clients' trips. Effective organisation will help you provide accurate and timely service, ensuring your clients have a seamless travel experience.

Good computer skills are also vital for Disney travel planners. You will need to use various software and tools to research, plan, and book trips for your clients. This includes using the internet to find information about different destinations, utilising booking platforms to make reservations, and managing client information in databases or spreadsheets. Strong computer skills will enable you to work efficiently and effectively, providing the best possible service to your clients.

Additionally, as a Disney travel planner, you should also be passionate about Disney and have extensive knowledge of Disney destinations, including theme parks, resorts, cruises, and other offerings. This will enable you to provide valuable insights and recommendations to your clients, ensuring they have a magical Disney experience.

Commission: Understand how you will be paid and what expenses you may incur

As a Disney travel planner, you will be paid on a commission basis. Commissions are the primary source of income for travel agents. You will not earn a regular monthly salary or hourly wage. Instead, you will receive a percentage of the cost of each vacation you book. Disney pays travel agencies a 10% base commission for each Disney World vacation booked. The agency then gives part of that commission to the agent who booked the trip and keeps the rest for itself.

The ratio at which the agency and the agent share the base commission is called the commission split. Novice vacation planners usually start out receiving 50%-60% of the commission the agency receives for each booking, but this can increase over time to around 70%-80%. Some agencies offer a better commission split for clients that you find on your own, as opposed to leads given to you by the agency.

Commission split ratios determine how much money you earn. A 10% base commission is standard for all Disney World vacations, but the most successful agencies may earn a higher percentage on other types of trips, such as 16% on Disney Cruises.

It is important to note that not all parts of the vacation package will earn a commission. For example, at Disney World, you will generally earn a commission on hotel accommodations, most multi-day theme park tickets (3 days or longer), Disney Dining Plans, VIP tours, and other select enhanced experiences. However, you won't earn a commission on Lightning Lane and other add-ons or 1-Day and 2-Day tickets.

Additionally, Disney pays commissions after the trip is over, so there can be a long delay between the time you book a trip and the time you get paid for it. Clients could also cancel their trip, in which case you would not receive any commission at all.

To protect themselves from "working for free", some planners have started charging their clients a planning or research fee. These are non-refundable upfront fees to cover the work the agent will do for the client. This is especially common in smaller agencies that may not have a steady flow of bookings.

There are some expenses that you may incur as a Disney travel planner. For example, you will likely need to pay for Errors & Omissions insurance, which offers financial protection for booking problems. There may also be a small technology fee to cover licenses for client management software. Furthermore, FAM trips and on-site education may require a fee, although these are usually heavily discounted.

Frequently asked questions