How to Become a Disney Travel Agent
Discover how to become a Disney travel agent and work from home. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to become a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations. But this does NOT mean being a Disney employee or contractor. This article explains how to take your love of Disney travel to the next level by being an expert in Disney travel planning.
Are you the ultimate Disney super-fan? Do your friends and family come to you for travel advice? Do you follow the blogs, keep up with the latest news and events at Disney? Do you love sharing your love of Disney with others?
We asked Disney travel agent experts to give us the low down on how to become a Disney travel agent and what it takes to be successful – and compiled it all here for you.
Working as a Disney Travel Agent
Getting paid to talk about Disney all day seems like a dream job—and it can be. But just like any job, it’s not all fun and games all the time. In this article, we’ll give you the pros, the cons, and the skills needed. Then, if you still feel it’s the right job for you, we’ll tell you how to start looking for a company to work with and how to become a Disney travel agent.
Notice we said “with” and not “for.” That is one of the topics that we’ll discuss so, that if you do decide to pursue this career, you will find companies that will help you succeed. And how do you land a job without prior experience? We’ll answer both those questions, and more, later in this article.
We also want to mention that there are several titles that Travel Agents go by. They can be called Travel Advisors, Travel Planners, or Vacation Planners—but they all refer to the same job and are often used interchangeably.
What do Disney Travel Agents Do?
A Disney Travel Agent is also known as a Disney Travel Planner. Although you are called a Disney Travel Agent (or Planner), you are not an employee of the Walt Disney Travel Company. In almost all cases, you are an independent contractor selling Disney Destinations under the umbrella of a travel agency or host agency.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Disney Travel Agent?
Being a Travel Agent specializing in Disney can be a fun and rewarding career. Who would not like to talk about Disney all day? But you need to be more than just a big Disney fan. Read on to learn more about what it takes to be a Disney travel specialist.
This is a job and requires time to build up clients, keep clients, learn vacation destinations. It takes time to book and help your clients with their vacation plans. It will take time to get things going and being persistent is key. But it can also be rewarding if you put the effort in.
Work from home
As an independent contractor, you can work from home, or any place you like. You can even sit poolside or in your favorite coffee shop. You can even wear your pajamas all day if you wanted.
Set your own hours
As an independent contractor, you are free to set your own hours. You will want to consider that more because you will want to be available when your clients need you.
Training Opportunities
You will have access to The College of Disney Knowledge so you can learn more selling about Disney properties. You may also have access to other online and in-person training opportunities to expand your selling and destination knowledge.
Some of these training opportunities may be offered through your agency. Those are usually FAMS. FAMS are Familiarization trips that travel vendors and travel agencies organize to educate their agents on what various destinations offer. These FAM trips can be free or offered at a discounted cost.
Travel agencies are not looking for people that want discounted vacations. They are looking for travel agents that truly want to learn and to sell travel.
Personal Travel
As you progress, you may have the opportunity for travel discounts. Agencies vary on the sales they require before you become eligible for discount opportunities.
Not to mention, any Disney vacation you go on is tax-deductible as a research expense*. This alone makes it worth your time to learn about how to become a Disney travel agent. It doesn’t get any better than that!
*Be sure to consult your financial advisor.
Earn money
How much money can you make as a Disney Travel Agent? That is all up to you. When you become a Disney Travel Agent, you will get paid a part of the commission for every sale you make.
As someone once told me “Do what you love, and the money will follow.” I have followed that advice throughout my career and it’s the advice I give my own children. Besides, work is something we all spend a lot of time doing. It should be something enjoyable.
Taxes
As an independent contractor, there may be a number of business expenses are tax deductible. That could include costs of your computer, phone service, some unities, and even the cost of your home office. Be sure to consult a tax advisor for the laws and regulations in your state.
Make friends and have fun
Your days are filled with thinking about, talking about, and researching Disney Destinations. What can be more fun than that!?
Plus, you get to share your Disney passion with others and help them fulfill their Disney vacation dreams. Over time, you may find that many of your clients become more like friends. That’s the real reward.
Do Disney Travel Agents Get Discounts?
Once you have successfully completed Disney’s College of Knowledge, you may be eligible for travel agent discounts offered by Disney such as room and park ticket discounts as well as discounts on Disney cruises.
What Are the Challenges of Being a Disney Travel Agent?
Without a doubt, becoming a Disney Travel Agent can be a fun and rewarding career. However, many new agents are unaware of the hurdles they may encounter while starting a new business venture.
While being an independent contractor provides you with a lot of freedoms, the truth is, there are several challenges that come along with that.
Work from home
Working from home can be a challenge. It is important to have a dedicated workspace in a quiet area so that you can have uninterrupted phone conversations with clients, especially if you have children or pets.
Just because you work from home, when you become a Disney travel agent you will still need to present a professional and polished persona. Even if you are wearing pajamas.
Set your own hours, but be available for clients
Yes, you can make your own hours, but you will want to be available when your clients need you. You will need to be responsive to phone calls and emails, especially to those who are traveling at that time. They may need you.
The truth is, becoming a successful Disney travel agent includes early mornings, late nights, and “crazy” clients. So be prepared to accommodate your client’s schedule and not always your own.
If you have children at home, or other responsibilities, you will need to balance those with your job once you become a Disney Travel Agent. It certainly can be done, but it’s something to think about in advance. How will you balance your time?
Training and travel
It is extremely important that you keep up with all the latest news and happenings in Disney. Your clients will look to you as the experts. You will need to provide the most current information available and be on the cusp of Disney doings.
The College of Disney Knowledge is a free training program. You should not be paying a travel agency for access to that. However, it is up to you to continually educate yourself. You may want to expand your knowledge of other destinations beyond Disney, such as Universal Studios.
Online is great, but there is no substitute for in-person experiences. Although travel can be a tax-deductible expense* it is typically paid by you, the agent.
Just like many other professions, continuing education is going to help you be more successful.
Finding clients
Having your own clients is key, in fact, it’s expected that you will find your own clients. Most agencies do not provide sales leads, but even if they do, you will typically earn more when you bring in the client. The best way to start finding them is through friends and family but if you want to be successful, you will have to go beyond your core circle.
Marketing
When you first start out, one of your biggest tasks will be getting the word out that you are now a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations. If people don’t know what you do, how are you ever going to find new clients? That is where marketing comes in.
The reason we list it as a challenge is that many people are uncomfortable with marketing, but it is an extremely important part of being a Disney Travel Agent and your overall business plan. Today, social media is a big part of marketing yourself, but not the only part. We’ll talk more about social media and marketing later in this article.
Customer service with a smile
Disney is the “Happiest Place on Earth.” But everyone has a bad day from time to time. As a professional Disney Travel Agent, it doesn’t matter if you are stressed or if a client is behaving unreasonably. It is always important to put your best foot forward, even if there is somewhere else you’d like to put it.
Also, consider that some clients take more work than others. Becoming a Disney travel agent takes more than just making a sale. You need to service that client all the way through their trip. Some clients are very easy to work with and take a little of your time. However, others can be draining. Some may just be looking for extra advice, some may make tons of changes, and others may cancel at the last minute. And you only get paid once a trip is completed.
But whatever the situation, you will want to handle yourself with the utmost professionalism. It can take a long time to cultivate a client but only moments to lose one.
Taxes
As an independent contractor, your commission checks will not have taxes deducted from it. It is extremely important that you know you will be responsible for paying the taxes on that earned income.
Consider putting 20-30% aside from each check so that you have the funds to pay the taxes. You may want to consult the services of a financial planner, bookkeeper, or accountant who provide more guidance for your specific circumstances regarding taxes.
They can also advise you regarding allowable business expense deductions. It is extremely important to keep good business records. There are many business expenses that may be tax-deductible, but you must keep receipts.
Create good habits from the beginning. It will pay off at tax-filing time.
Insurance
Some agencies charge their agents an annual E&O (Error & Omissions insurance) fee – as well as other fees – so be sure to research what you are expected to contribute before signing up to work with a host agency.
Even if your agency does not require it, you should consider having an E&O policy to protect you. Consult your insurance advisor for more information.
Common Questions About How to Become a Travel Agent Specializing in Disney Travel
How Do Disney Travel Agents Get Paid?
Travel agents make money by selling travel. The commission from booking a client’s travel is typically the agent’s sole source of income. In other words, you will not be getting a salary or paid an hourly wage.
How Much Do Disney Travel Agents Make?
The number of trips you sell, the overall cost of those trips, and your commission split will determine how much money you can earn.
Commission for Disney Travel Agents
The commission amount is based on the amount of the sale. Disney pays the agency a percentage of the sale, typically 10% of the package price (taxes and fees excluded). Part of that 10% goes to the agency, the part of it goes to you, the agent. The specific amount is called “the split”. There are many factors that determine the split.
Commission Splits
Disney pays the agency a percentage of each sale. For commission is typically 10% of the package price (taxes and fees excluded). Part of that 10% goes to the agency, the part of it goes to you, the agent. The specific amount is called “the split”.
Travel Agents usually receive a larger split of the commission on clients they find themselves compared to leads given to them from their agency.
For example, if the agency provides the client lead, it may be a 50/50 split. However, if you, the agent, brings in the client, it may be a 60/40 split: 60% to you, 40% to the agency.
Novice travel agents can expect to have a 50/50 split with their host agency to start off with, even for those clients they bring in themselves. As you book more trips, the commission splits may go up to around 70, or in some cases, as much as 80 or even 90%. (The typical percentage splits you can expect to find will be around 70/30)*.
We recommend that you avoid any agency that pays out less than a 50/50 split on your clients. After all, you’ll be doing the bulk of the work and we think you should be fairly compensated for your efforts with at least 50% of the commission.
* For the Disney agency with the best commission splits, see our recommendation at end of the article.
Commission Bumps
Some large agencies, who have a very high number of sales, may get an increased commission on some products—specifically cruises. If you work for a small or new travel agency a Cruise Line vendor might be paying 10% commission to that agency. As the agency sells more Cruise Line vacations the agency’s commission level can go up to 15%, 16%, for example. (Note: 16% is the highest and only the biggest agencies reach that level).
Simple Commission Split example:
Agency A
- Gets 10% Cruise Line Commission
- $5,000 Cruise x 10% = $500.00 commission
Agency B
- 16% Cruise Line Commission
- $5,000 Cruise x 16% = $800.00 commission
Agency B is making $300 more for just this one booking. If you have a 50/50 split, you will get $150 more commission. But be aware—Walt Disney World and Disneyland resort packages cap a 10% for all agencies, no matter how big or small. So, unless you are selling mainly cruises, this may not be a factor.
When researching who you’d like to work for, this is only one factor to consider. Often, very large agencies do not offer the same level of support and personal attention to their agents, especially new agents just getting started. Read more about this topic below.
What Does the Agency Do for Their Share?
It may feel it unfair for your agency to take a cut of your commission. After all, you are doing all the work, right? However, the truth is agency owners do a lot of work you may not be aware of.
Overall, the agency owner is responsible for the agency’s day-to-day operations. Large agencies have several departments and various staff members to handle the different aspects of what comes with agency ownership. In smaller companies, the owner often has to do it all.
The cost of doing business
Some things will vary from agency to agency. Still, all agencies have certain costs that are universal like state licensing, registration and other government fees, business liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance policies that may cover the agents, accounting and bookkeeping expenses related to the reconciliation of the accounts and commissions payout calculations, and legal fees, just to name a few. Not only do these tasks take time, but there are also significant expenses for those items.
There are other significant costs of doing business as a travel agency. Typically, agency owners invest in branding, advertising, social media marketing, and maintaining the company’s website and online presence. And the best agencies will be investing in their agents as well by providing initial and ongoing training and support. That could include continuing education, group meetings, and one-on-one mentoring. They will also work on sourcing the best suppliers and building relationships with them to provide their agents with the tools and resources they need to make successful sales.
Plus, they will be the ones you go to whenever you have a question or need answers on how to handle client issues. In some cases, they will even intervene on your behalf and try to mend thing when they go awry. They should always have your back and be your biggest cheerleader.
How Do Disney Travel Agents Get Paid?
Be aware that Disney does not pay out the commission until AFTER the travel has been completed. In most cases, this lag time usually takes anywhere from a couple of months to a year or more, depending on how far in advance your client books their vacation.
Once the agency receives the commission, they have to process your payment. That could take several additional weeks. Therefore, expect a lengthy delay from the time you book a vacation until the time you get paid.
Many people who research “how to become a Disney travel agent” may not have taken this into consideration. However, once the payments start coming in, then there should be a steadier flow of income—assuming you have a steady stream of client bookings.
So, if you start as a Disney Travel Agent, be patient and plan to work for a while without getting any financial reward. But keep at it, keep working hard to get clients, and it will pay off.
Am I an employee of the Disney Travel Company?
NO. You are an independent contractor. However, you will be working directly with many employees of the Disney Travel Company.
What Skills Do You Need To Become a Disney Travel Planner?
Product Knowledge
This seems obvious but there really is a lot to know about Disney Destinations. As a Disney Travel Planner, you should know Disney inside and out. And not just one location, and not from visiting once or twice. You really need to be an expert if you are going to be of value to your clients.
You need to know their portfolio of products: Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney. But don’t even stop there. Don’t forget about international Disney destinations. You never know where your clients will want to explore.
Most Disney travel agencies also book Universal Studios, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line packages as well, so your breadth of knowledge may need to expand beyond Disney, depending on which destinations your host agency books.
An effective Travel Agent is very well-versed in each destination. You should certainly know the best restaurants and rides at Disney, but it would also help to be ready with some The Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips in case your client chooses to experience Universal Orlando Resort as well.
But this extends beyond Disney, to places you may not have visited before. That requires spending quality time researching the “ins and outs” of the destinations you are not familiar with. These are all things to consider when learning how to become a Disney travel agent.
Be ready with answers
A client may ask:
- Which resort has the best pool?
- What can I do on a rest-day from the parks?
- Where can I get groceries?
- Can I rent a stroller?
- What is the best nearby beach?
- What is the best way to get to Universal Studios?
You, their travel agent, should be prepared with an answer.
Training is not a “one and done” occurrence. As mentioned previously, it is important to keep abreast of the latest news, changes, and happenings of the destinations you represent.
Good Communication
Like any sales job, Disney travel agents are required to have excellent communication skills.
Effective agents always remain calm, cool, and collected under all circumstances. But just as important, they are upbeat, articulate, and helpful. This doesn’t just apply to phone conversations, but also in written documents including emails, and texts.
Since a lot of client communications are via email, make sure you carefully proofread everything you write before pressing the “send” button. It’s not always easy to convey a pleasant tone via texts and emails, so avoid writing anything that sounds abrupt, angry, or unsympathetic. Clients can be sensitive!
Be clear with your responses and helpful with your advice.
Self-Starter
You need to be a people person. This is a sales job. But if you love what you are selling, it might come more naturally.
You should be someone who can take little direction and run with it. Yes, it is important to work with and agency that provides agents with support, but you need to be a self-starter.
As an independent contractor, you are running your own business. You need to promote yourself, organize yourself, and proactively seek opportunities to build your client base. If you are the go-to person at your church, school, business, or other clubs/events, you already have a base of customers to plan vacations for.
Prompt and Proactive
You may be juggling several clients at once. But to each client, they want to be your number one priority. One way to make them feel you are looking out for their interests is to be prompt is communicating with them.
Return calls and emails as soon as possible. Remember, there are a lot of Disney Travel Agents out there. If you do not respond promptly, someone else will.
You must also be proactive, especially when Disney comes out with new promotions. Another reason clients choose to book with a Disney Travel Agent is, so they don’t have to keep an eye on Disney promotional offers. They know the agent will.
When those offers get released, you need to be ready to pounce! You need to promptly and proactively try to get them that new deal which will save them money. When you can rebook a client into a better deal, you have won them over!
Detail-Oriented
The reason clients hire Disney Travel Agents is to take the stress of out of vacation planning. As their travel agent, any challenges have become your responsibility.
You must focus on every detail and pay extra close attention to everything when you book someone’s trip. One slight error can complicate or even ruin a Disney trip. And worse, cost you and the agency money to rectify.
Well-Organized
Having a good organizational system in place is key to keeping all your information in order as you juggle multiple client trips at once. You will need an efficient system to track all the key dates, dining reservations, payments, etc. That means both paper and digital files.
Disorganized travel agents are bound to encounter confusion and mix-ups at some point. Keep your information easily retrievable in case a client calls with questions.
When researching agencies, find one who will help set you up for success. The last thing you want is to be thrown in to sink or swim on your own.
Technical Skills
It is extremely important to have good technical skills. Although you can book vacations over the phone, most business is conducted online.
You need to have a reliable computer and printer along with a reliable internet connection. You may also want to consider having a separate business phone line or use your smartphone for business calls. You will want to answer your calls professionally and not accidentally by one of your kids.
You should also have the minimum technical and software knowledge, including but not limited to the following. This is another big factor in knowing how to become a Disney travel agent.
- Computer (desktop or laptop)
- Printer
- Smartphone
- Online web browser
- Excel
- Word
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Instagram, and other social media
- My Disney Experience
Marketing Savvy
This is a skill that should not be overlooked. Other than having extensive Dinsey destination knowledge and experience, this is probably the next most important skill—or at least the willingness to learn.
To a great extent, Disney vacation planners are on their own to find client leads. Some agencies pay to advertise their brand – at no cost to their agents. This certainly is a bonus from an agent’s standpoint because, often these leads can be passed to agents. However, for the most part, Disney Travel Agents are responsible to acquire new clients.
It helps to have a large circle of friends and acquaintances to begin to promote your services to. It is also helpful to have as some marketing savvy to build your own brand. Since your compensation is entirely commission-based, an effective marketing strategy will be key to your success.
Social media presence
An important part of a marketing strategy is social media. You want to keep your brand top of mind so when someone is looking for an agent, you will be the first one they think of.
There are many different social media channels. You need to find the one or ones that work best for you, and that you will keep up with.
Some of the larger, more established agencies may have a prominent social media presence or high Google search ranking, in which case you may get some client leads handed to you. But even if that is the case, your own social media stream cannot be overlooked.
As an independent contractor, you are building your business and your brand. Your brand is you. You want to become THE Disney expert in your circle. But we patient, all this takes time.
Passion, drive, and motivation
I know we said Disney knowledge and marketing are the most important skill, but this one actually trumps them all. But passion and drive are not skills—they come from the heart. You either have it or you don’t. And you need to be honest with yourself to determine if this is the right path for you.
As with any successful business venture, it takes passion, drive, and motivation to work hard towards your goals. Being an independent contractor takes commitment and dedication. Being a Disney Travel Agent is a lot of fun, but like with any job, there will be times that it is tough. You will need to push through the tough times if you want to succeed.
As mentioned above, it will take time to develop a clientele. It will also take time from when you book vacations to the point where you will actually see a payment from that effort. Are you willing to put in that time and wait for the payout?
Most of all, you need to openly share your passion, be motivated to grow your business, and driven to succeed.
What Do Employers Expect of You as a Disney Travel Agent?
When you become a Disney travel agent, you will be representing the company you work for. You will be expected to be friendly and kind, while also being professional and take your work seriously. For some guests, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation and they have worked hard and saved their funds for a very long time to make it happen.
Good Communication Skills
You should have great verbal and written skills. The agency does not provide resources to its agents such as PC, internet access, mobile devices, but these are very essential to this career. Computer skills and being very organized play a very important role as well. You will be required to supply all your own equipment, tools, and supplies.
When planning for a guest you will have to determine from the request and communications what options are best suited for your guest. Just because the perfectly planned Disney vacation for your family is great it does not mean that it is the best for another guest. Listening to your guest’s needs and wants along with budget helps you to determine and make the recommendations based upon what you will learn.
Good Personality
Let your personality shine. Even though most clients are ready to book their vacation, sometimes you still have to be that “salesman.” That is where have a good sales personality places a virtual role.
Drive
You have to work at building your business. Let your community know that you are a travel agent and can assist with their travel needs. Placing an ad in the local paper and then sitting back to watch the leads roll in is not how it works. You will need to sit down and make a marketing plan and how you are going to reach those goals to be the successful travel agent that you want to be. Your agency will provide opportunities to learn all about the Disney destinations, but it will be up to you to form your social circles within your community so that individuals will know that you are ready and willing to help plan their upcoming vacation.
Being a Disney travel agent does take time and lots of work. It is not just a position for the hobbyist. Agencies want to hire dedicated agents that provide quality work and excellent customer service. You will be expected to put in the appropriate time and effort required to be successful.
If you are a person that wants to just sell Disney Destinations that is perfectly fine, but some clients will request other destinations. Consider expanding your expertise to include Universal Orlando Resort, all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, cruise lines, and more. Once you get a client, they will want to keep coming back to you for their vacation needs and it may not always be Disney.
How to find Disney Travel Agent Jobs
So, you’ve learned how to work from home as a Disney travel agent, and decided you want to pursue it as a career. Next comes the big question… how do you find a travel agency that will hire you, especially if you have no experience?
Disney travel agencies are always on the lookout for new talent. However, they are not going to hire just anyone. If you’ve been a travel agent before, then your chances of being hired are much greater of being hired by any number of agencies. This is especially true if you have Disney travel experience.
However, since you are reading this article, it’s likely that you have no experience at all. Fear not! It’s still possible to get hired as a Disney travel planner with little to no experience.
Research Travel Agencies
Once you decide that you have the skills and drive it takes to succeed, you will want to start researching agencies to work with. You can find agencies looking to hire by searching phrases like “Disney travel agent join our team,” “Disney travel advisor jobs,” or “Disney jobs from home.” You may be surprised by how many Disney travel agencies that are. Many of them are seeking agents to join their team.
After locating agencies, read their employment criteria and see if you are a good fit. Be honest with yourself so you don’t waste your time, or theirs.
As stated in the beginning, you want to find an agency where you can have a valued partnership, meaning one that will support you to be successful. Not one that will leave you hanging out in the breeze.
Here are some things to look, and look out for, while researching how to become a Disney travel agent.
Look for a Support System
The best agencies will provide support, training, and guidance. They will be working to promote the agency as a whole as well as provide assistance for their agents to promote themselves. They should encourage and open dialogs and friendly interactions between agents and discourage a competitive atmosphere.
Some agencies may offer inexperienced agents a mentor that can help you with your first few sales. If you are in a training period, your mentor may get a cut of your commission since they are providing you direct education and training.
Training should always be provided by your host agency. But we mean more than simply access to the College of Disney Knowledge training. While that does a great job of teaching you about Disney’s products, it does not teach you how to be a travel agent, how to work with clients, or how to sell Disney. That is the type of training to look for as a new agent.
Agencies typically charge a fee for that type of travel agent training, and that should be expected. Unless you are a seasoned travel agent, you will need training. If you were entering any other field, wouldn’t you have to take classes or get a degree first? This is no different.
While you could take classes at your community college, the training offered by some travel agencies is going to be more applicable to the type of travel you intend to sell. Especially for Disney travel.
Agency Fees
Destinations like Walt Disney World and Disneyland are not like any other travel destinations, which is why travel advisors in this niche are so important. But being an expert traveler does not mean you are automatically an expert agent. Nevertheless, there is a lot to know. Working as an independent contractor under a reputable travel agency can provide the tools and training you need to succeed. And most agencies charge fees for that.
That said, remember that you are embarking on your own business. Unless otherwise specified, you are an independent contractor. You are not an employee of your agency. There are IRS rules they need to abide by in terms of their relationship with you to keep clear that you are in fact, an independent contractor. Charging fees, especially for training, is one of the things that keep the lines clear.
Fees can vary widely and there are many types. Here are a few common ones:
- Registration Fee: This is a one-time cost to join an agency. This often covers the time and expense of onboarding you as an agent. These can range from a few hundred to over a $1000.
- Initiation Fee: Similar to the Registration Fee
- Hosting Fee: Typically, a monthly or annual fee for you to belong to an agency. These can often be between $50-$100 per month or more.
- Increased Commission Fee: Also called a Buy-Up fee, some agencies will allow you to “buy up” to an increased commission. They will offer a higher commission split (in your favor) for a higher fee. If you are serious about selling, getting the higher split can be well worth the higher fee—but only if you are making sales. The cost is typically double the Hosting Fee.
- Training Fee: For access to training. (This should be beyond the College of Disney Knowledge, which Disney offers to all their registered agencies for no charge). Training fees are typically a one-time cost. You can expect training fees to start around $500 and go up. Unless you are a seasoned travel agent, you should expect to pay a training fee.
- Technology Fee: Covers things like access to CRM programs, email, and other types of software for use in your business. Getting this through your agency is often less expensive than getting it on your own, plus it will integrate with the other agents on your team. Technology fees often run about $50-100 per month and up, depending on what is included.
- Affiliate Fee: Also called Membership fee and may be used in MLM network agencies. (See Lookout for Scams below).
But even with the fees an agency may charge, starting your own business as a Disney Travel Agent has a very low start-up cost. With being able to work from home, or anywhere, the only real tools you need are a phone and a computer. If you are putting in the effort and growing your travel business, these fees will be easily covered by just booking a few trips a year. The rest is gravy.
The Cost of No-Fee Agencies
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may find agencies that charge no fees. While this is very attractive, especially to new or inexperienced agents, they often come with very few benefits. As a new agent, training and support are critical. Technology, like a Customer Relationship Management portal, is as well. These would be things you have to find, pay for, and learn on your own. And if you are in a situation where you need help or guidance, it may be harder to get.
Plus, their commission splits may be lower than customary to make up the difference. Remember, the agency is in business too, and many expenses come along with that. They need to make their money somehow, which typically comes from taking a larger cut of your commissions. While that may not be a big deal when you are new and not making many sales, it will make a bigger dent in your pocket when you do.
If you are entering this field as a hobbyist, or only want to test the waters, so to speak, this may be an option to consider. But realize what you may not be getting in this scenario. Without support and training new agents need, it is very likely you will not be successful. So often, as a new agent, you may not know what you need, but hopefully, you will after reading this article.
Now, if you are serious about becoming a professional Disney Travel Agent, you would be better served to find an agency that will offer training, the technology and tools needed, and true support to help you start and grow your business, even if that comes with fees.
Think about it… If an average Walt Disney World trip is about $5000, that means a $500 commission to split. The difference between a 60/40 split a 70/30 split is $50. If you are paying a monthly hosting fee of $50, one trip a month and you’ve covered it. The rest is in your pocket.
Look Out for Scams
Legitimate Disney travel agencies will have IATA (International Air Transport Association) and/or CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) accreditation. They would be licensed and registered with the states that require Seller of Travel licenses. Those include Florida, California, Hawaii, Iowa, and Washington state.
Avoid any Disney travel agencies that run a multilevel marketing (MLM) scheme. These types of agencies are more interested in making money off you than making you a valuable member of their team.
MLM agencies get most of their revenue from selling memberships to new recruits, not commissions from selling travel. An MLM agency will rarely tell you upfront that is what they are. Instead, they may use terms like “network marketing” or “direct sales”. If you see that type of terminology on a website, then are likely an MLM business model. They are not interested in your success as a travel agent, only making money from memberships.
Find the right fit
Regardless of the fees charged, it’s essential to do your research and find the right fit for you. Ideally, someone you will want to be with for the long term. You want an agency that will give you the training and support you need in is vested in your success. If they are doing that, and are there to help you grow your business, the fees will be worth it. Like anything else in life, you get what you pay for.
What Do Disney Travel Agencies Look for in Applicants?
Each agency has its own set of criteria they seek when looking to hire travel planners. Here are some of the most common characteristics Disney travel agencies are looking for from potential job candidates.
✓ Passion
Employers like enthusiasm, so be expressive and passionate when you apply for Disney travel agent jobs.
✓ Drive
Good travel agencies invest a lot into their agents and set them up for success. But they can’t do it alone. YOU are the one in the driver’s seat. Are you driven to be successful? Are you motivated to market yourself? Are you ready to do all it takes to find clients and close sales?
✓ Knowledge
Agencies want to know that you are well-versed and insightful when it comes to Disney Destinations and know that you have actually been to some of these places you’ll be promoting. Expect to be asked which destinations you have been to, and when
✓ Previous Planning Experience
Are you the go-to Disney expert for friends and family? Do they seek your advice when planning their Disney vacations? If you’ve never been a travel agent before, this is where you can show you at least have some related experience, even though it was unofficial and unpaid.
✓ Commitment
Most Disney agencies are looking for people who serious about pursuing this career and understand that it takes time before you will see much reward for your labors.
✓ Availability
An ideal job candidate would be able to devote as many hours as possible to grow their business and be highly attentive to their client’s needs. Morning, afternoon, and nighttime calls or correspondence are common. Being flexible and available is important.
✓ Character Traits
Like any employer, Disney travel agencies want to hire those who possess a strong work ethic, professionalism, ambition, a positive attitude, independence, business-mindedness, etc. Showcase your personality.
✓ Salesmanship
You do not want to alienate potential clients with a bad attitude or a sales pitch or being too forceful. But you shouldn’t be wishy-washy either. Your goal makes the client feel confident in you and to close the sale.
✓ Customer Service Skills
Disney travel agents must possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and be comfortable “meeting” new people.
✓ Tech-Skills
A quiet workspace and reliable technology (computer, phone, and high-speed internet) is a must. You will be using an online booking system and talking to clients throughout the day. You need to be sure your computer skills are up to the task.
✓ Social Media Presence
Social media plays a major role in marketing these days. Successful Disney travel agents create a Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram account devoted entirely to market their Disney travel services. Every update will remind your followers that you are the go-to person for planning their next Disney vacation.
Looking for a Recommended Disney Travel Agency to Join?
After all this information about how to become a Disney travel agent, you decided you want to pursue a career as a Disney Travel Planner. You might ask, who is our favorite Disney Travel Agency?
While there are many great travel agencies out there, we believe the best is Destination Magic.
The company was started by agents from several other businesses who felt they did not get the support system needed to be effective and successful. In creating Destination Magic, they are committed to doing it better.
Destination Magic provides their Disney travel agents (called Magic Makers) with the tools necessary to be successful. They engage in various marketing initiatives to promote the agency and provides support to their agents in their marketing efforts. Plus, they pay some of the highest commission payouts in the industry—up to 90%! All this while still putting the prime focus on exceptional customer service.
Destination Magic is currently seeking agents to join their team. They are not a large agency which allows them to have a more personal connection with every agent. Each hire is not only a member of their team but a valued partner striving for mutual success.
Testimonials from actual agents:
“I know I can go to anyone in here and ask for help at any moment in time.” —Bekah Workman
“Everyone here feels like family. All here to support each other and invest in each other’s success as well as the company’s success.” —Will Hanlon
“We all have close connections with you guys (the owners) for any problems that come up. And having that relationship is special.” —Darcy Reeve
To inquire about applying to Destination Magic, visit https://destinationmagic.com/join
Good Luck!
As with any career, you should follow your passion. If you are passionate about Disney travel and love to help bring that joy to others, you can be successful. And when you love what you do, it’s never a job.
Best of luck with your career as a Disney Travel Agent!
We offer great agent training, tools, and support, and some of the best commission splits in the business.
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