To become a Disney specialist is more than mere ticket selling or organizing a trip to Disney. It involves a certain amount of knowledge concerning the parks, attractions, and special events of Disney. It does not matter whether one is planning for a family, a couple or a group outing; a good planner ensures each outing is as special as the other.
For one to effectively perform the task in this position, more than skills in organizing travel is required. From learning the peculiarities of Disney booking systems to building a distinct itinerary for each client, let’s outline the critical competencies any Disney travel planner should possess.
1. Disney Destination Expert Information
Anyone who is trying to be a professional Disney travel planner must have adequate information about Disney parks, resorts, and attractions. This includes the layouts of the parks, attractions, special events and occasions and dining options. There is a Disneyland in California as well as the Walt Disney World in Florida; however the two places are quite different. A professional Disney travel planner is knowledgeable about the latest attractions, refurbishment timelines and any other development in the park—to ensure optimum advice is given to the client.
2. Mastering Disney Booking Systems
It remains relevant to understand that Disney has some of the most efficient reservation systems for any travel consultant. This system helps with procuring park tickets, travel, dinner and show reservations and other special activities, for example, VIP tours. There are several systems at Disney and some can get tricky, e.g., the Genie+ service or virtual queues for certain attractions. Professional Disney planners must be familiar with these systems in order to acquire difficult to get reservations for their clients and guarantee a seamless dining experience.
3. Strong Communication and Personalization Skills
In order to correctly analyze the information of a client, a professional Disney travel planner has to have effective communication skills—to collect information about the client’s likes, pricing range, and expectations. Some may want character appearances and photo sessions, others would target roller coasters and other thrilling rides, and still others might want quality restaurants. Adapting the trip according to these preferences satisfies clients.
4. Organization and Attention to Detail
Most Disney vacations consist of several aspects, mainly accommodation, meals, parks, tickets, and entertainment. A Disney travel planner has to remember specific days such as the number of days to an advance dining reservation or other options. This becomes particularly fulfilling for clients since each aspect of the trip is considered to the latter, thus making the vacation problem-free.
5. Keeping Informed with Disney Policies and Promotions
Disney constantly changes its policies, offers, and promotions. From possible new operating hours, health precautionary measures, or a special deal for annual pass holders and/or Disney Visa cardholders, the professional Disney travel planner should be familiar with such modifications. Understanding when clients can receive discounts or when an additional feature has been added can assist in offering advice as well as possibly making clients’ trips less costly.