How to Become a Travel Agent for Disney (Detailed Guide)

Disney vacations are some of the most popular in the world, and there is a growing demand for travel agents who specialize in planning Disney trips. So if you have a passion for Disney and a love of helping people, becoming a Disney travel agent can be a great career choice.

Basically, you can earn money by making bookings for clients and save money on your own Disney adventures by becoming a Disney travel agent.

But to become a Disney travel agent, you will need to complete a Disney travel agent training program, for starters. These programs typically take about six months to complete and cover topics such as Disney destinations, Disney resorts, Disney cruises, and Disney activities.

In light of these, let’s look at a more definitive guide on how you can become a Disney travel agent, how it can save you money, and how you can earn money by assisting others in making their Disney dreams come true.

Why Should You Become a Disney Travel Agent?

There are numerous reasons to work as a Disney travel agent:

Personal travel benefits include discounted hotel rooms, free theme park tickets, and complimentary cruises.
You will have complete control over your schedule.
The majority of agents can work from home.
All successful bookings will earn you a commission.

What Are the Benefits of Working as a Travel Agent Who Sells Disney Vacations?

You may have heard that you can travel for free. You can stay for free at Walt Disney World and Disneyland hotels. Not quite. There are Disney travel agent benefits, but this is not the job for you if you want to be a travel agent solely for the benefits. The Disney travel benefits should be viewed as bonuses for becoming a successful agent who sells Disney vacation packages.

There are travel agencies that will charge you a fee of $300 to $500 to join them in exchange for a CLIA ID card or access to the Disney booking site. In our opinion, this is not the way to become a travel agent. This should be your full-time job, not something you do just to get your CLIA card.

Let me take a step back. A CLIA or IATA Agent ID is required to receive travel agency benefits such as hotel room discounts. According to the CLIA website, the following is required to obtain a CLIA Agent ID card:

CLIA Certification Is Required

Your affiliated agency must be a current CLIA Travel Agency Member to qualify for CLIA Individual Agent Membership (IAM). CLIA recommends that agents earn at least $5,000 in total agency commissions from cruise bookings within the previous 12 months before enrolling.

To obtain this card, you must have sold $5,000 in COMMISSIONS in CRUISE bookings in the previous 12 months. IATA has similar requirements, but they are not limited to cruise bookings.

To register for travel discounts, you will need your CLIA or IATA Agent ID card.

In order to get the travel deal, you must also meet the requirements of your travel agency and the vendor. So there are many layers to saving a little money on a room.

Again, don’t get caught up in the travel discounts; they’re not worth it. You should concentrate on selling vacations and providing exceptional service to clients while assisting them in planning their most amazing vacation ever. If you do this, your sales will increase, and you will be on your way to applying for a CLIA or IATA agent ID card.

What Other Benefits Do Disney Travel Agents Have?

Work From Home

The majority of positions are for independent contractors (IC), which means you can work your own hours and from home. The amount of time and effort you put in, as with any job, will help determine how well you do.

Money or a Commission

As an IC, you will be paid a commission in the majority of travel agency positions. As a result, when someone books vacation through you, you will receive a percentage of the commission.

Travel

You may be offered training trips or FAMS, depending on the travel agency you sign up with. These are familiarization trips taken by travel vendors and agencies to show you resorts, on-site training, excursions, and so on. These FAM trips may be provided for free or at a reduced cost and typically include a room, training, and some meals.

Getting to the FAM is typically not covered, so you would be responsible for your own flights. For example, a Universal Studios Orlando FAM can cost between $300 and $400. This varies, so don’t quote us on these prices.

FAM Trips

Depending on the agency you work for, you may or may not be invited to a FAM trip. If you want to learn more about Sandals and Beaches Resorts, but your agency does not sell many of those properties, you may have a more difficult time getting on a FAM trip with that vendor. Travel vendors are not looking for people who want a cheap vacation; rather, they are looking for travel agents who want to learn about and sell their destination.

Disney Travel Agent (DTA) Certification

When you sign up with a travel agency, they will set you up with a Disney Travel Agent (DTA) account. This is where you can take Disney College of Knowledge Classes, book Disney vacations, read Disney News, and find Disney Marketing materials.

The Disney College of Knowledge is completely free. You should not pay a travel agency to gain access to DTA. The College of Knowledge offers online classes that will educate you on all of Disney’s destinations and offerings. The link to Disney Travel Agents is provided below.

To take advantage of travel agent Disney offers, such as a free park admission ticket, you must complete all of these Disney College of Knowledge online classes. Don’t worry; the online Disney training is simple. You will watch training section videos from Disneyland, Disney World, Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Line, and other Disney attractions and take an online quiz at the end of each section.

If you set your mind to it, you could complete all of the Disney College of Knowledge classes in a single day. It would be preferable if you could devote at least a few days to finishing the Disney College of Knowledge training classes. Other family vacation destinations, such as Universal Orlando Resort, offer online training as well.

How to Become a Travel Agent for Disney

There is no single path to becoming a Disney travel agent, and the requirements and expectations differ depending on your objectives, the agency’s standards, and your location. Some aspiring travel agents want to work part-time to plan trips for friends and family, while others want to do it full-time. In any case, most agents work remotely rather than reporting to a physical office. Because different states have different laws that affect travel agents, and many work as independent contractors, it’s critical to educate yourself on the applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure that you and your agency are in compliance.

There are learning programs, such as the College of Disney Knowledge and modules on Disney Travel Agents, that help agents deepen their knowledge of Disney destinations, but Pisaturo believes that first-hand experience is the best preparation. Visit the Disney theme parks, resorts, and restaurants, take a cruise with Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney, and visit Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. It is critical to become acquainted with the offerings and experiences so that you can effectively advise future travelers.

Disney travel agents spend their days assisting guests in planning magical experiences, so they must keep up with Disney news and trends. Needless to say, most Disney travel agents choose this career path because they love all things Disney and want to help other guests experience the magical moments that only a Disney vacation can provide.

How Much Can a Disney Travel Agent Earn?

The most common follow-up question after “How to Become a Disney Travel Agent” is, “How much money can I expect to make?”

The industry standard for vacation package commission is 10% before taxes. Some components, such as airfare, may pay less than 10% or not at all. With a few exceptions, most Disney agencies will receive a 10% commission across the board.

But hold on; there’s more! As an agent for an agency, you will most likely earn less than the 10% commission. This is because most agencies keep roughly half of your commission. It’s common practice, but some agencies have tier programs that allow you to keep more as you book more.

Discussing Commissions

A typical Disney vacation for four people costs $7,367. The agency commission is 10%, of which you receive 70%.

736.70 * 70% = $515.69

Most agents are paid via direct deposit or check, but some can accept payment via PayPal or Venmo. And if you only book one vacation package per month, you can expect to make between $200 and $400. However, if you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, you could easily make more than $500 on a single reservation.

After all, those cruises can cost a typical family $5,000 to $12,000 per person.

How Do I Find Clients?

This is another frequently asked question when discussing How to Become a Disney Travel Agent. Getting clients is essential for being a successful Disney Travel Agent. There are several methods for increasing your clientele.

Personal networking with friends and family is an excellent way to get things started.

Furthermore, social media can be the key to expanding your clientele. Sharing Disney tips, incredible deals, and client success stories is a great way to attract new clients for years to come. Some companies, such as Best Day Ever Vacations, provide free Instagram post templates to help you get started with your Instagram page.

Also, register your name with Google My Business so that you appear when people search for a Disney travel agent near me.

Disney Deluxe Resorts Is an Earmarked Agency

Many agency websites bear the designation “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” or “Earmarked.” This denotes a program that private organizations can choose to participate in, in which Disney recognizes consistent sales revenue for various products (such as Aulani, Disney Cruise Line, and Walt Disney World) for at least two consecutive years.

Agencies that accept this invitation can progress to higher levels of the program, such as silver, gold, and platinum. To remain in the program, they must maintain or increase their sales each year.

However, participation in the program is voluntary, and agencies are not required to participate. Travel agencies that do not participate in the program have access to the same booking tools as those that do, and host agencies typically do not participate because they use independent contractors rather than employees.

While being an Earmarked agency or an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner has no effect on how travel agencies book Disney vacations, it does acknowledge the agency’s dedication to Disney products and sales performance.

Participating agencies may have access to exclusive resources, training, and marketing tools, which can help them sell Disney vacations more effectively.

Agencies that choose not to participate, on the other hand, may have other areas of expertise and can still provide a high level of service to their clients booking Disney vacations.

Finally, whether a travel agency is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner or an Earmarked agency is not the only factor to consider when booking a Disney vacation.

Do You Have to Sell Minimums to Be a Disney Travel Agent?

As a result, some Disney travel agencies may have minimum requirements, while others may not. It all depends on which agency you join. Some may request that you book at least once a month or even once a year without requiring a specific dollar amount. So, as long as you make a reservation, you’re good to go!

Some agencies, on the other hand, may have a minimum dollar amount, such as $5,000 per year. If you do not meet this criterion, you may lose your agent status or receive a lower commission percentage.

However, if you join Best Day Ever Vacations, you will not be required to meet any minimums. You are still considered an agent whether you book once a year, three times a year, or never. Furthermore, if you book more than 30 trips with Best Day Ever Vacations per year, you can increase your commission percentage from 70% to 80%.

Choosing the Best Agency

To be a successful Disney travel agent, you must first find the right agency fit, and there are a few basic things you should know before you begin. Disney travel agents assist travelers by booking their trips, and Disney compensates the agency with a commission. The commission split is negotiated between the agency and the agents so that you will receive a portion of the earnings. Some agencies expect agents to find their own clients (many agents market their services on social media), while others provide leads directly to agents. Because travel agencies vary in size and practice, Pisaturo provided a list of questions that people should ask potential agencies.

Fees:

Are there any upfront fees, and if so, what are they? Find out what other fees the agency charges agents, such as those for training and education.

Contracts:

Are there any mandatory sales targets or working hours? Is an independent contractor contract in place, and how long does it last?

Agency Support:

How long have your agents worked for the company? (This can be a good indicator of agency satisfaction.) What assistance does the main office offer to agents? Is the agency responsible for generating leads, or are agents responsible for generating their own sales? Is the agency able to help with social media marketing and provide information about Disney’s rules and restrictions? How frequently are agents paid commission, and how does the agency pay them?

Agency Information:

Is the agency an Earmarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and if so, at what level? (There are five levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.) Is the agency a member of Universal’s U-Preferred program? Is the agency Better Business Bureau accredited?

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Is the agency a member of any other professional organizations? Is the agency involved in any legal disputes with agents, guests, or vendors?

These are important questions to ask before working with an agency. Of course, searching the agencies you’re interested in online and checking out their social media pages is always a good idea.

What Do Disney Travel Agents Earn?

The range is quite broad, and it all depends on the number of clients a travel agent has. The salary range for a full-time Disney Travel Agent is between $23000 and $140,000.

Is Becoming a Disney Travel Agent Free?

Disney’s courses are completely free. To access the courses and benefits, you must be a member of a Disney-certified travel agency.