MELVILLE, N.Y. -- The Walt Disney Travel Co. is giving clients the
inside scoop, compliments of their agent.
Bill Kaufman, director of national account sales for Walt Disney
Parks & Resorts, said all agents will receive the Disney Resort
Guest Answer Book for each booking.
He made the announcement to 250 agents at the company's 2001
product seminar here.
The 48-page guide contains "insiders' tips" on dining, services
for travelers with disabilities, tours, child care, shopping and
more, Kaufman said.
The idea is for agents to hand the book over to clients, which,
in turn, further enhances their relationship, he said.
Kaufman touted this move as part of "the Disney Difference"
(attention to detail and the level of quality), which the Walt
Disney Travel Co. has long reminded agents of when they refer
clients.
He also announced other exclusive benefits and value-added
features at the seminar, including a preferred viewing area for the
nightly fireworks at Epcot.
He called this "the Fastpass of fireworks."
It is available to clients buying selected packages. Fastpass is
an automated, free reservation system, reducing waits in line for
16 Disney World attractions.
Golf package clients now can reserve tee times five months
before arrival at the five Disney courses.
Clients renting National cars receive free Disney World parking
(worth $6 daily) if they stay at an off-site "Good Neighbor" hotel
(those not Disney-owned).
Qualifying free parking plans include a three-night stay, from
$345 per person, double, valid through Dec. 19.
The rate covers a room at the Quality Inn International, Quality
Inn Plaza or the Rodeway Inn International; Disney's four-day Park
Hopper Plus Pass, and a National compact car.
National has no drop charges in Florida.
Some changes agents selling Disney Cruise Line will find include
a separate beach area for adults, families and teens on Castaway
Cay, Disney's private island.
Retailers selling trip cancellation insurance will have their
commissions protected on canceled trips if certain conditions are
met. The insurance cost is $29.95 per adult; kids are free.
Agents also can book up to 13 Florida beach properties in
Clearwater Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Palm Beach area and
Vero Beach (site of Disney's Vero Beach Resort).
For Florida information, contact the operator at (800)
327-2996.
Disney packages also can be booked with Disney Select
wholesalers, including American Express Vacations, Continental
Vacations, Delta Vacations, Funjet Vacations, Gogo Worldwide
Vacations, Kingdom Vacations, Travel Impressions, United Vacations
and US Airways Vacations.