Disney travel agents secure exclusive savings for both their clients and themselves on theme park admissions, hotel stays, and a variety of other attractions.
If you’re a fan of Disney and you like to travel, it’s possible to combine these passions into a career or side hustle. As a Disney travel agent, you can earn income by booking trips for clients while also enjoying discounts on your own Disney adventures.
Here’s how to become a Disney travel agent and the ways it can save you money and help you earn cash while helping others make their Disney dreams come true.
Why Become a Disney Trip Planner?
As a Disney travel agent:
How to Become a Disney Travel Agent
Becoming a Disney travel advisor is similar to becoming a regular travel agent. First, you’ll need to meet specific travel agent requirements, but there are additional criteria for specializing in Disney vacations.
You’ll have to become familiar with Disney’s entire portfolio of products including Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Lines, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney. Clients can also request Disney travel agents to book packages for Universal Studios, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
Upon completion of the training, you are eligible to become an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, gaining access to all the associated benefits and privileges.
Save Money as a Disney Vacation Planner
One reason to become a Disney vacation planner is the numerous perks, including special access to discounted hotel rates and other advantages like:
Disney Travel Agent Discounts
Disney travel agents can take advantage of discounted rates on accommodation and park entrance fees for personal trips. This applies to Disney-branded hotels and other properties, cruises, and excursions, such as:
Discounts will vary depending on your destination, but you can expect to save up to 50%.
TIP
Adventures by Disney are guided vacation packages, which include Antarctic cruises, European getaways, and more.
Complimentary Disney Park Hopper Tickets Annually
Businesses expect you to have a thorough understanding of the products you’re selling. The better you know a place, the more capable you’ll be of helping clients choose the right vacation.
To support this, Disney offers Authorized Disney Vacation Planners complimentary theme park tickets. As a standard Disney travel agent, you will receive a one-day Park Hopper ticket to Walt Disney World or Disneyland each year.
If you want to visit for a longer period, you can opt for discounted two- to 10-day Park Hopper tickets at Walt Disney World.
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The highest-performing travel agents are recognized by Disney’s EarMarked program. This exclusive, invite-only program offers enhanced support and perks, including additional complimentary theme park tickets.
Discounted Universal Studios Tickets
Cheaper tickets aren’t limited to Disney. As a Disney travel agent, you are also eligible to receive up to four half-price tickets to Universal Studios each year.
Discounted Disney Cruises and Increased Commissions
Disney cruise travel agents can also access discounted or complimentary tickets for Disney cruises. Depending on the agency you work with, those with a high number of sales can earn increased commissions on sales associated with cruises.
How Much Do Disney Travel Agents Make?
Disney travel agents work on commission, which means they make money only when their clients book and complete vacations.
Disney offers travel agents commissions of up to 10%, based on the specific package booked for the customer. Disney cruises yield a higher commission. Disney offers travel agents commissions of up to 10%, depending on the customer package booked. For instance, if your client booked a $5,000 vacation pretax, you’d receive $500 in commission.
You can also choose to join an existing travel agency. These companies offer support and can help you get started. Depending on the agency, you could also receive marketing support and potential client leads. However, if you decide to join a travel agency, you will need to share your commission.
The rate varies based on where you’re working, but you can expect to receive up to 75% of the total commission Disney pays out.
For example, if a client takes a vacation costing $5,000 pretax, Disney would pay the travel agency $500. With a 75% split, you would receive $375. It’s less than you’d make operating on your own, but the additional support and access to clients may be worth it.
Final Thoughts on Becoming a Disney Travel Agent
There are undeniable benefits to becoming a Disney travel agent, including free theme park tickets, discounted rates at official Disney hotels, and savings on cruises. Besides these perks, you can turn your passion into a job by selling Disney vacation packages to customers.
Whatever your reason for wanting to become a Disney travel agent, you’ll first need to become a certified travel agent, then complete Disney’s specialized training program.
Ready to start your adventure? Begin your journey today and help others make their Disney dreams come true!
