There’s no denying it: The Most Magical Place on Earth is on the bucket list of just about every traveling family out there, but the list of options and variations on a Disney vacation sometimes feels like it's even more complicated than Moana’s quest to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
That’s why having a travel agent is a near necessity for a family bound for Walt Disney World or Disneyland, and becoming a Disney travel agent is a great way to earn a meaningful income while helping families make lasting memories together.
Let this be your ultimate guide to the tips and tricks of becoming a Disney travel agent and all things Disney, including finding the right host agency for you, getting trained up and booking that first trip. Here’s what you need to know!
Looking for more intel? Read our piece on how to become a travel agent and take the first steps to become a travel advisor today.
Why should I become a Disney Travel Agent?
First thing’s first: The job of a Disney travel agent isn’t only for the Disney-obsessed (though we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to become a Disney travel agent just for the discounts on your own trips. Hey, you deserve to treat yourself, too). Becoming a Disney travel agent is also a great way to build a career making real income while helping travelers plan a trip that, for them, means everything.
While some families travel to Walt Disney World, Disneyland or on a Disney vacation often, others only do it once in their lifetimes, which means that the hopes and expectations of a family can feel overwhelming for them. Being able to step in to help families plan a major bucket list trip is not just a great income-builder, but a really rewarding way to give families the chance to make meaningful intergenerational bonds through a trip that they will remember for their lifetimes.
Because these trips are often quite expensive, specializing in how to become a Disney vacation planner also becomes very lucrative for the travel agent, who can earn a substantial income even from a single trip.
How many hours a day do Disney travel agents work?
A lot of travel agencies expect their travel agents to invest in their careers full-time (40+ hours per week) in order to start seeing meaningful income. At Fora, you can literally start anywhere. Many Fora travel advisors begin their travel agent career as a side hustle, booking everything from hotel stays to cruises and theme parks, and even helping with dining reservations and itinerary suggestions alongside a day job or full-time parenting duties.
It’s up to them if they want to transition to a full-time career, shift it into a formal part-time duty or keep it as a side hustle forever. That’s one thing we love about being a Fora Advisor — endless flexibility to run this how you want.
What types of Disney vacation packages can travel agents book besides Walt Disney World?
There are a number of types of Disney experiences that travel agents can book and earn commission on, from comprehensive vacation packages to passes to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Travel advisors can also book resorts like Aulani and the Walt Disney World Resort, and some travel advisors can even book the Disney Cruise Line and other international Disney experiences. Finally, there are Adventures by Disney, which are full national and international family vacation packages. As a Fora travel advisor, you can book Disney packages and experiences, plus a ton of other vacations and hotel properties outside of the Disney name brand.
Can I become a Disney travel agent on my own?
In order to book travel for other people, you’ll need to become a travel agent, and for Disney travel agents, the answer is no different. Travel agents are certified sellers of travel through host agencies like Fora, which hold licenses to sell travel in various states. Because of that, you can’t sell travel on your own, but once you become affiliated with a host agency, you’re able to operate under their licenses.
That being said, not all host agencies are equal. Some require you to go through lengthy processes to sign up and learn how to be a travel agent. Fora creates technology and has the community to make it easier than ever for travel lovers to develop meaningful and lasting businesses as travel agents. Plus, as a Fora Advisor, you’ll have access to a community of other travel experts for advice and support.
We have a cohort-based learning model wherein you can learn how to become a travel agent online alongside fellow advisors. We'll support you every step of the way, from your first booking to 1,000th & beyond. Sign up to take the first steps today to become a travel advisor.
Once you become a Fora travel agent, you’ll also be able to use your IATA number to unlock access to Disney’s exclusive travel agent portal located at Disneytravelagents.com.
What support do I get as a Disney travel agent?
If you’re booking a trip to Walt Disney World or other Disney destinations, you’ll receive a wealth of resources from both Disney and your travel advisor host agency like Fora.
One of the most exclusive and special tools that Disney offers travel agents is the massive Disneytravelagents.com platform. Consider this website the mothership for Disney travel agents and Disney destinations. First, you’ll need to be signed up with a host travel agency like Fora in order to have access to this massive portal. Then, travel agents can use their IATA number to create an account.
This comprehensive resource allows travel agents to find and book Disney resorts (including Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Aulani Resort in Hawai’i), Disney Cruise Lines, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions and more.
Beyond booking, you’ll also get helpful and detailed information about every single attraction available in the Disney ecosystem. Want to know the operating hours of ‘It’s a Small World,’ and hear where exactly the dolls come from? You’ll learn about the 300 costumes sewed by seamstresses for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, plus the exact location of the attraction on the Magic Kingdom map, so you can build the most detailed and comprehensive itinerary for your travelers – and have all the intel to go along with it.
Finally, Disney travel agents also get access to an extensive learning portal, called the College of Disney Knowledge. Inside the college is a series of courses that give you an introduction to Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. While it looks extensive, the courses can be completed in 24 hours (but if we were you, we’d recommend you break it up so you can really absorb the content a little at a time).
Of course, there are all sorts of additional support services offered to all Fora advisors, not just Disney travel agents – from an amazing community platform called Forum that travel advisors can use to share advice and tips with each other, to live trainings and recordings for you to build your knowledge and become a travel expert for your clients.
Can I only join an EarMarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Travel Agency?
Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are travel agencies that specialize in Disney vacations. They’re also known as “EarMarked” travel agencies. These show that the travel agency has a long-standing reputation with selling tickets to Walt Disney World as well as Disney vacation packages. However, you do not need to be EarMarked or an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner in order to sell a Disney vacation package or Walt Disney World tickets. Newer travel agencies like Fora can book Disney vacation packages while also making income on other types of trip planning, too, without being a formal Disney travel agency. That way, you’re getting the best of both worlds.
Once I become a Disney travel agent, can I only work with Walt Disney World and other Disney experiences?
Disney is only one piece of the mix for a new travel agent, because once you are certified as a travel agent through a host travel agency like Fora, you don’t have to only book Disney trips to Disney destinations – you can book many other types of travel too, from hotels, to cruises to travel insurance.
That also means you can specialize in other theme parks beyond Disneyland, like Universal Studios, or book other travel experiences like family vacations, honeymoons, reunions – you name it.
Fora hosts regular live, virtual destination training classes to help advisors get to know places around the world, so that not only can you become a Disney expert , but you can also specialize in Beaches Resorts, Sandals, Royal Caribbean, Universal Orlando Resort and over 3,000 other hotel properties around the world, too.
Do I need to build a business as a Disney travel agent?
The great thing about becoming a travel agent through a travel agency like Fora is that you can decide how much or how little you want to work. Maybe you just want to earn a little income to supplement your job. Or maybe you want to turn this into a full-on career. However it makes sense for you, YOU get to choose how you want this career to work (and our favorite perk is that you can do it from just about anywhere you can find a decent Internet connection!).
Many Fora advisors start small, choosing to supplement their careers with their Fora work until they build up a stronger portfolio of customers. Others jump into a full-time career, and others are happy just book a few trips from time to time and keeping things easy.
If you decide you want to make your career as a Disney travel agent into a full business, the Fora community can help you with suggestions and tools on how to incorporate your business entity, manage tax season and other details so you’re never alone.
Can I become a Disney travel agent with no travel agency experience?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and sometimes the best way to start as a Disney travel agent is to just dive in! Thanks to tools like the College of Disney Knowledge and Disneytraveladvisor.com, you can learn up on the basics pretty quickly. And with a community like Fora, it’s easier than ever to get your IATA number and start your travel agent career, even if you’re starting from the very beginning. Becoming a Fora Advisor is easy – it just starts with a quick application and a brief onboarding process. Then you’re on your way.
How much do Disney travel agents get paid?
The long and short of how much Disney travel agents make depends on how much time and effort you put into your travel agent business. The average Walt Disney World vacation costs $3,500-$4,000, and travel agents earn commissions on these bookings. How much you earn is dependent on how much you book. That doesn’t include Disney passes, which are also commissionable for travel agents.
Is being a travel agent right for me?
Do you love vacation planning? Do you geek out over getting advance dining reservations and appreciate a little VIP treatment (did anyone say FastPass?)? Are you looking for an opportunity to satisfy your travel planning bug while organizing life-changing family vacations for others, and earning a real income at the same time?
Becoming a travel advisor is easier than ever, and if you have a deep love for the Disney magic that awaits you in Disney parks and vacations, becoming a travel agent — and selling Disney — might just be the right move for you. You’ll be able to sign up faster than you can say the word “Mickey”. Ready to get started? Take the first steps to become a travel advisor today.
Still have questions? Read up on how to become a travel agent.
