Location: Swansea
Wanted: A family of three are seeking a fresh Disney experience. They have been to Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida but are not keen to fly to California.
Budget: £7,500-£9,000
Tui
Quadrant Shopping Centre
84%
The shop was busy and it was 15 minutes before an agent took my details and suggested I returned in an hour. The agent asked several questions. She told me about the benefits of flying on Tui’s Dreamliner, as well as new features at the Florida resort including Toy Story rides and water parks. I was also told about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. The service was thorough and the agent showed good knowledge, using examples from her own visits. I was given quotes for two 14-night holidays with Tui, departing on August 23 from Bristol, and including Universal and Disney tickets: £5,376 for the Disney All-Stars resort and £7,594 at Disney Port Orleans, both room-only.
Thomas Cook
Oxford street
82%
I was greeted straightaway and told Florida would be my best option. The agent had good knowledge, and checked details. But I didn’t feel they knew much about new attractions. I was given quotes for two 14-night Thomas Cook holidays, flying from Gatwick in August: on a room-only basis at Rosen Plaza, for £6,587, and for £7,053 at the Disney Pop Century, or £9,363 with dining. Both included car hire, and Universal and Disney tickets.
Travel House
Park street
42%
The agent had to ring a colleague in a call centre. Two days later, I received a quote by email. It included cost and flight times, but was otherwise lacking in detail. The quote was for a 14-night holiday flying from Gatwick with British Airways in August, staying at Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, on a room-only basis, including car hire, for £3,380. The overall experience was disappointing. The price was good, but the option felt budget.
Winning agent
Lisa Pope, travel advisor
“If I don’t know something, I will find it out for the customer. I am part-time, so it’s important to keep refreshing your knowledge, as things change.”
Verdict
It was close between Tui and Thomas Cook. Both fulfilled the request with a range of hotels but neither suggested Disney Cruises as a fresh alternative. The Tui agent was more thorough and had greater knowledge of what was new. The Travel House service was far less impressive, providing one quote with little detail.
Top-scoring agent each month will win use of a car for 10 days.
The winning agent must be at least 25, for insurance reasons. Winners under 25 will win a week’s all-inclusive holiday at an Elite Islands Resorts property. The prize is non-transferable and the car must be driven only by the winning agent. The winner must not have any serious driving convictions. Elite Island Resorts will endeavour to supply the car to the agency but reserves the right to request the winning agent to collect and return the car from Essex or a central location