How to Become a Disney Travel Agent – Everything You Need to Know Before You Start
Have you ever dreamed of turning your love for Disney into a career? Chances are, friends already come to you for Disney advice, so now you are looking for information on how to become a Disney Travel Agent.
Hi, I’m Christy — owner of Mom Approved Travel and mentor to a team of amazing Travel Advisors across the U.S. For over a decade, I’ve helped hundreds of families plan vacations and coached dozens of agents to build profitable, fulfilling travel businesses of their own as Mom Approved Travel Advisors.
This guide is here to pull back the curtain and walk you through what becoming a Disney Travel Agent really looks like, a little bit about what I am looking for in a successful Travel Advisor, and how to know if Becoming a Travel Advisor at Mom Approved Travel is the right fit for you.
The Truth About Becoming a Disney Travel Agent
Let’s clear up some of the biggest misconceptions first: You will not be an employee, you would run your own travel business as an Independent Contractor with a “Host” Agency and if you want to sell a lot of Disney, it is helpful to partner with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, like Mom Approved Travel that is recognized for excellence, professionalism, and service.
At Mom Approved Travel, you’ll be shown how to help families plan Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, and Adventures by Disney vacations with confidence and care. You can absolutely sell other destinations (and we do), but this EarMarked designation helps give confidence to our clients that we REALLY know our Disney Destinations.
Here are a few other common myths about becoming a Disney Planner:
Popular Myth #1: You will become a Certified Disney Travel Agent
Being a Certified Disney Travel Agent is one of the biggest red flags to tell if you are looking at a sketchy MLM agency. This represents a complete lack of training if agents are calling themselves “Certified Disney Travel Agents.” This is not a thing, and is a HUGE red flag when seeking out a Travel or Host Agency to work for. There IS something called an EarMarked Agency (which Mom Approved Travel is) but the Agency is EarMarked, not the Agent.
There are Travel Advisors who have earned a CTA designation from the highly respected Travel Institute, or VTA through ASTA like myself; but this typically is not what people who use the term “Disney Travel Agent” are.
One of the very first things to know is, there is no such thing as a “Disney Travel Agent.” It is one of the most misused phrases out there on social media, as you would NOT be a Travel agent working for Disney. You are an independent Travel Agent (Advisor) with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, like Mom Approved Travel. You would be a Travel Advisor specializing in Disney destinations, not a Disney Travel Agent. Knowing the rules, regulations and do’s/do-nots for destinations and suppliers is incredibly crucial in this field.
Popular Myth #2: Will I travel for free as a Travel Agent?
I wish. But because I am asked often- no, you will not travel for free. If you see “free travel” used as a recruitment tool, run as it is likely an MLM. We are not an MLM agency or host. I pay full price for my Walt Disney World Annual Pass each year. Any minimal travel benefits are earned through sales volume and hard work, and they should not be a consideration for starting a travel business and choosing this career path.
Popular Myth #3: All Travel Agencies are the same
Every industry has its shady side, and unfortunately, the travel industry is no different. There are some predatory business models out there, including MLM models, and big agencies with hundreds or thousands of agents who operate with less than ethical methods; but we don’t focus on what other people are doing… we focus on growing our business professionally and ethically.
We are not an MLM, there is no recruiting.
We are not a mega-host agency with thousands of agents, on purpose.
We are not hobbyists.
We ARE a Boutique Travel Agency made up of a select team of dedicated Professional Travel Planners.
We ARE a combination of full-time, and committed part-time professionals.
We ARE always learning, developing ourselves and serving our MAT client families.
What Makes Mom Approved Travel Different
Our focus: Our focus isn’t on recruiting hundreds of agents — it’s on developing exceptional advisors who love Disney and want to grow real businesses. To join our agency, there is a multi-step interview process. If you are trying to apply somewhere that makes it too easy, that should raise a red flag!
Our Transparency: Before you read further, please understand we absolutely love what we do, but I want to be clear there is a LOT more work behind what you may see on social media. As someone who has never been a Travel Advisor, you don’t know what you don’t know. It is our job to make travel look easy and fun, and that should be the experience our clients feel, but as a Travel Agent or Travel Planner, there is a lot more than simply booking trips that goes into having a Travel business and becoming a Travel Agent.
Our Professionalism: Here’s the truth: being a Travel Agent can be a full time or part-time position that will allow you the flexibility to work from home, but if you are looking for a hobby, Mom Approved Travel is NOT a fit for you.
There is a LOT of responsibility when you are planning precious memories for families who work hard for their money, and this responsibility (and liability) should be taken very seriously! It’s not a job you should dabble in. You are not selling a physical product that can simply be returned, and what you do REALLY matters. This may come across as a little rough, but we believe in being filter-free not only for our clients, but for those folks who are interested or exploring entering the Travel industry by becoming a Travel Agent.
Our Application: Take your time to review a more in-depth description of our program below, and if you think you have what it takes and are serious about providing the best experience to your clients, I welcome you to: fill out our application here.
What is like working as a Travel Agent in a Mom Approved Travel partnership
Our Approach: I started Mom Approved Travel over a decade ago with a vision of doing things a little differently, focusing on making sure busy Moms (and Dads) get a vacation too, so our approach and processes for our clients are a little different!
Our Partnerships: We are an EarMarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency and have earned this special designation because of our hardworking Mom Approved Travel Advisors. We are also a Universal U-Preferred Agency with Universal Resorts and have strong partnerships with most major cruise lines, tour operators, all-inclusives and more. We also actively belong to leading Travel Industry associations such as ASTA and CLIA, and encourage Advisors to seek reputable and professional certifications through the Travel Institute.
Our Culture: We really are smaller on purpose, and really believe in QUALITY over Quantity when it comes to our Travel Advisor team- it is why we are very particular who we invite to our table. Our Travel Agents are a close-knit team who all bring their unique talents to the table to help each other. We work differently, together on purpose. We support each other. We teach each other. We encourage each other. We truly care about our collective success and about people on our team. We have fun together. We cheer each other on. We win together. We have different strengths and talents which we share with each other. We all put in the work, and we rise together.
Our Agency Fees: This is an independent contractor position, so you are responsible for providing your computer, phone etc. We do have a minimal and reasonable agency fee to cover the tools you will utilize, this is a customary practice for the industry and required as part of being an Independent Contractor, but they are agency actual costs and no profit is made off of advisors by the agency on these monthly fees.
Our training and professional development: At Mom Approved Travel, our learning never stops. Yes, all of our Travel Advisors have completed the Disney College of Knowledge, but this is not enough. We have an internal program designed to develop new Travel Advisors to thrive in the travel industry.
Our Advisors spend hours every week in continual education in internal agency workshops, supplier webinars and their business development. There are opportunities to network and engage with other Travel Advisors, suppliers, business development managers and industry experts. There are many opportunities to learn and grow if you are willing to put in the work to do so.
How to know if Mom Approved Travel is the right place for you:
I’ve seen lists of “things to look for” in a Travel Agency for those looking to enter the field, and frankly most of those lists are written by folks with quantity over quality in mind. The truth is, agencies come in different business models and sizes. An agency isn’t “bad” because they are big or small. They are just different. Agencies vary greatly in support levels, commission levels, and culture.
I believe in leadership that speaks to an individual love language, not simply a general approach. I truly believe in taking responsibility for your success and that you will get out of Mom Approved Travel what you put into it! We will absolutely encourage you along the way, but you have to be willing to put in the work.
Mom Approved Travel might be a good fit for you if you:
- want to build a real business, not dabble with a hobby
- love helping people and talking about family travel (Disney, and/or Universal, Cruises, All Inclusives)
- are self motivated, coachable and open to feedback
- are comfortable with social media and marketing online (we will help you learn)
We are probably not a fit for for you if you:
- aren’t willing to invest time into learning
- expect guaranteed income or travel perks
- dislike working with people or are aloof with details
We may not be the right flavor of ice cream for you! But perhaps, we are exactly what you are looking for. Mom Approved Travel is different on purpose.
We are real. We are supportive. We are fun. We are fair. We work hard.
Still not sure? We’ve been around for over 10 years and you are welcome to talk to one of our Travel Advisors. I am happy to introduce you to one or two of our Senior Travel Advisors who can give you a little insight into if what we say is what we do.
Ready to apply to be a Mom Approved Travel Advisor?
If you have reviewed the information about us, how we operate, you really like the color pink, and still want to work with us, then fill out our application above and I will review your application and reach out to you and let you know if we would like to pursue the next steps in our hiring process.
I can’t wait to hear your story!
– Christy Slavik –
Owner, Mom Approved Travel
Frequently Asked Questions about becoming a Travel Agent with our agency:
We specialize in Family Travel and maintain strong partnerships with many different suppliers, cruise lines and all-inclusive resorts. You can choose the vacations you wish to sell as a Travel Advisor. If you want to be a Disney specialist, that is fine. If you want to focus on another area that is fine too!
Currently, all of our Advisors sell Disney and Universal, and some choose to specialize in theme parks, but each Advisor chooses what they will sell. Our Advisors have a diverse portfolio of specializations from theme parks, cruising, Hawaii, all-inclusive resorts, to Europe, and we network together to best serve our clientele.
As a home-based Travel Agent, you are an Independent Contractor position, and income is 100% commission based, so there is no cap on what you can earn. I coach my Advisors that you get out of it what YOU put into it, and your income fully depends on:
- How much time you invest
- What you sell (Disney, Universal, cruises, all-inclusive, etc.)
- Your ability to build and develop client relationships
The agency earns a commission for every traveled booking made and there is a reasonable and mutually sustainable, competitive split between the Agency and the Agent.
Travel Advisors begin seeing income once bookings begin to travel. Some grow to full-time, others build a flexible part-time income stream. As an agency, we do absolutely permit (and encourage) charging planning fees so that you are compensated for your time; but it is optional.
The agency earns a small commission on traveled bookings made with Agency credentials. This commission is subject to a reasonable, competitive and mutually beneficial split.
We utilize direct deposit to pay our Travel Agent commissions, consistently, on-time and accurately.
Absolutely, but you do not have to. We have a system setup for those that do.
We do have agency leads, and those are distributed based on the best interests of the client. Ultimately, this is a sales position, and you are responsible for finding your clientele, but chances are you know families in your circles looking to travel.
It can take time to build up a referral network, but I can show you how to build your clientele with authentic means.
No, you do not need exact experience. Every Travel Advisor had to start from the beginning once. Many successful MAT Advisors started with extensive recent travel experience, a passion for Disney planning, strong communication skills and gained experience through our best practices.
For the right fit, yes! We do have a few open application times throughout the year, but will always consider a great applicant!
Yes! We are an authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, also known as an EarMarked Agency.
Absolutely. Many new Advisors will start out selling Disney and then branch out a bit with experience. Some of our Advisors specialize in many different areas including cruises, Universal, all-inclusives, Europe etc.