Question of the Week

What is the best time of year for a Disney vacation?

Orlando is often listed as a top choice for family vacations any time of the year. Walt Disney World and other area attractions draw countless families each year and it is easy to understand why. Families appreciate that there is something for everyone on a Disney vacation.

As a Disney vacation specialist, I often have families ask, “When is the best time to plan a Disney vacation?”  My top recommendations for families looking for a great time to visit Disney are early May and October if you are looking for a good balance between mild weather and manageable crowd levels. If you are looking for the absolute least expensive and least crowded time to plan your Disney vacation, consider January and early February.

A Magical Disney Vacation

I recently booked a trip for a client who decided she wanted to surprise her son with a last-minute birthday trip to Disney World.  She also wanted the little boys grandparents to go if possible.  The problem: her son’s birthday was in three weeks!

This client didn’t really know what exactly she was looking for.  She just knew she wanted her son’s birthday (and first Disney World visit) to be special.

Despite booking this trip only three weeks in advance, I was able to book a room at the All-Star Movies resort for my client, her son, and the grandparents to share.  I was also able to help this client obtain a reservation for a character breakfast at the Animal Kingdom on her sons’ birthday.  Her son is going to be thrilled!

Even though this was a last minute trip, with some effort I was able to find this client what she was looking for.

This particular booking sticks out in my mind because I love the satisfaction of making a client’s dreams come true – especially when the odds are not on our side.  This client thanked me profusely for not giving up on this trip, which is something I would never even think of doing.

The best thing about my job is that I get to help families create magical moments.  I want each and every vacation to be special and I treat each client’s vacation as if it were my own.

Are you ready to plan your own magical Disney experience?  Contact me for more information.

Enjoy a Customized Disney Vacation with Magical Memories Travel

Experience the magic of Disney with a vacation that is customized just for you.

This morning I was thinking about how much I love my job.  There is nothing more rewarding than helping families create magical and memorable vacation experiences that they will remember forever.  While I truly enjoy working with all of my clients, I have one family who particularly touched my heart.

This past spring, I received an e-mail from a single mother of three kids.  She had been thinking about a vacation to Disney World for years, but had always assumed that she couldn’t afford it.  She was refered to me by a friend and decided to contact me, but she didn’t have high hopes that this trip was something she could pull off.

After I received the e-mail, I asked this client if I could call her to find out a little more about her family and what they were looking for in a vacation.  As I talked to her, I realized that all this family wanted was to be able to go.   They didn’t care about all the fancy “bells and whistles”.  They didn’t need a vacation package that included everything available.   They just needed a fun family vacation… which would be their first family vacation ever.

After asking and answering a lot of questions, I was able to help this family create a customized vacation package within their budget.  Together we worked through which package features were needed and which ones they could go without.  We ended up booking a five night stay at a value resort with 4-Day Magic Your Way base tickets plus dining.  We knew that they would not have time to go to the theme parks on their departure day and they wanted to spend one day just hanging out at the pool.  Also,  this cautious mother didn’t want any budget “surprises” along the way, so she felt better knowing that her meals were paid for ahead of time.

I received the most amazing e-mail from this family while they were on their vacation.  I could actually feel their excitement as I read it.   This was a vacation of firsts for them – first time flying, first family vacation, and first stay at a hotel for the kids.  While this wasn’t the biggest or fanciest vacation I ever booked, it was definitely the most special.  I get the privilege of knowing that I had a part in making this family’s dream come true.

Think you can’t afford a Disney Vacation?  I can customize a vacation specifically for your wants, needs, and budget.  Contact me for a no obligation quote. 

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Traveling during hurricane season? You may want to consider purchasing trip insurance.

I came across a recent article in the Trip Doctor section of Travel & Leisure that answers the question “Is travel insurance worth it?”  The article states that those who are concerned about out-of-country medical expenses, especially the cost of an emergency evacuation, should definitely purchase travel insurance.

Travel insurance can cover things such as medical services, evacuation, trip interruption or cancellation and financial default by your trip provider.   Amy Farley, the “Trip Doctor”, recommends that you compare multiple policies before purchasing one so you end up with the benefits you need.

As a Disney vacation specialist, I often have clients ask if travel insurance is worth it.  There is no “right” answer to this question.   My recommendation is that you purchase travel insurance if you have invested more money in your trip than you are prepared to lose.

Amy Miller

Disney Vacation Specialist

Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival

My son enjoying one of the many topiaries at the Flower and Garden Festival.

 

 

Each Spring, the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival fills the park with exhibits, seminars, tours, demonstrations, the Food Among the Flowers Brunch, and special entertainment at the America Gardens Theatre.

 

Festival highlights include:

• Educational designer presentations with HGTV and DIY Network personalities
• Themed flower and garden displays—where you’ll learn new tips and techniques that you can try at home
• Interactive areas for kids
• Topiary displays of Disney and Disney•Pixar characters
• The Flower Power Concert Series—featuring live performances from popular hitmakers of the 1960s and 1970s

Please note: Epcot theme park admission is required. Most Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival events are included with admission to Epcot theme park. Availability is limited for some events. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.

Special Offer on California Coast-Pixar Cruise

Guests can get onboard a “first-of-its-kind” cruise packed with lots of Pixar fun! This California Coast itinerary features behind-the-scenes presentations by Pixar filmmakers and artists, a sneak peek of an upcoming Disney·Pixar feature, commemorative gift and lots more!

Offer Details: Set sail from Los Angeles starting at $599* per person, based on double occupancy, in an Inside Stateroom with Restrictions onboard the Disney Wonder®. Government Taxes and Fees are not included.

Sail Dates: Sept. 16 – Sept. 30, 2012

Additional Details:

• Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable.
• Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes are allowed.
• Specific stateroom will be assigned at a later time, based on availability.
• Gratuities, Government Taxes, Fees and Port Adventures are not included.
• The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited.
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
• Rates are in U.S. Dollars.
• Offer subject to Disney Cruise Line® Terms and Conditions.

* Taxes and fees are an additional charge per person.

For additional information, contact me or request a quote request form.

Magic Your Way Tickets Explained

• Magic Your Way tickets are available for 1-10 days.  Guests can stick to basic admission or add one or more options at the time of purchase.  Magic Your Way includes single-day passes and all varieties of Park Hopper passes.
• A Magic Your Way Base Ticket is good for entry to a single major park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom) for each day of the ticket. Multiday Base Tickets bring substantial discounts, so it pays to buy your admission all at once. Multiday Base Tickets expire 14 days after the first use, but they do not have to be used on consecutive days.  More days- and options- can be added to a Base Ticket within 14 days of use.
• The Park Hopping option lets you visit more than one major park on the same day, for the length of your ticket.  If you intend to visit more than one park a day, the Park Hopping option is indispensable because you cannot simply buy extra days of admission on a Base Ticket and then use more than one admission in a single day.
• The Magic Your Way Water Parks Fun & More option adds a limited number of single-park admissions for the minor parks (Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Quest, Wide World of Sports, and Disney’s Oak Trail golf course) to any base ticket. Each Water Parks Fun and More options is worth $13 -$49, depending on where you use it.  Purchase this feature with 1-day Base Tickets and you receive two Water Parks Fun and More options, while 2- to 10- day Base Tickets receive the same number of options as there are days on the pass.  Regardless of how many options you receive, the cost to add this feature is always the same.  As long as you make a minimum of two visits to the more costly minor parks, you will get your money’s worth. Combining park- hopping and water park fun and more options adds well over $100 to the price of an adult base ticket.
• The No Expiration option is best suited for those who plan to save the unused portion of a multiday ticket for a future trip.

Aulani: A Romantic Escape

Inspired by the wonders of Hawaii and built with the perfect touch of Disney magic, Aulani is a beautiful beachfront escape that’s designed for families and couples. It is a Resort like no other. Perfectly placed just far enough from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, but close enough for families to enjoy the world-class entertainment of O’ahu. Rediscover bliss in Aulani escapes created just for adults. Whether you have kids who are enjoying their own Disney enchantment or you are travelling kid-free, adults can unwind with the worry-free island time that Hawaii is famous for.
Imagine:
– Treating yourself to the lush, vast Laniwai Spa- the first spa ever designed by Walt Disney Imagineering- with its unique offerings of blissful, customized treatments and the only outdoor hydrotherapy garden in Hawaii.
– Savoring one of the most romantic ocean vistas anywhere with a dip into idyllic sunset whirlpools.
– Unwinding with a delicious concoction in a beautiful, welcoming lounge.
– Sailing from the beautiful Ko Olina Marina just down the beach.
– Golfing at a championship course only steps away.
– Exploring Hawaii with guided excursions to the most amazing places on the island.
– Richly appointed rooms with fine details and beautiful Hawaiian art- all with a private balcony or porch.

When you vacation at Disney’s Aulani, you get the wonder and romance of a Hawaiian vacation combined with Disney’s legendary service and hospitality. To get started planning your Hawaiian vacation, request a brochure or contact me.