The Podcast is BACK!

If you've ever planned a Walt Disney World vacation, you've probably done what most people do first: scroll through resort photos. And honestly? Disney does an incredible job. The pools look pristine. The rooms are perfectly staged. Every building looks magical. But after helping dozens of families plan Disney vacations, I've learned something important: The photos tell you what a resort looks like. They don't tell you what it feels like to stay there. They don't tell you that the room you booked because it was the least expensive might also mean a long walk back with tired kids after fireworks. They don't tell you which areas are peaceful and relaxing or which are full of activity all day. That's where having a travel advisor makes all the difference. My job isn't just helping you choose a Disney resort - it's helping you choose the right one for your family's vacation. Let me show you what the photos don't.

It’s no secret, Disney Destinations have some iconic food options. If you’ve had the pleasure to experience those delectable bites, you’ve probably also been asked what is your favorite snack or meal and found it nearly impossible to narrow it down to just one item. I myself am a big, big fan of Mickey waffles and can confidently say it is my favorite! But when I found out I needed to begin living a gluten free lifestyle per doctor’s orders, my precious Mickey shaped, gluten filled, fluffy waffles were in jeopardy of being a thing of the past. Then I thought, “What about Dole Whips? Churros? Beignets? Mini corn dogs!?” Do all my guilty pleasure park snacks contain gluten and will I ever get to enjoy them again? Spoiler alert, Mickey waffles are available gluten free and frankly, delicious! Huge sigh of relief! If you or a loved one have food allergies, you likely relate to this concern and fear when dining away from home. As I learned, it’s quite a chore and takes dedication to learn which foods are safe but more importantly, which environments are safe. Luckily, I quickly discovered how easy Disney makes it to enjoy their classic park snacks while identifying and avoiding non allergy friendly items! Having food allergies or intolerances is an inconvenience, sure, but it doesn’t have to consume your life, especially on vacation! All it takes is a little planning and understanding.

One of the questions I get asked most often is: "Do we really need to stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, or can we save money by staying off property?" It's a great question, and honestly, it's one I wanted to answer for myself. Recently, I attended Disney's Agent Education Program (AEP), where one of our training days was dedicated to touring all seven of the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels. Now don’t let the name confuse you – these are off-property hotels located near Disney Springs. They used to be called “Good Neighbor Hotels,” but the label was recently changed. Before that day, I had seen photos, read reviews, and compared pricing. But walking through each hotel in person gave me a completely different perspective. And here's my honest takeaway: They're nice hotels. Really nice, actually. If I were traveling almost anywhere other than Walt Disney World, I'd happily stay at many of them. But if my vacation is centered around Disney...I would still choose to stay on-property at a Disney Resorts Collection every single time. Here's why.

When planning your trip to Universal Orlando Resort, most families immediately think of thrilling rides, immersive lands, and meeting favorite characters. But did you know one of the best family days of your entire vacation might actually be at the water park? Welcome to Universal’s Volcano Bay!! A tropical paradise right in the heart of Universal Orlando Resort.