Travel Agents: How We Get Paid

Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope you've had a good week so far. The weekend is upon us, friends, get excited!

On occasion, I will get questions about how we travel agents (TAs) make money, and how we get paid for our services. If you've not worked with a TA before, you might wonder how we earn our living. Well it's your lucky day because I am here to share that top-secret information with you!

(It's not at ALL top-secret, but that just sounded more fun to say.)

A few months ago, I did a post about Travel Agent FAQs (you can find that here) but I wanted to go a little deeper, and give you more information.

* We don't get paid unless we're your travel agent. We're happy to do no-obligation quotes and answer questions if you're considering a vacation, but if a trip is not booked by us, we don't get paid.

One common misconception is that our agencies and/or the suppliers (such as Disney) employ us and pay a salary. There might be some agencies out there who do (such as brick-and-mortar travel offices that might pay a salary instead of commission) but in general, the vast majority of travel agents are commission only.

We also get paid after your trip is over, so we might work with you for months or even a year, and we're paid after your vacation is done.

Think of travel agents as you would your realtor. If you decide to sell your home, they'll spend time with you taking pictures, listing the house, getting it ready to sell, running open houses, etc - but he/she doesn't get paid unless they sell your home. 

We're always happy to do quotes for you, truly; but if you get quotes and then book the vacation yourself, we won't get commission for that vacation. Deciding not to work with a TA is absolutely fine, but please keep this in mind if you're asking for multiple quotes, special information, etc.

* We are not able to give advice, help you plan, take care of your vacation without you booking the vacation through us as your travel agent.

Often, I've quoted travel options and I've not ended up booking the vacation. Which happens, and is no big deal. Sometimes plans change, or people can't take a vacation right now, etc. I never mind doing quotes for people, even if a trip doesn't work out for them right now.

However, on a rare occasion I've also heard back from people who didn't using me as their TA or pay an ala-carte planning fee but still wanted me to give advice about their vacation and help them plan. This is something that I am not able to do.

What most people don't realize (I didn't know this before I became a TA) is that in addition to it not being a great business decision to answer questions for non-clients, it's also a liability issue. Many agencies carry Errors and Omissions Insurance but the insurance only covers clients who we've booked.  If, God forbid, there's a big enough problem that a possible E and O claim would need to be filed, that could hurt the travel agent personally and result in a judgement against them, vs being filed with the agency's E and O insurance.

*I LOVE what I do, and I have fun doing it - but this is still a job.

As I've said 1,000 times here on this blog - I LOVE Disney. Obsessed. I am on some sort of Disney vacation (parks or cruise) at least four times a year. But - I still have bills that need to be paid. If I could pay my mortgage and keep the lights on via a money tree in my backyard, perhaps that would be a different story. But until that money tree sprouts, I need to have income from my job.

Think about a friend or relative who's an accountant. You might ask one or two quick questions but you wouldn't ask them to prepare your taxes for you each year, for free. Their time is valuable and they need to be compensated for doing your taxes.

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Hopefully this was helpful information and gave you some insight on how travel agents work and are compensated.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more posts about my Hawaii cruise, as well as my next adventure - going back to Disneyland!

Have a magical day!

Expenses on a Disney Cruise - Making your Vacation Budget

REAL soon is right!

It's just a short two weeks until I cruise on the Wonder. As I posted a few weeks ago, I'm finalizing my plans, packing list, etc.

Another item that's always on my pre-vacation list is finalizing my vacation budget. Some items are fixed and some expenses are varied, so let's talk about those.

Fixed expenses can include:

 - Your cruise fare.

Yes, you have to actually pay money to cruise. I know, I know...what a bummer. :)

 - Travel expenses to get to the port.

Whether you fly or drive, you'll have some expenses in getting to the port before your cruise. This may include plane tickets, pre and/or post cruise hotels, gas, parking fees, food while on the road, etc. I always estimate on the high side, and add in 10-15% extra for unexpected expenses.

 - Gratuities and tips.

Some might say these aren't in the Fixed category, but I feel they're so important that they're always in that column of my vacation budget. With Disney (and many other cruise lines), the set tips for your cruise are added to your onboard account. You can always increase or decrease those amounts, but please plan on paying those. I've always had exceptional service on cruises and I want to convey that thanks to the stateroom attendant and dinner staff.

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Now let's talk about those expenses that you CAN have, but certainly aren't necessary. Depending on my budget for the cruise, I might add some of these extras into my vacation.

Your extra expenses might be:

 - Excursions

Whether you do excursions through the cruise line or on your own, you can spend some big bucks. I usually pick one (maybe two) excursions over the course of the cruise. For instance, in Honolulu I really want to see Pearl Harbor, so that's my excursion for this cruise.

Also, you can do a little research and see if there are cheaper options to tour the ports, or if there are other reputable companies running less expensive tours. Just be sure that if you decide to walk around or book an excursion through another company that you do your research and keep safety in mind.

 - Spa treatments

The spa on Disney Cruise Line is a magical place, but that magic comes at a price. If you're looking to cut down on expenses, I would stay away from the spa treatments.

If the spa is your "thing" on a cruise, and you're on a tight budget, consider having your spa treatment(s) stand in for excursion and/or souvenir expenses. I did this about a year ago, and had the BEST hot stone massage of my life. It was heaven. SO worth it!

 - Alcohol or extra food charges (such as Palo) 

On DCL, all of your food is included with the exception of some of the Signature dining offerings such as Palo. Palo is adults-only and offers both brunch and dinner. It's $30/person and VERY much worth it, I think. I always include at least one Palo meal in my cruise budget! On the Dream and Fantasy, there is also Remy, a very fancy French restaurant that is $75/person.

Of course, alcohol is also an extra expense. Disney recently revised their carry on policy for alcohol; you can no longer bring on liquor but you can, at embarkation and each port, up to two bottles of wine or champagne or 6 bottles of beer per person over 21. If you like to have a glass of wine or beer during the day and would rather not pay the cruise prices, feel free to bring some on board with you. (They ask that you only consume it in your room.)

 - Souvenirs

I try and limit myself to just a few souvenir items on vacation. On the cruise, I'll typically buy a small commemorative item, such as a pin, a magnet, etc. If I see a really cute DCL Tervis cup that I love, I'll buy that too. On a cruise of this length (10 days), I'm planning on spending less than $50 on souvenirs.

I used to buy a lot. A LOT. And then I moved and started to sort through all the crap (I mean, priceless treasures) that I'd bought over the years and realized that I just don't need all of it. A few small tokens and reminders of the trip work great for me.

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One of my favorite aspects of a Disney cruise are all the free activities that you can do, without spending another dime. You can see the Broadway-caliber stage shows, go to cooking demonstrations, trivia, and fun classes like learning how they fold those sweet towel animals, all for FREE. It's very possible to not spend a fortune in on board charges, and you can still have a GREAT cruise.

What extras, if any, do you budget for on your cruise vacations?

Have a magical day!

Dining on the Disney Magic

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a nice weekend.

Today, let's cover dining on the Disney Magic. You've already made your way to port (whether that be Port Canaveral, Miami or perhaps Europe!), you've checked in and your boarding number has been called. First things first - let's eat!

When you get on the boat, you can go up to Cabanas and grab lunch; that's a cafeteria style buffet with LOTS of choices that's good for breakfast and lunch. You can either sit inside the dining room, or there is outside seating as well, which is really nice. Typically, one of the evening table service restaurants is also available for lunch on embarkation day - check the Daily Navigator or ask a Cast Member when you get onboard.

For snacks and grab-and-go, there are many places on board to eat a quick lunch or snack on pizza, sandwiches, fruit and more. On the Disney Magic, you can find these on Deck 9: Daisy De-Lites, Pete's Boiler Bites, Pinocchio's Pizzeria and my personal favorite, Eye Scream and Frozone Treats, where you can help yourself to soft-serve ice cream in flavors that change every day.

For dinner, Disney Cruise Line has what they call rotational dining. This means that each night of your cruise, you'll go to another of the sit-down restaurants and your serving team will follow up. This is very nice because they get to know you, your likes, any allergies or dietary restrictions you have, etc. When you check in you'll get the dining rotation for your cruise, which will be printed on your Key to the World card (a card which opens your stateroom and is also used for charging privileges). You'll rotate among Animator's Palette, Carioca's and Lumieres. Attire for dinner is dressy-casual (they really don't want you wearing swim suits, cover ups, flip flops, etc but nice shorts, capri pants, skirts, pants, etc are all fine). On longer cruises, Semi Formal and Formal nights will be part of the itinerary. You can dress up as little or as much as you like; but don't worry, tuxes and tails are NOT required!

In addition, before dinner each night there will be photographers and characters in the main lobby/atrium area if you'd like a family pictures. These pictures can be purchased at any time during the cruise. There are two main dinner seating times, 5:45PM and 8:15PM. Dinner usually takes between 60-90 minutes. You'll be greeted by your server and assistant server and you'll be given the menu for the evening. If it's a Formal night, or perhaps Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party night, you'll be given special menus. 

Each menu has courses for appetizers, soup/salad, main course and dessert. You can choose WHATEVER you want here; don't feel like you have to choose one from each category. Perhaps none of the appetizers appeal to you, but you'd love to have both the soup of the night and a salad. Go for it! Also feel free to order more of something if you really, really like it. All your food is included so don't be shy if you'd another serving, or if you want to try something else.

For those 18 and older, you can also have dinner at Palo (or brunch on cruises with at least one sea day). For $30 per person, you'll get an amazing dining experience. Brunch is a buffet like you've never seen, with choices from caviar to croissants to fruit and more. You can also order warm items that will be made-to-order such as pizza, Chicken Parmesan and Eggs Benedict. (Psst - for those over 21, you also get one free mimosa with your meal.) Dinner is equally excellent with antipasti service, a phenomenal menu featuring filet, lobster, pasta and more, and the real star of Palo - the chocolate souffle. Order it, just trust me. You won't regret it! Attire at both brunch and dinner at Palo is dress pants and shirt or jacket for me, and dress or pantsuit for women. They request no jeans, shorts, capri pants. tennis shoes or flip flops. If you happen to dine at both the Palo brunch and dinner on your cruise, you'll have the same server (although he/she will be a different server from your regular ones during the evening dining).

Remember that with Disney Cruise Line, all of your food is part of your cruising fee (apart from Palo) - even the room service menu! The only things not included are alcohol, popcorn and snack items at the movies and if you order soda from room service (as they bring you cans of soda). If I go to a movie and want a snack, I order room service and have them bring chocolate chip cookies - an awesome movie snack! :) Otherwise, everything else is included.

I do like to bring a some $1 bills to tip the room service staff; everything on the ship is credit only (on your Key to the World card, you won't use cash or credit cards to purchase items while on board) but with room service I find it easier to bring some $1 bills and tip them with those.

There are self-serve beverage stations on the pool deck with coffee, soda, water and tea - I either bring a Tervis or similar cup from home, or buy one on the boat. They have cups at the self-serve stations but they're a bit small, I think, so I like to bring my own cup.

If you've dined before on the Disney Magic, what's your favorite restaurant? How about favorite grab-and-go place?

Have a magical day!

Movin with Mickey - David Sevcik and Training his Mom for a Marathon

If you'll remember, every other Monday I'll feature a Movin with Micky post, talking about my own fitness and health goals, and also featuring blog readers who are achieving their own goals and/or helping others as well.

Today I want to feature David Sevcik, from Denver Colorado. David is my cousin and I knew he'd be a great person to talk to about health and fitness as he's an avid runner who has participated in many marathons and other distance races (and has placed very highly in many of them. Seriously, he's CRAZY fast. Those genes didn't trickle down to yours truly.)

David helped his mom (my aunt Lisa) train for her first marathon, so I asked him if he'd share about the training and some of his tips. Take it away, David!

* Tell us about your running background and when you started running.

I started running as a sophomore in high school after deciding golf wasn't for me.  I was never a front runner in high school and finished 7th on our team as a senior.  I then started the Iowa State Running Club where I saw a lot more success.  In our best year the club finished as the 2nd best collegiate running club in the nation.  We lost to a team we had beat just 3 weeks prior.  The same year the running club won the Half Marathon Collegiate Club National Championships as well as I won the race individually.  I've become an avid distance runner with my best ever finish being 49th (27th American) at the 2015 Boston Marathon.

* You mentioned that you helped your mom train for her first marathon; what program did you use in her training? Can you give us an idea of the training schedule?

My mom started running in her late 40's and initially just wanted to finish her first marathon under 5 hours.  She had never ran in her life and had trouble making it a mile without walking.  Her first go around she worked on a training plan through a local church group.  Most of these training plans involve running 3-4 days a week with a few very short runs (2-3 miles) and one very long run (15+).  When my mom mentioned she wanted to run Boston I knew I needed to give her more advice.  We started with 3 days a week running anywhere from 20-40 minutes.  We gradually built her weekly training up to 5 days a week with an hour a day.  The goal was to just run for one hour without stopping.  Pace truly didn't matter as long as it was continuous.  We then built up a mid week and weekend long run.  These runs ended up peaking at 2 hours and 2.5 hours.  Once these were going, we also looked at the course she was going to run and designed certain workouts to mimic the course.  Since her goal was the Des Moines marathon I knew that the first 8 miles were hilly and the last 18 were relatively flat.  So one example of a workout would be to run hill repeats and then follow that with a 3-4 mile marathon goal pace run.  At the end of 4 months she was able to finish her marathon in 3 hours 59 minutes and some change to qualify for Boston.

* Do you follow a particular diet or eating plan while you're training?

As I get older I believe diet is more and more important.  I've never followed a strict diet, but I do watch what I eat before a big workout or long run.  If I know I'm running 20 miles in the morning I won't drink a beer, or have ice cream the night before.  It's important to listen to your body and make sure your stomach is comfortable the following day.  I do think Calcium pills, iron supplements, and a multi-vitamin are beneficial.

* What device(s) do you use in your training, if any? (FitBit, Garmin, etc)

I just use a normal $30 watch that tells me time.  I'm a fan of Garmin, however I think it is important to not pay too much attention to all the numbers and let your body tell you what it should be doing and what it should not.  Don't worry about your pace as much as your time and the overall effort.  I do warn people that as beneficial as a Garmin or other GPS device might be they can also be just as harmful when you let the numbers direct your running

* What advice would you have for someone who's thinking about doing their first long-distance run?

Here's a couple things I'd tell someone doing their first race:

1. Your mind will limit your potential more then your body.  Running is very mental and don't talk yourself into believing anything negative or against your goals.

2. You are only going to get out what you put in.  Starting to run is hard for everyone.  It will take 3-4 weeks to create a comfortable habit, but running consistently is the only way to improve.

3. The proper shoes make all the difference.  Go to a running specialist store.  Do not go Dick's, Scheels, or other big box retailer to find the proper running shoes.  Big box retailers will not do a good job period. Also with your running shoes, your focus needs to be on comfort and the correct style.  The best shoes will not be as pretty as the Nike Free's, but you will be less likely to get injured.

4. Having a personalized coach will help you a lot more then finding a random plan on the internet.  If you want to see your best results it is best to have a personalized training plan that focusses on your strengths and weaknesses, as well as can be built and adjusted around your normal schedule.

Thanks again to David, we appreciate you sharing with us!

Have a magical day!

How to be a Considerate Theme Park Go-er (or, Be Gone, Selfie Sticks!)

Let's talk about this picture for a second. I was trying to get my nephew to laugh so I though "let's take a selfie, he'll think that's cute." Yeah, he for sure did NOT. His thought bubble is, "Lady, you are NUTS." As I don't have a selfie stick, you'll have to deal with this terrible selfie picture instead. You're welcome, America.

This week, word came down from On High (as in the Disney World powers-that-be) that starting the end of this month, selfie sticks will not be allowed at Walt Disney World. Previously they'd outlawed the sticks on rides, but now they'll be enforcing the "no selfie sticks" rule at the parks in general. RIP, selfie stick. You'll be missed (that was sarcasm, by the way).

We had a nice discussion on the Facebook group a few days ago about this topic. In addition to talking about selfie sticks, other Theme Park Pet Peeves came up and I thought, what a perfect topic to chat about on the blog this week.

So, without further ado: some ways to NOT be "that person" or "that family" at a theme park.

* Your stroller is made to carry your children through the parks, not as a battering ram.

I sympathize with stroller-users; I've pushed them through the parks and I know that sometimes it can be a pain to navigate through a store or down a crowded street after fireworks. However, that's not an excuse to use your stroller as a battering ram. Mistakes happen and if you clip someone's ankles or feet, please say you're sorry.

And in the interest of fairness - non-stroller people, please don't dash or cut in front of those with strollers. Let them into the traffic pattern. Same goes for those in wheelchairs or on scooters. WAY too many times I've seen a stroller or scooter just have to sit there because people wouldn't let them join the traffic flow. Don't be a jerk, 'k?

* If you need to have a conversation, consult the map, etc - move to the side of the pathway.

This is probably my #1 pet peeve when I tour the theme parks (although it happens in other places, as well). Let's say your group is heading towards a ride, and are unclear about its location. Instead of coming to a dead stop in the middle of the street, please move to the side and have your discussion there, not right in the middle of those who are trying to get by.

The step-sister to this pet peeve are those who walk 7 and 8 people across, taking up the whole walkway so everyone has to move at their pace. At most, you should be walking 3 side by side. Any more than that, create some rows, people.

* Your iPad needs to stay in the hotel room.

I love the iPad as much as the next person. At this point, I should give Apple instructions just to charge my credit card anytime something new comes out because there is a 98.7% chance that I will love it. But you know a place your iPad doesn't belong? At the parks, especially on the rides and during shows such as the fireworks.  It's super inconsiderate to those around you when their view is blocked because you want to take video of the fireworks.

* When looking for a parade or fireworks watching spot, don't weasel into someone else's spot at the 11th hour.

These stories are legendary among Disney park go-ers and it happens a LOT. You and your family find your parade spot and you've been sitting or standing there for a while (I've seen people at Disneyland getting their spots ready at 2PM for an 8PM parade. Not me, folks - not me. Phew that's commitment!) Then, 5 minutes before the parade starts, a group comes around to fill in the 1/4" spaces around you and pushes their way to the front.

C'mon, now; that's just craziness. Simple kindness should dictate that unless you've put in the time to get your spot, you don't get to strong arm your way into those spots. If you want a prime viewing location - get their early. (Or in the case of some of the parades at Walt Disney World - get a FastPass+. You have a special viewing area AND don't have to get there hours ahead of time to get your spot. Problem solved.)

* But in relation to the above....please don't send one or two people to save spots for 8-10 people. Not cool.

Saving a spot for 1-2 people? Completely kosher. Expecting someone to hold down the fort for the whole group? Yeah, that's an issue.

I understand that sometimes you save a space for someone because they're on a ride, or getting a snack, or in the restroom, and they'll be back to your spot in minutes. But please don't try and save dozens of spots for people who are going to show up minutes before the parade or show starts.

This should go without saying, but the same applies to rides as well. I saw more than one instance at Disneyland earlier this month where 2-3 people would be in line, and then moments before the boarding started on the attraction five or ten people would show up and have to shimmy their way through the line to get to their group. That's just insanity. Not only is it disruptive to try and get past others as they're waiting to get on, it's also super rude. Either line up with your group, or don't line up at all. Easy peasy.

And don't even get me started on people who leave their towels on pool and deck chairs for hours at a time. I could go on all day....

The takeaway from all this? Please be considerate. If we all thought about how our actions affect other park goers, trust me - things would go a LOT more smoothly.

What are some of your theme park pet peeves? Please share below in the comments and on social media!

Top 5 Reasons This Walt Disney World Veteran Fell in Love with Disneyland

I've been going to Walt Disney World pretty regularly since the last 90s. After my first trip to the World when I was in high school, I was hooked.

I always knew I wanted to visit Disneyland but I'd never made it a point to go out there. When I was deciding on my next vacation, for whatever reason Walt Disney World always won out, and I'd say to myself, "One day I'll get out to Anaheim."

As you know, that "one day" came last week and can I tell you, I CANNOT BELIEVE that I didn't make it a priority to get out here sooner.

After an incredibly fun and successful first trip to Disneyland, I wanted to do a comparison between the two. Not a "this vs that" type of post, but one that lays out the Top 5 reasons that I, a Walt Disney World veteran with approximately 30 trips under her belt, fell in love with Disneyland.


1. Disneyland was Walt's park. The nostalgia is off the charts, folks.

Disneyland can boast something that Walt Disney World can't. Although Walt was a part of the creation of WDW, he passed away before the park was completed so he was never an actual physical presence in the parks. To be able to walk down Main Street, and think, Walt walked here. To ride it's a small world and know that Walt rode it, too. To watch kids laugh on the carousel and know that he watched his own grandkids on the same one. Ladies and gents, it made my heart soar.

2. The proximity of resorts to both theme parks CAN'T BE BEAT.

I stayed at the Grand Californian and let me tell you, was SO glad I did. At most, I was a 5-10 minute walk (10 minutes if I was very slowly strolling) from my hotel to both parks. Actually, I was much closer to California Adventure because there's an entrance from the Grand Californian into that park.

Having stayed there, The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier are also on my list. Both are also a short walk from the parks and allow you the same "close to the magic" experience.

It was incredibly nice to be that close to both theme parks. Now, you can have sort of this same experience when, for example, you stay at the Beach Club or Boardwalk resort and their proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. But there's no resort on WDW property where you can walk to all the theme parks, so that was huge.

Staying onsite can be pricier than staying at one of the myriad of hotels in the general area of Disneyland. However, for all my future trips I will plan on staying on-site for the sheer convenience of time and energy. It was amazing to watch the Disneyland Forever fireworks show on Main Street, and then be in my hotel room 10 minutes later. Not on a bus 10 minutes later, not waiting in line 10 minutes later. I was in my room. Amazing.

3. Disneyland is NOT just a two or three day vacation destination.

One opinion that I kept hearing was that Disneyland was, at most, a three day vacation. You needed to go to Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, etc in order to really make the most of a week and make your travel to Anaheim worthwhile. Now, nothing against those destinations at all but after having been at Disneyland, I could have easily stayed another day. I had an awesome time at the parks but didn't have a whole lot of time to explore my resort, or stroll around Downtown Disney. Next time (in November! Eeek!!) I'm planning on being here an entire week.

4. Three Words, people: World of Color.

I might cause a minor Disney fan revolt by saying this, but the fireworks shows and parades aren't usually on my must-do list. (dodges flying objects.) I enjoy them, but I'm not a person who will sit on a curb for two hours to get a viewing spot before a parade. They're fun, but no thanks, man. There are other things I prefer doing instead.

I knew I wanted to see World of Color at California Adventure. I'd read about it and seen clips of the show and from everything I'd heard, people raved about how awesome it was. We decided to do a WoC dining package (more on that in another post!) to get FastPasses for a special viewing area. The appointed time came, we got in our AWESOME location to watch and waited to be dazzled.

And dazzled we were. There aren't words in the English language that can adequately convey the rush of love and emotions I had when watching this show. It's been recently re-done a bit for the 60th Anniversary and it's just AMAZING. I won't tell you every single detail because A) we'd be here all day and B) I want you to experience it for yourself.

And when they played a version of the song "Forever Young? Tears, tears everywhere.

5.  Foodies - you won't be disappointed.

Disneyland is no slouch in the food department, either. On this trip I had my first churro; it was delicious! I wore most of the sugar on my shirt, but it was very yummy. I also enjoyed a Disneyland corn dog; I can only assume they put actual magic in that batter because GOOD LORD it was amazing - and I'm not really a hot dog fan. If you're a soup person, you MUST go to the Pacific Warf Cafe and enjoy their Clam Chowder or Broccoli Cheese soups. TO DIE FOR.

Needless to say, there will be many posts on this here blog solely about the food because y'all, it was stinking good. Many times we had "progressive dinners" and shared food so we could all sample a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Nom nom nom.

So there you have it - some of the many reasons I fell in deep, passionate, abiding love with Disneyland. I'll be back in November and can't wait to experience it all again!

Have a magical day!

My Summer Challenge - 2015

Hello, folks! I'm back from Disneyland and spoiler alert, had an AMAZING time. I can't wait to share it all with you in the coming weeks and months so never fear! Those posts are coming.  Coming VERY soon.

But first things first. Today I was thinking about my upcoming summer, and all the fun (and some not-so-fun but necessary) things I would like to do and accomplish this summer. If you'll remember, around Christmas time I published a list here of ways I was going to stay present in the season as time marched towards December 25th. I feel that similar to the holiday season, summer has a tendency to get away from me and BAM before I know it, it's Labor Day again.

So in that spirit, here's my Summer Challenge 2016 list. I must have a list, because I am Type A and having something I can refer to and cross-off is my jam.

* Read at least two books a month.

I love to read but I don't always seem to make time. Or, when I have a free night I pop in a movie or watch Hulu. But I have a list a MILE long of books I want to read and this is the time to make a serious dent in that list. I read just about everything - mystery, non-fiction, long books, short books, serious books and silly books...I'm an equal opportunity reader.

A good friend and I are going to Vero Beach in July and we've already decided we're going to select a book to read separately before our vacation, so we can discuss it together while we're there.

* Have firepit nights in the backyard.

My backyard is the current bane of my existence (SO MANY PLANTS) but I do have an awesome firepit and patio, constructed by the former owners. I'd like to make a standing "smores and wine night" with my friends once a month, where we talk and laugh and eat chocolate late into the evening hours. And the best part? It'll be dark, so you can totally rock your PJs if you want. Winning!

* Visit at least three of the museums in my state.

The only thing that rivals my love for Disney and travel is my love for history and museums. I've been to lots in other states but very few here in Iowa, and since most are within a few hours drive, I want to see at least 3 such museums by summer's end.

On the list so far are the National Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque (their feature this summer is a Titanic exhibit), and the Hebert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

* Create a (cheap) summer oasis in my backyard.

I've got some nice patio furniture but I really want to create a retreat / summer oasis in my backyard for little money. I'm thinking of a hammock, some tiki torches, those large-bulb string lights everywhere and perhaps a kiddy pool that I can dangle my feet in and pretend I'm in the pool at Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge.

* Get control of the clutter and clean out / get rid of things I don't use.

It couldn't ALL be fun! My house has become a cesspool of crap I never use, so I'm committing to going through a box or a closet once a week and either give items to Goodwill, sell or throw them away. I want an uncluttered house by this fall! (I'll keep you posted on how this goes.)

I've started a new rule in my house - when one thing comes in, another thing goes out (except for consumables like food, toiletries, etc). If I buy a tote or purse - another one goes on eBay or gets donated. I buy a pair of shoes, another pair gets donated or thrown out.

* Create a chore schedule and (try to) stick to it.

Ooh wow, a chore chart! So much fun. (That was sarcasm, by the way.) This sounds like a dopey summer goal but hear me out. I tend to clean ALL AT ONCE until it cannot possibly be put off any longer. I do dishes and wipe down the bathroom sink every day, stuff like that - but vacuuming and dusting and more intense cleaning is left until the very last minute. And then cleaning ends up taking hours when if I just did a little each day, I'd be so much better off.

So I'm going to create a chart and assign certain tasks each day that won't take more than 1/2 hour, at most. Rather than be overwhelmed with a 3-4 hour Saturday cleaning schedule, I'd rather do a little bit each day. If it goes well, hopefully I'll continue with it.

And if I get really crazy and feel adventurous, I might add a more intense task each week like cleaning baseboards or washing the outside of the windows. Adulthood, kids - it's always SUPER fun and exciting.

How will you be spending your summer? What are your goals / tasks / etc?

Have a magical day!

Travel Agent FAQs - Answered!

I'm only about 15 months into being a travel agent, and by no means do I have it all "figured out". I'm learning new things every day about destinations, vendors, the business side of things, etc. 90% of it was brand-new to me when I started, and I've gotten a lot of insight into how things are done as well as some misconceptions I had when I was a traveler/vacationer.

So in the spirit of passing along some of my knowledge to hopefully help you all understand the travel business a bit better, here are some FAQs (Frequency Asked Questions) that myself and many other TAs answer on a weekly basis. This is all in the spirit of passing along information that might be helpful to you as you evaluate working with a travel agent, if you haven't before.

Since my primary TA business is Disney, I'm answering these questions from that perspective, although many answers could be the same for all travel agents.

* How are you paid? Are you employed by the destination [in my case, Disney]?

I personally get this question more often than any others. Disney does NOT employ us (and as TAs we have to be very careful about how we represent ourselves, so there is not confusion that we are Disney employees). We are not on salary, nor do we earn an hourly wage.  Disney pays us commission after the completion of the client's vacation, so even though we might work with you for over a year (or more!) before your trip, we get paid when your vacation is complete.

* Do you get a lot of free vacations and perks from being a travel agent?

There's no doubt that being a travel agent has its perks. I love that I not only get to help people plan their vacations but I also get to chat Disney and share my love of the parks and cruise line, especially with those who've never been to Disney. I've also met some of my best friends in the world via my travel work and from the Disney fan community, and that connection is invaluable to me.

Each destination handles agent perks and bonuses differently and again, as I'm familiar with Disney I'll answer from that point of view. We have access to training events; there are often a few each year per destination (Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line and Disney World) and each agency is able to have a certain number of agents attend. Who attends is decided a different way at each agency. 

In addition, if you are a licensed IATA or CLIA travel agent (and getting licensed by IATA/CLIA has its own set of requirements - you don't get your card just by being a TA), you are often eligible for discounts at various destinations.

That being said - being a travel agent doesn't mean that you get free vacations, or crazy discounts. There are MANY fun and exciting things about being a travel agent - - but it doesn't mean that we're able to go around the world for no cost.

* I see that XYZ Travel Company is offering onboard cruise credits for up to $xxx. Why aren't you able to offer the same credit?

Often, this is an issue of agencies having different policies. Each business runs things a little differently when it comes to extras such as onboard credit for a cruise booking.

For my agency (and for the majority of agencies), we pay the onboard credits ourselves out of our commission. Some are paid as perks by the agency itself, and thus they can sometimes offer a higher credit or bonus. I personally have a percentage system when I am figuring out the onboard credit for a client, based on the dollar amount of your booking, but everyone does it differently (and some choose not to offer onboard credit at all, which is completely fine).

For clients who are traveling to Disney World or Disneyland, I like to put a little something extra in their client packet as my way to say Thank You for booking with me. Again, not every agent does this (nor should they be expected to) and for many it's something we do ourselves, not as agency policy.

(As an aside - - please evaluate a travel agent by more than just what they're able to offer you for booking. In my personal travel experience, before I was a TA, there is MUCH more to a good travel agent than what perks or extras they might be able to offer you.)

* Can you just answer questions for me, (and/or book my dining, FastPass+, etc) without me booking a vacation through you?

This is a tricky one to answer. I certainly don't want someone to think they can't approach me with questions if they are thinking about going to Disney, as my friends and family (and extended friends and family!) all know what I do, and frequently come to me with little questions here and there. I am also 100% happy to do a no-obligation quote at any time, if you're trying to decide if a trip's right for you. I don't have any problem "chatting Disney", and talking to you about whether or not you want to book your Disney vacation. 

I do have some clients who are members of the Disney Vacation Club and although I don't book their rooms, I do help them purchase their tickets and other items, so I offer my services to them at no cost. (If you're curious about the situations where I might charge a planning fee, please see the About Me page on this blog.) 

However, what I am unable to do is be your travel planner / travel planning resource without your booking the vacation through me or paying an a la carte planning fee. 

Hopefully this posts helps and answers some questions you might have had about travel agents, and what we do.

I hope you have fun weekend plans ahead - have a great day!

Travel Essentials, Must Haves and Tips!

In my quest to share tips and information with you related to traveling in general, I wanted to give you some tips for travel essentials, must haves, and my personal to-dos. So in no particular order, here are a few ways you can make travel easier, more fun and less stressful!

 * Travel with a mini "get well" kit.

It doesn't have to be large or involved, but think about traveling with a mini get well / first aid kit. I use a small pouch that I got free with a makeup purchase, and include a few bandaids, some antibacterial cream, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc. If you're battling a headache at the airport, or fall and scrape your knee while getting gas, it's nice to have those items at the ready.

(You should also have a larger first aid kit in your car - you can make your own, or many stores like Target and Wal-Mart carry per-assembled ones as well.)

* Speaking of the airport...bring along baby wipes.

Even if you don't have kids with you, you need baby wipes! Stop by the baby care section at your local store and pick up some wipes before you fly. Those airplanes are germ-central, so when you get on the plane take a minute to wipe down your seat, the seatbelt, tray table, etc. No one likes to get sick on vacation (or when you get home!) so a few moments spent cleaning your part of the plane can save your immune system!

* If you're traveling with kids - bring along a few inexpensive new toys to keep them occupied on long travel days.

One of my travel clients did this with her kids, and I think it's a GREAT idea. You don't have to spend a lot (even dollar store items are a hit) but if you pick up a few new items that they've not seen before, the new-ness of the toys can really keep them occupied during long flights or car trips. Consider picking up small toys, decks of cards, new coloring books and crayons, etc.

For a special treat, you could also rent or purchase a movie they've been wanting to see and give the option of viewing that if they have good behavior!

* Chargers - don't leave home without them. And don't pack them in your checked bag!

Most of us travel with at least our cell phones, as well as laptops, iPads, Kindles, etc. Be sure you don't pack the chargers in your checked bag(s), as you'll probably need to recharge before you get to your destination. Most airports now offer at least a few seats at each gate with charging stations nearby; at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport, for example, many gates now offer comfortable seating areas with multiple charging stations, so 100 people aren't jockeying for 3 charging spots.

Logo copyrighted RelayRides.com

 * Look into other options for transportation.

Remember, there are other ways to access transportation when you're on vacation, and that doesn't always mean you need to rent a car or take a cab. Check out other options, like RelayRides. RelayRides is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where individuals offer their personal cars up for rent. They carefully vet both the renters and those who are making their cars available, and offer customer support, roadside assistance and liability insurance coverage as well. To learn more, be sure and go to their webite relayrides.com. To access their airport rentals information, please click here!

This is just a short list of some of my tips for traveling...I hope to make this a regular feature on the  blog and would LOVE to hear some of your ideas, too!

I'd like you to share your tips in the comments and on Facebook and Twitter; be sure to use the hashtag #mostdelightfultips so I can see those and share with others!

Have a magical day!

Pennies for Neverland - Say NO to Cable TV and Put Thousands into your Vacation Account!

Today's post focuses on the newest blog section, Pennies for Neverland, where I'll share ideas, tips and tricks so you can save your valuable dollars for fun things (such as vacations!).

If you'll remember from my post 10 Ways to Save for Your Disney Vacation (the link is here if you haven't read it yet), one idea is to cancel your cable television. This step alone could save you thousands of dollars a year, depending on how much you're spending on cable.

Yes, I just heard your shocked bodies hit the floor as you fainted dead away, and I can even SEE you rolling your eyes from all the way over here. "But what about those live TV events?? What about my favorite sports channel(s)?? I can't live without ESPN / TLC / CNN" etc etc etc.

I enjoy TV as much as the next person, but do you know what I like EVEN more? Being able to go on vacation and do fun things with my hard-earned money, vs spending $100s a month when I don't watch 95% of the channels available.

The tide of television as we know it is changing. Streaming services are the most popular they've ever been, and they're adding new and exciting content all the time. Networks like HBO are launching services in 2015 where, instead of paying for that Basic Plus Plus plan at $100+ per month, you can buy a subscription to their channel and watch online or via a Roku or Apple TV. It's genius and in my opinion, the wave of the future for TV. The television industry is pretty complex and there are many reasons why "pay for what you watch" isn't available yet, but trust me when I tell you, it's coming.

But in the meantime, there are things you can do where you watch the shows you love, AND save money.

* Get an antenna for your TV and pick up the local (and free!) channels.

I found my antenna on Amazon. It was inexpensive (I'm sure it was under $30) and easy to install. I then went into my TV's setup menu, had it scan for available channels, and VOILA! Easy peasy. Stations like your local NBC, CBS and ABC affiliates are available for free, as is PBS and often a variety of other channels. With my antenna, I pick up about 20 total channels. It's how I watch live events, such as the Oscars, and sporting events such as the Super Bowl.

* Sign up for Netflix and/or Hulu.

My Netflix subscription is $7.99 per month (I have the streaming plan, plus the 1 DVD at a time delivery). The basic Hulu is free - - if you want their selection of movies and full catalogue of TV shows, it's about $9 per month. Netflix has an AWESOME variety of movies and TV shows, and although they aren't new releases, they're adding new items all the time. And their original content is awesome too - if you haven't watched House of Cards yet, put that on your "holiday to-do" list! You'll thank me later.

Hulu has quite a few of the network TV shows that are available the day after they air live. I watch New Girl, The Mindy Project and more this way and it's not only super convenient, it also saves me money each month on having a DVR; no more need to record shows!

The other great thing about streaming services - you can access them on a variety of devices. You're able to watch on not only your TV but also your phone, laptop/desktop computer and tablet. Most services (like Netflix) also let you set up multiple devices on one account; my youngest brother and I share one Netflix account, which saves us both money. With Netflix, you can even set up different user accounts on one profile so you can have your own queue of what you want to watch.

* Split a cable subscription with friends.

I know I have readers who are still aghast and not quite convinced this is the way to go. (I'm looking at you, gentlemen). When I'm polling friends and family about who's ditched their cable, 90% of the time the holdouts are those who enjoy watching live sports. I get it, 100% - it's your thing, your passion, and you can't imagine not seeing the Bears/Packers/Vikings/etc play each and every week. Have you thought about sharing a cable subscription with your friends?

I don't mean you all share one in your own homes; I am not aware of any cable services that allow you to hook up a single account in multiple homes. But how about one person buys it, and everyone pays in? Splitting that sports package between 4-5 people makes it more affordable for everyone.

Not only are you saving money, you're getting to hang out with your friends and watch together. Win, win!

(And for the one who's always having people at their house to watch the games: the others should bring the snacks, beer, help clean up afterwards, etc. Help out the host!)

* Buy season passes for the cable TV shows that aren't available online.

For those shows you like that aren't available online, consider buying a season pass or subscription via iTunes. If there's a show or two that you just can't live without, buying the season pass is a good option.

I love Rizzoli and Isles on TNT, and it's one of the few shows that's not on Hulu or on the network's website. For about $20, I bought a season pass and then have the episodes in my iTunes account the day after they air.

Of course, you won't save money if you buy 10-15 season passes; perhaps choose the 2-3 shows you like the best, and then wait for the others to go on Netflix.

* Your library has more than books!

Don't forget about your library when looking for TV shows. Many libraries carry past seasons of some of the most popular shows, and it's FREE. As in $0. While it's not the episode that aired this week, you can often rent whole seasons and at least at my library, the selection is very good. Most will also take suggestions for TV shows that you'd like to see available.

* Cut cable because...It's not only good for your wallet - it's good for your waistline AND your mind.

When I stopped my cable subscription about a year ago, I noticed how much TV I was watching. And most of it was mindless; turning on the tube and flipping through channels, looking for something to watch. I still spend a few hours a week watching movies or catching up on Hulu - but it's far less than I used to. Free up some of that time for reading, going on walks, etc.

Please comment below, and share on the Facebook page. Have you cut out cable TV? What are your savings each year?

Have a magical day!

5 Ways to Banish Post-Vacation Sickness: Part 1

In addition to death and taxes, I can always count on the Post-Vacation Sickness. Sneezy, snotty, congested, icky tummy - you get the picture. It seems that without fail, after every vacation I have at least a few days of post-travel sickness. This past year, after spending a glorious few days in Miami in January, I was blessed with a particularly bad case of bronchitis. Good times, people, good times.

I am always fastidious (today's SAT word, folks!) about washing my hands anytime I am on a plane, in a hotel room, a cruise cabin, etc. I am not a germaphobe by any means, but I am a clean person who tries to do what she can to combat illness. No matter how I try, the germ bugs seem to find me, determined to take up residence in my body.

So THIS time, after doing lots of research and talking to friends, I have come up with a plan that will *hopefully* result in zero snotty noses, no more watery eyes and will save me about $50 in Kleenex. Here's hoping!

So here is my 5-point plan for telling those germs to take a hike:

1. Make my own wet wipes, and use them to clean off the plane seat, as well as surfaces in my hotel room and cruise cabin.

My Mouse World Travel co-worker Jeanne said that each time she flies, she takes baby/wet wipes and rubs down their plane seat, tray table, etc. GREAT idea. You know darn well that those things don't get properly cleaned in the 8 minutes between passengers leaving the plane, and the next group coming on.

I found this recipe online for homemade wipes, and I'm going to try them out. I am ready for the confused and questioning stares from my fellow passengers as I wipe down my little area of the plane, but it'll be worth it if I don't end up sick.

Oh - and NEVER use those pillows or blankets on the plane. Ewww. Roll up a sweater, or pack a pashmina or large scarf and use that instead. When you get to your destination, make sure you clean whatever you used as a pillow/blanket, as that touched the plane as well.

I am happier NOT knowing what kinds of germs are on those airplane pillows and blankets. Blech.

2. Use essential oils.

For the past few months, I've been using doTERRA Essential Oils for cleaning, general wellness, etc and I LOVE them. I've had a lot of success keeping small sicknesses at bay (sick people ALL around me and so far, no sickness here!) with the oils, so I plan on making them a part of my plan.

I will use a few drops of their OnGuard blend into my water bottles, and also rub it on my feet each night. I also plan on taking the Lemon and Lime oils, which are natural disinfectants. On the days I fly, I'll also rub OnGuard and Breathe on my chest.

3. Water. Lots and lots of water.

In researching, I found that the post-travel sickness thing is felt by lots of people. (Glad to know I am not the only one!) I read over and over again that this is due in part to the air in the plane. I won't get all sciencey on you (I couldn't be all sciencey, even if I wanted to!) but in essence, there is very low humidity on planes. We have a natural defense in our bodies, via the mucus in our lungs and noses, that keeps those germs at bay. However, when there is such low humidity, those natural defenses dry up. And because of this, staying hydrated can combat the effects of the humidity and help to hydrate your body, which keeps you healthier.

Phew. OK, all done with the science part. (And bet you didn't think you'd ever see the word mucus on this blog! Ha!)

I tend to drink Diet Coke on planes but I will be going 100% water this time around. I am also going to buy my own water bottle after I go through security, vs drinking the water they serve on the plane. I don't mean to imply that the water that they serve is bad (they pour from bottled water), but it makes me feel better that I am the only one drinking out of that particular bottle, which is opened as they do their service of the plane and thus is subjected to the ickiness in the air. Does that make sense?

4. Do what I can pre-vacation to fit the germ bugs.

Before I even leave home, I will do what I can to lessen the chance that the germs take residence in my body.  I'll do my usual cleanliness, doTERRA oils, etc but will also pay special attention to things like potlucks during the holidays, food that people bring to work, etc.

5. Get enough rest during Christmas week.

Don't get me wrong - I love having lots of family around, and fun activities the week of Christmas. It's awesome to see everyone and visit, play games, watch movies late into the night, etc but I find that by the time the 28th/29th rolls around, I am SPENT. So this year, I am making a concerted effort to get enough sleep. If we stay up late one night, I'll set the alarm for 1/2 hour later the next day, for example. When we have some downtime, I'll put my feet up and doze for a few minutes, if I need to.

I leave in a few days for sunny Florida, and when I get back I'll report truthfully on if my wellness plan worked, helped a little bit, or fell flat on its face.

Be sure to follow along here on the blog and on social media as I'll be sharing videos, photos, etc from my trip to Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line.

How do you keep healthy when on vacation? Please share here, or on my social media pages!

Have a magical day!

BEWARE Travel Scams! How to Spot a Con Artist

Today I read yet another story about someone who'd posed as a travel agent, and stole/scammed people who were making plans to visit Disney World. According to the story (you can read it here), a woman posed as a travel agent and stole over $100,000 from families who were planning trips. She has pled guilty and is paying restitution to her victims.

It makes my blood BOIL when I read these stories - and unfortunately, they aren't rare. I read one article about a year ago where a school band or choir was heading to Disney World to preform, drove all the way there, showed up to their hotel and were told they had no reservations. The person who booked their trip took all the money, instead, and they were never booked! How heartbreaking.

In light of this, I wanted to share with you some ways to spot a crook when it comes to travel. This is by no means an exhaustive list but hopefully this will give you something to think about as you look for a travel agent.

* Work with someone you trust, or with someone who's worked with a friend/family member so you can ask about their vacation, working with that person, etc.  

Word of mouth is one of the ways that many travel agents grow their businesses. Referrals are the backbone of our business and nothing makes us happier than when you pass along our information to your friends and family. (This is how most of my clients find out about me!) Ask your friend how the agent was to work with, how responsive they are, trustworthy, etc. And most importantly, did they have a successful trip (such as the ever-important, did they had a reservation when they showed up!?).

You won't always find a travel agent via acquaintances, of course. You might see a billboard, or an ad on Google. If you have no personal knowledge of them, ask if you can speak with or email a few of their past customers and ask questions to make sure they're on the up-and-up. Any legitimate business person won't balk at this.

* NEVER give someone cash or write them a personal check for the the entirety of your trip cost.

If a "travel agent" asks you to write them a personal check, or give them cash, in payment for a trip - RUN, don't walk. Anyone who says "Just give me the cash/make the check out to me and I will take care of it" is not to be trusted. Deposits and final payments are processed by the vendor and money should not change hands via the agent. Your TA will ask for your credit or debit card information to process the reservation on the vendor's website, and will be able to provide you with documentation of this every step of the way (deposits, final payment receipt, etc).

The exception to the "don't give cash or check to your TA" are agents who have a booking free or travel planning fee, which is completely normal and above-board. This should be spelled out clearly for you when you're looking to book a vacation with an agent who has fees.

* If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is.

Keep your antenna up for things that seem just TOO good to be true. If you see someone advertising a $1,000 Walt Disney World vacation for a family of four during Christmas, for example, that should set off all sorts of alarm bells. OR, if someone says something along the lines of, "Book your vacation with me because Disney lets me offer special deals that no one else can" - RUN RUN RUN.

* Confirmation numbers and receipts should be available on official letterhead/email from the destination and ready to send to you at any time.

Once your vacation is deposited and/or paid for, your TA will be able to get your a confirmation number, and also email you receipts showing what was paid, on what date, for your files. With Disney, for example, you now enter that number into MyDisneyExperience.com and can see your reservation information yourself, on their official website. Agents also have the ability to email you the payment history and final receipt for your vacation.

If a TA cannot give you confirmation from the vendor that your trip is booked, or hesitates giving you that information - FLASHING RED SIGN! Beware!

It's sad that we live in a world where people scam families out of their hard-earned vacation dollars, but unfortunately they're out there.

Things Your Travel Agent CAN (and CAN'T!) Do!

I read an article a few weeks ago (I think it was on the Huffington Post's website) that talked about the reasons to use a travel agent when you book a vacation. Many were great reasons, but I felt others were pretty inaccurate or just plain wrong. (I can't seem to find that article again - - but when I do, I will post it for you over on the Facebook page.)

In an attempt to correct what I see as misinformation, I wanted to add my voice to the mix. So, without further ado, for your reading pleasure:

Things Your Travel Agent CAN (and CAN'T!) Do For You!

What we CAN do:

* We monitor and receive communication from vendors about discounts, upcoming pricing specials, etc. Sometimes, we are even able to apply newly-released discounts to vacations that are already booked! For instance, I had a client book their Disney World trip and about a month later the Play, Stay and Dine offer was released. I called Disney for them, and was able to apply that discount to their trip, saving them over $400!

* Not only do we monitor info about discounts and specials, we are also on the pulse of news with the location/destination, including upcoming renovations and construction news. It's our job to stay on top of what's going on with the destination and communicate that information to you, so you don't have to spend hours of your life slogging through the internet or setting up Google alerts.

For example, earlier this year we heard about the construction going on at the Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge resorts and were able to advise clients, in case that would affect their decision to stay there. Better that, than booking it and THEN realizing when you get there that the pool's on refurbishment, or that one of the food courts is not in service!

* We take care of the booking of your trip, but also the minutiae that comes along with planning a vacation. For example, with Disney we stay on top of things for you, like dates for Dining reservations, dates you can pick your FastPass+ attractions, and much more.  We stay up until Midnight to make those FP+ reservation dates, and wake up at 6AM to get your breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table so YOU don't have to!

* Once you're on your trip, we're a resource in case anything should go amiss. One of the greatest benefits about booking your trip with your travel agent, vs doing it online or by yourself, is we're a resource if/when things go wrong. They don't often, but it's nice to have someone in your corner who can help you and can try to make it better.

This could be as small as a location not having your Dining reservation listed, or as large as needing help if someone in your group has a medical emergency. It's nice to have a helper in case things go wrong!

* We know fun little facts and hints about your destination that we share with you.  I always love when I can share little tidbits of info with clients, like the best places to get ice cream or where to find the best margaritas on property.

What we CAN'T do:

* We cannot make the prices cheaper. We do not set the prices, or have the ability to discount them further; that is all decided by the destination. Now, as noted above we are on the pulse of discounts so we can monitor those for you - but we do not have the ability to make vacations cheaper.

* We can't make Dining or FastPass+ slots open out of thin air, or create availability where there is none. One item I read in the Huffington Post article talked about using a TA because they have relationships with concierges and can make availability at select restaurants appear, for example, or get you tickets to that sold-out concert or play. In some cases this *might* be true, but is certainly not across the board.

While many of us do have good relationships with individuals who work at the destinations, that doesn't mean we're able to make you the dining reservation on New Years Eve a week in advance, or create more FastPass+ slots to meet Anna and Elsa. We are great at finding answers and we love to problem-solve with you, but there are often things that are out of our control.

* We're unable to change weather patterns, weather delays, etc. You might be laughing right now, but many TAs have horror stories about people getting very upset at them because there's a snowstorm forecasted the day they leave, or their airport closes/has delays. We'll be here to assist you if your plans get delayed by "acts of God" but unfortunately we don't have control over Mother Nature.

* We don't know if/when discounts are going to be released until a day or two before.  In particular for Disney, there is no set-in-stone timeline for when things are SOMETIMES offered (such as Free Dining in the fall). Very few, if any, destinations have a schedule for when discounts are released each year (and most don't want to create such a schedule, because in their eyes they don't want you to wait and book a trip only when a discount is involved). We often find out the same time as you all do, maybe a few days sooner. When we do hear for sure, we get that information out to you ASAP so you can make a decision if those dates and/or that promo works best for you.

If there are other travel agents who are readers, please chime in and leave comments here and/or on social media!

As always, thank you for reading - - and have a magical day!

New Section: Pennies for Neverland!

Those of you who are eagle-eyed have probably already noticed a little change to the top of the site. If you haven't, go ahead and take a look. I'll wait.

WOW, that was quick! Yes, there is now a new section on The Most Delightful Place called Pennies for Neverland.

I have lots of ideas for posts on how you can save your pennies for your Disney vacation - and I wanted a special place to house those posts. Much like the Resort and Dining page, and the Disney Cruise Line page, this will be a place where I'll link posts that talk about how to save money for your Disney trips (and really, for vacations in general).

I'm by no means a financial whiz, but I always find it super helpful when people write about tricks, tips and how-tos to save time, money, resources, etc. I plan on having 2-3 posts a month in the Pennies for Neverland category and as always, LOVE your suggestions and ideas about posts you'd like to see.

Thanks again for reading! Have a magical day!

Guest Author - Sarah Norris: Holidays at Disney with a Special Diet

When traveling to the Walt Disney World Resort with a special diet during the holidays, guests might wonder if they’ll be able to celebrate with special treats. The great news is that at Disney World, you can enjoy the jolliest of holidays with ease and delicious (and safe!) food. Here are some particularly magical holiday tips and ideas to help create that extra special holiday vacation.

Enjoy a holiday feast! Not matter what holiday you’re celebrating this fall and winter season, you can get a traditional turkey dinner any day of the week at Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom. Gluten free diners can happily enjoy honest to goodness gravy (which happens to be dairy free and allergy friendly too) with their turkey dinner. Dairy free? You’ll swoon over the delicious dairy free mashed potatoes. My family dines here every year during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for that holiday tradition. You’ll also love the holiday décor in the restaurant.

Did someone say cookies? Santa Claus isn’t the only one who loves holiday cookies! If you’re attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, head to one of the many cookies & cocoa stations located throughout the Magic Kingdom. Let a cast member know you have special dietary needs, and you’ll be treated to Enjoy Life cookies or OMG It’s Gluten Free cookies. Cocoa isn’t gluten free or dairy free, but you can always bring a safe mix from home and ask for hot water! 

Gingerbread displays & shops sometimes carry special diets treats! One of my favorite holiday traditions is to check out all the gingerbread and holiday displays at the various resorts. The biggest and most impressive are at Disney’s Grand Floridian and Disney’s Contemporary Resorts. There, take a look through all of the goodies for sale (yes, the gingerbread displays turn into honest to goodness shops!). For the past several years, Babycakes NYC treats have been available for purchase, including gingerbread people and cinnamon French toastie loaves. 

Enjoy a snack in the parks! Even though they aren’t holiday specific, I always look for gluten free and dairy free treats in the park. There’s something magical about watching the Holiday Wishes fireworks show while eating popcorn. For something sweet, you can score gluten free and dairy free caramel corn at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (the only known place to get it!). Of course, there’s always the classic turkey leg, which is both holiday inspired and gluten free and dairy free.

Make plans for a special meal. Disney excels at making amazing special diets options. Looking for sushi on Thanksgiving? A classic Feast of Seven Fishes Italian meal? Chances are, you’ll find it at one of Disney’s hundreds of restaurants. Planning ahead is key. Make your ADRs well in advance and be sure to note your special dietary needs on your reservation. 

It’s not just about the food! Of course, food is really important when you have a special diet, but Disney also offers so much amazing holiday entertainment that you’ll want to take advantage of it! From the Osborne Lights, Candelight Processional (pro tip: book a holiday dining package with this for an extra magical experience. My favorite is Biergarten), to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there’s something for everyone!

I hope you enjoy your magical visit to Disney during the holidays. It’s one of my favorite times of year in the Disney Parks and Resorts!

Sarah Norris is the owner of Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW, where she chronicles her experiences visiting the Walt Disney World Resort gluten free, dairy free, and Crohn’s disease. You can frequently find her scouring the parks for the latest special diets Disney dining news and enjoying a safe and delicious meal.

How much DO you walk at Walt Disney World?

Picture from Fitbit.com

First, I wanted to say - - I haven't forgotten about the Trip Report. :) I hope to get this one finished before I go on the Disney Dream again in January! However, my iPhoto decided to freak out and the pictures I KNEW I took at Splittsville aren't showing up. Grrr - don't you love technology?! So instead, let's talk about walking around the World, shall we?

I have a FitBit activity device that I wear on my wrist; it tracks your steps and activity, and you can also use it as an alarm clock, to track your eating, your sleep, etc. It's a neat way to track just how much you move during the day; as I have a desk job, it really helps me know when I need to get around and move more.

Since I wore it while I was walking around Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line in August/September, I wanted to share with you just HOW much an average person probably walks at Disney, and why it's important to be prepared with appropriate footwear.

I looked at my steps logged on August 31 - September 4th, and each day I walked about 14,000 steps, or nearly 6 miles. Keep in mind - I wasn't killing myself running from place to place, or jogging from one end of Magic Kingdom to the other. This distance came from your normal touring and walking; from your room to the bus stop, from the bus stop at the park to the entrance, around the park, back to the bus and your room, etc.

It's SO important to have appropriate shoes! I remember one trip I took back in college, in the early 2000s. I bought some of the cute (and cheap!) flip flops, the kind that come in 100s of colors, to match my outfits (of course). I found out about 1/2 way through our first day that this was a BAD idea. My feet were killing me, and so after about 4 hours at Disney, I bought a pair of Mickey Mouse Keds-style sneakers and socks.  And lesson learned.

I recently purchased a pair of Sketchers GoWalk shoes and used those for the first time in August/September. OMG they are the BEST - - I will be buying more pairs, for sure. They're cute and stylish but still give you the support you need as you make your way through the World. Please excuse the general state of these shoes - they're "much loved", as you can tell!

I am confident in saying that the average person walks between 5-8 miles per DAY while at Disney World. So how do you get your feet ready for Disney, and keep them in good shape once you're there?

* If you're mostly sedentary at home, start walking a bit more each day to get your body ready for the many miles you'll be logging at Disney.

* Wear comfortable shoes - I cannot stress this enough. Comfort OVER fashion, every time! No one wants to stay in their room because they're in such pain they can't enjoy themselves.

* Be sure to pack some Band-Aids, just in case. I find that on occasion, I get blisters and so having Band-Aids at the ready is a real lifesaver.

*  Closely watch little ones - they're not used to walking this much, either (probably) and so they might need a few more breaks. Depending on the age of the child, you might also consider taking or renting a stroller, even if they don't use one at home. This beats having to carry them! :)

How much do YOU walk and Disney, and what steps do you take to protect your feet?

Have a magical day!

A Passport....Don't Cruise Without One!

As I was writing the Trip Insurance post, it occurred to me that I should write a similar post about passports. So, here we are! Let's chat passports, shall we?

On certain itineraries on Disney Cruise Line (and many other lines, I believe) if you are a US citizen you are able to cruise with an original birth certificate and are not required to have a passport.

I, however, would never do this, and I always strongly recommend that my clients get a passport any time they are going to be out of the United States.

The short answer as to why is because, without a passport, you will not be able to fly back into the United States quickly, without hankering with the consulate or customs, if you have to disembark in a foreign port.

I admit, I am a "worst case scenario" person and I like to be prepared for as many situations as I can.  As with the Trip Insurance issue, is it likely that something awful would happen during your trip and you would need to get home? Probably not, God willing everything is fine - - but what if it DOES?

One of the biggest reasons I hear for not getting passports is the cost; and yes, they are not cheap. I think they are around $100 for an adult and for a family, that can add up. However, think of the cost (in money and in time) if you don't have it, and need it?

So without further ado, here are the reasons why I will never cruise without a passport:

* Today you can - tomorrow (the day before your cruise??) you might not be able to.
We all know that rules can change at any point - this is especially true for US Customs and travel in and out of the United States. Let's say your cruise is in June and come May 30th, an announcement is made that starting immediately US Customs will no longer allow cruise travelers to use their birth certificates. And it's days before your cruise, so you'll either A) not be able to go, or B) have to pay out the nose in last-minute passport fees. I guarantee you this will cost WAY more than that $100/person passport charge.

* In an emergency, getting home should not be a worry.
Unfortunately emergencies do happen, and they can happen on vacation as easily as at home.  Say, for example, you are on a cruise and your spouse has a stroke. Your disembark in a foreign port of call in order to get medical treatment, but unless you have a passport, you cannot board a flight to get home once you're cleared to do so. Imagine not only dealing with your loved one being sick, but having to add to that the headache and hassle of trying to get back to the United States.

A few months ago, a fellow travel agent relayed an incident involving two of her clients. On a cruise, one of the travelers passed away in their sleep. The decedent and the surviving spouse disembarked the ship in a Caribbean country, in accordance with cruise line rules - and they were sailing without passports. Not only was the spouse dealing with the tragedy of losing their loved one, and the legal steps needed to get the deceased back to the US - she was told she would most likely be in that country for at least 2 weeks while everything was getting sorted out to allow her back into the United States.

In an emergency, the LAST thing you want to do is stress about getting you (and your loved ones) back to the United States in a timely matter.

* Passports are good for a number of years.
Currently, if you are over 18 your passport is good for ten years; those younger than 18 have their valid for five years. 

"Well, I'm not planning any other cruises / foreign trips in the next 5-10 years", you say. Are you sure? What if you son/daughter comes home from school and tells you about the class trip to Toronto? (Yes, Canada is a foreign country so you need a passport!) What if your best friend calls you, says she's getting married in Cabo in 3 months and wants you there as her maid of honor?

These might be extreme examples, but you just never know when an opportunity to use the passport will present itself and if you already have it - easy peasy!

* It's another great form of government issued photo ID.
You can use your passport for more than foreign travel; it's also a great (if not the best) form of government ID. Let's say you misplace your drivers license, and you have a flight tomorrow morning. No worries! Just bring your passport. (After someone drives you to the airport, of course!) If you didn't have it, you wouldn't be getting on that flight.

Please share in the comments and on Facebook - were you ever in a situation where having your passport made things MUCH easier? What would you say to someone who was on the fence about getting one?

Have a magical day!