Fantastical Vacations By Leslie Jenkins

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! These beautiful sisters are back from a fantastical vacation! Today we are sitting down with Alisha and Brandi! Together we are going to recap their experience and hear all about their “sister” adventures while sailing on Disney’s Fantasy! When sailing on Disney’s Fantasy, this massive ship has lots to offer! You will find 14 decks to explore. Within these 14 decks, you’ll also find Disney-themed entertainment and activities, including character meet-and-greets, shows, and youth clubs. Explore ports in the Caribbean and Bahamas! Enjoy your port days with white-sand beaches, excursion’s and Disneys private island, Castaway Cay! Now let’s jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: Hello Alisha and Brandi! Thank you so much for participating in this Q and A with me! I can’t wait to hear all the details! Let’s start with your travel arrangements, how did you arrive to your cruise?

A: We actually flew in the day before and went to Disney Springs to eat and shop that night! We stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites near the MCO airport and used the hotel shuttle and Lyfts! The morning of the cruise, we used the hotels shuttle to get back to the airport to catch Disney ground transportation to the port from MCO.

Q: Yes girl! When in Disney, we do all the Disney things, right?! I love that you kicked off your vacation the Disney way! I always encourage my cruising clients to travel to their destination the day before incase of possible flight or travel delays. I’m so glad ya’ll were able to do that. How was the transportation and your cruise check in?

A. Everything went so smoothly with the transportation. Disney made the check in process so easy! Honestly, easier than I had expected!

Q: I’m so glad it was so easy! Yay! Sounds like the vacation started out smoothly!! I’m so glad it worked out!! Tell me about your stateroom!

A: The room was really great, so much storage, there were only two of us and we had plenty. I feel like it could accommodate a family of four fairly well. I would even say your luggage and a folded up stroller could fit under the bed and not be in the way. The views from our balcony were so beautiful!

Q: You know what they say, “once you go balcony, you don’t go back”! That room looks very spacious! I’m so glad we decided on the Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah!What did you think of the ship & the activities?

A: I loved the ship, the layout seemed well thought out. Even with the ship at almost full capacity, I never really felt crowded or overwhelmed like the parks can feel like sometime. I would say just about every area was finished beautifully and looked like it was kept in good shape! I would say some of our favorite onboard activities were the trivia and the “See Ya Real Soon” Party! During that event on the last night, they had 20 minutes where the characters were out and you could get rapid fire last minute pictures with them which was actually so fun!

Q: Ohhh, how sweet!! I love that you had that one on one time with the characters! Honestly, that’s really special considering that would rarely happen in the theme parks. How much fun! How was the on-site dining?

A: The dining was so good! We enjoyed all of our dining. Palo was amazing and strangely, I think our favorite thing there was the celery soup, which is an odd menu item and unbelievably good. We loved the Disney details throughout each experience. The food was so delicious! We really enjoyed the ice cream machines! We would hit these up all the time! Being able to order our coffee and breakfast the night before and it be ready outside our door the next morning was a huge game changer as well!

Q: Haha! I know what you mean about the ice cream machines! Oh my word! I’m drooling! That all looks and sounds absolutely phenomenal! I love the Disney details as well. Disney sure knows how to make every experience magical. Did you ladies adventure off of the ship at Castaway Cay?

A: Yes! We began our time at Castaway Cay by renting bikes and riding the 5K trail. We received a complimentary (plastic) medal after. That was fun! Next we headed to the adult only beach, which we loved! It was overcast and rainy but we had chairs with beach umbrellas. We read and enjoyed looking at the ocean. After the sun came out, we swam and played around in the ocean. We ate lunch then enjoyed more beach time. About an hour before we were to board the ship again, we went to the family side and did some snorkeling. Alisha also enjoyed a slushy while waiting for the tram to take us back to the ship!

Q: Wow! That sounds like an amazing day! I love how they have an adults only beach option. A slushy sounds so good right now! Did you ladies enjoy any excursions during your port time?

A: Yes! When we visited Grand Cayman, we went with the more extensive dolphin experience, which was easily worth it due to the interaction we had. We got to hang on to the fin of the dolphin and “catch a ride” and then we also got to have them push us on the paddle board. SO cool and SO worth it! We also swam with sting rays! These excursions were in separate locations. The Dolphin experience was in a swimming pool, not the open ocean. There were lockers provided to store your stuff while you swam with the dolphins. The dolphins seemed well cared for and happy to be swimming with us. There was no chance to take your own photos but there were photographers taking pictures throughout the whole experience. You were later able to buy the photos. We bought all 77 of ours. The larger your group, the pricier the photos were. I think we paid around $130.00 for ours and they were digitally sent to us. We had full copyright use of them. We rode a boat out to a sandbar for the stingray experience. It was nice but not as intimate as the dolphin experience. There were other boats from other cruise ships there so it felt a bit crowded but no need to complain you were swimming with sting rays in the Caribbean. There were no bathroom facilities because you were out in the ocean so keep that in mind. Before our cruise, I purchased a waterproof pouch for my cell phone. Because we had this we were able to take our own videos and pictures. They have someone taking pictures as well. We made friends with a couple from our cruise and we also took videos and pictures of each other as we got our turn with the stingrays! We texted pictures to them as soon as we were able. They were so sweet and left us a thank you note.

Q: How was the weather this time of year in May?

A: Our weather was perfect. There were some rain storms but they passed quickly.

Q: That sounds nice! I bet the rain was refreshing at times too! Any additional tips or “must do’s” for anyone reading this blog?

A: We would say eating at Palo, getting a balcony room, and the shows were awesome! The excursions were great too! Also, make sure to do the open night experience. It shows you where everything is on the ship! Make sure to meet all of the characters the last night of the ship as well!

Q: These are great tips! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure! So would ya’ll sail with Disney again?

A: Absolutely! This was one of our favorite experiences ever!

Thank you so much Alisha and Brandi for your time and insight on this trip report! This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was helpful for anyone who is looking to visit, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!✨

Aloha beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! This beautiful family is back from a fantastical vacation! Today we are sitting down with Danielle! Together we are going to recap their experience and hear all about their adventure at Disney’s Aulani resort in Ko Olina, Hawai’i! When visiting Ko Olina, you will find 642 acres on the island of Oahu along the Waianae mountain range. You’ll also find white-sand beaches, four swimming lagoons and a classic Hawaiian vibe! Today we will be reviewing one resort in particular, Disney’s Aulani resort in Ko Olina, Hawai’i!. This is a beach front family resort! Now lets jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: Aloha Danielle! Thank you so much for participating in this Q& A with me! I can’t wait to hear all the details! Now which airport did you fly into and how long was your flight?

A: We flew into Honolulu, which was a 4 hour flight from where we reside in California.

Q: Wow! ONLY 4 hours! That sounds very manageable! I’d definitely have to split up the flight from Oklahoma, haha! How did you travel to and from the resort from the airport?

A. We used Top Limousine and they were fantastic!

Q: Great to hear! How fun to have a limo!? That looks awesome! Y’all were riding in style! 😎 How long did that ride take?

A: It took 45 mins to get the resort. There was an accident on our way back to the airport and our driver knew a way around the area. It took much longer.

Q: Sorry to hear about the accident but I’m glad he at least knew another way to get there! Plus ya’ll had more time in the limo! Would you use them again?

A: 1,000%!!!! A++++

Q: That is great feedback!! All my readers out there, you read it here first for that great limo company referral! After your awesome limo ride, how was the resort check in?

A: The check in was easy and super fast! We arrived at 10:30am and our room was ready. We were in Ewa tower room 950.

Q: I’m so glad it was easy and fast! Yay! I know you really wanted that view!! I’m so glad it worked out!! Pros and cons of the room?

A: Cons: None at all!

Pros: spectacular views, tons of space, layout for 6 people was perfect, balcony was HUGE!

Q: Lady! This all sounds and looks amazing! I’m so happy we found something that accomplished everything that y’all were needing! What did you think of the resort?

A: Beautiful! They had tons to do for all ages. We felt safe letting our kids roam without us. The staff told me there has never been an incident with kids getting taken or hurt. Also, my father, who is 72, enjoyed being in the room.

Q: You know, that’s a great point. I feel like that’s a topic that isn’t talked about enough. I’m really glad you brought that up! Security is everything when you are living your everyday life and that applies on vacation as well! I’m so glad you felt so safe and secure! I’m also glad your father was able to find comfort in the room with those gorgeous rooms too! How was the on-site dining?

A: On everyday food, we enjoyed chicken tenders, fries, burgers, ribs, poke bowls, salads. It was perfect for us. We all loved the character breakfast!

Me and my husband went to AMA AMA for a date night! It made our time here feel so special, as if it could get any more special! The experience felt intentional. From every staff person, to the service and explanation of every bite you will taste, to the ambience. Everything felt luxurious yet down to earth. You are paying for just that. We loved every bite we experienced.

Price: the food is worth the money. Because most bites are rich with flavor, I found myself getting full towards the end of the 3rd course. You truly savor every single bite. For these reasons, it is worth the price per person. So much thought is put into every ingredient. My compliments to the chef!If you desire large portions and to feel stuffed when you leave, this experience isn’t for you. If you want a splurge that feels worth it and you appreciate delicate foods I highly recommend this option. Again, it may not be for everyone, but for me this was a special highlight for my husband and I!

Q: Oh my word! I’m drooling! That all looks and sounds absolutely phenomenal! The food is almost too pretty to eat! It looks like art! What an experience?! Thank you so much for that attention to detail! I am adding this to my “must do” list right now!!! 😂 What were your favorite things about staying at the resort?

A: We enjoyed the pools, slides, character sightings everywhere, the room, the snack options, drink waiters, lazy River, and the reef. We even rented an executive lanai for our pool day! It was amazing! It was close to the pool and the ocean view was great!

Q: I mean, that all sounds spectacular! Speaking of, where is that drink waiter?! Haha, jk but a drink does sound good right now! What activities did you do while staying at the resort?

A: Rainbow reef, paddle boarding, making our own Mickey ears!

Q: Sign me up! ALL of that sounds like a good time! How much were they if additional costs?

A: Rainbow reef $25 per person, paddle boarding $40 per person, and Mickey ears $10 per person.

Q: Would you do them again?

A: Yes

Q: Any tours or excursions?

A: We had booked a visit to Pearl Harbor on our own in advance. Do Pearl Harbor early. We had beat the crowds and the heat. Our transportation company picked us up at 6:30am. We arrived at 7:30am and had plenty of time before the crowds arrived.

Q: That is a “must-do” attraction when visiting the area for sure! Did y’all enjoy any shopping off site?

A: We shopped at the ABC STORE and surrounding shops.

Q: Where did you explore in the area?

A: North Shore

Q: Ah yes! This is a very in demand tourist attraction! How did you get there?

A: We rented a suburban from Aulani rental cars.

Q: Awesome! How much was it?

A: $300 for the day

Q: Okay! So you loaded up the family and headed to the North Shore! How were the beaches?

A: It was beautiful and the water was awesome. Parking can be tricky. You have to be patient and wait for a spot. On the way there, we grabbed some delish shaved ice at Matsumoto’s!

Q: How was the weather this time of year in May?

A: Our weather was windy but perfect. 70’s/80’s and light humidity.

Q: That sounds sunny and perfect! Great temps! I bet the wind was refreshing at times too! Any additional tips and tricks for anyone reading this blog?

A: Mickey ears were fun, but there were limited supplies. I wish I would’ve known and brought more supplies with me or just skipped it all together. They bent as soon as we got home. Pictures in them were cute though.

Q: Must do’s?!

A: Do multiple resort days. We couldn’t get enough!Try the Coconut mint mojito… SO DELISH! Lava flow for kids! Refillable cups will save so much money. Book the Character Breakfast! Paddle boarding for older kids and adults. Walk out to the green space point for sunset. Go to Ama Ama for date night!

Q: Thank you so much for your feedback!! Did you eat anywhere off site that you recommend?

A: Monkeypod, Eggs n things, Mina’s fish house was $$$$ but so worth it! Monekypod is a short walk across the street and is worth it. We didn’t have reservations but my husband went ahead of us and got on the list. It was a Monday. All local foods but they cater to tourists as well.We ate at Eggs n Things and it’s SO GOOD! Make the reservation! Joanna is the best server and the food was delish. We got the breakfast burrito, French toast, Nutella and strawberry waffles with mochi inside. Everyone was happy! Coffee was 👌🏻.

Q: These are great tips! Thanks so much for sharing! So would ya’ll stay at Aulani again?

A: Yes absolutely! It is not an every year thing for us because of the cost but we would definitely go back.

Q: Any additional information you’d like to share to help future travelers?

A: Make your own Mickey ears. Selections for boys is very limited to wooden icons but the kids love the LED lights. Snap a picture with Mickey when at your character breakfast! It’s so fun and alleviates the stress of getting a photo. Get the Aulani special iced latte. It’s so good. Characters are everywhere. Don’t stress about the meeting times. We saw goofy all the time, chip and dale a lot, and Mickey and Minnie at character breakfast. Moana is super popular, so if she’s important to you… check her times.

Make sure to grab your wristbands the night before to avoid the line in the am!

Ashli with Oahu Cakes is phenomenal! Book her!

They even deliver in a vintage VW BUS! How fun! Snag your complimentary birthday treat from the character breakfast. Wear your birthday button and you’ll get lots of goodies!

Thank you so much Danielle for your time and insight on this trip report! This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was helpful for anyone who is looking to visit, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!✨

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! Ya’ll love is definitely in the air! This beautiful couple is back from paradise! Today we are sitting down with another newlywed couple, the one and only, Natalie & Sam Bowling! Today we are hearing their trip report from their very recent honeymoon! Tulum, Mexico is where they experienced their adventure. In Tulum, you will find history such as the ancient Mayan Ruins! You’ll also find luscious jungles and beautiful beaches! Today we will be reviewing one resort in particular, the amazing all inclusive resort at Catalonia Royal Tulum. This is a beach and jungle front resort! Now lets jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: Hey y’all! Thank you for completing this Q & A honeymoon edition with me! Which airport did you fly into and how long was your flight?

A: We flew into Cancun! I think 3 hours from Dallas to Cancun? Not bad at all.

Q: Wow! I bet those 3 hours flew by! How did you travel to and from the resort from the airport?

A: Amstar picked us up from the airport and took us to the resort! They were very friendly.

Q: Oh, I’m glad to hear that! I’ve used them a couple of times with other clients as well and they seem to be very friendly and helpful! How long did the transfer take?

A: It took about an hour.

Q: Would you use them again?

A: Yes! They were very kind.

Q: I’m glad to hear that they’ve been consistent! Okay, so y’all made it to the resort. You had sent me an amazing video of your room! Now let’s talk pros and cons of the room?

A: I would have liked a bath tub but the walk in shower was HUGE and I loved it. The bed and pillows were also super comfortable. The best thing though was probably the cleaning service. I have never in my life felt so clean and taken care of. They polished every detail each day!

Q: Sounds like luxury at its finest! I’m so glad they paid attention to every little detail!! I can appreciate that as well! What did you think of the resort?

A: It was great! Definitely a smaller resort, but we loved that. The staff was consistent and very friendly, all of the people seemed like they loved their job and we met so many guests that had been going there years and years in a row. It was easy to make return friends since there were so many familiar faces by the end of it.

Q: Oh! I love that! What a personal touch on your trip! Who doesn’t want to make travel buddies?! How special!? Let’s get into the food! How was the dining?

A: Dining was good! There were 5 special restaurants for dinner,a snack restaurant open all day by the pool, and then the buffet, which was open for lunch and breakfast. The only restaurant we didn’t like was the grill, which we thought was funny because it was basically an American restaurant and nobody seemed to take much pride in the food they were cooking/serving, haha. With that said, the Mexican restaurant is insane and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to recreate the tacos they served us.

Ha! That is hilarious! Now I need to come over and taste your interpretation of their tacos! They look delicious!

Q: What were your favorite things about staying at the resort?

A: The food and freedom to relax! I loved living in the moment, free of distractions, while getting to be with my wonderful husband.

Q: That is so sweet! Good company and good food is all you need! What activities did you do while staying at the resort?

A: There were always several things going on at the resort so we played beach volleyball, Sam won a football competition (O-H), and we even kayaked on the beach with free kayaks offered by the resort. This all inclusive had a juice bar right on the beach for healthy fresh juice, which was perfect for us.

Q: Any tours or excursions?

A: The excursion company we went with was “Cancun Adventures” and they were awesome! We left the resort for multiple excursions. We swam in a Cenote, scuba dived with sea turtles, saw Chichén Itzá, and went on a Taco Tour! We felt safe the whole time and had the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. All of our travel guides were so fun and knowledgeable. The company does a buy two, get one free deal, so we were able to do all three excursions for $600 bucks for the two of us. It felt like a good value! Each excursion was around 6 hours and fed us a whole meal (the taco tour fed us about four meals though haha).

Natalie, sign me up! What a deal!? I’m so glad y’all got this great bundle. It sounds like y’all had an amazing adventure as well! I’m so happy for you two! These are memories that you will have for the rest of your life. ❤️

Q: How were the beaches?

A: Beaches were great! Some days it had a BUNCH of seaweed, which was a problem all around Cancun, Cozumel, and Tulum at the time we went. Some kind of storm 🤷🏻‍♀️

Q: Eek, glad y’all were safe with the storms going on! What were the highlights of your trip?

A: These were my first days waking up next to my bestie, awesome husband and I will cherish them forever! The resort and activities were amazing, but the person you are with is what makes it the best!

Q: Natalie! You are so sweet! You are melting my heart!!! This is such a true statement. How was the weather this time of year?

A: Perfect. Probably 80 degrees each day and it rained maybe 15 minutes one day? We felt very blessed.

Q: Blessed indeed! That sounds like a true paradise! Any future suggestions?

A: If we wanted to stay at a bigger resort, we would have gone to Barcelo. A lot of people we met from different excursions came from there and they had way more activities (bowling alley, casino, etc.) due to the large scale of their resort. Our resort was just what we wanted, but we may go back and switch it up!

Q: I’m glad this was the perfect resort for your special honeymoon! Call me when you want to revisit and we will make it happen! Did you eat anywhere off site that you recommend?

A: The taco tour with Cancun Adventures was AWESOME but I couldn’t tell you the names of any of the restaurants. However, in the one excursion, you learn how to make salsa, eat 10 different tacos between 3 different restaurants, walk all around 5th Avenue Playa del Carmen, and learn all about the history and main ingredients in traditional Mexican food. It was so cool.

Q: Would you stay here again?

A: Maybe! I wouldn’t be opposed to it because I loved it. But I also like doing new things so it would be a while until I go back!

Q: I totally understand! I am so glad you loved it!! Any additional information you’d like to share to help future travelers?

A: I know Mexico can be scary right now and your mom may send you an article of something crazy happening on the beach, but just be smart with your travel. We personally never left the resort on our own. When we left, it was on an excursion with a bunch of other people and experienced tour guides. There was not a second I felt unsafe. I will say, I love going off on my own and exploring so I wish I felt comfortable to do that, but I was so relaxed and had so much fun doing the other things that I didn’t feel like it was necessary for this trip. I have no regrets! ☺️ We thank Leslie Jenkins BIG time for guiding us through my indecisiveness to help us find the perfect honeymoon spot. I couldn’t recommend her enough!

You are so kind. Happy to help lady!! Thank you so much for choosing and trusting me to book your honeymoon! I was so honored and so touched that you reached out. It meant so much to me. Thank you!!!

This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was insightful, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!✨

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! Today we are chatting with the newlywed couple, Nicholas and Keilee Martin! Today we are hearing their trip report from their honeymoon! Punta Cana is located in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, where you will find turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. Did you know Punta Cana is the second-most popular tourist destination in all of Latin America? Today we will be reviewing one resort in particular, Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana – Unlimited-Luxury. This is a luxurious beach front all inclusive resort, with many activities & restaurants. Now lets jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: From the airport, how did you transfer to the resort?

A: We used Amstar! Leslie arranged this with our package. They had a representative waiting for us at the airport and were ready to take us along with others going to the resort! It was $30.00 per adult for the round trip shuttle. We would use them again.

Q: I was happy to help! I’m glad they took great care of you! How was the resort check in?

A: It was awesome! Everyone was so attentive. We were offered a drink as we walked in. When we got to our room, they had decorated it saying we were on our honeymoon and there was a beautiful plate of fruit on a table next to our bed.

Q: The fruit looks so refreshing as well! Pros and cons of the room?

A:We didn’t have any cons! This room was very lovely, modern and comfortable!

Q: The room looks very nice and roomy! What was the comfort level of the room?

A: It was very comfortable! We loved the bed, the tv was nice to have, and the ability to order room service was super easy and convenient!

Q: That room service looks like heaven! What did you think of the resort?

A: We loved it! Our favorite was the “quiet pool” with these lovely beds that you could lounge on by the pool. Absolutely peaceful!

Q: Oh my word! That view is incredible! How was the dining?

A: Fantastic! We dressed up in the evenings for dinner. We tried all the options! Our favorite was Himitsu, and we loved the sushi!

Q: Mmm! I love me some sushi lady! What were your favorite things about staying at the resort?

A: How peaceful it was but also that you had all these opportunities to do things and be active if you wanted to! (Beach parties, night club, water yoga, volleyball, etc)

Q: WOW! It sounds like you will never get bored either! I like that they have so many options and something for everyone! Did you indulge in any extra activities offered by the resort?

A: We did the couples massage and that was all we did that cost extra! Highly recommend it. It was high quality treatment!

Q: A massage sounds like paradise! I’m so glad you enjoyed that during your stay!

Q: How were the beaches?

A: The beach connected to the resort and that was fantastic. There were some solicitors that were annoying at times but other than that it was good!

Q: Ah, I see. Thank you for that information, what were the highlights of the trip?

A: That we got to relax when we wanted, eat when we wanted, do stuff when we wanted!

Q: Now that sounds like an amazing honeymoon vacation! How was the weather this time of year?

A: Sunny and warm everyday!

Q: It doesn’t get any better than that! Do you have any “Tips and Must do’s”?

A: Live each day how you want. Try the nightclub at least once!

Q: I think that’s wonderful advice! Would you stay here again?

A: Absolutely!

Well thank you both very much for your honest trip report and resort review. I loved hearing about your trip and looking at your photos! I hope this information and these photos can help my future clients who are looking to stay at this resort. Thank you so much for choosing me to book your honeymoon! I appreciate your trust in me to plan a perfect honeymoon vacation for you! Congratulations on your beautiful marriage! I’m so happy for y’all!

This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was insightful, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!✨

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! Today we are recapping a very special trip with the Deonier family. They had an incredibly wonderful time! During their visit, they experienced the great outdoors while enjoying Disney’s Fort Wilderness campgrounds. Did you know that Disney World has a campground on-site? Do you love staying in the great outdoors but also love visiting Disney? If you answered yes, then this resort maybe a great option for you and your family too! Let’s jump in and learn more about the Deonier’s magical family trip! ✨

Hey Terra! Thank you so much for taking your time to complete this Q & A today! I greatly appreciate your feedback.

Q: So you and your family drove to Disney World, how long was your drive?

A: About 20 hours

Q: Wow! That is quite the drive, y’all are troopers! Did you stop on the way there or back? If so, where at?

A: Yes, we stayed the night Panama city beach.

Q: That sounds amazing! I bet the beach action beforehand was so nice! Once you got to the campgrounds, how was check in?

A: It was great and easy! We checked in with our MDE app. Our campsite was ready when we arrived.

Q: Perfect! I’m glad to hear that they had everything ready for y’all upon your arrival. What were the pros and cons of the campsite?

A: Probably the only con were the road areas in the loop. When backing in, they are kind of tight. But the space between campers were very roomy and you didn’t feel packed in like sardines. Haha!

Also, the campgrounds were very clean and well maintained!

Q: That’s great feedback! I appreciate your honesty as well! I think that will be very helpful for future clients as well. What did you think of the resort?

A: We loved it! We attended the Chip & Dale sing along on our first night and made s’mores as a family!

Q: Oh how fun!! What were your favorite things about staying here?

A: We felt like we were at home. It was not crowded and the transportation was super easy!

Q: Highlights of the trip?

A: Too many, haha!!! We loved the Tangled lantern pictures, the Star Wars area, loved Pandora in Animal Kingdom. I’m so so glad that we did the after hours event. That was a must’ The park seemed empty and my kids loved all the free popcorn and Mickey ice creams! We rode everything 2+ times. 🙂

Q: My heart is so full and this is why I do what I do!!! I’m overjoyed that you had all of those amazing experiences. For all of you out there reading this, the After Hours Event is an additional ticketed item. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out! Which parks were your favorite and why?

A: Magic Kingdom for the nostalgia. Animal Kingdom for the atmosphere, the rides and the Lion King show.

Q: I definitely relate to those “feels” about each park! So y’all traveled during Spring Break, which was mid-March here in Oklahoma. How was the weather this time of year?

A: I couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was a little chilly during our Hollywood Studios day, but the weather was fantastic with mid 70’s majority of the time.

Q: Wow! That weather sounds like Heaven! Do you have any tips and tricks?

A: Make sure to do Genie+ at 7am. Once you book your first one, set alarms as to when to book another ride. Take the bottles of water and snacks like PB & J’s!!!! Go with the flow… soak it all in!

Q: Those are great tips and tricks! Do you have any regrets?

A: NOPE!!!!!

Q: Haha, you did it right then! Anything you’d do differently?

A: The only thing would probably be not to eat at Askerhuas. Everything else was great!

Q: Must do’s?

A: Meet Ariel! Meet Mickey! Eat at Crystal palace! Take all of the castle pics! Eat cheeseburger spring rolls! Firework show at Magic Kingdom! Ride all the things like big thunder mountain, the Little mermaid, Everest and Flight of Passage. Drink the night blossom drink from Pongu Pongu in Pandora. See the Lion King show! Eat pizza from Animal kingdom. Ride GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY!! Visit the Star Wars area and rides. AMAZING!!! Make the light saber. Ride the Slinky dog and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad. Watch the BEAUTY AND THE BEAST live show!!!!!!! GET THE refillable POPCORN BUCKET.

Q: Lady, ya’ll were living your best Disney life! Ya’ll are officially a Disney Junkie! Welcome to the family! 😂

Q: Anything you’d do again?

A: ALL OF IT!!!! Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are our favorite. But we loved Hollywood Studios too! Maybe it’s all a tie! Idk. Too hard of a choice!!! 😂😂 We loved each park for different reasons.

Q: Each park definitely has its own story and style. How was using Genie+ and Individual attraction?

A: It actually worked out suprisingly well. I was super stressed out about that and afraid we wouldn’t be able to hardly ride anything. But I was amazed at how much we actually got to do. I feel like we did absolutely everything we wanted multiple times and more!! Between Genie+, rope drop and our After Hours event. I think we rode Space Mountain like 7 times. Literally. Avery, my daughter, was such a good help too at booking things. I was able to get the ILL for ROR and GOG. Just like I planned!

Q: Ya’ll sound like pros! I’m so impressed! Great job! I knew you could do it! So you mentioned all of the stress. Was it worth it?

A: OMG, I wouldn’t have traded that time with my family for anything…. The smiles, laughs, giddy faces, experiences and excitement. It was worth it all. It was definitely worth all of my stress, worry and tears I had before we left. Haha I do know the next time I go, there will be a lot less stressful. Guess I just didn’t really know what to expect.

Q: So there will be a next time, yay! I did my job well! Did you eat anywhere in the parks that you recommend?

A: We loved Tusker house lunch. The Crystal Palace breakfast. We LOVED the Nutella waffle at Magic Kingdom!

Q: Those are amazing places to eat! So y’all spent two days at Universal Studios. How was Universal for the family?

A: My husband, son and daughter Anistyn had a blast! Lol, It was fun. Our favorites were Velocicoaster and Hagrid’s. Anistyn got a wand and she loves it!!

Q: So ya’ll said you would go again!

A: YEP. 10000000%

Terra, thank you again for taking the time to complete your trip report. I’ve enjoyed the chat, journey and the photos. I can genuinely say this was one of the most special trips that I’ve ever booked and assisted with! I had a blast! Thank you for reminding me how much I love my job and reminding me of why I do this!✨ I hope to plan a future trip with you and your family again! If you enjoyed reading this trip report and find yourself interested in booking a trip to Disney World or any Disney destination, please reach out. My services are 100% free and I would love to help you create the magic! ✨

You know that saying, the early bird gets the worm? Well when visiting Disney World, you get the extra magic hours! This is the best way to beat the crowd and even potentially save you some money! If your Disney vacation is approaching and you or maybe your family are not morning people but you want to be faster to the fun than others, this blog is for you!

In this blog, we will explain what these benefits are and go over how to prep for those early mornings and take advantage of those onsite benefits that are offered to you. Learn how to use these tips and tricks to be able to maximize your overall experience! Let’s jump into it! ✨

You might be asking yourself, what does it mean to “rope drop”?

“Rope drop” is Disney terminology for the time when a theme park, or part of a theme park, opens for the day!

💡Helpful Tip:

The Disney World theme parks are least crowded in the first hour or two of the day. This is why preparing and planning ahead is so important!

What are the benefits?

Wait times are significantly lower! For example, Space Mountain was a walk on compared to the normal 60-75 minute wait during the day. At rope drop in Magic Kingdom, we were able to ride Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin & the people mover within 30 minutes of rope dropping. That’s a huge time saver and 3 attractions off of our list for the day! We hurried over to The Haunted Mansion and walked on the ride at park open since we were already in the parks. If you are only in Magic Kingdom for one day, that’s a huge deal! That’s 4 attractions completed by park open!

Here are the current attractions at each park that benefit from early arrival if you don’t have Genie+:

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios- Slinky Dog Dash or Rise of the Resistance. Also, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run but only if you are in the first wave of riders.

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom- Avatar Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safaris.

• Disney’s Epcot- Frozen Ever After, Test Track or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

• Magic Kingdom – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, or Space Mountain.

By rope dropping these rides early, you will get more out of your day because you can focus on other attractions during your visit. Have a plan when you enter the park on exactly what you want to rope drop. By having a plan, you can plan out what you will use Disney’s Genie+ for if you wish to still purchase that for your park day. If you are only focused on one ride that you know you absolutely have to ride and can ride it at rope drop then maybe Disney’s Genie+ isn’t for your family on that park day. That could be a huge money saver, especially if you have a large family! It could also save you money on some of the Individual Attraction rides, since you aren’t required to purchase Disney’s Genie+ in order to enjoy those but you could be paying a hefty fee as the price fluctuates daily.

If you’re looking to capture some of the iconic attractions, like Cinderella’s Castle or the Tree of Life, early entry is the perfect time. The park is also less crowded, so you’ll have an easier time getting the perfect shot without other guests in the background.

Lastly, early entry helps you beat the hottest part of the day! In Florida, the temps & humidity can get pretty high! Enjoy rope drop for a few hours then head back to your resort to rest and cool down, if needed. Enjoy nap time or cool down in the pool before you head back into the parks at night. Enjoy the day however you wish but these are a couple of great tips!

How to prepare for rope drop-

✨Prep for your morning routine- Lay all your clothes out the night before. I’d go as far as lining out your daily make up, skincare routine products, medications, etc. on the bathroom counter. Every little thing that you can prep for the night before will make a huge difference when trying to beat the crowds in the morning!

✨Prep your park bag- After you lay out your items, get your park bags, water bottles, sunscreen, etc. packed the night before. Don’t forget to charge all electronics including your battery pack. Set these charging items close to your park bag so that these aren’t forgotten. Place each magic band on each bag or charge these nightly, if they are a magic band+. Don’t forget those park maps, charging chords for battery packs and snacks. Make sure to check out what I pack in my park bag blog. It’s very helpful! If you have a stroller, prep that as well as the diaper bag down to the sign for your stroller. It’ll save you from forgetting an item and having to go back to the room.

✨Prep yourself- Now that you have your clothes lined out and your park bag prepared, focus on prepping yourself! Take that much needed shower at night. Use this time for shaving, washing and drying your hair, etc. If you have kiddos, maybe one parent can bathe the kiddos, while the other parent is packing the park bag. Then you can trade off. Find what works for your family!

✨Rest your mind & body- This may be hard if you are going from rope drop to park close but try to sleep as early as you can when you can. Your body will thank you!

✨Prep for travel time- When using onsite transportation, you should be at Disney transportation locations as early as 1-1.5 hours before magic hours or park open. I know this sounds crazy, but if Magic Kingdom opens at 8:30 am for early entry, you will want to be there at 8:30 am to take advantage of that perk. In order to do so, you will have to wait in line and ride transportation to the parks. If the buses start running at 7:30, there will already be lines outside your resort waiting to make the early bus as well.

✨Save some time & money on breakfast- Uncrustables and prepackaged meals are good for on the go mornings. If you are rope dropping before a big on-site meal, eat a snack when in line for the bus or while in line for a ride. Please note that you aren’t allowed to eat or drink on transportation. If traveling to onsite reservations, always allow enough time to get to the restaurant. They do allow a 15 minute grace period.

✨Prep for the unexpected- Do your best! Give yourself and your family grace! Some mornings won’t go as planned and that’s okay! Maybe your alarm doesn’t go off and you over slept or you had to go back to the room for something, breathe! It’s okay! By planning ahead the night before, that in itself is a huge accomplishment.

As a travel advisor specializing in Disney vacations, it is my job to prep you as much as possible. When on Disney vacation, you are taking time away from your normal everyday life to be here. Some are away from family and others are away from their careers. This is a time that you have planned to capture the magic. With these tips and tricks, my goal is to maximize and plan the magic for you as much as possible! You’ve spent a lot of time and money to be at Disney World and I want you to have the most magical experience ever!✨

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! Today we are sitting down with the newlywed couple, Lizzy & Caleb Slauf! Today we are hearing their trip report from their recent honeymoon! Waikiki Beach is not only the most famous beach in Hawaii, but also one of the most recognized Oahu beaches in the world. Today we will be reviewing one resort in particular, the Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort. This is a beach front resort and is located around so many activities & restaurants in the area. From the airport, jump into a shuttle service of your choice and you’ll arrive in about 30 minutes. Lucious palm trees, gorgeous beaches and painted sunsets are what this amazing location is known for. Now lets jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: How long was your flight from Tulsa, OK?

A: We flew two different flights with a total fly time of 10 hours.

Q: How did you travel to and from the resort from the airport?

A: We used Roberts Hawaii Airport Shuttle.

Q: How much was the fare?

A: $50 for two people one way so we spent $100 total.

Q: How long did the shuttle take?

A: 30 min

Q: Would you use them again?

A: Yes!

Q: Great! Thank you for that feedback. Now let’s jump into the resort. How was check in?

A: Super easy. The resort attendants were very helpful.

Q: I’m glad they were helpful! Now let’s discuss the pros and cons of the resort room.

A: Pro – beautiful room, but nothing crazy special. Clean and simple. Nice walk-in shower. Beautiful Mountain View (see picture below). Con- no bath tub. Also, we were only allowed one deep clean for every 5 days we stayed there. Wasn’t a huge fan of that.

Q: Great! Thank you for that intel. Yes, I’d prefer more frequent cleanings myself. How were the beds?

A: Great and comfortable. No complaints.

Q: Good to hear! A comfortable bed is definitely desired for a restful and enjoyable stay. What did you think of the resort?

A: It was good for what we paid for, but their online information needed to be updated. A couple of things that we had expected but didn’t receive were no complimentary sodas (website says two each day), no rooftop pool and restaurant (being renovated).

Q: I understand. That is very helpful feedback. I will pass that along to the resort. How was the dining?

A: Dining was great! Many restaurants within walking distance. We found some REALLY good spots.

Q: What were your favorite things about staying here?

A: Within walking distance of the beach, many restaurants, the zoo, the aquarium, and convenience stores.

Q: How convenient is that?! What activities did you do while staying at the resort?

A: No resort activities.

Q: Did y’all do any tours?

A: Yes, we had a 10 hour island tour that was amazing! The company is Rainbow Island Tours. The prices were around $75.00 per person. It had many great stops.

Q: Wow! That sounds amazing! What an adventure that must’ve been! Did ya’ll do any snorkeling?

A; Yes. Part of the tour was stopping to snorkel.

Q: That sure sounds amazing! Did ya’ll do any shopping off site?

A: Yes, there were many places to do so within walking distance.

Q: Where did you explore in the area?

A: Besides Waikiki Beach, our tour let us see a lot of the island, which we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. A lot of amazing views and some really cool stops.

Q: That is incredible! How were the beaches?

A:Waikiki Beach was beautiful! Very populated but wasn’t hard to find a comfortable spot.

Q: Highlights of the trip?

A: Definitely the tour and a lot of time at the beach!

Q: With ya’ll traveling in February, how was the weather that time of year?

A: Beautiful! Stayed in the 70s and rained sporadically.

Q: That weather sounds like perfection! For my readers, what are your tips and tricks from this experience?

A: Call the hotel first to make sure their website is up to date. Also, we had PB& J’s for lunches so that we could eat good for dinner. The cost of living here is expensive!

Q: I love that y’all enjoyed PB& J’s for lunches. That is so real and very money saving. Thank you for sharing that.

Q: Do ya’ll have any regrets?

A: We don’t have any!!

Q: What are the must do’s in your opinion?

A: Island tour is a must! Be a beach bum! Eat all the things!

Q: Did you eat anywhere off site that you recommend?

A: Yes! Our favorite restaurant was a 40 minute walk to a hole in the wall Japanese restaurant called House of Wong.

Q: Any additional information you’d like to share to help future travelers?

A: We really enjoyed this trip at a reasonable cost. Definitely recommend!!

Lizzy & Caleb, thank you so much for your time and for your honest trip review. I really appreciate your feedback and thank you so much for supporting me and my small business! I’m so honored that you trusted me with your honeymoon and congratulations on your marriage! This is such a special time and I am truly honored that you allowed me to be a part of this journey with you!

This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was insightful, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! Today we are sitting down with the Jeffus family and hearing their trip report from their recent cruise! With 25 ships and counting, this makes Carnival Cruise Line the world’s largest travel leisure company. Today we will be reviewing one ship in particular, the “Breeze”. This ship holds up to 3,960 guests and has a lot to offer. Carnival has fun for the whole family, from a 320-foot-long “Twister Waterslide” to the “Serenity Adults-Only Retreat”, everyone in the family is guaranteed to unwind! Up for a family outing? Enjoy the comedy club at night after dinner or join in on the trivia competitions after lunch! Carnival has so much to offer and something for everyone! After all, it is the fun ship! Maybe you want to travel the world but you aren’t sure where to go? A cruise is a great way to sample and explore new locations around the world on an affordable budget. Now lets jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: How many days did you sail?

A: We enjoyed a 5 day cruise.

 

Q: Who all attended this vacation?

A: Me, Wendy and my husband, Steve. I wanted to do something big to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary so I surprised my husband with a cruise!

 

Q: Have you and Steve cruised before?

A: No! This is our first cruise! Steve was skeptical but this cruise was a great experience he is ready to cruise again!

Q. Which port did you sail from and how did you travel there?

A. We departed from the Galveston port. We left a couple of days before our sail date and drove down to visit Steve’s parents on the way. We also stayed at a lovely hotel in Texas City on the night before our sail date. This hotel was only about 20 minutes from the port. On the day of the cruise, we parked our vehicle at “Galvestons Park N Cruise”. It is indoors and secure. We were really happy with the set up and the price was reasonable. Also, it’s within walking distance to the ship.

 

Q. What time of year did you go? And how was the weather?

A. We went in January. The weather was cold and rainy when in Galveston but overall nice during the trip. It was warmer in Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

Q. What kind of cabin did you stay in? What is your opinion of the cabin quality?

A. We stayed in a spa level balcony cabin. The room was nice and very comfortable. Our luggage and sail cards arrived almost immediately from when we arrived to our room. We didn’t have to wait long to access the room either. It was really nice to have a balcony as well! We just loved looking at the water. It was so pretty! Also, since we stayed on the spa level, we were able to enjoy the free perks such as the hydration pool, robes and the saunas as much as we wanted. An extra bonus was the whole floor smelled amazing, including our room. You could smell all of the aromas that were used in the spa such as essential oils and it just smelled so nice! The sunset was so beautiful!

 

Q. Tell me about how you filled your days. What did they have to do as far as activities around the ship?

A. On our first day, we enjoyed a couples massage. It was very relaxing and they did a great job. The spa is very beautiful. I’d be interested in getting a facial next time. We loved the Serenity deck! They had hot tubs, which we were able to enjoy and it was very relaxing. We stopped in to check out the casino and we played some bingo as well! They even have live shows and entertainment.

 

Q. Where did the cruise visit during the sailing?

A. Our cruise visited Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Although we didn’t purchase or attend any excursions, we enjoyed shopping off the port and sticking our feet in the sand. I do however wish we were able to enjoy the water and sand more during our visits to each destination.

 

Q. What were the highlights of the trip?

A. The ice cream! Haha, it is located on every corner. The private balcony was a nice bonus. We went at our own pace and took our time. The hot tub time was nice and relaxing. Visiting the different ports was fun. The shopping was great and you couldn’t beat the prices! $4 for t-shirt! What a deal! Guy’s Burger Joint was delicious. We really enjoyed the dining room meals including chocolate molten cake with ice cream at dessert too. Steve loved how the tv showed a map of where you were when sailing and how it also showed our speed. The crew members were very sweet. We had a nice anniversary cruise and they celebrated us on our last night with a song, card and a dessert. Let’s book another one! How about a 7 day cruise?!

Q: Did you purchase any extras for the cruise?

A: Yes, we did purchase the middle level internet package. It worked really well. I was able to share photos with the family and post to social media just fine. We also had pre-ordered some sodas, bottles of water and cookies to our room. We didn’t purchase the Bubbles or Cheers program. Water, tea, lemonade and coffee are complimentary beverages included in our package.

Q: Looking back on this trip, what would you have done differently?

A: The first thing is I wish I would have purchased a professional photo from one of their photographers from formal night. I wish I would have budgeted for us to do extra items such as pay for extra photos. I should have had Steve download the cruise app as well so that we could have communicated on the app chat to find each other on the ship. There was a time on the ship where we couldn’t find each other. When visiting the different ports, next time I want to schedule out at least 30 mins to get into the sand and water to really enjoy it more. When eating on the ship, we had paid extra money to enjoy the seafood shack. It was over cooked and we couldn’t even enjoy it. The food everywhere else included on the ship was very good though. We did get a massage on our first day. I would recommend maybe saving that for your last day because we were so sore after.

Q: Are you ready to go on another cruise anytime soon?

A: Yes! We actually want to start looking for a cruise! We are thinking about April of 2024. Steve would like to look at the 7 day cruise options as well!

Wendy and Steve, thank you so much for your time and for your honest review. I really appreciate your feedback and thank you so much for supporting me and my small business! I’m so honored that you trusted me with such a special trip and congratulations on celebrating 35 years of marriage together! That is absolutely remarkable!

This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was insightful, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!

Are you looking to stay at a Disney resort while visiting Disneyland? Have you heard about Disney’s Paradise Pier!? I recently spent 3 nights at this resort and I really enjoyed it! Not only is this hotel a close walk to both of the parks, but it is also right next door to the Disneyland resort and Disney’s Grand Californian resort. The Uber ride was an affordable 15 minute ride from the John Wayne Airport. Score!

I visited Disneyland in December, which is around the holidays. As I stepped foot into the resort, I was immediately greeted by a live acapella singing group, who were spreading Christmas cheer to all with Christmas carols. I even got to meet Santa!

Along with the convenience aspect, when you stay at this resort, you also get to enjoy the perks at the other resorts such as Disney’s Grand Californian. We would start our day by walking across the street and using our room key to access this amazing resort. You simply cross the street, scan your room key at the side guest gate and you are in! It is that easy! This access gets you into the resort, both parks, Downtown Disney and the restaurants that are at the resort as well! I loved that I could enjoy the other resorts within walking distance without having to be an exclusive guest. Our resort was so convenient that one day I walked back to the hotel to rest and freshen up before park hopping. After a 10 minute walk from the park, I was able to rest my feet and layer up my clothing for the chilly evening weather. Knowing that I didn’t have to take any extra transportation was so nice! If you have small children, this location is perfectly convenient for nap time!

Being a lover of the beach, I felt all of the nostalgia vibes of my childhood while staying here. All of the staff were super helpful and friendly! Our room was spacious and accommodating. The views from our room were breathtaking with the pool and mountains on one side and Disney’s California Adventure park on the other! This resort doesn’t miss a beat. They even have nice gift shop, where I was able to bring some magic home with me. If you are looking for a place to stay while visiting Disneyland, I highly recommend staying at Disney’s Paradise Pier!

Trying to decide what to do for your next family vacation? Is the ocean calling but Cinderella’s castle is your second home? How about planning a Disney “Land and Sea” vacation package?! This option is the best of both worlds and everybody wins. On this vacation, accomplish those beach vibes while also enjoying the classic rides in the parks at Walt Disney World! Who wouldn’t want that?!

The process is simple! First, contact a Disney travel agent. 🙋🏻‍♀️ Next, set up all of the Disney details. Start with which cruise ship and sailing dates work best with your schedule and then build your Disney World dates around them. I can help you decide which resort to enjoy and how many park ticket days is best for your family. Once we have the cruise and Disney World details set up, we can schedule the shuttle. This shuttle will include two steps. The first shuttle will take you straight to Walt Disney World from the airport. Once the “land” trip portion is concluded, another shuttle will take your family to the “sea”! Arrive at Port Canaveral and embark on your Disney cruise ship. While on the cruise, almost everything such as food, drinks, and entertainment is all inclusive. Don’t worry about a thing! Did you know Disney has their own private island called “Castaway Cay”? This beautiful island is located in the Bahamas! How cool is that?! Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch while swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on the island for the day. Next stop is an international port, we will be visiting Nassau, Bahamas on our cruise next year! I’m super excited!

If this “Land and Sea” vacation package sounds like the perfect vacation for you and your family, give me a call! I’d love to work for you! Together we can customize the ultimate vacation experience perfect for everyone’s needs!

This wraps up this weeks blog. Until next time, see ya real soon!✨