Why to Use a Travel Agent

Good afternoon!!

I get asked all the time why should I book with an agent when I can go to Disney's site and book my own trip.  Of course I think you should book with an agent because, well I am an agent!!  :-)  But there are legitmate benefits to using a travel agent when booking your Disney vacation.

1. Most importantly PLEASE make sure your travel agent is a Disney specialist.  Don't just book with Joe Shmo at Liberty Travel.  Chances are he has never set foot in a Disney park or maybe he went there a couple times 10 years ago.  He may have completed the Disney College of Knowledge and have a certificate pasted on his wall, but any of us can take and pass that.  Make sure you ask questions and see how knowledgeable he really is.  The last thing you want is someone helping you plan your Disney trip that knows even less than you do!!
2. Your DISNEY travel agent should be your advocate.  Yes some may give you little extras here and there for booking with them, but are they there when you need them?  They should be able to answer your questions and if they don't know the answer they should be able to get that answer for you.  They should be the one sitting on hold and getting those answers for you and looking it all up online.
3. When a promotion comes out they should know if it works for your trip and immediately change your reservation over for you and then pass on the great news to you.  I have sat on hold for 3 hours before changing a client's reservation!
4. Every change and every question is handled by them.  They are they to help and explain and get you through.  A Disney trip is unlike many vacations, you need to do your research to really get the most out of your trip!
5. The service to book your trip should be FREE!!  If it isn't run, don't walk and find another agent!

So there are some reasons why you should use a Disney Travel Agent!  And I am the one for you!  Please share with your friends.  I am working on a referral program and a giveaway!!  Look for that in coming posts!!

Why I Love WDW....

So I haven't been posting here. I'm making a goal to post daily. It's going to be a part of my routine. 

I figured a good place to restart the blog would to be to post about why I love WDW.  I get asked this often. Why I go so often, what can I possibly enjoy so much....it's am easy and hard question to answer. 

Basically I can't fully put it into words.  I have been going to WDW since I was two.  Back then it was with my parents obviously. We went every other year until I was 13.  I guess that's where the addiction or love began. Then we didn't go for years. I went back in 2000 with my then boyfriend now husband. We only went for a couple days, but the love for it was rekindled and so began my thought of how to make a career out of Disney. 

After that trip in 2000 I couldn't get enough!  I would've gone back weekly if money allowed!  And so began the questions and comments - "You don't have kids, why would you go there?" Or "Disney is for kids, nothing there for adults!"  How wrong people are, in my opinion anyway. I go to WDW because I feel like a kid while I'm there!  I love that feeling. The way I choke up seeing the castle and just that tingly feeling you get when you are in a place that is just pure happiness!  

Then in 2002 we went back and my husband to be proposed to me in Cinderella's Castle!  Needless to say I felt like a Princess for a day!  And that memory just added to my love of my happy place!  We went back for our honeymoon - that really gets people!  What can I say, we just enjoy our time there!  We don't like to sit around and like the fun of the parks. Also there is so much to do as an adult in Disney!  World Showcase?!  Thrill rides?!  Downtown Disney and back then Pleasure Island!  

A couple years I went back as a mom to be and then we started taking the kids and that's where a whole new love began!  Seeing the ok of pure joy on my children's faces, it's indescribable!  On one of our recent trips as we awaited the ferry to take us to Magic Kingdom my daughter noticed the castle and said, " Mommy!  Look!  It's the castle, I must be dreaming!!"  That pure joy is enough to make me wish we could be there everyday!  Our time there as a family is precious and in a few years my kids may feel like they are too old for Disney, but I'm hoping we don't hit that and they grow up to be a crazy Disney lover, just like their mom!!

Teresa

This Month in WDW - January 2013

So January is usually a pretty laid back month by Disney standards.  You do run into a bit of a Martin Luther King Day rush because of schools being out. 

Park Hours in January

Current rides closed for refurbishment

 

•  Magic Kingdom® Park
• Splash Mountain: 1/2/13 - 3/19/13
• Main Street Bakery: 1/12/13 - 5/17/13
• Epcot®
• Epcot Character Spot: 10/21/12 - Mid Feb. 2013
• Disney's Hollywood Studios®
• Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage: 1/7/13 - 1/12/13
• Disney Junior - Live on Stage: 1/14/13 - 2/14/13
• Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
• Kali River Rapids: 1/6/13 - 2/15/13 

 

Be sure to check back here for updates throughout the month!!

 

 

 

Have a Magical Trip!!

Official Spring 2013 Deal

Hi everyone!

So it was made official.  Here is the deal and the details of it:



To find out more go to wdwoffer.com

Contact me to book today!
484-356-3225 or info@beourguestvacations.net

I look forward to working with you and making your vacation magical!!

Teresa

Star Wars Weekends Review

So my family and I went to WDW last year for the last of the Star Wars Weekends.  I'm not a huge fan, ok I admit, I have never seen them in full, BUT my son and my husband are HUGE fans.  My daughter enjoys it, but the two of them are FANS.  Ok you get it. 

So before going I started researching.  It definitely got me excited.  I mean I knew how much my then 4 year old son would love it.  My research started with www.disboards.com.  There are many posters there that had been going to Star Wars Weekends (SWW) for many years and were well informed on all the ins and outs.  The thread grew to over 100 pages!  But I learned all I needed to know.  I'm going to share some of that with you!

First - Hollywood Studios while posted that it opens at 8AM on the days of SWW actually starts letting people in around 7:30AM.  Before letting people in Storm Troopers come in on top of the ticket entrances and do a little show - very fun!  Kids (and grown ups too!) really enjoyed it!  We arrived to the park via our car around 7:15AM and there was already a huge crowd!

EDIT: Starting in 2013 the Stormtrooper opening was within the park gates!!!

Second - Upon entrance split up.  Send one adult to get fastpasses for Toy Story Mania.  The other parent take the kids and get lined up for Jedi Training.  This is me assuming that (a) you have children between 4 and 12 and (b) that since you are there for SWW you are indeed a big enough fan that your child would want to do Jedi Training!  Now during the rest of the year Jedi Training sign ups are set up back in the old Sounds Dangerous attraction, BUT during SWW, at least last year, it was in Indiana Jones.  ALWAYS double check with a cast member that you are headed the right way!  Now Jedi Training during the regular part of the year is only against Darth Vader, but during SWW your child will possibly fight either - Darth Vader, Ventress or Darth Maul.  It is random, you cannot request who you get.  Trust me, we tried!  My son wanted Darth Maul!

EDIT: No Longer need to run off for fastpasses now that legacy fastpass is gone.  Book your Fastpass+ and also head over if there is a short line to get a ride on TSMM before the crowds pick up!

Third - The parade is a lot of fun, but HOT!!!  It usually takes place at noon and it is on Hollywood Blvd...aka the main street.  Looking at the hat - the left side is shaded, but not completely, the right side is pure sun.  Bring an umbrella and a mister fan and set up shop about 1 hour before if you want to actually see anything without standing on your tippy toes and staring at the back of a guy in a Star Wars costume!  To get a shaded spot, plan to find one way earlier than 1 hour before. 

EDIT:  2014 parade is set for 11:30AM

Fourth - The merchandise tent is back by Rockin Roller Coaster.  They open the gates up, that is usually a parking area for cast members, and put up a HUGE tent full of Star Wars merchandise.  The first weekend this area is INSANE.  I wasn't there, but that is what I heard via reports of those there on disboards.com  I think it gets better after the first day, but we are talking hours long lines just to get in!  We were there the last weekend and walked right in no problem.  Plus to the last weekend - the final day merchandise is discounted!  Major plus - it is air conditioned!!!!

EDIT: 2014 merchandise is set to be back by Toy Story Mania in one of the Backlot buildings.  Unsure if the tent will be used by Rockin Roller Coaster.  I have heard it will still be set up, but will be used for character meets - I know I read that there is possibility of the Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and Donald as Star Wars Characters being there...

Fifth - Check out www.kennythepirate.com.  He posts all the times and where to find the characters.  It was dead on and allowed us to have my son meet many of his favorites!  He posts for all characters, not just SWW characters.

We didn't do the Hyperspace Hoopla, but I have heard it is a lot of fun.  However, you can't see well unless you are right up front, like first row.  And to get that you must get a spot about 2 hours prior!  Now people have said to watch on the American Idol screen and it is just as good.  Like I said we skipped this in favor of characters and rides!

EDIT: As of 2014 SWW Hyperspace Hoopla has been retired.  Being replaced by Symphony in the Sky Fireworks

Here are some photos of my kids meeting some of the MANY characters we met.  My son was in Star Wars Heaven!!

With Luke...his favorite good guy!

With Darth Maul...notice how scared they both are.  They won't go too close!

Ok I get the Fetts mixed up, but this is one of them and they are his favorite bad guys!

Caught up with a Storm (that's right, isn't it?) Trooper patroling the streets!

And Anakin....

One of the LONGEST lines.  I sat in it while the kids rode Star Tours.  Only can meet them both in the afternoon.  Chewy is by himself in the mornings  The line is long due to frequent breaks due to the heat!

In awe...C3PO was talking to them.  Probably my favorite meet and greet.  Long visit and interactive!

So there you have it!  I will probably think of more as I hopefully plan our next SWW trip for 2013!  If and when I do, I will post SWW part 2!

Be sure to share your tips and/or questions in the comments below!

Don't forget the current promo encompasses the dates for SWW, so book with me today!!

Have a Disney Day!!

~Teresa

Spring Deal for WDW!

So I know many of you have been patiently waiting!  Well the wait is over...tomorrow!  There will be a new deal released tomorrow to the general public.  Here is a copy of the deal from the Disney Visa website.  (It was released to card members last week!)


Save up to 30% at select Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels for stays most nights 2/18 - 3/23/2013 and 4/2 - 6/14/2013.

Now in that chart it says Save 20%, 15%, etc... but it is up to in all those areas.  If Disney follows suit this will be the same deal that is offered to all of you tomorrow!  So call me today at 484-356-3225 or email me at info@beourguestvacations.net.  I can't wait to help you!!!
Have a Disney Day!!

~Teresa

Rumored Deal for 2013

Hi there Disney friends!

So like I said I am planning to be a better blogger, so here I am!

Ok so there is a spectacular deal being rumored to be available starting January 3rd!  It is rumored to be up to 30% off rooms and discounts on park tickets if you add them to your room package!  Discounted tickets is unheard of usually, so this really is a great deal.  Usually you get a discounted room OR some other sort of discount, so to have them combined is truly awesome!  The deal runs from February 18th to June 14th and is available at most resorts, the one we know for sure that will be most likely blocked is the Art of Animation Little Mermaid Rooms.  You can book this deal between the dates of January 3rd and May 31st.

Please contact me to inquire more.  The phone lines will be crazy when this deal is offered, so be sure to let me know what you want ahead of time so I can have a booking already in place when I call and I can simply make the change!  All you need to do is put down a $200 deposit, although if you are looking at a last minute February trip, your final payment will be due almost imediately!

Keep in mind that the dates for this deal include Spring Break, as well as Star Wars Weekends.  We attended Star Wars Weekends last year and LOVED it!  Look for a review on that in an upcoming post!!

Please keep in mind that this is all speculation right now!  Nothing will be for sure until the deal is officially released, but the source this came from is pretty reliable! 

Information from: user danny25 on the disboards.com

Have a Disney Day!

~Teresa