Cara, Independent Consultant with The Enchanted Traveler

11/29/2024

It is with a great mix of gratitude and melancholy that I post this. After seven years of working as a travel planner with The Enchanted Traveler, I have made the decision to "close up shop" to make time for new adventures.

If we already have a vacation for you booked, no worries! I will still provide full service to you, whether your trip is happening next week or 2026! However, I will not be booking any new vacations. Luckily, I have 40+ incredible colleagues in The Enchanted Traveler, and I would be happy to connect you with a new planner for your future vacations. You can also look for yourself at theenchantedtraveler.com.

When I started my business, I did it because I loved Disney and I was hoping to make extra money to help fund my PhD tuition. My first clients trusted me with their Walt Disney World travel (Thank you, Claire and Bryan!) and have stuck with me all these years. Since that first year, I have planned hundreds of vacations, growing my business beyond Walt Disney World and helping clients get to places all around the world -- Edinburgh, Paris, Dubai, Cape Town-(and I graduated with my doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2022 without any debt to boot!) The success of my business is beyond my wildest dreams and I am so grateful to each of you. Your loyalty, your referrals, and your support of my small business means the world to me.

I am also extremely grateful to The Enchanted Traveler's founder and owner and the woman I've had the honor to call my boss, Sabrina Tinius. Sabrina leads with care, drive, and creativity. To be a part of a visionary's dream is an incredible honor. It must be what it was like to be among one of those original Imagineers.

11/21/2024

Let's include some time at Disney Springs for your next Walt Disney World vacation!

11/20/2024

Let's find your perfect Walt Disney World home away from home for your next vacation! Message me to schedule your free consultation call.

11/19/2024

When your sister-in-law is just a considerably better shot than you

11/18/2024

Day 5 of our Walt Disney World Minnie Vacay! We slept in and took the boat over to Disney Springs for some last-minute souvenir shopping (and by souvenirs, I mean many baked goods to take home from Erin McKenna's NYC Bakery), and had brunch at our resort's restaurant, Olivia's Cafe! (Vegan Mickey waffles!!) At that point, it was time to head to the airport to return to our regular lives.

If you enjoyed reading about our Minnie-vacay, let's make one happen for you! Message me to get started on your 2025 getaway!

11/17/2024

Day 4 of our Walt Disney World Minnie Vacay! We didn't set an alarm (Loving the MultiPass Lightning Lane system that makes sleeping in possible!) and after a slow morning, we returned to EPCOT. We rode our favorites and dined at one of my very favorite Disney restaurants, Space 220. We had a few drinks at the Festival before returning to Old Key West for. . .you guessed it. . .another beautiful nap. We changed into our gear for Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom! What an amazing night! The parties mean low crowds, short lines, and special shows and treats. And. . .I got to ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure!!!!!

I think it's important to note that our final ride of our trip was Space Mountain. I want to be clear. I love roller coasters. Like, real roller coasters. Record-breaking roller coasters. I love thrills and I seek adventure. But I'm telling you, Space Mountain during the Halloween party was maybe the scariest ride I've ever ridden. They turned off all the lights. And I know, I know, that ride is "in the dark". But not really. Usually there are stars, and the lights of the rocket launching, and a little bit of track lighting. But during the Halloween party, this is all turned off. It is truly pitch black and the best thing about it was that we had no idea that it would be different during the party. My travel buddy and I screamed and laughed harder than I have screamed and/or laughed in the longest time. Anyone else had this experience???

11/16/2024

Day 3 of our Walt Disney World Minnie Vacay: We started our day on the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom, got in one last ride (probably ever) at DINOSAUR, escaped the Yeti on Expedition Everest, found our place in the Circle of Life at the Festival of the Lion King, explored the beauty of Pandora, and had lunch and cocktails at the relaxing Nomad Lounge all by 11:30 AM. We returned to our home away from home for a gorgeous midday nap and then took the boat to Disney Springs for an early dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Bar & Grill. With our happy bellies and rested feet, we were fully energized for our night at Magic Kingdom! My travel buddy discovered her new favorite Disney-ride, TRON: LightCycle Run and we closed the park down at 11 PM.

We were having such an incredible day that we didn't really take many pictures. Such a great sign of an enjoyable experience!

11/15/2024

Day 2 of Walt Disney World Minnie-Vacay! We started at Hollywood Studios, riding everything and seeing all of the shows without any line longer than 10 minutes! We also traveled to the planet of Batuu for drinks in Oga's Cantina. We park-hopped to EPCOT to enjoy the International Food & Wine Festival and the Luminous - Symphony of Us! nighttime spectacular. So many yummy vegan treats at the Food & Wine Festival!

11/14/2024

Day 1 of our Mini (Minnie?) Walt Disney World vacay: I booked an early flight so I could have plenty of poolside time at the gorgeous Disney's Old Key West resort pool. By noon, my toes were in the sand and a Mickey pretzel was in my belly. I took the boat from the resort to Disney Springs where I treated myself to an incredible dinner at Jaleo by Jose Andres. My travel buddy for this trip was my pseudo-sister-in-law who met me at Old Key West in the evening where we grabbed a nightcap at the Gurgling Suitcase. A relaxing start to our leisurely Minnie-Vacay!

11/13/2024

When Walt Disney World announced their new MultiPass and SinglePass Lightning Lane system, I knew I'd need to head down to Orlando for a research trip before I would feel confident writing a customized touring plan for my clients. Usually, those research trips consist of an evening flight on Friday after my education-9-to-5 work day and an evening flight back on Sunday. But after a particularly busy October, I'm so glad I practiced what I preach and extended the trip for a mini-vacay.

My delightful basically-sister-in-law joined me and together we not only researched the new system, but we also went to all four parks, stayed at a resort where I've never stayed before (just two more to go!), spent time at EPCOT's International Food & Wine Festival, and went to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! I'm excited to share our trip recap over my next few posts!

And maybe more to the point, I'm excited to write the custom touring plans for my Walt Disney World clients. I LOVE this new line system and I love that there will now be a simpler way for my clients to enjoy their vacations!

11/11/2024

11/06/2024

Tonight, I consider the values that when I'm my favorite version of myself, I believe that I embody. In my essence, before any conditioning twisted or limited me, in my most unstoppable self, my values are joy, curiosity, compassion, self-determination, and peace.

Tonight, I meditate on those values for our country on this Election Day. I pray that we all remember that we are connected, not just energetically, but quite practically.

Tonight, I pray that we find the joy in our connection rather than the fear, we remain curious about each other rather than judgmental, we practice radical compassion with each other rather than aloofness and division, we allow each other to be self-determined rather than restricting each other's movements and decisions, and above all, that we practice peace rather than violence.

I love you. All beings. Everywhere. No exceptions.

11/04/2024

Looking for a low-key, adult-only vacation? Let's talk about Virgin Voyages!

11/04/2024

What is time anyway?

11/01/2024

Happy birthday the best big brother!!!!

10/19/2024

Do you have a preferred Orlando castle?

10/18/2024

My favorite roller coaster I've ever ridden is at Universal Orlando Resort. What's your favorite roller coaster?!

10/17/2024

Today is National Pasta Day and I'll bet a bunch of you forgot to get a beautiful bouquet of rigatoni for your sweetheart. Where would you prefer to eat pasta? EPCOT's Italy pavilion? Or actual Italy? Whatever your answer is, I can get you there!