Kylene Troop- Smart Moms Travel

11/04/2024

Here's your Disney Travel Scoop for November! It's definitely possible to book a super last minute trip but that's where you would need me the most. Send me a message and let's get started!

For all of my November and December travelers, definitely check this out!

10/19/2024

Epic Universe is official opening in May of 2025! We can start booking your packages on October 22nd!

ICYMI, Epic Universe will have Super Mario World WITH a Donkey Kong section, How to Train your Dragon- Island of Berk, Celestial Park, Dark Universe, and Harry Potter- Ministry of Magic section!

I don’t know which park I’m more excited for because it all looks amazing!

Send me a message to get started!

10/08/2024

Yearly PSA to use a travel agent! 3 hours on hold with Disney and counting to help a client with a trip scheduled for this week!

10/01/2024

Big News! Disney has released their first promotions for 2025.

There are two separate promotions that span through June. If you are an already booked client, I will be reaching out to let you know what I was able to save your or other potential options!

If you're thinking of going in 2025, reach out now while there are still a lot of good deals available! All of Disney's deals are availability based so if you have your heart set on a specific resort, we want to book now!

08/17/2024

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Universal is releasing a promotion that includes up to a $1000 dining card if you book a universal hotel package!

This package is available November 7- April 10th for packages that include at least 4 nights and 2 day tickets.

Message me if you’re thinking of going to Universal and you’re not holding out for Epic Universe! This is a great deal and Universal resorts are already really affordable!

08/04/2024

Things you need to know for other providers other than Disney!

08/02/2024

I got WAY distracted with my resort breakdowns! I'm going to finish out the moderate resorts and then recap our Disneyland trip!

Next up is Port Orleans French Quarter. This resort is in the Disney Springs area and has bus transportation to the 4 parks and a lovely boat ride to Disney Springs!

The pool has a sea serpent slide and a great splash area for the younger kiddos.

The quick service restaurant is called Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory which serves some really great Creole staples like gumbo and jambalaya. And we can't forget S**t Cat's club where you get get the famous Mickey Beignets! There's also a jazz club lounge and a pool bar as well!

The pros of Port Orleans French quarter is that is has a great pool, great atmosphere, and great food. You can also use all the amenities at port orleans Riverside.

Cons for me are just that the rooms are pretty basic and you have to take a bus to all the parks!

Have you stayed here? We stayed here one of the first few times we went to Disney as kids!

08/02/2024

06/26/2024

Huge changes coming to genie plus! All my planning docs will be updated to include this information and this is something I can help you plan if you book with me!

Beginning July 24, Walt Disney World guests can plan in advance with Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass 📲: http://di.sn/6001glsuP

06/02/2024

Next up is Coronado Springs Resort!

Coronado is the least well known of all of the moderate resorts. It's actually a conference hotel at Disney!

Coronado is sort of two separate resorts. One part of the resort is different sections that are completely different aesthetics: the Cabanas, the Casitas, and the Ranchos. The other part to the hotel is the Gran Destino tower. The neighborhoods are all very similar room wise with 2 queen beds (I have a reel on my instagram if you're interested.) The Gran Destino tower is more of an upscale feel and often said to be a Deluxe resort at moderate prices.

The Dig site pool here is very cool and this resort has a LOT of places to each. We loved the Three Bridges restaurant, plus there is also a Spanish Tapas place called Toledo. There are a total of 10 places to get food at this resort between the lounges, restaurants, quick service, and pool bars.

This resort is REALLY nice, but it is large and not super themed. It's a great compromise for the older kids that don't need Mickey everywhere but want a fun pool and the parents want some great food options.

05/31/2024

First up for our moderate resort showcase is my personal favorite... Caribbean Beach Resort!!

Caribbean Beach resort is a very large resort with "islands" located around Barefoot Bay, a large lake. The islands are Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, and Trinidad.

Caribbean Beach has the Fuentes del Morro pool which is one of my favorites on Disney property. It has a little slide into the main pool, a big slide, and a pirate ship toddler water area.

The resort has a full service restaurant, Sebastian's Bistro, which is one of the best values for a meal at Disney in our opinion. There's also a pool bar restaurant, pool bar, and two quick service restaurants with great food.

Caribbean Beach is the the main Skyliner hub so it is one quick ride to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Bonus points for having a Joffrey's stand at the Skyliner station!

The rooms are either standard or the "under the sea" them which has a touch of Little Mermaid (I love these rooms). Caribbean Beach is also one of the few resorts that has 5th sleeper rooms that have 2 queen beds and a fold down child sized Murphy bed.

Finally, if you are into eating different places, you are walking distance to the Riviera resort which is also known for some amazing food.

05/30/2024

We’re wrapping up a family beach trip so I’ll be starting the Disney moderate resorts tomorrow!

Until then, here’s a reminder of why you should use a travel agent! If you aren’t using me, please use another agent you know!

In addition to these reasons, you’re supporting a small business! And that is so appreciated, more than you realize!

05/26/2024

Royal Caribbean has a great deal happening through the end of May! If you're flexible on when you can sail, send me a message and let's find a great deal for you!

05/25/2024

We are rounding out our Value resort section with Art of Animation.

Art of Animation is also on the Skyliner line and is the most expensive of the value resorts. The theming here cannot be beat at any other resort though.

There are two different types of rooms, three pools, and 4 sections.

The Little Mermaid Section of the resort has Little Mermaid themed standard 2 queen bed rooms and a Little Mermaid Pool.

The other 3 sections of the resorts have family suites with different themes. The suites have a master queen bed with a separate bathroom. The living area has a pull out sofa, Murphy bed, and a kitchenette, plus another bathroom.

The 3 sections are Finding Nemo with the Big Blue Pool (biggest pool on Disney property), Cars area with Cozy Cone pool, and a Lion King section.

Have you stayed at Art of Animation? What type or room did you stay in?!

05/23/2024

The next value resort is Pop Century Resort!

This has become our home resort. It is middle of the road pricing wise for value resorts. While the amenities are the same with only a food court, basic pool, standard rooms, the Skyliner access means I will stay here over the All Star resorts any time.

The Skyliner takes you to Caribbean Beach Resort. From there you transfer to the Epcot line or Hollywood Studios. This opens up your options for dining since you can get to Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera, the Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht club without taking a bus.

If you have a stroller, as long as it's not a side by side double, you do not need to fold it on the Skyliner which is a game changer with little ones.

The theming is to the decades so there is a 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s section! Each section has larger than life characters from movies from that decade and pop culture items.

There are 3 pools here, a computer pool, a bowling pin pool, and the "Hippy Dippy" pool which is 60s themed.

I've not stayed here 4 times so if you have ANY questions about Pop Century, just let me know!

05/23/2024

Taking a quick break from the Value Resorts Showcase to share some Universal updates!

One of my biggest complaints about Universal is that they don't have enough for little kids. Dreamworks land is opening soon and I'm happy to report lots of play grounds, more kiddie rides, and a SPLASH PAD are opening up!

You can find Shrek, Donkey, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda characters, Puss and Boots, etc. I'm very excited for this, especially for families with little ones!

If you're interested in Universal there is a great deal for a 30% off package at Cabana Bay or Aventura hotel with 5 day park to park tickets that's available now through early March!

05/20/2024

Rounding out the All-Star Resorts is All-Star Sports! This resort probably the least "Disney themed" of the 3 All-Star Resorts so if you have older kids who have outgrown that but you still need to stay value, this may be your best bet.

This resort also has two pools, A grand slam pool and Surfboard Bay pool. As with the other tow, there is a food court, pool bar, playground, kiddie pool, and the rest of the Disney perks.

The themed areas have larger than life megaphones, tennis rackets, surfboards, etc. The sections of the hotel are Surfs Up!, Hoops Hotel, Center court, Homerun hotel, and Touchdown!

The resort only has standard two queen bed rooms and King bed rooms. The two queen rooms are the same as the other All-Stars with a regular queen bed and a table that pulls down into a Murphy bed.

I'm curious to hear who has stayed here and what your thoughts are?!

05/19/2024

Next up is All-Star Music! This hotel is music themed, with giant Broadway signs, Juke Boxes, Maracas, and guitars.

There are two pools, the Calypso Pool with the Three Cabelleros, and the Piano pool. The sections of the hotel are themed to Calypso, Broadway, Rock, Jazz, and Country.

The pros of this resort are the same as at All-Star Movies with the lower costs but all the Disney resort guest perks.

The major difference here is that they also offer very reasonable family suites. These suites have kitchens with a full size refrigerator, three queen beds and two bathrooms. This is HUGE for bigger groups and they sleep up to 6 people.

Cons are still that you have only bus transportation and basic amenities.

Has anyone stayed here? I've had quite a few clients stay in the suites and they loved them!