Erica Shaffer-Travel Planner, affiliated with Main Street Travel Co.

11/01/2024

🌸 Celebrate the everlasting bonds of family and the spirit of Dia de los Mu***os at Disney California Adventure Park 🌸

Step into the heart of DCA’s Plaza de La Familia, where the world of Coco and the celebration of Dia de los Mu***os come to life! Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Dia de los Mu***os with colorful decor, traditional music, and delicious Mexican-inspired treats. Don’t miss “A Musical Celebration of Coco,” featuring Miguel and friends sharing songs that honor family and remembrance.

In between performances, you can take pictures with Miguel, stroll over to the Mexican Arbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) and write a message to your loved ones on the Memory Wall, design your own paper alebrije mask (spirit guide) and so much more!

This festive event takes place every year at DCA and I highly recommend setting aside time to take a break, listen to the incredible musicians and storytellers during the Dia de los Mu***os celebration!

10/31/2024

Wishing you a magical day filled with spooktacular treats and not-so-scary fun—the kind that would make even the Sanderson Sisters proud! Whether you’re trick-or-treating with Mickey, heading to a haunted mansion, or watching Halloween classics like Hocus Pocus, may today be filled with Disney magic and a dash of Halloween mischief!

Have a frightfully fun day, and remember, a little Disney pixie dust makes every Halloween boo-tiful!

10/30/2024

Alright Summer travelers! It's time to book your air with Southwest!

As a travel planner, I love Southwest Airlines for the perks that make travel easier and more affordable! And with two free checked bags per person, my clients get great flexibility and savings. And here’s a travel tip: Southwest fares often go up as seats fill, so booking early helps you lock in the best rates and schedule.

Let’s get those flights booked and take one step closer to your next adventure!

10/30/2024

Wishing a Happy Travel Day to John and Liz! They’re off on a 19-day New Zealand adventure, discovering the magic of Auckland’s vibrant city life, the stunning Bay of Islands, and the cultural richness of Rotorua, where they’ll dive into a traditional Maori experience!

They’ll journey south to Christchurch and be awe-struck by the landscapes around Mt. Cook, before enjoying the serene beauty of Milford Sound and Queenstown, where a scenic Lake Wakatipu cruise and a charming sheepdog demonstration await. 🐑💙

Bon Voyage, John and Liz!

10/29/2024

dropped some great news today! 2025 info for TWO races!

Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend will be held September 4-7, 2025 at the Disneyland Resort!

Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2025 at Walt Disney World will be held October 23-26, 2025!

Who’s shooting for a Coast to Coast in 2025 and what races are you doing?!

10/25/2024

Did you hear the news?!

A brand new private island experience is coming for Royal Caribbean!

Here's what we know so far...

-Perfect Day Mexico is about 200 acres in size, half will be preserved for environmental protection
-Slated to open in late 2027
-There will be a beach club, similar to the Coco Beach Club at CocoCay
-Access to water in Perfect Day Mexico will also include a pool
-There will be a water park at Perfect Day Mexico (more than likely an additional cost)
-Costa Maya has four piers, that gives it double the ships that CocoCay can handle, and there's a good chance the water park in Mexico will be bigger than Thrill Waterpark in CocoCay.
-There will be an adults-only area
-Up, Up and Away helium balloon will be available (additional cost)
-MEXICAN FOOD. Say less. I'm there.

I absolutely love CocoCay and I'm super excited for this new private stop for Royal Caribbean!!! What do you think?

10/22/2024

✨NEW at the Disneyland Hotel✨

The hotel lobby lounge has now been re-themed after Disney’s classic 1959 film "Sleeping Beauty", and opened yesterday to rave reviews!

Guests can relax in a charming forest setting while enjoying fun drinks, flavorful small bites, and conversation. Menu highlights include dry-rub chicken wings, a classic Caesar salad, savory steak frites, and even specialty whiskey flights, where guests can choose from Scotch, Rye, Bourbon, or Japanese Whiskey.

The Broken Spell Lounge does not take reservations and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will be open daily beginning at 4 p.m.

✅Fun Fact: This was part of Steakhouse 55, which unfortunately closed permanently 3 years ago, but Disneyland Hotel reopened the area as an unnamed lounge earlier this year.

10/20/2024

🚨ATTN runDisney runners!🚨

Nutrition is so crucial to our training and race day success, and if you’re local to Franklin or Nashville, you NEED to visit ! They have helped me improve my diet so much for D***y, I now hit my protein goal daily!

Ask about the Chipotle Chicken Bowl! 57g of protein! 🐓

New store open in Franklin TODAY!

10/16/2024

🚨The rumors were true!🚨

A new option for Lightning Lanes are being added for purchase to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland!

This is a game changer folks. This means that you will NOT have to schedule return times when you purchase this level of ‘skip the line’ privileges. Instead, you will get one entrance to each attraction at any time for the day you purchased, including attractions that offer Lightning Lane Single Pass, without additional purchase. Hello, Cosmic Rewind!

Walt Disney World- Starting October 30, 2024

Purchasing a Lightning Lane Premier Pass provides Guests with one-time access to any Lightning Lane entrance at a single Theme Park. (Will not honor park hopping abilities).

Guests may purchase a Lightning Lane Premier Pass for only one Theme Park each day.

Guests of eligible Resorts can purchase Lightning Lane Premier Passes up to seven days prior to their check-in date for the length of their stay (up to 14 days) starting at 7 a.m. Eastern.

Eligible Resorts include Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green® Resort.
**Another Perk for upgrading your resort stay**

Disneyland- Starting Oct. 23, 2024

Purchasing a Lightning Lane Premier Pass provides Guests with one-time access to any Lightning Lane entrance at both Theme Parks (valid admission and Theme Park reservation required).

Guests with admission that lets them visit both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on the same day may use their Lightning Lane Premier Pass at both Theme Parks that day.

Guests can purchase their Lightning Lane Premier Pass up to two days prior to the day of their Theme Park visit, starting at 7 a.m. Pacific.

10/11/2024

TEARS OF JOY!!!

PAINT THE NIGHT IS COMING BACK TO DISNEYLAND!!!!! 😭

10/09/2024

Praying for our parks and everyone in Milton's path.

🌀Hurricane Milton update: Walt Disney World Theme Parks

-On Oct. 9, theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1 p.m.

-Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m.

-Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.

-It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. We will consider opening Disney Springs Thursday late afternoon with limited offerings. This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.

-Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating Wednesday, Oct. 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close.

-Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests.

-Due to potential weather impacts to guest travel plans, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in through Monday, 10/14.

10/05/2024

Girls trip to Mexico? Yes please!

Happy Travel Day to Deb & her sister in law that are on their way to Cabo for some much needed girl time and relaxation!

Taking time for friends and family is so important, and what better way to do it than with a getaway to Mexico? Whether you're relaxing on the beach or exploring new adventures, Mexico offers the perfect backdrop for making memories that last a lifetime.

Wishing you both a fabulous trip filled with sunshine, laughter, and fun!

10/05/2024

Happy Travel Day to Jessica & fam as they make their way to Walt Disney World! They will be staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort, my absolute favorite Value Resort on property!

Dive into a world of nostalgia with larger-than-life icons from the 20th century scattered throughout the resort! From Rubik's Cubes to yo-yos, every corner is bursting with fun memories! With comfy rooms, awesome pools, and dining options that'll make your taste buds dance, Pop Century is the ultimate value resort for an unforgettable Disney getaway!

Have a safe trip down to Florida and be sure to post lots of pics!

10/05/2024

Happy Travel Day to Matt & crew that are embarking on the Disney Fantasy today! They are going to love Halloween on the High Seas!

Get ready for haunted hallways, special character meet-and-greets, and eerie entertainment that will have the whole family enchanted. Plus, don’t miss Mickey’s Mouse-querade and all the Halloween treats you can handle! Cruising this time of year is a real treat. Enjoy festive fun while soaking up the sunshine at sea! It’s the best of both worlds: fall magic and tropical bliss!

Thank you so much for always allowing me to help plan your amazing Disney Cruise-cations!

10/04/2024

Them: You probably shouldn’t run for 4-6 weeks.

Me: Best I can do is 3 days.

💜T-minus 97 days until Marathon Weekend!💚

10/02/2024

Happy Travel Day to Barb & family as they head to The Most Magical Place On Earth! They will be staying in an AMAZING 2-Bedroom Villa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort while they're not enjoying the parks!

If you’re traveling with a big family (or just love lots of space), the 2-Bedroom Villas are an absolute dream! With room for up to 9 guests, you’ll enjoy 2 cozy bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and even a washer and dryer! It’s like having all the comforts of home, but way more magical! After a day of park-hopping, unwind on your private balcony or take a dip in one of the resort's pools. Plus, you’re just a quick hop away from Disney Springs! Perfect for family fun, extra space, and those magical memories!

I'm so happy Barb reached out to me on Instagram and we were able to make this trip come to life! Have a fantastic time!

10/01/2024

POLL TIME!!!

For International Coffee Day, lets settle the score. Are you Team Joffrey's or Team Starbucks?!

09/30/2024

Imagine spending Christmas at Walt Disney World, where every corner sparkles with festive magic, and your family’s laughter fills the air. From twinkling lights to heartwarming moments, it’s the holiday getaway your family will cherish forever. DM me today for completely FREE pricing quotes and let’s create a holiday filled with unforgettable memories—because there’s nothing like the magic of Disney at Christmas!

09/26/2024

It's almost October so you know what that means.

It's time to finalize your Walt Disney World Christmas vacation!

I would say come mid-October is when we'll really start seeing Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party nights sell out. Now is the perfect time to get those party tickets purchased (and take advantage of Disney's Winter promo and save up to 30% on rooms for stays most nights from November 24 to December 25, 2024)!

Contact me today for complimentary pricing options to make your holiday getaway unforgettable! Again, here’s no charge for your custom vacation plan, just endless magic and memories waiting to happen. Let’s start planning your perfect Christmas escape!

09/26/2024

A little late, but worth the wait! This week’s podcast episode is all about how to save money for your next Walt Disney World vacation, because who doesn’t love to save money?!

On this week’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most magical topics of all – how to save money at Walt Disney World! Whether you're planning your dream tri

09/24/2024

A new holiday tour has been announced at Epcot!

Walt Disney World has announced an all-new tour for guests visiting EPCOT this holiday season! The Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses tour will take guests on an after-dark, behind-the-scenes tour of Living with the Land all decked out for the holiday season. The tour will be offered from November 29 through December 30, 2024, subject to availability. Tickets go on sale September 30th.

During this 1-hour tour, guests will learn about crops that bring festive flavors to many of Disney's holiday traditions, enjoy brilliant light displays, explore hydroponic greenhouses, and discover sustainable growing techniques used to bring the Glimmering Greenhouses to life.

The Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses tour is offered at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The Behind the Seeds tour is still available during the day.

Advance reservations are highly recommended, as availability is limited!

09/24/2024

A NEW MARATHON COURSE! MORE PARK TIME! I’m on the fence about the new 4:30am start time, but I’m so happy to spend more time in Magic Kingdom and Epcot! What do you think?!

“This adjustment allowed us to make a few changes to the race course from previous years that we hope you’ll love. Based on guest feedback, we know that racing through the parks is a highlight for runners, and now the course includes more distance within the parks. At EPCOT, you’ll start your early miles with a lap around World Showcase before making your way past Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and along the Seven Seas Lagoon. At Magic Kingdom Park, you’ll be racing through each of the park’s iconic lands and through Cinderella Castle as part of the course”.

09/23/2024

Matterhorn Monday.

09/18/2024

It’s Wednesday so you know what that means! This week’s episode of Once Upon A Park Podcast takes us to Magic Kingdom, where we discuss our top picks for Quick Service dining and snacks in the park!

Join us for the latest episode of Once Upon A Park Podcast as we chat all things Quick Service and share what we love most at our top 5 dining spots inside the

09/17/2024

Happy Honeymoon to the new Mr. and Mrs. Knight that are on their way to St. Lucia to kick off their new life together!

Sandals Halcyon Beach is considered a true Garden of Eden with lush tropical gardens along pristine white-sand beaches. Every inch of this Caribbean all-inclusive resort speaks the language of love and guests can choose from six palate pleasing specialty restaurants and seven creative bar concepts. Best of all, get three vacations in one using your "Stay At 1, Play At 3" exchange privileges at other nearby Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia!

Safe travels you two and be sure to make lots of memories!