Nikki Crider - Travel Agent

01/21/2025

National Plan For Vacation Day is only 7 days away! Whether it’s dining with characters at Walt Disney World, celebrating the 70th anniversary of Disneyland, sailing on a new or beloved Disney Cruise Line ship, or dreaming of another magical getaway, your preferred Grand Adventures travel consultant can't wait to help turn your travel dreams into reality!

01/20/2025

Brrr! It’s freezing outside! ❄️ Beat those winter blues by planning your summer vacation now!

The sooner you book, the sooner you can start daydreaming about sunshine, warm weather, and that exciting countdown to departure. Plus, studies show that having a vacation to look forward to can bring a boost of happiness!

🌴✨ Ready to feel the joy? Let’s make your dream summer getaway a reality. Message me to start planning today!

01/19/2025

I am WALT LEVEL!!! There are 5 things on this list I still haven’t done. What is your number?

01/02/2025

🎉 Happy New Year!!!

Quick travel reminder: Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID to board domestic flights.

This deadline has been pushed back a few times, but it’s unlikely to be delayed again—so if you don’t have a REAL ID yet, now’s the time to schedule an appointment!

If your travel date is coming up and you can’t get a REAL ID in time, don’t worry—a passport will work as well.

For more details, visit the Homeland Security website or your state’s DMV website. Safe travels!

01/01/2025

🎉 Happy New Years 🎉

12/31/2024

🚨 FREE DINING PROMO 🚨
Is back at Walt Disney World!!!
Booking begins January 2, 2025. Reach out for more details!

12/19/2024

Disney+ subscribers, here is a great promotion with Disney Cruise Line just for you!

Contact me for a quote! These rooms will not last!

🚢 Disney Cruise Line is offering another special promotion, this time for Disney+ subscribers.
Select sailings from January 3, 2025, through June 13, 2025, third and fourth guests under 18 can sail for 50% off when accompanied by two full-fare guests in the same stateroom.

🚢 Eligible Ships: Disney Wish, Disney Dream, and Disney Wonder.

Stateroom Categories: 04A to 11C (Suites, Concierge, and categories with restrictions are excluded).

‼️ Booking Deadline: Reservations must be made by February 16, 2025.

Proof of Subscription: The Disney+ subscriber must be the primary guest on the reservation and must sail in one of the staterooms booked with the offer. Proof of Disney+ subscription is required.

Booking Limit: Up to two staterooms can be booked with this offer; each must have two full-fare guests.

❌ Excluded Dates: Certain sailings are excluded from this offer.

Contact your preferred Grand Adventures consultant for more information (including blackout dates).

12/01/2024

Day Four… Last Day

This is the first year that I have not been up bright and early to go Black Friday shopping, but after seeing the crowds the night before we decided not to get in all the crazy.

We started our day walking down to the Bryant Park Christmas market. We’ve found several little treasures down there to bring home for ourselves and for others for Christmas. There are tons of vendors and food booths there along with an ice-skating rink so I highly recommend experiencing this!

We then headed over to Lillie's Victorian (Times Square ). This place was my absolute favorite place. We had been to eat! Not only was the food amazing but the over the top Christmas decor and Christmas music playing made for an extra magical atmosphere. I 100% recommend this restaurant as well!

In 2001 when we went to New York for the first time we hired Go Hybrid NYC for a pedicab ride after I found out the poor conditions that the poor horses, our house in that do the carriage rides. Getting to know the owner Prince was the best experience! He is extremely knowledgeable about the city and the people in it as well as all of the landmarks around. So now every time we visit, we meet up with him, not necessarily to see the city anymore, but to visit with him. The petty cab ride around the city is a nice bonus! He has definitely become a great friend of the family! I highly recommend him!

On our tour Prince took us around Central Park and showed us several landmarks where different movies were filmed and then we headed into the city. We checked out the lights on fifth Ave and then he worked his magic to get us in to the Plaza Hotel. Much to our surprise as soon as we walked into the lobby there was Santa himself! It was so magical it brought tears to my eyes. There was something so special about seeing Santa at the Plaza. After that, we drove the streets, checking out several historic buildings and several hotspots for Christmas decor. We stopped by Grand Central Station and grabbed a photo and headed to Chinatown for a quick snack. We visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Lakelee and I lit a candle for Sara (a dear friend) and my dad.

When our ride was ending, we asked him to drop us at Macy’s so we could do a little shopping. Macy’s windows are always so much fun to look at and it’s the only place you can still visit a Toys “R” Us toy store. We had it inside, bought our Thanksgiving day, parade, decor, and rode the wooden elevator back down.

As much as I planned out this trip, there were several factors that ended up working against us, but we still had an amazing time! I just love this city so much, and I was so thrilled to be able to mark off the parade on my bucket list!

If you or anyone else you know, would like advice or help planning your New York City trip, let me know because I would love to help! I will say there’s nothing better than New York City during Christmas time!

12/01/2024

Day Three… THANKSGIVING DAY

Up at 5:30am and headed towards Central Park to grab a front row stop. We were stopped my NYPD and informed you had to have a ticket to watch it in that area 😫. So we headed down 6th Ave and grabbed a spot right behind a super sweet family from Oregon we really hit it off with. We stood in the rain together for 4 hours!!! By the time the parade was over, our rain jackets had stopped working and we were all soaked through several layers.

Now…. Watching the parade in person vs on TV. The experience of being there in person, in the crowds, was very exciting! The balloons are larger than life and the floats are so beautiful! BUT… The celebrities on the floats do not sing until they get to the televised area at Macy’s and the performers such as the Rockettes and other Broadway stars do not walk in the parade. They definitely need music or something going on as the parade travels down the road. Cris and I joked how we are Disney spoiled when it comes to that 🤣

After 4hrs of standing in the rain, we ran back to our room to change and headed up to the Upper West Side and had Lasagna and Chicken Parm for our Thanksgiving lunch at Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Upper West Side. It was DELICIOUS! Food is served family style and they are huge portions so needless to say we couldn’t finish it all.

We went back to the room and took a little nap like everyone should after their Thanksgiving meal. Then we headed out for dessert at Serendipity 3 in Time Square for their famous Frozen hot chocolate. Very different and nothing like we had ever had before.

We then headed towards Midtown to walk around. FAO Swartz was #1 on Lakelee’s to do list so we hopped in there where the girls each adopted their very own babies. We visited the tree in Rockefeller Center that wasn’t lit yet, but it was cool to see. We checked out the large candy canes and headed back to the room for the night.

Coming up… The last day

11/30/2024

Day Two…

I have to say this day was extremely special for me. We slept in since we had such a long day before and then headed up to 77th to see the Balloon Inflation around 11am. The line was already soooo long that we had to walk several blocks back to find the end of the line. They started letting everyone into security around 12:00 and then we had to wait until 1:00 before we could completely go in. LET ME TELL YOU…. I rounded the corner from the security check into Central Park West and saw that Turkey… I immediately got emotional and started tearing up! It was incredible seeing it in person. Something I’ve wanted to do as long as I can remember and I was finally doing it!

After seeing all of the amazing balloons and floats, we made our way back to the hotel via Central Park and got ready to see the Rockettes at Radio City. We saw the show about 2 years ago but let me tell you… they have upped their game. It was incredible this year!!! This is the #1 thing I would recommend to everyone that visits during the holidays.

After the show we made our way down to Time Square to Juniors for dinner and THE BEST cheesecake!!!

Up next… Day 3

11/30/2024

Day One…

Our flight was delayed first thing that morning so several of the things we had planned for that we had to cancel. We chose to not do things we have already done and just focus on new experiences.

After checking in at the M Social Times Square New York we took off walking from Time Square to Chelsea Market. We walked around the market and got our favorite pizza.

From there we walked south and came across Cornelia Street where Lakelee was so excited!!! (TS fans understand 🤪)

Next we went to the Museum of Ice Cream. The girls had fun but it is a one and done for us. I can’t say it was worth the money.

To end the day we went to Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Pier 15 on the lower East Side. It was a great Christmas vibe! We had dinner in a heated Chalet Igloo, sipped hot chocolate, played games and got to see Santa. This was another one that was fun BUT a one and done. Not worth the money or return visit.

After that we got a Lyft (a lot cheaper than Uber) and went back go the hotel for some much needed sleep!

Check out Day 2 next…

11/30/2024

What a whirlwind full of Amazing memories we just made. Every time I had a moment to post what we were doing, my phone battery would die :(. So I’m going to post our NYC Thanksgiving experience in a few different posts.

I am happy to answer any questions or if you would like me to help you plan your NYC trip, I would love to help!

❤️🦃🍁🧡

10/29/2024

Did you know that Disney Destinations offers travel packages around the globe?
They provide rich experiences but cater to different preferences—Adventures by Disney is more about family fun and storytelling, while National Geographic Expeditions leans more toward education and adventure.

There is so much more out there besides rides, parades, and meeting characters. Grand Adventures can get you there!

10/24/2024

🥳. Who’s ready???

We are excited to announce that the remainder of 2025 Walt Disney World packages are now available to book.

Contact your preferred Grand Adventures consultant for pricing.

10/16/2024

I'm just over here making dreams come true 😍

10/16/2024

😍 It truly brings me SO MUCH JOY to help other families plan their dream vacations!!!

Thank you to the Miles & Griffin families for trusting me to guide them through their most magical Disney experience ✨

10/10/2024

I know it seems crazy to continue with a Disney vacation knowing that a huge hurricane his heading straight for the area BUT this is why we felt safe staying…

Walt Disney World Resort announced it will close in phases on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in order to prepare for category 4 storm Hurricane Milton. Here's how it's been able to withstand some of the most catastrophic tropical storms

10/09/2024

To our clients and other Disney loving friends, we are here riding this storm out with you! Stay safe ❤️🙏🏻