Travelbug Vacations

10/06/2022

Good news for anyone traveling internationally!!

The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official and a US Centers For Disease Control and Preventi...

31/03/2022

“Normal” character greetings are coming back! I’m so excited!!

11/03/2022

Walt Disney World Tip #3: Hotel/Resort Choice

There's no "one-size-fits-all" for hotel choice at Walt Disney World. Every family has different needs and wants, and you really need to take this into consideration when choosing a hotel. Here are some things to consider:

1. Do you want to rent/drive a car? Hotels in the "Disney Bubble" provide free transportation to the parks
2. Are Disney package "perks" like early entry or extra evening hours important to you?
3. Is your family more introverted or extroverted? Some hotels lend themselves more to introverts with little corners to retreat and "quiet" pools, while others are an extroverts dream!
4. Distance/time to the parks
5. How much time will you spend at the resort? If you have some off days, it's nice to choose somewhere that has some fun (think pool) and not so fun (think laundry) amenities for your non-park days.
6. Age and interests of kids
7. Amenities (Refrigerator or kitchen? Heated pool? Breakfast included? Separate bedroom?) What are your "must haves?"
8. Price! Obviously, this is always a factor. Disney and surrounding areas offer a variety of hotel levels and price-points to fit your budget.

If you're considering a Walt Disney World vacation, which hotel is one of the first choices you'll need to make. Give me a call or send me a message. Once I know your wants and needs, I can suggest the best hotel for you and your family.

02/03/2022

Walt Disney World Tip #2: Genie+

If you visited Disney before Covid, you’re probably familiar with Fast Pass. Unfortunately, when Disney reopened after their Covid shutdown, Fastpass was gone (Covid ruins everything). It’s been replaced by Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane purchases.

This is NOT a thorough explanation of what Genie+ is because I’m writing a post…not a novel, but here’s a general summary: Genie+ allows you to skip the lines and schedule when you are going to do some of the most popular attractions at the park. You can select your first attraction at 7am. For future attractions, you can select them one at a time, either as soon as you’ve scanned in for your previous ride or after 120 minutes. Some attractions (like Peter Pan’s Flight) fill up fast, so you will need a strategy to make the most out of this service. The MOST POPULAR attraction at each park is not included in Genie+, but you can instead buy an individual lighting lane for the ride.

Price: $15.00 per person per day (plus tax)

Do you need it? Probably for part of your trip, but maybe not for all. I feel like you get them most value out of it in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios because they typically have the longest wait times. With that said, it kind of depends on what rides are your top priority and whether or not the park is at or close to capacity that day.

We got it for our first day at Magic Kingdom, but not any other parks. On our Genie + day, we arrived at about 10am. We were able to use it for 7 attractions, and also did another 7 without Genie+, fireworks, and a break for lunch and dinner. It definitely helped us get the most out of our day, and I’m glad we splurged.

If you want more info, reach out! Remember, it’s no additional cost to you to book with a Travel Agent as opposed to booking directly with Disney. That’s right, I’m FREE to work with, so why not?

24/02/2022

Walt Disney World Tip #1: The Memory Maker

When you go to WDW, you have the option of getting the Memory Maker for your photos. This includes any photos taken on rides or by the numerous Disney Photo Pass Photographers while you're there. Is it worth it? For us, it was, but here's a guide to help you decide:

1: Cost: if you buy it BEFORE your trip, it's $169. This includes photos for everyone in your party, so that's a total price, not per person. (***if you wait until you're at the park, it's $199, so make sure you buy it beforehand).
2: Length: This is good for 30 days, once activated, so you'll have it for your whole trip
3: Pictures: There's no limit on how many pictures you take. It's kind of up to you. We got roughly 300 in our 5 days at the parks. On the My Disney Experience App, there's a place to search for photographers, so you always know where you can go to get a family photo
4: Special effects: Some of the pictures they do aren't pictures you could capture on your own because they add a bit of that Disney Magic to them (see some of my examples I posted)

So...is it right for you? As a mom, I'm usually the one behind the camera, so it was nice being able to be in so many of the pictures. It is an investment, though. For 5 days, it was TOTALLY worth it for us. If we we were only going to be there 1-2 days, it wouldn't have been as clear-cut of a decision.

Take a look at a few of our photos to help you decide. As always, please reach out if you're considering a Disney vacation. I'd love to help!

21/02/2022

Just got back from a week at Walt Disney World! It’s my favorite place to help clients plan for. I love being able to help take the hassle out and add a little extra magic for families!

Disney has changed A LOT over the last couple years, and having someone in your corner who’s on top of the changes is so important so you can make the most out of your trip.

Bonus…it’s the same price whether you book through me or book through Disney yourself.

Expect more posts this week giving you some highlights and important tips for your next trip.

06/01/2022

Thinking about a Walt Disney World trip this Spring or Summer? This is the first time I've seen a discount on rooms in a while, so take advantage! I'd love to help you find the perfect room and plan a trip for your family!

30/11/2021

I LOVE planning Disney World Vacations! Can I help plan yours?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - Travel Tuesday! Take advantage of this special day by planning a gift they’ll always remember: a Disney vacation!

28/11/2021

It's not the stuff you have, but the memories you make that will last forever. I always love helping families make memories that will last a lifetime!

11/11/2021

Happy Veterans' Day!! Thank you for your service!

13/10/2021

Disney is going big for their 50th!

10/10/2021

Just a heads up if you’re flying this week (especially with Southwest): Have a plan B!! SW Airlines canceled over 1000 flights yesterday, and more are expected during the next several days. 🤦🏻‍♀️

15/07/2021

Biltmore Estate.

We recently went to visit my husband's family. On the way back, we visited the Biltmore in Asheville, NC for a couple days. . It DID NOT disappoint. If you ever get the chance, you need to go!

The Biltmore is the largest privately owned estate in the US, sitting on 80,000 acres. I knew about the main house, but had no idea everything else the estate has. Besides the main house, built by the Vanderbilts, there are two hotels on property. Both hotels are in the Antler Hill area of the estate and are beautiful. We stayed at the Village Inn, which is the more family-friendly one, in my opinion. If you want a more romantic getaway, stay at The Inn. 4 star dining, gorgeous common areas and views outside. The perfect place to relax.

We had a full two days of exploring. We spent the whole first day in the Antler Hill area. There's a playground and farmyard for the kids, shops and restaurants, a winery, and lots of hiking and bike trails (with a bike shop available to rent bikes from). This is also where the two on-property hotels are.

By the main house, there's the house, gardens, shops and restaurants, and also some hiking. You can also do horseback riding and carriage rides on the estate.

If you're interested in going or want more information, please reach out!

09/07/2021

Just a teaser of the trip we’re currently on. Once I get home, I’ll share more pictures, as well as my fabulous experience at the Biltmore (and a few other places, as well).

18/06/2021

One of the main reasons I love traveling is that I get to try all sorts of tasty, authentic cuisine! If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Have you ever taken a cooking class while visiting another country? I highly recommend this! It's fun, delicious, and you don't have to do the dishes afterwards!

02/06/2021

Do you prefer flying to your destination, or is a road-trip more your speed? Lately, my family has been into road trips. Prepping for a big one later this month! Can I help you with yours?

28/05/2021

Everyone needs a little magic! With the 50th celebration coming up later this year, now is the time to start planning for Disney World! I’d love to help.

https://youtu.be/R-IS0i5O3AE

The Magic is Calling!Take a close look at the room where Disney magic lives in the opening of the all-new Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary commercia...

02/05/2021

Theme parks, all-inclusive resorts, California’s wine country, and soon, parts of Europe. The world is opening up and people are ready to travel together again. Now is the time to focus on multi-generational trips and milestone vacations that people have been wanting to take for more than a year!

22/04/2021

This is not the year to wait until last minute to book a trip! If you're planning to travel in 2021, NOW is the time to book.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/demand-may-exceed-supply-as-ceo-of-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-hotel-groups-sees-surge-in-bookings-11618999201?siteid=yhoof2&fbclid=IwAR0lElBXUu1lKIgXBACtAqbAKRC09hU26Ajx8fTrDBBJ3Vt3Siyc2muFug8

Hotel and airline industry will begin to bounce back by second half of 2021, according to the chief executive of InterContinental Hotels.

18/04/2021

Working on some Yellowstone trips has me reminiscing about our visit last summer. One of my favorite things about trips is being able to unplug and connect with the family. What about you?

09/04/2021

Spent today booking some of my summer travel plans. Need any help with yours?

05/04/2021

05/04/2021

Summer Travel Plans are heating up! I'd love to help you find the perfect place to make some memories!