Lisa T Travels

Lisa T Travels Travel agency specializing in helping people make magical vacation memories! Disney, Universal, all inclusive resorts, cruises, and beyond!
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Hi, I am Lisa and I am the owner of Lisa T Travels. I can’t wait to help you plan your next adventure! I am a mom to two beautiful daughters, a wife to Aaron, a dog mom to an adorable Yorkie, and planning travel is one of my biggest passions. I take pride in making sure my clients have the best experience possible from start to finish. When you book a trip through me, we will work together to make sure your vacation is the best it can be, no matter your destination.

What should you know before you travel internationally? I just got back from Cancun and also travel internationally some...
11/01/2024

What should you know before you travel internationally? I just got back from Cancun and also travel internationally sometimes multiple times a year and I have a few tips to share.

What is Global Entry?
Well, I can tell you I wish I had it and I will definitely be getting it before I leave the country again. This is a screening system that allows you to go through customs (in participating airports) quicker by utilizing a kiosk. You complete an application and go to a screening interview in order to be considered for this service. I would have made my flight had I been able to use this versus waiting in a potentially hours long customs line.

Camo Clothing
Did you know there are certain countries where you cannot wear camouflage print? Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are all on this list.

Having a DUI might prohibit you from entering a country
For example, Canada considers it a serious criminal offense and denies entry to anyone with a DUI conviction no matter how long ago it occurred. Mexico, Japan, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates may also deny you entry.

Were any of these a surprise to you?

If you are struggling to decide where to go on your next family vacation, consider a cruise!I personally like cruising b...
10/30/2024

If you are struggling to decide where to go on your next family vacation, consider a cruise!

I personally like cruising because I love seeing multiple destinations without having to repack and move between cities/islands.

Food is included, so there is no arguing about where to go for dinner! It is also a great opportunity to try new foods because if you don't like something, there is always something else you can eat and it won't cost you any extra.

Plenty of activities on board for every age!

Have you cruised before? Do you want to take a cruise someday?

(Pics from Disney Cruise Line because it is my favorite, but there are definitely other great cruise lines out there!)

How do you choose the best room category for your family? Here are some things to consider:🛏️ How many people are in you...
10/29/2024

How do you choose the best room category for your family?

Here are some things to consider:

🛏️ How many people are in your family and what is the max capacity of the room

🛏️ What are the bed configuration options (1 king, 2 doubles, sofa bed, etc)

🛏️ Are your kids going to share a bed

🛏️ Where do you want to be located at the resort

No matter where you travel, you should expect to pay more for convenience. This can mean more space, more amenities, and/or a preferred location.

I always make sure my clients are in a room that will work for them and I do my best to explain the sleeping arrangements before you book your trip!

Do you have a preferred room type or sleeping arrangement?

🌟✨ Ready for the ultimate adventure? Here’s why you should plan your visit to Walt Disney World in 2025! ✨🌟1. Water park...
10/28/2024

🌟✨ Ready for the ultimate adventure? Here’s why you should plan your visit to Walt Disney World in 2025! ✨🌟

1. Water park access is free for guests staying on Disney property on your check in day!

2. The reimagined Test Track at Epcot is set to open sometime in 2025.

3. Zootopia: Better Zootogether is replacing Its Tough To Be A Bug at Animal Kingdom in winter 2025.

4. A new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, will be making its way down Main Street USA beginning in the summer.

5. Disney Villains Show will be replacing Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Hollywood Studios.

What are you most excited about?

Maybe this is cliché, but you should always be a lifelong learner.Why is it important to me to keep learning? I take a l...
10/25/2024

Maybe this is cliché, but you should always be a lifelong learner.

Why is it important to me to keep learning? I take a lot of pride in making sure my clients have an amazing vacation, so knowing the latest and greatest travel information is very important.

Coming to a huge conference like gives me the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry.

I also took time to make connections with vendors who will make sure my clients are taken care of in destination.

I met some amazing travel advisors with a wealth of knowledge, opinions, and experiences.

I learned SO much this week and I am so excited to pass it on to my clients!

Want to know 3 of my favorite place to send your family? I plan a lot of multi-generational family trips that include gr...
10/24/2024

Want to know 3 of my favorite place to send your family?

I plan a lot of multi-generational family trips that include grandparents, kids, and grandkids. When you are traveling with a lot of people, keeping it as easy as possible is important!

Why these three?

Cancun: there are SO many great family all inclusive resorts that have something for everyone. It is also and easy destination to fly to if you have a valid passport.

Walt Disney World: I have lots of families who want to add on Grandma and Grandpa, plus aunts and uncles and cousins. It is easy to find resorts that accommodate everyone in their own room and you get to experience the magic together (with the help of my expert planning, of course).

Negril: this is for the true beach lovers who don't mind a little bit of a drive. Jamaica is easy to get to by plane and there are several family friendly resorts on 7 Mile Beach, which is one of the most beautiful place I have visited.

Which destination appeals to you the most?

Dreams Natura and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun rolled out the red carpet for us today on the   site inspections. I was SO i...
10/23/2024

Dreams Natura and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun rolled out the red carpet for us today on the site inspections. I was SO impressed by both resorts for their level of service, available amenities, and food.

Pictures 1-5 are Dreams Natura. What I loved about this resort was how compact it was and easy to get around. The kids activities were great and the pools and waterslides looked lovely. The spa was SO beautiful, too.

Pictures 6-10 are Hyatt Ziva Riviera Maya. What I loved about this resort was the number of pools (9!!), the activities, and the food. They gave us a 4 course lunch and it might be some of the best food I have had at a resort.

Amstar once again took us around and made sure we safely got to our next resort.

Are you a beach or a pool person? That makes a difference at what resort is best for you and your family.

As someone who travels and takes airplanes multiple times per year, I feel like a pro when it comes to TSA. Here are 5 t...
10/22/2024

As someone who travels and takes airplanes multiple times per year, I feel like a pro when it comes to TSA. Here are 5 tips to make it look like you are a pro, too!

1. Pay for TSA Pre✔️
-If you fly more than once a year or even plan on flying once a year for the next few years, it is worth the $80. Some travel credit cards even reimburse you for this!

If you don't have Pre✔️, these next tips are for you. Or, if you are traveling out of the US these also apply.

2. Liquids have to be in a bottle less than 3.4 oz in size. No exceptions. Put them all in a quart size plastic bag and pack it at the top of your carry on bag so you can remove it if your airport doesn't have the newer scanners. This ONLY applies to carry on bags. (You can pack full size liquids in a checked bag.)

3. Don't wear a belt if you can help it and wear shoes that you can easily remove and put back on.

4. Keep your large electronic devices in an easy to access location. Many airports require you to take them all out of your bag and put them in their own bin.

5. Give yourself plenty of time before your flight in case the lines are long or you or your bag get flagged for screening.

Day 2 was spent touring 3 family friendly resorts and learning about what they offer. Amstar shuttled us around today in...
10/22/2024

Day 2 was spent touring 3 family friendly resorts and learning about what they offer. Amstar shuttled us around today in a very nice van and kept us hydrated, which was much appreciated.

Stop one was RIU Palace Riviera Maya. The family room here is 2 rooms that connect and it gives you a lot of space. The grounds and beach were very pretty and I won the Freeze Dance competition when they threw us the kids party and had us act like kids 😁

Stop two was Iberostar Sélection Paraiso Maya Suites and while this complex is actually 5 resorts all next to each other and quite large, I found it very peaceful. The kids club was super cute and looked like a lot of fun. We played a game in the

Stop three was Nickelodeon Riviera Maya. This hotel is so fun! The theming is great and I loved the character touches throughout the resort. The water park was huge and I definitely wanted to try out the slides!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience these properties. I learned a lot about what I would recommend and the best type of client for each resort.

Which resort do you think you would like best?

With all the talk of the new Premier Pass piloting at the Disney parks, I thought it might be fun to discuss some other ...
10/21/2024

With all the talk of the new Premier Pass piloting at the Disney parks, I thought it might be fun to discuss some other higher end experiences you can have on your Walt Disney World vacation.

This probably won't surprise my friends, but two of my favorites include food. One is spending the money for a delicious meal. One of my favorite restaurants for both breakfast and dinner is Topolino's Terrace. Breakfast is a character meal and dinner is just delicious 😋 Get the ricotta appetizer at dinner. Just trust me.

The other is a fireworks dessert party. I love having a reserved area to watch fireworks and the unlimited desserts and beverages that come along with it are a huge bonus.

Do you have a favorite higher end experience at Disney? Share them with us!

It has been way too long since I have been to Cancun and I am so glad to be back. I am ready for a fun week of learning....
10/21/2024

It has been way too long since I have been to Cancun and I am so glad to be back. I am ready for a fun week of learning.

Today I arrived at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun for 2 nights. We got to tour the resort today and had a yummy dinner at Zen Teppenyaki.

What I love about this resort:
The waterpark is pretty legit and there is a good lazy river.
The rooms and bathrooms are a nice size.
All the rooms face the water.

Are you ready for your own family Cancun vacation? This might be the resort for you!

I am off for some new experiences this week! I am spending 2 days touring six family friendly all inclusive resorts, sta...
10/20/2024

I am off for some new experiences this week!

I am spending 2 days touring six family friendly all inclusive resorts, staying in 2 new to me Royalton resorts, and participating in 2 full days of learning sessions.

Cancun is one of my most booked destinations and I can't wait to learn even more about this beautiful part of the world. I am also excited to learn from some of the best in the travel industry about how I can better serve my clients.

I hope you will follow along with my adventures!

May 22, 2025 is going to be an EPIC day because it is the opening day of the newest theme park at Universal Orlando!Begi...
10/17/2024

May 22, 2025 is going to be an EPIC day because it is the opening day of the newest theme park at Universal Orlando!

Beginning next Tuesday, October 22, select multi-day tickets and packages will go on sale. Additional ticket products will be available at a later date.

What do you need to know if you want to visit Epic Universe? Here are the basics:

⚡There are no standalone tickets available for this park. You must purchase a minimum 3 day park ticket to Universal Orlando and when you do, you automatically get a 4th day with admission to Epic Universe. So essentially, you get a 4th day for free.
⚡You will not need park reservations for Epic Universe. You can go any day of your trip that your tickets are valid. Once you enter Epic Universe, that ticket is gone and you will not be able to go back another day.
⚡Park hopping to Epic Universe will not be allowed.

Personally, I can't wait to experience Epic Universe! Lots of exciting things are being built and I am especially excited to see Super Nintendo World and the Ministry of Magic. Let's chat soon if a visit is on your list for 2025!

The J family is going to have a magical spring break!People often think the Orlando theme parks are too crowded during s...
10/17/2024

The J family is going to have a magical spring break!

People often think the Orlando theme parks are too crowded during spring break, but truthfully, any time you go is a good time as long as you have a plan. I am always excited to help my clients maximize their precious vacation time so every travel minute counts!

🚨Some big Disney news has been released this week. Here is what you need to know:⚡Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be of...
10/16/2024

🚨Some big Disney news has been released this week. Here is what you need to know:

⚡Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be offered in very limited quantities and will give guests one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane entrance in the theme park they are visiting that day (includes both Single Pass and Multi Pass attractions).

⚡Guests do not need to select an experience time.

⚡Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be a premium offering, and prices will vary based on the date and theme park guests are visiting.

⚡Disneyland Resort: Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be available first come, first served beginning two days in advance of a theme park reservation and will be valid for use in both theme parks. The first date it will be available is October 23, 2024.

⚡Walt Disney World: Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be available to guests staying at Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts and may be purchased up to seven days in advance of their stay. It will only be valid for use in one park of the guest’s choice per day. The first date it will be available is October 30, 2024.

🏜Walt Disney World announced Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closing January 6, 2024 and will reopen "with a little bit of new magic" in 2026.

Now more than ever, it is a good idea to have a travel professional (like me) on your team when planning your Disney vacation! I keep up on all the latest news and help you adjust your vacation accordingly.

Why do families love Royal Caribbean cruises? There is so much to do and fun places to visit! I know I have been itching...
10/16/2024

Why do families love Royal Caribbean cruises? There is so much to do and fun places to visit! I know I have been itching to sail on one of the new mega ships and this is a steal of a deal for one of the newest ships in the fleet, Utopia of the Seas.

Ready to sail away on an adventure? Let's talk soon!

Today's client feature comes from M, who recently spent an amazing vacation in Tuscany Italy.M had an amazing time soaki...
10/15/2024

Today's client feature comes from M, who recently spent an amazing vacation in Tuscany Italy.

M had an amazing time soaking in the views, touring wineries, and even doing some truffle hunting! Thanks so much for sharing your pictures with us.

One of the reasons using a travel advisor is a bonus is that I spend time building relationships with the resorts and brands I book. This resort is the sister property to one of my favorite places in the world (The Frangipani in Anguilla) so finding a place that would take care of my client on the same level was extremely important. I was able to communicate not only with the employees, but also the owner about getting tours and transportation set up. They took excellent care of my client, just as I knew they would.

Good news for travelers! Effective immediately, the Cancun airport has eliminated the fees they previously charged visit...
10/12/2024

Good news for travelers! Effective immediately, the Cancun airport has eliminated the fees they previously charged visitors who brought more than one bigger electronic with them.

You can read the full article here:
https://www.travelpulse.com/Airlines-and-Airports/What-Travelers-Need-to-Know-After-Cancun-Airport-Eliminates-the-Fee-Associated-With-Multiple-Electronics/555507?sfnsn=scwspwa&fbclid=IwY2xjawF2jMJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYIHL33oKQgyErc0zkGh_3DobUyz6g1jcBk34i8Huh6xu7nvBIKLJHRQIA_aem_mnv0ndeVP3bSY14Pkt6hYw

If you aren't on my email list let's change that! I am doing a little restructuring and will now send it out monthly ins...
10/10/2024

If you aren't on my email list let's change that! I am doing a little restructuring and will now send it out monthly instead of weekly. It will highlight a vacation destination and include relevant or new travel news and tips.

Go to my website and scroll to the bottom of the page. Enter your email in the box that says subscribe and you will automatically be added to my list!

Why should a Disneyland vacation be on your list? So many reasons:California weather is usually more temperate.Allegiant...
10/03/2024

Why should a Disneyland vacation be on your list? So many reasons:

California weather is usually more temperate.

Allegiant Airlines (and others depending on your city) offers direct flights to Orange County, which is the closest airport to Anaheim.

Attractions are all a little different from their Florida counterparts (and maybe a controversial opinion, but I think most of them are better in California!).

Avengers Campus at California Adventure is a must for Marvel fans.

Many resorts, including non-Disney owned properties, are within walking distance of the parks, so there is no need to ride a bus or have a vehicle.

Disneyland is much more laid back than Walt Disney World, but having a plan is still necessary. Hiring an expert like me is definitely the best way to make every minute count!

Disney Foodie Talk: Table Service RestaurantsToday I am giving you some of my top picks for table service restaurants fr...
10/02/2024

Disney Foodie Talk: Table Service Restaurants

Today I am giving you some of my top picks for table service restaurants from each Walt Disney World theme park! Do you agree?

Magic Kingdom: Liberty Tree Tavern
Epcot: Le Cellier
Hollywood Studios: Hollywood Brown Derby
Animal Kingdom: Tiffins

How can you make travel more affordable? You may not want to hear some of these, but sometimes you have to sacrifice wha...
10/01/2024

How can you make travel more affordable? You may not want to hear some of these, but sometimes you have to sacrifice what you really want to make it work!

Be flexible with your travel dates.

Consider driving to your destination.

Accept that what you pay for is what you get in most cases.

Delay your travel dates to give you time to save more money.

Shorten your trip (ex. 5 days vs. 7 days).

Pick a less touristy destination or be willing to stay farther away from the main attractions.

Use public transportation.

Why do I keep going back to Disney? Here are 3 reasons it is a repeat vacation destination for me.1. I love theme park a...
09/30/2024

Why do I keep going back to Disney? Here are 3 reasons it is a repeat vacation destination for me.

1. I love theme park attractions. Give me a rollercoaster or any other ride and I am happy. I love the thrill and full immersion into a story.

2. Epcot Festival food. Food and Wine is probaby my favorite, followed closely by the Flower and Garden Festival.

3. Ease of getting around. I know all I have to do is get on a bus (or Skyliner or Monorail) and it will take me where I need to go with no stress beyond maybe a bit of a crowded space for a few minutes.

Happy Daughters Day! I am pretty lucky to be the mom of these 2 teens 😍If you could go anywhere right now, where would y...
09/25/2024

Happy Daughters Day! I am pretty lucky to be the mom of these 2 teens 😍

If you could go anywhere right now, where would you like to vacation with your daughter?

(If you don't have a daughter, but you are a daughter, you can also answer this question with wherever you want to go)

I would pick Anguilla because it is one of our favorite places.

It's   😁 Traveling together has created some of my favorite memories, and this past year is no exception. We got to spen...
09/23/2024

It's 😁 Traveling together has created some of my favorite memories, and this past year is no exception. We got to spend more time in our favorite places (Anguilla for all of us and Disney for me and the girls). I am quickly realizing how little time I have left with my teenagers at home and that makes me want to travel with them as much as possible.

What is one of your favorite family vacation memories? Tell me in the comments!

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Urbandale, IA

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