Discover the Magic Vacations with Katie Dillard

09/05/2024

🎃Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party Pricing has dropped!

🎃Did you know that you can dress up for these parties even if you’re over the “costume age”? It’s a special exception just for parties!

🎃 If you’re wanting to guarantee tickets, contact me and we will get your trip booked and take advantage of early access for on-property guests before the general public!

08/04/2024

Small Business Support Sunday!

If any of my followers or clients are into crafting, and need a reliable source for wooden sign blanks, either for laser engraving or painting, check out TNLollipop Shop! This is my father-in-laws small business that he created to fill a need in the craft industry for affordable base materials!

Share the love and tag a small business you care about in the comments! ❤️❤️❤️

The Lollipop shop web site is live. Who wants to be the first customer? Go check it out and let me know what you think about it. Those of you that know me know I don’t have the best grammar…lol

WWW.TNLollipopShop.com

26/02/2024

😱😱😱

2025 Disney World prices are coming TOMORROW! This means I can get you quoted and booked for 2025 less than 24 hours from now!

This is super exciting as we normally have to wait until summer for the next year’s price release. Getting 2025 pricing this early in the year can make a massive difference in the amount of planning and saving time you have for that next amazing trip!

There’s also a super cool promo for certain 2025 dates that involves a free one day ticket to a Disney water park on your check-in day! 😱😱😱

If you want to be on my list for a quote tomorrow comment “Me!” and I’ll personally DM you (yes - personally, no automation haha) and chat with you about what you need from a quote so I can get that emailed to you first thing tomorrow!

Deposits to lock in pricing on resort & ticket packages are $200, then you can create your own payment plan until the full payment is due 30 days before travel. (And if any new deals drop between now and your travel dates I will automatically apply those to your trip! So by booking with me you know you won’t miss a deal!)

Comment if you want to work with me! It’s free!
❤️❤️❤️

04/02/2024

4 Quick Tips for Your First Trip to Disney World!

For those of you have been before, what would you add to this list?

05/01/2024

I was THRILLED when I got to tell this client that I saved her a whopping $1,575 on her cruise!!!!

My client didn’t have to:
👉 watch for price drops
👉 call the cruise line
👉 wait on hold
👉 do the math of whether applying the promo would result in savings at the updated fare rate
👉 email with customer service after the phone call to finalize the changes
👉 lose sleep wondering if they got the best deal
👉 ask for my help with this (I got to surprise them with this savings! 🥳)

And guess what it costs to work with me?

Nothing! It’s free! I work on commission paid by the supplier, not you! And yes, this discount did reduce my commission, but my goal isn’t to make the highest commission off your trip, it’s to serve you the way I would want to be served! And I definitely would want to save $1,575. 😉

Let me know if you want this peace of mind for YOUR next adventure! I can’t wait to hear from you!

❤️❤️❤️

04/01/2024

Starting with Disney for my 2024 trainings. This year we learned even more about Adventures by Disney and National Geographic adventures. Did you know Disney curates culturally rich experiences outside of their parks around the globe?

If you want to explore the world with local guides and still have that touch of Disney Magic & exquisite customer care, let me know and we can find just the right trip for you! ❤️

29/06/2023

🎄Save this Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Reference Post!🎄

🎁 This after hours specially ticketed event starts at 7pm and goes until midnight! This event allows guests to experience shorter wait times on attractions, holiday magic shot photo opportunities, as well as holiday-inspired food and drinks throughout the park, with complimentary cookies and cocoa at certain locations!

🎁 Additional festivities include:
- Minnie’s Wonderful Christmas Time Fireworks
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Show
- Club Tinsel & Disney Junior Jingle Jam Dance Parties
- Snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.

🎁 Mickey and the gang will be in their most festive attire, and even Santa will be there too!

🎁 Although the event begins at 7pm, your tickets get you access to the park starting at 4pm, giving you more time to enjoy the park before the event begins!

🎁 If you’re interested in booking the tickets but don’t want to be on the phone early to snag your spot, comment “Get me to Disney!” and I’ll message you so we can set up a call and get your dream vacation scheduled!

✨Don’t forget my services are FREE to you! Let’s get you to Disney!✨

09/06/2023

✨Meet our Team!✨

This is only a small portion of the agents at Discover the Magic Vacations! Each one has their own travel story and knowledge base, not to mention different personalities and life experiences, bringing a wide range of talent and skill to our agency!

We love to communicate with each other & field questions in our group, so if you are planning a trip that has elements I haven’t personally experienced yet, I definitely know someone who has!

I’m so thankful this is the agency I said yes to! It’s been wonderful finally getting to meet in person! ❤️❤️❤️

09/06/2023

✨ DISNEY HYDRATION HACK ✨

Disney is AWESOME at making sure guests stay hydrated, with water fountains and water bottle fill-fountains all over.

You can also get a free cup of ice water at any quick service location! There’s no excuse to be dehydrated here!

My FAVOURITE place to get water though is at Starbucks! Every park has a location, and you can get a huge venti size cup with the adorable Disney Parks graphics on it! It feels fun and special and it’s a ton of super cold water. 10/10 😂

Follow more tips and hacks from your friendly travel bestie!

08/06/2023

✨Pop Century Resort ✨

We made it! Today is check-in day at our resort! We have a preferred room and were placed in the 70s building!

Pop Century is themed to pop culture through the decades, with a big timeline display full of shadow boxes in the main hallway in the front desk/hub building, and individual building groups representing decades, the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s!

Comment below if you want a room or resort tour!

Tomorrow we are headed to Magic Kingdom!!! I can’t wait!

06/06/2023

🥳 I’m going to Disney World! 🥳

I’m headed out on an agent trip with Discover the Magic Vacations! Besides all the fun and excitement of Disney I am also going to meet our agency owner, Kasey, as well as several other agents!

✈️ We work from all over the country so getting to be in person is a real treat!

😱 Get ready for room tours, park ambience, food reviews, and more! I’m taking YOU along with me as we explore Walt Disney World!

👉 Highlights will include all four parks, plus Disney Springs, Oga’s Cantina, Pin Trading, Snacking Around the World in Epcot, Park Hopping and Disney Transportation tips, Ride Reviews from a Plus-Size perspective, and Storybook Dining with Snow White!

Make sure you’re following me so you can join in the fun! If there is anything you’d like to see or have questions about PLEASE message me!

My favourite part of this job?

✨　YOU! ✨

I love getting to talk to my clients, get excited with them for their upcoming trips, and answer any questions they have along the way! YOU make it magical for me!

LET’S GO TO DISNEY!

31/05/2023

✨Reminder from Your Travel Agent✨

After waiting through a site crash and holding my place in the online virtual queue since 7:00am, it’s finally time to quote some 2024 vacations!

👉 When you book your vacation with me I handle all the long waits for you, so you don’t have to sit next your computer or listen to the “on-hold” music for hours on end!

❤️ Just one of the many ways that I get to make your travel easier and more stress free! I’m so happy I get to care for my clients this way! ❤️

P.S. I’m also one text away anytime you have a question, so you NEVER have to deal with phone calls with travel suppliers, even without a long wait time!

This is especially helpful for my clients that have phone anxiety!

Let me make it easy for you, you deserve it! 🥰

08/05/2023

Finished up my Hawai‘ian Islands Specialist Training this week! After hours of study and much note taking (I have a second note book with even more details 😱) I have earned my Specialist badge!

A few of the awesome things I learned:

🌴Hawai‘i has 8 main islands, but only 6 are accessible to the general public. The other 2 consist of one that is privately owned, and one that is a nature preserve. There are also several other smaller ones, bringing the ultimate total to 137 islands.

🌴Three of the islands (Maui, Lāna‘i, and Moloka‘i) are often grouped together and referred to as “Maui Nui” or “Greater Maui”.

🌴While it is very common to associate Hawai‘i with the typical ocean sports like surfing and snorkeling, the islands have so much more to offer, such as zip lining, helicopter tours, WHALE watching, local coffee farm festivals, tons of historic sites and museums, ATV tours, and even special tours for movie buffs that visit locales featured in your favourite tv shows and cinema!

If you are interested in a trip to explore the diverse and welcoming state of Hawai‘i, let me know and we can get started planning your next adventure today!

🏝🏝🏝

22/04/2023

🎃Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!!!🎃

👻This after hours specially ticketed event starts at 7pm and allows guests to experience shorter wait times on attractions, themed food and beverage and more!

👻There will be uniquely themed entertainment such as character meet and greets, Halloween shows, a special parade and fireworks show!

👻Possibly the MOST exciting part is that guests of ALL ages are encouraged to don a costume to trick-or-treat around the park!!! That means that the whole family can join in the fun, contrary to the standard Disney rule of no costumes for those 14 and up.

👻If you’re interested in booking the tickets but don’t want to be on the phone at 6AM to snag your spot, comment “Get me to Disney!” and I’ll message you so we can set up a call and get your dream vacation scheduled!

✨Don’t forget my services are FREE to you! Let’s get you to Disney!✨

22/03/2023

✨Local Business Highlight✨

☕️ Still Waters Coffeehouse in Gray, TN, is my favorite place to get my coffee fix!

☕️ They have the best unique flavor combinations. The Eventide is one of my favorites featuring vanilla, blackberry & lavender. They even have a drink with mango and peach flavors to compliment the espresso! If you are wanting a unique drink this is where it’s at!

🍀 I got the Celtic Cup (delicious) last weekend which was special for St. Patrick’s Day, and they are now serving seasonal Spring time drinks!

☕️ Beyond just having the best coffee, the best part is how welcoming this place is. You can feel their heart for the community when you walk in the doors. Still Waters hosts small business “Shop & Sips” where local vendors set up and you can browse among artists and makers while you drink your brew. They also have a kid’s play room with a gate and a table so you can sit and enjoy yourself while knowing your kids are free to play but won’t wander off.

☕️ Additionally, they have a small business table where local businesses can leave their card! See if you can spy mine in the second pic!

☕️ If you’re in East Tennessee you have to try them out!

14/03/2023

✨Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe✨

🥐 Located in the Norway Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, this bakery is my absolute MUST have stop in Epcot.

🥐 Pictured here are my two favourites: School Bread and Rice Cream.

🍞 School Bread is a traditional Norwegian sweet, yeasted roll, filled with custard, dipped in coconut, then topped with another dollop of custard and an Olaf made from white chocolate!

🍞 The first thing you will notice about this treat is that it really is bread, “roll” is an accurate term as it is NOT a donut. It’s a little more dense and chewy, making it a bit more filling than a donut would be! It is also lightly spiced with cardamom. This one makes a delicious breakfast!

🍚 Rice Cream is a creamy rice pudding topped with strawberry sauce. It is served COLD and with its delicious strawberry topping it is shockingly refreshing! A quick hit of carbs to fuel your Disney day without weighing you down. (I’ve even recreated this at home because it’s THAT good!) 10/10

🤔 Have you had either of these delicious treats? Or do you have a different favorite from Kringla? Let me know what your order would be down below.👇

🇳🇴

10/03/2023

✨Walt & Mickey Statue ✨

👉 Walt Disney’s statue stands waving to guests entering Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

👉 The park originally opened October 1st, 1971, and although Walt had been highly involved in the planning of Walt Disney World, he passed away just before construction began in 1967.

👉 His vision is still seen in the brand today making it one of the most successful businesses in
the world.

👉 “May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart
of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.” - Roy O. Disney (reading the dedication plaque during the October 25, 1971, grand opening, and dedication)

28/02/2023

✨Rapunzel Bathrooms✨

🌸 Located on the edge of Liberty Square and Fantasyland this restroom is themed after the Disney Movie, "Tangled," making this a fun stop for the whole family.

🌸 You can stop by the charging stations right across from the restroom to recharge your phone!

🌸 Plus it has this fun poster of Hookhand, one of my favourite lesser known characters!

🌸 Forget Hidden Mickeys! The Tangled-themed restroom has hidden Pascals
for you to find! It is rumored that there are 10 of these cute chameleons hidden around this restroom. Can you find them all?

25/02/2023

✨Metallic Power Palms✨

🌴 With the futuristic vision of Tomorrowland, these metal palm trees were built to represent capturing solar energy.

🌴 Although they don’t actually work, it’s amazing to see the importance of sustainable energy in Walt’s vision of the future.

🌴 Their back story explains that they were built by the Tomorrowland Light and Power Company to capture solar power and store it in their coconuts.

🌴 One of the palms has its fronds folded up, and has no coconuts. The lore is that this one has already been “harvested” of its gathered energy.

Have you ever noticed these palms?

24/02/2023

✨Vacation Mode On✨

My job is to do all of the handy work in curating your travel plans and your job is to relax, have fun, and unwind!

I want you to enjoy not only every step of the planning process but most importantly the vacation itself!

16/02/2023

✨Tick Tock✨

⏱The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is just around the corner, starting March 1st!

⏱Time is ticking, and you don’t want to miss out on booking your visit see the topiaries!

⏱You can see Tick-Tock in Epcot as a topiary, as well as in Peter Pan’s Flight over in Magic Kingdom!

⏱Let’s get your next trip on the books!

15/02/2023

❤️Happy Valentine’s Day❤️

Full Quote:

“Disneyland is a work of love. We didn’t go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money.” - Walt Disney

14/02/2023

✨Skyliner Facts✨

🚠The Skyliner is the newest form of transportation on property having opened in 2019. It connects 4 resorts and 2 theme parks. The system is easy to navigate, convenient, and the views while riding it are mesmerizing!

🚠Each gondola car can hold up to 10 guests, or up to 6 if there is a wheelchair or stroller.

🚠Generally, you board the Skyliner while it still moving, though very slowly, like Haunted Mansion or The Little Mermaid. (If you have a stroller or wheelchair there’s a separate area to load into a stationary gondola.)

Skyliner Resorts:
📍Pop Century
📍Caribbean Beach
📍Art of Animation
📍Riviera

Skyliner Parks:
📍Epcot
📍Hollywood Studios

🚠There are 5 total gondola stations, one at each park, as well as Caribbean Beach and Riviera. Pop Century and Art of Animation share the same station. (Swipe for a route map.)

🚠The Hollywood Studios drop-off is at the front of the park, while the Epcot drop-off is at the International Gateway, between France and the U.K. in the world showcase.

Travel times from Caribbean Beach (the most central hub):
👉 to Hollywood Studios - 5 mins
👉 to Epcot - 12 mins
👉 to Pop Century/AOA - 3-5 mins

Let me know if you have any other questions about how the Skyliner works!

13/02/2023

✨Spring Break at Disney✨

🤔　Hear me out. What if in ONE MONTH you were in Disney World?!?😱😱😱

Some advantages of going to Disney World on Spring Break:
👉cooler temperatures
👉less rain than the summer time
👉Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

It’s not too late to plan a trip! While last minute plans can require more detailed research and flexibility, luckily you have ME to handle that part for you! 🥳

Let me know if you’re feeling spontaneous and just need to get away for some sunshine and magic!

12/02/2023

✨Purple Reign✨

This beauty comes from Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew in Disney Springs!

It consists of:
💜Iced Chai Tea
💜Purple Ube Coconut Milk
💜Coconut Syrup
💜Ube Syrup Swirl

Delicious, beautiful and refreshing! Ube is a sweet purple yam popular in the Philippines, especially used in desserts. Blended together with Indian Chai, and tropical coconut, it makes a lovely fusion of truly global flavors. 😍

Next time I get it, I plan to pair it with their Purple Glazed Ube Donut. 😳

Have you ever been to Everglazed? Or are you more of a Gideon’s Bakehouse fan? Let me know your favourite Disney Springs snack down below! 👇