Fantastical Vacations by Ashley

17/10/2024

IT’S OFFICIAL: UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE IS OPENING MAY 22nd, 2025, and I can get you booked next week! 🚨Book with a Universal specialist, someone who understands the product well, and can plan everything for you, from start to finish - free to you. Available next week:

💫 Multi-day Tickets & Packages for 3 or more days with a 1-day limit to Universal Epic Universe.
💫 Bundle your hotel and theme park tickets, including Epic Universe, and save on a Universal Vacation. The longer you stay, the more you save.
💫 Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews hotel, at available for booking beginning October 22. The other new hotels near Epic, Universal Stella Nova and Terra Luna will open earlier in the year and are available to book with me now.
💫 Currently, FL resident discounts are not available with this initial release.

Let me know if you would like to receive more details! Sending out info as early as today. 👇 Click link below.

https://www.fantasticalvacationsbyashley.com/contact

17/10/2024

Oh boy, here we go again. More Lightning Lane news. Buckle up and pay attention if you’re traveling to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World soon. You’re going to need this information. ⚡️ Save, share and let me know if I can guide you through the planning process!

07/10/2024

Hey friends! Hope you're having a great Monday. Thanks for checking in on us. We're doing okay - a bit unsure what to expect, and are staying put through Milton. We're as prepared as we can be and praying for the best! I've shared a more detailed update in my stories, if interested. Thanks for your prayers and good vibes!

Scary. No other way to describe it. Winds of 175 mph. Still, the forecast of weakening as it approaches our coastline remains intact. Without getting too sciency, Milton will go through ERC's (Eyewall replacement cycles) will cause fluctuations in strength. As the storm approaches, it will run into 35-40 mph shear. That will weaken Milton. How much? I'd say a couple categories. Remember, this is a VERY small storm. Hurricane winds only extend about 25 miles. Yes, it will get larger, but the worst of the wind will be in a very small area. Unfortunately, that area is likely to be in our area. And again, surge is still a huge threat. Regardless, a powerful hurricane is almost assuredly going to make landfall in our area. Don't take it lightly.



Florida State University University of Florida Florida A&M University University of South Florida University of Central Florida The University of Tampa Florida Gulf Coast University Keeping local colleges and universities in the loop for parents out of state.

21/09/2024

Heya! We’re at Universal Orlando Resort this weekend, spending some quality time together. Last night: HHN for mom and dad, and today: Volcano Bay. I’ll be getting caught up on socials come tomorrow, but first, an exciting update. Our new YouTube vlog debuted last night (of Bath & Windsor, England), and this morning I woke up to an exciting sight: we hit our first YouTube milestone! We hit (and surpassed) 500 subscribers! THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who has subscribed and ever watched a video. Even though we still have a long way to go, we are thrilled to see our YouTube community grow and receive such positive feedback. We’re already almost to 600, and our eyes are on the next milestone: 1k subscribers. If you haven’t yet subscribed, head to YouTube.com/ and please consider doing so. Every one is important and means the world. Thanks again, and stay tuned for more vlogs from England, Universal and more - plus tip videos!

17/09/2024

It’s my THREE YEAR anniversary with Fantastical Vacations! 🎂🎈✈️🏰 I cannot believe it’s been three years since I said yes to a nagging desire to do something I knew in my heart of hearts would be both fun and rewarding. What I thought would be a side gig booking Disney destinations is now a full-time pursuit not just booking my first love, but other destinations around the world for countless families. I am so glad that I stepped into where I felt lead, and that this ended up being so much more than a job. I don’t take for granted that every day, in my small way I get to help create countless memories for precious families. There is nothing like receiving a text from a client with a photo of their child beaming, or hearing that they had the trip of a lifetime. That’s what it’s all about. Somehow along this journey, I’ve unexpectedly become a Premier Agent and an Agency Mentor to the most amazing team of mentees from whom I’ve in turn grown from, and have had some amazing opportunities like participating in an Agency Meeting panel, leading social media trainings, attending FAM trips, conferences and regular trainings. This agency is so much more than an agency - it has become a meaningful family, and a truly unique culture of team members who daily help each other and cheer each other on. I’ve never been a part of such a special work culture. Thank you to my awesome agency owners and friends, Dan and Leslie ( and ), for taking a chance on me and allowing me to join this awesome team - and always being a huge support. I am so blessed by you both, and everyone at FV. 🩵

11/09/2024

My newest newsletter is out! Clients and subscribers, check your emails. Lots of good stuff coming to ya! And if you'd like to subscribe, drop your email! 📧👋

09/09/2024

HOLY SHIP! 🛳️✨✌️ I just toured Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, their brand new (massive) Oasis Class ship that just had its maiden voyage in July. If you’re looking for an action-packed getaway for your family, with a dose of laid-back tropical vibes, this is the ship for you! Today and tomorrow I’m sharing it all in my stories, so join me there. This ship truly has it all:

🩷18 total decks
🩵2,290 crew members
💜2,834 staterooms
💛5,668 guests
🩷236,860 gross tonnage
🩵1,118 feet, 362 meters long
💜211 feet, 64 meters wide
💛30 feet, 9 meters draft
🩷8 neighborhoods
🩵Over 12 bars and lounges
💜Over 20 dining venues, several complimentary
💛Royal Railway - Utopia Station… train on a cruise ship!
🩷18 slides, 10 pools, 2 kids aqua parks
🩵7 beaches at Perfect Day at Coco Cay
💜Kids Club for all minors in the family
💛Other amenities like Aquatheater, Casino Royale, Solarium, carousel, jogging track, rock climbing walls, outdoor movie screen, music hall, Vitality Spa and Fitness Center, biplane, whirlpools, Studio B, sports court, Royal Escape Room… and more!

Interested in sailing Utopia of the Seas? DM or click link in my bio for a quote. I will do the planning for you and provide a ship-specific guide for you! 🙌
🛳️⚓️

23/08/2024

UPDATE: Hey Friends! 👋 We are finding content creation to require a serious time investment. As such, we are going to adjust our stride by releasing 3 videos per month in stead of 4. This week we are using our time to focus on strategy and continuity of our brand across the various media platforms. With that said, we are excited to share our landing page on Facebook (link below👇) and invite you to join us in conversation. Next week we will be back with another Disney related video and then coming back with some great vlogs of our summer UK trip. We hope you join us!! ❤️🎥 facebook.com/palmsandpalaces

15/08/2024

HUGE UNIVERSAL ORLANDO PROMO THAT JUST DROPPED! 🎢🍦🍔 Book a hotel and ticket package and receive a food & beverage card for up to $1k!!!

👇Here are the details:

🔺Book a new Dining Card Promotional Package that includes a food and beverage card worth up to $1,000. The package also includes 4 or 5+ night accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s hotels and 4 or 5-day Park-to-Park tickets to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Universal Volcano Bay can also be included depending on the package purchased. Values available between $300 and $1000.

🔺The dining card can be used at select locations across Universal Orlando Resort, including dining locations at Universal hotels, in the theme parks, and CityWalk. It includes alcohol at select locations. No expiration. One dining card per guest room.

🔺See me for full details and to receive a quote. I’d love to help you! It’s free to use my services - plus I will plan every detail and even share my massive Universal Orlando parks guide! Click link in bio or DM. 👋

12/08/2024

SAPPY POST/STORY TIME: What a moment of PURE PIXIE DUST yesterday! ✨✨ When you’re on the monorail sitting across from a family you have no idea are the clients you’ve been planning for and have been emailing back and forth with for months… until they see your son’s Fantastical Vacations shirt and mention that they booked through them. And that they booked through Ashley, and you mention that you’re that same Ashley. And then both of your jaws drop to the ground, you embrace, chat the rest of the way, and take a picture together. 💛 Ah! Kate and your sweet, sweet family: I’m SO thankful we were able to meet in person yesterday!! You’re just as lovely as I imagined you to be. What a joy to see you in action on your Disney vacation (and right before sailing the Disney Wish! 🛳️). Have the most wonderful time.
—
Unfortunately, I never get to meet in person the families I plan for. I spend months (and in some cases, over a year) chatting and planning with them… I learn about their family, their dreams, their hopes… their vacation is much more than a vacation. It’s their chance to make memories as a family, and I don’t take that lightly. I can’t help but feel connected to and invested in their travels. When their time comes, I often think about them throughout that week, wondering if they’re making a lifelong memory at that given moment. But yesterday, I was able to meet a beloved client in person - and it’s crazy to think that if my son wasn’t wearing that shirt, we never would have known we were sitting together. What a reminder that life is crazy, and beautiful, and full of so many magical moments. And also: I have the best job in the world. I consider myself so blessed to help make memories for them in a very small way.

04/08/2024

This is so awesome! Who else is excited to see some dragons at Epic Universe? BTW, reach out to get on my interest list!

21/07/2024

Let’s head back to Walt Disney World for another client review. It was such a pleasure planning for this family, and I hope for another in the near future! 🌴🏰

If you’d like to pass the planning onto an expert, DM, comment here or click the link in my bio to receive a free quote. I’d love to assist with your next Disney adventure, or anywhere else you’d like to travel to!

09/07/2024

There’s a lot happening at the parks these days - new attractions and sections of the parks, and sadly, some closing temporarily… some for good. So why don’t we discuss what’s up ahead through the end of the year. Especially as these may factor into your next trip. ✨

02/07/2024

🚨⚡️As of July 24th, Genie+ and Individual Lighting Lanes are no longer, and a new Lightning Lane system debuts.

That’s right, more to learn. 🤯 Even though some of it may sound familiar (if you remember the OG FastPass days), there are some differences, nuances and just a lot to learn. So buckle up and welcome to my (new) Lightning Lane 101 Crash Course. 📚

Note that this just scratches the surface, and it may evolve some. For the best guidance and up-to-date advice, including my massive (updated) Lightning Lane Guide 👉 reach out. Plan with me as your Concierge Travel Advisor. DM or click the link in my bio to get started on this journey! I won’t let ya down. 👏

27/06/2024

This time I’m sharing another 5-star review after this family needed a fairy godmother to come in and save their vacation. This one was quite a story! 😱 This was a first - and so I’m thrilled their vacation ended up being just what they needed! It was the most wonderful feeling to receive a text a few days into their trip saying what a magical time they were having! ✨

25/06/2024

Happy… Holidays!??? 🎄🏰 Ok, we’re not there quite yet, BUT you can start planning for it and snag this deal before it’s gone. Disney just announced a brand new promo for Christmas, which includes a resort room discount AND free Park Hopper upgrade. Check it out in the carousel above!👆

21/06/2024

Who is ready!? We’re kicking this all off with a YouTube Launch Giveaway! See the carousel for details. And don’t forget to follow along and subscribe on our YouTube, Palms and Palaces. Thanks for your support and good luck! 🏰🌴