Did you know that when you shop a small business, you are directly supporting someones dream? Think about the impact you can have on someones life and family. You are supporting someone’s dream to run a business that they are very passionate about. Something someone built from the ground up and put in countless hours to try to see it succeed.
In turn, you are supporting whatever causes they started their business for. A lot of Mom’s run businesses out of their homes for additional income to support their children’s dreams. It’s me. I’m that Mom. You are supporting a Dancer. You are supporting an up and coming baseball pitcher. You are supporting a young scientist who wants to attend every STEM event possible. You are truly supporting dreams.
When I ask guests why they haven’t used a travel specialist in the past, the first reason is because people think there is a cost associated with it. Did you know that it is free to use a travel specialist? We get paid by the company/destination you are traveling to. Our payment is built into the price of your trip already. That means even if you do not use a travel specialist, you are already paying for one! It is the exact same price as if you planned it yourself except you get all the added value of my knowledge, tips, and tricks. Plus I take on all the stress of calls & deadlines.
The other reason I am told is because people prefer to be able to handle all the details themselves. I know, I was one of those people before I first used a TS. The truth is, you can book through me and still make all the plans yourself. You have me watch for discounts, notify you of changes or closures, get through to vendors that you may have trouble with, assist in the event of a disaster (hurricane, blizzard, shut downs…etc) and provide you with tips and information that you may not have otherwise learned. You do not lose any control of your own vacation.
I also have a great referral program and may provide a few surprises along the way! Here is what is most popular this Small Saturday-
Let me know how I can help you on this Small Saturday or Cyber Monday. There really are some great deals!
Today we are at King Canary Brewing Company in our hometown of Mooresville, NC. They are hosting a Trunk or Treat and we have just revealed our theme~Nightmare Before Christmas! Come visit us for some candy, stickers, and lots of information about your favorite travel destinations. Also, enter to win a bag full of goodies.
If you are looking to book a trip and visited our trunk today, let us know and we have an extra treat for your vacation.
Ahoy, Sailors!! I am looking to meet a sales goal for the month of October and to get there, I will be offering a great incentive. Book your Virgin Voyage with me by Halloween, 2024, and receive $100 in Sailor Loot OR Bar Tab, your choice. That’s it! It is that simple. There are some great promotions that are currently running so pair this with my incentive to get a great deal. Once reserved, I can help you plan the entire trip and assist with flights, transfers, shows, dining, excursions and more. If you prefer to do most of the planning yourself, that is great as well. I can just hold the reservation and watch for price drops prior to final payment. I am a top tier, First Mate with Virgin, so you are in the best hands!
Check out the itineraries and reach out with any questions – Virgin Voyages
Meg.Earley@Magical-Vacations.com
Having cruised with Virgin several times and in different room categories, I can offer great advice, tips, packing prep, tricks, and different perspectives. If you haven’t cruised with them yet, now is a great time to check them out.
Don’t plan on traveling with Virgin anytime soon but know someone else who would be interested? If you refer them and they book, they will get the Sailor Loot and you will get an Amazon Gift Card. I have a great referral program!
Here are some photos from my most recent trip this Summer-
It is that time of year again! Christmas in July! While you are taking your awesome Summer vacations and enjoying time with family and friends, it is a great time to thing about going away for the Winter Holidays. If you prefer to stay local during that time, it is also the perfect time to thing about a magical adventure that you can gift to them this holiday season.
Why It’s A Great Time to Reserve
Better selection!
Whether it is a room at your favorite Disney or Universal Resort, a specific cruise itinerary, or availability at your favorite all inclusive, reserving further in advance is best. It gives you the greatest chance at getting the room or itinerary you prefer.
Better pricing!
Often (especially for cruising) the rates are lowest when they are first released. Plus, even if a lower rate or promotion does come out after you reserve, it is something we can take advantage of even after you have booked.
Great Deals!
There are currently great promotions running for Disneyland, Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Virgin Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Sandals, and more – just ask about the destination you are interested in!
Shop Early!
Whether you are considering gifting a vacation to your loved ones this holiday season or actually traveling during the holiday season, booking now will take care of a chunk of your shopping – and it is only July!
Excitement!
You will have this trip to look forward to for months. I can help you think of fun and fantastic ways to gift this to your family and we can have extra time to plan and perfect.
Giveaway!
I am currently running a Christmas in July Giveaway. If you book a qualifying vacation with me in the month of July for travel between now and the end of 2023, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card to your destination.
If you can’t travel but know friends or family who might be, I also do a referral giveaway. Refer a guest to me in the month of July and you will receive one entry for every reservation referred for a $25 giveaway to Amazon or the coffee spot of your choice!
Contact me today for pricing & details. Let’s get you reserved for your next adventure and turn your dreams into memories!
Disney has made several announcements regarding changes to how they will operate in the near future. Please know that this is a fluid situation. These are the current policies and Disney will change them as necessary.
Change can be scary but I plan to embrace this change and make the absolute best of it so I can get back to my happy place. I do already have a trip planned for September and I will be happy to share my experiences with you. Once they reopen new reservations, I am hoping to get down there sooner to experience first hand so that I can share with my guests.
Disney’s number one priority is our health and safety. They have gone above and beyond to make the parks safe for us to return to. Right after health and safety, Disney wants us to have fun, experience magic, and make wonderful memories. I don’t know how this will all play out, but I do know that Disney will make this new way of operations fun, magical, and we will continue to make those wonderful memories.
If you have questions or concerns about an upcoming trip or a future trip, please reach out to me and I would be happy to assist you! I am still here to help make your planning as seamless as possible.
At 10am we will hear from Disney and learn when they plan to reopen and what phases that will entail. Please stay tuned to learn the details of their reopening. SO EXCITED!
Disney received such an overwhelming response for the Ultimate Christmas Package that they are linking more rooms to this package. If you tried to get a reservation this summer when it released and missed it, now is your second chance!
This 5-night package is full of a very Merry itinerary! If you are looking for a really special holiday for your family, this could be it! With the 5 nights, you receive a 4 day park Hopper. Here is the itinerary:
Saturday, Dec. 21: Exclusive nighttime access to experience Avatar
Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey and Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom®
Theme Park. Plus, your Clients can catch an exclusive showing of the
park’s new “Rivers of Light: We Are One” show on Discovery River.
Sunday, Dec. 22: Tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party,
where your Clients can see the brand-new “Minnie’s Wonderful
Christmastime Fireworks” nighttime spectacular.
Monday, Dec. 23, or Tuesday, Dec. 24 (one night per reservation): Access to an exclusive reserved viewing area to watch “Epcot® Forever,” the new nighttime spectacular at Epcot. Plus, each Guest (ages 3 and older) receives a digital $50 Epcot Theme Park Dine Promo Card to use at participating locations in the park.
Wednesday, Dec. 25: An Ultimate Disney Christmas gift delivered to your Clients’ resort hotel room!
Combine this package with all of the other merry & magical events in Disney World this time of year and you can make the most merriest of holidays together.
If you are interested in a no-obligation quote, contact me today! This new room block will not last for long! My services are free of charge and I can save you time & money. Even if you know all there is to know about Disney, I can be a great assistant for you when planning your trip – plus you do not have to make any of the phone calls or wait on any of the holds.
Reservations made this month are all entered into my Drawing for a $50 Disney Gift Card. If you are reserving for 2019 (which is what this package would be) you receive double entries!! If you know someone who might want to take advantage of this package, I am also doing a drawing for a gift card for anyone who refers a guest to me this month. Check out the giveaway here: https://wdwdreamsintomemories.com/2019/10/01/october-giveaway/
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is set to return for its 27th season. This year, you can celebrate amazing topiaries, gardens, tasty treats, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series from March 4 – June 1.
Known for its beautiful flowers, floating gardens, raised beds, and outdoor kitchens, this year’s festival will not disappoint. There will be a new Remy Topiary in the center of a beautiful garden in France. This is to celebrate the new attraction coming to France with the “Little Chef” as the main character.
The Outdoor Kitchens feature ingredients that are grown right in Epcot. They offer delicious delights that contain fruits, veggies, and even edible flowers! All fresh from the garden.
The Butterfly house will return once again. This is a guest favorite and if you have ever visited, you know why. You enter a beautiful greenhouse and are surrounded by hundreds of stunning flowers. Flying all around will be several different types of magnificent butterflies. Butterflies in all different stages of life will be visible including those still in their chrysalis. There are special little homes for them to gather in and you will definitely see them drinking from the flowers. If you are lucky, one may even land on you.
Little ones will love the Festival’s Garden Playground. It is a great spot for adults to take a break and have an area for the littles to run free. Also, bring your littles here during a child swap and while the big kids ride some of the more intense rides.
If you would like to visit during Flower & Garden Festival, contact me today for a quote! My services are free of charge and I can save you time & money. I am not a travel agent focusing on any and all destinations. I am a travel agent that focuses solely on Disney so you know when you ask me to plan your trip that I am very knowledgeable and I will give it my all. It is not just my job, it is my passion! I look forward to helping you turn your Dreams into Memories!!
It was a fast, but great trip! I traveled with my Husband & our three littles. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, went to all 4 parks, attended Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Food & Wine Festival, Disney Springs, and thoroughly investigated Galaxy’s Edge – All in 2.5 days!! Whew… It was fantastic and informative and I now feel like I can better serve my guests when it comes to their questions and planning for Star Wars Land.
Resort – Port Orleans Riverside
When traveling as a family of 5, this is one of our favorite resorts. We love the laid back feel, the theming & Decor, the eateries, the entertainment, and we have perfected our building choice so the bus system works well for us too! The rooms in Alligator Bayou sleep 5 when you utilize a pull-down bed. This works perfectly for us and the theming is just adorable. All rooms were recently refurbed and we love them – especially that they kept the ceiling fans!
Transportation:
Riverside has 4 internal bus stops. They are West, North, East, & South Depots. The South Depot is what we consider to be the “main” depot. It is where the lobby, eateries, bars, and pool area is. Naturally, guests want to be as close to these things as possible so the first 4 buildings in Alligator Bayou that surround that area are “Preferred” and come with a higher price tag. This trip we chose to stay in one of them – building 27. This preferred building is the furthest of the preferred buildings from the Lobby so if you request it, you are likely to have your request granted. This building is on the main path around the lake so it is still quite quick to the lobby and South Depot.
Why did we choose this building?
Well, this preferred building is in an ideal location when it comes to busing. It is equally distant to the South and the West Depot which gives us easy access to both.
Why is that beneficial?
In the morning when we are heading to the parks, the buses come in and stop at the West Depot first. They continue around the loop picking up at the South Depot last. If we are heading out early and are concerned that buses may be full, we head to the West Depot so we know we will be among the first depot to get on a bus. If we are not concerned about a full bus, we can head to the South depot which is the last stop on the internal bus loop before it heads to the park. This has us on the bus for the least time as possible.
In the evening when the West Depot is once again the first stop, we can get off there instead of riding the next three stops to get off at South Depot.
It really is an ideal location. If you do not want to pay the extra $$, there are buildings that are not preferred that are also right near 27. Requesting building 17, 26, or 28 will have you in the same area and you will be able to take advantage of the same bus scenario.
Riverside also has a boat to Disney Springs. It is a nice and relaxing ride down the Sassagoula River where you will pass some other neat resorts as well as get a whole different view of Disney Springs.
Entertainment/Recreation:
My littles love this pool and its water slide. They float around the main pool trying to maneuver each other into the spilling buckets of water and they really enjoy the little walk up to the slide and the ride down. Disney has the path to the slide as well as the looping slide maneuvering through the “Bayou”. It really is done so well.
Like other Disney Resorts, the staff at the pool do a great job of offering water games, trivia, duck races, and more. They are some fantastic young people.
We have also taken advantage of the nightly entertainment. The River Roost is a great little bar/lounge where pianists and singers entertain nightly including our favorite, Yeeha Bob. He is a very talented entertainer and I highly recommend checking his schedule to see which night he plays so you do not miss him!
Disney Cast Members offer “S’mores on the Bayou” nightly at a fire pit over by the playground. Our littles love to experience this. I mean, s’mores..in Disney?! Can life get better?
You and your family can also visit the Fishin’ Hole where you will be set up with an ol’ cane pole and some bait. See what you can catch!
This resort has an abundance of activities. On our typical week long trips, we find we spend at least one full day staying at the resort and enjoying it’s amenities. It is also a very short walk to Port Orleans French Quarter. We have taken that short walk a number of times to get some yummy beignets!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
We had a great time and were excited to be back at this party. We all went as Star Wars Characters and received several compliments. (especially little BB-8) I highly recommend it for all of the wonderful experiences you can have that are exclusive to this party. The shows, the parades, the dance parties, the CANDY, and of course, the really short lines on your favorite attractions. (We waited 15 minutes for Mine Train!)
My little’s favorite part of the evening wound up being the DescenDANCE Party where the Villain Kids played music videos and danced for hours. All three of mine were glued for a solid show and a half. It took place at Comic Ray’s Starlight Cafe so they danced their hearts out, took a break to eat dinner, and went and danced some more while we finished up. It was perfect and an event that no Descendants Fan should miss.
The food was an attraction in itself! I am a foodie – especially when I am in Disney. The “Amuck” Cupcake was full of surprises in each bite with candy pieces and crunchies in the cupcake itself and a piece of white chocolate with the Sanderson Sisters that adorned the top. Yummy! This can be found at the Main Street Bakery.
The Headless Horseman Cheesecake is a must-have for any pumpkin fan. It is a pumpkin mousse that covers chocolate cake and crunchies, topped with a Headless Horseman Candy Piece. It was creamy and pumpkin-y and delicious!
The sweet treats were so tasty but my favorite by far was the Lots-O Burger. OH. My. It was a beef patty topped with creamy fondue brie cheese and bacon jam and a huge onion ring. It was creamy and crunchy, sweet and salty. I wish I had two. I may even try to replicate it at home – it was that amazing!
My favorite parts of the evening (other than the burger!) were the Pirates of the Caribbean ride enhancement and Hocus Pocus Stage Show. Pirates was hilarious with all the live actors running around. It was very different and very entertaining! Hocus Pocus never disappoints. I thoroughly enjoy that show each year. If you are not traveling with littles or if you are and they do not mind up staying up late, I suggest the 12 a.m. show. This is the last show and the last event of the evening. Waiting until midnight to attend this show allowed us to visit rides and continue to trick-or-treat while those things were still available. It worked out well.
Hollywood Studios
We got back to riverside and we had the littles asleep by 1 am. When you only have 2.5 days in Disney, you can sleep on the way home! We were up at 7 am to head to Hollywood Studios and see Galaxy’s Edge for the first time. We had a reservation at Oga’s Cantina for 10:40 am so we headed to Toy Story Land when we got there. We got on Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Midway Mania, and Swirling Saucers all in an hour. I highly recommend getting there early if possibly with the new way the Fastpass system is working there. (More information about Hollywood Studios Fastpass system Here)
At 8:15, the park was still only open to Walt Disney Resort guests so we were used our Fastpass for Tower of Terror and we were able to get on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster after just a short 10 minute wait.
We had about a half hour until our reservation so we headed to Galaxy’s Edge a half hour hour. To our surprise, they were not even utilizing boarding times. We were able to walk right into the land. We spent our half hour exploring all around Batuu. We Ronto Roasters, several stores, and made our way over to Oga’s. I cannot say enough about this Lounge. The theming is awesome, the cast members/actors are always “on” and the snacks and drinks were wonderful! More to come on Galaxy’s Edge in a separate post.
Due to the way they limit guests in the land, the line for Smuggler’s Run was only 35 minutes. The queue is interactive so you will want to have the Disney Play app downloaded to enjoy that. The littles loved it! We all agreed that the ride was a lot of fun. We loved the individual roles we got to play and how real it all felt.
Magic Kingdom
When we left Star Wars Land, we headed out of Hollywood Studios and over to Magic Kingdom. We enjoyed the rides we had not done the night prior at the Halloween Party. The crowds were light-moderate. I did grab a Fastpass for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin because that is a family favorite. How many of you can max out on one laser and more over to the other??
The Tron Coaster is making big progress! I was excited to see how different it looks in just 2 months!
After we visited all that we wanted to and ate all the goodies we set out to, we headed back to Riverside for an evening swim. I recommend that if it is something you can make work in your schedule. It is relaxing and a great way to end any day. No surprise – We headed to bed early!
Animal Kingdom
We rope dropped Animal Kingdom at 7 am for Early Morning Hours. Again, I highly recommend this! We hopped on Everest with no wait at all. Tree of Life at Sunrise, Anyone? We made it over to Pandora and the line for Flight of Passage was only 20 minutes. These were the only rides the kids were set on visiting so we grabbed our favorite beverages from the Pongu Pongu Lounge and we were off to Epcot!
Epcot – Food & Wine Festival
We arrived at Epcot at 9 am. It was perfect timing and allowed us to hop on Soarin’ with a 5 minute wait. Again – these first few hours in the parks are my favorite to visit for this exact reason. We utilized our Fastpasses for Test Track – This is my suggestion based on what I have encountered in my last few visits. Grab a Fastpass for Test Track if possible and just go Standby for Soarin’. The lines for Test Track get longer, quicker and we have found this to work best.
We stopped to see the Jammitors, or during Food & Wine Festival they are known as the Jammin’ Chefs. They are always full of life, humor, and great beats provided by pots, pans, & stove tops!
After a few more attractions in Future World, we decided to head back and enjoy the Food & Wine Festival. This year is the longest Food & Wine Festival to date. It did NOT disappoint. We had a great time tasting and sipping around the world. I will write a separate post for the Festival itself but here are some must try’s!
Must-Visit Food Destinations-
Flavors From Fire
Earth Eats
Coastal Eats
Active Eats
China
Hops & Barley
France
Hawaii
Check out the awesome lanyard we got in the photos above! It keeps track of what you ate where and how you rated it. You can also track the price or if you are on the dining plan like we were, we used it to check off snack credits! We utilized a dry erase marker so we can re-use it again! It is offered by a really neat shop on Etsy – Studio1955. She has all sorts of really great Disney Items. We have gotten band sliders as well.
Disney Springs
We went to Disney Springs for out last few hours in Disney. This is something we always do. We grab last minute souvenirs at World of Disney, grab the littles ice cream at Ghirardelli, and have one last visit to the Hangar Bar.
If you have not checked out the Hangar Bar, I urge you to. They have great tappas, fun & yummy beverages, and some really neat theming. It has become a fun tradition and a great way to say goodbye to Walt Disney World.
That is all for this 2.5 quick little trip.
If you have any questions or are interested in reserving a trip, contact me today! I would love to help you and your loved ones turn your Disney Dreams into Magical Memories!!
With the upcoming addition of 3 new Ships and the itineraries they will add, Disney Cruise Line has decided they need an additional “Private” Beach.
Earlier this year, Disney Cruise Line purchased a new patch of land in the Bahamas. The beautiful island of Eleuthera has a lush area called Lighthouse Point. It is here where Disney will start constructing as soon as Environmental Plans and assessments are completed.
Since 2007, Disney has been putting a lot of focus on conservation and protecting our environment. Disney has been donating millions each year to protect and rehab coral reefs, especially in the Bahamas. The Government of the Bahamas and Disney have agreed upon the practices that they will use to construct on the land as well as the pier. Disney is looking to leave as little footprint as possible, agreeing to only develop 20% of the property and use sustainable building practices throughout construction. Also, instead of dredging a typical cruise ship channel, Disney Cruise Line will be building an open-trestle pier to lessen the impact on the environment.
One of the most exciting parts of the development of this island is the Imagineer that will be a very large part of design. Joe Rohde was at the forefront of design for Animal Kingdom and he also helped design Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. When Joe is part of a project, you can feel the dedication and the love that went into it so I cannot wait to see what he does with this beautiful land. He has already spent a lot of time in Eleuthera meeting with locals and gaining knowledge of the art & culture. This will definitely be reflected in Lighthouse Point which is set to celebrate the culture of The Bahamas. Here is a video where Joe discusses this project and also gives a glimpse of Lighthouse Point-
Disney Cruise Line is hoping to begin construction in 2020 with completion around the end of 2021 or early 2022. Stay tuned for details!!
If you are interested in information on taking a Disney Cruise, I would love to help you and your loved ones plan a trip. Contact me today for a quote and for more information. My services are free of charge and I can provide you with some valuable planning advice through your booking journey. With me, you do not have to worry about calling in to make changes or add reservations – that is what I am here for. I anticipate those dates, make sure you are ready to book, and take care of it all at a very quick pace. All qualifying cruise reservations will receive The Minnie Box! A signature gift from the Agency I work with that is full of goodies and magic. Your vacation starts the moment you tug on the big yellow bow and open your gift. I hope to talk to you soon!
Turning Dreams Into Memories 