We at Dream Makers know that deciding whether to go on vacation or visit a theme park during a pandemic is a hard decision!  We all want life to go back to normal, but we also don't want to risk our own health, or that of the people around us.  My family and I recently had to travel to Florida unexpectedly, and decided to visit the Walt Disney World parks while we were there (because it would be impossible for us not to!).  I wanted to share our experience flying, staying in hotels and navigating the theme parks in a mask.

My biggest worry was flying, because it feels as though it is where the biggest risk would be.  Confined to a small space with strangers is not ideal during a pandemic!  However, I spoke to the airline and did some research, and learned that the air coming in from the small personal jet above your head is actually something that will help you.  That air is filtered, and on many airlines it incorporates air from outside the aircraft, so it's not carrying the germs that you imagine when you turn it on.  In addition, it also has the added benefit of blowing potential germs away from you, which is a big plus.  We all flew with masks on, as is mandated, and I brought some Clorox bleach wipes to use on everything around us.  The plane did feel clean, but the extra wipe didn't hurt!  Although we are allowed to remove masks for eating or drinking, we have a short flight and were able to opt against doing that.

Staying in a hotel was another worry, but it was very clear that the Bay Lake Tower room that we checked into was thoroughly cleaned.  The remote controls, which I always wipe down, were in plastic so we knew that no one had touched them before us.  I wiped a few things down that I knew my kids would touch, such as the phone, light switches, etc. but I didn't feel that we were at risk in the room.  The elevators were clearly marked asking that only one family or 4 individuals max per elevator, which everyone was good about abiding by.  

We did visit the theme parks a few days, although it was very hot to be wearing a mask, we were able to handle it better than expected.  We did shorter days, which was fine because the lower crowds allowed us to get a lot done in those few hours!  There were lots of opportunities to take breaks from masks, when we were eating or drinking or in a "relaxation station", which helped.  The cast members were constantly cleaning, we were well spaced out from other guests, and overall it was a pleasant experience.

If you do decide to plan a vacation, we would love to help make it go smoothly for you!  Contact us today to get started!

All of us at Dream Makers are excited to help you and your loved ones plan your next vacation, and we want you to be able to be excited and feel safe as you plan your visit.  Universal has some great special promotions going through the end of the year, and they are making every effort to make sure their guests feel protected.  If you would like to learn more, or get a free quote for your trip, please contact us today!

Thinking of a trip to Disney World with a baby? It’s not as daunting as it seems, with some preparation and some serious list making you can have a magical vacation with your little one! Disney really makes it easy to bring children of any age to the resort and that includes your baby. No matter which Disney hotel you stay at there are complimentary pack ‘n plays. Just ask for one at check in or have your travel agent add it to your special requests.
 

 
One of the biggest concerns families have is how to get your little one around the parks all day.
 
In my experience baby wearing is key to an enjoyable trip to the parks, baby is nice and comfortable and you still have your hands free to enjoy all the delicious Disney snacks. As long as your carrier allows you to be mobile you can do any ride or attraction that doesn’t have a height requirement without having to take the baby out of the carrier. Many of the queues for the rides have air-conditioning as well, so you and the baby won’t be too hot. For rides that have a height requirement you can take advantage of Disney’s Rider Switch Service. Just ask the Cast Member at the Fast Pass entrance and you’ll get a paper Fast Pass to use at a later time. Don’t forget to have the whole family there the first time so the Cast Member can see everybody. Bonus for the other kids in the family, they get to ride twice!
 
                When the baby carrier inevitably needs a break, strollers are also common and convenient around Walt Disney World. You can bring your own, rent one from any local stroller rental company (they will drop off and pick up at your hotel), or rent right in the park for the day. Disney also provides many stroller parking areas located close to attractions. Decorating your stroller so that it stands out is a good idea because Cast Members will move your stroller to keep the parking areas neat and organized. Strollers are also a great way to carry everything you need for the day. Don’t forget you can bring in all the food and supplies you need for your baby, no questions asked!
 
                For those mamas who are nursing, if you feel comfortable, feel free to have a seat wherever you need to feed your baby. I haven’t run into any situations at Disney World where a Cast Member (or ever a guest for that matter) said anything to me about feeding my baby. An indoor quick service restaurant is my favorite because I can take advantage of the air conditioning! If you don’t feel comfortable nursing in public, each park has a Baby Care Center that has a private nursing room with rockers. There is also a changing table room, a feeding area with highchairs, a kitchen with microwave, oven & sink, a main room to relax and a shop if you are missing any baby necessities. Also, all of the bathrooms in the parks (not just the women’s rooms) have a changing space and they are clean!
 
                And last but not least, baby is free! Children under three do not need tickets for the park and if you eat at a buffet or family style meal you do not need to purchase a plate for them, they can eat off of yours for no additional charge!
               
           
               

If you're thinking of taking an all-inclusive vacation for the first time, you may be confused as to where to start!  There are a variety of options all around the world, and narrowing down the possibilities can be a tough job.  Here are some facts to make your decision easier!

1. Family friendly? Couples only?
First, decide who is going on your vacation with you.  Want a romantic getaway? Or do you want to bring the kids? Once you've made that first decision, it narrows down your list considerably.  Couples looking for quiet and romance would be best suited at an adult-exclusive resort.  Sandals Resorts, for example, offer romance, fun, and fantastic dining opportunities for couples on several Caribbean islands.  If you plan to bring the kids, finding a resort that will entertain the kids during the day, and offer babysitting service at night, is very important.  Resorts that cater to families, such as Beaches Resorts, will have kids clubs, daily activities and the opportunity for Mom and Dad to enjoy some relaxation time alone!

2. Choosing a destination
You can find all-inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and around the world. Finding the right location for you requires some thought.  Do you want to be close to an airport? Would you like to experience some local culture, or stay sheltered within a resort? How far do you want to fly? When bringing children, especially, giving thought to the travel time from door to door is very important!  Several islands offer multiple resort options, so once you narrow your search down, you may need to do even more research to find the resort perfect for you.

3. Dining
Most resorts offer a variety of dining experiences, from buffet to gourmet.  Once you have selected your resort, talk to your travel agent about making dining reservations so you can enjoy everything there is to offer!  In addition, many offer room service included in your price - so order breakfast in bed, or get room service to deliver for your children and the free babysitter while you enjoy a romantic dinner!

4. Amenities
All-inclusive resorts will have pools and beaches - and often even more amenities included, so take advantage! Water sports, snorkeling, special activities and events, land sports, games, kids clubs...the list goes on and on. Some offer unique activities, like Beaches Scratch DJ Academy, that are an extra cost.  Most resorts feature spas, and although special offers may include a spa treatment, typically they are an extra fee.

5. Tips
At some resorts, all gratuities are included. If you receive exceptional service and choose to tip additional, you are free to do so, but make sure to ask your Travel Agent before you go so you know what to expect.

Your Dream Makers Travel Agent will do their best to make sure you get the most out of your vacation, and that you pick the perfect spot for your travel party!  Talk to us today to get the best deals and the most personalized service at no cost to you!

"A Magic what?"  Since the Magic Bands were announced and implemented, confusion has followed them!  Now that they are in full use and paper fast-passes are no more, key cards are gone, understanding what they are and how they work is crucial.   So let's take a look at the top things you should know before you even order your magic band!

1. You need to customize your Magic Band
After you make your reservation, your Vacation Planner will direct you to the Disney website, where you will create an account for My Disney Experience (or your Planner will do so for you).  Once you log into MDE, you'll see a link for "Magic Bands and Cards", where you will find information on ordering your Bands.  You will be asked what color you would like, and what name should be imprinted inside.  You can pick any name you want, feel free to have some fun and give everyone Dwarf names!  You will be given a date that you need to complete this process before they ship.   Magic Bands are a free perk of any guest staying at a Disney World Resort, if you are staying outside of the park you can purchase them.  If you are an Annual Passholder, you will receive a Band - after you take your first trip and activate your AP.

2. What color should I pick?
You can pick any of the above colors, and everyone in your family can have the same color if you want.  Your names are imprinted inside, so it's easy to know which one belongs to each of you!  However, if you choose to purchase them, try to pick different colors - it would get confusing to have 4 Blue bands with no names inside!

3. The Band is all you need
Theme Park tickets? Check. Fast Pass? Check. Room key?  Check. Dining plan? Check. Charging privileges? Check. Memory Maker?  Check.  All that, and you haven't put a single thing in your pocket!  For an afternoon at the pool or a day at the water park, knowing your valuables are secured around your wrist and your wallet is safely locked in the safe in your room can help you relax and enjoy!

4. The Band has the Force
Not really, but wouldn't that be great?!  The Band isn't a GPS locator, so they can't track your exact movements throughout the day. However, it has RFID capabilities, allowing it to communicate with the turnstiles in the park, the scanners at the cash register, and on your room door.  It also has some long-range capabilities that are beyond my understanding, but they allow Disney to recognize you on some rides and save your pictures or video to your Memory Maker account. 

5. Wear your Magic Band on the plane
For those of you flying, the Magic Band will not cause any problems at TSA.  If you wear the band, it saves you a lot of digging when you reach the Magical Express entrance - they can scan your Band and off you go!  

6. Will it help my lost child?
Hopefully this won't happen, but it's every parents nightmare - you get separated from your child in the parks and can't find them.  Now with the Magic Bands, a Cast Member can scan their Band and get their name.  It will not   Explain to your kids who they should talk to in the event they get lost - any cast member with a name tag, (I specifically point out the Janitorial staff in their all white who are easy for a child to find, or to go into a store and talk to the person behind the counter) and you can be reunited in minutes.

7. You can restrict charging
My husband is a spender - and my kids take after him!  So I can set the pin or not on each of their bands, keeping charging limited to whoever should be able to charge back to the room.  If you have older kids who would be on their own and want to use it for a snack, you wouldn't be able to do this, since you have to enter the pin for each use of a Dining Plan credit.

8. Your pictures will automatically be connected
If you purchase the Memory Maker, or just want to look back at your memories, this is a great feature.  Every ride that takes a picture will automatically download your photo into your account!  That RFID chip that I mentioned earlier can "see" you on the ride and save the picture for you.  No more stopping at the desk on your way out with your memorized number to get your picture.  

You should be forewarned, though - the Magic Band will cause a tan line, so put your sunscreen and your Band on and enjoy your day!  

Your dreaming of a Disney vacation, but have no idea where to begin.  You went to Disney once when you were a kid, and have thought about going back ever since.  You're a grandparent thinking of taking your kids and grandkids to Disney for a memorable vacation.  You're a honeymooner wishing for romantic dinners, strolls down Main Street, and a lot of fun.  You're an empty nester, finally able to take a vacation alone with your spouse.  You've been to Disney a bunch of times, and think you know everything.

What do you all have in common?  You could all benefit from using a Disney Vacation Planner.  There are many reasons, but I will start with the most obvious:

It doesn't cost you a dime.   That's right, this is a free service.  It doesn't matter if you choose to stay at a Value Resort, book an ocean view at Aulani, want an inside cabin, or go on the Adventure of a lifetime - no matter what your vacation preferences are and how much or how little they cost, there is no additional fee for using my services.  In fact, you could...

Save money.  I'll let you know what the best options are for you when you are booking, and then I'll keep checking to see if there are any specials that can be applied to your trip.  

Save time.  And stress.  The most common complaint heard about Disney vacationing right now is "I have to do all THIS before the trip?"  Booking the vacation, booking Magical Express, advance dining reservations, Fast pass selection...it's a lot to get done.   You need to know where you will be on each day to make these decisions in advance, and you need to know what the best approach to all of this is.  I have tools that can help you with all of this, and I'll do as much of your dining and fast pass reservations as you want me to.  I'll make sure every aspect of your vacation is booked, and help you make revisions if you decide you need them.

It's easier and friendlier to use a vacation planner.  It may seem easy to book through a travel website, but that only gets you so far.  It's far more personal to discuss your family and get personalized advice on which resort to choose, whether you should utilize the dining plan, if you need a rental car or can depend on transportation, whatever special services you may need, where you may like to eat, what rides you may enjoy, how you can surprise a loved one with a personalized gift....the list is endless.  The travel website gets you a room to stay in, I help you customize the vacation of your dreams.

I am a graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge, and I would love to share that knowledge, my experience, and a wealth of information with you.  Contact me today to discuss your dream vacation!  If you have already booked your Disney vacation directly though Disney and feel you need some help, contact me to discuss what I can do.

It's a vacation - it's supposed to be relaxing and fun!  Let me make your wishes come true!