Behind the Scenes: What I Do When Planning Your Disney Vacation

So you’re wondering what a travel agent even does in the Year of Our Lord Figment 2025. Valid question. Aren’t we all just booking flights on Expedia and winging it? Not when it comes to Disney.

Disney trips are a different beast. They’re part vacation, part tactical operation, part “How do I get into Oga’s Cantina before my 2 pm Lightning Lane for Tron?” That’s where I come in. I’m a travel advisor who specializes in Walt Disney World specifically, which basically means I take all the chaos of Disney planning, sprinkle some pixie dust on it, and hand you back a trip that’s fun instead of overwhelming.

And here’s the best part: you don’t pay me a thing. Disney pays me. Which means you get someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes churros doing the heavy lifting for free.

Let me show you how it works.

Step 1: Fill Out My Quick Form

First things first: I’ll have you fill out a little form. It’s not scary. Think of it as a Disney vision board but with checkboxes.

This isn’t just for me. It’s for you too. Writing stuff down forces you to actually think about what kind of trip you want.

• Are you here to eat every single snack you’ve seen on Instagram? (Respect.)

• Are you trying to ride every ride at every park without collapsing halfway through Animal Kingdom? (We can pace you.)

• Are you a “Grab a margarita in Mexico and just see where the day goes” kind of traveler? (I like your style.)

• Or do you just know you want Disney magic and have no clue what that looks like yet? (Totally fine. We’ll figure it out together.)

You’ll put in your dates, who’s coming with you, what kind of hotel feels right, your budget, and any must-dos. By the time you hit submit, you’ll feel like you’ve already taken the first step toward Main Street USA.

Step 2: A Quick Call

Next up, we hop on a quick call. Nothing fancy, nothing salesy. Just a conversation.

This is where I get to ask questions that a form can’t answer, like:

• Do you want rope drop mornings or are you more of a “see you around noon with a cold brew from Joffrey’s” person?

• Do you like detailed plans or do you want a loose vibe with a few non-negotiables?

• Are you the type to buy matching ears for everyone in your group? (No judgment. Ok maybe a little judgment if it’s those bubble wands.)

I’ll also throw out some of my first ideas. Maybe you’d love the Skyliner resorts. Maybe you don’t know about the hidden gem snacks in EPCOT. Maybe you didn’t realize you can schedule your day so you’re not crisscrossing Magic Kingdom like a stressed-out marathoner.

By the end of the call, you’ll start to see how your dream trip can actually come together without losing your sanity.

Not a call kind of person? I’m a millennial, too. I get it. If you want to just chat via email, that works, too. Just let me know.

Step 3: The Proposal

This is the fun part. I’ll put together a personalized proposal with a couple of different options. Think of it like your Disney Choose Your Own Adventure.

It’ll include things like:

• Resorts that actually fit your vibe (if you’re not sure if you’re more “Contemporary with castle views” or “Pop Century with giant bowling pins,” don’t worry, I’ll explain)

• Park tickets (do you need Park Hopper or will one park per day keep you sane?)

• Dining plan breakdowns (spoiler: sometimes it’s worth it, but it’s usually not)

• Add-ons like Memory Maker, after-hours events, or special tours (VIP tour to skip every line? Yes please.)

• Transportation tips (Skyliner > buses, even though I’m terrified of heights, fight me)

You’ll see everything side by side so you’re not left Googling “Is Coronado Springs better than Caribbean Beach” at 2 am.

Step 4: Refine and Book

You’ll look over the proposal, tell me what you like, what you don’t, and what needs tweaking. Once we’ve nailed it down, I handle the booking.

That means:

• I grab the best promos and discounts Disney releases (and I keep checking, even after you book)

• Everything is correctly linked in the Disney system so you don’t show up missing a reservation

• You don’t spend hours on hold with Disney when something inevitably glitches

This is usually the moment where clients breathe a big sigh of relief and say, “Oh thank god I don’t have to do all that.” Exactly.

Step 5: Pre-Trip Magic and Ongoing Support

Booking your hotel and tickets is just the beginning. Disney has a lot of moving parts, and I’ll guide you through them so you don’t miss anything.

I’ll help with things like:

• Dining reservations at the 60-day mark (yes, there’s a system and no, you don’t have to figure it out alone)

• Park strategies so you don’t waste half your day standing in lines or backtracking

• Lightning Lane tips so you’re not glued to your phone all day

• Ideas for special celebrations, whether it’s a birthday button or a surprise fireworks cruise

• Mid-trip hiccups (flights, ride closures, last-minute changes. I’ve seen it all)

If something goes sideways while you’re in the parks, you can text me. I’ll be your personal Disney crisis hotline while you go grab a Dole Whip.

Step 6: After the Trip

When you get home (hopefully with a suitcase full of ears and at least one popcorn bucket you swore you wouldn’t buy), I’ll check in. I want to hear what you loved, what you didn’t, and what you want to do differently next time.

Yes, I said next time. Because almost everyone who goes once immediately starts plotting their return. Consider yourself warned.

Why Not Just Book It Yourself?

You could. A lot of people do. But here’s what you’d miss:

• I know what’s worth the hype and what’s skippable. (Looking at you, turkey legs.)

• I watch for discounts even after you book.

• I handle the boring stuff so you don’t spend hours on hold.

• I’m there if things go wrong. Disney’s call center is not.

• My help is free. Disney pays me, not you.

So sure, you can DIY your trip. But you’ll probably miss things, stress yourself out, and end up texting me anyway for advice. Why not skip straight to the good part?

Ready to Start Planning?

Working with a Disney travel agent isn’t about giving up control of your trip. It’s about having someone in your corner who knows how to make the planning part painless. I’ll help you get the snacks, the rides, and the vibes you want without burning out before you even hit Main Street.

Fill out my quick form, and let’s get started. Your only job is to figure out if you’re getting the churro first or the Mickey pretzel. (The correct answer is both.)