Don’t go at it alone the next time adventure calls. Travel advisors are the best in the travel planning and booking biz and they’re eager to help you plan the vacation of a lifetime or a quick weekend getaway. Plus, with benefits like insider knowledge, travel protection and secret perks, you’d be missing out if you didn’t at least consider working with an agent when dreaming of a new destination.  

1. They do the research for you

Between searching for authentic experiences, finding the best neighborhoods to explore, deciding where to eat, figuring out the currency and understanding local customs, researching a new destination can be time consuming. Luckily, this is the kind of homework that travel advisors love to do. Plus, agents often have insider information on destinations you’re unfamiliar with, thanks to firsthand experience, product knowledge, in-depth education and client feedback.

2. They’re up to date

The world of travel is always evolving and this means that the rules might have changed since your last international, or even domestic, venture. Stay in the loop, especially with a destination you’ve never visited, by working with an agent who is up to date with the latest travel documents, rules and regulations ensuring that you don’t run into any surprises while in line at the airport.

3. They’re ready for the unexpected

There’s no one better to have by your side than a travel agent who can cancel or rebook your trip when personal conflicts or weather events arise. No one likes getting the run-around in a frustrating situation when abroad, but agents are equipped with the right personal and professional connections to help get you out of a pinch relatively stress-free.
Speaking of weather, agents are in the know when it comes to weather patterns in popular vacation spots like Mexico and the Caribbean, so they can make sure you get more sunny days and avoid rainy seasons.

4. They make the best choice for your wallet

Basic Economy, Economy and Business class, fare options are abundant and can get confusing. Throw in extra services like seat reservations and checked baggage and the fees can begin to pile up. And this trend isn’t unique to travel by air, booking a cruise is equally complex, with different rate codes and room categories to choose from. Travel advisors can see past the overwhelming number of choices and will help you decide which combination is right for you without breaking the bank. Plus, thanks to their own experience, agents are transportation pros so they might have a few tricks up their sleeve to help make your time in transit run more smoothly.  

5. They offer perks

Thanks to their hookups around the industry, many agents have access to special rates and perks that are available to their clients. Whether you’re exploring a new domestic city or a destination abroad, agents will do their best to connect you with a few extra frills along the way (Think room upgrades, free cocktails, spa treatments and more).

Travel advisors are a secret weapon in leisure travel. In an age when you have too many options (Which website should you use? Where should you go? Where should you stay? How should you get there? And so on…), a travel advisor is your best resource to cut through the noise and help you get what you really want. The problem though, is that you may not know what a travel advisor even is. Or why you should use one.
It all comes down to the fact that traveling is exciting, but the planning for traveling can be time-consuming, complicated and sometimes beyond stressful. So, why wouldn’t you phone a friend, aka your travel advisor, in order to have the best experience possible?

A travel advisor, travel agent or travel professional uses their knowledge, expertise and resources to craft vacations for their clients, who are travelers just like you. They’re a go-to person when a traveler wants to immerse themselves in unfamiliar places (and familiar ones), connect with the world and do so with offers and pricing that are sometimes only available through travel advisors. Travel advisors are experts in hospitality around the world, with many focusing on specific niches like destination weddings, group travel and multi-generational/family travel.

There is a plethora of reasons you could use a travel advisor. If you’re booking a vacation somewhere for the first time or going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a travel advisor is going to be by your side from beginning to the end. They’re passionate about sharing as much of the world as possible with you, plus they know the ins and outs of undiscovered and exclusive destinations, dining experiences and excursions on land and sea. Additionally, they’re there to manage everything during the booking process while finding the best options and offers out there with your preferences in mind. Whether that’s special assistance from the airline, a particular room amenity, a resort than can accommodate a large group, a budget hotel that’s close to the beach or ensuring that the resort can handle a certain dietary restriction, a travel advisor is able to take care of these things for you.
Travel advisors are available to answer questions, concerns and issues that may arise before, during or after you travel. If something unfortunately goes wrong with the airline, hotel or activity, they can turn your experience around. They’ve got connections to professional travel tools, people and businesses all over the world for that reason that you as a traveler may not have.

Honestly, all travelers could benefit from using an advisor. As a traveler, all you need to do is tell them where you want to go, when you want to go, what you want to do, your travel style and your budget. Seriously – that’s it. Here are some specific types of travelers who would especially benefit from using an advisor:

• Single parents – Their lives are generally very busy, but that doesn’t mean they should skip out on a vacation. Plus an advisor is there to do everything for them!
• Couples who want a destination wedding – Why would you even try to do this on your own? Hire a professional (because they may be able to save you some money!).
• Very busy people – Because it could literally just take one email to an advisor in order for them to plan an entire vacation for you.
• Travelers with complicated itineraries – Visiting multiple European countries or island-hopping in Hawaii or the Caribbean can be tricky to do on your own. Again, hire a professional to coordinate all of it for you.
• Travelers with accessibility needs – If you have accessibility needs when traveling like a wheelchair- or scooter-accessible hotel room, strict dietary needs or sensory needs, your best advocate to ensuring a successful travel experience is a travel advisor, and many specialize in accessible travel. 
• Travelers heading to a new destination – When you’re visiting a new, far away destination like New Zealand, Thailand or China, a travel agent can help you know what to expect and, most importantly, what to pack.
• Travelers with a language barrier – If you don’t speak the native language of the destination you're interested in, a travel advisor can arrange for a translator to guide you around in destination. Chances are signs, hotels and menus won’t be in your language so if anyone can arrange the help you may need, it’s a travel advisor.
• Solo travelers for the first time – A travel professional prioritizes safety and security, so if it’s your first time solo traveling, a travel advisor can be a sort of safety net or even give you solo travel tips.
• Those looking to build a relationship with their advisor so future trips can be planned easier every time – Most travel advisors speak from experience, so learning from them while they plan trip after trip is endless fun and easy to do.

If you’ve used a travel advisor, what did you find the most valuable from your experience? Tell us in the comments below.

Enjoy added peace of mind when booking! You can modify or cancel your reservation with extra flexibility. 

This offer is valid for the Disney Resort hotels listed below. View the chart to explore savings within each resort category. 
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Valid Travel Dates
Stay most nights April 18, 2021 through July 10, 2021
Length of Stay Requirements

• Minimum – 1 night
• Maximum – 14 nights

Important Details

• The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.
• Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room.
• Length of stay requirements may apply.
• Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.
• Advance reservations required.
• Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
• Offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
• Valid admission and a park reservation are required to enjoy theme parks and special events and are not included in this offer.
• Disney Resort hotel reopening dates are subject to change.

For more information on booking your next trip with our Travel Professionals, click here. 

New Special Package Adds Theme Park Magic to Stays at Select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels in 2021.

​Walt Disney World Resort is offering a special “happy new year” gift to those planning 2021 vacations at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Available to book beginning Jan. 5, 2021, Guests buying non-discounted four-night/three-day room and ticket packages at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 8, 2021, through Sept. 25, 2021, will receive an additional two days of theme park tickets.
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From pleasant Central Florida temperatures to the return of the guest-favorite Park Hopper option (available as an add-on purchase), 2021 promises plenty of fun at Walt Disney World theme parks:

• The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts debuts Jan. 8 and runs through Feb. 22, inviting guests to experience an expansive selection of visual, performance and culinary arts.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios brings guests inside the cartoon world in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, to a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and offers the chance to play with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their pals in Toy Story Land.
• Cinderella Castle features a royal new look at Magic Kingdom Park, welcoming guests for the perfect portrait as they seek out classic attractions.
• At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can explore Pandora – The World of Avatar, an immersive land featuring massive floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and unbelievable experiences including Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.
• Guests will also discover new character encounters throughout The Most Magical Place on Earth, as favorite Disney friends explore all four theme parks and Disney Resort hotels.

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You can also check out other great offers for Walt Disney World visits, including savings of up to 35 percent off rooms at select Disney Resort hotels.

As a reminder, Walt Disney World continues to operate with enhanced health and safety policies so everyone can enjoy the magic responsibly. To manage attendance, guests are required to have valid theme park admission and make a park reservation for each day of their visit through the Disney Park Pass system.

We recently visited Disney World and Universal Orland and needed to use an ECV.  I wanted to share some of the things you will want to know.  I am in physical therapy and so I needed to walk about 7000 steps per day and so could walk for portions.  I think most people in ECV’s are similar so I will focus this on people who can transfer and walk short distances.  I have also taken my Father-In-Law during normal times in an ECV and when confined to a wheelchair so I will make some comparisons to normal and COVID times.  At Disney, wheelchairs and ECV’s typically will start off in the main line and then separate at some point for the wheelchair section.  It is very easy at Disney in all parks overall.  It is much more difficult at Universal and I will share my experiences with you.  If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me directly at Marilyn@MDVTrips.com. 
  
Magic Kingdom:
 
We do not ride most of the rides in Fantasyland and so I do not know how most of those work.  We did ride It’s A Small World, which has a separate wheelchair/ECV entrance.  It was easy to use.  We also rode Peter Pan which required me to leave the ECV and go through the line in a wheelchair.  There is a space between Peter Pan and the entrance to Liberty Square that has several places to charge your scooter or phone.  It is a specific spot that has seating where you can rest and recharge devices.  There is some shade in this area so it is easy to keep the seat cool but little protection from rain.  Space Mountain also requires you to transfer to a wheelchair.  There are spots at the outside of the exit where you can park your ECV and plug it in.   The plugs are near the benches against the building.  No protection against rain but maybe against sun, depending on the time of day.   Big Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion both had a virtual queue for ECV’s due to social distancing.  I went to the Fast Pass entrance and was given a return time.  The line with physical distancing,  is not accessible by wheelchair and they will take you through a different entrance.   This was easy to use once I knew about it.  We got return times for both rides, then went to Splash Mountain and then returned to these two attractions with no wait.  Tom Sawyer's Island does not allow ECV’s and you will need to leave it in the open if you take it through the line.  If you are able to walk the distance, I would leave it near splash mountain.  There is an area as you come out that has a place to charge that is covered.  It is near the playscape at the exit of Splash Mountain.   All other rides we rode were easy with the ECV.  If the line was past the entry point, I started going to the people at the beginning of the lines to ask how it worked for ECV’s and had the rest of my party go ahead and get into line.   This gave me time to find a place to park if needed and get to my party before they got to the main entry.  As for restaurants, we went to Be Our Guest and it was very ECV friendly.  I left it inside of the building near the bathroom and was able to charge it.  At Liberty Tree Tavern, I had to leave it outside and I could not find a good place to park.  If you can walk the distance, I would probably leave it in the charging spot I referenced near Peter Pan.  Do not leave it under the shade near the Hall of Presidents.  It may get moved if there is a line.  I saw that happen while I was in the Hall of President’s line.   Overall I give MK a B. 
 

EPCOT:
 
By far, the easiest park to have an ECV was Epcot.  I cannot think of anywhere that I had to leave my ECV and transfer to a wheelchair.   The only places that I was asked to leave my ECV outside was while eating at the Coral Reef Restaurant and Rose and Crown Pub.  At Coral Reef,  I asked if I could leave it inside to charge and the one spot was open so I was able to use it. Rose and Crown was on our first day and I was not yet looking for plugs and shade.  I parked it where they directed and the seat was very hot when I came out. I would look for a spot near the bathrooms across the street next time.  We ate at Le Cellier and San Angel Inn and both had space indoors for me to leave the ECV.  Spaceship Earth still has the wheelchair entrance to the right of the building about halfway around the building.  No need to go to the normal line. At all other rides, I started off in the normal line staying in the ECV.  I do want to point out that all of the restaurants on Disney property, I was asked if I would be able to transfer and if I had asked to stay in the chair for meals, I would have been allowed to do so.  I would give Epcot an A+ for being ECV friendly. 
 
Hollywood Studios:
Hollywood Studios had the same restrictions as it always has been with no difference at this time.  Most lines were ECV friendly.  The only rides I was not allowed to take in the ECV and had to transfer to a wheelchair were Rock n Roll Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror.  Neither had an indoor space to leave it.  It was raining when we went to ride these rides so I searched for somewhere dry to leave it.  My recommendation is to park it at the exit to Tower of Terror.  There is a covered spot as you leave the building that will keep the ECV dry in the rain and cool in the sun.  If you are able to walk a bit, just leave it there and walk to RRRC.  If you need to immediately transfer to a wheelchair, near RRRC, look to see if the food stands near there are open.  They were closed when we were there and I could keep it mostly dry and cool by parking behind the stand.  You can also check at the nearby Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy and depending on the time of day, you might find some shade there.   At Star Tours, you will miss the pre show but that was not a big deal to me as I have done the ride several times.   We ate at 50’s Prime time and they would not allow the ECV in the building and there are not a lot of places to keep it dry and cool in that area.  On a past trip, we parked a wheelchair under cover and it was moved.  It subsequently rained while we were inside and the seat cushion was soaked.  My FIL is paralyzed on one side so he tries to walk short distances and get out of the chair when possible and this was a mistake.  It took all day for the seat to dry.  Disney did give us a voucher to get him a change of clothes as we did not realize it was wet until after he sat on the soaked cushion and they should not have moved the chair.  The seats are not water proof like on ECV’s.  For ECV’s make sure you always cover the electrical parts when you leave it, just in case the rain comes unexpectedly. At Brown Derby, we were able to park inside and there were 2 outlets available for charging.   If you just need a charge and want to be out of the sun, you can also go to the alcoves near Muppet Vision or there are some plugs near the ABC Commissary.  Overall I give Hollywood Studios a B for ECV’s. ​

Animal Kingdom:
 
Animal Kingdom was also easy for the most part.  The ECV was able to go through most lines with no issues.  I would be aware that the Kilimanjaro Safari ride will not leave with a half empty car and if you are one of the first ECV/wheelchairs to get on, it may be a few minutes before you leave.  We rope dropped this ride and while we were the 3rd group in line, we were in the 4thvehicle to leave.  Not a big deal but if the other group behind us had not been 14 people, we would have had to wait even longer.  They are supposed to have 5 rows full to leave.  All of the wildlife treks were ECV friendly and I can’t think of any rides where I had to leave the ECV in the open.   We did have to leave it outside while we ate at Yak and Yeti.  There is plenty of shade available but I did not see anywhere to plug in.   Overall I give AK a B+
 
Disney Buses:  
The buses currently have limited capacity.  In normal times, they have space for 2 ECV’s per bus.  Right now, they will only allow 2 ECV’s if they are in the same party, otherwise one ECV per bus.  This seems fair since there are only 6 parties allowed per bus.  We had one time that we were waiting in line and while there were only 2 buses worth of people there were 4 ECV’s in front of me.  We were at Disney Springs heading back to the Contemporary.  The Polynesian line did not have even one full bus of people waiting so I moved to that line and then took the monorail bus to the Contemporary.  The monorail has been closing early so they started a bus that travels to the monorail resorts so people can eat dinner at the other resorts.  
 
Universal Studios and Isle of Adventure:
Universal was not as ECV friendly.  Basically, if a stroller is not allowed in line then an ECV is not allowed.  You will be directed to park the ECV in stroller (or Pram in Harry Potter sections) parking. Even shows that had entrances that an ECV would easily have fit, they did not allow them.  It was difficult to find anywhere to charge and half of the plugs I tried did not actually have power going to them.  There is a working plug in Pram parking across from Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure and since that has moved to a normal line, you can probably get a good charge in while you wait.   We ate at Mel’s Diner and they directed me to a place near the outdoor seating that had a plug, but it was not working.  I did find a plug against the next building that was working and provided some shelter.   If you have someone in your party willing to push you all day, save your money and just rent the wheelchair instead of an ECV if you are only doing Universal Studios.  I like to have an ECV for more independence and to not burden others with pushing me all the time, but you really don’t get to use it very much at Universal. I did get to take it onto the boat from Hard Rock to the main gate.    I give Universal a D  for ECV friendly.   
 
 If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me directly at Marilyn@MDVTrips.com. ​

The swim up bars were open and the evening bars were open as well with a close time of 11pm. They had nightly resort entertainment every night at Secrets and Dreams. From my observation the only thing we did not have access to that we normally would have is the fitness center but let's be honest and say I was definitely not going to be using the gym while on vacation! The only time we had to wear masks was in the transfer shuttle to the resort and at check in. Once we were checked in they went in our bags and were not thought of again until departure. All staff members are wearing mask for your safety though!
 
I would go back to this resort without hesitation. It was a wonderful vacation in the midst of COVID and it is very reasonably priced considering what you receive overall during your stay. I would rate this resort and my stay based on accommodations, service, food and drink quality and overall experience a ​5 star! 
 
If you are looking to travel during this time and have questions or concerns I would be happy to talk more to you about my experience. I would love to see you travel to this resort and let our mind relax from all that is going on right now. Feel free to contact me anytime about this resort or any other Caribbean destination. I will give you insight, my honest opinion and what restrictions you would be looking at depending on which island you choose.
 
Safe Travels Always,
Kristy
225-505-0452
kristy@gomdv.com
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Last week, for the first time since the pandemic began, I traveled. My best friend lives in Slidell, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. I usually visit her a couple of times a year and we always enjoy walking around the city, eating at amazing restaurants, shopping and visiting the many breweries that have popped up. I was originally supposed to take this trip in April, but I moved it to June when I felt it was a little safer to travel. I brought five, yes FIVE, travel sized bottles of sanitizer in my carry on, a travel package of sanitizing wipes (thanks to a co-worker who shared), and five masks. Overkill? Maybe. Safety first? Definitely.

I don’t usually travel to Louisiana in the summer months due to the heat, but as Olaf said, some people are worth melting for. My friend is getting married in November, so this trip was all about fun wedding stuff. We knew it would be different than my normal visits due to COVID-19, but we still managed to have a wonderful time.

Here is an overall look at my experience, and some tips on still having an amazing vacation, with a few small adjustments.
I flew Delta from Hartford/Springfield (BDL) to Atlanta (ATL) to Gulfport (GPT).
BDL was VERY clean. Everyone is required to wear a mask inside the airport. The lines at security were very short and I made it through in about ten minutes. It was not very busy at all when I flew out (8 am) or came home (2:30pm). The food and retail vendors were only open in the food court area. Everything in the bathrooms was touchless, but the water fountains were not.

ATL was clean. They have hand sanitizing stations set up everywhere and signs posted reminding people to social distance. The sit-down restaurants were closed, but most fast food places were open. The bathrooms were all completely touchless, but the water fountains were not. It was very busy, but most people were very good about social distancing and wearing masks.

GPT is a very small airport, so there were not many people in it at all. No one was wearing a mask except me and the people working at the airport. The mask rules are much more relaxed in Louisiana than what I was used to in Connecticut!

Delta was using a hand scanner for boarding passes, so no one touches your phone or pass but you. Plans are loaded from the back rows to the front rows, with the exception of first class, but there are no changes to the procedures for exiting the plane. Everyone got an individually packaged Purell wipe when they boarded. Masks MUST be worn for the entire flight, unless you are eating or drinking. No middle seats were booked to allow for more space between passengers.

All four planes I boarded were about 60% full, or less. There was no beverage service, but they did pass out plastic bags with a water bottle, granola bar, almonds, napkin and single use Purell hand sanitizer. Planes are sanitized in between each flight, and you can smell the cleaner through your mask.​

​Once I arrived, my friend and I found a few really awesome things to do, that kept us social distanced and still adventuring!

• We found the Little Coffee Camper- a little camper that two awesome ladies turned into a traveling coffee shop!
• We got pedicures at Southern Swings on Magazine Street in New Orleans. It was by appointment only, so they could control the number of people in the salon. Masks are required, and they ask you to use the hand sanitizing station when you walk in.  It was just the two of us and the people working. You sit in adorable porch swings and get the most luxurious pedicures. It was wonderful!
• We visited a little boutique down the street called Alice and Amelia, and again it was just us and the woman working in the store. Masks are required and hand sanitizer was provided at the door. They had the cutest stuff in there- and they donate any tips or spare change left in the jar on the counter to local animal rescues!
• We visited several restaurants that had outside dining, so that we could be socially distanced and still share a great meal. We went to the Lola Distillery on St. Charles and had the most amazing crawfish mac and cheese and some of their house-made gin. We also ate at Fatty’s in Picayune, Mississippi. We were in a room all by ourselves and enjoyed seafood nachos, drinks and dessert.
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So the bottom line is this- if you don’t mind wearing a mask often, and making a few adjustments to your regular vacation adventures, you can still have an amazing time. Bring your hand sanitizer, few masks and a good attitude. Make your own fun wherever you can, and don’t be afraid to drive around town looking for the Little Coffee Camper!