The Podcast is BACK!

One of the questions I get asked most often is: "Do we really need to stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, or can we save money by staying off property?" It's a great question, and honestly, it's one I wanted to answer for myself. Recently, I attended Disney's Agent Education Program (AEP), where one of our training days was dedicated to touring all seven of the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels. Now don’t let the name confuse you – these are off-property hotels located near Disney Springs. They used to be called “Good Neighbor Hotels,” but the label was recently changed. Before that day, I had seen photos, read reviews, and compared pricing. But walking through each hotel in person gave me a completely different perspective. And here's my honest takeaway: They're nice hotels. Really nice, actually. If I were traveling almost anywhere other than Walt Disney World, I'd happily stay at many of them. But if my vacation is centered around Disney...I would still choose to stay on-property at a Disney Resorts Collection every single time. Here's why.

When planning your trip to Universal Orlando Resort, most families immediately think of thrilling rides, immersive lands, and meeting favorite characters. But did you know one of the best family days of your entire vacation might actually be at the water park? Welcome to Universal’s Volcano Bay!! A tropical paradise right in the heart of Universal Orlando Resort.

Nestled along the beautiful beaches of Ko Olina on the island of Oahu, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is Disney's Hawaiian resort designed to celebrate the culture, history, and beauty of the islands. It's the perfect blend of a relaxing beach vacation and the thoughtful storytelling Disney is known for. Guests can spend their days enjoying stunning pools, a private lagoon, waterslides, a lazy river, and an interactive water play area filled with sprayers, slides, and bridges, while also meeting Disney characters and discovering Hawaiian culture through stories, activities, and traditions woven throughout the resort. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Aulani. Like any destination, though, there are a handful of little tips and insider details that can make your vacation even smoother. After experiencing the resort for myself, these are the things I'd tell every client before they go.

One of the questions I’m asked all the time is, “Should we book now, or should we wait?” My honest answer is always the same: it depends. But in most cases, planning ahead is one of the best things you can do for your vacation, your budget, and your peace of mind. As someone who plans trips every day, I’ve seen both sides of travel. I’ve helped families pull off incredible last-minute getaways, and I’ve helped clients spend a year or more planning the trip they’ve dreamed about for years. Both can be amazing experiences — just in very different ways. I’ve even experienced that difference myself. I once planned a very detailed Walt Disney World trip a full year in advance, and that vacation felt like an experience from beginning to end. Every part of it had been thoughtfully planned, from the resort to dining reservations to the little details that made it feel extra special. It was exciting to plan and even more rewarding to enjoy. On the other hand, I booked a cruise on the Disney Wish just two weeks before sailing, and that trip felt much more like a true vacation. It was spontaneous, easy, and so much fun in a completely different way. Both trips were wonderful, but they gave me two very different feelings — one felt like an experience, and the other felt like a getaway.