 There are lots of things a travel agent can do for you. From helping you pick the perfect theme park resort for your next vacation to booking dining experiences when your booking window opens, we help take the stress out of planning your magical vacation. Our travel agency tailors experiences that will surprise and delight you, using our expert knowledge and frequent trips to your favorite destinations to provide up-to-date recommendations to get the most out of your vacation. We’ll handle the details so you can get back to planning the fun. Whether it's your first time working with a travel agent or you’re ready to book your next adventure with your trusted travel advisor, here are some do’s and don’ts of working with a travel agent. Ready to book your next trip? Get a quote from our team at Just Add Magic Travel®! Do: Set A Ballpark Budget We can help you plan an amazing vacation with many budget points. Let us plan one that fits yours! We want this trip to be a magical and stress-free experience for you. Staying on budget will help you enjoy your trip even more. Using a travel agent without getting an idea of your budget means your agent could spend unnecessary time planning a trip that simply can't work for you instead of planning one you can be excited about. Letting us know if there's any wiggle room in your budget is also important. Looking for the best deals? We monitor the latest travel promotions and apply any relevant discounts or savings to your vacation, even after you book!  Do: Share Your Travel PreferencesThe beauty of working with a travel agent is that we can create a trip designed for you and your family. We'll get to know you, learn how you like to travel, and ask about experiences you enjoy as a family. Are you a family of adventurers ready to explore? Or do you prefer more laid-back activities that leave you relaxed and recharged? Are you night owls, or do you like to get up early and have everything on your list done before lunch? Will you travel with young children who want a midday break during your vacation? These preferences will help us book experiences customized to how you like to travel, making the trip go smoothly for everyone. If you have experiences you don’t want to miss, let us know so we can try our best to book these must-dos for you! Do: Have Backups in MindWe do our best to book the hotel, dining, and activities you desire, but it’s not always possible. Even though we book your reservations right when your reservation window opens, popular hotels, restaurants, and experiences may be booked already. The more flexibility you have in the date, time, and experience you book, the more likely you will get one of your preferences. If the reservation you desire isn’t available initially, don’t worry. As your vacation gets closer, we'll keep checking to see if reservations become available. Sometimes, we're able to grab that last-minute magical reservation for you! Do: Ask Us For Insider Tips We love sharing our knowledge and experience with you! We regularly visit, train, and network with other professionals to learn more about the destinations that we offer our clients. We consistently communicate with our suppliers so we can share the latest experiences from your favorite destinations. We use this knowledge to plan fantastic vacations for your family that you’ll remember for years to come. Do: Set Expectations and Ask Questions One of the most vital things you can do when working with your travel agent is to set expectations about the planning process. Ask your travel agent questions about how communication will be handled, when your booking window opens, and any other questions you have. Your travel agent should also share expectations regarding communication methods and how to reach out when you have questions or need to confirm details. You'll also want to be clear on what services your travel agent will provide. Our travel agency offers services like booking private transportation to and from the airport, stroller or mobility scooter rentals, VIP tours, dining reservations, Enchanting Extras, rental cars, and payment processing. Some agencies, however, only offer basic services like booking your tickets and hotel—the rest is up to you. Make sure you choose a travel agency that offers all your desired services. Don’t... Forget to Stay ConnectedWhen you work with Just Add Magic Travel®, you won’t just book your vacation package and never hear from us again. We’re with you through each step of the planning process, communicating with you and sharing insights and resources to help create wonderful memories. Whether you're gearing up for your first trip or are a seasoned traveler with our travel agency, don't forget to stay connected by joining our email list, following us on social media, and checking out our vacation planning resources on our blog. We’ll share news and announcements from your favorite travel destinations, provide insider tips and tricks, and let you know about “off the beaten path” activities you’ll love. Don’t... Do it AloneSo much goes into planning a theme park or cruise vacation, so keeping track of all the details is challenging. Don’t try to do everything on your own—your travel agent can help share the load and ensure the logistics and details are in place so you can enjoy your trip. When you’re on vacation, you can rest easy knowing help is just a phone call away. Plus, you won’t have to wait on hold for hours to get your questions answered before your trip, either. You have direct access to your travel agent for all your vacation questions. We’ll even get up at 5 am CST to book your dining reservations and extra experiences like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for your Disney vacation. Plus, we get special access to experiences, deals, and discounts from our suppliers, so you can get better rates than when you book individually. Don’t …. Wait to Book Your TravelThere are many advantages to booking your travel as early as possible. You’ll get the best deals, have more choices for resorts and dining, and increase your chances of grabbing that hard-to-get reservation. It’s best to book your vacation right when bookings open, which can be up to two years in advance for some destinations. (Thinking more in the short term? That’s fine, too! We’re pros at making your last-minute trip’s special details feel like they’ve been carefully curated for months.) Make sure you follow us for news about when booking windows open your favorite destinations like Disney, Universal, Sandals, Beaches, and cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages. We’ll also monitor discounts and deals after you book, so if a new discount applies to your trip, we’ll add it to your booking.  Vacation Planning with Just Add Magic TravelJust Add Magic Travel specializes in theme park vacations, cruises, and all-inclusive Caribbean vacations. We’re an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, Authorized Universal Vacation Planner, and a Certified Sandals Specialist. We can help make your next vacation a tailored and unforgettable experience for you and your family.
Get a free quote today! Have questions? Feel free to contact us. Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest travel news, delivered to you! View more vacation planning resources on our blog.
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 Traveling with young children is challenging. Navigating theme parks like Disney and Universal with young children adds extra challenges. However, seeing the wonder and magic in your little one’s eyes when they meet Mickey for the first time is worth it! We often get asked how to handle bringing a stroller to the theme parks when families travel with littles. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about Disney World’s stroller rules and Universal Studios' stroller policy to help you plan your theme park vacation with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
 If you’ve been following along with us, you know that we’re huge fans of booking Club Level at Walt Disney World to instantly level up your resort stay. Did you know Universal Orlando also has Club Level at three of its on-property resorts? There are many benefits to booking a Club Level room at Universal Orlando, and it’s super easy to take advantage of Club Level amenities because the resorts are so close to the Universal parks. You can generally be back to your resort in 10 to 15 minutes! Read on to learn more about Universal Orlando Club Level resorts and whether it’s worth it for your next trip.
 Did you know anyone can get a professional photo taken at a Disney park? Skip the blurry selfies and crooked pictures of crowded streets as your vacation memories. Disney's PhotoPass service provides professional photographers stationed throughout the Walt Disney World parks who will take professional photos of you and your family. With 100 PhotoPass locations at Walt Disney World, there are many places to snap great pics. You can find PhotoPass photographers at ideal scenic spots throughout the parks, including park icons, character meet and greets, select attractions, and indoor studios. Anyone can visit a PhotoPass location and take a picture. PhotoPass pictures are connected to your My Disney Experience account after they’re taken. However, you must purchase the images separately to download them. That's where Disney's Memory Maker comes in. Below, we discuss how Memory Maker works and whether you should consider getting it for your next trip.
 With so much to do at Walt Disney World, you want to ensure you get the most out of your time in the theme parks. One of the best ways to do this is by adding the Park Hopper option to your park tickets. Park Hopper allows you to visit more than one Disney theme park in a single day. Park Hopper tickets give you the ultimate flexibility to visit the theme parks when and how you want. Are you wondering how Park Hopper works? Learn everything you need to know about park hopping at Walt Disney World here!
 If you’re planning a vacation, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to work with a travel agent to plan your trip. The answer is YES! You should use a travel agent! There are so many benefits to working with a travel agent. Here are a few things your travel agent at Just Add Magic Travel® can do to make planning your vacation a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Save TimeAre you tired of spending hours pouring through blog posts, Facebook communities, vlogs, and waiting on hold with Disney to find answers to your travel questions? We’re just a phone call, email, or text away. We stay updated on the latest policies and offerings for magical destinations, which has never been more critical. No more need to waste time researching topics like the best restaurants at Disney World for birthday celebrations. We frequently visit the parks and share our experiences to help you find great places to eat and have fun on your trip. Personalize Your VacationBy getting to know you, your family, and your vacation preferences, we can recommend hotels, cruises, and all-inclusive vacations that fit your desires and are enjoyable trips for everyone in your group. Whether you’re looking for an intimate, romantic getaway or a group adventure on a large cruise line, we’ll assist you in planning it all. Reduce StressTravel has gotten more complicated in the last few years, making it more important to have a travel agent help you navigate destinations like Disney theme parks and cruises. Managing all the aspects that go into planning your vacation can be overwhelming, such as determining when you can book Disney dining reservations, whether you should add on Genie+, get a Universal Express Pass, or figure out how to make a reservation at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Vacations are meant to relieve stress—not create it! Working with a trusted travel agent takes the stress out of planning your trip and gets you back to what you should focus on: making memories with your family. Oversee Details Whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon with two people or a family reunion with your entire extended family, we’ll take care of the logistics. We understand that life can get hectic, and it’s easy to miss important travel deadlines like cruise payment installments. That’s why we keep track of these deadlines for you and make payments on your behalf to ensure you're set for a fun-filled adventure. We can also reserve dining reservations at Disney and Universal. If your preferred dining location isn't available when your booking window opens, we'll regularly check to see if there are cancellations. This can save you tons of time searching through available reservations on My Disney Experience. Delight You with Extras We develop a personal relationship with you, which allows us to suggest and offer experiences that will surprise and delight your family. From firework viewing aboard a ferryboat on Seven Seas Lagoon to off-the-beaten-path dining experiences, we know what experiences will leave your family saying, “Wow!” We can recommend fun and exciting experiences and destinations you may not have considered, opening up a whole new world of possibilities. Find Discounts and DealsOne benefit of working with a travel agent is deal and discount monitoring. We stay up to date on the latest promotions from destinations like Disney, Universal, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and apply them to your trip when eligible. We also access a wide range of travel deals that are nearly impossible to find on your own, with exclusive amenities like upgraded rooms and complimentary extras. Our supplier network ensures you get the best vacation deals possible! If you’ve already booked your trip, we’ll monitor promotions for you and apply them to your trip as they’re released. Vacation Planning with Just Add Magic Travel Just Add Magic Travel specializes in Disney destinations and Caribbean vacations. We’re an EarMarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency. We can help make your trip a unique, unforgettable experience for you and your family. Let us help you make your vacation dreams a reality. Get a complimentary quote for your trip to get started. Have questions? Feel free to contact us.
Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest updates. View more vacation planning resources on our blog.  Loews Portofino Bay is Universal Orlando’s flagship resort and the most luxurious Universal Resort hotel, if not of any Orlando theme park destination. The resort transports to the hotel’s namesake city in the Italian Riviera without leaving Universal. Learn more about everything Portofino Bay offers guests here.
 Booking a Disney vacation takes a lot of preparation and hard work, from figuring out what resort you want to stay at to securing dining reservations. The time of year you plan to visit, your desired accommodations, and your dining preferences will all determine when you should book your Disney vacation. Overall, booking your Disney vacation as soon as reservations open for your desired dates is best. This helps you get the best rates and offers the most hotel availability. The earlier you book, the higher the chance you get the reservations you want. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about booking Disney vacations.
 There’s nothing like Christmas at Disney and Universal! The theme parks deck every hall with festive decorations and seasonal offerings. It’s no wonder why so many people take advantage of the fun and magic of the season and visit during the holidays. This also makes it the busiest time of the year to visit the parks, so the holiday magic you envisioned could quickly be overshadowed by unmet expectations, interruptions, and planning failures. Check out these tips and tricks to ensure your family has a magical holiday vacation that will be a positive memory for years to come. Set Expectations The right mindset about what your holiday theme park trip will be like is crucial to vacation planning success. Go into your vacation knowing that it’ll be busy, the lines will be long, and it will take longer than you expect to accomplish your must-do attractions in the parks. Allot more time than you initially expect to find a spot for parades and fireworks, and allow extra time to travel between theme parks (Disney recommends accounting for 1.5 hours of travel when using Disney transportation).
Before your trip, sit down with your family to discuss your priorities regarding attractions and activities. Does your family want to jump from thrill ride to thrill ride all day? Are you itching to get a family photo in matching Christmas PJs in front of the castle? Do you have young kids who can barely contain their excitement to meet Mickey? Do you want to prioritize taking a midday break at the resort? Discuss these things before you leave so everyone’s on the same page.  The Disney Treasure cruise ship (Disney Cruise Line’s newest addition to the fleet) is officially revealed! Details about the ship were featured in its grand reveal video, which weaved a unique story of an adventurous treasure hunter who finds the real treasure is spending time with the people you love and the memories you make. The Disney Treasure is the sixth ship to join the DCL family and will depart on its maiden voyage in December 2024. Here’s what we know about the ship so far:
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Aileen Mullee-DiTuriOwner of Just Add Magic Travel Posts
June 2024
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