Best time to go?

I am often asked when it is the best time to go to Disney World or take a Disney cruise.  Some agents answer anytime.  I disagree. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding the best time to go.  first and foremost  what is best for YOUR family. Do you mind crowds?  Do you care about taking your kids out of school?  Do you want to see the decorations for a certain season? Do you have a set budget? What are you celebrating - is this a surprise for Christmas, a birthday, a honeymoon?

I have some clients who can't take their kids out of school due to state laws or they feel school comes first. They usually travel during more busy times of the year - spring or fall break, summer - times when the ships and parks are busier and more expensive.

If you are not a crowd person and don't worry about removing kids from school I always suggest the from mid October to mid December (excluding Thanksgiving week) and then again from Jan 3 to mid January.  This is my favorite time to travel and do anything Disney.  The prices are lower, the decorations are up for Halloween or Christmas (even the first week of January you get the decorations at a Value price) Cruise ships during this time have a difficult time filling the ships and there are price drops galore.

There is always something going on at Disney.

Another benefit to October and early November, especially if you are a foodie is Epcot's Food and Wine Festival!   A great chance to drink and sample foods from around the world as you travel your way around the world   This year there are 25 International kiosks offering food and beverages.

 In October, Disney celebrates Halloween in style with Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.   A hard ticket event that limits the number of people in the park for the ultimate Halloween party.  The Villains take over, there are special meet and greets, parades, and trick or treating around the park.  Guests are encouraged to dress up and visit the candy kiosks and fill their bags to the brim.

November and December ushers in Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. Sip hot chocolate and eat sugar cookies while it SNOWS ON MAIN STREET!  The characters are dressed in their holiday finest.

This year I was there in May and got to take part in Epcots' Flower and Garden Show.

Topiaries abound during this time. 

 I was also there for the beginning of STAR WARS WEEKENDS

Disney is divided in to seasons that determines the prices for resorts.  Holiday Season is always the highest price. That is the time when the parks are the the most crowded.  I can't think of anyone who hasn't dreamed of being in the Magic Kingdom on Christmas morning.

Peak Season is the next most expensive time at Disney.  This typically runs Mid February to mid April. It coincides with Spring Break.  The crowds are very large but not as bad as during Holiday season.

Regular season is when there is average attendance in the parks usually April 18 to August 28 for Value and Moderate Resorts or April 18 to July 4 for all other resort types; and September 30 to October 30.  

Value season is when the crowds are historically at the lowest and Disney offers the best rates to try and fill the parks.  Value Season runs from January 1 to February 11, August 29 to September 29 for Value and Moderate Resorts or July 5 to September 29 for all other resort types and October 31 to December 19.

Ultimately, you have to decide when it is the best time for your family.  There is no BEST or WORST time to do anything Disney.  It is about what is BEST for your family. 

Contact Destinations by Cathy - 720-387-8279 to discuss the BEST TIME for your family and let us make your MAGICAL dreams come true.

VISA Stay Play and Dine offer just released!!!!!

Call me 720-387-8279 or email me at travelnwiththink@gmail.com for the details on the new Disney Promotion. Currently only for Disney VIsa Card Holders. We can't guarantee it but we may hear in the near future of this being open to the general public.  STAY TUNED

New Disney Visa Promos are out today for travel January through Mid April. 

Stay, Play and Dine
Discounts room. tickets and dining plan..must have tickets for length of stay to get that portion discounted (staying 4 days/3 nights must have 4 day ticket..etc)
For Most Stays January 5-March 5 2014
3 Night Minimum Stay Required
Excluded: ALL OF ART OF ANIMATION, Grand Floridian Villas and Campsites

Room Only Discount -
Travel dates January 5, 2014 -April 12, 2014
The week of March 6 - March 13 (discount is 5% less than what is listed below)

All Star Sports, All Star Music, Pop Century - 20%
Art of Animation Family Suites - 15% (Little Mermaid Rooms excluded)
All Star Movies - 5%

Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside, Cabins - 25%
Port Orleans French Quarter, Junior Suites at Coronado Springs - 5%

Wilderness Lodge (Standard and Woods View), Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard and Pool View), Beach/Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Polynesian, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Contemporary - 35%

Wilderness Lodge (Club Level and Courtyard View), Animal Kingdom Lodge (Club and Savanna View) - 25%

Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Boardwalk Villas, Beach/Yacht Club Villas - 35%

Bay Lake Tower - 5%

Deluxe Suites - 5%

Excludes - Campsites and Villas at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Norwegian Freestyle Certified

I worked hard for this and for my clients. I take a lot of tests to get attain the highest level of knowledge of all the destinations I have available to you.

Norwegian Cruise line is one of the hardest set or courses I have taken.  I have passed their core curriculum as well as their half of their elective classes.  That has given me the right to display the certification you see above.  NCL considers me to be extremely knowledgeable in their cruise line and what they offer with each destination they go to.

I must say I have been extremely impressed with everything I have learned about what NCL has to offer all cruisers - families, singles, newlyweds, retired, groups etc.  I know most people flock to Princess or Carnival but for many destinations I will be recommending to my clients they take a look at NCL.

I am currently finishing the rest of my electives as well as taking my "grad" level classes.

This way when you come to me to book your cruise you can have total faith that I can recommend the best trip for you and your family.

If you are interested in a NCL cruise - or any vacation please contact me at travelnwithtink@gmail.com or click the envelope in the right hand corner and I will get back to you within 24 hours.

Beaches surprise

A while back I won a 4 day 3night stay at Beaches/Sandals.  Orginally my husband and I were going to go to Sandals for a much needed couples get away.  Once I started looking at Beaches, I knew I had to take Andrew along.

I loved the activities for kids his age  - snorkeling, beach soccer, kayaking, glass bottom boat rides.  Then I started worrying about leaving him for long periods of time even in a supervised group.  Drew has some special needs. He has Tourettes and a SEVERE anxiety issue that causes some other problems. I know I would not be comfortable leaving him with a group that had a high ratio of kids to supervisors.  I know in most instances it would be all right.  I mean I have never heard a news report of Beaches losing a kid.  I am sure Drew would be OK but i am not sure my husband would be.  This is the PRE TEEN PROGRAM description

Pre-teens Program

Kids Have the Time of Their Lives

Not yet a tween or teen, but getting there fast, sometimes it can be hard to contain all the exuberance of youthful spirits. At Beaches we celebrate this positive energy and channel it into an unending slew of fun-filled activities for this ever-active age group. Sailing, snorkeling (ages 8-10), swimming, beach volleyball, beach soccer, scavenger hunts, glass bottom boat rides, pizza making, reggae jam sessions and on and on an unbelievable array of incredible options abounds! At Beaches we're dedicated to making sure that, from first thing in the morning until the sun goes down at night, your children simply have a blast.

Please bring:

• Swimsuits
• Change of clothes
• Sun screen

• Sun Screen
• Comfy toy (if used)
• Beach toys
• Beach hat

I want Drew to parcipate fully in all of this but.....I worry about him not being able to keep up and fully participte.

THEN I SAW THIS

Children with Special needs

Children with special needs may require a one to one coordinator/nanny. This service is offered so that they can actively participate in all activities with the special care and support they need. There is a fee of US$8.00/hour for this service.

EXACTLY what I want.  I can leave Drew and he can participate in the activities but at the same time have an adult buddy who is right there should there be an issue.  Someone assigned to Drew who could understand he just needed an extra hand from time to time if the stress got to be too much and at the same time would let Drew what all the other kids were doing. 8.00 an hour is a small price to pay for my son to get to do all the vacation activities that he wants.

I have been excited about this trip to BEACHES NEGRIL.  And know that Drew can particpate at not feel left out makes it even better.

I applaud BEACHES for taking this innovative step of inclusion for all guests and can't wait to report back after we go. 

I personally can't wait to go on the water park. Or eat at the restaurants or lay on the beach.

If you are interested in booking an all inclusive (airfare extra) trip to Sandals (adults only) Beaches (family) contact me at travelnwithtink@gmail.com OR click the envelope in the upper right corner and tell me where you want to go and i will get back to you within 24 hours.