Questions? Why do I ask? Part 1

So, what kind of questions do I ask and why are they so important?

 

For starters, I need to know about THIS particular vacation.  We need a place to start.  Knowing what you are looking for is a perfect place to start.

 

I need to know who is going.  Is it just your family?  Maybe the grandparents? A couple of cousins, or maybe you are taking a friend or two of the kids.  Speaking of kids, what are the ages of the kids?  Some places, for instance Disney, have different prices and plans for different ages of children.

 

Then I will need some information about past vacations.  What worked, and what didn’t work?  What did you like?  What didn’t you like?  The more I know about your past vacations the better I can help plan this perfect vacation.

 

Where did you stay on your past vacations?  Did you stay at a motel on the highway?  Or did you stay at a chain hotel close to the center of the city?  Or did you choose a five star resort recommended by a business associate? What did you like or not like about those stays?

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?  Don’t have any spare time?  Then we really need to get busy on this vacation!  Having leisure time with your family is very important to both your wellbeing and theirs!

 

Describe to me your perfect vacation.  Is it relaxing with a good book by the beach?  Is it hiking to historical sites?  Is it a relaxing spa day?  An exhilarating shopping excursion looking for that one perfect gift?  A day full of family memories? A day without the kids?

 

Now, remember I said perfect, not necessarily what you are looking for in THIS trip.  Why?  It gives me an idea about your personality.  Are you a hustle and bustle 9 to 5 type person who is looking for a relaxing family vacation to reconnect with your family, or are you a hustle and bustle 9 to 5 type person who is looking to spend a vacation showing your family every possible inch of an amusement park?

 

Are your dates flexible?  Do you only get one week for vacation at the same time each year?  Are the kids in school and you can only travel during school breaks?

 

What about the kids?  What are they into?  Roller Coasters or pirates?  Princesses or robots?  Do they love history?  Are they into animals so much you would have a zoo in your back yard if you would let them?

 

Are you still with me?  I know you told me right off the bat you want to take Johnny and Susie to their first Disney trip, just like your parents did when you were younger.  But you came to me for my expertise.  Either because you don’t have the time for the research, or you don’t know where to start.  Anyone can pull up the Disney site and book a room.  But then, that wouldn’t be YOUR perfect vacation. 

 

So far I have asked lots of questions, listened to your answers and taken a ton of notes.  And we have only just begun.  But you notice, I have not mentioned budget yet.  We will get to that point a little later.  Right now I want to get to know you a bit better.  I need to know how upset little Susie is going to be if she has to miss that presentation on castles she has been working so hard on for school.  I need to know that while Johnny is a thrill junkie, he has a secret crush on Belle.  I need to know that while Grandma is a very active person, she needs her quiet time and space…

 Come back next week for part 2...this is where we will start talking about the budget!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning a trip to Disney?

There are many things to consider when planning your ideal trip.  My ideal trip would be drastically different from yours.  That is why it is so important for travel professionals to ask so many questions! Those questions help me get a better idea on exactly what you are looking for in your ideal trip.  After I know these things we can talk about budget.  Even a “do it all” vacation can be done on a budget. It is all a matter of priorities.

 

Some people think budget is the most important factor in deciding on the parts of your Disney trip.  I disagree completely!  While it is important to keep the budget in mind, it is more important to have that perfect family experience that makes you want to go back.  Contrary to what most people think, it is not necessary to break the bank to have a Disney family vacation that is tailor made to YOUR family. 

 

There are many cost cutting tips that can ensure you have the perfect vacation.  One is the Disney dining plan.  Is it right for YOUR family?

Well, let’s talk about how your family likes to eat on vacation.  Do you like to grab something quick so you don’t miss out on any family fun?  Do you prefer to stop at nice restaurants and ‘recharge your batteries’?  Do you prefer buffet meals with the more varieties they offer? Do you like to have a couple of adults only meals?

 

Let’s talk about it.  There may be a dining plan that works perfect for you and YOUR family – or we may find it is better to skip the plan and pay as you go.

 

With over 20 personal family Disney trips under my belt, I have the experience to help guide you through all the confusing issues of planning YOUR perfect trip.