MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet with Jennifer McCormack

July 24, 2017

MickeyTravels is excited to bring back The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet! We feature a different MickeyTravels agent on a regular basis. We’re proud to have the best Disney Travel agents in the world as part of our MickeyTravels team and this will allow you to get to know them even better. Today the spotlight shines on Jennifer McCormack from Minnesota!

Name: Jennifer McCormack

Where are you from?  I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, but I am a Chicago South Sider, through and through!

First memory of Disney?  Singing at Disney Magic Music days in high school

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes?  Disney is a place where adults can be carefree!  My kids and I can have the same amount of fun TOGETHER which I have to admit is not as common as I would like.  BUT I also have fun there without my kids. J  I enjoy that everyone at Disney is part of the story.  We are all players on stage in the fantasy.  Further, overall, the cast members on Disney property are second to none.

Favorite Disney destination and why? This is a toughie!  I cannot go a year without a trip (or 4) to Walt Disney World, but Aulani ranks up at least equal to WDW.  Aulani brings together Disney magic with a real-world culture of warm and welcoming people.  I have resonated with the Hawaiian people and culture since my first exposure a couple of decades ago because of the fact that everyone really is ohana.  Disney magic coupled with the Hawaiian culture is a very natural match.

Aulani is such a magical Disney destination

(Photo: E.J. Judge / CBS Digital)

Favorite Disney Character and why?  Jiminy Cricket is the Disney of my childhood, but more than that, he is Pinocchio’s conscience.  We all need a Jiminy Cricket.

Favorite Disney Attraction and why?  Toy Story Midway Mania!  This ride is pure joy for me!  This is probably partially because I’m competitive.  😉

Favorite Disney Resort and why?  Animal Kingdom Lodge.  When I enter into Jambo or Kidani, I truly feel like I am home.  It is warm and welcoming, awe-inspiring, and peaceful.  The cast members and African Cultural Representatives are always helpful and inclusive.  The resort activities are educational and more plentiful than other resorts, and my favorite restaurants on property are located at Animal Kingdom Lodge.  

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why?  Boma.  Boma has plentiful options for the whole family.  They always offer the standard fare, but they also have traditional African menu items.  Food is always fresh, and the servers are wonderful!

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why?  It is a toss up between Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot and Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom.  The fresh and flavorful French baguettes and crème brulee at Boulangerie Patisserie are mouth-watering.  But Flame Tree BBQ with the slow cooked chicken, pulled pork and ribs make it impossible for me to resist when I am in Animal Kingdom!

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia – Have you met those ladies?  They are a hoot! If I could add a fourth, Mad Hatter would be there, too!

Favorite Disney snack and why?  Citrus Swirl – I love the orange bird!

Favorite Disney Movie and why?   Monsters, Inc.  The premise of this movie is so clever, and it is a lesson that sometimes, we have to step outside of our narrow paths of understanding and consider alternative options in order to bring people together instead of perpetuate conflict.  It is also a story of friendship and loyalty.

Monster's Inc Movie

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?  “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” because every time I hear the intro, I am transported to the queue at Toy Story Midway Mania with my family which is so much fun for me that it brings tears to my eyes.  “Monsters, Inc. Theme” because it is just such jazzy fun that I smile every time I hear it.  “Wishes” because Jiminy Cricket says, “Wishes can come true, if you believe in them with all your heart. And the best part is, you’ll never run out of wishes. There, shining deep down inside of you, cuz that my friends…is where the magic lives.”

Disney character you’re most similar to and why? Ha!  I think that I would have to say an older, wiser Merida. I’m still feisty and determined, but more thoughtful and deliberate… most of the time. 😉

If you could be one Disney character for a day who would it be and why? If I could be one Disney character for a day, it would be Tinkerbell because she is sassy and she can FLY!

Tinkerbell

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why?  I know that this is silly, but I have always wanted to be a greeter at Magic Kingdom!  I want to pass out stickers to kids (and kids at heart), welcome them to this happy place, and answer questions to ensure a magical start to their day!

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent?  I LOVE that I can put all of this Disney knowledge, strategic expertise, and energy to use helping guests plan the most magical vacation possible while taking into consideration individual needs.

Why should I book my vacation with you?  Taking a Disney vacation is an investment.  It is an investment that takes time, money and planning to build relationships, joy and lifelong memories!  I find incredible personal satisfaction in sharing my experiences coupled with my analytical skills to build the best possible vacation for couples, families and groups! This does not look the same for everyone which is why listening to your vacation needs and desires is the most important component in planning your ideal Disney vacation. Let me know how I can help you get started!

Contact me at jmccormack@mickeytravels.com for all my FREE Disney vacation planning services.  I can’t wait to hear from you and to help make memories that will last forever!

MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet with Stephanie Pettiette

July 21, 2017

MickeyTravels is excited to bring back The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet! We feature a different MickeyTravels agent on a regular basis. We’re proud to have the best Disney Travel agents in the world as part of our MickeyTravels team and this will allow you to get to know them even better. Today the spotlight shines on Stephanie Pettiette from Mississippi!

Name: Stephanie Pettiette

Where are you from? I was born and raised in a small town in Mississippi.

First memory of Disney?  My first memory of Disney was  watching the movie Cinderella for the first time.  I would watch it on repeat!  When I was six years old, my parents decided it was time to take me to Disney World.  I still remember when I first met Cinderella.  My mom said I couldn’t even speak!  It was truly a dream come true!

Cinderella can be found at Walt Disney World and meeting her will make all your dreams come true!

 

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes?  I believe what makes Disney magical is a combination of many things, but one of the top reasons would be Disney’s constant strive to be the best they can be.  They are always changing and improving.  Anything is possible at Disney! It’s a chance for kids to just have fun and be kids and gives the adults the chance to relax and take you back to the joys of being a kid again.  Disney is timeless.

Favorite Disney destination and why? Walt Disney World!  It is truly where dreams come true.  Visiting Walt Disney World always brings back so many wonderful memories and now I get to make new memories with my kids.

Favorite Disney Character and why?  Cinderella.  It goes back to my first memory at Disney.  I still remember meeting her for the first time.  She has been my favorite since I was four years old.

Favorite Disney Attraction and why?  Soarin’ is my absolute favorite attraction!  The views and smells are amazing!  It feels like you are truly Soarin’!  It is always a must do!

Soarin located inside Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Favorite Disney Resort and why?  Disney’s Art of Animation.  Being a value resort, it often gets overlooked.  We have stayed a many different resorts, but this one really fits all the needs of our family.  Love the pools, decor, and restaurant!

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why? Be Our Guest.  It is truly magical stepping into the castle and seeing the rose from Beauty and The Beast is breathtaking!  The food is delicious too.  Being French cuisine, I was worried the kids might be picky to try different things but they loved it!!  This restaurant should be a must do on everyone’s list!

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why?  Flame Tree BBQ  at Animal Kingdom.  The food is delicious and the servings are huge.  Definitely the most bang for your buck!  The BBQ is so good and will give you a taste of everything!  It’s even big enough to share!

Flame Tree BBQ Disney

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why?

  1. Cinderella of course! She always has been and always will be my favorite Disney princess!
  2. Mickey Mouse. Who doesn’t want to have dinner with Mickey??? He’s the main man!
  3. Donald Duck. Growing up I remember when my dad would watch cartoons with me, Donald Duck was always his favorite. Donald Duck helped us share so many laughs together!  Great memories!

Favorite Disney snack and why?  Funnel cakes from Sleepy Hollow at Magic Kingdom.  They are SO good!!!  You can even top with ice cream!

Favorite Disney Movie and why?  Cinderella!  The story of Cinderella is a true fairy tale that I think lives in the heart of every little girl.

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?

  1. Kiss The Girl from Little Mermaid
  2. Bare Necessities from Jungle Book
  3. Hakuna Matata from Lion King

Hakuna Matata, from the Lion King, means no worries for the rest of your days

All of these songs are classics!  They are fun to sing along and really get you in the spirit of things!

Disney character you’re most similar to and why?  I would have to say Cinderella again. I mean she is my favorite lol!  I have related to her since a young age.  She was always so kind and helpful to everyone.  The world needs more Cinderellas!  🙂

If you could be one Disney character for a day who would it be and why?  Cinderella of course!  I have wanted to be her my whole life!  🙂

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why?  Walt Disney World and I would love to be Cinderella of course!  Did I mention she is my favorite?? 🙂

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent?  Getting to share your love for Disney with other families.  Getting to plan a vacation for someone that you know they will remember for the rest of their lives is one of the best feelings you can imagine!  It’s like going to Disney World every day!

Why should I book my vacation with you?  My passion for all things Disney is reflected in every detail of my vacation planning for you and your family.  I am there for you every single step of the way and make it my priority for you to come back home saying “that was the best vacation we have ever had!”

Contact me at spettiette@mickeytravels.com for all my FREE Disney vacation planning services.  I can’t wait to hear from you and to help make memories that will last forever!

MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet with Kim Hart

July 17, 2017

MickeyTravels is excited to bring back The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet! We feature a different MickeyTravels agent on a regular basis. We’re proud to have the best Disney Travel agents in the world as part of our MickeyTravels team and this will allow you to get to know them even better. Today the spotlight shines on Kim Hart from Baltimore, Maryland!

Name: Kim Hart

Where are you from?  Baltimore, MD

First memory of Disney?  Watching a live performance of Snow White & The Seven Dwarves at Radio City Music Hall when I was a child and falling completely in love with Snow White- to the extent that I used to sing and scrub our neighbor’s kitchen floor just to get her to give me an apple and act through the scene.

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? Disney inspires me to want to be a better person.  To believe that anything is possible.  To be hopeful that good will always win.  To know that love conquers all.  To see beauty in the smallest of things.  To use my creativity to problem solve.  And most importantly, to want to share that with other people.  That’s where the magic really exists for me.

Favorite Disney destination and why?  Walt Disney World is the most special Disney destination for me because I have so many memories there, and the nostalgia makes it that much more magical.  No matter what life stage I am in, Walt Disney World has managed to create experiences that I can enjoy.

Favorite Disney Character and why?  Snow White is my favorite Disney character.  I admire her grace, selflessness, and faith in others.

Favorite Disney Attraction and why?  Splash Mountain is my favorite attraction.  I remember when it first opened, and I was so nervous and excited to ride it.  After I “survived the mountain” I was so proud of myself.  I had memorized all the statistics and trivia regarding the ride, and I used to tell family & friends everything I knew about Splash Mountain (sometimes while riding my bike I pretended to be a tram driver talking to my imaginary guests- haha).  I love the songs and the detail of the story being brought to life throughout the ride.  I also like that there are multiple thrills and that the ride seems long & substantial enough to justify waiting in a line (though fast pass+ makes this easier to manage).  I always leave this ride with a smile on my face.

Favorite Disney Resort and why  The Grand Floridian is my favorite resort.  My first memory of the Grand Floridian was when I was 11-years old, and my family stopped at the Café for lunch.  I was in complete awe of the resort and have been a fan ever since.  I love the Victorian décor and the elegance of the resort (and the scent when you first walk into the resort is magnificent).  I also love listening to the live music in the lobby from both the pianist and the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.  I am happy just to relax in the lobby or take a walk around the grounds to soak up the ambiance.  The restaurants are fantastic, and the views of the Magic Kingdom make it one of the most magical places on the property in my opinion.  Holiday decorations at both Christmas and Easter make this hotel a must-see!  Even if I am not staying there, I always make a point to stop by this resort during a trip.

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why?  Victoria & Albert’s- it is not an everyday place but more of a special occasion place.  We went here on our honeymoon, and it was one of the best culinary experiences for us to date.  The food is incredible, the service is impeccable, and it is just a magical place for celebrating something special.  I’m not sure that there is another restaurant quite like it.

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why?  Artist’s Palette at Saratoga Springs.  I am a Disney Vacation Club member, and my home resort is Saratoga Springs.  I love stopping at Artist’s Palette for breakfast (hello Mickey waffles) before I head to the parks or getting a late-night treat after a long day!  They have a nice selection of items, and I’ve always been pleased with the food.

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why?  Timon, Tigger, and The Queen of Hearts because I think it would make for a hilariously entertaining evening (also with my last name being Hart, I’ve always had a fondness for the Queen)!

Favorite Disney snack and why? My favorite snack is a Dole Whip!  A Dole Whip is uniquely Disney, and it is just a refreshing treat, particularly on a warm day. (Hint: you can get a spiked version in the Animal Kingdom)

Favorite Disney Movie and why?  I cannot possibly pick one of the animated films as a favorite because I have too many, but one of my favorite Disney movies is The Happiest Millionaire which was made in 1967 and starred Fred MacMurray, Tommy Steele, and Lesley Ann Warren among others.  It has a colorful cast of characters and a fantastic score of songs.  In fact, one of the songs from the movie called “Fortuosity” can be heard in the Main Street USA loop in the Magic Kingdom.  Whenever I need a pick-me-up I watch it.

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?  Part of Your World because it is a song where I can sing my heart out and genuinely emote as I can relate to the message of the song.

Bella Notte because it reminds me of one of my favorite things- eating a delicious bowl of pasta al fresco on a “beautiful night.”  I love this song so much that my husband and I re-enacted the dining scene from Lady & the Tramp with the shared pasta noodle for an engagement photo.

Be Our Guest because I was fortunate enough to perform in two local productions of Beauty & the Beast, and both times my favorite number was “Be Our Guest.”  The dancing, the singing, and the overall spectacle of the scene made it fun for both the performers and the audience.  The energy from that number is something I will never forget.

Disney character you’re most similar to and why?  Probably Belle because I’ve always gone against the grain and challenged the status quo in search of a great adventure or a meaningful connection.

If you could be one Disney character for a day who would it be and why?  I’d want to be Cinderella.  I’d love visiting guests of the Magic Kingdom; it would melt my heart and likely be one of the best days of my life.  Perhaps as Cinderella I could ride in the coach and stay in the suite in the castle . . . ?

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? I would want to play Belle in the Beauty & the Beast live stage show in Hollywood Studios because I love singing and dancing, and I think it would be a fun experience.

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent?  Bringing joy to peoples’ lives- making these magical vacations possible!  When my clients tell me they are excited, I feel excited for them (probably more so).  That is when I know I am doing my job well!

Why should I book my vacation with you?  I want you to have a magical vacation that is perfect for YOUR needs/wants as we are all different.  I will listen to you and make suggestions where I see fit and work tirelessly to make all your trip desires a reality.  I want you to experience the magic that I have been so fortunate to experience so that you, too, can begin creating your own Disney memories and traditions.

Contact me at khart@mickeytravels.com for all my FREE Disney vacation planning services.  I can’t wait to hear from you and to help make memories that will last forever!



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