MickeyTravels Virtual Agent Meet & Greet with Melissa Abbott

MickeyTravels is excited to bring back The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet! We will 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 Melissa Abbott from Plainfield, IL!

Name: Melissa Abbott

Where are you from? Plainfield, IL.

First memory of Disney? I was 10 years old, we had never taken a vacation before. My sister had Cerebral Palsy, we smiled and laughed together not needing words, we made memories. It was the best days of our lives together.

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? The happy memories I make there on every vacation, I get to share the past with my family, and make new memories with my family. I also like that I get to check my worries at the door. That cast members and the Disney service likes to pamper and take care of us.

Favorite Disney destination and why? Walt Disney World is my home. I like that it offers 4 parks, something for everyone. Each Park is an adventure!

Favorite Disney Character and why? Mickey Mouse! It all started with him, & he’s my BFF!

Favorite Disney Attraction and why? It’s a classic, Small World! It was my first ride, my sister’s favorite ride, my kids’ first ride. It’s one of our first rides and last rides on our trip!

Favorite Disney Resort and why? Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary. I have a young family of five. We like the living space, full kitchen, and privacy. I also like being a 10-15-minute walk to Magic Kingdom, or a monorail ride away!

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why? Ohana, I like the Polynesian/Asian/American fusion. The service is good. The music and kids activates are nice. The atmosphere and views are relaxing.

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why? Harbor House! I like the ample and quiet seating upstairs. The views are neat too!

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? Not necessarily a character, If I could I would pick Walt Disney, I have so many questions, and would love to hear some stories. I’d like Mickey and Donald to be there too!

Favorite Disney snack and why? I have to pick one?! Dole Whip, Pretzel from Germany, and a Butter Finger Cupcake from Starring Rolls!!!!!

Favorite Disney Movie and why? Meet the Robinsons, sure I love the classics and new movies, but this one is overlooked. “Keep Moving Forward”!

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why? “When Somebody Loves You”, “Baby Mine”, “When Wish Upon a Star”… that last one chokes me up when I’m standing on Main Street U.S.A. looking the castle!
Disney character you’re most similar to and why? Sadness, but not in a gloomy way, I like to say although she had to deal with the unhappy events, she found a way to turn them around into more, to find joy in the more difficult times. She’s also honest and smart!

If you could be one Disney mascot for a day who would it be and why? Mickey Mouse, he’s everyone’s friend, and everyone loves him!

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? I would want to be a tour cast member, I enjoy history, I also enjoy making people feel happy and special!

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent? I like every aspect, it’s like puzzle. You get bits and pieces, slowly it comes together. Then quickly it’s put together for all to enjoy. I get to talk with people and learn about their lives and families. I learn what they like and don’t like. They become my family and friends, I enjoy making them happy, and love hearing how their trips went and what memories they made! I am also a Disney Nerd, so this gives me a chance to talk Disney all the time!!!

Why should I book my vacation with you? I love my job; it’s rewarding to help make people happy! I like to provide a warm, friendly, and customizable service to my clients. I am as involved as you want me to be. I do the leg work for you!

Melissa can be contacted by calling Toll Free: 844-400-0114 or via email mabbott@mickeytravels.com – she can also be found on our website by clicking here!

MickeyTravels Virtual Agent Meet & Greet with Amanda Stark

MickeyTravels is excited to bring back The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet! We will 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 Amanda Stark from Albany, NY!

Name:  Amanda Stark

Where are you from?  I live in Latham, New York which is right outside of Albany, New York with my husband Pat and 2 little girls Caroline and Charlotte.

First memory of Disney?  My very first memory of Disney is back in 1988 when I was 7 years old. It was during my first visit to Walt Disney World. It was pouring rain as we were there during a Tropical Storm. I remember wearing our Mickey Ponchos and not even caring about the rain as I experienced Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World for the first time. I remember the amazing sights and sounds such as Mickey’s Birthdayland show in what used to be Toontown and riding Journey into Imagination with Figment in EPCOT.

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes?    There is nothing anywhere in the world like Disney. There isn’t a place you can visit where you can truly experience Magic like you can at the Disney Parks and resorts. The music and the sights and smells that you experience everywhere are like no other.  Disney Parks are like a second home to me.  Growing up as a child my family made so many Magical Memories through the years there and now as an adult I am still making Magical Memories with my family that continues to grow.  Watching your child’s face light up when they meet Mickey for the first time or ride It’s a Small World is absolutely magical.

Favorite Disney destination and why?  I would have to say Walt Disney World is my favorite Disney Destination, although I really love Disneyland as well!  I have so many wonderful memories at Walt Disney World that going there is like going home.

Favorite Disney Character and why?  I would say Cinderella. She is brave and kind, two of the most important things I want my girls to always be.

Favorite Disney Attraction and why?  If I had to pick my most favorite of all time that would probably be the SpectroMagic Parade that ended at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in 2010. I will never forget the amazing music and when one of the Dwarfs came by and kissed my hand during the parade.  My favorite attraction that is still there today would be the People Mover in Tomorrowland because I love just taking in the sights and sounds of Tomorrowland. Also Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland as I just love the theming and when they say “This here’s the wildest ride in the Wilderness. “

Favorite Disney Resort and why? I really love Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The feel of the resort is amazing and it is right on the monorail so you are just 2 stops away from the Magic!  I also really love Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Being able to walk right into Epcot’s World Showcase from the hotel is wonderful! I also love the Boardwalk area where the Beach Club is located at night and Stormalong Bay, the amazing pool area there can’t be beat!

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why?  My favorite Disney Restaurant is Tutto Italia in EPCOT’s World Showcase. The food is absolutely delicious and the atmosphere is quite romantic.  During one of our trips to WDW with my family, Patrick and I ate there for the first time in 1997 when we were seventeen. Now twenty years later and married we still visit Tutto Italia on every trip together. Close favorites are Coral Reef and Chef Mickeys.

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why?  My favorite is Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom. I love that they have 2 floors for seating and the menu is terrific. We have food allergies in our party and they have some great options there! I also like Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland because if you grab a table by the glass window you can watch the boats from It’s a Small World go by.

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? Definitely Mickey, Donald and Goofy! Those guys are the best and I bet they have some great stories to share!

Favorite Disney snack and why? A Turkey Leg in Frontierland! Couldn’t eat one anywhere else, great memories!

Favorite Disney Movie and why?  The Little Mermaid. I think I fell in love with Disney music after seeing this movie.

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?  It is so hard to just pick 3!  My favorite 3 would be “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah,” “When You Wish upon a Star” and “Part of Your World.” The first two are just classic Disney and I love them both. I danced and sang to Zip-a-dee-doo-dah when I was 6 in a talent show at school. When You Wish upon a Star reminds me so much of Walt Disney World and Disneyland and to always keep dreaming.  Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid is special to me because we traveled a lot when I was younger for my mom’s job. We were living in Australia for over a year and my Dad had come to see us as he was still working in the US and we went to see that movie. I remember singing that song so much growing up.

Disney character you’re most similar to and why? I would say I am most similar to Snow White. My family tells me that as I am always trying to care of everyone.  Also, I met my wonderful husband at 16 and we dated for 10 years before getting married.  We have now been married for 10 years with 2 beautiful little girls. I fall in love with him more every day and feel so lucky to know that my Prince Charming came.

If you could be one Disney mascot for a day who would it be and why? Definitely Mickey Mouse! Mickey is the main man! I have loved him for as long as I can remember!

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? I definitely would want to be in one of the parades at the Magic Kingdom. That would be an amazing experience to be able to wave and see all of those smiling faces looking up at you.

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent? I think people aspire to have a job in life that they truly love. I absolutely love my job, I can say that whole heartedly.  I have always had a big place in my heart for Disney and have been planning my family’s vacations since I was 12. So this job is the perfect fit for me and I love every minute!

Why should I book my vacation with you? Every one of my clients is so very important to me. I know how important your vacation is to your family just as my vacation is to my family. I am available when it is convenient for you. Need to plan after the kids go to bed or on the weekend, whatever is easiest for you I am here. Don’t want to get up at 6am to make dining reservations 180 days before your trip, that is what I am here for! I have experienced the different hotels, restaurants, rides and special experiences and would love to share my tips and strategies with you.

Amanda can be contacted by calling 866-706-2878 or via email astark@mickeytravels.com – she can also be found on our website by clicking here!

MickeyTravels Virtual Agent Meet & Greet with Stephanie Lawless

MickeyTravels is excited to bring back The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet! We will 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 Lawless from Denver, CO!

Name:  Stephanie Lawless

Where are you from?  I am originally from the Syracuse area in Central New York, but have moved around a bit due to my husband’s career as a trauma surgeon, so I spent 5 years living in Allentown PA, followed by 3 years in Houston TX, and have finally settled comfortably in Denver, Colorado. The beauty of the situation is, no matter where I live, I’m only a plane ride away from Disney!

First memory of Disney?  My first visit was the weekend I graduated from High School in 2000, and I was so excited I couldn’t sleep the night before we left! Animal Kingdom had just opened and I couldn’t wait to get there! I even got to meet Baloo and King Louie which was my first ever Meet and Greet experience! Plus I got the see the giant 2000 display on Spaceship Earth at Epcot, it was so magical!

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? The ability to be transported into a different world once you walk through the gates. You leave all the worries you have behind you as you are transported into all these magical adventures and stories. You feel like a kid again, and it’s a wonderfully freeing feeling!

Favorite Disney destination and why? I love Epcot at Walt Disney World because there is something so fun about being immersed in the World Showcase, and going around from country to country; each with it’s own sights sounds, smells and touches of magic! I love trying new food and drink at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival every Fall too!

Favorite Disney Character and why?  Mickey Mouse, because he started it all

Favorite Disney Attraction and why?  Space Mountain because I absolutely love all the surprising twists and turns you experience in the dark!

Favorite Disney Resort and why? Wilderness Lodge, because I love the feeling of being outdoors, and having the feeling of being in a giant lodge in the middle of the woods. Taking the boat to Magic Kingdom is such a wonderful experience too!

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why?  Le Cellier, because the filet with mushroom risotto and the pretzel rolls they serve are all to die for!

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why?  Columbia Harbour House, because I love the fish and chips!

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? Belle, so we could discuss the books we’ve read recently; Gaston, because I just feel I would laugh and roll my eyes the whole time no matter what he had to say, and Tinkerbell, because she’s always so interested in the human world, I feel we would have a lot to talk about!

Favorite Disney snack and why? White Chocolate Covered Caramel Apples- preferably in the form of Olaf 🙂

Favorite Disney Movie and why?  Beauty and the Beast has been my absolute favorite since I was a child. I found the music and the story so enchanting. To this day I have to sing along at the top of my lungs!

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?  Baby Mine: Dumbo, Friend Like Me: Aladdin, Belle: Beauty and the Beast

Disney character you’re most similar to and why? Probably Belle, because I always have my nose stuck in a book 😉

If you could be one Disney mascot for a day who would it be and why? Daisy, because she seems sassy, and I think she would be a blast to play.

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? I would love to be a PhotoPass Photographer, helping family capture those magical memories!

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent? Getting to talk about Disney ALL the time, and helping families navigate their first trip to the parks like pros! I love seeing their trip photos because it makes me realize how much I love what I do when I see them having the time of their lives.

Why should I book my vacation with you? I give your vacation the royal treatment, as if it were my own vacation. You may even learn a few tricks and tips from my own personal experiences of having been to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, as well as on the Disney Cruise Line. My family likes to travel to Disney multiple times a year, and I feel that keeps me up to date with all the changes and magical enhancements Disney makes. It’s good to have a Travel Agent like me on your side when you’re trying to navigate the ever-changing world of Disney 😉

Stephanie can be contacted by calling 315-404-7980 or via email slawless@mickeytravels.com – she can also be found on our website by clicking here!