MickeyTravels Virtual Meet & Greet with Kelli Donohue

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 Kelli Donohue from Indiana!

Name: Kelli Donohue

Where are you from?  Valparaiso, Indiana

First memory of Disney?  Riding Journey into the Imagination with Figment! I was 3 or 4 years old and remember being completely pulled into the magic! I of course then did what every young child does and threw a fit until my parents bought me a stuffed Figment….I still have it to this day and I’m almost 40!

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? EVERYTHING!  I think the most amazing thing for me, is the ability to be fully submersed into everything from classic fairy tales to the more modern movies. It’s where characters become real to the young audience and allow adults a trip down memory lane.

Favorite Disney destination and why? Walt Disney World takes the trophy for me. WDW is huge and offers so many things to do and many different places to stay. So much so that no matter how many times you go, it’s a different experience each visit. It’s the only place, in my opinion, that offers something for every age.

Favorite Disney Character and why?  The boss himself, Mickey Mouse! He is so widely recognized and adored by so many. You can’t look at Mickey and not think Disney!

Favorite Disney Attraction and why?  Not so much an attraction as it is place, for me. The World Showcase in EPCOT is amazing!  The only place I know where you can visit France and Mexico in the same day. I also love the fact that my 4-year-old son and husband enjoy it as much as I do! There are so many opportunities to learn and explore different cultures plus sample some amazing food!

Favorite Disney Resort and why? Beach Club! The close proximity to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is key for my family and me. Those 2 parks are our favorites and being able to take a stroll or hop on the boat, to either park, in the morning is perfect! Secondly, the pool at Beach Club is out of this world! It’s a perfect spot to relax and unwind after a day at the park. Details are crazy from the sand bottom pool to the Shipwrecked Pirate Ship slide!

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why?  Raglan Road Irish Pub for the win! Raglan has become a family tradition for us since my son’s first visit 3 years ago. The upbeat and fun atmosphere plus the incredibly talented Irish Dancers and Irish bands keep us coming back time after time. My son loves the opportunity to join the dancers on stage for a little Irish Dance lesson and my husband and I love that it’s a fun pub environment that you typically would find in the middle of Dublin, but very family friendly.  The food and service are phenomenal as well.

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why?  Pecos Bills at Magic Kingdom has become my favorite. I am addicted to Chipotle and since the menu was reimagined into Chipotle-like fare it’s a must stop for a quick lunch every visit! We never miss it!

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? If I could have my pick, it wouldn’t be characters at all but rather the man behind the empire, Walt Disney. I would love to be able to sit down with him and learn everything from a first source. I would love to pick his brain on everything from business to family.

Favorite Disney snack and why? The classic mickey pretzel with a cup of Cheese sauce is my must have snack. Mickey shaped food is so fun to eat!

Favorite Disney Movie and why?  Mary Poppins is my number one pick for favorite movie. Such a great story line as well as a classic, catchy, musical score.

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?  When You Wish Upon a Star, Zip-a-de-do-dah, and How Far I’ll go.  Each song is a wonderful reminder that you can achieve anything as long as you believe. Life is short, be happy and grateful for each day!

Disney character you’re most similar to and why?  Alice in Wonderland!  Much like Alice, I am super curious by nature, which can sometimes put me in a very precarious spot. No matter what rabbit hole I fall into I always find my way back unscathed and wiser.

If you could be one Disney character for a day who would it be and why? I secretly would like to be Kylo Renn. How fun would it be to take on the character for a day and give the rebellion supporters a hard time! Too much fun in that! Plus, Kylo Renn, is my son’s favorite Star Wars character, so there you go!

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? I want to be a balloon handler at Magic Kingdom! Think about it, your office is the middle of Main Street surrounded by the sights and smells all while holding a handful of joy! Sounds like the perfect job to me!

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent? The best part is my ability to help make a vacation the most AMAZING EVER and the ability to help create magic whether it’s a first visit or the 900^th visit. I enjoy sharing my knowledge gained and sharing the many tips and tricks that I have acquired over the years.

Why should I book my vacation with you? Let me do the work, while you relax! There are enough stressors with a vacation besides having to plan your itinerary, dining, FastPasses, lodging…etc. Sit back, relax and know that you are in good hands with my expertise.

Contact me at kelli@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 Lori Vogt

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 Lori Vogt from Illinois!

Name:  Lori Vogt

Where are you from?  Northwest Suburb of Chicago, IL

First memory of Disney?  I was 5 or 6 years old and was at Disney World with all of my mom’s side of the family.  My Nana wasn’t a huge fan of rides, but I convinced her to go on the Tea cups, telling her it was a baby ride.  I spun her on the Tea Cups as fast as I could, laughing the entire time she kept yelling “you tricked me!”.  It became our ride at Disney World for years to come.

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? Disney to me is magical in every aspect. The story of Walt Disney creating Mickey Mouse and having a vision for a place where families could make memories, and then creating that vision, is such a great story of determination and dreaming.  It’s a place where you can all wear matching shirts, act like a kid, and eat ice cream as a meal.  You can leave your troubles at the door and enjoy spending time with your loved ones, which makes a magical experience.

Favorite Disney destination and why? Magic Kingdom is my favorite destination.  Walking onto Main street and seeing the castle creates such a wonderful magical feeling. It is the first place I go when I get to Disney World and I always end my vacation with fireworks at night.  It’s where everyone no matter your age can be a kid.

Favorite Disney Character and why?  I have two, Tigger and Tinkerbell!  I have always loved Tigger, he is caring towards his friends, loves adventure, and always enjoys the “bounce” to places not just the destination. Tinkerbell, she holds the pixie dust, creates magic everywhere she goes.

Favorite Disney Attraction and why?  Splash Mountain.  I love the story along the ride, and the big fall down.  It is one of the longest rides at the Magic Kingdom and I think they have a great story on the ride from start to finish.  I also love looking onto all of the Magic Kingdom right before you fall.

Favorite Disney Resort and why? Polynesian Resort.  I love that it is right on the monorail, and the view from the beach of Cinderella’s Castle.  More importantly, I love the feel of the resort.  It is in the middle if the madness but walking through the resort I feel like I am on a Hawaiian Island, it is so relaxing and peaceful.  My favorite kids pool is located here as well!

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why?  With kids – Crystal Palace Breakfast, a great buffet selection and I love the Winnie the Pooh characters.  Without kids – California Grill.  The food is amazing, and the view of Cinderella’s Castle and the Magic Kingdom is so impressive.

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why?  Casey’s Hot Dogs at the Magic Kingdom.  Their hot dogs are delicious and I love sitting at a table and watch all the people walking around Main Street.

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why?  Mickey, Tinkerbell, and Tigger.  Mickey is the boss so I need to eat with him!  Tinkerbell in hopes that she can share some pixie dust, and Tigger for some laughs!

Favorite Disney snack and why?  Mickey Bar!  A great delicious treat for a hot day!  It is a must every time we are at Disney!

Favorite Disney Movie and why?  Moana.  I love the story of a girl going out on her own and with determination saving her village.  She believed in herself and what she believed, and never gave up!  I feel that this was such a great message for girls everywhere.

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?  “Under The Sea” – Little Mermaid, This is such a fun song, I can’t help but sing along, “Tale as old as time” – Beauty and the Beast, Hopeless Romantic in me  “How Far I’ll go” – Moana – a great uplifting song for everyone

Disney character you’re most similar to and why?  Anna from Frozen.  I love being around people, have a huge imagination, can be silly at times and love adventure.  I want to fix and help my family members.  I love being in love, and wear my heart on my sleeve.

If you could be one Disney character for a day who would it be and why?  Mickey.  I would love to see all everyone’s face when they meet Mickey for the first or 100^th time.  Mickey is timeless and seeing how he affects everyone would be magical!

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? Guest Services at Magic Kingdom.  It is my favorite park and I want to make everyone’s trip as magically as possible!

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent?  I love Disney, I love vacations, and I love planning.  I am so happy I found a job that allows me to do all 3 and make magic happen for other families.

Why should I book my vacation with you?  I am a Type A personality, I love organization, and care so much about my clients.  Every clients vacation, I treat as my vacation, I want them to have the best time possible.  I love to hear my clients vision and creating that vacation for them.  I have been to Disney as a child, teenager, adult, and parent, so I can recommend any type of vacation for your family.

Contact me at lvogt@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 Erin Toomey-Christie

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 Erin Toomey-Christie from Chicago, IL!

Name​: Erin Toomey-Christie

Where are you from?​ Chicago, IL

First memory of Disney?​ Magic Kingdom! I was actually an adult when I first visited Disney World. I remember stepping onto Main Street and being overwhelmed by all of its charm and magic. I knew I was hooked.

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes?​ The detail, attention, and ingenuity behind every aspect of the parks and resorts is extraordinary. I truly feel transported to my happy place the moment I board the Magical Express. No matter how many times I visit, I always find something new to explore and enjoy on each trip.

Favorite Disney destination and why?​ Walt Disney World! Whenever I visit, I feel happy and carefree. My husband and I love traveling to Disney together so we can experience all of the attractions and shows, enjoy the many amazing restaurants, explore the theming of each resort, and immerse ourselves in Walt’s vision. We are so excited to introduce our son (arriving in September!) to the magic of Disney World, too!

Favorite Disney Character and why?​ I have so many favorite characters from Ariel to Elsa. But I’d say I’m a Mickey Mouse fan because he’s the mouse that started it all!

Favorite Disney Attraction and why? ​This is such a hard one for me because I love so many of them! As of right now, I’d say it’s a tie between Splash Mountain and Haunted Mansion. These are my must-ride attractions when I visit Disney. I love the theming and whimsy of Splash Mountain, and I can’t get enough of the detail and imagination behind Haunted Mansion; plus, it’s a Disney classic!

Favorite Disney Resort and why?​ Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! We LOVE it’s amazing location, which is walking distance to the International Gateway at Epcot. We also love the theming! It’s so much fun to explore the BoardWalk, check out the restaurants and shops located there, and watch the boats float by on Crescent Lake.

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why? ​California Grill is my FAVORITE! First of all, it’s location at the very top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is incredible; you truly cannot beat the view here. Plus, the food is exceptional! It’s always fresh and flavorful, and I’m often sad when I finish my meal! We also love to watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom from the rooftop deck. We make it a point to stop here on every trip!

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why? ​La Cantina de San Angel in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion is very yummy. It’s fun to grab-and-go items like nachos or chips and guacamole or to sit down and enjoy some tacos or empanadas at one of the tables alongside the World Showcase Lagoon.

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why?​ 1. Genie – he’d definitely bring some laughter and fun to any dinner party. 2. Olaf – he’d brighten up things with his warm hugs. 3. Mickey Mouse – because he’s Mickey Mouse, and what’s a dinner party without Mickey?! Favorite Disney snack and why?​ I am obsessed with the sugar sprinkle cookie from the BoardWalk Bakery. It’s so good that during my most recent visit I brought several back home with me and put them in the freezer to enjoy later! Although, I’m also a sucker for an ice cream sundae from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street.

Favorite Disney Movie and why?​ ​The Little Mermaid​ is my all-time favorite Disney movie. I remember seeing this film in the theater with my mom, which is a special memory in itself. I wanted to be Ariel! I loved her singing voice, her passion, and her amazing hair. (Yes, I did style my bangs like Ariel for quite a while.) But I also admired her bravery to fight for what she loves – whether her friends like Flounder or her true love, Prince Eric. I love that I can board a clam shell at “Under the Sea” in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland and ride my way through the film!

3 Favorite Disney Songs and why?​ 1. “Part of Your World” from ​The Little Mermaid. There’s something about this song that makes me want to sing it publicly to the embarrassment of friends and family members. 2. “Colors of the Wind” from ​Pocahontas. I love the melody, lyrics, and message of this song. 3. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from ​The Lion King. It’s such a pretty song, and it really does capture the feeling of love! Disney character you’re most similar to and why?​ I think I have a little Princess Anna in me, or should I say, a little of Princess Anna’s awkwardness in me. I also think I share some of her optimism and compassion – and we definitely have similar bedhead in the morning.

If you could be one Disney character for a day who would it be and why?​ I’d love to be Princess Tiana! She’s smart, independent, kind, brave, daring, and an exceptional cook! I’d love to learn some kitchen tricks and tips from her!

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why?​ I’d love to be a performer in any of the Disney Parks! I think it would be so rewarding to interact with guests as their favorite characters or as one of Disney’s many parade performers. I’d be happy doing anything that put a smile on guests’ faces!

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent?​ Forming so many wonderful relationships with so many wonderful families! I love getting to know people from across the world, and it’s very fulfilling to help families plan the perfect Disney trip! It brings me so much joy when I can help make my clients’ vacations memorable and magical.

Why should I book my vacation with you? ​I’d love to form a partnership with you as you plan your next vacation to one of Disney’s many magical destinations! Together, we can customize the perfect vacation for you, including your resort accommodations, dining options, touring plans, FastPass+ selections, etc. My priority is YOU and your family, and I am committed to ensuring your Disney vacation is memorable, special, and stress-free. I’d love to add some magic to your future Disney trip!

Contact me at erintc@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!