MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet – Stacy Conrad

MickeyTravels is excited about our new initiative – The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet. We will feature a different MickeyTravels agent on a daily 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 Stacy Conrad from Louisiana!

Name: Stacy Conrad

Where are you from? I am from South Texas, but transplanted to the Louisiana Gulf Coast

First memory of Disney? My first memory of Disney was our family’s first road trip in 1978. It took 2 days and I remember the excitement. Once we arrived, we entered the park, I nearly ran into Robin Hood, The Fox and was terrified, but the fear soon turned to excitement when I stood on Main Street and looked up. The castle was more beautiful and magical than I could have ever imagined. Returning year after year, I must say the feeling never goes away.

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? Being able to shut the world out and with family in a setting like no other, where the line between fantasy and reality is a blur.

Favorite Disney destination and why? Hands down, Walt Disney World because it brings me back to my childhood.

Favorite Disney Character and why? Ariel is my absolute favorite character because I feel as though I can relate to her story. She overcame so many obstacles and never let anything hold her back from her dreams. She was strong and passionate about what she wanted.

Favorite Disney Attraction and why? It’s a Small World. It’s a classic. It has been my favorite since I was a small child and will always be.

Favorite Disney Resort and why? Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort. After a long day at the parks, it is so nice to walk into Wilderness Lodge, sit in a rocking chair in front of the fireplace or the geyser in the lobby and feel like you are at a secluded resort in the mountains. It’s like two vacations in one!

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why? Be Our Guest, not only for the atmosphere, but the excitement trying to get the reservation to the food. It is amazing!

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why? Tangerine Cafe in Epcot is my favorite quick service restaurant because Greek food is my weakness.

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? Ariel, Alice and the Stepsisters. Have you ever met them? They are hilarious. It would definitely be an entertaining meal.

Favorite Disney snack and why? Dole Whip! Is there anything else?

Favorite Disney Movie and why? The Little Mermaid because Ariel is my favorite!

3 Favorite Disney Song and why? It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, one of my favorite rides. Main Street USA, no matter where I am in the world, when I hear “Im walkin right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.” I stop whatever I am doing and am instantly standing right in front of the castle. It’s a Small World, because it truly is a small, small world.

Disney character you’re most similar to and why? That depends on the day of the week and who you ask.

If you could be one Disney mascot for a day who would it be and why? Cinderella! She is an original!

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? Animal Kingdom as a performer in The Festival of the Lion King, my favorite show at Disney.

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent? There are so many things I love about my job, but the overwhelming feeling of joy I get when my clients send me updates from their vacations and tell me that they couldn’t have done it without me truly tops the cake.

Why should I book my vacation with you? Having traveled to Disney World since the mid-70s, I grew up with Disney. I watched parks and resorts being built from the ground up. I am passionate about my clients vacations and handle them as if they were my own. I don’t keep office hours and am always available for my clients. Best of all, I handle as much or as little of your vacation as you wish and will make sure that it is more than magical.

Feel free to reach out to Stacy with any questions or comments. Stacy can be reached at stacy@mickeytravels.com or 337-849-3937. She can also be found on our website at www.mickeytravels.com/stacy

 

Transportation to and from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

In June I decided to stay at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time. Usually I stay in the moderate level (mostly Port Orleans Riverside) because I just cannot justify the expense of a deluxe resort. We literally only sleep in the room and usually don’t even use the pool.  However, I was able to get a “room promotion” and you saved 30% off a deluxe, verses 20% off a moderate so that narrowed the price gap a bit. I absolutely loved the Wilderness Lodge and felt the price difference was well worth it! I loved the layout, the pool, the restaurants, the location but hands down the transportation was the BEST! I am sure I will blog about the other features at some point, but transportation had to be first!

BUSES- My mom, 15 month old son, and I NEVER waited for a bus more than 3-5 minutes our entire stay! We were there for 5 days in JUNE and still NEVER waited for a bus. I would chalk if up to good luck but really 5 days, of not waiting!? I have waited 20+ minutes at Riverside for a bus in the fall and winter slow periods. I don’t think not waiting at all is typical, but I can say without a doubt the buses run much quicker at Wilderness Lodge verses Riverside and Caribbean beach from my experience. This was true both to and from the parks. We also never had a bus full enough where we had to stand. This was wonderful! It was honestly the first time in years that I did not have to stand at all on a bus on my trip and I usually travel in less crowded seasons!

BOAT to Magic Kingdom- This was pretty much the most magical boat ever! Traveling with a young child, you spend so much time at the Magic Kingdom and the monorail resorts are not in everyone’s budget. If you plan to go with little ones, I HIGHLY recommend Wilderness Lodge because of the boat service. It is a direct boat ride to and from the Magic Kingdom and only services Wilderness Lodge. It is a short but beautiful ride and in the 5 days we only waited once. Literally the boat was unloading or pulling up every time we needed it except once. The one time we did wait, it was 15-20 minutes, but for 5 days it was pretty amazing! There are actually two types of boats that run the route and I have to say I did prefer one over the other. The smaller boat, a pontoon style, held less guests and you had to collapse your strollers. The larger boat was enclosed with a deck and you could roll your strollers right on. Please note that you do have to collapse strollers on all Disney buses but can leave them open on the monorail (for comparison). Another thing to mention is that two of our four nights we left during the fireworks (I have waited an hour or more for a bus in the past at this time) and we hopped right on a boat. You get an excellent view of Wishes (fireworks) from the boat. I wish they would play the music on the boat 🙂

I really cannot say enough great things about my experience at Wilderness Lodge and will definitely stay there again, especially while my son is young.

Are you interested in learning more about a Disney vacation? My services are 100% FREE!

Make it a magical day!
Julie Hauck *o*
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
MickeyTravels, LLC
1-513-313-9531 (cell)
julie@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com
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Whispering Canyon Cafe

“KETCHUP!!!! We need KETCHUP!!!!” As 10-20 bottles of ketchup suddenly arrive at your table, you realize why the Whispering Canyon Cafe at Walt Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is one of the more entertaining dining options available outside of the Parks.