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On becoming a travel agent

“I love Disney! How can I become a travel agent?”

This is a question I get asked weekly (no joke). And I totally get it! Disney is a fun place to go, and it can be SO fun to put those plans together. I often tell people – this job is beyond rewarding and so fulfilling because I get to help make these once in a lifetime trips happen. But… there’s a lot to it, and it’s way more than just chatting about dining in the castle & hugging Mickey!

So what’s the truth about being a travel agent that specializes in Disney Destinations? The non-sugar coated version? Let’s get into it.

First, the basics.

What is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner?
Authorized Disney Vacation Planners (ADVP for short) are *not* individual agents, but rather a distinction given to agencies — these agencies are partnered with Disney to receive a distinction in the industry to show that the agency/their agents have undergone in-depth training and are authorized by Disney to represent themselves as partners of Disney. The individual agents cannot represent themselves as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, a Disney Travel Agent, etc. The agency is authorized, the agent is not — confusing, but important to note.

How do you become affiliated with an ADVP agency?
Searching out agencies that you vibe with + applying to work for that agency! It’s as simple as that. Of course, there are requirements that many agencies require you to fulfill in order to be considered. A few that my agency requires include: frequently visiting the Disney Parks, having gone on a Disney Cruise (or another cruise line). A bonus is if you have done both of these things since 2020, since so much has changed in the last few years.

How do you pick an agency?
First and foremost, if you have ever worked with a travel agent and you liked them – that’s a good place to start! It’s super flattering when a previous client asks about being a travel agent, it makes me feel like I have shown off the fun side of planning! If you’ve never worked with an agency, start with some simple google searches, such as “Earmarked Disney Travel Agency” and look at websites, read agent bios, look at their agent requirements, figure out if you might be a good fit. Some agencies are super big and that might be what you’re looking for — some might be really small, and that might be even better for you!

How do you get paid? What is the average pay like?
This is the tricky part — this is not a get rich quick kind of job. I think it goes without saying, but this is a primarily commission-based sales position. Traditionally, the agency gets paid by the supplier within 30 days of completing travel, and then the agency pays the agent a portion of that, based on your contract with the agency. So lets say I book a trip today for December 2024 — I am not getting paid for that work until January 2025. It’s a LOT of work upfront & for an extended period of time without seeing a dime. It’s kind of stressful, since cancelations happen all the time in this industry! You truly can’t count on any bookings to result in a payday until your client has physically checked in.
Commissions can vary pretty wildly – but on average, any given vacation is probably earning you around $200-300 in commission, sometimes more, sometimes less! It all depends on the vacation package booked. So when all is said and done, how much you make annually will depend on what you had travel that year + how much those commissions were.

Are there any other ways to make money as a travel agent?
Many agents are now charging fees — this is actually considered best practice by the American Society of Travel Agents, the leading association of travel advisors. After the pandemic, it became very clear that the current state of travel is very unstable and many times, the sheer amount of cancelations can result in hours and hours of work going unpaid. I personally have instituted a planning fee to ensure I am fairly compensated for the work that goes into the front end of planning a vacation; the result has been wonderful – it’s allowed me to have a more dependable income, I’m not as stressed about potential cancelations, and I can take on less clients! However, this has also come with a lot of pushback. The Disney niche is 100% known for offering “free” services, when really – it’s not free at all, you’re just doing a lot of upfront work for free in hopes that the guest doesn’t have to cancel!

How long does it take to start making money?
This depends! On average, you likely won’t see any substantial income for 2-3 years. That can become very defeating really quickly, but the truth is, it just takes time to get the ball rolling. It takes having clients booking + traveling, people beginning to recommend you to their family and friends + so on. I started in 2014, business picked up in 2017, came to a screeching halt in 2020, but boomed again in 2021. I went full time in the last quarter of 2020 (my 6th year in), and have been full time ever since.

What costs are associated with being a travel agent?
This can vary from agency to agency. Some will require an annual fee that covers your training, insurance, and access to agency tools (such as email, voicemail, CRM, etc). Some don’t require an annual fee, but will not cover your CRM and other tools.
Some agents choose to gift their clients something small before/during travel, and that is an out of pocket cost for the agent.
For me personally, I also took on additional costs for a more personalized website, an email platform for sending newsletters, and call scheduling tools. That said – those are not required of me and I willingly took those on. I operated on a zero-cost basis (outside of my agency’s annual fee) for the first few years I was in business.

What kind of training do you need to complete?
You will (traditionally!) complete any agency requirements they have for training — such as how to use their chosen CRM, how to quote a potential client, how to use the tools they provide, etc. Then, you should be completing any supplier-offered training for destinations you want to sell. It’s SO important to complete a supplier’s training if you want to sell it!

What kind of support do agencies provide? Am I just on my own?
It depends on the agency – not all are created equal! This is the number one question you should be asking when interviewing with an agency. Some agencies provide a TON of support and some provide a handbook of sorts and leave you to it. I have only worked with one agency in my career as a travel agent, but the agency I work for provides an incredible amount of support! We provide extensive training, a community to ask questions (there are no dumb questions here!), and so many resources on the backend. While you are on your own to start building your client base, we will provide all the support to ensure your success.

What skills do I need to be a travel agent?
A crazy amount of organization. Patience. Solid communication skills. Free time. Passion & drive. Ability to be a self-starter, without needing much direction. And at the end of the day — the natural ability to sell a very expensive product, because this is a sales job, after all.

What’s your day to day like?
My day will look pretty different from the average agent + one that isn’t full time. But generally, I keep office hours of 9 am – 5 pm, which means I take calls, answer emails, work on itineraries and outstanding quotes during this time. I spend one day a week working on my social media, and I spend another day doing the more “office work” end of things, such as paperwork, auditing my CRM to make sure everything is up to date, etc. I’m also the social media manager at my agency, so I spend a lot of time working on marketing for our agency, as well as addressing day to day things that come up in the agency.
On days that I have dining reservations to do for clients, my day begins at 4:30 am, and often – even though my ‘office hours’ end at 5 pm – I don’t shut down my computer until I go to bed around 9 pm.
All in all though, I try to keep my weekly hours to about 40-50 hours/week.

How do you find clients/market yourself?
So much of this business is strictly word of mouth — you’ll see it all the time in Facebook mom groups: someone asks for a travel agent recommendation and they are hit with hundreds of comments recommending “the best agent”! This is truly the best way to find new clients: have clients that travel, love you, and recommend you.
I also utilize social media, which has been incredibly beneficial for me. This is super saturated market, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be successful – it just means you have to work hard to stand out! The best way to do that is to be yourself, provide a great service and give your clients a reason to come back year after year!

Okay… are there any perks? There’s gotta be.
There are! Many are on a tiered basis, depending on your agency’s level with Disney (or any given supplier). Agencies in a higher tier will receive more annual benefits than an agency in a lower tier. You will also need to hit a certain sales or earned-commission amount before gaining access to these benefits. Generally, though, this can include access to ticket discounts, discounted resort stays, opportunities to be invited to Agent Education Programs, or other special events. Last year, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend an Inaugural Sailing of the Disney Wish before it debuted to the public as well as attend a special voyage on the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser! But with that said — 99.9% of the time you see me at a Disney theme park or on a cruise — I have paid for it with my own money. My vacations are super not free, and are the way I choose to invest in myself, my family and ultimately my business.

What do you suggest I think about before becoming a travel agent?
First and foremost… I HIGHLY recommend you have experience working with a travel agent prior to becoming one. We all like to plan our trips – it’s fun for us! – but if you aren’t willing to work with a travel agent, why should someone be willing to work with you?!
Here’s where I’ve gotta be honest: you need to consider that a passion for Disney & travel is not enough to sustain you in this field. This is a JOB. You are not only handling people’s hard earned money, but their hard earned time off of work, and vacation dreams – it’s a lot of pressure. A simple love for Disney & having a hobby of answering your friend’s vacation questions is barely scraping the surface of what is needed in this job. It is exhausting. It is demanding. It can require long days. One day that sticks out in my memory is waiting on hold for 8 hours to cancel a vacation due to check in less than 24 hours from then, because of an impending hurricane (which meant I was no longer getting paid!), while rocking my fussy newborn + hadn’t eaten all day. Obviously, not all days are like that, but there can be some really tough days with this job.
…. But, there is the fun side! I have met some of my very best friends through this career path. I have had some crazy awesome opportunities. It’s afforded me the ability to work from home, without having to put my babies in daycare. And of course, I go to Disney World, Disneyland and on Disney Cruises as often as I can, you know, for research. 😉

So with all that said…. how do I know it’s right for me?
Well, that comes down to your love of planning + organization and a passion for helping families dream up that perfect vacation + making it happen. Have more questions? Feel free to reach out!

All about my good pal Orlando International Airport

MCO Need to Knows

I’m feeling like talking about the bane of my existence… Orlando International Airport. Good old MCO. First, some basic need to knows:

  1. This airport is *the airport* you need for the most convenient traansportation to Walt Disney World, Universal and cruises out of Port Canaveral (AKA: a lot of people on vacation are in and out of this airport on the daily)
  2. You can’t just get away with arriving “just in time” at this airport
  3. If you don’t have TSA Precheck or CLEAR… consider investing in it.

So knowing allllll of this… I have some recs for ya:

01. opt for private transfers or rideshare

Private transfers give you complete freedom over pick. uptime and arrival. While it can definitely be the pricier option, it also means. you aren’t stopping at multiple resorts picking up other guests that are also heading hoe from their vacation. This means the moment. youleave the hotel the pick up time you choose, you go straight to the airport with no other stoops. Ideal, especially for those early morning flights.

02. leave your hotel early

The recommended time to leave your hotel and make your way to MCO is 3 hours prior to your flight departure and… yes, I recommend sticking with that recommendation. I know it seems a little excessive, but not only do you have a 30-45 minute commute to the airport, but you really cannot predict wait times with TSA, or even to check your bags…. things can get WILD in there. If flying out after a cruise, I recommend leaving the port closer to 3.5 hours before your flight, as it’s about a 45-60 minute commute to the airport from Port Canaveral.

03. Reserve your spot with MCO Reserve

This is probably the biggest tip that I hope you hang on to, if you don’t have access to TSA Precheck or a CLEAR membership. MCO is a partner airport that allows FREE expedited reservations for TSA at your designated reservation time. While it doesn’t mean you can breeze right through and yes, you still have to take your shoes off when they tell you to, it does absolutely cut down on your wait time. CLICK HERE for reservations up to 3 days in advance.

so, with all that said… where to next?

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disney with the littlest of littles

Fun fact: I took my daughter to Disney World, Disneyland and on a Disney Cruise all in the first year of her life. Some called me crazy (…okay, everyone called me crazy) but as a mom, these are memories that I will cherish forever, even though she won’t remember them! Along the way, I’ve learned a little bit about taking kids – particularly the smaller ones – to the Disney Parks! 

Here’s a little bit I wanted to pass along to you: 

keep a normal routine

If your child still naps – try to keep their sleep schedule the same as it would be at home. The biggest thing is that at Disney, you have more sleep options: a baby carrier, stroller, or a nap in the room. I try to opt for one “real” nap in the room – even if that means going back to our resort in the middle of a park day! No one needs a one way ticket to melt down city, and a really good nap is the best way to avoid it!

prep well for the parks

Know the rules and ways of Rider Switch, study where the bathrooms are located, take note of where the Baby Care Center is located in each park – and most importantly, be sure to pack all of the essentials in your bag for the day: snacks, small toys or games for staying occupied while waiting in lines, and don’t forget the sunscreen and water! 

I have an Amazon list of my Disney-with-a-kiddo faves that you can shop here. 

practice napping on the go

Stroller naps are a vital part of the Disney experience. 😉 

Some kiddos will fight it, though: my daughter started fighting stroller naps around 9 months old, just in time for our Disney Cruise, of course! We took trips to Target in the stroller riiiiight around nap time. I brought a portable sound machine, stuck her in the stroller, and walking around the store until she eventually gave in, and made sure slept at least 45 minutes. It was good practice, and good news – she’s a great stroller-napper again! The bad news: more went into my shopping cart than probably should have during that practice nap. 

want more quick bite tips and tricks?

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star wars: galactic starcruiser

The one thing I keep getting asked about – Galactic Starcruiser. Y’all! This was incredible. And I know what you’re thinking, “Haley, you have to say that, you love Disney.” Okay, you’re right. I do love Disney. But trust me when I say – Disney does not get a pass from me on every single thing, and something like THIS? Does not just get an automatic stamp of approval. Not with that price tag! This is long one….settle in with your blue milk, pal. 

just a real quick disclaimer…

While I’m personally very big on spoilers (hello, my name is Haley and I read the wikipedia plot section of every movie before I watch) – I’m not here to spoil anything for anyone, so this is a totally spoiler free zone. Alright, let’s go. 

The Halcyon/Accommodations: Stepping onboard the Halcyon (the hotel) is truly memorable! It feels very galactic. Like, I felt like I’m on a luxurious spaceship that could just very well be in the Star Wars movies. The common spaces are well thought out and honestly very pretty from an aesthetic standpoint. As for our room – We were booked for a standard cabin, which sleeps 4 guests, or 5, with a pull down sleeper. I’ll be honest, despite how thoughtfully laid out the space was, it was a tight squeeze for the 4 of us.  However, the sleeping arrangements were comfortable and we were in our room so rarely that it wasn’t a huge deal. It was the biggest issue when getting ready for the day, otherwise, the space was not an issue. I got a TON of questions about the bunks, since I slept on it. Comfy, yes. Spacious, surprisingly, yes (I’m 5’8″ and it was perfectly fine for me, with room to spare). Would ask for an extra blanket next time, though. 

The Food:  Overall, the food was honestly amazing, but by the end of the two days, I just really was looking forward to totally normal chicken tenders! Everything I tried was so fun and served in such unique presentation that even “normal” food looked Jedi-worthy. Should you ever reach a point where you need “normal” food, you can always order off the “Younglings” (kids) menu which consists of things like chicken, pizza, fries, etc. 

The Characters: I’ll just say this… Ouannii is my new BFF. Galactic Starcruiser did a fun job at mixing old and new friends into the experience. And yes, they just roam the ship and you interact with them freely! It’s WILD. 

The Onboard “Missions”: This was so fun! From the minute you get on, start scanning your Magic Band wherever possible and start doing all the things! It was so funny seeing people get messages and drop everything and go do the task that was asked of them. I didn’t think this was an aspect that I would enjoy since I’m not into “games” but this was SO FUN. Also? Lightsaber training – TOO GOOD. It was so much fun! 

Excursion to Batuu: As a frequent flyer to Galaxy’s Edge (and Hollywood Studios in general), we only stayed long enough to complete our missions, stop by Oga’s Cantina for a drink, and grab a quick lunch at Docking Bay 7. There’s just so much to do on board that I didn’t necessarily feel the need to stick around longer than that, or leave Galaxy’s Edge. 

Was it worth it? Worth is really, really subjective. However… yes. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It does take the right person to do this experience though. You have to be willing to get into it, to participate, to play into the storyline! But what’s interesting about this is that I’m very generally a bystander when it comes to things like this, but this was such fun that it made getting involved very easy. In our group of 4, we had one who has been a lifelong Star Wars fan, and one who had only seen 1 of the movies– we all had fun! I think that speaks volumes as to what kind of experience that Disney has cultivated. 

Ready for your Star Wars adventure? Let’s chat about your options and if this experience is right for you!

Lets chat star wars

and remember…

may the force be with you.

👻 Your quick tip guide to Halloween Horror Nights

this event is intended for guests ages 13+

☠️ Stay and Scream Holding Areas
These are areas for day guests to wait in while the park closes and empties out before the event officially starts. There are two of them, and which one you get in will greatly impact which houses you get to first – so plan accordingly!

☠️ Lines build quick, and waits get long FAST
The good news is, the lines consistently moving. Long waits are never fun, but they are easier when moving!

☠️ The shows are…interesting
We laughed when the announcement was made that it was adult in nature but yall they weren’t joking 🙃😅 it was great though – lots of cool music, pyro, aerial artists, and illusions (and I love a good illusion!). These things fill up so fast. A Team Member gave us the recommendation to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the next show and he was spot on. We arrive shortly after 9 for the 9:30 show and a crowd had already built up, and it was a packed show!

☠️ Scare Zones
We did all of the Scare Zones and all of them were good, but some were amazing! Our favorite was probably 30 Years 30 Fears, and in my opinion, the weakest was CryptTV (cool concept, just didn’t work as well as the others).

☠️ Haunted Houses
I only did two but the two I did were fab (Scarey: Horror in the Heartland, and Puppet Theater). As mentioned above, the big, showpiece houses attract crowds and the waits quickly inflate to 60+ minutes. Choose your Stay and Scream area wisely, get in line as soon as you can – OR bypass all of the strategy and purchase Express Pass for the event 🙃

☠️ Visit the Tribute Store!
Not only is full of all the horror souvenirs you can possibly need, but it’s got great decor, photos ops, and snacks – it’s just all around a great place to check out.

☠️ Leave the kiddos at home
This event is definitely not for kids. The recommended age is 13+. Obviously, you know your kid best, but this is a SCARY event with a lot of adult themes.

☠️ Beer lines are long
Grab a wristband early in the night so you don’t have to be carded every time you buy a drink, cuts down on a tiny bit of time AND means you don’t have to dig through your bag to find ID

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Meet Haley

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wife, mom, theme parks aficionado

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@haleyandthemagic

Back in the dark ages (aka: 2013), my first trip a Back in the dark ages (aka: 2013), my first trip as an adult was shrouded in stress. anxiety. the need to "do it all". ⁣
I was planning a wedding. I was planning a very strategy-fueled honeymoon. I didn't ever want to do that again. 

+ more importantly, I didn't want anyone else to go through it, too! My motto from that point on became "friends don't let friends plan Disney trips alone." And that's what I live by.

Now, nearly a decade into this venture that has become a full time career that supports my family, I'm still just your internet bestie, wanting you to have the best vacation possible. 

Regardless of what phase of life you are in -- I've been there, I've done it, and I have a game plan for you. 
+ girls trips
+ couples trips 
+ new parents
+ first visits
+ multi-gen trips
I'm always here to help. 

I can't wait to connect with you. 👉 haleyandthemagic.com/make-magic
Swipe through for the best of the best (according Swipe through for the best of the best (according to yours truly)
In case you don’t already know - a new assistant In case you don’t already know - a new assistant is joining the company very soon! Assistant Ada is doing her best to show excitement… 😂⁣
What to expect from me during this time... 
+ I will be taking a break from my normal work load beginning September 25 which will extend through November 18
+ If you are a current client, you should have already received an email with details on who to contact in the event of an emergency or if you have questions. Rest assured, you are fully covered for all of your vacation needs!
+ If you are looking to plan a future vacation, fill out my request form on my website and someone will be in touch within 48 hours.
+ I'll still be around here!! 

Have questions? Shoot me a DM and we can chat!
In case you are new around here, my daughter (know In case you are new around here, my daughter (known around these parts as Assistant Ada) is 2 years old and obsessed with all things "preeeeetty!". ⁣
Unfortunately - at only 2 years old, she's just a bit too young for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a popular makeover experience in Magic Kingdom offered for kiddos ages 3 - 12. 

Enter: Bounding Beauty. 
Bounding Beauty is an in-room makeover service, provided by Cortanie, a licensed cosmetologist and former Walt Disney World Cast Member. 
Cortanie works with guests of all ages, including your littlest ones -- and she did AMAZING with Ada! I was a little nervous because Ada doesn't sit still very well just yet, but Cortanie had all the tricks up her sleeve and the makeover went so smoothly and Ada was OBSESSED with the princess in the reflection! 😍

Over here, we HIGHLY recommend this experience - it's laid back, relaxed and takes place in the comfort of your resort room. Reservations are recommended well in advance, because Bounding Beauty is popular and books up quickly! 

Are you a current client and interested in this makeover experience? Send me an email!
Aside from picking your travel advisor and nailing Aside from picking your travel advisor and nailing down dates... choosing a resort is one of the first & most crucial steps in planning the perfect vacation. I feel like I'm being dramatic, but truly - a resort can make or break your trip! ⁣
Consider these things: 
🖤 Transportation options 
🖤 Resort size 
🖤 Onsite dining, activities & amenities 

And don't forget to get your advisor's opinion! I have stayed at alllllmost all of the resorts onsite, and trust and believe - I have thoughts and feelings on each one! Don't be afraid to ask! 

Plan your trip 👉 haleyandthemagic.com/make-magic

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