As we Disney fans know all too well, even our favorite attractions need a little refurbishment every now and then. The same goes for Affording the Mou$e. And while I hesitate to mention it too soon, for fear that the schedule may go awry, I am hoping to have a new-and-improved version of the site up by the end of the week! The new format will allow me to add more relevant content and features, and it will have a more contemporary, fun look.

We’re excited to share our new look! In the meantime, don’t forget to join us on Facebook. Invite your friends too!

When I meet with a client for the first time, there is a list of questions that I ask almost immediately. The answers to these key queries will provide the answers to how your family will “see the World.”

Question 1: What is your vacation style? Are you a “See-eight-countries-in-four-days” kind of family, or are you more of a “Stop-and-smell-the-roses-and-buy-the-T-shirt” type of crew. The answer to this can determine how many days you’ll spend at WDW and what you can expect to see in that time.

Question 2: How many people are in your party, and what ages? Your touring pace will be different with toddlers than with teens. Likewise, single adults will have different priorities than young families. The number of adults and children in your group will also determine the accomodations that are available to you.

Question 3: Are you more concerned with saving money or having a luxury experience? All of Disney’s resorts are quality hotels, but there are some obvious differences in amenities. Even though I’m a world-class bargain hunter, there are certain things on which I’m willing to splurge. Knowing a client’s budgetary restrictions is key in choosing the right experience for that family.

Question 4: Are your travel dates flexible? It’s OK if they aren’t. But know that a little flexibility could mean big savings.

Question 5: What are your eating habits? Do you prefer slow, relaxing meals or are you a grab-n-go family? The answer will help us decide which, if any, Disney Dining Plan is right for you.

Question 6: Are you a member of any organization that might offer discounts? Career military, AAA, AARP, Entertainment, government employees, and other groups are sometimes eligible for significant discounts on hotels and even park tickets.

The answers to these key questions inevitably lead to more questions. But that’s how we get the ball rolling. Oh, and here’s one final question:

In 2009, what will you celebrate?

Why did I choose to become a vacation consultant, rather than a travel agent? For starters, I believe that the traditional career as a travel agent is nearly obsolete. Not that many years ago, when you wanted to plan a vacation, the obvious choice was to visit your local travel agent. He or she had brochures and information on every imaginable travel destination. You could hear your flight options, pricing, and all the details rght there in the office. It was magical, wasn’t it? Nobody really understood where all that information came from, but didn’t you feel like the travel agent was some sort of exotic genius?

But now, with the widespread availability of the internet, all that informaton that was once so mystical and secretive is now available to the general public. You or I can log onto any number of travel sites and get flight schedules and pricing for multiple airlines at once. You can compare hotel prices and amenities for every hotel in a specific location.

And while it is a travel agent’s job to know everything about your destination and get you the best deal possible, it’s a nearly impossible task to accomplish for every destination. By hiring a Disney vacation consultant, you get someone who devotes all her research and expertise to one fabulous corner of the world: Walt Disney World, that is! Disney World is all I do. All Disney. All the time. (Yes, there are a few Disney-specific travel agencies out there, and many of them are very good. I still contend that their emphasis is not always on getting you the best deal possible. Mine is.)

Finally, by being a consultant, I can work with you in a number of ways. I can spend an hour with you and give you the tools you need to plan your own perfect itinerary. Or you can spend a few hours at one of my Boot Camps and have a pretty good plan already mapped out. But if saving time and hassle is more of a concern to you than saving money, I will handle it all: resort reservations, ADRs (that’s Advanced Dining Reservations for those who don’t speak Disney), and even give you a customized touring plan for your time in the parks.

Consulting fees start at $40/hour. My Disney 101 Boot Camp is $125 for a three-hour seminar plus an additional 30-minute private consulation. Full vacation services begin at $200 and vary according to the services you require and length of stay.

My goal is to save you time and money. I’m confident I can do that–so confident that I guarantee my fees. If you’re interesed in planning your own Disney dream vacation, I’d love to hear from you!

affordingthemouse@att.net

Welcome to the innaugural post of Affording the Mouse! My goal is to help families realize that they really can afford their dream vacations to Walt Disney World. In these posts, I hope to share practical information that can help you, the consumer, stretch your travel dollar and make the best decisions for your family about when to go, how to get there, where to stay, etc.

What qualifies me to do this? For starters, I love Disney! While that may not seem like a significant qualification, it’s my love for all things Disney that propels me to research. And, boy, do I research! On a typical day, I read about a dozen blogs or websites devoted to Disney. Some are travel sites. Some concentrate on business and operations. Others are simply for fun! I read–no, devour–them so that you don’t have to!

Did you know that one of the most popular guide books, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, has 846 pages? Who has time to read it–much less absorb it? (OK, so I read it. Again…so you don’t have to.)

My point is, not everyone has the time or even the desire to do the intense research it takes to find the best deals. That’s why I started Affording the Mouse–so that I could share the best tips, and the best deals, with my clients.

In addition to being a self-proclaimed Disney enthusiast and expert, I have about a dozen trips to the World under my belt. I have attended as a child, a teen, a single adult, a married but childless adult, and an adult with small children. (That last one, by the way, is my specialty.) I know what WDW has to offer for every age group and interest. I have traveled via plane and via car. I have gone at different times throughout the year–in nearly every crowd level. I have stayed off-site and at the on-site resorts.

I think every kid (and adult!) should get to take that most magical of vacations to Walt Disney World. If you think you can’t afford it, I would love to prove you wrong. Where there’s a will, there’s a way for almost any income level. But it does take careful planning.

And if money isn’t so much the issue, but time is, I can offer full-service vacation planning–everything from detailed itineraries to making resort and dining reservations.

Finally, for those of you who live in the Nashville, TN area, I will be offering a Disney 101 Boot Camp (date and location TBD). This three-hour session, which includes an additional 30-minute private consultation, will give you all the tools you need to plan a successful Disney vacation that won’t break the bank. In fact, I’m so confident that you’ll save money with my tips that I’m offering a money-back guarantee. If, by following my recommendations, you don’t save at least the cost of the Boot Camp on your vacation, compared with Disney’s regular seasonal rates for tickets and a resort stay, I’ll refund your fee! (Details and clarifications on this promotion will be given at registration.)

There has never been a better time to take that Disney dream vacation. Sure, the economy is bad–that’s why Disney is offering deals like never before! This could be the year you finally take the trip of a lifetime…without spending your life savings!

If I can help, drop me an email: affordingthemouse@att.net