Katlyn - Travel Specialist at Second Star Wishes

Katlyn - Travel Specialist at Second Star Wishes Proud Travel Advisor with Second Star Wishes ✨
Specializing in family vacations to Disney Destinations & Universal Orlando.

Here to help you plan unforgettable trips on major cruise lines and all-inclusives like Sandals, Beaches, and beyond.

If planning a vacation for your autistic/neurodivergent child feels like you need to prepare for 47 different scenarios ...
09/16/2026

If planning a vacation for your autistic/neurodivergent child feels like you need to prepare for 47 different scenarios before you can even start getting excited about going…

Hi. I’m Katlyn. And I want to be in your corner. ❤️

Because I’m not going to hand you a generic list of “sensory friendly” recommendations and assume they’ll work for your child.

I want to know YOUR child.

What does a typical day look like at home?

What are their absolute favorite things?

What brings them joy?

What tends to overwhelm them?

How do they handle crowds, noise, waiting, transitions, unfamiliar foods or changes in routine?

What does it look like when they’ve simply had enough?

And just as importantly, what does YOUR family need for this to actually feel like a vacation?

Then we design from there.

Maybe that means choosing a resort because getting back to the room quickly matters more than having the fanciest pool.

Maybe we intentionally build downtime into the middle of the day.

Maybe we talk through transportation options, food, attraction accessibility, sensory considerations and what accommodations may be available.

And you know what else we’re going to do?
Have a backup plan. 😂

Because I’m not just a travel advisor who has learned about neurodivergent travel.

I’m a mom who lives it.

I know we can prepare beautifully and still wake up that morning to a kiddo whose nervous system says, “Absolutely not.” 😂

The goal isn't to create some mythical perfectly regulated vacation where nothing ever goes sideways.

It's to thoughtfully plan around the actual humans taking the trip, give you tools and options, and make sure you don't feel like you're figuring all of this out alone.

Every family deserves the opportunity to travel, make memories and experience the things they love.

So if you've been wanting to take the trip but you've been overwhelmed trying to figure out how to make it work for YOUR child and YOUR family…

Hire me.
It would genuinely be an honor to walk alongside you. ❤️

09/02/2026

Not every beautiful resort is the right resort for you. 👀

I feel like this is something I’ve been thinking about more and more lately, especially after spending last week in Mexico.

If what you’re dreaming about is laying on a gorgeous white sand beach and swimming in clear, calm water every day… there are some destinations I probably wouldn’t recommend for you.

Not because they aren’t amazing.

Because they aren’t amazing for what you want.

The same thing happens with resorts.

Some are white, shiny and new, with a look and feel that could almost be anywhere in the world.

Others really lean into where you are. You see it in the architecture and landscaping. You taste it in the food. The resort itself becomes part of experiencing the destination rather than simply being the place you sleep.

Some resorts are designed to have SO much going on that you could happily check in and barely leave the property.

Others make an incredible home base because part of the magic is getting out, exploring and experiencing the destination around you.

Some people want quiet mornings, a book and absolutely nowhere they need to be.

Others would be bored out of their minds by day two. 😂

None of those travelers are doing vacation wrong.

They just shouldn’t necessarily be taking the same vacation.

And THAT is one of my favorite parts of what I do.

Not just finding you a beautiful place to go.

Figuring out what you actually want this trip to feel like… and then finding the place that fits.

09/02/2026

Fellow millennials… yes, I’m talking to those of y’all who are also losing it over the fact that TOMMY PICKLES is just casually walking around a water park!!! 😂

Aqua Nick was SO much fun and brought back alllll the childhood feels. I went from SpongeBob and Patrick to Dora, the Ninja Turtles, Fairly OddParents and freaking RUGRATS. Talk about a trip down memory lane. 🥹

And here’s the fun part… there are select resorts in the Riviera Maya area where Aqua Nick access can be included with a qualifying stay 👀

So if one of those resorts happens to also be the right fit for you and your family, we can build in a splash filled Aqua Nick day for the kids… while you casually relive your entire childhood. 😂

I got to experience it for myself while I was in Mexico last week, and let’s just say this millennial approves. 🙋🏼‍♀️

One of the things I came home from Mexico thinking about had very little to do with a hotel room or a beautiful beach.It...
08/31/2026

One of the things I came home from Mexico thinking about had very little to do with a hotel room or a beautiful beach.

It was the people.

Every single interaction I had with the people behind Lomas Hospitality was just… kind. Genuinely kind.

During Future Leaders, we even had the opportunity to meet and hear from Señora Dolores, who founded the company years ago. And hearing a little of the story behind what she built made me look at the resorts and experiences differently.

Because the story behind the company matters, too.

And then there was my own experience as a traveler.

I used Lomas for my private airport transfers and y’all… seamless. 😂

From the moment I found them at the airport, I felt taken care of. When we arrived at the resort, I wasn’t left standing there wondering where to go or wrestling with my luggage. I was escorted in. My bags were handled. I didn’t even have to attach my own luggage tag.

Those sound like tiny things.

But after a travel day in another country? Tiny things don’t always feel tiny.

They feel like, you’re here. We’ve got you.

And that’s something I keep thinking about as I continue refining the way I plan travel for my own clients.

Tourism matters. Where we spend our tourism dollars matters. And the companies and people we trust to take care of travelers matter.

I don’t just want to know what a resort looks like in pictures.

I want to know who’s behind it.

I want to know what it feels like to arrive.

And I want to know how my clients are going to be treated when I’m not standing there beside them.

Because those things are part of the vacation, too. ❤️

08/28/2026

Y’ALLLLLL. Talk about feelings of NOSTALGIAAAAA. 😭💚

If you grew up watching Nickelodeon, you KNOW what that green slime meant. And today at Aqua Nick… GROUP SLIME. 😂🙌🏼

Like excuse me while my inner 90s/2000s kid absolutely LOSES IT.

I may be here learning and experiencing things through my travel advisor lens… but sometimes you just gotta appreciate that younger you would think this was the COOLEST thing ever. 🤣💚

Please tell me I’m not the only one who immediately wanted to be on Nickelodeon just so I could get slimed?! 😂

Day 3 of Future Leaders ✨We started bright and early with more general sessions, workshops, and of course, more one on o...
08/28/2026

Day 3 of Future Leaders ✨

We started bright and early with more general sessions, workshops, and of course, more one on ones 👏🏼

My brain is FULL, my notebook has definitely gotten a workout, and I’ve had so many good conversations with people from across the travel industry. 😂

And then tonight… we got to have a little fun. 🤩

We were hosted for Joya, the Cirque du Soleil show at VidantaWorld, and Y’ALL.

WOW. 😳🤩

The talent. The music. The costumes. The entire production. There were multiple times I realized I was just sitting there staring with my mouth open. 😂

This week has been such a cool mix of learning, making connections, getting outside of my comfort zone, and actually experiencing some of the things I get to come home and talk to my clients about.

Day 3 is officially in the books… and I’m pretty sure my brain needs approximately 3 to 5 business days to process everything I’ve taken in this week. 🤣👏🏼

Day 1 of Future Leaders in Travel 🌴✨Since the WiFi has been a little questionable and half my Stories seem to disappear ...
08/26/2026

Day 1 of Future Leaders in Travel 🌴✨

Since the WiFi has been a little questionable and half my Stories seem to disappear before they ever actually post 🤣, we’re going with a good old fashioned Day 1 recap!

I landed in Cancun yesterday and met my Lomas transfer, which was SO nice after a morning of travel. From there, we headed to El Dorado Royale, my home for the week!

I was welcomed with a cold drink and lots of smiling faces, and somehow won the travel lottery because my room was already ready 🙌🏻 I dropped my bags, grabbed lunch by the pool, and then it was time to get ready for our first official Future Leaders events.

We kicked things off with a site tour of the property, which is honestly massive. El Dorado Royale is part of a complex of three connected resorts stretching along about two miles of beach, so there was a LOT to see and learn.

Then last night was our official welcome reception right on the beach. 🌊

And this is the part I’ve really been looking forward to.

Getting to meet other advisors from across the country who are building their businesses right alongside me. Sitting down with suppliers and making connections with the people behind the destinations, resorts, and experiences I recommend to my clients. Getting to learn, ask questions, and soak up as much as I possibly can while I’m here.

It was a really, really good first night.

And today? We get to WORK. 🤍

Day 1 of Future Leaders ✔️

Okay, I’m going to let myself have a little bragging moment. 🥹This morning, I’m headed to Riviera Maya for Future Leader...
08/25/2026

Okay, I’m going to let myself have a little bragging moment. 🥹

This morning, I’m headed to Riviera Maya for Future Leaders in Travel, and I don’t think I’ve really stopped long enough to process what an honor that actually is.

I was selected from hundreds of applicants to be part of this year’s class of travel professionals under 40 who are helping shape the future of our industry.

And y’all… that feels BIG to me.

I’ve spent the last several years building this business in the middle of real life. Raising babies. Juggling appointments and therapies. Working after bedtime. Learning. Growing. Making mistakes. Trying again. And somewhere along the way, what started as something I loved doing became a career I am incredibly proud of.

There have been plenty of moments where I’ve questioned whether I belonged in certain rooms.

So getting on this plane today knowing I was chosen to be in this one feels pretty dang special. ❤️

But I also know I didn’t get here by myself.

To my clients who trust me with your vacations, your families, your money, your once in a lifetime memories, and who continue to refer your friends and family to me… thank you. Truly. Every single trip you’ve trusted me with has helped build this business.

And to my Second Star Wishes team, thank you for giving me a place to grow, challenging me, encouraging me, and reminding me that there is always another level to reach.

I’m headed into these next few days ready to learn, make connections, ask a million questions, and soak up everything I possibly can.

Because yes, this is an incredible opportunity for me.

But ultimately, everything I learn here comes home with me and makes me better at what I do for the people who trust me to plan their travels.

Future Leaders in Travel 2026.

I’m really freaking proud to be here. 🥹✈️❤️

If you’re wondering what “getting ready to leave for a travel conference in Mexico tomorrow” looks like…It looks like th...
08/24/2026

If you’re wondering what “getting ready to leave for a travel conference in Mexico tomorrow” looks like…

It looks like this. 😂

Marshall had a doctor’s appointment today because OF COURSE he did.

Meanwhile, Mom is also attempting to prepare our house to function without her for 4 nights and basically 6 full days because my flight home Saturday doesn’t land until 9:30 PM. 🤣

And somewhere in the middle of normal mom life today, I’m also:

✈️ Wrapping up last minute client things and making sure my travelers who are currently away know exactly what’s going on and how to reach me if they need me.

📲 Sending reminders to other clients that I’ll be out and tying up the last few things on my list.

💵 Stopping by the ATM for cash in small bills for tipping transfers, servers, housekeeping, bartenders and all the people who take such good care of us while we travel.

🇲🇽 Getting my VISITAX taken care of ahead of time because I would much rather check that box today than think about it while I’m there.

🧳 And yes… at some point I should probably PACK. 😂

Tomorrow I head to Riviera Maya for Future Leaders in Travel, and I’m SO excited.

But this right here is the part of travel you don’t always see.

Before I get to be Travel Advisor Katlyn learning, networking, experiencing a destination and bringing all of that knowledge home to better serve my clients…

I’m still Mom.

And Mom has approximately 847 things to do before she can get on that airplane. 🤣

Y’all come along with me this week. I’ll be sharing plenty from behind the scenes! ✈️🇲🇽

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Knoxville, TN

Telephone

+18656609168

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