Wander With Steph- Travel Planning

Wander With Steph- Travel Planning Disney • Cruises • Family Adventures
Personalized planning from start to return!

🚢 Disney Cruise Line is headed back to New York City!The Disney Wish will sail from New York in fall 2027 on seven speci...
08/31/2026

🚢 Disney Cruise Line is headed back to New York City!

The Disney Wish will sail from New York in fall 2027 on seven special voyages ranging from 4–7 nights.

🌴 Five sailings will head to Bermuda, including three with an extra day to explore.

🍁 The Wish will also sail to New England & Canada, just in time for the beautiful colors of fall.

I love seeing more Disney Cruise Line options from the Northeast! Being able to drive to the port instead of flying to Florida first makes this especially interesting for families in our area.

📩 Thinking about a 2027 Disney cruise? Reach out or DM me. I'd love to help you start planning.

08/22/2026

🎄 Thinking about spending the holidays at Walt Disney World? This might be the time to start planning.

Disney is offering up to 20% off select rooms at Disney Resorts Collection hotels for stays:

✨ Most Sunday–Thursday nights from October 4–November 19, 2026

✨ Most nights, including weekends, from November 22–December 24, 2026

And there's another offer worth knowing about...

🍽️ Kids ages 3–9 can receive a FREE dining plan when you purchase a qualifying Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a Disney Resorts Collection hotel and a dining plan for each guest ages 10 and up.

Then add in the holiday season at Disney starting November 13. 🎄

Think festive décor, Santa and holiday characters, seasonal entertainment, special-ticket events, holiday attraction overlays, and SO much holiday food.

📩 Thinking about a Disney holiday? Reach out or DM me and I'll help you find the best available package for your dates.

07/29/2026

🚫 MYTH: Staying OFF-SITE is the best way to save money.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I hear when people start planning a Universal vacation.

It's easy to compare hotel prices and assume the lowest nightly rate is automatically the best deal. But that's only one piece of the puzzle.

When I'm helping clients plan a Universal vacation, I look at the total vacation cost, not just the hotel price.

That includes things like:
✔️ Vacation package discounts
✔️ Transportation costs
✔️ Parking fees
✔️ The perks you receive staying on-site

Many people are surprised to learn that Universal offers hotels in a variety of price ranges, and when you bundle your hotel and park tickets into a vacation package, there are often discounts available that you won't get by purchasing tickets on their own.

📩 Thinking about a Universal Orlando vacation? I'd love to help you compare your options. My complimentary planning services are included when you book your vacation package through Wander with Steph.

07/24/2026

Travel Tip Friday
✈️ Before you book your flights...book your Disney package first.

One of the first things I do when planning my own Disney vacations is build the Disney package before I even think about airfare. Why, you ask?

One of the MOST common situations I run into is clients who have already booked their flights. At that point, we're trying to fit the Disney vacation around those dates, even if a different arrival day would have unlocked a better promotion or made their preferred resort available.

Disney promotions often have specific arrival dates, travel windows, or minimum stay requirements.

Once you've booked your flights, we're locked into those dates. If your preferred resort isn't available or the best Disney promotion starts a day later, our options become limited.

My planning strategy is simple:

🏨 Book the Disney package first.

✈️ Then match your flights.

It's all about finding the best overall vacation value, not just the lowest airfare.

07/24/2026

🎃 Halloween Horror Nights packages for 2026 are officially here!

If Halloween Horror Nights has been on your bucket list, now is a great time to start planning. These vacation packages bundle your hotel accommodations, daytime theme park tickets, and Halloween Horror Nights admission, into one convenient package. This special event will take place on select nights August 28th through November 1st.

One of my favorite parts of this offer aside from the bundling? The longer you stay, the more you save!

💰 Save $50 on a 4-night stay

💰 Save $100 on a 5-night stay

💰 Save $200 on a 6-night stay

💰 Save up to $300 on stays of 7 nights or more!

Whether you're a longtime HHN fan or thinking about experiencing it for the first time, I'd love to help you find the package that offers the best value for your travel dates.

07/22/2026

🎢MYTH: Universal is just roller coasters.

I'll admit it...I believed this one too. As a Disney family, we put off visiting Universal for years because we assumed it was mostly about huge thrill rides.

Then we finally went, and I realized we couldn't have been more wrong.

Sure, Universal has incredible coasters. But you'll never catch me on VelociCoaster or The Incredible Hulk. 😅 Instead, I love attractions like Revenge of the Mummy and Mine Cart Madness, along with exploring the immersive lands, amazing food, and all the little details that make Universal so special.

There's no prize for riding every attraction. The best trip is the one that's built around what you enjoy most.

Universal has so much more to offer than most people expect, and helping my clients discover those experiences is one of my favorite parts of planning their vacation.

07/20/2026

🎢 Universal Myth vs. Reality

One of the biggest things I hear from families considering Universal Studios is:

"Isn't Universal really just for older kids?"

I can see why people think that. For years, Universal Studios has built its reputation around big thrill rides. If you haven't visited recently, it's easy to assume that's still the whole story.

Every time I visit Universal, I'm reminded just how much the parks have evolved. Truth be told, this was a myth I believed for years. Since my kids weren't really into thrill rides, we assumed Universal wasn't the right fit for us.

⭐ What I Tell My Clients

One of my favorite parts of planning a Universal vacation is showing families everything beyond the thrill rides. Once they see the family-friendly attractions, immersive lands, character experiences, and shows, they're often surprised by how much there is for younger kids to experience.

Welcome to the first post in my new Universal Myth vs. Reality series! I'll be separating fact from fiction and sharing the same planning advice I give my clients.

💬 What's a myth you've heard about Universal? It might inspire the next post in this series!

07/16/2026

Vacation Smarter at Disney
Steph's Insider Tips

Would I pay more just to stay on the Monorail?
Absolutely... but only for the right vacation.

When a family tells me they're planning their first Disney trip, traveling with little ones, and know they'll spend multiple days at Magic Kingdom, the Monorail resorts are one of the first things I consider.

But the convenience goes far beyond getting to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

One of my favorite things about staying on the Monorail loop is how easy it is to enjoy the resorts themselves. You can leave Disney's Contemporary Resort, ride over to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort for shopping, dinner at Wailulu Bar & Grill, a fun cocktail at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, fireworks viewing on the beach, and then hop right back on the Monorail to end the night.

⭐ How I'd Plan It

My first two Disney trips with my kids were at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. They were little, Magic Kingdom was our priority, and you simply couldn't put a price on that convenience.

👇 If you could stay at one Monorail resort, which would you choose: Contemporary, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian?

07/15/2026

Vacation Smarter at Disney
Steph's Insider Tips

When people think about Disney transportation, the Skyliner and Monorail usually get all the attention. But one of my favorite ways to get around Walt Disney World?

The BOATS.

I've stayed at several Disney resorts that offer boat transportation, and every time I'm reminded that the ride itself becomes part of the experience. Instead of standing in a transportation queue, you're out on the water, enjoying the breeze, taking in the scenery, and seeing Disney from a completely different perspective.

🚤 Friendship Boats connect EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's Yacht Club Resort, and the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts; making it easy to park hop, enjoy a signature dinner, or spend an evening exploring the EPCOT Resort Area.

🛶 Bay Lake Water Taxis connect Magic Kingdom with Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground—perfect for resort hopping or enjoying dinner around Seven Seas Lagoon.

🌿 The Sassagoula Boat Service connects Disney's Port Orleans Riverside, Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Disney Springs, making shopping, dining, and entertainment feel like part of the adventure.

And here's one of my favorite hidden gems...

Several Disney resorts also offer guided bass fishing excursions, which we've done multiple times over the years. If you're planning a non-park day, it's a great way to have some family fun outside of the parks.

If your vacation style is all about slowing down, exploring, and enjoying the little moments, I love recommending a boat resort.

🎄 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom in 2026! 🎄If Christmas at Walt Disney World has been on y...
07/11/2026

🎄 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom in 2026! 🎄

If Christmas at Walt Disney World has been on your bucket list, now is the time to start planning! Tickets are now on sale for one of Disney's most magical holiday traditions.

📅 2026 Party Dates

November
8 • 9 • 12 • 13 • 15 • 17
19 • 20 • 24 • 25 • 27 • 29

December
1 • 3 • 4 • 6 • 8 • 10 • 11
13 • 15 • 17 • 18 • 20 • 22

Tickets are on sale now!

Your event ticket includes:
🎄 Entry to Magic Kingdom beginning at 4:00 PM
🎅 Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
🎆 Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
🍪 Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
✨ Rare character appearances, festive entertainment, and access to many attractions with lower wait times.

If this party is on your Disney to-do list, don't wait too long to purchase your tickets. Weekend parties and dates closer to Christmas are typically the first to sell out. We've been to this party many times and it never disappoints!

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