Travel Adventures with Deb

03/14/2025

Walt Disney World Premiere Pass Review

Last October Disney began selling "Premiere Passes." These passes, with their hefty price tags, allow guests to skip the line in EVERY attraction featuring a Lightning Lane in a single park, on a single day. (Please note: if you have a Park Hopper ticket, the passes do NOT transfer to a second park, even if you change parks on the day of your Premiere Pass reservation.) These passes can cost up to $450 per person, per day, depending on which park you choose *in addition* to the regular ticket price. We wanted to see if they were worth it.

My adult daughter, Krissy, and I tried them out on our Spring Break trip to Disneyworld. Spring Break is traditionally very busy, and the parks were full. On the day of our Magic Kingdom Premiere Pass, we woke to stormy weather (which I knew about in advance). What I didn't know was an F-2 tornado touched down just north of Orlando that morning. Regardless, the point is, we didn't rush to the Magic Kingdom. We had a sit down breakfast at the Contemporary Resort first. We arrived at the park at 11:30 a.m. We were bound and determined to ride every single attraction that was part of the Premiere Pass before we left, and did exactly that. Prices fluctuate between parks and by projected demand. Magic Kingdom has the highest price, and Animal Kingdom the lowest, etc.

Because we were visiting every attraction available (19!) we did several rides and shows we wouldn't normally do (Tomorrowland Speedway, Dumbo, etc.). All told, we managed to do 23 rides and attractions, plus 2 sit down meals, in 11.5 hours. We didn't rush, leisurely strolling the park all day.

***It was, hands down, the very best Disney experience we ever had in decades of visiting the Magic Kingdom.***

Going by posted wait times, we saved 7.75 hours of standing in line. In comparison, the next day we waited in a stand-by line in the Animal Kingdom for an hour and 8 minutes (for just one ride!). It stank. We were officially spoiled by the Premiere Pass.

Additionally, neither of us expected having so much fun doing attractions we would normally skip. For instance, the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is something we usually don't have time for. I ended up getting picked to be part of the show and we got a huge laugh out of it.

The next two days we park hopped with the other types of time-based Lightning Lane passes (both single and multi) and it was not nearly as good an experience. Constantly watching the clock and logging into the app hoping for time slots for more Lightning Lane rides once we used the early passes, etc., was a royal pain in the rump. So much so that I kept a color-coded spreadsheet of our schedule. We also missed several rides we'd hoped for because all of the Lightning Lane reservations were taken by the time we used our earlier passes. That said, I would grab a pass for Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot on the single pass system, but would likely spring for a Premiere Pass at Hollywood Studios. Similarly, a single pass and multi-pass for Animal Kingdom would be fine, rather than the Premiere Pass. There are less "E ticket" rides in those parks.

So at nearly $900 for two people for one day in the Magic Kingdom, was it worth the spend? ABSOLUTELY! I am very ride-oriented (also impatient, haha), and being able to ride everything in one day was a dream come true. Not to mention, if you get everything done in a single day, it could shave a second day at the same park off your trip, potentially saving you at least some of the money spent for the pass. If you have littles, keeping them out of long lines could be a lifesaver (or at least a trip saver!).

Additionally, it was only March 10th, and the weather got up to 80 degrees for several days of our trip. Want to know what's worse than waiting in line for an hour? Waiting in line for an hour when it's sweltering hot. In the end, we decided (for the Magic Kingdom, at least) we would never return to the park without these fantastic passes. It certainly put the "magic" back into Disney for us!

So...if you have a smaller group and hate waiting in lines, or are on a short trip to Disney, these passes would be awesome for you. If you have eight or more people, a VIP tour may suit you better (if you don't know what that is, message me). Either way, I am here to help. Let me know if you would like assistance planning your trip to Disneyworld or Disneyland. Using a travel agent doesn't cost you a dime, and you get personal, hands-on advice and support. Text or call 205-902-1699 for more information.

06/22/2024

04/03/2024

Review of Air France's business class:

First, there are a lot of comparisons between Air France's and United Polaris' business class products. We're really into points travel, and snagged these flights at a very deep discount during an Air France points sale (Flying Blue). We've also done a Polaris trip on points. It's a huge savings ($4,000 each round trip versus $750 round trip), so if you love to travel and not using a credit card that allows you to choose from several top carriers for points, you're costing yourself money.

The first two legs of the journey (on Delta) were in economy class because they were short jaunts of 1-2 hours each. In my middle seat I felt miserable and cramped. This business class flight was definitely a huge level up. When you're talking an 8 hour flight, having lay flat seats and room is a game changer.

Air France's business class compartment is very similar to Polaris, but I think the bed itself is smaller. Not by much, but I'm just 5'2" and slept with bent knees. Tom said he was cramped. Still, I slept most of the flight, which helped tremendously to combat the 7 hour time difference from home. This was the first trip I didn't feel jet lagged upon arrival.

I have read reviews about staff rudeness and mediocre food on Air France's business product, but we experienced superb, friendly service from start to finish. The cabin stewards couldn't have been more accommodating!

As to the food, from reading previous reviews I was prepared for the worst, and snacked ahead of time. BAD IDEA. My chef prepared dinner was absolutely wonderful. I ate Every. Bite. I accidentally even ate some goat cheese, which I can't stand. lol

That was dinner. Breakfast, sadly, was another story. Granted, I eat farm fresh eggs on the daily, and really loathe reconstituted egg-like substances. These were bad, even for those. The potato and mushrooms were a weird, microwaved texture. The only thing I ate was the grilled tomato. Luckily, I was still plenty full from my dinner 4-5 hours before.

The amenity kit was "meh." Polaris definitely has a better kit, including a Saks Fifth Avenue down comforter they allow you to keep. Still, that toothbrush came in handy.

The plane was great. The camera on the tail is amazing to watch.

Overall, the service and dinner were superb, and I am very spoiled on business class overseas flights. It would be tough to be crammed in a smaller space for an overseas flight ever again.

I hope this review helps someone considering Air France's business class. It's well worth the point splurge!

04/02/2024

We began our journey with a 5:20 a.m. departure from Birmingham. We pulled an all-nighter the night before, so by the time we landed in Toronto we were already a little jet lagged. We had a quick stop in Atlanta, so we checked out the Delta premium lounge near our gate. It was small, but had a decent variety for breakfast, and a super friendly bartender to start our trip with mimosas.

After previously traveling through the stellar United Polaris lounge area in ATL, the KLM Crown Lounge seemed very basic. But it was pretty and had a good vibe. No nap rooms or showers, but plenty of plush seating, and a decent tapas type buffet. They had a self serve bar, which I've never seen before, but it matched the laid back vibe. We have a 6 hour wait in Toronto, and it definitely helps to be in a quiet environment versus the main terminal, despite its basic offerings.

03/26/2024

Only a week until we head to France for the journey of a lifetime. From Van Gogh's South of France hangouts to see things like the actual location of his painting, "A Starry Night," to the ruined medieval fortress of Les Baux, to the foodie capital of Europe, Lyon, I will be going live so you can journey along with me. I can't promise there will be a video like the one I posted the night I went rogue in Cologne, Germany, but it's a wine themed cruise on the AmaKristina, so it's a distinct possibility. 😳 I dearly, deeply love France, so stay tuned, especially if you're curious about taking a river cruise journey. Unlike ocean cruises that charge extra for breathing, a European river cruise on a luxury brand like AmaWaterways is completely all-inclusive, so it's a better value than you might think. 🇫🇷

11/18/2022

Still trying to decide what to do for the holidays next month? How about a New Year's cruise? It's genius, really. No boring New Year's Eve at home and no drunk drivers. Me, my family, and a group of friends are sailing out of Port Canaveral on the Norwegian Escape to celebrate the holidays. While everyone else is braving the cold weather, we'll be having fun in the sun in the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, and Costa Rica.

Norwegian is currently combining their "Free at Sea" promotion (which includes alcohol, specialty dining, wifi, and shore excursion credit) with a Black Friday deal that makes the second guest FREE. It's a great way to have a fabulous vacation at a good value. Time is very limited on this offer, so contact us no later than Tuesday morning to book your own New Year's (or different) cruise at this amazing price!

In addition to cruises based out of the US, we can book your cruise for anywhere around the world. We have been there, done that from the Mexican Riviera to the Rhine River in Europe. We know all the tips and tricks to make your cruise adventure the vacation of a lifetime. 205-902-1699.

Need a good reason to celebrate New Year's Eve on a cruise? How about 8?

11/29/2021

AmaWaterways' Cyber Monday sale is happening now. Please call me at 205-902-1699 to take advantage of this fabulous offer. Must be booked by November 30th. EXCLUSIVE AND ALL INCLUSIVE
7-night luxury river cruise, stateroom upgrade, roundtrip airfare and transfers from $4,299 per person! See the pictures to see which sailings qualify.

While gathering with your loved ones, plan your unforgettable river cruise through Europe with award-winning AmaWaterways. With their exclusive limited-time Holiday Sale, from now through November 30, 2021, you can reserve any Europe sailing in 2021 and select sailings in 2022 from just $4,299 per person. These fares include a complimentary stateroom upgrade, free roundtrip airfare and transfers, and more!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS HOLIDAY SALE PACKAGE:
• Complimentary Upgrade to French Balcony or Best Stateroom Available (excludes suites)
(valued at $1,500 per person)
• Economy Roundtrip Airfare from more than 20 major gateways (up to $1,000 value)
• Roundtrip Airport/Ship Transfers (valued at $150 per person)
• Port Charges (valued at $196 per person)
• Your choice from more than 20 enriching small group excursions
• Complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner
• Sip & Sail cocktail hour every evening
• Fine dining in multiple venues – including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
• Complimentary high-quality Wi-Fi and more

11/02/2021

ATTENTION: Doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and teachers. If you've ever wanted to take a luxury European river cruise for less than it would cost to take your family to Disneyworld for a week, let me know! Right now, you can sail FREE with a paid guest on an all-inclusive (including adult beverages and choice of four free daily shore excursions!) European river cruise via one of my luxury travel partners. I did one of these two years ago, and it was hands-down the BEST trip of my life. Sailings are now through 2022, and you can pick ANY of their European cruise departures. Please PM me for more info or call/text 205-902-1699. It's the cruise line's way of giving back to those who did so much during the pandemic, and a heck of a steal! Airfare will likely be on sale during Black Friday, so this is the time to make your plans. Let me know if you want more info. If you aren't a frontline hero, who do you know who is? Grab that person and go for it! Total cost for both people on this cruise could be as little as $3,500. That's major news.

08/24/2021

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the world's largest cruise industry trade association, 74% of travelers who have cruised previously plan to cruise again within the next few years, with 2/3 of them willing to cruise again in the next year. We miss cruising! What about you? Would you cruise again anytime soon? If so, would you cruise within the next year, or within the next few years?

06/21/2021

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

A federal in Florida judge on Friday ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) coronavirus-era sailing orders were an overreach of power, issuing a preliminary injunction temporarily barring the CDC from enforcing the guidelines.

04/20/2021

Information on the European Unions "Vaccination Passport." This is the latest and greatest on travel to Europe for those of you, like me, who are ready to get their wanderlust on. Important: they have three separate categories approved for travel - vaccinated, proof of previous infection/recovery, and "just tested negative." What are your thoughts? https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/eu-vaccine-chief-says-vaccine-passports-to-be-launched-in-june-unveils-document-prototype/

04/20/2021

Want to travel, but do not want the COVID vaccine for whatever reason? If you think you had it in the past, but it was before testing was widely available, a newly FDA approved (for emergency use) test can be ordered that checks to see if your T-cells will mount an immune response to the virus. This should be able to detect past virus infection for much longer than a regular antibody test (that, by the way, has a 25% margin of error!). Why would you do this? If you are like me and don't want to be vaccinated for whatever reason, but still want to travel, this is a way to prove you have had it and gotten over it (necessary for European and possibly other travel as early as June of this year). Cost is around $200 and not covered by insurance, however, if you have a medical savings/expenses account you can use that to pay for the test. The sooner after infection you have the test, the more likely you are to have a positive for the T-cells, so time is of the essence. For more information, go to: https://www.t-detect.com/covid-19/for-patients/

T-Detect Assessment & Payment Portal

04/19/2021

Great article on visiting Disney now or in 2022 when things are “back to normal”: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/best-year-visit-disney-world-2021-v-2022/

When to visit Walt Disney World is a common question, but lately that question has shifted from top weeks to best years for a WDW vacation. Now, it’s whether to go in Summer 2021 for the start of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary or wait until 2022 when things are back to normal? (Updated Apr...

04/05/2021

Embattled cruise lines are beginning to present their plans to resume service. As they do so, many of them (and I suspect all of them) appear to require passengers be vaccinated against COVID. What are your thoughts on mandatory vaccination of cruise passengers? (This graphic is from Norwegian’s web site.)

01/15/2021

The CDC recently issued an order that all travelers (both US citizens and foreign nationals) must provide proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of arrival back in the US. This is a developing story, as the CDC clarifies their new mandate. Because post-COVID travel is still evolving, having a knowledgeable travel agent is more important than ever. Click on the link below for more information on the new policy, and stay tuned as we update you on what this means for American travelers.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html #:~:text=On%20January%2012%2C%202021%2C%20CDC,airline%20before%20boarding%20the%20flight.

Symptoms, testing, what to do if sick, daily activities, and more.

12/28/2020

Cancun was an amazing experience this month. If you’re looking to plan an affordable, post-COVID trip, it’s tough to go wrong in sunny Mexico. Cancun’s average temperature is in the lower 80s year round. Tan in December? Yes, please.

12/18/2020

Got my first passport stamp since COVID rocked the world. It was Cancun, which probably would not have been my first choice pre-pandemic, but we found the tourism industry ready to welcome us with open arms. Arriving back at the ATL International Terminal was a bit surreal. It used to teem with travelers, but was a ghost town when we arrived. I won’t complain; what used to be an ordeal was a breeze. More importantly, going out of the US was a light at the end of the tunnel for this travel ju**ie. I look forward to further adventures ahead. 😍

08/24/2020

Found in a dusty corner of an antique store. LOVE this! It’s time to begin new adventures. We’re off to Cancun this December with a great deal found on Travelzoo. Cancun has put award winning cleanliness practices in place and has welcomed American tourists since July. If you’re like me, you’re in desperate need of adventures, and finding one at a far lower cost than a week at a US beach just makes it all the more enjoyable! Like, literally, I couldn’t go to the Gulf of Mexico for half of what it would cost to go to actual Mexico with this offer. Let the fiesta begin!