Amy Belfi - Travel Planner

04/12/2024

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney's Beach Club resort is a notoriously tough-to-get dining reservation! I just ate there on a recent trip for the first time, and I'm gonna be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed given all the hype.

After we ate there my thought was.... this place just isn't any better than Culver's! Why is it so popular? (Full disclosure - I absolutely love Culver's).

Have you eaten at Beaches and Cream? Am I wrong?

04/12/2024

Is Throwback Thursday still a thing? Either way, here’s me at MGM Studios in 1994! I love vintage Disney pics.

04/11/2024

We talk a lot about what happens ON the Disney Cruise Line ships, but what about excursions and those ports beyond Castaway Cay? I’ve got a PRO TIP to share: Book excursions through Disney Cruise Line. Here’s why:

If an excursion runs late, the ship will wait for you. This is not the case if you booked privately and there is a delay.

Excursions are vetted for quality and safety. No unpleasant surprises!

Booking is easy and hassle-free. No worrying about multiple vendors or reading all the fine print!

04/10/2024

Today’s the day! 1900 Park Fare FINALLY opens its doors again for breakfast and dinner buffets with characters! This immensely popular Grand Floridian Resort & Spa restaurant has been closed for more than 4 years. FOUR! And it’s coming back with a new menu with old favorites and a new line up of Disney friends to dine with. Greeting you while you dine will be Tiana, Cinderella, Mirabel and Aladdin at both meals.

What do you think of the new character line up? Were you hoping for the old bunch or are you really excited for the one-on-one time with these Disney pals? I know my girls will be SO excited to meet Mirabel!

04/09/2024

You know when an attraction is so epic everyone and their unicorn wants their chance to ride? That’s Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. What makes getting on so tricky is that it’s not included in Universal’s Express Pass. So you’ve got to wait in line and it gets LONG. (Unless perhaps if you’re on a VIP tour, but that’s a conversation for another day.)

04/08/2024

Happy eclipse day from Sonny Eclipse! Will you be viewing the eclipse today?

Not gonna lie, I personally don’t get all the hubbub about eclipses. I’m about an hour north of the path of totality and I don’t even plan to go outside 🤷🏻‍♀️ I love that people get so into it though!

04/08/2024

Sure, Fort Wilderness is tucked away a bit behind Magic Kingdom but that doesn’t mean it should stay hidden from your next trip. Did you know you can fish, ride horses, take a carriage ride, learn archery, rent canoes and see the long running dinner show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical R***e?

Have you been to this classic show? What did you think?

04/07/2024

Looking for a great dining option at Disneyland that isn't in the parks? Time to say, “Ciao” to Naples Ristorante in Downtown Disney. Two words: Free.Bread. This laid-back Italian restaurant is the perfect way to end an action packed theme park day or enjoy a great meal on a non-park day in Downtown Disney.

Have you been to Naples before? What is your favorite Disneyland-area spot to eat?

04/06/2024

We’re only 9 months away from the inaugural sailing of the newest ship in Disney’s fleet, the Disney Treasure. Of course, we have no pictures as it’s not complete yet, but let’s talk about some things we do know:

For all of 2025 (at least) it will be a 7 night sailing departing from Port Canaveral with a choice of Eastern or Western Caribbean itineraries.

It will NOT stop at the newest Disney private island, Lighthouse Point, but will stop at Castaway Cay on both itineraries

It will feature so many details, elements and themes from the parks and films

Worlds of Marvel and 1923 will join the new Plaza de Coco as the three rotational dining restaurants!

04/05/2024

🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL! 🚨

Disney announced that a FREE dining offer is coming soon! Disney Visa Cardmembers will be eligible for a free Disney dining plan when they purchase a trip for select dates. We only have a few details now, with the rest coming out on April 9th. Get ahead of this offer (and its LIMITED availability) by getting on my promotion booking list! Send me a DM to talk more about this awesome deal!

04/05/2024

At Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique your little ones, ages 3-12, can get the royal treatment with a variety of makeover packages including makeup and nails, up-do hair styles and dresses. Snagging an appointment at Walt Disney World, Disneyland or on a Disney Cruise can be VERY competitive. Part of my planning services include booking these types of extras for you, in addition to your dining reservations!

Another alternative that I personally LOVE is having an in-room makeover. There are many amazing stylists who will come turn your child into whatever they wish, in the comfort of your room!

Those of you who have done both - do you prefer BBB or the more laid back and customized option of an in-room makeover?

04/03/2024

Let’s talk about prepping those feet for the marathon that is Walt Disney World. Just look at these maps, the parks are massive and you’re going to want to see it all! Here are a few tips to consider:

🩴 First, let’s talk about footwear. I recommend serious walking/running shoes (I love my Brooks Ghost running shoes! Always bring a backup pair of comfortable shoes in case you get stuck in the rain and your first pair get soaked. I also bring a sandal (like a Teva) that is ok to get wet.

🚶‍♀️Disney Training is a thing! Consider taking daily walks to prep for that trip!

👧🏻 If you have little ones, bring or rent a stroller! People debate on how old is too old for a stroller at Disney, and I've heard anywhere from 5 to 8 or up! I think certainly if your child is five or younger you'll want a stroller, at least for some of the bigger parks like Epcot.

04/02/2024

Once again, shouting it from the top of “The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride,” UNIVERSAL ISN’T JUST FOR ADULTS! From story time, to adorable attractions based on beloved Seuss classic stories to all the Green Eggs & Ham, you AND your littles will not want to leave this adorable nook of the park.

This uplifting and energetic story time requires no lines and just may end up being one of your best and sweetest memories from your Universal Orlando Resort visit. Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book or character?

04/02/2024

Today is Chip and Dale's Birthday!! Happy birthday to these two adorable chipmunks!

04/02/2024

Without expert advice or expert-level experience, it’s likely you’ll encounter hiccups and mishaps on a Disney vacation simply because you didn’t have key information. I’m not even talking about the tech, transportation options, promotions or park hours. Common mistakes that can stop an amazing trip in its tracks are:

🗺️ Underestimating the size of the parks and resorts
🍽️ Overlooking the importance of dining reservations
🏨 Not appreciating the value and benefits of staying on-site
😴 Not accounting for or planning time to rest

🧭 Don’t try to conquer this alone! A trip of this magnitude is an investment, and I ensure my clients are equipped with all the tools they need to have a magical, memorable, stress-free and fun Disney adventure. Let me help navigate the way! Send me a DM or click the link in my bio to get started!

04/01/2024

I am so excited to have been a featured guest on the Where I Long To Be Podcast, discussing my recent trip to Disney World with my daughter!

Pre-trip episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-i-long-to-be-a-magical-trip-report-podcast/id1680425867?i=1000651026209

Post-trip episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-trip-report-amys-mother-daughter-birthday-miracle/id1680425867?i=1000651026153

‎Show Where I Long To Be: A Magical Trip Report Podcast, Ep Post-Trip Report: Amy’s Mother/Daughter Birthday Miracle Trip (March 2024) - Mar 31, 2024

03/31/2024

🐰 Happy Easter! 🐰

Have you seen the Disney Easter eggs yet? We saw these amazing Moana eggs in the Yacht Club lobby on our visit last month! Today at Walt Disney World guests can hop over to Magic Kingdom to meet Mr. & Mrs. Bunny or breeze on over to EPCOT and go on an egg hunt! Of course there will be holiday treats and several restaurants will feature a holiday brunch menu.

We started a new tradition last year of going to Six Flags on Easter! It's not Disney, but IMO any theme park is better than nothing! 🎢

03/30/2024

Disney’s Riviera Resort, is... 😚👌 This blend of French and Italian Riviera style is gorgeous and glamorous without being stuffy. The resort is bright, comfortable and yet still elegant and refined. The rooms are spacious and the food is top notch. Trust me, you will never want to leave this resort. Have you stayed at the Riviera before? What are your favorite parts of this resort?

03/29/2024

The first movie I EVER saw in theaters was The Little Mermaid! So I have a soft spot for Ariel

03/28/2024

🏃‍♀️🍡Who can resist portable sweets, especially when Disney vacations are all about go-go-go! (Good thing vacation calories don’t count, right?). Disney has so many treats on a stick!

When you are ready to grab your sweet treat and hit the pavement, what are you most likely to grab first? Some bakery goodness, an old fashioned lollipop or something maybe colder?

03/28/2024

So excited to sponsor this local moms' bingo night!

🌟 Sending a magical thank you to our enchanting round sponsor, Amy Belfi - Travel Planner, for sprinkling some Disney magic on our Mom Hard, Play Harder Bingo Night! 🎉 Your support adds an extra sparkle to each round, making our event unforgettable. Cheers to you for making dreams come true! ✨

03/27/2024

Clients always ask me "Is there anything to do in Epcot for young kids?" One of my FAVORITE things to recommend is The Seas with Nemo and Friends, which is an adorable attraction that exits into a full-scale aquarium! This area is a prime example of spectacular Disney edutainment.

Here, among many other interesting facts, you’ll learn that EPCOT has been home to orphaned manatees and survivors of boat propeller accidents for years. There are two viewing areas where you just might witness a feeding of these gentle giants. There is also a fun kids play area! Seriously, my kids can spend hours in here!

In addition to all that, this pavilion is huge and the air conditioning is plentiful. It’s a prime spot when you need a break from crowds, lines, the sun and theme park stimulation. With plenty of areas for kids to burn some energy, you may find it to be one of your favorite stops. Do the manatees have your heart? Or are you just there for the shade and a/c?

03/26/2024

Attention theater people! Did you know that tomorrow is World Theater Day?

I am a huge theater nerd myself. This is my daughter and me last year seeing the Broadway tour of Frozen at the Fabulous Fox theater in St. Louis! This year we saw Aladdin 🧞‍♂️. But I think my favorite Disney Broadway adaptation has to be Beauty and the Beast (which I saw at the Fox back when it first toured!).

What’s your favorite Broadway show??

03/25/2024

🧇😋 Did you know that today is International Waffle Day?! I love how Disney manages to make waffles a part of every meal -breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. What is your favorite way to enjoy waffles in Disney?

03/15/2024

I recently got back from Disney and I can’t explain just how special this trip was!

When I became a travel agent (almost a full year ago!) my goal was to be able to take my daughter on a one-on-one trip to celebrate her birthday. I wanted to be eligible for agent discounts and pay for the whole trip with my earnings. And I’m SO proud to say that I DID!

We truly had the most magical time. Highlights include meeting Darth Vader and an incredible Lightning McQueen makeover by !

I wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you - if you’ve booked a trip with me, referred a friend, or even engaged with my social media posts - I couldn’t have done this trip without you! ❤️ 🏰

03/10/2024

🍄 Happy Mario Day to all who celebrate! (March 10… MAR10… Mario!) 🍄

We LOVE Nintendo in our house and have been celebrating by playing Mario and Rabbids on the Switch!

Have you visited Super Nintendo World at Universal Hollywood, or are you waiting for them to finish Epic Universe in Orlando? Universal just announced they’re booking through April 2025! So if you’ve been waiting to book your Universal trip, now’s the time! Send me a DM or click the link in my bio to talk about your trip! 🏰 🍄

03/02/2024

My daughter had the most amazing Lightning McQueen makeover today from CoCo’s Pixie Dust!

02/27/2024

📣 BIG NEWS!! 📣

Who wants to go to Disney world in 2025?!

Tomorrow is your day! 2025 dates are being released for packages through October 2025 🙌🏼

For a fully refundable $200 deposit we can lock in your trip! Send me a DM or click the link in my bio and we can start planning!

02/21/2024

Last night on my agency’s monthly “state of the union” call, I was announced for hitting the $250,000 sales milestone!

THANK YOU thank you thank you to my incredible clients, and to all of you for following me and supporting my travel business. When I started this, I thought it would be a small hobby, and it’s turned into so much more! I love helping people plan their vacations and I couldn’t do it without you! 🎉 Can’t wait to celebrate this milestone in Disney next week!

02/01/2024

January is a busy month for travel agents! I had so much fun helping my clients plan vacations this month, including a bunch of Disney, an all-inclusive honeymoon trip, and a trip to good ol’ Branson MO! Thank you so much to my clients for trusting me to help with their vacations ❤️ Here’s what I booked this month:

🎪 Disney’s Boardwalk Resort x3
🥐 Disney’s Riviera Resort
🏝️ Secrets Resort Punta Cana
🌸 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
🚢 Cruise on the Disney Wish
🏖️ Disney’s Beach Club Resort x2
🎸 Universal Hard Rock Resort x2
🌲 Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
🎷 Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
🎺 Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
🏨 Marriott Willow Ridge Lodge, Branson MO
🚗 Happy Limo private car transport x2
🚌 Mears Connect shuttle