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Yes, the Disney Dining Plan is a Deal!

I always advise my clients to purchase the dining plan when visiting Walt Disney World, as it’s widely known that it is a great value. But I experienced firsthand not only how much a family can save, but some additional benefits as well, when we spent 5 days at the resort for a family reunion.

For a family of four with children ages 9 and 11, the plan cost about $650 (3 adults and 1 child), or $130 per day. The basic plan includes one table service (sit down) meal, one counter service meal, and one snack per person per day. Meals include entrée, beverage, dessert, and taxes, though for breakfast diners get an extra beverage instead of dessert. (Upgrades are available which include additional table service meals and wine.)

If there is only one reason to purchase the dining plan, it’s to save money, and I now have the receipts to prove it. All the restaurants, whether buffet or ala carte, would have cost us at least $100-150 including taxes. Add in a counter service meal for lunch or breakfast, and there’s another $25-40. Snacks vary greatly in cost, from <$2 for fresh fruit or candy to $3-5 for ice cream sundaes and smoothies, so that was another $15-20 per day. Adding it all up, our food bill would have been at least $140 per day without the dining plan, but usually it was closer to $180. So that was a savings of as much as $50 per day!

We sometimes found we had so much food, we couldn’t eat it all. Desserts were often ordered “to go” and kept in our room refrigerator for snacking another time. Unused beverages (20 oz bottles) were also saved for later in the day. If an adult opted for wine or beer at dinner (not included on the plan), then my daughter could order a milkshake or smoothie, which was allowed on the adult plan but not the child’s. On the day of our departure, we had an extra counter service meal to use up, so we got sandwiches to go and took them on the plane.

In addition to saving money, there are other great benefits with the dining plan:

* Less mealtime conflict – When we dine out, two issues almost always come up. The first is whether or not my son can order off the adult menu (“Trust me, the hamburger on the kids’ menu is the same size, it just costs less. I promise I’ll get you more food if you’re still hungry.”) And whether or not the kids can order dessert. With the dining plan, my son had free reign to order whatever he wanted, which turned out to be filet mignon with bleu cheese sauce on the first night. I didn’t cringe a bit when he ordered! And dessert was always included, so no problem there, either.

* Less stress – At some point during our vacations, I start to feel the financial pinch as we eat out meal after meal. I look at prices on the menu rather than ordering what I want, even though I have budgeted for food. I think part of the problem is not knowing exactly how much we have spent, since I am not organized enough to keep a running tally as we go. At Disney World, though I knew the food wasn’t “free,” it was much more relaxing to go into the restaurant knowing it was prepaid, and the amount was set. And I loved receiving a bill which showed a big fat 0 for the total!

* Less junk food – Because we weren’t so concerned about watching our meal expenses, we ate much less fast food than we would have otherwise. So that meant fewer French fries and burgers, and more fresh fish and poultry. Even the buffets offered a variety of healthy choices, and also allowed the kids to try foods that they normally would not have ordered.


For families visiting Walt Disney World this fall, dining is even more affordable, as it’s free! For more information about this offer and other great family vacation values, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Whose Vacation Is It Anyway?

One of the most common questions a client asks me is, “What’s the best resort in [insert name of destination here]?” And I won’t give them a straight answer. I’m not being evasive or difficult; I’m being a good travel advisor.

Despite all the rating systems, “Best Of” lists, and travel awards floating around, the best resort for a particular family depends on their unique travel personality, not a travel editor’s opinion. In fact, there are resorts that I love, which I don’t automatically suggest to my clients. And I would prefer not to stay at many of the places I recommend often. It doesn’t mean they are not great options for a family vacation, they just don’t fit my family’s travel personality.
As a family travel advisor, I have to remove my personal opinion from the planning process, and focus on asking the right questions of my clients to understand their travel style: Do you want to go exploring on your own during the day, or do you want a self-contained resort with lots of activities so you never have to leave? Do you want a fancy water park for the kids, or just a quiet, safe beach? A hip and modern resort, or a casual and comfortable lodge? A quiet setting with lush landscaping, or a hustling bustling atmosphere with poolside games and talent shows?

I remember the time a client called me one evening from a party. She was concerned, as we had just booked their trip to Hawaii, and now she was talking to friends who were raving about a different resort. I reminded her of our initial conversation, where we discussed her vision for the trip, and the kind of hotels and setting that her family prefers. I then explained the differences between the resort she was booked at and the one her friend recommended, and she relaxed as she realized they had made the right choice for their family. They went on the trip and came back raving about how perfect the hotel and location was for them!



I also talk with my clients about their priorities and the tradeoffs they are willing to make. Many travelers forego some luxury in order to stay in an exceptionally beautiful location or have a unique cultural experience. For example, in the Riviera Maya last summer, we spent the first few nights of our trip at 2 star hotel, because we wanted to be steps from one of the best snorkeling beaches in the area, and also experience the local ambiance. Then we spent the remainder of the trip at a five star resort, the Fairmont Mayakoba, which had great amenities and service, but was definitely more “insulated.”

Personal recommendations are valuable, but it is important to keep in mind the frame of reference. Advice could be coming from your best friend, but you probably don’t drive the same car, decorate your house the same way, wear the same clothes, or even have the same hobbies. So it’s not unusual that you have a different travel personality. And I caution that the same consideration be given to online travel reviews – a reviewer could have hated a place because it simply wasn’t the right match, or their expectations were incorrect. That’s why whenever possible, I refer to unbiased reviews written by travel agents who provide specific details as to what type of traveler the hotel suits.

So keep this in mind when getting travel recommendations from well-meaning friends and family. It’s YOUR trip, YOUR hard-earned vacation time, and YOUR money, not theirs. Make sure the match is right for your family. And to help you do that, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com

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Think Christmas in May

Now that the weather is just starting to warm up in many parts of the country, it’s hard to think about winter travel planning. But if you are considering a tropical family getaway for Christmas, the time to plan is now. Despite the economic climate, holidays are still one of the most popular times for families to travel, and flights and hotels will continue to book up early.

However, families will find one change in their favor. In the past, a minimum 10 night stay was often required for travel late December through New Year’s. But many resorts have relaxed this policy for 2009, which can make a holiday trip easier for families to manage this year.

Here are some great family resorts which are only requiring 7 night stays this holiday season:

Westin St. John Resort & Villas – This is a lush retreat for families who want to either “do it all, or do nothing at all.” Rent a jeep to explore the island, or hike and snorkel in Virgin Islands National Park. Or just relax on the 1,200-foot beach on calm Great Cruz Bay, featuring slides and trampoline rafts. Kids have plenty to do, either in the Westin Kids Clubhouse for ages 3-12, or the 1,200-square-foot teen center with air hockey, video games, foosball, and plasma TV. And the whole family can enjoy activities such as dive-in movies and beach volleyball.

Casa de Campo, Dominican Replublic – This is one of the best family resorts in the Caribbean, offering a large variety of accommodations from luxury guestrooms to spacious villa homes. It’s great for family reunions because of the amazing variety of activities, including world renowned golf, tennis, watersports, fishing, cycling, and horseback riding. And parents of infants and toddlers will appreciate having a supervised children’s program and nanny services available.

Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya– Fairmont Resorts excel at family-friendly luxury, and this relatively new resort in the Riviera Maya is no exception, as my family recently discovered. (Read my trip report here.) Set amidst lush vegetation and canals on a safe swimming beach, the resort offers exceptional dining, fun pools for kids and adults, and spacious rooms and suites. Families wanting the ultimate in pampering and convenience can book beachfront bungalows with private pools and butler service.

Paradisus Playa Conchal – This all-inclusive, all-suite resort on 2,400 lush, beachfront acres in Costa Rica is paradise for families who love nature. The children’s program entertains kids up to age 12 (including babies!), and Family Concierge Suites include specialized amenities for families such as walkie-talkies and a Paradise Kidz Beach Kit. On-site activities include golf, eco-adventures, nightly shows, free cooking, dancing and fitness classes, and a casino.

Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman – They have arguably the best and most unique children’s program to be found, created in collaboration with sea legend Jean-Michel Cousteau. Kids age 4 to 18 can kayak through mangrove jungles, dive underwater in a submarine, learn to navigate by the stars, and practice digital photography. While the program is fully supervised by a well-trained staff, the experience is so spectacular parents often tag along. And everyone is pampered by the traditional Ritz-Carlton world-class service. (Other Ritz Carlton destinations with 7 night minimum stays are located in San Juan, Cancun, Jamaica, and St. Thomas)

St Regis Punta Mita – This is one of the newest luxury resorts in Mexico, having just opened in November, 2008. The slogan here is “barefoot elegance,” with every room offering Signature St. Regis Butler Service, outdoor showers and private terraces, and easy access to a white sand beach. Children are entertained in a bright, cheerful Kids Club, or can splash in the family pool or calm Banderas Bay. Golf, fishing, tennis, and excursions to local villages round out activities for the whole family.

Don’t get left out in the cold! To get started planning a great family vacation for the holidays, or any time of year, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Tour Operators Help Families Save Money on Travel

Travelers often have the wrong perception of travel agents and tour operators. They assume that because there is a middleman, the price will be higher. But in the travel industry, the opposite is usually true. Tour operators use their bulk buying power to provide packaged vacations at a reduced rate. And they can usually negotiate extra perks like complimentary breakfast, shopping vouchers, or coupon books for added value. Travel agents have the additional advantage of knowing which tour operators have the best prices to various destinations, and also can book trips with companies who do not work directly with the public.

For example, I priced a 7 night vacation package to Maui in August for a family of four through a tour operator who specializes in Hawaii. The grand total, including non-stop flights out of SFO, full size car, 1 bedroom suite at the Fairmont Kea Lani (my personal favorite), taxes, and travel insurance, was $5978 for the lowest category room. An upgrade to an ocean view suite brought the package to $7288. And since I am a Virtuoso Travel Advisor, my clients would also receive a gift basket on arrival full of munchies.

Next I priced everything separately on the internet. The nonstop flights alone for four came to over $3400. Add the least expensive rate on the hotel’s website was $3783 including taxes. That’s $7200 total for just the airfare and hotel, so clients are essentially getting the car and insurance for free when booking a tour operator package.



An important note about insurance, which every traveler should be purchasing these days. This particular supplier allows cancellation for any reason with a complete cash refund (minus the travel protection plan cost which is quite reasonable). Even the airfare is completely refundable! So that is a great advantage for families who know they have to plan far in advance to get the best rates, but may need to change their plans down the road due to sports schedules or other conflicts.

Another destination with jaw-dropping hotel rates is New York City. I checked The Plaza’s rates over Thanksgiving, and they started at $1005 per night plus tax. A hotel package through a tour operator (one that happens to only work with travel agents), was $4432 including taxes for five nights. That’s a total savings of over $1200 when taxes are figured in! But in this case an even better value is to make a direct hotel booking through a Virtuoso agent. The Virtuoso rates net about $1000 in savings, and include exclusive amenities: an upgrade based on availability, a $100 dining credit, and daily buffet breakfast for two. That’s the advantage of working with a Virtuoso travel advisor – I check all options to find out which gives the best value for my clients.



Speaking of holidays, booking through a tour operator is a one way to find hotel space during busy travel periods. Hotels block off rooms for tour operators, and cannot sell them until the space is released back to the hotel, usually quite close to the travel date. So even though a hotel says it is “sold out,” a tour operator may still have rooms available in their allotment.

This is also true when trying to book a flight to a popular destination. I have been able to book the most desirable nonstop flights to Maui for Spring Break when the airline itself doesn’t have seats to sell, and at a significantly lower cost than the less desirable schedules. But the number of seats available is limited, so my savvy clients know to contact me very early to get the best package rates.

For more details, contact Suzette Mack, a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Give Mom a Break with a Holiday Getaway

Several years ago I found I was losing the holiday spirit after all the decorating, shopping, wrapping, mailing, baking, etc. I was pretty burnt out on Christmas by the time the big day arrived. One year I declared that I needed a break to get back in the Christmas spirit, and insisted we take a mini-vacation before the holiday. My criteria were simple: I didn’t want to cook, and it had to be a place with lots of holiday activities for the family. Since the old adage is true, “when Mom’s happy, everybody’s happy” it wasn’t difficult to convince my family to go along.

We went to Sunriver Resort near Bend, OR, whose annual Traditions celebration included horse-drawn sleigh rides, cookie decorating, caroling, and breakfast with Santa. My children were even tucked in one night by an elf that brought treats and read them a bedtime story! Spending this quality time with my family renewed my holiday spirit. I went home refreshed and happy, and ready to create wonderful holiday memories in my home.


I think more than ever this year people need to get away not just from the chores at home, but from the relentless stories of economic woe in the newspapers and on television. And travelers can take advantage of excellent promotions during this time. Many resorts are waiving the traditional 7 or 10 night minimum stay requirements typical for the holidays, and offering lower rates or more amenities than ever before. And when booking with a Virtuoso travel consultant, families get exclusive perks and VIP treatment at many of the world’s top resorts.

For example, Four Seasons Jackson Hole is offering the fourth night free for arrivals December 18 through April 9. And as I am affiliated with a Four Seasons preferred agency, my clients also receive daily continental breakfast for two, a welcome amenity, and a complimentary upgrade (based on availability). The resort also has luxurious 2-5 bedroom residences in addition to hotel rooms and suites, which are conveniently situated for visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek, Colorado, caters to families with services such as a ski nanny, youth spa, and daily fire pit lighting with hot chocolate, apple cider and freshly baked cookies. A special treat for kids is borrowing the resort’s resident Labrador Retriever for a snowshoe hike. Exclusive Virtuoso amenities for my clients include daily continental breakfast for two, a $50 spa credit, and complimentary upgrade based on availability. (For 2009, the spa credit is being replaced with an $85 food credit.)


The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is also offering a fourth night free, as well as a Mountain Adventure Package which includes daily breakfast and $100 CAD credit per day toward mountain activities. When booking with a Virtuoso travel consultant, guests also receive a complimentary signature martini with souvenir shaker. Special holiday events such as caroling, sleigh rides and dog-sledding are planned through December, and guests can also enjoy afternoon tea service and evening fondue dining. For a festive city getaway, the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Manhattan offers fashionable, family-friendly accommodations a short walk from Central Park and Madison Avenue shops. Their Pillows and Penguins package includes two connecting rooms, daily continental breakfast, a children’s gift bag, 4 tickets to Central Park Zoo, VIP Passes to a Jekyll and Hyde themed restaurant, and milk and cookies at bedtime.

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Why Use A Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor?

Finding the best travel value is more important than ever for families. It may seem easy on the surface, as the news is filled with travel deals and promotions. But most families don’t want a “cheap” vacation; they want their vacation dreams fulfilled at the best price. As a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor, I can help parents maximize their travel dollar and end up with a wonderful family vacation that meets, and probably even exceeds, their expectations.

MORE FOR YOUR MONEY – This is not just about price, it’s about getting what you want and need when you travel. The good news for travelers right now is not just that they can get a discounted rate or a free upgrade, but that they can negotiate for those special perks that are often “on request” or “available only at check-in.” For example, many of my Virtuoso partner hotels are willing to guarantee upgrades at the time of booking, or guarantee specific bedding requests, a particular view or location, or even connecting rooms. When combined with the standard Virtuoso amenity, usually a complimentary meal or spa credit, families can get an exceptional value.

POWERFUL RELATIONSHIPS – This is one of those times where it’s “who you know” that makes all the difference. I spend a significant amount of time networking in the industry, to develop and maintain close personal relationships with my travel suppliers. So when my clients walk into a hotel for the first time, they will be warmly welcomed and treated like a VIP. I have also been able to acquire rooms at sold out hotels during holiday periods, or secure tickets to exclusive events. In virtually every country in the world, my clients have a local support network they can count on for emergencies or special needs. This is especially comforting for families traveling abroad with children.

HAPPY KIDS = HAPPY PARENTS – Anyone who has traveled with children knows that it’s a completely different ballgame. Just like at home, parents make tradeoffs on vacation to ensure the comfort and security of their children. As a Family Advisor, I know that every age group has its unique needs, and I can help find that right balance in meeting the kids’ and parents’ interests. Years of experience traveling with my own children since they were infants allows me to proactively address parents’ concerns, and gives me expert knowledge of family-friendly lodging and activities. I have taken my children backpacking, cycling, and kayaking since they were very young, so even active parents don’t need to slow down just because they have kids.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS – The value of working with a Virtuoso Family Advisor becomes most evident after the travel reservations are made. That’s when I become my clients’ travel partner, reviewing trip logistics to make sure everything runs smoothly and no detail is left to chance. It’s easy to call an 800 number and book a room at a resort or a cabin on a cruise ship. But when you call back, you’ll probably never get that same agent again. And they certainly aren’t going to contact you to make sure your children have the correct travel documents, provide you a day to day itinerary, tell you which rail pass you should get, hire a driver who can provide a car seat, or advise you on travel insurance. I am at my clients’ service from start to finish.

As we head in to the busy holiday season, remember that the latest trends in fashion, movies, and toys will be forgotten over the years, but the memory of a wonderful family vacation will last forever. It doesn’t need to be far, it doesn’t need to be expensive. What matters is spending quality time together.

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