On The Road Travel

The Holidays are always a magical time, but they're never more magical than when you're at Walt Disney World. I mean, just look at that castle! While it can be pretty busy around the holidays, there are some serious perks to traveling during this time. The atmosphere of the parks completely changes as they decorate for this time of year, and the background music makes it that much more magical. Plus, if you know how to do it right, the crowds are really quite manageable! I'm the youngest of my family at age 23, so traditional gift giving at Christmas has become less prominent in the last couple of years. A couple of years ago, rather than have a traditional Christmas at home, we decided to take a trip to Disney World, just the four of us. It was one of the best Christmas gifts we could have asked for! We got to spend time together and have all kinds of fun throughout the week. It also helps that it's much warmer in Orlando in December than it is in Iowa! Of co...

Meet our Social Media Coordinator, Ali Henkle! Ali is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Performing Arts Management, as well as a minor in Marketing. In addition to working with On The Road Travel, she works as the Marketing Manager at the Des Moines Symphony and Academy. Ali has been lucky enough to visit Disney World every year since she was one, and many of her favorite childhood memories are from the family vacations spent there. She's a Disney Vacation Club Member and, at the moment, she's also an Annual Passholder. She has visited Disneyland and California adventure once, and has had the opportunity to go on a few cruises, Disney and otherwise, as well as travel through some of Europe with her family.  One of her favorite Disney memories is spending New Years Eve 2003 at Epcot with her family and some family friends. They had a blast running around and keeping in contact with their parents via walkie talkie, and it rained so hard t...

When You Stay at a Disney Resort the Magic Begins at Home! So, you want to take a trip to Disney World, but you’re unsure about where to stay? Look no further than the more than 20 Disney resorts conveniently located on Disney World property! These resorts not only cater to all budgets, but they also appeal to a wide range of interests. With various themes and locations to choose from, there truly is something for everyone! Plus, there are so many perks! At Home… Advanced FastPass+ Reservations: As a guest staying on Disney property, you can select your FastPasses 60 days prior to your trip! This gives you a huge advantage when it comes to getting preferred passes and times – especially for new and popular rides, such as AVATAR: Flight of Passage, and Frozen Ever After. Guests who do not stay on Disney property can book FastPasses only 30 days prior to their trip. Complimentary MagicBands: When you stay at a Disney resort your complimentary MagicBands will be shipped to...

It’s week two of Meet Me Monday, and today is all about Dawn Zorilo! Dawn lives in New York with her husband, Bryan, and son, Joseph. She has loved Mickey Mouse and Disney movies since she was a child. Dawn was 11 when she first visited Disney World with her parents and brother, and that trip ignited a love for Disney that hasn’t stopped growing. Some of Dawn’s Disney favorites include: Resort: Wilderness Lodge Park: Epcot Ride: Tower of Terror Animated movie: The Lion King Live movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl Character: the original black & white Mickey Mouse Reading about all things Disney and learning how to organize trips became a passion of hers. Many years and several Disney trips (including a honeymoon) later, Dawn was lucky enough to be introduced to Chris Cook-Leitz through her aunt. She got to know Chris over the years from booking trips and talking Disney with her, so Dawn was ecstatic when Chris invited her to join the team at On The...

When you runDisney, every mile IS magic! It may sound crazy to some — but it is true! I was a non-runner until four years ago. Now, I enjoy it and find a daunting 13.1 exciting — well, at Disney it is! Running a Disney race is truly special! Races are run early in the morning, so as not to interfere with regular park hours. Disney provides special race transportation to get you to the race start based on starting corrals. Starting corrals, or groups, are assigned in advance based on estimated finish time or a qualifying time that a runner may provide from a previous race. Races are run through the park(s) and all across the Disney Property! Not all races go through all of the parks — All the more reason to run different runDisney events! It is really interesting to run BEHIND the scenes as well as through the parks that we love so dearly. Throughout the races, there are character meet and greets, video boards, music, dj's, dancers, bands, COSTUMED runners, and so mu...

Welcome to our first week of Meet Me Monday! For the next few weeks, we will be introducing one of our agents every Monday so you can get to know us better. That way, by the time you see their post on Friday, you'll know all about them! First on the agenda is Suzanne Clark Sprecher! Magic Planner Suzanne, at On The Road Travel, dreamt of visiting Disney World her WHOLE life! She would WISH every birthday on those candles---for a trip to see the castle! That trip FINALLY happened at the age of 20~ Yes, good things come to those who wait (and wish)! It has been a love affair ever since… Suzanne is a previous first grade teacher with a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa. (Go Panthers!) She substitute teaches and works her magic out of her Ankeny, Iowa home office and takes her husband and 3 daughters to experience all things Disney, as often as possible! Since she began this love affair, RunDisney has become a big part of Suzanne’s life! ...

Welcome to the new On The Road Travel Blog! We are a small business that specializes in Disney travel. My name is Chris Cook-Leitz, and I'm the owner of On the Road Travel. I just wanted to take the time to welcome you to this blog and introduce myself. I started working for Norma, one of the founders of On The Road Travel, in October 2008 after working for Land Grant Universities in three states. My first trip to Disney World was in elementary school and I threw a fit because I didn't want to go into the Tiki Room because I was convinced the birds would poop on me. (My parents remind me of this often). Below is a picture of my family and I at Machu Picchu last December on an Adventures by Disney Trip. Rick and I have been married for 23 years and have two sons, Trevor (14), and Ethan (6). Since joining the team, I've been thrilled to expand our agency and develop a focus in Disney Travel. Through this blog, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the On The...