On The Road Travel

I’m the type of traveler that likes to have everything paid for before I get there. I try to make it all-inclusive as much as possible. Therefore, we usually purchase the Disney Dining Plan as part of our vacation to Walt Disney World. We keep it simple and just get the Quick Service plan. This means that we aren’t tied down to several reservations at sit-down restaurants. As of 2018, this plan comes with two quick service meals and two snack credits. If you plan the snacks correctly, they will fill you up just like a meal! Some of our favorites include: Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar Churro Sweet Bread (Kringla Bakeri, Norway, Epcot) Soft Pretzel (Germany, Epcot) Chocolate Covered Banana (Disney Studios) Kaki Gori (Flavored Ice Cone, Japan, Epcot) Minnie’s Strawberry Bar (many park locations) Caramel Ginger Ice Cream (China, Epcot) Shakes & Stuffed Pretzels (Animal Kingdom) Make-Your-Own Fudge Cookie, Marshmallow Treats and Gingerbread Cookies (Goofy’s Candy Co., Disney...

Park tickets are one of the biggest expenses of a Walt Disney World vacation, so it’s important to make the right decision. My hope in this post is to help give you a little background so you can make this tough choice with your On The Road Travel Agent. The first decision you have to make when taking a trip to Disney World is how many days you wish to spend at the parks. This really depends on the pace of your family and the kind of vacation you want to have. I’m a big park goer, so when we take a trip to Disney World, we typically visit a park every day, or at least 80% of the days we spend there, and the Park Hopper feature is well worth its cost for us. So first and foremost, you need to consider who will be in your traveling group and account for their interest and ability as a park goer. I’m usually the youngest in my group and I’m 23, and my parents are the oldest at 52, so we can generally keep going all day long. That very likely isn’t the case for your group. I know it se...

Preparing for a Disney World vacation is so exciting! There are endless opportunities for fun with a variety of experiences that appeal to all ages and interests. So, for those of you who do not want to miss out on favorite characters, use the following information as a guide organized to help you select the experiences that are most important to you. Remember, details are subject to change so always double-check for accuracy using the My Disney Experience app or in-park Times Guide. Meet & Greet Opportunities Take pictures with your favorite characters and get some autographs, too! Photopass is usually offered at these experiences. Check your guide map or MyDisneyExperience to see exactly where you can meet these characters. Magic Kingdom Alice in Wonderland, Ariel, Buzz Lightyear, Daisy, Donald Duck, Gaston, Goofy, Merida, Mickey, Minnie, Peter Pan, Pluto, Rapunzel, Tigger & Winnie the Pooh, Tinker Bell Epcot Aladdin & Jasmine, Alice in Wonderland, Anna & Els...

One of the most confusing parts of Disney Vacations for our clients are the dining plans. What are they? What do they include? How do they work? Is it like being at an all-inclusive resort and I can eat what I want, when I want? Do I get credits for every day I’m there? Do I have to use 1 of each credit type per day? How am I going to know how many credits I’ve used and how many are left? When you travel to Disney with a dining plan---it allows you to feel as if your vacation is similar to an all inclusive experience. The majority of your food is already paid when you add a dining plan to your room and ticket package--it is a great way to “budget” knowing that your food spending is under control. When you arrive to the hotels and parks you can use your magic band to use your entitlements of the dining plan. Those credits are in a bank of sorts! Each receipt will tell you how many credits you have left! In order to have the dining plan, you must be an on site Disney guest...

As frequent visitors to Walt Disney World, my family likes to have new experiences each trip. When we visited The Happiest Place on Earth in early February, we tried a new restaurant (Sanaa at Disney’s Kidani Village), visited two restaurants we had not dined at in 10+ years (Liberty Tree Tavern and Chef Mickey’s), and stayed at a resort we had not stayed at as a family before (Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort). On our last evening, we embarked on the Pirates and Pals Firework Cruise for the first time. We are a family of four with two boys, age six and three-quarters and fourteen. There are so many experiences at Disney that are focused on princesses that when we come across something that boys can enjoy, we get excited. The information we were given instructed us to arrive at Disney’s Contemporary Resort by 6:45PM for check in. We arrived around 6:30 and checked in near the California Grill check in counter. We were given the run down of the evening by a Cast Member and had ...

Are you getting excited about your upcoming Disney trip? Or maybe just daydreaming about a day in the parks? Then have we got the playlist for you! This week we're featuring a friend of the blog's curated Disney Parks Playlist on Spotify! From the opening day of Disneyland to walking down Main Street USA to Fantasmic's final moments, Josie's playlist takes you through a day at the Magic Kingdom. To start planning your next trip, contact one of our agents! You can also connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram !

This week’s Meet Me Monday is all about Emily Haack! Emily has been a Disney fan for as long as she can remember. Her first Disney related memory was her dad taking her to see Beauty and the Beast in the theaters, sneaking in popcorn, and singing along with the songs she already knew by heart (hello cassette tape soundtracks!). Her love for Disney grew as her parents took her whole family on trips multiple times throughout childhood. The journey to being an agent began when her parents surprised her whole family--this time adults--with a trip to Disney World in 2015. She took the reigns in learning everything she could about making the trip a success (guided by Suzanne in the background), and it was pure magic. She vividly remembers the moment the magic finally fully embraced her husband; it was movie perfect under the canopy of the fireworks. She had so much fun planning the trip for her family that she had to continue that fun by becoming an agent. Emily and her husband get the...

Most Disney fans are very familiar with the four major theme parks, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. However, even the more seasoned theme park goers often times forget about the other two theme parks offered at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Both are highly themed waterparks that offer a full day of fun and sun! Blizzard Beach is themed as a mountain ski resort, with slopes of various thrill levels and even a chairlift that will take you to the top of Mount Gushmore for a near vertical drop on one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall body slides, Summit Plummet. For those looking for something a little less intimidating, there are many other slides that are sure to add excitement to your day! If something a little more relaxing is what you had in mind, floating down Cross Country Creek in a tube around the entire park, swimming in the waves, or relaxing on the shores of Melt-Away Bay (a one-acre wave pool) may be ...

It’s Monday again, and this week we’re introducing you to part two of the Scharbrough Travel Agent Team! Emily's love of Disney and traveling did not develop until later in her life. In fact, as a child she was always the one who would rather stay at home. When in junior high, Emily traveled to Walt Disney World with her family for the first time. She also recalls visiting Disney World while swimming in college. During winter training trips, the team would always take one day off from the pool and drive from Ft Lauderdale to Orlando for a day of fun at Disney World. It was not until 2011, when Emily and Fred took their own children to Disney World for the first time, that she fell in love with Disney and traveling. The entire trip was so well orchestrated by their agent at the time, (now owner of On The Road Travel) Chris Cook-Leitz. The boys loved the kid-friendly resort, All Star Movies, the restaurants were delicious, the transportation was so easy, and the theme parks were e...

In today’s tech savvy world you will find travel deals around every corner. You can research every location imaginable online and likely find what appear to be “good deals.” However , I honestly believe there are many benefits to the client, when using a travel agent. So I've collected just a few of the many reasons why using a travel agent to book your next vacation might be beneficial to you. Let’s face it, we are all too busy! We fill our schedules to the brim, and finding time to plan a detailed vacation to meet everyone in the travel party’s expectation can be overwhelming! Clients need someone they can trust, to save them time and money. Working in the travel industry on a daily basis, travel agents are exposed to many training opportunities and on-site training experiences to help them gain knowledge and familiarity with various products. Many times the same knowledge the client will gain after hours of research, a travel agent will be able to explain or share in a matter...

Meet Fred Scharbrough! Fred works with his wife Emily as part of an On The Road Travel Agent Team! Though Fred grew up in California, he currently lives in Branson, Missouri with his family. As a child, Fred took many trips to Disneyland. Once his two boys, Kyle and Kaden, were old enough to enjoy the parks, he shared his love of Disney with them. Now the Scharbrough family travels to Orlando a few times every year to check out all of the new and exciting things there are to do and see! Fred's favorite resort at Walt Disney World is Coronado Springs, but he has many great memories of his kids excitement at the All Star Resorts as well. His favorite restaurant is Disney's Ohana but he is always willing and excited to try new table service restaurants! Fred is also a pin collector and he stays on the lookout for great souvenirs. He is a trained cruise planner for all the major cruise lines, and of course the Disney cruise line is his favorite. Plus, Fred loves helping...

Available from  Jansport You have the perfect itinerary, the most comfortable shoes, the right clothing, the perfect hat/sunglasses combo, the best sunscreen, but it appears you have something weighing on your shoulders that you are not sure about. That's right, you need the right bag for your upcoming expedition to a Disney Park! When visiting a Disney Park, there are essential items that can make or break your day. A camera, portable charging device, light jacket, mini first aid kit, diapers, ponchos, anti-bacterial gel, entertainment for children, park map, wet wipes, autograph book/pen, water, snacks, extra clothes, sunscreen, and many more items will likely need to fit in your bag. When thinking about what kind of bag you need, there are some key questions you need to consider. How big of a bag do I need to carry all of my belongings? How secure is the bag? Is the bag comfortable for carrying? How durable is the bag? Is the bag waterproof? Below is a list of various types of b...

It's Monday once again, so that means it's time to learn about one of our agents! This week the spotlight is on Chris Smith, one of the newest members of our team! Chris lives in Houston, Texas with his wife, Dr. Bethany D. Smith and three children, Madelyn, Addyson, and Tanner. A planner, food lover, and traveler at heart, Chris loves checking out new destinations with his family and making sure all restaurants and key attractions are covered. With that said, the magical experiences at Disney destinations continue to draw the Smith family back! Chris graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999. In addition to working at On The Road Travel, he is an analyst for a petrochemical company. When Chris isn’t singing his favorite Disney tunes in his office, he spends his free time coaching Tanner’s baseball team, watching Madelyn and Addyson play soccer and participate in cheerleading, following Texas A&M sports, hanging out by the backyard pool, and listening to inte...

It’s a new year, and that means it’s time to plan a new Disney trip, right? Whether it’s California, Florida, or the high seas, there’s plenty to do for young and old alike. We’re so excited about all of the new offerings and celebrations coming to the Disney Parks and resorts this year! We thought now would be a great time to share some of the top reasons to plan a Disney Vacation in 2018! If you’re a Pixar Fan: - Pixar Fest begins on April 13th and will celebrate all things Pixar throughout the Disneyland Resort! In anticipation of the debut of Pixar Pier, this celebration will introduce an all-new fireworks show, “Together Forever - A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” and enjoy the return of two favorite parades, “Paint the Night” and "Pixar Play Parade", in addition to new Pixar themed entertainment, decor, food, beverages, and merchandise. Photo from Disney Parks Blog - Of course, we can’t forget the debut of Pixar Pier this summer! The southern shore of Paradise Bay ...

It's a new year, and we're thrilled to announce that the On The Road Travel Team is growing once again! Please help us in welcoming Jen and Bill Rahn to our team! Jen is a high school English teacher and soccer coach with degrees from Metropolitan State University of Denver, Regis University, and Grand Canyon University. Bill is the manager of a nearby Dairy Queen. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. They live in Aurora, CO with their 5 year old son Eli. Well, his full name is Elias. He was, in fact, named after Walter Elias Disney! Growing up in Northern California, Jen took her first trip to Disneyland when she was only one year old. As she grew up, she took trips there once a year with her parents or her grandparents when they lived in Southern California. Even when she moved to Arkansas with her dad, they visited Disneyland on the move out there and then again on the move back to California. Bill is a native of Iowa and did not visit Disneyland unt...

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...

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! ...