With options for a 1 Day-2 Park tour lasting about 7 hours or a shorter 1 Day-1 Park tour, you have the flexibility to tailor your VIP experience to your schedule. Plus, enjoy Universal Express Unlimited access post-tour to continue skipping lines for the rest of the day!


It's important to note that separate theme park admission is required for all VIP tours. And while both Non-Private and Private VIP Tours offer an elevated park experience, Private Tours provide additional exclusivity, including personalized itineraries and more.

Hey again!

Remember how Peter Pan had a little helper sprinkling pixie dust to make dreams come true? Well, I've got some enchanting news for you. Your very own fairy helpers are probably running around your house right now. Yes, I'm talking about your kids!
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In my previous chat with you, we unlocked one of the best-kept secrets to planning your vacations – opening up a dedicated savings account. If you haven't read it yet, go back and have a look; it's packed with handy tips that'll help you create a budget and kick-start your vacation savings in no time.

​Now, let's talk about how to fill up that savings account, despite the whirlwind of family life and with no side hustle in sight. Ready for it? Bring the kids on board!

​The Budget Challenge: Make budgeting a fun game! Set allowances for your routine expenses, like groceries, meals out, fuel, etc. Then, compete to see how many bucks you can save. Whatever is left at the end of the month turns into a victory deposit into your vacation fund

The $5 Club: This is one of my favorite games. Each time you get a $5 bill, straight into the vacation envelope it goes!​

So, what savings idea do you think will turn your kids into mini money maestros? I’d love to hear it.

And now that your little helpers are all set to dive into the savings game, how about we make those travel dreams concrete? Let's let them KNOW what they are saving for!  If you haven't booked that trip yet, schedule a call at https://calendly.com/jmorristravel/30min and let's get started on that trip you are working so hard on saving for!
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Disney World - The Land of Magic Where Accessibility is no illusion.

-Disney's Guest Assistance Pass - This can either be applied for in advance (between 2 and 30 days before your visit) online; or in person at any Guest Services location at any of the parks.  To do this online, use your My Disney Experience App and follow the prompts.  Note that the person you are applying for must be there in person with you and there may be a long wait time.   The advantage of doing it in advance is that you get two DAS Passes per day made prior to your arrival.  So, if you go this route, be prepared with up to four choices of attractions you would like to get as well as times.   To do this in the parks, you must have the person you are requesting the DAS Pass for with you at the time you are requesting it.  Waiting until you are in the park to request it, you do not have the prearranged Das Passes, and must use the App to select all.

Note - All my Guests get a pdf with a full explanation of how to use the DAS Pass once they are approved for it. (I do NOT coach on how to apply or CHEAT they SYSTEM!) This is a service I reserve for my Guests that pay my planning service fee.

Benefits of the DAS Pass are a shorter wait time and personalized service while maintaining discretion for the entire family.

-Lightening Lanes (formerly called Fast Passes) - This is the old standby for short wait times at Disney.  While it has undergone a major renovation since the pandemic, as well as a few price increases, it can be a marvel for guests with disabilites if they are willing to pay for it.  And when that one ride is a make or break for the whole trip. the cost of the Individual Lightening Lane is well worth it!

-Companion Restrooms - These are scattered across the parks and are easy to locate on your My Disney Experience app.  They provide extra space and are adapted for Special Needs.

Universal Orlando: Cinematic Adventure for Everyone

-Attraction Assistance Pass - This is administered through a third party, IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards).  The easiest way to get started is by downloading the IBCCES app onto your smart phone and uploading the information that it asks for.  Once you are approved, the approval is sent to Universal and you will be sent an email.  That email will ask for when you are visiting.  You will recieve a phone call very close to your visit (usually within a week of your visit).  

After this phone call you will get a number and your card will be attached to the app.  You show that to Guest Services and they will prepare your AAP and explain how it works.  

Because of the misuse of the system, you can no longer go to Guest Services and request a Assistance Pass.  This  misuse of the system is rampant and creates a serious problem as our special needs kids reach adulthood and aren't able to advocate on their own.  (Stepping off my soapbox)

-Express Pass - This is by far the best way to navigate Universal Orlando! At the time of this writing, there is only one attraction that it does not work for.  It basically cuts the posted wait time at least by half.  No preplanning required.  You want to Ride VelociCoaster and the wait time is 40 minutes, you show your Express pass and your wait time is closer to 20 minutes or less.  

There are two ways to get the Express Pass, one is to purchase them.  You can purchase them in your package, when you purchase your tickets, or the most expensive way is to purchase them in the park.  Just know that in busy times, they do run out.  Only a set number are sold per day.  Also know that the price goes up depending on how busy the day is.  I've seen them at $300+ per person at the gates last October.    By far the lleast expensive way to get Express Passes is by staying at a Premier Resort.  These Unlimited Express Passes are included in the price of your room for everyone staying in your room.    Magic Math is my specialty!
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-Quiet Spaces - Universal offers quiet zones where families can take short breaks from sensory overload.

The wonder and excitement that theme parks provide should be accessible to all.  At JMorris Travel, we believe that books must be written, stories should be shared, and adventures should be embarked upon. no matter how they may look to the outside world.  So, pack your bags, let's celebrate the uniqueness in all of us, and create magical footprints in the sand - because everyone deserves magic!

Next Installment: Navigating Through Theme Parks

​For the Special Needs child, we worked on storyboards and Picture books in our homeschool.  As an adult, he still only reads on a 2nd-grade level, so these were important, for him to know what was going to happen as well as what he WANTED to happen!  We still do a relaxed itinerary for each day.  Not a turn-by-turn, but a 'these are the rides we want to do before lunch' and 'these are the rides we want to do after lunch' sort of itinerary. We set the expectations and then make adjustments as we need to.

​Back to those breaks and rests - make sure they are fun and keep the child occupied.  They are not a punishment.  The child is overstimulated and needs a break.  Bring a toy, a book, a snack, something they will enjoy for a 3-10 minute break away from the hustle and bustle.  Mr D loved to color.  We brought colored PENCILS in a plastic bag  (Don’t bring crayons!  They will melt!) and a small Disney coloring book. That, along with a few legos in another bag, his iPod, and some snacks kept him occupied most days.  At night we added some glow lights! Those things kept him occupied forever!

Here we are, another long one!  Thanks for staying until the end!  Again, please send me your suggestions, questions, or ideas!  At the end of the series, I am putting this into a list form so that everyone can have it in one place.  So, seriously folks, I need your input! 

Next Installment Handling Enroute MeltDowns
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​I admit, this was something very hard for me to get comfortable with!  I am a big-time planner!  I had turn-by-turn plans.  I knew how long it should take to get from point A to point B.  Our first trip to Disney was perfect!  But by our second trip, our world had been turned upside down by my son’s accident.    We went from having a fun-loving, outgoing, active three-year-old to a four-year-old little boy who was barely able to talk, walk, and had the emotions of an 18-month-old.

That second trip taught me a lot!  
First - it taught me that Disney is GREAT with kids with Special needs!  I got my first experience with the old GAC pass.  It became invaluable with a kiddo who did not understand waiting.  It helped with the fact that we could use the stroller as a wheelchair, and take it into the lines. 
​Second- it taught me that Disney understands meltdowns!  They have cameras everywhere, and I was concerned that someone would think I was hurting him while he was screaming and fighting me as I sat on the ground at Magic Kingdom holding him in a basket hold to prevent him from hurting himself. Instead, after the meltdown passed, a CM came to me and asked if I was OK.  Several managers had witnessed the meltdown and the way I handled it.  I was on camera the whole time. That alone gave me a sense of security!  
Third - it taught me that schedules were meant to be loosely followed.  VERY loosely! By the second day of a weeklong trip, the only thing that stayed on the schedule was our dinner reservation! ​

You need to understand that, depending on the child, there will be meltdowns.  Prepare for them.  Don’t panic.  Handle them the same loving way you handle them at home.  If you need to sit down in the Middle of Main Street and hold them in a basket hold, do it!  (just try to get to a safe place so you aren’t trampled) Just know that you aren’t the first parent to have to do that!  Also know that once it's over, forget it and go on. ​

Next installment: Pre Travel Prep!  

To those who know me, know that Christmas is my favorite time of year!  Universal’s Christmas decorations do NOT disappoint!  There is not a spot in the parks that is not decorated with lights and sounds of Christmas!  The trees are dripping with lights, the storefronts are decked out in colorful baubles decorating Christmas trees in every size and shape, while the cityscapes in Universal Studios are adorned with millions of tiny white lights that reflect in the lagoon.  It is truly magical. ​

​Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s is NOT to be missed! It starts at about 5:30 each night and runs for about an hour.  If you plan on grabbing a spot to watch it, plan on being there at least an hour earlier!   I think, no matter how many times you see it, you MUST watch it at least once in front of Macy’s so you can see Santa light the huge Christmas Tree!  The vibrantly dressed performers, magical floats, beautiful character balloons, and warm atmosphere truly capture the Holiday spirit!