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I LOVE Planning Universal and Disney vacations. I can’t believe I get to wake up every morning and help Families (most with special needs) make magical memories like the ones I have. Sometimes I have to pinch myself! I believe travel brings the family closer together while broadening their horizon at the same time I believe vacation is the best way to really let go and let everyone be themselves! I started this business to help special needs families enjoy those things together as families that most most families take for granted! I want to do the same for your family. So how did I get here?
Then my three year old son was in a terrible car accident and everything changed for me. Something as simple as going to the local park became a chance for a major melt down. His 4 year old sister deserved her childhood back. I learned everything I could about special needs travel through Special Needs Group at Sea, The Travel Institute, as well as the parks themselves. I had long conversations with Disney when they made the change from the GAC to the DAS (on what worked and what wasn't working so well). I've had long conversations with Guest Services at Universal as they have revamped the AAP just prior to Covid and after they opened back up. Not only about the things that deal directly with my son's disability, but with my grand daughter's amputation as well. I have made it my mission to make travel for all members of the family important! My background in underwriting taught me to look at things analytically. I focus on planning for special needs in a way that integrates the rest of the family too. I LOVE to travel and want YOU to love it too. I love learning exactly what you envision for your trip and making it happen. I will share my honest opinions and treat each vacation differently but still as lovingly as if it were my own. IF I SOUND LIKE SOMEONE, YOU WOULD WANT TO TRAVEL WITH. . . stop letting the hassle of planning a vacation keep you from getting away.
Let me help you take care of everything so you can enjoy your vacation with your family.
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Your goals are very personal, especially if we are talking about priorities that give life meaning and a purpose. But, studies found that people who shared their goals with others showed better commitment to fulfilling their objectives.
In my experience, what the research says about sharing your goal with someone is not only accurate, but it also makes you more motivated. In addition, it holds you accountable, and you may even receive unexpected help and support. Beyond that, the more you share it, the more you will also reaffirm your dedication to yourself. If you are a little timid to share with your closest friends and family, you can start with me! I would love to be your accountability buddy, check in on your progress, and help you book those vacations when you are ready. In my last blog, I shared a great way to ensure you are continuously investing in your vacation. If you missed it, make sure you go back and check it out. There are some great tips and resources there, and I hope they inspired you to sit down, create your budget and designate a special vacation savings account.  You may be wishing you could start planning your next vacation, but you are worried about how you will afford another trip so soon. According to the U.S. Travel Association, Americans leave some 768 million unused vacation days. You can read articles about how vacations will help productivity, sleep, focus, energy, etc. But most still don't listen and continue to put work first and let those vacation days waste away. Days off are essential to overall health and well-being, helping to re-energize, re-focus, get rested, and ultimately be happier.  Hogwarts Castle
Basically for the same reason any professional that provides a service charges a fee. I am running a business. I have years of experience, training, and the knowledge of having been there and done that. By charging a fee, I can take fewer clients and give more attention to them. By charging a fee, I am not going to push you towards a more expensive resort for a bigger commission. By charging a fee, you can be assured that my #1 thought is for YOU and not the supplier (like Disney or Universal). By charging a fee, when that promotion comes up I am not going to loose money by sitting on hold to reduce the price of your vacation, like I would if I was commission based only. Are there travel agents that don’t charge fees? Yes. They are either not aware of their own worth or try to make up for it in volume sales.
Do I ever reduce my fee? Sometimes. I have a military discount for those using military rates in their travel. We were a military family for 20 years and I appreciate all they do for us. I also offer a reduced fee for returning guests who have referred other clients who have booked with me and paid my fee. Most of my returning guest are like family to me.  When I first started JMorris Travel (10+ years ago) it was to help families like mine, who had children with special needs. I never dreamed my family would become so changed where I was the one with special needs!
When it comes to a vacation, there are two types of packers. Those that start packing six weeks in advance. And those who start packing five minutes before it's time to go. And they are always married to each other! I make packing lists for everyone in the family at least six weeks out. I make sure to include anything that may be specific to them like my son's head phones, and his hoodie. I always add things like a light jacket incase it turns cold or chilly. I add swimwear, even if it is January (because we have swam in January when there was an ice storm here in Georgia!)   Simply got tired of not being able to find the answers to help my special needs son have fun at Theme parks! The more I researched, the more I realized there was a need for someone to help people like me wade through the rules and regulations as well as tips and tricks to help our kids have fun at the parks. That was 15 plus long years ago. A lot has changed since then. In fact, my special needs child is no longer a child and will be graduating high school in less than 20 days! ( a feat the doctors said would never happen!) My ultimate goal is for every special needs child or adult to be able to travel to any theme park and have as much fun as any other child. So, click on the button below to get a free copy of a few of my tips and tricks for Universal with Special Needs.
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AuthorMost of the content is written by people at JMorris Travel. Every once in a while we will have a guest blogger, usually it is part of our 'family'.Always with a nod to Family Travel! Archives
October 2022
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