Disney Destinations Expert

View My Main Profile
Amber McNeil, Travel Agent in West Lafayette, IN

Amber McNeil

West Lafayette, IN Travel Agent

Amber McNeil

West Lafayette, IN

Once Upon a Departure, an independent agent with Yeti Travel Co, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
About
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Itineraries
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Orlando, Yellowstone National Park, Indiana, Chicago, Rome

Interests:

Disney Vacations, Universal Parks & Resort Vacations, Theme Parks, Business Travel, Cruises

Suppliers:

Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland Resorts, Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations, Royal Caribbean

About Me

Drama in the sky, magic on the ground.
Drama in the sky, magic on the ground.

Planning a Disney vacation doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, and it definitely shouldn’t feel like work. I specialize in helping Disney first-timers and busy professionals experience the magic without the stress. Whether you’re dreaming of a perfectly-timed castle moment or just want to avoid mile-long lines and meltdowns, I’ve got you.

As a certified graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge, I bring expert-level knowledge and insider tips to every itinerary. I’m especially passionate about building in exploration and downtime, because yes, it’s absolutely possible to enjoy the magic without running yourself ragged.

I’m competitive when it comes to snagging Lightning Lanes and hard-to-get dining reservations, but my approach is always relaxed and pressure-free. I’m here to make this easy, fun, and personalized for you.

And since I’m a little old-school, I’m always happy to hop on a phone or video call if that’s more your style, no endless texting required.

Let’s plan together!

From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed!

I know firsthand how amazing, and overwhelming, planning a Disney or cruise vacation can feel, especially with kids in tow. That’s exactly why I do what I do. I’m here to make the experience easy, exciting, and stress-free, whether it’s your first trip or your fifth.

My goal is to help families find the perfect balance between unforgettable adventures and well-earned downtime. I’ll take care of the details, from dining reservations to the best fireworks spots (hint: you don’t always have to fight the crowds at Magic Kingdom!).

Certified by Disney, I bring insider knowledge with a laid-back, no-pressure style. If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start counting down, I’ve got you.

Certifications & Awards

Celebrity Learning Certification
Celebrity Learning Certification
NCL University - Associate Degree
NCL University - Associate Degree
NCL University - Bachelor's Degree
NCL University - Bachelor's Degree
Royal Caribbean University - Bachelor of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Bachelor of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
My favorite sight in the park is Lamar Valley. You can sit there and watch the wolves, bears, coyotes, bison and more!
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Been There 10 Times
Must Do:
Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, and Great Wolf Lodge is just a stone's throw away!
Rome, Italy, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
Gelato and pizza are an absolute must - just don't order a "latte" or you will get a weird look and a glass of hot milk.
Tuscany, Italy, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
Not only should you have the full wine experience, but there is amazing olive oil too!
Napa Valley, California, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Ferrari-Carano winery is a top choice!
Universal City, California, USA
Been There
Must Do:
As fun as rides can be, the Universal Studios Studio Tour is amazing if you are a movie buff!
Denver, Colorado, USA
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
Drive to Estes Park for wildlife viewing at Rocky Mountain National Park! A great way to kill time before flights is going to the National Wildlife Refuge to watch the prairie dogs and bison.
Port Canaveral, Florida, USA
Booked It 4 Times
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
Disney Cruise!
Universal Orlando, Florida, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Epic Universe!
Walt Disney World, Florida, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
Stay on property, Disney Springs, all 4 parks, resort-hop, and lots of great character dining!
Nashville, Indiana, USA
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
Check out Brown County State Park, walk through downtown Nashville, and grab a bite at Big Woods (and maybe even an ATV beer tour)!
New York City, New York, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Rockefeller Plaza around Christmas is one of my most cherished experiences, despite sitting in 3-4 hours of traffic!
Portland, Oregon, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Powell Books and Voodoo donuts are two must-do's!
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Been There
Must Do:
I spent a summer living here - there is a mix of big city life with small-town country music energy!
Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
Although the park is beautiful, stop by The Local Goat for some deep fried deviled eggs!
Grand Tetons, Wyoming, USA
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
Moose watching!

My Travel Stories

Did you know you could go horseback riding at WDW?

Hidden Gem on a Rest Day - Disney's Horse Ranch

When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, I always recommend including a rest day. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! There are so many ways to enjoy a slower-paced day while still soaking in the Disney magic, and one of our favorite discoveries is the Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. On one of our non-park...
Read more

Where Magic Meets Relaxation

The Nighttime Magic of Polynesian Resort Beach

One of my favorite Disney moments didn’t even happen inside the parks. From the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, we watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks light up the night sky - smaller crowds, no rushing, just pure Disney magic. Lawn chairs lined the beach, and we had no trouble finding front-row seats. The music from the park...
Read more

Client Testimonials

Making Our Universal Trip Effortless and Exciting!
"My son and I are heading to Universal, and I can’t say enough about how easy and exciting the planning process has been – all thanks to Once Upon a Departure! She has taken care of every detail with care and professionalism, making sure our trip was customized to fit what we wanted, from park tickets to hotel recommendations and helpful tips. You can tell she truly loves what she does – and she’s great at it. If you’re looking for a stress-free and magical vacation, I highly recommend reaching out."
Corey A, Indianapolis, IN
BESbswy