Four families share their real vacation stories and talk about what went well and what made each trip special. Each worked with a travel advisor that made the entire experience easier from the start. Having someone manage all the details, especially dining at Disney, which can be competitive to book, made the trip feel organized and stress-free from the very beginning.
Disney Destiny
THE SERDAR FAMILY
Becky Serdar and her husband Joe took their two kids, Harrison, 8, and Olivia, 6, on a three-night Caribbean cruise aboard Disney Destiny.
Q: What made the pre-cruise experience feel especially smooth?
B: Our travel advisor booked us a nonstop flight from Minneapolis to Fort Lauderdale and a pre-night stay at a hotel close to the port. Arriving a day early gave us real peace of mind traveling with kids. The Fort Lauderdale airport is only about 10 to 15 minutes from the port, and there are plenty of resort-style hotels nearby. Thanks to our travel advisor’s planning, our pre-night felt like part of the vacation instead of another thing to manage.
Q: Were you celebrating something special or was this about family time?
B: This trip was all about quality time together. Our travel advisor helped us find great pricing since we were traveling during an off-peak period, which also meant a more relaxed atmosphere on board. It allowed us to focus on being together rather than planning around a big occasion.
We stayed in a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Veranda and a Destiny’s heroes-and-villains theme, which appealed to our kids who love Marvel, while still offering plenty of classic Disney magic. The split bathroom made mornings and evenings easier and the layout worked perfectly.
Q: What can you tell us about onboard dining?
B: Disney’s rotational dining system — guests are assigned a different dining room each night — was a highlight. We rotated through themed restaurants, but our servers followed us each night and quickly learned our preferences. The kids loved the playful details and there was enough entertainment to keep meals fun, while still offering a great dining experience for adults.
Walt Disney World® Resort
THE ARESCO FAMILY
Christina Aresco’s group included her husband, parents, brother, sister-in-law and two nieces, 11 and 5, on a 5-day Walt Disney World vacation in Orlando, Florida.
Q: What made this trip special?
C: It was such a meaningful trip for our entire family! It wasn’t just about the parks. It was about being together in a place that feels magical at any age, whether you’re experiencing Disney for the first time or returning with a new perspective. One of the most special parts was watching my 5-year-old niece experience Disney for the first time. Seeing the parks through her eyes reminded all of us why Disney feels so magical.
Q: How was the multigenerational experience?
C: Traveling with multiple generations made everything feel extra special. Someone was always excited about a ride, a show or a small detail, and sharing those moments across ages really brought us closer. Spending that kind of quality time together, especially in a place designed for joy, really strengthened our family bond.
Working with a travel advisor made it easy for everyone in the group. She handled everything from our hotel, flights and car rental to park tickets and dining reservations.
Q: Were you celebrating anything?
C: Yes, we were celebrating a belated birthday for my dad, and I also surprised my family by telling them I’m pregnant! Being able to share that news in such a joyful setting made the moment even more emotional and unforgettable for all of us.
Alaska Cruise
THE MUTSCHER & FORET FAMILIES
Amy Mutscher and her husband and sons joined her sister, brother-in-law and three nieces on a one-week Alaska cruise on Star Princess.
Q: What guidance did you get from your travel advisor?
A: Our advisor gave us some great advice on selecting balcony cabins. We really wanted to see bald eagles, whales, bears and anything else we could spot. She had cruised Alaska with her family and knew that we would have the opportunity to see a lot of animal life from the comfort of our private deck chairs. Drinking our room service-delivered coffee and eating freshly baked croissants while watching bald eagles soar overhead was just one wonderful morning among many.
She gave us a great tip about booking the morning helicopter and dog sledding excursion rather than the afternoon time slot due to fog that frequently rolls in after lunch. With only a single day in each port, she wanted to ensure that our excursions happened as planned. It was our first time riding in a helicopter, hiking on a glacier (they provided boots) and sledding behind huskies — a day we’ll remember forever.
Q: What did the kids like about the cruise?
A: They liked playing basketball on the sports court on the uppermost deck of the ship — what a view! According to my younger son, the best thing was the autonomy to roam freely. They used binoculars to watch seals sunbathing on rocky islets off the side of the ship, and one morning the captain stopped the ship so that passengers could watch bears prowling along the shore looking for crabs to eat.
Every night after dinner, we’d gather for a movie screening on the pool deck to watch family films under the stars while snuggled in cozy plaid flannel blankets on chaise lounges.
Q: What excursions work best for kids?
A: The ports are right in the heart of town, so we could walk off the ship directly into the day’s activity. While anchored in Juneau, you can walk to the state capital building of Alaska and look for a totem pole and the statue of William Seward, who arranged for the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7 million. Mendenhall Glacier has short and easy hikes for kids with pint-sized stamina. Take the well-groomed trail to Nugget Falls for scenic views of both the glacier and the waterfall. A good option in Ketchikan is the lumberjack show, which illustrates logging history with ax-throwing, tree-climbing and log-rolling events. Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of the World, so you could spend the morning fishing, followed by a gourmet lunch of your catch prepared especially for your group on a deserted island outpost.
Skagway visitors can tour the pristine Yukon wilderness with a great view of Davidson Glacier and visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center, a museum that tells the story of prospectors who flocked to Canada and Alaska seeking their fortune.
Paris, France
THE COULTER FAMILY
Jen Coulter joined her husband after a business trip to Paris, France, and turned it into a memorable one-week vacation with their three kids.
Q: How did your travel advisor assist you?
J: Once we established our base at the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal, she arranged a kid-friendly tour at the Louvre, a can’t-miss cultural activity. We had a private tour that catered to their interests and attention span. Opting for a guided tour also meant that we got to skip the long admission line. She also booked a babysitting service she had vetted so we could have a chance to head out on the town kid-free. A date night in France, filled with adult conversation, food and cocktails, is as enchanting as it sounds. After all, it would be a sin to leave this city without at least a few hours of romance.
Q: What did the kids like about Paris?
J: In the Garden of Tuileries, there’s a trampoline park where kids can burn off extra energy before the next museum visit or café. There’s also a carousel that plays French nursery rhymes, which is a charming touch. Have the kids count the stairs at the Eiffel Tower so they get plenty of exercise (which translates into a good night’s sleep) and reward them with ice cream. Climbing the stairs versus taking the elevator also means a less-expensive entry ticket.
Q: What impression did the trip leave on your family?
J: For my husband and me, the ingredients for a successful family vacation include making the kids happy, finding some alone time to reconnect and experiencing the local culture (specifically the wine and food), in that order. On those three levels, our time in Paris was a complete success. If you’re looking for an international experience that would fit well for a young family, then follow Audrey Hepburn’s advice — “Paris is always a good idea.”
