Talk Travel To Me

"I don't get the appeal of cruising... aren't you just trapped on a crowded boat with water slides?" If you've ever asked that question (or thought it quietly to yourself), you are definitely not alone! Our podcast hiatus is officially OVER, and Kristy is back in your feed to tackle a real listener question from Michelle in Michigan who asked: "What is it about cruisi...

This week on Talk Travel to Me, What do you do when you are completely overbook and stressed? You take a little hiatus. With this episode Talk Travel to Me (Kristy) will be taking a couple weeks of much deserved time off. It's easy to forget your favorite podcasts are made by real humans that also have many many, and sometimes many, additional tasks, chores, and commitments. So after a great...

Why do so many people end up booking the wrong cruise and swearing off cruising forever? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me, host Kristy Ouellette breaks down the two biggest mistakes travelers make: booking based on price/location alone and following well-meaning advice from friends with completely different vacation styles. Kristy shares her personal horror story of a rough Atlantic storm sail...

What is the real catch behind all-inclusive resorts? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me, host Kristy Ouellette breaks down the history, hidden tier levels, and fine print of all-inclusive vacations. From Sandals' Luxury, Club, and Butler Elite service tiers to Hyatt Inclusive Collection's Preferred Club "haves vs. have-nots" beach setups, Kristy reveals how brands gate amenit...

Can AI actually plan your vacation for you, or do you still need a human travel advisor? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me, host Kristy Ouellette tackles the viral trend of AI travel assistants, ChatGPT, and Claude head-on. She breaks down what AI tools actually do well (like packing list drafts and rough brainstorming) versus where they fail miserably—from recommending closed airport terminals...

Which Walt Disney World holiday party is right for your family: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom or Disney's Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me, host Kristy Ouellette sits down with Mickey Guru Travel Company travel advisors James Dolan and Sammie Fay to debate the festive food, rare character meet-and-greets, ent...

When is the best time to book your Universal Orlando vacation for holiday events like Grinchmas, Mardi Gras, and Halloween Horror Nights? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me, host Kristy Ouellette sits down with Mickey Guru Travel Company travel advisor Lacie Flake to break down Universal’s event calendar, resort booking timelines, and dynamic pricing secrets. Discover why the sweet spot between...

Is traveling solo with your kids total chaos or is there a way to actually make it enjoyable? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me, host Kristy Ouellette sits down with Mickey Guru Travel Company travel advisor Breanne Sherwood to share expert insights, packing tips, and mindset shifts for navigating airports, theme parks, and cruises as a solo parent. Breanne has been traveling solo with her kids...

Have you ever dreamed of pulling off the ultimate surprise vacation for your kids or spouse? It sounds picture-perfect in theory, but in reality, it can just as easily turn into a logistical nightmare or an airport meltdown! In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette sits down with Mickey Guru Travel Advisor Nicole Fresia to unpack the ultimate question: Is a surprise trip a good...

 Is a Walt Disney World VIP tour worth the money? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette sits down with Mickey Guru Travel Company travel advisors Jen Bauer and Shalon Still to share first-hand insights from their recent group VIP tour. From hourly pricing tiers ($450–$950/hr), discretionary cash tips, and private backstage van operations to custom snack stops (like cream che...

What is the difference between TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR? And are you paying for the wrong one? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette breaks down the distinct rules, specific pricing structures, and enrollment workflows for major expedited airport screening lines. She also provides a detailed breakdown of the brand-new, completely free TSA PreCheck Touchless ID s...

Should you travel with a carry-on or check a bag? Is a hard-sided suitcase better than a soft-sided one or a duffel bag? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette breaks down FAA baggage regulations, weight limits, and why summer weather in Florida completely changed her luggage philosophy. Plus, she shares a special behind-the-scenes update on her recent guest appearance on Emi...

Are you trying to figure out if a Disney cruise is worth the premium price tag? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette from Mickey Guru Travel Company answers a major question: What is included with the cost of a Disney Cruise Line vacation? Kristy sets the stage by explaining where Disney sits in the market—it’s a premium experience way above a standard budget line (cue the...

In this week's episode of Talk Travel to Me, host Kristy Ouellette is joined by Mickey Guru travel advisors Jess Pezzello and Sammie Fay to tackle the ultimate summer vacation question: how do you survive a theme park in the sweltering heat without a complete meltdown? The trio shares their battle-tested tips for conquering Walt Disney World in the dog days of summer, from wardrobe non-negoti...

Can a theme park vacation actually be a romantic getaway? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , we are busting the myth that Disney is just for kids and uncovering the absolute best spots for couples to find romance at Walt Disney World. From luxury deluxe resorts to Michelin-starred dining and hidden date-night gems, we’re unpacking how to plan the perfect Disney couples' trip. 🎧 Inside Th...

In this episode Kristy continues the conversation about the drink package on Royal Caribbean and this time she brings the receipts. Breaking out her trusty calculator she does the math so you don't have to and explains the breakdown of the spirited beverage package and the soda beverage package. Send us Fan Mail 🔗 Explore More on Beacon 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @TalkTravelToMePod 🎙️ Hosted...

Is the Cruise Drink Package a Trap or a Total Steal? That pre-cruise email hits your inbox offering a beverage package, and suddenly you're picturing a week of endless, relaxing poolside drinks. It sounds like a no-brainer, but is the cruise drink package actually a good deal, or is it a carefully designed tourist trap? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette (Founder of...

Could the Right Travel Agent Have Rescued Your Last Family Vacation? What if the difference between a ruined trip and the vacation of a lifetime was one phone call - to the right person? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what a travel agent actually does for your family when things go sideways. And trust me, things go sideways more often than you think. From a honeymoon resort...

Episode Title: Is Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass Worth the Money? Disney’s newest skip-the-line option costs how much?! In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette gets brutally honest about Walt Disney World's Lightning Lane Premier Pass. If you are tired of spending your entire theme park day staring at your phone to book ride times, the Premier Pass offers the ultima...

Season 4, Episode 8: Can I Have Fun on a Cruise With a Baby? Hey, traveler! If you are a new parent desperately in need of a vacation, you have probably asked yourself this exact question: Can I actually have fun on a cruise with a baby in tow? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette (Owner and Founder of Mickey Guru Travel Company) tackles this common listener question with a...

Do you want to start your vacation completely stressed out? Probably not! In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette reveals the top three things travelers should never do at the airport. From major security line blunders to the boarding gate behaviors you need to avoid at all costs, Kristy shares her best insider tips for a seamless travel day. Tune in to find out what you shoul...

It is the classic theme park dilemma: you want to be prepared for every possible scenario, but you also don't want to feel like a pack mule carrying a 50-pound backpack in the blazing Florida sun. So, what is the perfect balance? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette (Owner and Founder of Mickey Guru Travel Company) empties out her own backpack to answer the ultimate pa...

Should I Go On a Cruise For My Next Vacation? Thinking about trading land for sea on your next getaway? Cruising is more popular than ever, but how do you know if it is the right fit for your family or travel group? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette is breaking down the ultimate cruising dilemma. She covers the Top 3 things you must think about before booking a cruise—fr...

Is a Mom-cation a Luxury or a Necessity? Have you ever desperately needed a vacation from your family vacation? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette is joined by guest Sammie Fay to talk all about the glorious, uninterrupted bliss of the "Mom-cation." Together, they are answering the ultimate question: is traveling without your kids an over-the-top luxury, or a ba...

It is the number one question every vacation planner asks: When is the absolute best time to visit Walt Disney World? In this episode of Talk Travel to Me , host Kristy Ouellette, Owner and Founder of Mickey Guru Travel Company, brings her years of Disney expertise to the mic to help you finally answer that question. Choosing the perfect dates doesn't have to be overwhelming. Kristy breaks do...