The Best on a Budget
HOW TO HELP YOUR CLIENTS MAXIMIZE THEIR TIME AND MONEY AT DISNEY WORLD , IN MEXICO AND IN WINE COUNTRY .
How to have fun ( without going overboard ) at Disney World
The biggest Disney secret is to book through a travel advisor . “ If you ’ re going to spend the money , do it right ,” says Jonathan de Araujo , owner of The Vacationeer travel agency . “ It doesn ’ t cost anything to go to an agency like ours and book through us . All the prices are the same , but you get someone who lives , eats , sleeps , breathes this stuff .“
While an average Vacationeer package sells for $ 3,000 to $ 4,000 , there are numerous ways that visitors can save , including staying in one of Disney ’ s value resort properties , skipping the rental car , and taking resort transportation . Budgeting your time will also help you save money — or at least not waste it . De Araujo advises traveling during winter months when school is in session , and when Disney is cheaper and practically empty .
“ If you ’ re really budget-conscious , you can see more in less time , which is important ,” says de Araujo . “ You don ’ t have to spend four , five or six days there . Maybe you can do it all in three days . So not only are you paying less per day , but now you ’ ve got fewer days to budget for .” His best insider tip : Make reservations for must-experience dining months in advance . A meal at the iconic Cinderella Castle or the “ Beauty and the Beast ” -themed Be Our Guest Restaurant are worth the wait and the price tag .
ALLIANCE IMAGES / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
All-inclusive Mexico that feels fancy but won ’ t bankrupt you
When crafting bespoke Latin American tours for members of Latino World Travelers , an online community she founded in 2015 , Vanessa Fondeur-Adams looks for luxury where you might not expect it — outside the all-inclusive resort . In Mexico , she recommends venturing to surrounding areas to find local restaurants that serve authentic Mexican fare , and creates a map for clients to help them get there .
“ When I do itineraries for people , I make sure that I map out every step of the way . They don ’ t have to worry about anything ,” says Fondeur-Adams . “ This is your hotel , this is how you ’ re going to get to places , these are the places you ’ re going to eat . And every single client I ’ ve had has always come back because of how I break it down .”
Another tip : Avoiding mediocre ( and often pricey ) chains or hotel restaurants frees up funds for one big gastronomic splurge — like award-winning Pujol in Mexico City , Fondeur-Adams ’ favorite fine dining experience .
Venture off the beaten path in California wine country
“ It is absolutely possible to do wine country at a lower cost than most people assume ,” says writer , sommelier and travel advisor Kristin Braswell . Most people associate wine with luxury price points , but there are actually a number of affordable options , including family-owned wineries , packaged wine tours , and road-tripping through wine country .
Matt Wahlgren of Matt Travel cleverly avoids wine tasting fees in Napa Valley and Sonoma — which run “ anywhere between $ 25 and $ 50 a person ,” he says — by visiting newer wineries that don ’ t charge them . They may not have “ built up a reputation yet , but that doesn ’ t mean they ’ re not good wines ,” Wahlgren says .
Many people stay on the beaten path when visiting California wine country . Braswell taps into a burgeoning network of Black-owned wineries and experts who are building representation within the world of wine , but who aren ’ t necessarily on most travel advisors ’ radars . “ I have a number of partnerships with Black-owned businesses and local experts that work with me and help to create incredible experiences for my clients .”
S�MMER 2021 / THE COMPASS / 61