Good-bye 2020... Not Sorry!

I guess this year is finally going to end... I pray that 2021 is not just more of the same! But I did want to share my final thoughts this month, with positive words and ideas for the future!

I did not share in November because I was blessed with the gift of travel! I never realized how truly blessed and lucky I have been until this pandemic took it away. Now I completely get what an amazing industry I have been a part of for these past 27 years! It has made it possible for me to travel (a lot) to all the places I send my guests, so their experiences would be great ones! I hope that 2021 reveals hope and that we regain some sense of "normal".

My first visit was returning to Hawaii Island for nine days beginning the end of October, and into November. It was good to be home. But it was very sad to see what the closures have done to them. It's bad on the Mainland. It's ten times worse in the islands! They (local people and businesses) are fearful, and need us at the same time. I think in the next two months the "arrival procedures and requirements" will be figured out, and it will be worth your time to visit! Hawaii IS the safest place in the world right now! As long as visitors follow these new guidelines and rules, it will stay that way! The hassle to get there will be so very worth it~ it was for me!

My next getaway filled me with joy, and made me feel normal again! Only five days after returning from Hawaii, I left for Walt Disney World! No matter what your level of appreciation for Disney... you really should go there! Disney IS doing it right, and it's working! They have all the procedures in place, and have zero tolerance for guests who do not follow the rules! Short of looking around me and seeing everyone wearing a mask, it felt good! I felt totally safe, and confident in my surroundings. I HAD FUN! How long has it been since you felt free? When was the last time you were able to escape from the reality of our situation, even for a little while? What that trip did for me~ priceless!

I may be a little prejudice. But travel will make you feel joy and hope again! I know many are too afraid to travel right now. But at least consider planning for spring, or even this summer! Give yourself the gift of travel, and something to look forward to this Christmas!

Whatever your choice, destination, or time frame ~ just do it! You simply can not put a price on your mental health, and we have all been affected. Travel to me has always been "essential", and to most countries except the USA, it is considered just that! Allow yourself this freedom. Do not be afraid... #TravelWillHappen.

September ~October Updates from DreamCatcher

Wow... September has flown by with so many emotions and changes! Especially the changes, and I think many of them are very positive!

Let's start with the obvious~ because it's OPEN... Walt Disney World! Since July this "Most Magical Place on Earth", has been providing joy and magic to guests once again! With loads of safety measures, always updating and improving every day! It's all working! Though some things we know and love are not yet open, and masks are in sight everywhere. Disney has succeeded in Florida! Contact me today for help and assistance... teri@dreamcatchervacations.com.

Then I, with a heavy heart must mention Disneyland. The "original" Disney Park, and still the only Disney Park in the world... not yet reopened! As of this day (September 30th), an ongoing lack of communication from the Governor of California, has Disneyland and all other theme/amusement parks still closed. After several requests from; The Mayor of Anaheim, Chairman of Disney Parks Josh D'Amoro, CAPA (California Attractions and Parks Assoc.), 18 of California's Legislator's, and others. The Governor has still refused to communicate the exclusive "guidelines for opening" that he has been promising now for weeks! Then also (as of today) another 28,000 Cast Members (Disney Employees) have been laid off due to the extended closures! (Total number are combined from Disneyland and Walt Disney World.) All we can do at this point is pray, hope, and stay as positive as possible.

On the Hawaii front, the news is quite a bit more positive! The Governor of Hawaii has finally made it "official", and Hawaii will re-open to visitors starting October 15, 2020. The big stipulation of course; you must be in possession of a "negative result", for COVID tested within 72 hours of your arrival! This seemed impossible at first! (All the labs were saying at least a week!) But in the last 48 hours alone the test and prices for those tests are changing fast and furious! It started with the announcement from United Airlines, that they would be offering tests to travelers on the day of departure from San Francisco and Los Angeles. Those rapid test results however come at a very steep cost... $250! Within 24 hours of United's announcement came Hawaiian Air's, day of testing for only $150 (also from San Francisco and Los Angeles as of today), and if you drive over the day before your flight- only $90! Now... as of today... if you fly from Oakland, California... it's FREE! According to Governor Ige, the test required within the 72 hours, will soon be offered at CVS and Kaiser also, but no cost has yet been released.

But wait there's more! As an expert it is my job to know as much about these kind of details- for you- as possible! This one I learned the hard way! I hope you (of course) will contact me to help you plan your special visit to the Islands! But at the least... beware! Many of the large wholesalers (online booking companies) are confirming your reservations for hotels that are NOT open! This has in fact happened to me twice! Many of the hotels across Hawaii are just not going to be ready by October 15th! So why then are they being confirmed? I have asked many people in my industry, and honestly they do not seem to know. (A very clear sign of the times!) My advice to everyone that reads this, especially if you are scheduled to arrive before November 1st... call, do not write, do not text... call your hotel directly and ask!

There are SO many new guidelines and rules, they are even hard for me to keep up with these days! But if you are ready to live again and travel~ if you feel confident and need to get away? These examples are actually just a few. The Caribbean, Tahiti, and Mexico are also waiting for you, just to name a few! (Most all require the negative COVID test with 72 hours or less from arrival.)

I do hope this information has been helpful! After 27 years in this industry~ nothing shocks me anymore! But I do still love what I do, and I am very eager to get back to doin it!

A Travel Advisor's Thoughts ... August 2020

During this time of great unpleasantness I try very hard to stay-out of ALL things political! But I need to say this one thing; YOU ARE BEING PLAYED!

Yes, there is a virus, and in some (albeit rare) cases it causes death, and for those affected in this way- I am very sorry. The "real numbers" may never be known. The research does however prove, this thing that some people want you to hide from and fear, is simply not what it has been made out to be. (I have many contacts in the medical field and the "numbers" are SO inflated it's an absolute scandal!)

Now before you go getting all outraged, I am not suggesting we should not be cautious and take the necessary steps. We ALL know them; wash your hands, wear the mask, and social distance. However I am saying the damage done to this country, small business, and ALL of our collective emotional health is beyond explanation and possibly even recovery!

For just a moment I will speak of the one industry in particular closest to me, and that of course is travel. Billions of dollars lost, and the numbers of lives it has touched is in the millions. I am talking about everything from the obvious (I.e. Disney, the Cruise Lines, and hotels around the world), to small business owners~ like me. I personally went from making a "living", to literally zero income in the same month! With no end in sight, the future looks very sad.

Today I offer myself and services in a VERY different way! I take this "down-time" to stay educated and informed. I urge ALL of my clients, friends, and people who might be thinking about travel... contact me! Allow me to ease your mind, and share all the precautionary measures in place and being practiced to protect you and your family! I believe the sooner we all start to get back out there and explore, the better chance we have of returning to normal! Because folks; this time we are stuck in right now... is NOT normal!

(Thank you for taking the time to read this post~ your comments and questions are encouraged. But I ask that you please be kind~ I am open always to healthy debate. However unnecessary hate ~ is not okay.)

A Summer Like No Other!

Happy July? Talking today about Disney and Hawaii...

It's been a minute since I posted last, sorry! But I have always believed that if you have not got something constructive to say~ just don't! It's been a very tough ride these past four or five months, and sadly not progressing nearly as well as many of us had hoped. But today I want to talk about the progress that is happening in my two favorite vacation destinations in the world!

I want to first talk about Disney! What a wild ride for sure! Things have been pretty steady with Walt Disney World, fingers crossed for the beginning of the parks opening next Saturday! (Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th.) With the remaining two parks (Epcot and Hollywood Studios) on July 15th. Unfortunately, not so great with Disneyland!

As some of you know (it was really quite the gigantic announcement!) Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure was supposed to open on July 17th! (Not coincidentally the 65th Birthday of Disneyland!) Due to decisions made by California Health Officials, that opening has been delayed, with no news on a possible new date. So, we wait.

Staying positive; Disney has been diligent in setting up procedures to protect their Cast Members and guests! There will be some huge changes when everything is finally opened! Not all of us are very happy about either~ but~ we will follow all these new guidelines for the sake of getting our "magic" back! Some of those new rules; masks (of course), temperature checks, and dramatically lower numbers of guests in the parks! This will be achieved by way of the new "parks reservation system". This means that you will have to make a reservation to get in the park! To make a park reservation you must; (for the here and now) already have a ticket or an annual pass, and having a hotel reservation is a plus! If you are thinking about just waiting for 2021~ don't wait ~ plan for that now! The upside is complete packages are being sold, so you are able to get tickets, and that means you are able to make a park reservation!

Now, if all of that just gave you a headache... you are not alone! It's a lot, and Disney knows that! But I will take the moment to point out this is why Disney Master Specialists (like me!) are standing by to help! Since no one has been able to go (anywhere) for four long months! Learning about all these new rules and procedures is what I have been doing for my guests! So #AskMe ... I love Disney and I really look forward to help you get back to the "magic" very soon!

Then there is my beautiful "second home"... Hawaii! I have been visiting the Islands of Hawaii since I was a little girl! It captured my heart from the first visit! I have been very sad since March when Governor Ige made the decision to "close" the state to any visitors. It made me very angry at first. But I have come to understand his motivations behind such a dramatic decision. Did it work? Yes and no! It all but eliminated the virus from growing and spreading! But the devastation it has also caused may not be repairable.

More than 60% of the population of Hawaii is in/related to the travel industry. I alone know so many people that have no job now, and may have no hotel, restaurant, or tour company to go back to after the state opens! Yes, there is an "attempt" to reopen the state to visitors starting August 1st. However, unless you want to be quarantined for 14-days, you must be holding a "negative" test result for COVID-19... that was received within 72 hours of your arrival! The Governor is working diligently (I am told) to make this even possible! (Until now that time frame, and the cost alone, are completely impossible for most people!) So, stay tuned and let's all pray he is successful so we are able to return to our beautiful islands!

I hope you found this blog informational and good reading! Your comments and questions are always encouraged! Want to plan your next vacation, contact Teri Young, Dream Vacation Designer today! You can email at  teri@dreamcatchervacations.com or call direct at 916-927-0445.

Mahalo!

Spring 2020 ~ Updates and Thoughts!

It's late April as I am writing this new blog. The weather has been outstanding, and normally I would be eagerly awaiting my next getaway! But "getting away" has not been a freedom we have been allowed for over a month now!

The last time I wrote, early March, all this "self-isolation" stuff was really just getting started. I was irate, and blowing up over the media! That actually has not changed much at all! The media is still over-doing the COVID-19 reporting, and I for one am 100% over it!

Now before you get all upset with that last statement... allow me to explain! I start once again with the facts; COVID-19 is a virus, a bad one that spreads far too fast and easy! But it is just a virus! You get pretty sick, bad cough is awful, and it takes a good week before you start feeling human! But... the reporting these days should be more of an emphasis on how many people have been diagnosed and recovered! Not on the deaths.

I am not at any level saying we should discount or forget the ones we have lost! But the people of the United States are becoming very restless and even more depressed. We need to start putting more of a spin on the positives!

Then there are all the "predictions", the speculation on what is going to happen next! Please STOP it! What we are all living through right now today~ never happened before! So no one really knows! Even our government officials don't really have a clue. How could they! Making a plan, and executing that plan. Then we just watch and see how it goes. That is what is going to happen!

So for all those doom and gloom prophets out there... stuff it!

My final topic for this post is my own industry. Now I do not expect too many folks to have given it much of a thought. Most people have been far too busy taking care of there own. Making it from day to day, and hoping there is "enough" to keep going. As it should be!

But travel should be considered, there should be some value put on it! It is an escape, and what we all look forward to after working hard. When this is over (and it will be), many of you will want a vacation! Will your favorite destination be there, and ready to receive you?

I truly 100% believe that now more than ever travelers should be trusting and relying on Travel Professionals! ALL the rules have changed, and continue to change almost daily! If you try and plan your own vacation on line, I guarantee you~ it could really come back to "bite you"! In the past two months I have done nothing except cancel beautiful vacations experiences. Each and every time the results were different, and I was able to get refunds for my guests they would have not gotten if they had cancelled online! I know (from painful experience) that taking the time to speak with experts is still your best deal!

For those of you that use my services~ THANK YOU! For people who do not understand the value of working with a Travel Advisor~ now is the time to try me! In this world today, anyone who is still passionate about what they do, is going to provide you with the extra magic that we all deserve and expect after the darkness we have come through!

Stay positive~ this is a marathon, not a sprint! If you are ready~ it's okay to plan today... #TravelWillHappen!

This Travel Advisor's Opinions On The COVID-19 Hysteria...

It's March~ and things in my industry are pretty bad. Today I really wanted- no need to share another point of view. I hope you will read this post to the end, and give my words consideration!

At his point I swear if I hear the "C" word once more I am going to scream! I honestly had to stop watching the news because I was getting SO angry, I was fearful for my own health and well being! Yes, angry! The media has everyone SO hysterical they honestly should be held responsible for the mess they have created! Many medical professionals (Dr. Oz and Dr. Drew Pinsky to name two) have come straight out in their interviews and said; "The hysteria created by the media~ is in fact worse than the virus itself!"

Let's look at some facts! The COVID-19 has been directly responsible for 4,264 (as of March 10, 2020) deaths around the world. Most of those in China! While standard and annual "influenza" killed just over 12,000 people from October 2019 to February 2020! STOP... look at those numbers! Yet, most people have never heard, or said a word about the flu, only Corona Virus! IF a person is even tested positive for the COVID-19, you have a 99% chance (even higher if you have no other health issues) that you will recover completely after a few days!

The ridiculous behavior; such as buying huge quantities of toilet paper! (Really? Stop it you look stupid!) OR.. canceling your own life and travels, when you are not even going anywhere until June... or later! Completely unnecessary and a decision you will regret later! This last statement, obviously is one that is striking very close to "home" for me and others in the travel industry!

From that point I think it is time to talk about one VERY important and not often talked about fact! I love what I do~ and so do most Travel Advisors who are still in this business! But let's be honest people~ no one works for free! There I said it! Your Travel Advisor works~ hard for YOU! But you do not pay for our services- the cruise lines and vacation tour companies pay us! But here's what you do not know. IF you cancel your vacation, out of fear and concern, "we" do not get paid! What's worse; if you cancel inside of 60-days (for most of the cruise lines) from your vacation start date, your Travel Advisor has not only already done most of the work, we have also already been paid! SO... guess what?! The cruise lines (in particular) will "recall", or bill us back for the work we already did! No lie! How would you feel if you went to work one day and your boss asked for your pay check back?

Now do not get me wrong. I do not expect anyone to take this fact into consideration when making your final decisions on traveling. Especially if you are genuinely scared for your well being. However it is my hope that these words and facts may have also changed your mind. Or at least has you thinking... is your fear actually based on fact?

I hope you have considered these facts, and the opinions of this Professional Travel Advisor. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments I would love to hear from you!

www.dreamcatchervacations.com

#hawaiianddisneyvacations on FaceBook

Will You Be "Compliant" in 2020?

This post will be a bit different from my normal. But it's a topic I feel VERY passionate about!

In today's' world we have rules and restrictions set in place for our "protection". To many people these rules are all they know! But to so many people reading this post, they are annoying, freedom sucking, life changing restrictions, that we have not always had to deal with in our lives.

That being said; they are sadly necessary, and must be observed. The next step our government has taken to protect us will further restrict travel. It's really not to restrict us! But in fact makes it harder for those sad and sick humans out there that want to hurt or kill all Americans.

Starting on October 1, 2020; no one will be allowed to board a plane without a valid, "compliant" government issued I.D. First point to clear-up; this means ANY plane! If you live in Northern California and want to take the one hour flight to Southern California- no valid compliant I.D.? You will not travel!

So, what is a compliant I.D.? The best form of identification in our country is a valid U.S. Passport! It always has been, and that has not changed! For travel within the United States; you may also now use something called a "REAL ID". (IF you have not renewed your driver's license lately~ you don't have one!) Now this REAL ID, will get you on board a "local" flight. But you can not use it to travel anywhere Internationally (this includes Mexico and Canada). This new ID is a good thing. But having a U.S. Passport is still- and always will be- the BEST form of identification!

IMPORTANT POINT~ you do not need both! I have had travelers that I work with that did not understand that, because of the way this information is being shared! But rest assured; this is exactly why I say again... just get your U.S. Passport!

I have been traveling my entire life! As a child my parents' favorite vacation was cruising! So, I have experienced a lot of the Caribbean and Mexico! (Back in the day they were the most popular destinations for "regular folk"! Only the very wealthy went to Europe!) I got my first U.S. Passport before I became a teenager!

My point for bringing up my own travels; if you were born in the United States of America, YOU have been blessed with the freedom to travel the world! (So many people are not "allowed" to come and go as they please!) SO... please... take advantage of your birth right and GET YOUR PASSPORT!

When you have that U.S. Passport you are "compliant", and good to go for ten years! So dream of wonderful, beautiful, tropical destinations around the world~ and then contact Teri at DreamCatcher!