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Kevin Gillooly with expert tips for Disney’s re-opening…plus trip planning mistakes to avoid (Safe Travels #35)

June 18, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

Disney parks are planning to re-open soon, but there are many details that travelers ned to figure out.

When are they opening? Which parks will open? Which resorts will open and when? What does my family need to know?

To answer these questions and more, we will speak with Kevin Gillooly of TravelingDad…which is part of the TravelingMom media family.

Kevin has been doing Disney for 40 years, so he knows the in’s and out’s of Disney planning…and he has all the details for the park re-opening.

Besides the re-opening plan, Kevin also has great general tips for planning trips to Disney, mistakes to avoid, and a common myth to put to rest.

Selected Links from the Episode

  • Kevin on Twitter
  • TravelingDad
  • DisneyWorld App
  • Disney reopening plan

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • Kevin’s Disney experience 00:01:27
  • The fireworks text story 00:02:17
  • Current re-opening plan for the parks 00:03:08
  • What to expect at the parks for safety 00:05:12
  • Other requirements at the parks 00:07:21
  • Enhanced cleaning at hotels and resorts 00:08:32
  • Whether temperature checks will be required 00:09:41
  • Disney’s cancellation policies for now 00:11:09
  • Tips for family fun in light of all the changes 00:13:01
  • Kevin’s guess on visitor volume 00:17:57
  • Why it might be a perfect time for some visitors 00:19:02
  • General Disney trip planning tips 00:20:38
  • Common mistakes to avoid 00:23:34
  • Disney myths and misconceptions to dispel 00:25:44

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

Scott Buss from Advent Jets gives an insider look into private aviation, ROI for business travelers, and more (Safe Travels #34)

June 16, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

In today’s episode you will get an inside look into the world of private jet chartering from a pro in the business.

We will be joined by Scott Buss of AdventJets, which is jet brokering company as opposed to one of the membership clubs. Scott’s core philosophy in business is based on trust and transparency, and it shows in the interview as he gives insights into the world of private jet travel.

Business travelers will learn about the potential ROI of using private travel for work. High net worth listeners who have considered this form of travel will get an inside look, and the casual listener will get a peek at how it all works.

Selected Links from the Episode

  • AdventJets
  • Scott Buss on LinkedIn

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • Overview of how private aviation works 00:02:22
  • The difference between a broker and operator 00:03:41
  • How membership jet companies work 00:05:32
  • Benefits of brokers vs membership plans 00:06:05
  • Go golfing with Tiger Woods 00:07:11
  • Is private aviation out of reach for most people? 00:08:37
  • How “Empty Leg” flights work 00:09:52
  • Ballpark pricing of private jet travel 00:10:55
  • Mistakes people make when working with private air 00:12:56
  • Potential ROI for private 00:15:09

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

Julie Elster on Disney’s re-opening plan, key dates, safety steps taken, and tips for success (Safe Travels #33)

June 12, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

Disney parks are planning to re-open over the next month, but there is no simple answer to how they are going to open.

Each park and resort is on a different schedule, which makes it hard to know how to plan your trip.

Plus, there are new safety rules in effect that you need to know about for you and your family, and several of the classic attractions of the park will not be happening.

Thankfully we have Disney expert Julie Elster from DoubleYourWDW.com to walk us through all the various questions we have about the reopening plan.

Julie will talk about when various Disney properties are opening, what to expect when you get there, safety procedures, and what will be open/closed.

Selected Links from the Episode

  • Julie on Twitter
  • DoubleYourWDW.com
  • YouTube channel

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • Julie’s overview of the opening plan 00:03:13
  • Hotel and resort safety measures 00:06:39
  • Park opening dates 00:07:34
  • On face coverings for kids 00:07:57
  • Temperature screenings (maybe happening) 00:08:54
  • Restaurant openings 00:09:12
  • Disney safety measures 00:11:02
  • The park reservation requirement 00:12:41
  • No FastPass 00:13:03
  • How the reservation system will work 00:14:02
  • Tips for tempering expectations 00:16:36
  • Other things that will be closed 00:17:04
  • How Disney is handling questions 00:18:44
  • General “non-coronavirus: Disney advice 00:22:01
  • Common Disney planning mistakes 00:22:52
  • Disney trip planning myths 00:23:51

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

Shy Bredewold on having one point of contact, insurance mistakes, and the myth of the “optimal” time to book tickets (Safe Travels #32)

June 12, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

This show I am joined by Shy Bredewold from OdysseanTravel.com.

Shy is a travel advisor and shares what he has learned in helping travelers plans their vacations, common mistakes, and myths to debunk.

Shy was a pleasure to chat with, and the show ran longer than many Safe Travels podcasts but he shares a lot of good tips and stories about the world of travel advisors. 

Selected Links from the Episode

  • Shy on LinkedIn
  • OdysseanTravel on Twitter
  • OdysseanTravel.com
  • American Society of Travel Advisors
  • Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • Shy on the benefits of using an advisor 00:04:25
  • How “One point of contact” helps you 00:05:24
  • Shy’s proactive customer support 00:08:11
  • Benefits of using supplier credits 00:14:07
  • How advisors have access to different option 00:19:34
  • On the costs of using an advisor 00:25:49
  • How the commission model works 00:28:29
  • The myth of preferred suppliers=more commission 00:31:51
  • How to find a reputable advisor 00:35:32
  • Accreditations to look for in an advisor 00:38:19
  • General tips shy gives travelers 00:44:35
  • Common mistake of not having travel insurance 00:50:16
  • Travel insurance vs travel protection 00:55:54
  • The myth of “perfect time to book” 00:57:52

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

Gigi Stetler on starting the “Angie’s List” of RVs, being the first/only female RV dealer, and RV travel during coronavirus (Safe Travels #31)

June 11, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

As the title suggests…Gigi Stetler knows RVs.

Gigi has been in the business for 35 years after she “fell into” owning an Rv dealership, and she has grown that business dramatically over the years.

Gigi also started an owner’s rights support site at RVAdvisor.com, and is in the final stages of launching a consumer rights site with 501c status…the Recreational Vehicle Advisor Consumer Association (RVACA).

She knows RVs in and out, from every side of the business…and she’s a pleasure to speak with. In this show she talks about general RV tips, coronavirus-specific advice, and discusses the benefits of RVAdvisor.

Selected Links from the Episode

  • Gigi Stetler on LinkedIn
  • RVAdvisor.com
  • Gigi on Twitter
  • Recreational Vehicle Advisor Consumer Association (RVACA) website coming soon as they just received 501c charity status

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • How Gigi fell into a RV business 00:02:01
  • Starting the “Angie’s List” of RV business 00:03:12
  • How RV travel fits perfectly with coronavirus concerns 00:06:32
  • General tips for new RVers 00:11:32
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them 00:13:12
  • Frequently heard myths to debunk 00:14:03
  • A good pitch for RVAdvisor.com membership 00:15:30
  • About RV brands and choosing a rig 00:16:41

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

Estee Gubbay on free upgrades with travel advisors, the cost to you, and how you can’t VIP yourself (Safe Travels #30)

June 5, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

People that plan trips used to be called travel agents, but now they are called travel advisors.

Today we’re going to be speaking with Estee Gubbay from LuxuristTravel.com about the benefits of using a travel advisor.

There are a lot of benefits in general, but now as everyone starts traveling again after coronavirus there are even additional benefits. There are many ways that travel advisors can help you travel worry-free, help you plan your trip, help you solve problems, and even get refunds for cancelled trips.

Travel advisors have the ability to get you free upgrades, extra perks, and oftentimes get you the VIP treatment.

Please enjoy the short discussion with Estee Gubbay about the benefits of using a travel advisor.

Selected Links from the Episode

  • LuxuristTravel.com
  • Estee Gubbay Twitter
  • Estee on LinkedIn
  • Virtuoso Travel

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • Benefits of using an advisor 00:02:52
  • Coronavirus-specific benefits 00:03:54
  • Negotiating refunds from travel suppliers 00:04:55
  • Free stuff an advisor can get for you 00:06:50
  • What does it cost to use an advisor? 00:10:25
  • Finding a reputable advisor 00:11:23
  • General travel tips for worry-free travel [00:14:43
  • Common mistakes to avoid 00:15:53

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

Yuval Zimerman on finding a doctor abroad and other tips for worry-free travel (Safe Travels #29)

June 3, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

Travel is slowly starting to happen again, but in general many people are still avoiding air travel because of coronavirus concerns.

But, there are some people who need to travel for various reasons, and today’s show is about what they can do to stay safe while on the go.

I’m joined by Yuval Zimerman from Air-dr.com, a company that connects travelers with doctors through their app and website.

Yuval has experience in travel medical issues, and will share the common problems he sees, tips to prevent frequent mistakes, and general advise to stay safe.

Selected Links from the Episode

  • Yuval Zimerman on LinkedIn
  • Air-Dr.com

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • How Air-dr works 00:03:14
  • Vetting doctors to be listed 00:04:41
  • Advice for people flying now 00:08:40
  • Common travel mistakes to avoid 00:15:38
  • Travel misconceptions to debunk 00:17:26

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

Damian Tysdal on how to compare and buy travel insurance with coronavirus pandemic coverage (Safe Travels #28)

June 3, 2020 By Damian Tysdal

Damian Tysdal Profile Photo

Welcome to Travel Insurance Tuesday on Safe Travels! I’m your host, Damian Tysdal.

Today we’re talking about coronavirus pandemic coverage with travel insurance, and how to find the policies with the best coverage for it.

There are many travel insurance companies offering many policies, so finding which plans have which coverage is very confusing.

But, with a comparison tool, you can easily find the best plans for your trip.

Selected Links from the Episode

  • InsureMyTrip
  • TravelInsurance.com
  • Squaremouth.com

Show Notes & Timestamps

  • Why using a comparison engine is the smart way to compare 00:01:08
  • How InsureMyTrip’s comparison site helps you 00:02:41
  • Why TravelInsurance.com is not helping much 00:03:54
  • My recommendation: Squaremouth.com 00:04:10
  • About Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage 00:06:23
  • Summary 00:07:40

Listen

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Filed Under: Safe Travels Podcast

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About this website

My name is Damian, and I started this website in 2006 to help travelers understand travel insurance.

The site features company reviews, guides, articles, and many blog posts to help you better understand travel insurance and pick the right plan for your trip (assuming you actually need travel insurance).

I am also a licensed travel insurance agent, and you can get a quote and purchase through this site as well.

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