Holiday Travel Magic—Expert Tips for Gifting (and Taking!) the Perfect Vacation | Guiding You Forward
Quick Summary
Ready to plan a holiday vacation that creates lasting memories? Get insider tips for maximizing your theme park experience during the most festive time of year, creative ways to surprise loved ones with travel gifts and why cruising deserves a second look. Your best holiday memories start here.
There’s nothing more exciting than planning a vacation for the holidays. Whether you’re giving it as a gift or actually traveling during this magical time of year, the anticipation alone is half the fun! On this episode of Mountain America Credit Union’s Guiding You Forward podcast, we’re getting all the tips from travel expert Jen Dunyon from Get Away Today.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why traveling during the holiday season is so special (hint: it’s not just the twinkle lights).
- How to turn a vacation into the ultimate gift—without ruining the surprise.
- How experience and creativity turn vacation planning into pure magic.
According to Jen, visiting the theme parks during the holidays is special not just because of the time of year, but because you get so much more for your money. Think elaborate décor, special entertainment features, festive music, holiday parades, Santa meet-and-greets, seasonal ride overlays and limited-time treats. “All of the theme parks do the most at the holidays. They all want you to feel right at home and feel that holiday magic,” she says. “It’s just so fun to layer all the celebrations and feel like you get so much bang for your buck.” Translation? Your admission ticket suddenly includes a full-blown winter wonderland experience. Ready to see what all the holiday fuss is about? Watch the full episode for Jen’s insider tips for maximizing your holiday theme park visit.
What about giving the gift of a vacation? There are countless ways to pull it off—you can secretly pack and surprise the family on Christmas morning as you dash to the airport or, if that level of spontaneity makes your palms sweat, book a trip for later in the year. Maybe theme parks aren’t your family’s vibe. If you haven’t tried cruising, Jen suggests you give it a shot. “There are ships [where] you can see an ice skating show, or a diving show or a Broadway show.” And beyond that, there’s also Mexico and Hawaii where there’s no shortage of sun and fun. Get Away Today does it all!
Get Away Today has been in the travel game for more than 35 years, helping guests plan their dream vacations. Jen and her team have personally visited the parks, eaten the food, stayed at the hotels and experienced the cruise ships. Every recommendation comes from real experience, not a generic travel database. Their blog is also packed with creative ideas to help you present your vacation gift in unforgettable ways. “We have lots of ideas on our blog for how to surprise your family, whether it be countdown chains or opening a glass slipper—if the shoe fits, you get to go to Disneyland,” she says. Just because you’re giving something intangible doesn’t mean you have to lose the magic of Christmas.
