Smarter mickey travel

Making more time for memories

Ensuring a terrific Disney vacation!

Smarter Mickey Travel will help you build your Disney travel itinerary, help you secure the best dining reservations and Lightning Lane selections and guide you through the endless options that await you on your upcoming travels to see everyone's favorite mouse!!!
Daily itineraries
Planning your day in advance will help you ensure you experience all your must-do attractions, shows and restaurants.
Genie+ Strategy
Securing Lightning Lane reservations to the most popular rides will save you hours of waiting in line! Ask about how you can maximize your use of Lightning Lane!
dining reservations
Guaranteed hard-to-get dining reservations including Character-dining, buffets, dinner shows, dessert parties, fine dining.

Why Choose smarter mickey travel?

Save Time
Proper planning will ensure that you are maximizing your time at the park, providing you with hours of free time for more rides, a swim at the hotel or a well-deserved nap.
eliminate stress
Planning your day at Disney well ahead of time will limit the time spent in food or ride lines; plus you will always know where you are headed next!
Save Money
With efficient plans, you can accomplish more in your Disney trip, but in fewer days, limiting your ticket and hotel expense. Proper ticketing strategy and booking the right hotel at the right time can also save you money!

Our Services

At Smarter Mickey Travel, here are some of the questions we can help you answer: (Note: some of these questions are not applicable due to COVID-19 precautions present; these are indicated by strikethrough below)
  • In what order should I go on the rides? Does that matter?
  • How can I ensure that I get Lightning Lane access to the most popular rides?
  • Which hotel is right for me? Onsite or offsite?
  • Is the Disney Dining Plan right for me?
  • When is the best time of year to visit?
  • What is the best time of day to visit?
  • How do I use the MyDisneyExperience app?
  • Is the Disney After Hours Boo Bash worth the money?
  • Should I buy the park-hopper?
  • Should I rent a car or rely on Disney transportation?
  • How can I secure a reservation at the most popular restaurants?
  • Which are the best character meals?
  • How do I accomodate a multi-generational group?
  • Is MemoryMaker a wise investment?
  • What treasure hunts are available at the parks?
  • Why is it important to avoid Lightning Lane at Dumbo?
  • Where can my child 'splash around' at Magic Kingdom?
  • How do I get started with pin collecting?
  • How can I meet all the characters?
  • Are the tours (e.g. Family Magic Tour, Keys to the Kingdom, etc.) worth it? (currently not offered)
  • What options do I have to watch fireworks shows?
  • What is Rider Switch?
  • How do I fit in a nap and the afternoon parade?
  • How can I valet park for free at my resort?
  • How can I ship diapers and baby wipes to my hotel ahead of my flight?
  • How can I play Footgolf at Disney? And what the heck is Footgolf?
  • How do I ship home my unwieldly-large lightsaber?
  • What are the advantages of a Split Stay?
  • How can I book a private photo shoot at Magic Kingdom?
  • Which 'Make-believe-and-more' options are best?
  • Might an Annual Pass make sense for me? (Hint: It might!)
  • Is Disney Vacation Club right for me?
  • Should I visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World?
  • Why does park hopping at Disneyland make more sense than at Disney World?
  • How can I rent DVC points for the lowest price?
  • How can I eat at Be Our Guest for $4/person?
  • How can I get on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with no wait and no Individual Ride Selection?
  • How do I book a two-bedroom Disney villa without paying Disney prices?
  • Where will Disney babysit my children while I go to Epcot without the kids?
  • How do I book a tee time for miniature golf?
  • How can I ride in the 'caboose' at Disneyland Railroad?
  • How do I order a chocolate glass slipper dessert?
  • How do i order a birthday cake at lunch in Hollywood Studios?
  • Where can I find the french toast soft pretzel?
  • Why shouldn't I plan a 2pm Lightning Lane pass for Splash Mountain?
  • How can I go on Slinky Dog Dash without a wait if I don't have a Lightning Lane pass?
  • How do I get prescription medicine delivered straight to the park that I am at?
  • Where can I buy baby formula at Magic Kingdom?
  • Why shouldn't I buy a Disney World "Package"?
  • Disney Aulani – how do I get my child into Aunty's Beach House?
  • Disney Cruise Line - how can I get a outside cabin at inside prices?

our pricing

Smarter Mickey Travel is NOT a travel agent; we are only interested in advising you on your Disney-related questions and ensuring you are spending your time and money wisely. We want you to have a terrific vacation that is well planned in advance and will provide you honest advice regarding common add-ons such as the Disney Dining Plan, Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus, Memory Maker, etc.
consulting
$100/hr
itinerary planning
$129/per day planned (up to five people)$20/per day per additional person
onsite tour guide
$1000/day (up to six hours) 8am - 2pm
character autographed t-shirt
Pricing provided upon request
Our Mission Statement
A Disney vacation can produce a treasure trove of memories that you will remember for years to follow; whether enjoying a fast-paced roller coaster, a ride on everyone’s favorite flying elephant, or catching the afternoon parade while munching on a mouse-shaped soft pretzel, it’s hard to predict which moments will live on indelibly in your memories. Disney vacations also represent a sizeable financial investment. Between air, hotel, meals, and tickets, a Disney vacation can easily cost $500 - $1000/day. For this discerning traveler who wants to maximize the memories while limiting the expense (and the stress!), Smarter Mickey Travel will help you be efficient and wise with how you spend your time and money at Disney!

how smarter mickey travel differs from a travel agent?

smarter mickey travel
  • Paid directly by vacationer based on number of days planned
  • Will provide customized itineraries regardless of on-property or off-property stay
  • Does not book air/car rental/hotel for customers.
  • Will provide 100% customized itineraries
  • No financial motivation to upsell
  • No Disney revenue targets to hit
Disney Travel Agent
  • Paid a commission from Disney based upon total cost of vacation planned
  • Will provide consulting/advisory services ONLY if staying on a Disney-owned resort
  • Can book air/car rental/hotel for customers
  • May provide detailed daily itineraries, depending on the agent
  • A financial motivation exists to upsell (e.g. to a pricier hotel, ParkHopper, Dining Plan, etc.)

what people are saying...

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about us

Jason Goodman
Owner/Lead Planner
Jason has completed 12 trips to Disney World, 4 trips to Disneyland, 1 Disney cruise and 1 trip to Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa (in Hawaii) in the last eight years. During those trips, he has accumulated a wealth of experience and lessons learned that he uses to save his clients' time, money and stress on their next Disney vacation. With his background in management consulting, Jason applies economic theory, data analtyics and knowledge of service operations to maximize the fun in your day. Jason is a proud graduate of the University of Illinois (B.S.) and the University of Chicago (M.B.A.) and he lives with his wife, son and daughter in Riverwoods, IL.

references

  • ✦✦✦✦✦
    “Jason’s advice as to the use of fast passes to maximize our family’s enjoyment of the rides and minimize the wait times was spot on! We will definitely be consulting Jason to help us plan our next Disney vacation"
    - Jennifer F., Lincolnshire, IL
    ✦✦✦✦✦
    "Smarter Mickey Travel provided THE BEST itinerary for our last-minute trip to Disneyland. I honestly don't think we would have seen as much of the park or gotten to go on as many rides if we hadn't followed their suggestions. They even included some dining and parking tips that were invaluable. When we do Disney again the future, I will definitely use this service again."
    Carrie and Josh, Chicago, IL
  • ✦✦✦✦✦
    "We unknowingly booked our first trip to Disney on the busiest weekend of the year. Jason advised us on reservation planning, fast pass strategy and ride selection that was appropriate for our kids’ ages and comfort level. He listened and built a plan that worked best for our family. Our experience was fun, easy and magical (seriously!). We cannot recommend Smarter Mickey Travel enough. Jason is committed to making sure everyone loves Disney as much as he does—and that makes the difference."
    Jessica and Chris, Highland Park, IL
    ✦✦✦✦✦
    "Working with Jason at Smarter Mickey Travel is an absolute necessity - he saved us over 50% on costs and his strategy enabled us to enjoy an unbelieveable and efficient time in the park, hitting every single ride with little to no wait."
    Jill and Eric, Northbrook, IL
  • ✦✦✦✦✦
    "It was our first time at Disney and boy is it overwhelming, but not when you have someone as knowledgeable as Jason! He was able to simplify and cater to exactly what we wanted out of our trip! Whether it was tips on lines, restaurants, or hotels he knew exactly what to do! We couldn’t do it without him!!! We highly recommend his services!"
    - Jaime and Greg, Riverwoods, IL
    ✦✦✦✦✦
    "Highly recommend. Jason Goodman sat down with my wife and I the other day and gave us plenty of tips and tricks which can help make a big difference. We are heading back to Disney next week and Jason helped us organize our entire trip from 60-day fast passes, restaurant reservations, rider switching, etc.,. If you’re heading to Disney, make sure you consult with Jason first. He knows all the tricks and can work with you to build the right itinerary for your entire family. Worth every penny and is a super nice guy and friend of ours."
    Nim and Pam, Deerfield, IL

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