Hi there, I'd tried to post a message already, but it seemed to have disappear in the netherworld... so I'm trying again (please forgive if duplicate appears). Hello to everyone! ; Hope this note finds you all well! ; I'm pleased to be able to pop by again (after a prolonged absence). ; I hope the intervening months have been fruitful for you (congrats to the mama and poppa of the site - I understand you're about to be a mama and papa to a new Disney fan!). ; The time has been fruitful for me. ; I'll be posting more details about what I've been up to, and my new website is about to go "live" (likely tomorrow) with updates on my travel journals, etc. - including photos of Disney vacations (a scaled down version is available now). ; Check it out at www.travelcounsellors.ca/sheilag I look forward to returning to the magic at Disney magic, and catching up with everyone's news. All the best, Sheila
Hi Sheila: The new website looks great! ; Hmmm... no Disney sections though!!!! ; ; Welcome back to Disney Magic.
Well, hello there Hamham, Highland3, and Minnie. ; It is indeed a pleasure to be back. ; Long time, no talk! ; I look forward to catching up on everyone's news. As for my webpage, I'd just uploaded pictures of our Mickey's Not So Scary Hallowe'en Party from 2007 - unfortunately, that meant the journal about the whole trip went down for a day or so while my counterparts in the UK revised that particular journal. ; No worries - it should be "live" shortly. Disney remains my area of travel passion - but one of the fantastic things about being with Travel Counsellors is that there are ~1000 home-based agents, like me, all over the world - so I can certainly handle your Disney travels, as well as any travels you'd be interested in around the world. ; I had a client that went to Disney last year and stayed at Animal Kingdom lodge - it whetted his appetite for the real thing, so he wanted to go on an African safari next year - but after we scoured travel brochures last week from several packaged tour companies, he realized that none of them offered exactly what he wanted - so I contacted some of my Travel Counsellor colleagues in South Africa (yes - we are there, as well as across the UK, Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands, the US, and Canada) and got the assistance of our Travel Counsellor "feet on the ground" experts to build a customized safari for his family. ; The world just got a little bit smaller! And, of course, the benefit of me working from home is that I'm available to provide you personalized service when you need it - unlike the traditional retail travel shop, I can fit into your busy lifestyle - 7 days a week, 24 hours a day if need be. So, I'll let you know when the new and improved website is "live". ; But, I'm anxious to share the magic back here at Disney magic! Have a great Friday, all! Sheila
Welcome back Sheila, it's always great to have more Disney fans 'round these parts. ; Hey, hey, hey...please do NOT paint all 'traditional retail travel agencies' with the same brush. ; Especially when I was answering DCL emails via my Blackberry and making ADR's last night while waiting for Madonna to get on stage. ;D ; She was 1 hour and 25 minutes late. : Yes, my storefront agency is open to the public during "regular" business hours, however we are still "open" - or rather - "working" every single day of the year. ; If dining reservations need to be made, final payments are due or discounts come out we are working either at the office or from our homes regardless of what day of the week or time of day it is.
I too would like to take exception to what you have posted. ; ; The "traditional retail travel shop" has many pluses, one of them including the fact that if someone would like a hands on experience of meeting their TA at his/her office, that choice is there. ; I know of many people that like that type of service and also like to have someone in their OWN community providing travel service for them. As for service provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there is nothing stopping a "traditional retail travel shop" from providing that service. ; ; I speak from first hand experience, my own TA is ALWAYS just a quick email or phone call away. ; I can email her at 11:00 or 12:00 at night and have an answer almost immediately. ; ;Usually, I email her that late and then head off to bed only to find that she has answered me 5 or 10 minutes after the email. ; ;I remember her booking a trip once for us late on a Sunday night! ; ; There have been countless times that I have sent her an email out of normal business hours and ALWAYS have a very quick reply! I believe that the generalization that you have used is not fair, perhaps in your excitement you have misjudged the capability of many others that you SHARE the travel industry with.
Here Hear, I have even received a call from a guest at 6am ; on their way to WDW with a medical emergency ; ??? . Also I know for a fact that we cater every vacation for every guest, going beyond just ADR's & Park tickets and getting the best price. ; ;D
Yes, indeedy. ; Thank you all for your warm welcome back! ; What a wonderful and heartfelt reception! I just know I'm going to have so much fun being back amongst you all. Happy day, everyone.
Glad to hear that you are so happy with the wonderful heartfelt reception! ; We really are a nice group around here, you are going to love helping everyone out. ; Looking forward to all of your advice.
Welcome back Sheila!!!!!! We just returned from our DCL eastern itinerary, and did the MNSSHP the night before we cruised. ; We did it as well in 2007, and it was a pleasant suprise to see they change things up a bit each year. ; We will also be doing the MVMCP in dec.
Hi - my updated website is now "live" - see http://www.travelcounsellors.ca/sheilag ... do/Gallery for photos of last year's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, et al. Take care, Sheila
