Allyson Joyce

Allyson Joyce – Concierge Travel Advisor | Walt Disney World & Royal Caribbean Cruises

Allyson Joyce is a Concierge Travel Advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, specializing in Walt Disney World, Royal Caribbean cruises, and Universal Orlando, based in Birch Run, Michigan.

I Became an Advisor Because I Had a Terrible One

Before I ever planned a vacation for someone else, I had a planning experience that went completely sideways. My travel agent abandoned me mid-trip. No follow-up, no answers, no help when things needed to change. I was left figuring it all out on my own, stressed and frustrated, during a vacation that was supposed to be fun.

That experience stuck with me. Not because it ruined the trip, but because it showed me exactly what a travel advisor should never do. When I started planning vacations for friends and family, I made one promise to myself: no one I work with will ever feel like they’re on their own. I answer every question, I follow up before and during the trip, and I stay involved from the first conversation to the moment you get home.

I’ve now planned more than 200 vacations for families, and the most common thing clients tell me is how much they appreciate the communication and how quickly I get back to them. That’s not a bonus. That’s the baseline.

Michigan Winters Made Me a Better Travel Planner

Living in Michigan means half my year involves snow and cold. So when my family travels, we go somewhere warm, and we make it count. Nothing beats stepping off a plane into 80-degree weather after weeks of gray skies, and that feeling is something I build into every trip I plan for clients.

I’ve been to Walt Disney World 14 times. My first trip back as a parent, after years away, was overwhelming. My husband actually said it would be a “one and done.” Then we arrived. The magic took over from the moment we pulled onto the property, and it left us wanting to come back right away. We’ve been back almost every year since 2018. You’ll now see my husband sporting a Donald Duck fanny pack, which tells you everything about how far we’ve come.

That firsthand experience of going from overwhelmed to completely hooked is why I connect so well with families planning their first Disney trip. I remember what it felt like to stare at all the options and not know where to start. Four parks, dozens of resorts, Lightning Lane pricing that shifts daily, dining reservations that open 60 days out and fill up fast. It’s a lot. But where you might find it overwhelming, I find it fun. Seriously. I love the puzzle of fitting everything a family wants into a plan that works with their budget and their pace.

My two boys are 12 and 5, and we fit in every trip we can between school and sports. Traveling with kids at different ages has taught me how to plan for families where the five-year-old wants to meet Stitch and the twelve-year-old wants to ride every coaster in the park. Both can happen on the same day if you plan the route right.

My insider tip: take a break in the middle of your trip. Not a rest day, just a slower afternoon. Head back to the resort, hit the pool, recharge. Then go back to the parks for the evening. That one adjustment changes the entire energy of a vacation.

From Theme Parks to the Open Water

I’ve sailed on more than 10 cruises, and Royal Caribbean is where I keep coming back. Being on that many ships across different classes has given me a feel for what each one offers and which families are the best match for which ship. Wonder of the Seas is my personal favorite: the neighborhood layout means there’s always something to explore, and it never feels overcrowded even at full capacity. If you’re considering a cruise, Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, debuts in the Mediterranean in July 2026 and moves to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean sailings in November. It’s the kind of ship I’d recommend for families who want everything in one place.

A lot of my clients come to me deciding between a Disney trip and a cruise, or wondering if they can combine both into one vacation. The answer is almost always yes, and helping families figure out the right combination is one of my favorite things to plan. You pack your bags, show up, and enjoy the trip with almost nothing to worry about. That’s what a vacation is supposed to feel like.

I also work in Human Resources, and the skills from that career show up in how I plan. I listen carefully. I ask the right questions to understand what a family actually needs, not just what they think they want. And when plans change, and they always do, I handle the adjustments quickly and without drama.

Based in Birch Run, Michigan, I work with families all over the country. Whether you’re escaping a Midwest winter or planning a summer getaway from anywhere in the U.S., the planning process works the same way: we talk, I listen, and I build options that match your family.

Planning Questions

Q: Why should I use a travel advisor instead of booking Disney myself?

Disney World changes constantly, from Lightning Lane pricing to resort benefits to dining reservation windows. I’ve been 14 times, and I still research before every client trip because things shift that often. A travel advisor catches the details you’d miss and saves you hours of planning so you can focus on being excited, not stressed.

Q: Should I combine a Disney trip with a Royal Caribbean cruise?

It’s one of the best ways to get both theme park excitement and real relaxation in a single vacation. I help families plan the right number of park days before boarding, choose a ship and cabin that fits their group, and handle the logistics of moving from resort to port. Most families who try it once book it again.

Q: How quickly can you plan my vacation?

I typically turn around initial options within a few days of our first conversation. If you’re working with a tighter timeline, I can move faster. The resort closing story in my career taught me how to pivot and plan under pressure, and clients regularly tell me they appreciate how responsive I am throughout the process.

Q: What’s the best Royal Caribbean ship for families?

It depends on your family’s ages and interests. For families with young kids, Wonder of the Seas has a great layout with dedicated family zones. For thrill-seekers, the newer Icon Class ships offer the biggest waterparks at sea. I match the right ship to your family based on what matters to you, not just what’s newest.