Stephanie Bourgeois

Stephanie Bourgeois is a Concierge Travel Advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, specializing in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and accessible theme park travel for families with disabilities, based in Poplarville, Mississippi.

I See the Parks Through a Different Set of Eyes

Most travel advisors can tell you which rides have the shortest lines. I can tell you which ones allow a wheelchair transfer, which ones have an accessible vehicle so you never have to leave your chair, and where the nearest sensory break areas are in every park.

My son was in a car accident at 17 that left him with a spinal cord injury. He’s a T12 paraplegic. He’s been through more than anyone should have to go through. By every medical measure, I shouldn’t still have him here. But I do. And that changed everything about how I see the world, including how I see Walt Disney World.

On a trip to Disney, I noticed something in the resort gift shops that stopped me in my tracks. The mannequins were in manual wheelchairs, just like the one my son uses. Some had hearing aids. I walked up to a cast member and, through tears, told them what that meant to me as a medical mama. Disney had made space for my son in a place that already meant the world to our family. That moment confirmed what I already felt: I wanted to help other families experience that kind of belonging.

I’m a travel advisor now because memories are everything. After 15 years working in customer service, I came home to be my son’s full-time caregiver. When I was ready to go back to work, I chose this. Not because it was easy, but because I’ve lived both sides of planning a vacation with a disability. I understand the research it takes, the questions you’re afraid to ask, and the relief that comes when someone says, “I’ve already figured that out for you.”

Research Is My Love Language

I am a researcher by nature. When we travel with my son, I’m the one asking cast members which attractions allow wheelchair boarding, which queue entrances are accessible, and what the transfer process looks like on every single ride. I bring that same energy to every client’s trip.

When you work with me, I start by listening. I write down everything you want from your vacation, your must-do rides, your dining priorities, your budget, your pace. Then I go to work. I put together two to three detailed options, each with a different resort, ticket package, and price point so you can compare and choose what fits your family. Once you pick one, I build out a full itinerary: flights, park days mapped out with a smart route so you’re not walking in circles, smart route so you’re not walking in circles, Lightning Lane selections, dining reservations, stroller and wheelchair rentals, everything.

My goal is simple. When you get to the parks, all you have to worry about is showing up, having fun, and making memories.

One of my clients said it better than I could: “She was quick with her responses and gathered several quotes to give me options on resorts and ticket packages. I even had last minute changes and she far exceeded my expectations and handled everything professionally. She made sure to inform me of bounce back offers from Disney and already has my next trip booked.”

That response time and follow-through come from years of customer service work. When someone needs an answer, they need it now, not in two days. I treat every question like it matters, because it does.

For families navigating Disney’s accessibility services, the planning process can feel especially overwhelming. The Disability Access Service program has been through significant changes recently, and what qualified a year ago may not qualify the same way today. Which rides require a transfer from your wheelchair to the ride vehicle? Which ones have accessible boarding? Where are the quiet break spaces at each park? These are the questions I research constantly, and they’re the first things I walk my clients through before they ever set foot in a park.

Being from Poplarville, Mississippi, I work with families all over the country. You don’t have to be local to work with me. Whether your family is an hour from Orlando or a full travel day away, I handle the details so you can focus on being together.

Memories Are Everything

My love for Disney started when I was a kid and never stopped. I’ve visited Walt Disney World numerous times and Disneyland too. My sisters and I still take Disney trips together as adults, and yes, we are full Disney adults. No kids required. Disney is not just a place for children, and I will always stand by that.

I have four kids. Three boys, ages 31, 20, and 18, and one daughter who’s 26. I also have a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. My youngest son has had special needs since birth, and my 20-year-old is Superman. I’m also the full-time caregiver for my 83-year-old mom who lives with me. If it sounds like I’m juggling a lot, that’s because I am. But the planning, organizing, and multitasking that come with this life are exactly why I’m good at what I do.

My Universal Orlando specialist certification gave me a deeper understanding of how Universal handles accessibility differently from Disney, which matters when families are choosing between the two. I’ve also completed the College of Disney Knowledge, earned my Orlando Certified Expert designation, and hold a California Specialist certification for Disneyland trips.

Here’s my insider tip: don’t skip the resort on your first day. Go play a round of miniature golf, let the kids hit the pool, and relax into the vacation. Start at the parks the next morning, refreshed and ready to go. That one day of rest changes the whole trip.

What Clients Are Saying About Diana

M	Melissa Cherian Google
★★★★★ Diana Richardson was an absolute asset for the last-minute Disney and Universal trip we took in November 2025! I cannot recommend her highly enough.

And one more: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is reopening this spring with gorgeous new Rainbow Caverns scenes inside the mountain. If your family is visiting in 2026, add it to the plan.