Danielle Dagato

The Mom Who Started to Breathe

My favorite part of this job happens on the phone. A mom calls, and I can hear it in her voice right away: she’s been trying to plan a Disney trip on her own, she’s deep in tabs and YouTube videos and conflicting advice, and the panic has started to set in. Then we start talking. I walk her through how the parks actually work, what her family can realistically do in a day, and where she should spend her energy. And somewhere in the middle of the conversation, I hear it. She takes a breath. She starts to relax. She realizes she doesn’t have to figure this out alone.

That’s why I do this. I’ve planned over 200 vacations since joining Favorite Grampy Travels in 2024, and the thing that keeps me going is knowing I’m taking real stress off real families’ plates so they can focus on the fun parts and the memories.

Your Itinerary, Down to the Rest Breaks

I love a good itinerary. I mention that a lot when talking to clients because it’s the foundation of everything I do. When I plan a Walt Disney World trip for your family, you’re getting a detailed, day-by-day plan with all the tips and tricks built in: where to eat, when to ride, when to take a break. That last part matters more than most people realize. Rest is something a lot of families don’t think to actually schedule during a theme park trip, and it makes or breaks the day. I’m good at building in quick resets so your kids (and you) aren’t burnt out by 2 p.m.

I can navigate the Disney parks to optimize your time and hit the rides while saving steps. I tell you when buying Lightning Lane makes sense and when your money is better spent elsewhere, like on Disney snacks. I know which dining reservations are worth the effort and which ones you can skip. These are the details that turn a trip from overwhelming into smooth.

I’ve personally been to Walt Disney World once a year for the past seven years with my own kids, and I lost count of my trips long before that. I know the parks the way you know your own neighborhood. My family has been known to run from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT just to get one more ride on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind before the night is over. That kind of energy for the parks is what I bring to every itinerary I build.

What 15 Years with Kids Taught Me About Family Trips

Outside of travel, I’m a full-time school-based occupational therapist. I’ve been working with adolescents for 15 years. That background has shaped how I plan family vacations in ways that might surprise you.

I understand how kids and teens process sensory-heavy environments like theme parks. I know what overwhelms them, what keeps them engaged, and how to structure a day so everyone in the family gets something out of it. I also know how to manage complicated schedules across multiple people, communicate clearly when expectations are different, and stay patient when plans need to shift. Families with kids of all ages and multigenerational groups are my specialty, and that OT training shows up in every trip I plan.

The first time we did a big family Disney trip, it was 10 adults and 5 kids under 3. I made laminated itineraries for everyone, full-size and pocket-size. I coordinated schedules and dining around nap times, food allergies, and who wanted to ride what. That trip is the reason people started saying, “You should do this for a living.”

The Birthday That Changed How I Plan

One of my first big group bookings was a birthday celebration. The group had a long list of must-haves, and finding the right all-inclusive resort took real work. After we found the perfect spot and got everything booked, I called the resort directly and mentioned the birthday. The staff decorated the room and included special treats for the guest of honor. When they checked in, not only did the birthday guest message me, but her husband did too. They couldn’t believe someone had taken the time to make them feel that special.

That’s the kind of thing I think about now with every booking. The details you wouldn’t think to ask for are the ones that make the biggest difference. My clients tell me that working with me made their trip so good they can’t wait to do it again. I hear that a lot, and it never gets old.

I’ve completed the College of Disney Knowledge, earned my Royal Caribbean Master of Adventure certification, finished Norwegian Cruise Line Master’s training, and hold Virgin Voyages Seacademy Gold status, along with certifications for Universal Orlando Resort, Adventures by Disney, Aulani, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and Marriott. I keep learning because the more I know, the better the trips I plan.

When We’re Not at the Parks

I’m a mom of two, a boy and a girl. We’re a big football family, so if we’re not planning a vacation, it’s probably because it’s football season. But even then, I’m probably researching the best food spots at our next destination.

I celebrated my 40th birthday at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at EPCOT, and Ariel brought me a birthday cupcake. She’s been my favorite since I was little. I used to want to be her.

I’m always up to date on Disney parks news, I run a travel-focused Facebook group, and I even started a group specifically for families sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. I’m in this all the time, not just when I’m working.