Jodi Humenik

Jodi Humenik – Concierge Travel Advisor | Special Needs & Allergy-Friendly Family Travel

Jodi Humenik is a Concierge Travel Advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, specializing in accessible family travel, autism and special needs trip planning, and gluten-free dining at Walt Disney World, based in Ashburn, Virginia.

The Trip That Changed How I Think About Travel Planning

My brother has autism. On a multigenerational trip with fifteen family members, a reservation error threw off our entire day.

For most families, that’s an inconvenience. For ours, any change in the expected plan can cause a rapid spiral.

My mom and I spent that morning trying to fix the situation and calm my brother. I remember thinking: I wish we had a knowledgeable travel advisor in our corner who could have handled the logistics while I focused on my family.

That moment is why I do this work. I’m a Certified Autism Travel Professional through IBCCES, and I plan trips for families who need someone thinking three steps ahead.

Autism, sensory processing needs, wheelchair accessibility, food allergies, dietary restrictions. I’ve planned for all of it, and I bring personal experience to every conversation.

Traveling Gluten-Free and Allergy-Safe at Disney and Beyond

I went gluten-free in 2020, and it changed how I experience every restaurant and every destination. At Walt Disney World, I can tell you that 50’s Prime Time Café serves gluten-free fried chicken that is genuinely worth planning your Hollywood Studios day around. Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera has character breakfast options that are excellent for guests managing gluten restrictions.

I’m constantly researching allergy-friendly dining locations across the globe. At Disney, I build safe dining plans for every food allergy, not just gluten. I match families with restaurants that can accommodate their needs, and I flag the spots where cross-contamination risk is higher so you can make informed choices.

The gluten-free beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter and the gluten-free churros at Animal Kingdom are two snacks I recommend on every trip. Most families don’t realize these exist until I tell them.

When a Hurricane Hits and Your Family Has Three Kids with Different Needs

I had a family at Universal Orlando when a hurricane came through. This family has three children with varying needs. I had mapped accessible routes through the parks, identified safe dining options, planned sensory break locations, and built in backup plans for every part of the trip.

The one thing I hadn’t planned for was a hurricane. I was in constant communication with the family, coordinating their hotel stay extension when flights were grounded and rebuilding their park days around the new timeline. That experience taught me that no matter how thorough your plan is, the real value of a travel advisor shows up when things go sideways.

Disney’s Disability Access Service has gone through significant changes since 2024, narrowing eligibility and adding a video chat registration process. On March 18, 2026, Disney shareholders voted against a proposal to investigate those changes. For families navigating DAS, having an advisor who understands the current process and can help prepare for the registration conversation makes a real difference.

From Project Manager to Trip Planner

Before travel, I spent eight years as a technical project manager and eight years coordinating government foreign travel. I also owned a dance studio for three years where every children’s class was themed around Disney and fairy tales. I hold an MBA.

All of those experiences show up in how I plan. Project management taught me to think in timelines, contingencies, and logistics. Government travel taught me documentation and coordination across time zones.

Running a dance studio taught me how to create experiences that feel magical for kids. The MBA keeps me sharp on budgets and partnerships.

I’ve visited Walt Disney World more than fifteen times and sailed on eight different cruise ships. I attended Disney World’s Agent Education Program in person and completed a three-day training at Sandals Resort in Jamaica.

I’m also working toward my SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate credential and my Royal Caribbean Master of Adventure certification.

Glamping Under the Milky Way and Cruising Through the Panama Canal

My husband and I got engaged at the top of the Empire State Building. Our first trip together after that was Walt Disney World, his first time ever.

We’ve since traveled to Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Aruba, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

One of our most memorable family trips was a Panama Canal full transit cruise that included watching the 2024 total solar eclipse from the western coast of Mexico. I’ve also visited Disney World, Disneyland, and Aulani all within a single month.

Based in Ashburn, Virginia, I work with families across the country. Our daughter is a theatrical teenager who loves to cruise and has been to Disney World at least once a year since she was four.

I became a travel agent because I wanted families like mine to have the support we didn’t have on that trip years ago. For family vacations, we love glamping under the stars in Utah and Arizona, completely disconnecting from everyday life.

Special Needs Travel Planning Questions

Q: What makes Jodi Humenik different from other travel advisors for families with special needs?

I’m a Certified Autism Travel Professional through IBCCES with personal family experience navigating autism, sensory needs, and food allergies. I’ve planned trips across Disney, Universal, cruises, and international destinations for families with complex needs. I also moderate a Facebook community for special needs travel and stay current on DAS program changes.

Q: Where can I find gluten-free food at Walt Disney World?

Disney handles food allergies better than most destinations. 50’s Prime Time Café has incredible gluten-free fried chicken, Topolino’s Terrace offers excellent GF breakfast options, and Port Orleans French Quarter serves gluten-free beignets most guests don’t realize exist. I build a full safe dining plan for every client based on their specific allergies.

Q: How do you plan a Disney trip for a family with autism or sensory needs?

I start by understanding your family’s specific triggers and comfort levels. Then I map out sensory break locations, identify calmer queue environments, build in schedule flexibility, and create backup plans for when things change unexpectedly. The goal is a trip that feels manageable and enjoyable, not one that looks good on paper but falls apart in practice.