Walt Disney World ® Resort
Small World Vacations’ Walt Disney World 2019 Agent Education
At Small World Vacations, our agents love what they do and it shows. For over 23 years, we’ve been starting the Magic at home for guests just like you. Our agents have visited Walt Disney World over 2500 times, Disneyland 200 times, Aulani 30 times, sailed on over 500 Disney Cruises and explored the world on over 70 Adventures by Disney. They are researching for YOUR vacation while on their own vacations!
Our agents’ extensive first-hand knowledge of the resorts, restaurants, theme parks, ships and cruise itineraries is the secret to helping you plan a magical Disney vacation. Our standards are so high, our team members must have stayed at four different Disney resorts within the last five years! We are dedicated to providing you with real advice based on personal and professional experience.
To stay up-to-date with what’s new at Disney, Small World Vacations conducts an annual onsite agent education program.
Recently, we met in Walt Disney World to learn about the new resorts, attractions and experiences as well as the exciting additions that Disney has in store for the future. This was our 14th annual agent conference and every year we grow closer as a team. Many agents have been with Small World Vacations for more than a decade. We share a common goal to exceed our guests’ expectations. We truly care about your vacation and work tirelessly on your behalf to save you time, headaches and, best of all, money!
This year, we stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside, a moderate Disney hotel
Day One
We kicked off our program in style, traveling in a fleet of 8 Minnie Vans to Disney’s Contemporary Resort for a Culinary Adventure in a real, working kitchen.
SWV Team members, Erin, Deanna, Jo, Jill, Jodie, Heather, Jeanne, Jenny, Donna and Dawn made pasta!
We rolled-up our sleeves, donned a chef hat and enjoyed a hands-on experience preparing a delicious 5-course dinner paired with select wines for everyone. It was a delicious way to make new friends, reconnect with colleagues and share some laughs, good food and drink.
Kathy, Kelly, Kate and Kathy had a blast!
Mother-daughter Small World Vacations’ agents, Minnie and Kersie loved it!
Up to 30 Guests can book this hands-on cooking experience by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. Guests will be assigned to one of five food prep stations including. Vegetarian and allergies needs will be accommodated. Pricing and availability subject to change without notice.
- Garde manger, is the French term for food produced in the cold kitchen, where guests learn how to make farmer cheese, from-scratch butter, and how to plate a gourmet salad on a rapidly moving electric belt in the professional kitchen.
- Sushi, with sushi chefs teaching the art of rolling sushi and sashimi. (This station may rotate with other culinary ideas.)
- Boucherie, or butcher station, where guests learn how to trim a beef tenderloin to make the perfect filet mignon.
- Pasta, with just three ingredients (semolina, olive oil and egg), guests learn to make tender noodles from scratch, along with fresh basil pesto.
- Patisserie, or bakery, where guests get to play with chocolate, mousse and other sweet endings.
Day Two
Early the next morning, we were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge an hour before it opened to the public. It was a dream come true to have the entire land to ourselves. We popped into Oga’s Cantina, attended a light-saber building demo at Savi’s Workshop and flew the Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run. .
Small World Vacations’ Agents, Riley, Beckie, Melanie, Wendy and Kersie in Galaxy’s Edge/
Agents, Carly, Chris, Jeanne, Cissy and Renee about to fly the Millennium Falcon!
After our visit to Batuu, we headed over to Disney’s Coronado Springs to tour the new Gran Destino tower and enjoy a private lunch at Toledo
The view from Toledo and the Dahlia Lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs is stunning!
Dessert was a sweet treat featuring the Small World Vacations logo created by Ellen at Efitz Art.
That evening, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and finish up our special day.
Day Three
Bright and early the next morning, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The towering Christmas tree in the lobby was breathtaking and is a must-see during the holidays at Walt Disney World.
Next, we visited with the chef at Artist Point who gave us an overview on the menu and guest experience at the Storybook Dining with Snow White and friends.
While at the resort, we toured the Copper Creek Cabins and fell in love with these unique waterfront accommodations. Imagine having your own private hot tub!
We also toured the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. These are rustic home-away-from-home accommodations that fit up to six guests with a full kitchen. You’ll forget that you’re in Walt Disney World when you stay here. There is an array of recreational choices including horseback riding, canoes, archery, campfire sing along, fishing, biking and more.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs was our next stop for a tour of a model room of Disney’s Riviera Resort. This brand new resort opens on December 16 and offers studios, one, two and three bedroom villas. It is inspired by Walt Disney’s travel throughout Europe and the Riviera. Expect comfortable luxury with a foreign flare.
We made a quick jump off the bus to tour the NBA experience at Disney Springs. We know our guests are going to love this high energy sports experience.
We headed to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort for a buffet lunch at Sebastian’s. They welcomed our team with a colorful sign and some balloons. It felt good to sit down to eat and talk about our busy day so far.
We caught our second wind and took a drive down 192 to Margaritaville and toured some of their new colorful cottages. They are a welcome addition to the accommodation choices near Walt Disney World. The resort’s standalone homes come in configurations ranging from one to eight bedrooms, providing plenty of room for you to unplug with just about any number of your favorite friends or family members. Cottage guests receive access to all resort amenities, a premium experience and friendly, genuine, island-inspired service.
After some free time to ride the Skyliner and visit the parks, we gathered at the Epcot Preview Center for a glimpse of what Disney has planned for the future of Epcot.
We celebrated our final night together with a private Food & Wine-themed dinner upstairs in GM’s Test Track, followed by a dessert party and viewing of Epcot Forever. It was a truly remarkable experience.
While all of this research can be enlightening and fun for our agents, the most important aspect of our annual program is how our experience benefits YOU. Small World Vacations is proud to be one of only three Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agencies in the USA. This designation is a tribute to our knowledge of Disney Destinations and the value we bring to your vacation. We are also proud to be recommended by MouseSavers for over 18 years, Sehlinger and Testa’s The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World for 15 years and the Disney Food Blog.. Our business is not a hobby; we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have been included on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing businesses in the US for six years in a row. This year, Small World Vacations was included for the second time in Travel Weekly’s Power List of the most successful US travel agencies.
Learn more about how Small World Vacations agents can start the Magic for you.