I'm here to help plan your Universal, Disney, or cruise vacation!
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Ever been to Universal's Volcano Bay? It really is way more than a water park. I think it's perfect for either a half or full day in the middle of a four day visit. My favorite attractions are the Aqua Coaster and the Fearless River. Contact me to start planning your Universal Orlando vacation.
VanderVerse Travel loves Blackbird Farms Brewery
Love the way this bird speaks! This is one of the experieces you can't miss at Disney's Animal Kingdom park. Contact me to start planning your Disney Vacation.
Universal Orlando is a great destination for a guys' trip... 🍻🎢
Save Up to 25% on Rooms at Select Disney Resort Hotels This Summer!
You can potentially save more if you're able to travel mid August to mid Sept. Contact me for details!
Get ready for some spine-chilling fun at Universal Orlando Resort's Halloween Horror Nights event! 🎃👻🕷️ On select nights from September 1st to October 31st, experience the ultimate Halloween extravaganza with haunted houses, scare zones, and live entertainment.
At VanderVerse, we're excited to help you plan your perfect Halloween getaway. Let us handle the details so you can focus on the frights! Contact us today to book your package and get ready for a spooky adventure you'll never forget.
Attention all runners and Disney fans! Are you ready for the ultimate running experience? Look no further than VanderVerse, where we can book your dream trip for the runDisney weekend, taking place from January 3-7, 2024! From lodging and transportation to park tickets, we've got you covered. Plus, with our expert knowledge of the Disney parks and resorts, we can help you plan the perfect itinerary for your stay. Don't miss out on this magical event - contact us today to book your runDisney weekend trip with VanderVerse! 🏃♂️🏃♀️🏰✨
I got this lucky shot hanging out in Diagon Alley enjoying a Wizard's Brew.
For a limited time you can get 2 days free with the purchase of a 3 day park ticket at Universal Orlando. Message me for details.
Please allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Van and I love
theme parks, especially the big ones. I've always loved the thrill rides but it was a 2012 visit to Universal Orlando that hooked me. Stepping into Hogsmeade for the first time was like being 8 years old again. It's corny to say but the experience was truly magical. After a few more visits I decided I wanted to share my love of the parks with others so I started VanderVerse Travel.
If you are thinking about a Universal, Disney, or cruise vacation I hope you will allow
me the honor of planning your trip.
I am truly a terrible marketeer. Yes, it's been months since my last post and I'd love to say I'll improve in this area, but I know better. I'll take any advice on marketing so please provide it in the comments.
This is what rollercoaster hair looks like after a morning of taking advantage of shorter than usual queue lines. Shortly after taking this selfie I enjoyed a real beer, Wizard's Brew. This stout ale is only available in Diagon Alley and is terrific.
If you are thinking about a Universal, Disney, or cruise vacation, you will need help planning. My services cost you nothing so contact me to get started.
If you are considering a 🎄holiday🎄 trip to Universal, now is the time to get it planned and booked! You can secure your family's resort reservation with a roughly $200 deposit today. After that you can pay the balance, typically due 45 days before your departure date, on your schedule. Want to pay some each month? OK. How about weekly? No problem. Daily? You got it.
Message me to get started...
Universal has announced their second haunted house and it's all about that Halloween movie that I've never seen and never will. I'm a big fan of sci-fi and fantasy but you can keep the horror stuff. I'm afraid to ride Reign of Kong, not because the ride scares me, but because of jump scares in the queue line.
Apparently I'm in the minority because Universal's Halloween Horror nights event is HUGE and well loved. This year includes 10 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, and 2 live shows. If you love horror, I'd love to help plan your Universal vacation that includes Halloween Horror nights. Just message me to get started.
2023 Walt Disney World vacation packages are now available!
Why book so early?
You get your choice of resort before they fill up.
A $200 deposit is all that's needed to get started then make payments on your schedule.
Why would I book with a goober travel agent like you?
It costs you the same as booking directly with Disney, however, booking with me gets you my complimentary planning services and an advocate to help you on your trip.
Message me to get started on planning your Disney vacation.
I'm planning my next adventure to Universal and am trying to choose between two hotels: Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Universal's Aventura Hotel. Both properties are on-site and in Universal's Prime Value resort category. Because they are on-site, guests get early park entry, room key charging, and merchandise to hotel delivery. Both properties have easy access to the Garden Walk, Universal's walking path to the parks.
Cabana Bay is a retro beach themed resort with all kinds of amenities including 2 pools, a lazy river, and a bowling alley. I love Cabana Bay's decor and vibe. It's a great spot to chill and relax when you're not visiting the parks. If my traveling party included kids, Cabana Bay would be the way I'd go.
Aventura has a completely different look and feel. Where Cabana Bay is retro, Aventura is all modern. From the architecture to the in-room tablet controls, Aventura is sleek and, well, cool. One of my favorite features is the roof top bar where you can view Volcano Bay and the Orlando skyline.
While I prefer Cabana Bay's decor and vibe, Aventura has an advantage that puts it over the top for me...location. Though the properties are directly across the street from each other, Aventura's access to the Garden Walk is more convenient. Guests can access the Garden Walk via Sapphire Falls, located right next to Aventura. I love that I can walk from my hotel room to the parks so Aventura's easy access to the Garden Walk is huge for me.
Want to plan your trip to Universal? Message me and let's get started.
I'm a goober and a runner! This August will mark 30 years since I took up the running habit and changed my life. While some years were a little more consistent than others, I have never stopped. Disney hosts some fantastic running events including the upcoming Princess Half-Marathon weekend, Feb 23-26 2023. Ever considered taking up running? One of the best ways to get started is to sign up for a race. The Princess weekend includes a 5K and 10K, as well as the half-marathon, so there's a race for all levels. Registration opens for the general public June 21. I can help plan your Princess running trip. Who knows? Maybe running will change your life like it did mine.
It's been a minute since this theme park goober posted anything. Life happens. While life was happening, Universal announced their first haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights (select nights Sep 2 - Oct 31) which will include monster legends Wolf Man, Dracula, and The Mummy. Halloween Horror Night vacation packages are available and I can make booking a vacation simple. Message me for details.
This goober is a thrill ride lover and Universal has the best! Seriously, Disney is awesome but they've got nothing, NOTHING on Universal when it comes to thrill rides. The Velocicoaster is my absolute favorite rollercoaster!
What's your favorite thrill ride?
It has been way too long since my last post. Sometimes life just happens. I'm happy to announce VanderVerse is now booking cruises! It would be my pleasure to help you plan a Universal, Disney, or cruise vacation!
Now that Disney's FastPass replacement, Genie+, has been in service for a while, I'm curious what you think about it?
Message me if you have questions about Genie+ or would like my thoughts on using the service.
I am shamelessly, and with permission, posting a photo of my friend and his son enjoying a father-son birthday trip to Universal Orlando. It gives me great joy to know I helped make this moment happen and I am so very grateful for the opportunity.
Sometimes you just miss someone. The boy and I took a trip to Universal together and created some incredible memories for which I am eternally grateful.
Cheers all! I'm celebrating the end of a bout with...well you've probably caught it too. If that's the case, I hope it was mild.
This is the view from the Animal Kingdom Lodge bar and I'm fortunate enough to have enjoyed a half-marathon eve beverage from this fine location. It's pretty amazing that just outside the walls you'll find giraffe, zebra, and many other interesting critters. This is definitely one of my favorite Walt Disney World spots.
I suspect that most folks planning to visit Universal Orlando Resort only think about the dry parks. This is highly understandable, because, Harry Potter. It's understandable but also unfortunate because Universal's Volcano Bay isn't just a water park. Universal calls it a water theme park and it's not just marketing spin. My son and I agree the coolest attraction is the Krakatau Aqua Coaster which is combination water flume and rollercoaster that runs through the volcano. It's easily one of the coolest attractions, not just at Volcano Bay, but in all of Universal Orlando.
We tried to mimic a photo from six years ago but I'm afraid my lack of flexibility led to comical but less than perfect results. A better photographer would have noticed the woman under his child's legs but whatever.
I have a big favor to ask. If I have planned a trip or given you good advice, would you please leave a review? Actually, I'm begging...please leave me a review! Your review could really make a big difference and I'd greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave one. Here's the link:
https://www.facebook.com/vanderverse/reviews
Greetings all! The vid finally caught up with me this weekend but, thankfully, it isn't too bad. I'm grateful I made it past the holidays and the half marathon before being caught. The timing also allows me to heal up before going on my first cruise! My friend and mentor Mychael from We Plan You Pack Travel and I are co-hosting a spring break cruise April 4 - 8.
By the way, there's still time to join Mychael and me on the cruise. Just message me for details and great rates.
You have any advice on planning and enjoying my first cruise?
Do you dream of a beach vacation where you can relax by the ocean, soak up some sun, and maybe read a novel or two?🏖
Not me!🥱
I like to go, go, GO on vacation. I like to be busy. For example, if I'm on a beach vacation I do not want to sit and watch the waves crash. I want to be enjoying those waves on a boogie board (wish I'd learned to surf) or kayaking out to watch the dolphins.🐬
One of reasons I love Universal/Disney is there is always something to keep me occupied. Additionally, when I'm there, I never have to drive. I love it when my feet can take me wherever I want to go. Universal is especially great for me because I can literally walk from one end of the park to the other. When I stay on property I park my car and don't reenter it until it's time to go.
How about you? Are you an active vacationer or do you prefer to just chill?
We completed the half marathon a little over a week ago (seems like months already ⏳). This was my good wife's first half marathon and she rocked it! I am incredibly proud of her for pushing through some health challenges and, not only finishing, but finishing STRONG!!!💪
If you are looking for a way to exercise more I highly recommend running. This activity changed my life and continues to bless me today. Give it a chance and it will do the same for you. If you need motivation, sign up for a race and make it a big deal especially if it's your first. Disney races are awesome for first races because the focus isn't on competing. It's all about enjoying the experience and Disney is really good at creating experiences.
Here are Disney's race weekends:
🎖Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (mid January)
🎖Princess Half Marathon (late February)
🎖Springtime Surprise (late March)
🎖Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend (early November)
The race weekends have multiple races from 5K up to marathons.
Well it's been quite a while! I feel the need to reintroduce myself. I'm Van and I'm the owner of VanderVerse Travel. I specialize in planning Universal and Disney vacations. Here's a bit more about me...
👨👩👦👦 I'm a proud father of 2.
🎸I play bass in 2 bands.
🥋I'm a black belt martial artist.
🧙♂️At one point in my life, I worked as a magician.
🎖I love running! Just did the Disney half marathon.
🌪 I do not sit still very well.
🙃 I have a goofy sense of humor.
🎢 I love Universal and Disney more than a grown man should.
Do we have anything in common? Let me know!
Where do you take your son when he's leaving for the Navy in less than 30 days?
Disney isn't just for kids and mid January is a great time for adults to visit. The weather is cooler, the crowds are smaller, and maybe there's fewer strollers! Message me to get started!
Cheers everyone!
If you are looking for a deal on a fantastic holiday gift for the family, Universal has it. A family/group of 4 or more can get rates between $88 and $110 per night, per person. As you'd expect there are requirements and restrictions but I have all those details.
Thinking about spring break? How about a cruise? There's still time to get in on the /We Plan You Pack Travel () spring break cruise (https://fb.me/e/2DciSkIY4). Message me for details.
Holidays At Universal https://www.vanderverse.com/latest-news/holidays-at-universal
The holiday season is here and Universal is ready to celebrate with you.
Greetings from VanderVerse and finger stranger dude. My Navy bound son and I will be back to Universal Studios this December to celebrate the start of his exciting career. I cannot wait to share father son time with him before he ships out.
There's still time (but not much ⏳) to book a holiday vacation in the Wizarding World ⚡️. Depending on your travel party and dates, you can book a 4-night Universal Orlando Resort holiday vacation for roughly $475 / person*. This is a great deal for a great experience⚡️.
*All prices quoted are subject to change until deposit or full balance is paid. I have to write this because people.
Why stay at a Disney resort? That question has become much more difficult to answer… https://www.vanderverse.com/latest-news/zphg9dm8q7ibcehdph57bzkqthjiwk
The question has become much more difficult to answer…
The Genie has been released! https://www.vanderverse.com/latest-news/4rkkh5dt61oqjurb93snrd51siytmw
Disney's new service, Genie, has been released. Let's see what's in store...
Mardi Gras and simulated space cruises...here's what's happening at the parks with castles this week. https://www.vanderverse.com/latest-news/week-of-104
Mardi Gras and simulated star cruises…here’s what’s happening at the parks with castles this week.
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Love the way this bird speaks! This is one of the experieces you can't miss at Disney's Animal Kingdom park. Contact me to start planning your Disney Vacation. #galaxysedge #dolewhip #animalkingdompark #waltdisneyworldresort #hollywoodstudios #magickingdom #waltdisneyworld
I'm not a muggle after all! #grownupgetaway @universalorlando
Yep, I made that splash... #grownupgetaway @universalorlando
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