Baron Clay
Travel Specialist
I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. where, we would take family trips to the Lake of the Ozarks. We'd also travel to various U.S. locations as a family pack. Cousins, aunts, uncles, and sometimes grandparents in tow. Once I graduated from high school (GO SPARTANS!) i moved to Chicago, for college. While there, I traveled to Orlando, St. Louis , Cancun, Puerto Rico, but Michigan became the new place to travel. Grand Haven was our spot. Just across the lake, far enough to feel removed, and full on beach town life. We'd eventually go there several times a year. Even in the winter because the sledding was so epic. Family members started moving around and Panama City Beach was the new spot to travel. Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Charleston, to name a few others. Eventually, the family moved to Charleston. We had come here for vacation several times. Boy do I have stories about Folly Beach...Anywho, being here has afforded me the ability to get to travel to Disney/Universal and the Caribbean at least once a year (sometimes more!). I plan on retiring on the Island of St. John. It's one of my favorite places.
Magical Tidbits…
Favorite Disney Memory Walking into Disney (Land) for the first time. We had been trying to go as a family for so long and we finally go there. I just remember my mom and dad being exhausted (we drove from St. Louis), but ready to give us the best time ever.
Must Do VelociCoaster (A MUST), Hagrid's Motorbike (A+++++), Avatar Flights of Passage, Space Mountain (old school), Beat Builders street show, Cinderella Dinner in the castle , All things Harry Potter, Star Wars, & Transformers, Minions (super cute), I could go on and on and on and on. I love a theme park.
Favorite Time to Travel to Disney First time to both parks were so magical. First time to Disney with the kids was my dreams coming true, as I had been waiting till the correct moment to take my youngest. To Universal with the kids was cool. I had been there before (when JAWS was still a ride), but going with them and my oldest was reading Harry Potter at the time. It was just super fun. We all were little kids again.
Favorite Quick Service Spot I believe I inhaled a chili cheese dog at Casey's Corner once. but we didn't actually eat at Disney or Universal. We did Cinderella's dinner at Magic Kingdom and a character lunch at Animal Kingdom (Brilliant and directly outside of the theater where we saw Festival of The Lion King live action on stage). My hack is buying tons of snacks at my local bulk purchase store and taking a day pack. It worked so well, that we have continued doing it for every visit.
Favorite Character Dining We went during a time where we had to keep our distance. So, I didn't think we were gonna get to have any character interactions. But the Tusker House Restaurant Character Lunch was amazing. We got all the pictures and had an amazing lunch experience.
Favorite Spot to Capture a Magical Photo Epcot has the best "Insta worthy" spots for me. They are all over and have placards that tell you to take a picture there and what to hashtag. Plus you literally travel the world.