From the desk of Susan

What's New.................

www.magnoliatravel.com

Welcome to our new web site. Here you will find a number of valuable features, including highlights of special deals, chronicles of our staff adventures, as well as many helpful links to other sites on the internet.

Email options are available to contact the agency, or directly contact your favorite agent.

There is even a game to play...."Guess the city skyline"....hope you will try it Click Here!

Our agency recently added a DSL line to our network of computers, so we can communicate with you, and research on the web, with instantaneous speed!!!!

Family Vacationing.....Disney Style!

By Laura Cochran

If you love to relax, be pampered and have fun, this is the place for you. On a recent training trip to Walt Disney World, I was introduced to the incredible World of Disney! This complex of 63 square miles includes:

Disney Institute is unique to Walt Disney World. You will stay at a "Home Away From Home" condo/villa. During the day, you will be able to choose small group classes or private tutoring in animation, golf, culinary, gardening, photography, and much more. Each member of the family can participate in a different class, depending upon their interest and/or skill level.

Wide World of Sports is where you can see or participate in some of the world's top sports events. Many national competitions in basketball, football, baseball, soccer, band, gymnastics, dance and cheerleading are held here.

Speciality interests have a home here at Walt Disney World. Almost anything that you would like to learn or participate in has a venue. The Richard Petty Driving Experience is held here. There is a rock climbing wall and instructors to help you learn this sport. You can parasail, water ski, canoe, kayak, and fish. At 3 different water parks, you can go down incredible twisting, turning water slides 3-4 stories high, enjoy the wave pool, leisurely float down a "river" or swim to your heart's content. There is something for the whole family, regardless of age or ability.

The theme parks, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot and MGM Studios are equally exciting. I recommend staying on the Walt Disney World property, as the transportation system is flawless and and you can come and go as often as you want from the many venues. Several different types of park passes are available, some all inclusive with meals and entrance.

Disney Cruise Line has two fantastic ships, the Magic & the Wonder. You can choose either a 3 or 4 day cruise/park vacation. Starting in August, the Magic will be sailing on a 7 day Caribbean cruise, visiting St. Maartin, St. Thomas, and Castaway Caye.

Is it time for a Disney Experience for your family? After touring the Magic in February, my husband and I are planning to take our two grandchildren on a Disney land/cruise vacation. This has got to be the best of both worlds!!

Let us tailor a Trip of a Lifetime for you. Comments from a client recently returned..."Is Disney World only for kids? Well, Rita & I are senior kids, in our early 60s and went to Disney World this year. It was a blast. Loved every moment. Yes, we'll be back!"

Tips for Travelers from Conde Nast Magazine

"Ombudsman is getting more and more letters from frustrated readers who were enticed into a "travel deal" on the Web and then left emptyhanded because their tickets never arrived or the company they had paid disappeared without a trace.

Paying for travel online is no different from purchasing it through the mail or over the telephone, and travelers need to take the same precautions to make sure they're not getting conned. Here are some tips to help you avoid being taken--online or off:

Always remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Even legitimate bargains offered by reputable companies usually come with lots of restrictions.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you're dealing with an aboveboard operation just because its Web pages feature trusted icons. Fly-by-night companies often display the logos of respected hotels, airlines and cruise companies on the Web sites without having any real association with them.

Before buying anything from a travel company you're not familiar with, call the hotel, airline or cruise line it's selling to make sure they actually work together. If not, there's a good chance the offer isn't legit.

Research the company. Find out whether it is a member of the local Better Business Bureau and whether any complaints have been lodged against it. Check with the state attorney general's office to see if that has any reports on the company. And contact professional organizations such as the U.S. Tour Operators Association and the American Society of Travel Agents to find out whether it is a member. Although membership is no guarantee against unscrupulous practices, these organizations can help resolve complaints should something go wrong.

Always get full details in writing before you pay. Some companies offer deeply discounted hotel or cruise accomodations, for instance, but require that you book your airfare through them, often at exorbiant rates.

Use a credit card. By law, you have at least 60 days from the date of purchase to dispute the charge and request a charge-back. Paying by check or money order offers no such protection.

Compare prices with a local travel agency. It might be able to offer a competitive deal and even point out possible problems with the "bargain" you're considering.