The Journey of a Smart Dad
I never set out to become a travel agent. Like most parents, I just wanted to give my family an incredible Disney vacation. What I didn't expect was to discover that planning a Disney trip was more complex than running a small business — and I'd know, because I'd done both.
After our first family trip turned into a masterclass in what not to do, I became obsessed with getting it right. I dove into research with the intensity of a Harvard thesis (which, full disclosure, I've actually written). I tracked Lightning Lane patterns, mapped optimal dining reservation windows, and documented which resort buildings were closest to bus stops when you've got a sleeping toddler in your arms.
Friends started asking for my notes. Then friends of friends. Eventually, I realized I'd accidentally built a body of knowledge that could help families avoid the mistakes I made — and the ones I'd seen hundreds of others make.
So I earned my College of Disney Knowledge certification, became a licensed travel agent, and founded Smart Dad Travel. Not as a side hustle, but as a mission: to eliminate vacation planning stress for families who deserve better than trial-and-error.
Credentials That Matter
Education and certifications aren't everything — but they're proof that I've done the work to earn your trust.
College of Disney Knowledge
Certified Disney destination specialist
Licensed Travel Agent
ARC/IATA accredited professional
Harvard BA
Research & analytical excellence
Quantic MBA
Business strategy & operations
My Planning Philosophy
I plan vacations the way I'd plan my own family's trip — because at the end of the day, your vacation isn't just a booking confirmation. It's a week of memories your kids will talk about for years.
That means I don't send you generic itineraries or hand you off to a call center. Every plan is personally crafted by me, tailored to your family's ages, interests, and travel style. I've personally taken 50+ Disney trips, sailed on multiple cruise lines, and logged hundreds of hours in Universal's parks. I know which resort building to request for families with toddlers. I know which restaurants are worth the dining reservation stress. I know how to sequence Lightning Lane selections so you actually enjoy your day instead of staring at your phone.
Because you deserve more than a booking. You deserve a plan that works.
A Dad Who Gets It
I'm a dad who's been in the trenches — navigating meltdowns at Magic Kingdom, negotiating bedtimes on cruise ships, and explaining why we can't ride the Hulk coaster six times in a row (okay, maybe just four).
I've taken my family on 50+ Disney trips across Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line. I've done the research so you don't have to. I've made the mistakes so you won't.
And I've turned that experience into a service that helps families like yours skip the stress and get straight to the magic.
Ready to Plan Your Family's Best Vacation Yet?
Let's build an itinerary tailored to your family. No generic templates. No call center handoffs. Just expert planning from someone who's been there.