I’m Gabe, a Pittsburgh-area Disney travel advisor. I grew up visiting Disneyland, first visited Walt Disney World in 2001, and I’ve been back more times than I can count. Over the years I’ve stayed in Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and nearby non-Disney hotels. I plan trips with real world details and my years of experience, not guesswork.
If you’re in Western Pennsylvania and looking for Walt Disney World or Disneyland help, you’re in the right place.
What I Do
Trip design for your family. We match your pace, budget, and must-dos to the right dates, resort, tickets, and add-ons.
Resort advice from actual stays. I share how the rooms, pools, dining, and transportation feel after a few days, not just day one.
Special events and extras. I handle Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, behind-the-scenes tours, fireworks dessert parties, fireworks cruises and more.
Simple logistics. Dining strategy, daily park plans, rope drop vs late starts, mobile order, Lightning Lane, Rider Switch, stroller realities, and smart routing so you spend less time in lines.
You pay the same price booking with Disney whether you work with me or not. My help is complimentary.
Booked within the last 30 days and not paid in full? I can often be added to your reservation.
How the Process Works
Share the basics. Help me with budget, ages, timing, and what “great” looks like for your crew.
Shortlist of resorts and dates. I share 2 to 4 clear options with the tradeoffs that matter, like walkability, transit time, and room types.
Booking and protections. I place the reservation, explain payment timelines and change windows, and keep you on track.
Dining and day plans. We blend must-dos with recovery time. If you want parties or VIP tours, we place them where they add joy, not fatigue.
Why Work With a Local Advisor
Same day and timezone. It’s easier to connect and plan. We can even meet up to plan over coffee if you’d like!
First-hand experience, from a local. I’ve visited Walt Disney World for years, plus Disneyland and the international parks in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong.
Clear guidance. No pressure, just the plan that fits your family.
“My friends and I went on our first Disney cruise, and Gabe made the entire experience stress-free and unforgettable. Even before we set sail, he arranged dinner and reserved a boat for us to watch the fire works at the Disney Resort..”
Walt Disney World First; Disneyland When It Fits
Most Pittsburgh families start with Walt Disney World. There are more resorts, more dining choices, and more ways to shape each day. I also plan Disneyland trips, often paired with other Southern California stops. We will pick the one that fits your time, budget, and travel style.
Where I’ve Stayed (a sampling)
On-site
Value: All-Star Movies, Art of Animation
Moderate: Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs
Deluxe and Villas: Wilderness Lodge, Riviera, BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Boulder Ridge, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West
Nearby non-Disney
Swan and Dolphin, Swan Reserve, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek, DoubleTree Suites Disney Springs, TownePlace Suites Lake Buena Vista
If a specific resort is on your list, I’ll tell you how it actually feels after day three, how long the transit really takes, and the little details that matter.
Parties, Tours, and “Worth It” Extras
Seasonal parties: Not-So-Scary, Very Merry, and Jollywood Nights can replace a long park day and deliver big memories.
Behind-the-scenes tours: Great for repeat visitors who want depth without sprinting.
Fireworks dessert parties and cruises: Good tools for views and time savings when they fit the plan.
How I Keep Planning Comfortable
You get a clear plan, a simple daily outline, and practical tips you will actually use in the parks. If we save steps, avoid the longest queues, and keep everyone fed before they are hungry, the trip feels easy.
“Visiting Walt Disney World during the holiday season had been on my bucket list for a long time, and this trip completely lived up to the dream. Gabe helped us plan a festive and efficient itinerary that made the most of the seasonal events without overdoing it.”
Ready to Start?
New trip: We will design the right dates, resort, and daily flow.
Already booked within 30 days and not paid in full: I may be able to help.
Still deciding: Let’s talk for a few minutes and map next steps.
My services are complimentary. You pay Disney the same price either way, and you get a local expert in your corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you charge a fee?
No. You pay Disney the same whether you plan alone or work with me.
Can you help if I already booked on my own?
Often yes, if it is within the last 30 days and not paid in full.
When should Pittsburgh families go to avoid heavy crowds?
We will look at your school calendar, special events, and weather. Late winter and early fall can be good, but your schedule comes first.
Do you also help with Disneyland?
Yes. Most locals choose Walt Disney World first, but I plan Disneyland trips as well.
Can you help me plan a Walt Disney World + Disney Cruise Line combo vacation?
Yes, absolutely! I’ve sailed on more than 10 Disney cruises and can help you pick the one that complements your park plans the best.
About Gabe
Gabe Travers runs Gabe Travels just north of Pittsburgh. First Disneyland as a kid, first Walt Disney World in 2001, and many return trips since. He has stayed across Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and nearby non-Disney hotels, and has visited Disney parks in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong. His planning style is practical and memorable-first.
Gabe Travers is an Independent Travel Advisor affiliated with EnchantAway Travel, through which Disney bookings are made.
