STORY AND SOUL TRAVEL
ALL SERVICES ARE FREE!
Story & Soul Travel is where imagination, intention, and expert planning meet. As a therapist, writer, and lifelong storyteller, I approach travel not just as a getaway, but as a chance to create meaningful moments and emotional connection.
Whether it’s a first-time trip to Walt Disney World, a much-needed solo escape, or a family adventure meant to spark joy, I help you design a vacation that feels safe, organized, and tailored to your unique needs. I bring strategy, empathy, and a little bit of magic to every itinerary—so you can relax, be present, and make memories that become part of your story.
🌟 What I Do
At Story & Soul Travel, I design trips that feel thoughtful, joyful, and custom-built for real people—not perfect travelers on Instagram. I help you cut through the overwhelm, find the magic, and create a vacation that matches your personality, needs, and pace. Whether you're dreaming of Walt Disney World, a relaxing cruise, or an immersive family adventure, I take care of the details so you can actually enjoy the experience.
✨ Disney & Universal Planning
From choosing the right resort to navigating Genie+, Lightning Lanes, dining reservations, and crowd flow, I build a personalized plan that makes your park days smoother, calmer, and more fun. You get strategy without the stress.
✨ Sensory-Friendly & Anxiety-Informed Travel
As a therapist and creative guide, I specialize in helping travelers who want structure, clarity, and emotional ease. I offer gentle, practical strategies for avoiding overstimulation, finding quiet moments, and designing a trip that honors your nervous system.
✨ Custom Itinerary Design
You tell me what kind of experience you want—playful, peaceful, adventurous, nostalgic—and I build a plan that fits your story. I focus on meaningful moments, not rushing from ride to ride.
✨ Resort, Dining & Experience Recommendations
I help you choose the best hotel, restaurants, transportation options, and extras based on your preferences, budget, and travel style. No generic advice—only what actually works for you.
✨ Ongoing Support Before & During Your Trip
I’m here to answer questions, adjust plans, and help you navigate changes so you always feel supported. Your vacation shouldn’t feel like another job; let me carry the logistics.
I plan trips for:
Ordinary families who want an easy, stress-free vacation
Neurodivergent travelers
Travelers with sensory sensitivities
Overwhelmed planners
Adults seeking creativity and play
Anyone who wants a trip that feels meaningful
My approach blends:
strategy
empathy
creativity
emotional intelligence
lived experience
insider knowledge
Why Me?
I've been visiting Walt Disney World since I was three or four years old. For most of my life, I thought the magic was in the rides—the thrill, the lines conquered, the attractions checked off. But over time, I've learned the magic is somewhere else entirely.
It's in a manager named Scott handing you a warm cinnamon roll just because he can. It's in a server who needs someone to see her—and you do. It's in the moment when your body says no to the coaster you used to love, and Guest Relations meets you with grace instead of resistance.
I've been helping friends, family, and colleagues plan Disney trips for over 25 years—long before I made it official. As a therapist and writer, I bring a different lens to travel planning: one that honors your nervous system, your season of life, and the kind of magic that actually matters to you.
I'm also currently writing a book about Disney planning that weaves together strategy, storytelling, and self-care—because I believe the best vacations aren't just well-organized. They're meaningful.
Whether you want a rope-drop-to-fireworks adventure or a slower trip built around rest and connection, I'm here to help you find the version of magic that fits who you are now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this free? What's the catch? There's no catch! When you book travel through me, I earn a commission from the travel provider—Disney, Universal, cruise lines, hotels, etc. You pay the same price you'd pay booking directly, but you get personalized planning, support, and expertise at no extra cost.
How far in advance should I contact you? For Disney and Universal trips, six months to a year out is ideal—it gives us time to secure dining reservations, plan Lightning Lane strategy, and make sure everything is in place. That said, I'll do my best to help no matter your timeline. Last-minute trip? Let's talk.
Is there a minimum booking amount? Nope! Whether you're planning a week-long resort vacation or just need a hotel room for a night, I'm happy to help.
What destinations do you book? I specialize in Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and cruises, but I can book most travel—resorts, hotels, vacation packages, and more. The one exception: I don't book flights outside of vacation packages.
What happens after I fill out the registration form? We'll schedule a consultation—video or phone, your choice—to talk through your trip details, preferences, and needs. From there, I handle the booking and can also help with dining reservations, Lightning Lanes, and all the other pieces that make a trip run smoothly.
What if I've already booked my trip? I can offer some guidance and planning tips, and I have a book on Disney planning coming soon that might be exactly what you need. I'd also love to help you book your next adventure!
🌟 Planning With Me 🌟
1. Tell Me Your Story
We talk about what you want your trip to feel like.
2. I Build Your Custom Plan
Recommendations, pacing, timing, strategy.
3. You Enjoy a Stress-Free Vacation
I handle the details so you can be present.
Story and Soul Travel LLC
© Kirk Sheppard, 2025