Sarah Nelson
Co-Owner & Travel Professional
Sarah is co-owner of The Charming Travel Co. and is a travel professional from Kentucky. She is married to her high school sweetheart and is mom to four kids. Visiting and planning Disney trips is her passion and she has planned over 300 trips since starting as a travel agent in 2016. Sarah loves all things Harry Potter, reading fiction books, mostly love stories and fantasy, and travel!
Specializes in...
Disney Destinations
Universal Studios
All Inclusive
Cruises
Domestic Vacations
Behind the Agent
Hi, Sarah! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! I’m Sarah, one of the owners of The Charming Travel Co., and have been in the travel industry for almost 5 years. Gina and I dreamed of having a whole team of travel planners that you can trust to make your vacation magical and designed specifically for you! And here we are! I’m a wife and mom of 4 – with a kindergartener up to high schooler! We love traveling the US and visiting new destinations, hanging out at Lake Cumberland with friends and family, and visiting our favorites, like Disney and Universal. Aside from travel, my hobbies include taking my kids to sports and theater practices, picking them up from sports and theater practices, and chauffeuring them to hang out with friends. #momlife But for real, I love reading (when I have the time) and shopping.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
This is a very hard question – so I’m going to cheat and give lots of answers. My husband gave me a giant map of the United States with a spot on each state to put a photo from our adventures in that state. So right now, my goal is to see all of the US with my kids. We travel to Florida A LOT, but this has been so fun to plan our adventures all over! Some of the places I’m most excited to see are Yellowstone National Park, Redwood National Park, Zion National Park… do you see the trend? I also have a goal to visit all of the Disney Parks around the World – so that means Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Paris are still on my bucket list!
Why did you become a travel planner?
Before becoming a travel planner, my friends all came to me when they were going to Disney and I would help them plan their trip and share my strategies! One day, my friend asked why I didn’t do this for a job and I answered that I didn’t even know it was a thing. I researched extensively and joined a travel agency in 2016. I love planning. I love Disney. I love Universal. I love travel. And if I can combine all of these things into a job and get paid for it, even better! In 2020, the timing was perfect and I had a strong calling to open my own agency! We have an amazing team and I couldn’t be happier with my decisions!
What is your favorite travel memory?
I think my favorite travel memory would have to be my first trip to Disney as an adult and with kids. I was quickly overcome with the Magic and was all in. Seeing my 4 year old meet her favorite princesses at Cinderella’s Table and take part in the Wishing Star Ceremony was so special and magical. My little guy went crazy over Buzz and Woody and Mickey. I had this same experience when my other two boys, who came later on, met Mickey for the first time that they could remember and experience it (when they were around 18 months old). These memories are so incredibly special to me. Disney World is an escape from the real world for me. I feel like I walk into another place and time and my worries and stresses disappear. While my family is ‘my home’ and wherever I’m with them, all is good in the world, Disney World gives me that same feeling in a place.
Which Disney/Universal park is your favorite?
I love Hollywood Studios at Disney World. I love the experiences and the thrills that the park offers – from Toy Story to Star Wars to Rock N Roller Coaster! The rides at Hollywood Studios can’t be beat! BUT I also love Magic Kingdom. No trip to Disney World is complete without walking down Main Street and seeing Cinderella Castle. I could just walk around and eat and experience the park without riding a thing. BUT I also love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s also such a magical experience and is literally the most immersive theme park land. You literally step into the books and movies that you love. Oops. I think I cheated again. I can’t pick ONE!