Become a Home Based Travel Agent

SPOOKTACULAR TIMES
BY JAN SHAUGHNESSY

Fall is the time of year when many of us can turn off the air conditioners and open the sash.  The days are warm and the nights are cool.  Perfect weather for snuggling under the covers and sleeping.  The trees display their Fall palette of colors.  Our thoughts turn to all the sights and smells that are reminiscent of the Fall season.  I love the beautiful Chrysanthemums, and the displays of scarecrows protecting their corn stalks surrounded by squash, gourds, and pumpkins.   Fall wouldn't be complete without hot mulled cider, caramel apples, and candy corn.  For many Fall means celebrating one of their favorite holidays; Halloween. 

Halloween actually has it's origins from the Catholic church. where November 1st was "All Hallows Day" (All Saints Days).  However;  in the 5th Century BC, in Celtic  Ireland,  the summer officially ended on October 31st.   The Celtic believed on that day, the disembodied spirits of those who had died the previous year would return and possess living bodies for the next year.  It was believed this would be the way to the afterlife.  Those not wanting to be possessed would make their home undesirable by extinguishing the fires.  They dressed in ghoulish costumes and walked noisily around trying to scare the spirits.  

Today, Halloween is the 2nd or 3rd biggest party day (depending who's keeping track), coming in behind New Year;s Eve and Superbowl weekend.  The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend $5.07 billion this year on Halloween costumes, cards, candy and decorations.  Not bad for a country that is suppose to be in an economic crisis.  Wouldn't you like to cash in on some of those billions?  You can; by offering your clients one of the many opportunities available to celebrate Halloween.  Here's three opportunities to combine a land and cruise vacation just in the Orlando area alone:

Last year I celebrated Halloween on a 3-nt sailing on the Monarch of the Seas out of Port Canaveral.  The ship celebrated with parties and Trick-or-Treating around the Centrum Shops for the little ones.  Adults celebrated in style with a pool side costume party and midnight buffet.  Did you know Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Universal Studios Orlando?  Universal is celebrating Halloween with haunted houses, Scare-zones, and  special shows.  Why not combine a Halloween cruise with a pre-Universal vacation.  In addition, Universal Studios recently opened the Harry Potter experience.  Check out all the packages and events at www.universalorlando.com. 

Once again, Disney World celebrates it's annual "Mickey's Not So Scary" Halloween party.  This is another great opportunity to offer clients a combination land vacation with a Disney Cruise for higher commissions.  Also check out packages for the Disneyland Halloween celebration.  www.disneytravelagents.com/specialevents

The third big hitter with special Halloween events is Sea World Orlando.  Here's one more opportunity to combine a land and cruise vacation with one of the six ships sailing out of Port Canaveral.  (Soon to be eight, with Norwegian Sun coming October 16, and Disney Dream coming in January 2011.)   Sea World Orlando has   special Halloween shows and events like "Meet & Greets" with 35 fanciful Sea creatures, special merchandise, and games.  Kids can follow a "Spooktacular" map to 14 different treasure stations.  Check it all out at www.seaworld.com.  and don't forget Sea World in San Diego and San Antonio. 

Other areas of the country will be celebrating with big events as well.  New Orleans with it's roots in Voodoo has a festival October 29-31st.  Combine that with a cruise vacation on the 5-nt Carnival Triumph October 30th, for a Halloween celebration onboard.   The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau website has a Travel Professional link to help you,  www.neworleanscvb.com .  For clients that don't have the budget or time for longer vacations you can check out the Visitor's Bureau websites for events in cities closest to you.

Whatever you Halloween plans I hope you have a safe and Spooktacular time.  Look out for the little Ghosts and Goblins.  Remember, the Christmas holiday is right around the corner and many of the above mentioned Orlando attractions will be celebrating with big events. This is one more opportunity to start your clients on a holiday tradition.   Disney's Magic Kingdom has "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" in November and December.  Disney's Hollywood Studios (MGM), has the fabulous "Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights" from November 8-Jan 30, 2011.  Epcot will be celebrating "Holidays Around the World" from November 26- December 30th.  Book your clients now for best availability.