Disney World Expert Channels Talents into Business

Sarah Freel and her husband Steve have been traveling to Disney World every fall since before their children were born, for more than 12 years. 

Her in-laws take passion for the Orlando theme park to another level, Freel said.  Steve even has a tattoo of Mickey Mouse on his shoulder.

"I married into a Disney family," she said.

But Freel herself is no slouch. 

After 10 years as a stay-at-home mom and professional photographer, Freel, who lives in Braintree with her family, recently closed her business.

"It's just tough," she said. "Everyone has a camera these days."

After studying early childhood education in college, Freel took classes at the New England School of Photography, and had spent the years primarily taking photos of children and family portraits.

Now she is channeling those skills, and her photography networking, into a new business.

A few years ago, at a photography conference, Freel met Kimberly Hill, who with her husband Bob owns Mouse Tales Travel, specializing in crafting unique Disney vacation plans.

This summer, Freel joined Mouse Tales Travel after graduating from the College of Disney Knowledge. She is now a travel consultant focusing on Disney World, and at times branching out to Disney cruises and other related vacations.

Her services – including booking resort reservations, arranging dining and special events, and keeping a constant watch on promotions and special offers even after customers have paid – are completely free for travelers. Freel is paid instead by Disney for booking clients.

So far Freel has worked mostly with families traveling with young children, something she is personally experienced with after going to Disney over the years with her children Meghan, 12, and Stephen, 10.

Recently, she planned a vacation for a large family whose grandparents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Disney goes all-out for big milestones, Freel said, and provides pins for the celebrants, letting the staff know to make their experience special.

After a vacation is booked, typically many months in advance, Freel keeps a close eye on promotions and also jumps on dinner reservations at the six-month, prior-to-arrival mark, allowing clients to score tables at hard-to-reserve restaurants.

Next week, Freel and her family will travel once again to Disney World, for the wine and food festival at Epcot. 

These days Stephen, a guitar player, loves Hollywood Studios and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith, and both kids enjoy the safari at Animal Kingdom, but the Magic Kingdom, the original Walt Disney World park, is still the reigning favorite.

"It feels very Disney-like to me," Freel said. "I love walking down Main Street, just the feeling it gives you."

Check out Freel's Mouse Tales Travel Facebook page for more information.