Co-Founder & Travel Advisor
Meet Ava
Co-founder of Once Upon A Trip Travel, Ava built her career on a simple belief: every family deserves a trip planned by someone who has actually lived the itinerary. From Disney parks to Caribbean cruise decks, Ava's firsthand experience shapes every recommendation she makes.
Our Story
A Founding Story Rooted in Real Travel
Ava co-founded Once Upon A Trip Travel alongside a small group of advisors who shared one conviction: travel planning is better when it comes from someone who has actually done the trip, not just read about it. Before she ever booked a client's vacation, Ava was booking her own family's adventures — navigating airport gate changes with toddlers in tow, mapping out theme park touring plans by hand, and learning which cruise cabins actually deliver on their deck plans.
That hands-on experience became the foundation of the agency. Ava recognized that families were spending hours online trying to piece together vacations, only to end up with generic packages that didn't account for nap schedules, picky eaters, or the reality of traveling with multiple age groups. She set out to build a boutique advisory that treats every itinerary like it's for her own family, because for years, it was.
Today, as co-founder, Ava splits her time between advising clients directly and mentoring the growing roster of agents who have joined the Once Upon A Trip Travel family. Her approach blends structured planning expertise with the kind of practical, on-the-ground knowledge that only comes from logging real miles — and real family memories — along the way.
Credentials
Specialties & Experience Highlights
Ava's expertise spans the destinations and travel styles families request most, backed by years of firsthand planning and travel.
Disney & Theme Park Travel
From Walt Disney World touring plans to Genie+ strategy, Ava builds itineraries that maximize magic and minimize meltdowns.
Caribbean & Family Cruising
With over 20 ocean cruises logged, Ava knows which ships, cabins, and itineraries genuinely suit multi-generational families.
Multi-Age Family Itineraries
Ava has traveled with children from age one through their teens, giving her firsthand insight into pacing trips for every stage.
All-Inclusive & Bucket List Trips
Whether it's a European getaway or a milestone celebration, Ava curates all-inclusive experiences built around what a family actually values.
Ava has personally traveled throughout Europe, Disney destinations, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, and has completed specialized supplier training with major cruise lines and resort brands — credentials she draws on to secure the best pricing, perks, and placements for every client itinerary.
Her Approach to Client Service
Ava starts every client relationship with a conversation, not a checklist. She asks about pace, priorities, and past trips that went sideways, then builds an itinerary that reflects how a family actually travels. Clients hear from Ava at every milestone — from initial quote through final boarding pass — so nothing is left to guesswork.
Travel Philosophy & Fun Facts
Ava believes the best vacations are the ones you don't have to recover from — which is why she plans downtime as carefully as she plans excursions. A confirmed cruise enthusiast, she's sailed more than 20 times and still gets excited watching the ship pull away from port. Off the clock, you'll find her scouting the next family-friendly destination long before it's officially "trending."
The Team
Meet the Rest of the Once Upon A Trip Travel Team
Ava works alongside a team of dedicated advisors, each with their own specialties and travel stories.
Ready to Plan Your Next Trip With Ava?
Whether you're dreaming of a Disney getaway, a Caribbean cruise, or your first family adventure abroad, Ava is ready to help you plan it with confidence.