I love traveling, it brings me so much joy, it doesn't matter if I'm seeing new places, checking off my bucket list, or revisiting favorite destinations. We all know that sometimes renewing your passport for these amazing adventures can be time consuming, just getting the time do do all the little things and completing the forms takes up more time than we can seem to find. Great news, things just got a little easier! There is now an online passport renewal option! This has been in beta with minimal applicants accepted at a time, but now it's open for us all!

Here's a simple guide on how to renew your passport without all the hassle, including how to take advantage of the new online system and which website to use to ensure you're on the official government page.

  Is your passport eligible for renewal?

1. Your passport was issued within the last 15 years
2. Your passport is in your possession and undamaged.
3. Your passport was issued when you were 16 or older
4. You still have the same name as your previous passport, or you can provide legal documentation of your name change.

If your passport meets these criteria, you're all set for renewal!

 The new online passport renewal system

One of the biggest changes that makes passport renewal easier than ever is the introduction of the new online passport renewal system. This new system allows US citizens to renew their passports digitally, without the need to send in paper forms or documents. It saves you time, stress, and that dreaded trip to the post office!

Here's how it works:

 Step-by-Step Guide to Renewing Your Passport Online:

1. Create an account: Go to the official US Department of State website at travel.state.gov and create an account. Make sure you use a secure password and write it down somewhere safe, as you may need to access the site again.
2. Complete the Online Application: Once you have an account, you'll be guided through the renewal application process. Fill out your personal information, answer the required questions, and upload a digital passport photo. (Make sure your photo meets passport standards, such as neutral expression, a light-colored background, and no hats or glasses.)
3. Pay the fee: After finishing the application, you'll be asked to pay the renewal fee online via credit card or electronic check. Passport renewal fees vary, but currently for an adult passport book, the fee is around $130.
4. Submit Your Application: Once you've completed the application and paid the fee, you can submit your renewal. The system will confirm that your application has been submitted, and you can track the status of your renewal online.

Benefits of Renewing Your Passport Online:

1. No Paperwork: No more filling out forms by hand or worrying about mailing documents.
2. Faster Processing: Online renewals are often processed more quickly than those sent by mail.
3. Easy Tracking: You can check the status of your application online at any time. 
4. Stay Home: Avoid trips to the post office or passport acceptance facilities.

Beware of Fake Passport Renewal Sites

When renewing your passport online, it's important to use the official US government site. Unfortunately, there are many third-party websites that may look official but charge unnecessary fees or provide misleading information. These sites often come up in search results and can trick people into thinking they are part of the official process.

To ensure you're renewing your passport through the correct channel, always go to travel.state.gov. This is the ONLY official website for the US Department of State's passport services. Here's how to spot the real site.

1. The website address (URL) should end in .gov, indicating it is a government site.
2. The official website will not charge extra processing fees beyond the standard renewal fee. If a site asks for inflated costs or service fees, it's likely not legitimate.
3. Look for clear instructions on how to complete your application.

If you're ever in doubt about whether you're on the correct site, you can double check by typing travel.state.gov directly into your browser's address bar, rather than clicking through a search engine link. 

What if you can't renew online?

While the online system is a great option, not everyone will be eligible to renew this way. If not you'll need to renew your passport by mail.

Here's what you'll need

1. Form DS-82 This can be found on the US Department of State website
2. Your Old Passport You'll need to mail it in with your renewal form
3. Passport Photo
4. Renewal Fee: Your fee can be paid via check or money order made payable to the US Department of State

Once you've gathered these items, simply mail them to the address on the renewal form. Processing times very and may take a little longer than the online process.

Plan ahead for you travel needs

While renewing your passport is easier than ever with the online system it's important to plan ahead. Passport processing varies, especially during busy travel seasons, so make sure to submit your renewal well in advance of your travel.

Final Tips

1. Check your passport's expiration date: Don't wait until the last minute. Many counties require your passport to be valid at least six months beyond your travel dates.
2. Renew Early: If your passport is set to expire within the next year, it's a good idea to renew it now rather than waiting. 
3. Keep copies: Once you receive your new passport, make copies of the information page and store in a safe place. This can help you if your passport is ever lost or stolen while traveling. As your trusted travel agent I do have the capability of electronically storing these for you if needed. 

By following these steps and taking advantage of the new online system, you'll be able to renew your passport quickly and without any headaches.

Let's get your passport ready and plan your next adventure!!! Happy Travels!!!

So much has happened at Disney World this past year, return of Dining Plans, change in Genie, the end of Splash Mountain, and so much more! Looking to the future there are so many more changes to come, one of which I have been waiting to happen for years!

Let's jump right into Villians Land at Magic Kingdom! Once upon a nightmare...A place where poison apples are a plenty and magic potions can ruin your whole day. Josh D'Amaro announced this new land will be home to the Disney Villains we know and loathe from our favorite Walt Disney classic films - "Which means happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream."

The evil ambition of all these Villians means that the possibilities are endless for the stories than can be told and visitors to the dark and thorny land should be prepared for whatever chaos might come their way. 

The new land will encompass all your dreams-er, nightmares. This land will be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale. "Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls," Josh teased. This is said to be on the same scale as Hollywood Studios' Batuu.

Here's a list of the other upcoming changes coming:

• Frontierland Expension-Cars area with 2 new attractions
• Nighttime Parade Summer 2025 at Magic Kingdom
• Pirates of the Caribbean themed tavern in 2025
• Reimagine DINOLAND - Tropical Americas will open around 2027
  • Encanto attraction
  • Indiana Jones attraction (this will replace Dinosaur)
• Winter 2025 - new Tree Of Life Theater show "Zootopia
• Monsters Inc Land coming to Hollywood Studios
  • 1st ever Disney's suspended coaster will take your through the factory door vault just like Mike and Sulley
  • Work to begin next year
• With Madalorian and Grogu theatrical release in 2026 the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will introduce a new mission with Mando and Grogu
• Test Track will reopen in 2025 

Follow along with my blog for future updates!

We all know about Real ID by now, here's a few highlights of why this is so important to travelers! 

• RealID is going into effect on May 7, 2025
• Why do you need the Real ID (a passport will work instead of the Real ID)
  • Commercial Air Travel
  • Visiting Federal Facilities that require an ID (White House, military bases

What do you need to Apply for a Real ID

• Proof of identity (Must be the original)
  • Certified birth certificate
  • Permanent Resident Card
• 2 proofs of residency (must be less than 1 year old)
  • Driver's License with current home address
  • Utility Bill
  • Anything with your current address
• Proof of Social Security
  • Social Security Card (must be original, number cannot be written on)
  • Current tax year W2
  • 1099 Form
• Proof of Name Change
  • If your current legal name is not displayed on all of the documents, bring document linking the name change
    • Marriage License
    • Court Order

Real ID Pricing for 4 years is $24 or 8 years is $48.

The Real ID will be mailed to successful applicants in about 10-15 business days. A 30-day temporary document will be issued on-site for use while you wait for your new ID.

To schedule an appointment you can visit https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/Find-An-Office.aspx

For my family we had debated if TSA PreCheck was worth it...Let me say after our first flight with the TSA Precheck we were very satisfied with the amount of money we spent. 

If you do not know what this is let's look at some details. Basically, this is a way to skip the long lines in security. You get to enjoy a smoother security screening process with no need to remove shoes, laptops, belts or light jackets. We have taken several trips since we have had ours and we have walked straight through, with no wait. Two of the airports were LA and Orlando, which if you have been to either you understand how huge that was. 

Now, what do you need to do to enjoy TSA PreCheck, it is actually very simple. You will apply online here. During this process you will choose your date, time, and location to visit an enrollment center. At the enrollment center you will need to allow approximately 15 minutes to complete additional paperwork, fingerprinting, photo capture, and payment. After roughly 7-10 days you will receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN), if approved. Then each time you book airline reservations you will just enter that number into the appropriate field. 

Fee-$78 for 5 years, renewal can be done on line for $70 for 5 years. Children 17 and under join the adults that have a KTN.