Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Belfi.
Hi Amy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved visiting Disney since I was a young child. Once I became a mom and took my daughter there for the first time when she was 3-years-old, I saw the Disney magic in a whole new way! I also really got into the whole planning aspect of it. I used a travel agent who I didn’t feel truly cared about me or my trip, and I thought, hey I can do a better job at this. At the same time, I was building my career as a neuroscience professor, so my life was very busy. Once I received tenure at my faculty position in 2023, I decided I wanted a new hobby, so I started my travel business! That’s how Amy Belfi Travel was born. I find myself applying the same skills I use in academia — organization, research, attention to detail, and problem-solving — to planning Disney vacations.
What started as a small “side hustle” quickly grew through word of mouth, and has now snowballed from “hobby” to “business.” I consider myself both a full time professor and full time travel advisor (so… I work a LOT. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!).
Today, I work with many busy families who want incredible vacations without having to spend hours researching every detail themselves. I love helping clients create meaningful memories together, whether that’s a child’s first trip to Walt Disney World, a multi-generational Disney cruise, or a big family celebration trip. For me, it’s about making the process feel easy, exciting, and highly personalized from start to finish. I truly care about each client’s trip as if it were my own. It brings me so much joy to help families make memories at Disney!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, although I think that’s true for most businesses that grow organically. One of the biggest challenges has been balancing my full-time career in academia with building a travel business at the same time. As a professor, my schedule is already very demanding, and the travel industry is also incredibly client-focused and fast-paced, so there were many seasons where I was essentially working two full-time jobs.
At the same time, growth has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. What started as a small side business has expanded largely through SEO, networking, referrals, and repeat clients, which has been incredibly meaningful to me. As the business grew, I realized I needed to build more support systems in order to continue providing the high level of service my clients expect. Recently, I hired an assistant to help with backend operations and administrative tasks, and that has made a huge difference. It’s allowed me to focus more on client relationships, personalized planning, and the parts of the business I enjoy most.
I’ve learned a lot about time management, delegation, and setting boundaries, but I’ve also learned that growth sometimes requires being willing to evolve your business and ask for help when you need it.
We’ve been impressed with Amy Belfi Travel , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creating highly personalized Disney and family vacations with a luxury, concierge-style approach. I primarily focus on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, Adventures By Disney, and Universal Orlando. Many of my clients are busy professionals, families with young children, and multi-generational groups who want an incredible vacation experience without the stress of planning it themselves.
What really sets my business apart is the level of support and personalization I provide throughout the entire process. I’m very hands-on with my clients and intentionally keep the experience relationship-driven rather than transactional. Many travel agents work over text or DM – I typically have multiple phone calls or even meet in person with my clients. I just prefer to build relationships, it’s part of why I love this job! I help clients narrow down resort and cruise options based on their family’s priorities, guide them through every milestone of the planning process, monitor promotions, assist with dining reservations and Lightning Lane strategies, and essentially act as a resource from the moment they book until they return home.
I think my background as both a professor and a mom also shapes the way I run my business. I’m extremely detail-oriented, organized, and research-driven, but I also understand the realities of traveling with kids and how important it is for vacations to feel manageable and enjoyable for parents too. My goal is always to make the planning process feel less overwhelming and more exciting.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me and the strong referral-based community that has grown around my business. So much of my growth has come from repeat clients and personal recommendations, which means a lot to me because family vacations are deeply personal experiences. People are trusting me with major milestones and memories, and I never take that lightly.
I also want readers to know that working with a travel advisor today is very different from what many people assume. My role goes far beyond simply booking a trip — it’s about saving clients time, helping them avoid costly mistakes, keeping up with constantly changing systems and promotions, and creating a much smoother overall experience. Especially with destinations like Disney, having an expert guide can make a huge difference in how enjoyable and stress-free a vacation feels.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely very driven and academically focused. I genuinely loved school, loved learning, and was always the kind of person who set high standards for myself. I’ve always been very Type A — organized, motivated, detail-oriented, and goal-oriented — which are traits that still shape both my academic career and my business today.
At the same time, I’ve always had a really strong creative and imaginative side too. I was a huge Disney kid growing up, and that love never really went away. I think Disney sparked a lot of my appreciation for storytelling, immersive experiences, and creating meaningful memories. I was also very into video games, especially games like The Legend of Zelda, which probably fueled my love of adventure, exploration, and fantasy worlds. I also am a HUGE music fan. I am a classically trained pianist and competed in that growing up, which shaped my academic research focus on music and the brain.
Personality-wise, I’ve always been very independent and ambitious. I like building things for myself and figuring things out on my own. I’ve never loved being told exactly what to do, which honestly is probably part of why I ended up in academia and why I enjoy entrepreneurship so much. Both paths allow a lot of creativity, autonomy, and self-direction, which really fits my personality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amydoesdisney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amybdoesdisney
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amybelfitravel
