Meet Our Advisors – Keys to the Castle Travel

Leaders

Kayla Shawley, Director of Digital Content

Kayla became a travel advisor in 2017, after helping numerous friends and family members plan their Disney vacations. She participated in three Disney College Programs throughout her early 20s and has had the privilege of being a Cast Member at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Those experiences combined with her regular trips to Disney Parks (including an Adventures by Disney trip in 2019) have made her an expert when it comes to planning a Disney vacation. Since becoming a travel advisor, she has made traveling a priority in her life. While Disney is her passion, she loves to help families discover new destinations that they may not have otherwise considered.

Conor Brown, Director of Agent Development

Conor has been traveling to the Walt Disney World resort since he was 3 years old. He fell in love with Disney so much that he decided to work there, participating in the Disney College Program. Conor has fostered a love of travel, not just to Disney, but to destinations around the world. Since starting his Travel Advisor journey in 2019, he has helped plan hundreds of trips and loves helping to make the magic for his clients. As the Director of Agent Development he assists his fellow Travel Advisors by giving them the training tools, strategies and ideas necessary to create truly magical vacations for their clients.

Travel Advisors

Allison McAllister, Travel Advisor

Allison is a wife, Mom of 3, Disney enthusiast, and vacation planner. She grew up going to Disney World almost every year and has continued that tradition with her own kids. With over 25 trips to Walt Disney World, a Disney Cruise, a stay at Disney’s Vero Beach resort, and her personal favorite, Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii, it’s safe to say she knows all of the ins and outs of planning your dream Disney vacation! Even after all these experiences, she still tears up every time I walk down Main Street USA. She’d love to bring that feeling to as many families as possible and spread the magic of Disney to all!

In addition to Disney vacations, Allison specializes in honeymoon planning. She recalls how overwhelmed she was with planning her wedding that her honeymoon was an added stress rather than an exciting adventure. She loves working with couples to plan the honeymoon of their dreams and allowing them to be completely involved in the planning, or totally hands off. Either way, her goal is to remove stress from their wedding planning and give them an amazing start to their new life together!

Karen Salladino, Travel Advisor

Karen is new to the travel industry, but not new to travel! Traveling with family and friends has always been something she loves to do-especially if it involves Walt Disney World in Orlando or a Carnival cruise in the Caribbean! A life-long fan of all things Disney, taking her husband and her two children to the Walt Disney World Resort for the first time in 2007 was an amazing start to a tradition the whole family loves! After many, many trips back to Disney World, Karen’s family decided to become Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members so that they could enjoy even more magical family vacations! Karen’s husband introduced her to cruising more than 20 years ago and they took their oldest son on his first cruise when he was just six months old! Cruising is the family’s other trip of choice and they often combine a stop in Disney World with a trip on a ship! Relaxing on a cruise after fun-filled days in the Disney Parks makes for a great travel experience! Karen is excited to embark on this new adventure as a travel advisor helping families make the most of their time together! Planning travel for a family can be daunting, but using her experiences as a guide, Karen will make sure that your family has a trip that creates magical memories to last a lifetime!

Jenn Mangold, Travel Advisor

Jenn is a wife, boy mom, teacher and Disney fan! She has been planning trips for friends and family for years and was very excited to join Keys to the Castle! Her first trip to Disney was when she was 5 years old and she was hooked! She went to Disney every year (sometimes twice) with her 5 brothers and sister. They are just as obsessed with Disney as she is! She and her husband were married in 2009 and have 3 boys who keep them on their toes! The boys have a lot of energy and hit the ground running each morning. She is also a Special Education Teacher who loves spending time with her students. They make her smile every day and there’s nothing like the twinkle in their eye when they finally understand something they have been working on. She has a sign in her classroom from Walt Disney – “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Ryan Viveiros, Travel Advisor

Ryan Viveiros lives in Duxbury, Massachusetts with his wife Courtney, daughters Grace and Hannah, dog Aladdin and cat Amelia. Ryan works full time as a CDL truck driver and constantly tries to associate things he sees on the road to Disney.
Ryan had been to Disney a few times as a child but was not really a Disney fanatic until he met Courtney. Since they met in 2004 Ryan has been to Disney more than 15 times and also visited Disney’s Hawaii Resort, Aulani in 2018.
Ryan’s favorite park is EPCOT and his favorite ride is Splash Mountain. His favorite resorts are Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Polynesian. His favorite thing to do in Disney is to take in all of the details most guests don’t notice.
Ryan was excited when he was asked to join Keys to the Castle as Disney planning is one of his favorite things to do. He loves helping people plan and build vacations that are tailored to their families needs and interests.

Courtney Viveiros, Travel Advisor

Courtney Viveiros lives in Duxbury, Massachusetts with her two daughters, Grace and Hannah, her husband, Ryan, their cat, Amelia, and their dog, Aladdin. When she is not following all of the latest Disney blogs, her day job is a fourth grade teacher (in a Disney-themed classroom, of course!) in Kingston, Massachusetts. In addition to traveling to Walt Disney World, Courtney loves traveling to new and different places such as, Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii, Ireland, England, Scotland, Puerto Rico, and all around New England.

Courtney has been an avid Disney lover all of her life and has been there countless times as a child and as an adult. Thankfully she was able to share her love of all things Disney with Ryan and they had a Mickey and Minnie themed wedding in 2008. Their children, Grace and Hannah, have also inherited this love and as a family they “live Disney” everyday and spot “hidden Mickeys” wherever they go.

Courtney’s favorite Walt Disney World park is the Magic Kingdom, her favorite ride is Splash Mountain, her favorite resort is Polynesian, her favorite Disney treat is Dole Whip, and her favorite thing to do in Disney is to sit on Main Street USA with an iced coffee to people watch and to take in all of the extraordinary details of Main Street.

Courtney has always been the “go-to” Disney expert for her friends and family members who were planning trips to Disney. She has always enjoyed answering all of their questions, big and small, and helping them to have magical experiences in her favorite place on Earth. Courtney was very excited when she was asked to be a part of Keys to the Castle Travel because now she can help even more people enjoy even more places and make lasting memories with their families.

Denise Citarelli, Travel Advisor

Denise has been a Disney traveler for over 40 years and takes Making Magic to a whole new level! She travels to Orlando and beyond at least five times a year. She especially loves to help her clients experience all of the hidden gems within the Disney parks, how to find relaxation amid the whirlwind, and how to make a Disney trip feel like it is a “Once in a Lifetime” even if it is your 50th trip. She has been to Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii twice and sailed with Disney Cruise Line on a huge family reunion, where she planned every detail, including individual itineraries for 15 people.

Denise loves everything about Orlando and vacations at Universal Studios frequently. As a Ravenclaw House member, Denise can ensure your trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter feels like you just received your Hogwarts acceptance letter. She loves a good thrill ride, excellent eating, and has attended nearly every special event in both theme parks.

Denise is especially attentive to individual needs. Do your kiddos need a midday break but you don’t want to leave the park? She has the tips and tricks. Are you a couple on a get-away? Denise will set your trip itinerary for the perfect blend of adventure and romance. Does a family member have specific allergies or medical needs? She can help with that. As a Disney Vacation Club owner and Annual Passholder for 8 years, and now a Travel Advisor, Denise is ready to do all the hard work for any of your travel interests so that all you have to do is enjoy the magic!

Danielle Cohen, Travel Advisor

Danielle grew up going to Disney every year with her family. Danielle’s passion for the things she loves (including Disney vacations) is no secret to her friends. She found a passion in the nursing profession. After almost 10 years at the bedside, she recently completed her Doctorate in Nursing practice and works as a pediatric nurse practitioner. With a more stable schedule, Danielle is excited to dive back into her passion for Disney as a travel advisor for KTTC.
Danielle has visited Disney World almost 30 times, Disneyland 3 times, has been on a Disney cruise, and stayed in Disney’s Vero beach property. Any chance she gets, she is telling people to go to Disney, and to go back to Disney, because each trip is unique. One of her favorite memories of Disney was being proposed to in front of Cinderella’s Castle, by her (now) husband Kevin. Kevin was not a Disney person at the time, so he needed some help from his friend, Chris Oakes, who happened to be in the park and coordinated the whole thing! Needless to say, Kevin is now a Disney guy!

Liz Parsons , Travel Advisor

Liz Parsons lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts with her husband and their two young children. Her first trip to Walt Disney World was in kindergarten and she's visited countless times since! As a child, she fondly remembers going to the local travel agency to collect Disney brochures and helping her mother diligently plan their next trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth! Her love of Disney continued through college as she began to plan her own trips with friends. In 2008, Liz and her husband, Jeff, were married at the Wedding Gazebo at Disney's Yacht Club Resort surrounded by fifteen of their closest family and friends. Naturally, Liz provided their guests with detailed informational packets outlining favorite Disney attractions, restaurants and trivia. During their wedding vacation, Liz and Jeff were asked to be the Grand Marshals in the "Disney Dreams Come True" parade at Magic Kingdom! Liz was eager to share her love for Disney with her children and has already taken them on a few trips to her happy place. As a mother of a child with special needs, Liz has experience with the Disability Access Pass and can share tips and tricks for navigating the parks to meet the needs of all travelers. This includes members with dietary needs, as Liz herself has a food allergy. Liz has always been the go to person for Disney advice amongst family, friends and colleagues and she’s thrilled to be able to help others plan their dream vacations!

Melissa Melo Burns, Travel Advisor

Melissa lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts.

Melissa fell in love with Walt Disney World as a child (age 9). Her mother planned her first magical vacation in 1984. Every last detail was meticulously planned out on a yellow legal pad. And, as the old saying goes, “the apple did not fall far from the tree”. Each and every detail is carefully attended to when Melissa is planning your Disney vacation.

Melissa will help you achieve a magical and memorable vacation, no matter what your planning needs are. She always puts as much time and effort into planning your vacation, as she does her own.

Melissa will put your mind at ease when planning a vacation with a loved one with special needs. She is the proud mother of a child on the Autism spectrum. Melissa will help you plan and backup-plan for each step or bump along the way, so you can relax and enjoy being together as a family.

Melissa also specializes in Universal, Cruises and other special destinations.

Chase Smith, Travel Advisor

Chase grew up making annual trips to Disney World. From the time he was 10 years old his family made the drive down from Atlanta Georgia to Disney World. Once Chase passed on his love of Disney to his 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter, the trips have moved from annual, to a few times a year.
Being such a huge fan of the movie-like magic of Disney and Universal theme parks helped influence him to make magic of his own by becoming a filmmaker. For the past 12 years he has used that passion to make independent films and that eventually led him back to Disney.
As the go-to for all things Disney for his family and friends, Chase decided he would take his filmmaking knowledge and love of Disney and Universal Studios and combine them to start his own YouTube Video channel, American Vintage Adventures.
Now, he makes trips to Disney and Universal every few weeks in order to film new content and stay up to date on the newest happenings and all of the best tips and tricks to have the most incredible Disney, Universal, or Cruise vacations ever…and as part of Keys to the Castle Travel, he is very excited to use all of his knowledge to help you have the most magical vacation of your lifetime!

Amanda Hankewycz, Travel Advisor

Amanda is a wife, mother to two Disney loving toddlers, and a nurse. Amanda and her husband love to travel! They visited Italy and Fiji prior to having children but have made annual Disney trips after becoming parents. Amanda and her family also enjoy traveling to the mountains and beaches of the Carolina’s. Amanda visited Disney several times as a child but has found a new love for Disney as a mother seeing the magic of Disney through her children’s eyes. With a love to travel and desire to help others, Amanda is excited to be a member of the Keys to the Castle team and help make people’s dreams become a reality!

Samantha Katcher, Travel Advisor

Samantha, a born and raised New Yorker, has always had an insatiable desire to travel. Her childhood trips to destinations like Hawaii, the Caribbean islands, Israel, and numerous trips to Disney ignited a lifelong love for exploring new places and cultures, which only grew stronger during her college years. Studying abroad in Italy and extensively traveling on weekends fueled her wanderlust. Samantha continued to explore the world with her husband, including their unforgettable honeymoon in South Africa, as well as with her son and husband on trips to remarkable locations such as Costa Rica and the Caribbean. She also loves taking girls’ trips to experience live music all across the US.

With over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, Samantha has developed exceptional skills in negotiation and client relations, and now she has decided to dedicate her time to helping people plan their dream vacations. Samantha’s extensive knowledge of travel destinations, keen attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to exceptional service make her the perfect partner to plan your next adventure. Whether you’re seeking a quick weekend getaway, a family trip to Disney, or an epic adventure around the world, Samantha will work tirelessly to ensure that your travel plans exceed your expectations. So pack your bags, relax, and let Samantha help you create unforgettable memories.

Kimberly Humbert, Travel Advisor

Kimberly is a Disney loving wife, mother of two, and teacher from Pittsburgh, PA. She began traveling to Disney World in 2018 and was instantly hooked. She has returned to Disney World several times since then and has loved each trip more than the last! Kimberly spends months researching to plan her own trips and loves trying new resorts, restaurants, and experiences. And although she loves her family trips to Disney World, she is looking forward to traveling to new destinations such as Universal Studios, Disneyland, and Disney’s Aulani resort. She also hopes to one day set sail on the Disney Cruise line.

Kimberly’s passion for travel combined with her love of helping others has inspired her to join Keys to the Castle Travel. She is excited to assist others in planning memorable trips, and she has many tips and ideas to share with her future clients. Kimberly will go above and beyond to help you plan a trip that best meets your travel wants and needs!

Melissa Mayberry, Travel Advisor

Melissa is a new travel advisor. Her love of Disney and travel made this a great move! Living in Arizona you would think Disneyland would be her park of choice, but nope! Her and her husband travel with small children to share Walt Disney World with them. After a honeymoon trip in 2015, this became their family vacation spot, visiting once a year since.
As an educator, she is very organized and loves planning. She is taking these two things and turning to helping others make their most magical vacations!

Katie Gretchen, Travel Advisor

At the age of 3, she was terrified of the monorail and Figment. But after her second trip, she was a believer! As she grew, her LOVE for Disney grew! She was lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World with her family almost every year during the Holiday Season. There’s just something special about New Years Eve and Magic Kingdom combined with fireworks! She was obsessed with Disney and wrote a biography report on Walt Disney in 4th grade. As a 2nd Grade elementary school teacher, she brings the Walt Disney mindset to the classroom, integrating learning with “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”. Katie and her family love to travel to Disney destinations or anywhere with warm temperatures. Cruising, especially on a Disney Cruise, is a favorite. Katie is always browsing and organizing vacation ideas for family and the seasoned traveler. Let Katie plan your next vacation so you can sit back and enjoy all the magical moments. She joined the Keys to the Castle Family in 2023 and is excited to help put your mind at ease and expand your next vacation to “Infinity and Beyond!

Deanna Vignolini, Travel Advisor

Deanna is new to the travel industry but not to Disney. She has enjoyed Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and the Disney Cruiseline. Her favorite trip was the one planned by Keys to the Castle and is looking forward to helping others experience how magical it can be when you aren’t the one stressed out about every little detail.

Amber Abbitt, Travel Advisor

Amber loves to travel with her husband and daughter, finding new vacation gems and creating wonderful memories. Experiencing the wonders this country has to offer, she is in the middle of building a plan to take her daughter to all 50 states before she graduates high school. Every trip welcomes exploration, adventure, laughter, thrills, and romance. From visiting theme parks to sitting down to a chef’s tasting menu, Amber has experienced it all. Amber takes great pride in providing the experience your family is looking for while allowing you to sit back and relax as your plans come together. Amber is with you every step of the way ensuring your next vacation is a dream come true.

Sam Kiefer, Travel Advisor

Everyone knows, Disney vacations are fun, exciting, and STRESSFUL! Rides, Restaurants, Shows, Parades…where to begin? Well, that is where we can help! Samantha Kiefer awill be your individual Disney World/Universal Studios guide. She is working with Keys to the Castle, and trust us when we tell you, she will not only give you the key, but open up “A Whole New World” for you and your loved ones. You may ask, how is she going to help us? Well, as a Disney “Pro”, she knows all of the secrets of planning a great vacation. Disney Parks have been a part of her world since she was born. Growing up in Delaware County with her parents and siblings, the love for Disney was ingrained in her soul because they vacationed there a couple of times a year. As she grew into adulthood, she took the tricks of the trade from her parents taught her, added a few of her own, and began planning all of her family and friends “Vacations of a Lifetime”, and she loves every minute of it! Being able to share her knowledge and experiences to help other people have a wonderful vacation is her dream come true. She also has experience in the special needs side of Disney and universal. By day, she makes people look beautiful and glamorous as a hairstylist/make-up artist. By night, she love to help people’s dreams come true when planning their Disney Vacations. So if thoughts of Disney are on your radar, do the right thing, and PLAN with SAM!

David and Sarah Staats, Travel Advisors

Sarah and David, from the Philadelphia area, always love traveling. Vacationing with family and friends is the highlight of their year — especially if it involves Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! Cruises with Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean, as well as traveling up and down the east coast with their travel trailer take Sarah, David, and their two kids on adventures all year long.

Life-long fans of all things Disney, Sarah and David were married at the Grand Floridian wedding chapel in 2004. Now, as Disney Adults, and annual passholders to Walt Disney World, Sarah and David love a quick weekend escape to one of Disney or Universal seasonal festivals. Trust us, you don’t need to bring kids to have a great time in Disney or Universal!

Planning a vacation for a family can be stressful, why not let us work out the details so that you can focus on the fun? Sarah and David will make sure that you and your family have vacations that create magical memories that last a lifetime

Tracey Tevis, Travel Advisor

Tracey is a new advisor with the team but is not new to Disney! Tracey is a former cast member of the Walt Disney Company, having worked at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom at both Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. Tracey was also a cast member at The Disney Store in Lexington, Kentucky. Tracey’s love for Disney was inspired by her parents when she and her sibling were young, visiting the parks at least once a year! Outside of Disney, Tracey was an elementary teacher for six years and has recently relocated from Kentucky to Waco, Texas to work at Baylor University. Tracey loves engaging with students of all ages (including college-age) and fostering relationships for learning and growth. In her free time, Tracey enjoys traveling, reading and going home to Kentucky to visit with family and friends!