Member Feature: Meet Sonya Cook, Disney-Certified Travel Planner

Credit: Sonya Cook

We're kicking off our Member's Spotlight series with Disney vacation planner, Sonya Cook! Based in Maryland, Sonya grew up as a bonafide Disney kid and later turned her love for the brand into a side hustle. She now designs memorable Disneycations for families—and also coordinates group trips for the Melanin Mouse Club.

Tell us a little about yourself! Who is Sonya Cook?

The first thing I’ll say is that I’m a Disney fan. I’m [also] a Communications professional—I really like helping people by providing information. I’m a wife, and I’m a mom. I’m a woman of faith; it’s very important to me.

I love to cook and read and travel (when I get the chance). I’m usually looking up new recipes to try. I also love comics and cartoons. I’m a big Whovian. I love nerdy things. I’m also into beauty and skincare and perfume. There’s something really soothing about a good nighttime routine.

Credit: Sonya Cook

How did you get your start as a Disney vacation planner?

I became a Disney vacation planner because I had time to try something new. I was a

federal employee who got RIF’d in April 2025, and I needed a new job. Job hunting and sending out applications is a job all on its own. It can be stressful. While applying for work, I took a moment to consider what I might have fun doing. I wasn’t really sure what the future was going to look like professionally, and I thought it might be a good time to try something different. To me, it made sense to dream a little since I had the time. It wasn’t like I was trying to fit into a packed schedule!

I had time to learn and grow into a new skill. I have always loved planning my own Disney trips, and I wanted to see if I could apply my professional skills to one of my favorite things in a new way. Fortunately, for me, I could. It’s been such a wonderful pivot for me! This has been a chance to grow as an entrepreneur and to challenge myself to stop shying away from being in front of people. This job requires me to connect with others and share something that I absolutely love, and I’m so glad that I took the chance to be a travel planner!

Credit: Sonya Cook

What made you fall in love with Disney — was there a specific moment or trip that sealed the deal?

Too many things to list, honestly! The thing that really solidified my love for Disney was finally going to the park for the first time. Growing up, all I wanted was to go to Walt Disney World. It seemed like so much fun, and I wanted to see it for myself. I love

theme parks, and Walt Disney World is the ultimate theme park experience.

I never thought I’d get a chance to go until I had kids. It never occurred to me that I could just go on my own as an adult—until I did! The first time I got to go, it was everything I thought it would be! It was fun and bright and joyful. Whimsical! The best part was that I got to experience it with my husband, who loves Disney just as much as me. He really planned a special trip, but he left enough space in the schedule to explore. Riding Spaceship Earth, seeing Cinderella Castle, getting my first set of Minnie ears, trying a Mickey Ice Cream bar—all of it was perfect.

Walt Disney World 1000% lived up to my dreams! I have been a fan ever since and we go every year.

If you had to pick just ONE favorite Disney park, which one wins and why?

I would have to say EPCOT. Growing up, when I thought about Disney, the first thing

that came to mind is Spaceship Earth. That’s the image I associated Disney with most, and I really enjoy the park as a whole. It strikes the right balance between fun and leisure for me. It also helps that the first time I got to go was during the Food & Wine Festival! That is the best EPCOT festival.

Credit: Sonya Cook

What's your all-time favorite ride or attraction, and what makes it so special to you?

That’s a really hard one to pick because there are so many great rides and attractions. At EPCOT, it’s definitely Spaceship Earth. The journey through the history of Communication is really special for me because of my profession—and it was the first Disney ride I ever went on. At Magic Kingdom, it’s Big Thunder Mountain. And I’m sat for the nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom. Always. Happily Ever After is the perfect cap to the night!

What's one thing about Disney that you think people — especially first-timers — don't appreciate enough until they experience it?

The magic! There really is something special about going to a Disney park that is hard to explain. Just talking about the experiences and the immersion does not do it justice. You really just have to experience it for yourself. It’s like pixie dust for the soul.

Credit: Sonya Cook

What's your #1 trip planning tip that you give every single client?

ALWAYS plan a rest day! Going to Disney—whether it’s Walt Disney World or

Disneyland—is an incredibly active trip. Think about it: You’re on your feet all day.

People walk at least 15,000 steps per day on average at Disney World. There is also a

high level of excitement. You’re probably not drinking nearly enough water! Once your feet start hurting, the fun stops. You will need a rest day. Do yourself that favor and build it into the trip. You can go to the pool, or sleep in, or do dinner at Disney Springs. Do what you want, just take it easy. You’ll have a much better trip over all if you take that break before you go back to the parks.

What does partnering with Melanin Mouse Club mean to you, and what do you hope to bring to our community?

It means the world to me! I love Disney and I want to make it easy for more of us (Black people) to explore our love of it, too. I’m excited about booking trips for people who always wanted to go—and for people who go all the time and want to experience it in a group setting. I hope that I can encourage more Black people and People of Color to let themselves enjoy Disney. Whether it’s the parks, or the movies, or the cruises—whatever it is that you love about Disney, I want you to be able to enjoy it fully.

Let yourself wear the ears, and ride the rides, and eat the snacks, and sing the songs, and take the pictures—all of that—have fun! Feel that joy. Experience the magic. And remember that there is nothing wrong with being in a place that makes you happy. I’m excited about helping make dreams come true for more of us and helping to create community through something fun.

Follow Sonya on Instagram to experience more of her magic!