Muggles around the world rejoiced yesterday when Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment finally announced the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, extending the Harry Potter experience between Universal's two Orlando theme parks.

I had the opportunity to work in Guest Relations at Walt Disney World shortly after I graduated from college. As part of that role, I went through an intense training so I would know the parks inside and out, and be prepared for any questions that a guest might ask. And, most of the time, I was!

Have you seen our new Ithaca office? Beginning today, AAA’s Travel and Insurance Center in Ithaca has moved to the Threshold Plaza near Tops. This easy-to-find location will help us to provide better service for our members in and around Ithaca.

• Browse through hundreds of maps and TourBooks^® to choose the ones you want.
• Save on luggage, tickets and travel accessories at our expanded AAA Travel Store.
• Get travel and insurance help from the same agents you already know.

Although Bermuda was discovered by Spaniard Juan de Bermudez in the 16th century, it wasn’t until British colonists became shipwrecked there that the island paradise was first called home.

Now just a short flight from New York City, Bermuda is an increasingly popular destination for cruises departing from the east coast, and it’s easy to see why. Warm weather and pink sandy beaches, without the hassle and added expense of airline tickets and baggage restrictions: A cruise to Bermuda makes perfect sense.

Part of my job here at AAA is to put together Member Connection, the quarterly magazine that is entirely produced by our team here at AAA Western and Central New York. Our Spring 2013 issue will be coming out next week, and I’m excited to give you this “sneak preview” of the featured destinations you’ll be reading about.

Along with Las Vegas and New York City, Orlando and Central Florida continue to be top destinations for AAA Western and Central New York members. Before you go, check out the AAA member discounts offered at Central Florida’s top attractions.

As a AAA writer and a self-described Disney fanatic, I was excited to be part of a group of people invited to join a media preview cruise on board the Disney Fantasy last March, just before the ship's inaugural sailing. If you're thinking about a Disney cruise, January is a great time to book because AAA members save on Disney all month long. Here's a brief recap of my family's experience on board this newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet; you can check out a photo album with more pics of the ship on AAA WCNY's Facebook page.