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Adventures and Mousecapades: A Podcast About Disney
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Adventures and Mousecapades: A Podcast About Disney

Author: Alicea & Nathan Novak

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Two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse: Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club. We love traveling to experience Disney magic, and enjoy talking to others who share our passion for all things from the House of Mouse.

212 Episodes
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New magic is landing from every direction, and we’re sorting the signal from the noise so you can plan with confidence. From Bluey stepping into the parks and onto the ships, to Electric Mayhem cranking up Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, to Autopia finally going electric, this week is packed with news that actually changes how you map a Disney trip. We walk through what’s opening, what’s closing, and what’s getting better so you spend less time guessing and more time making great choices. On the Ea...
What happens when you hand your Hollywood Studios plan to a roulette wheel on a July Tuesday? We tested it—standby only, all ride types in play, casual sit down dining, storms looming—and discovered how randomness collides with Florida heat, crowd flow, and the realities of queue waits. From a lucky late-morning villains show to a brunch at Oga’s that fueled vibes more than bodies, we followed the wheel into Smugglers Run, character meets, Slinky Dog at peak heat, Tower of Terror salvation, a...
Holiday cheer, knee-surgery jokes, and a stack of Disney Cruise Line would-you-rathers: we put our sea-day priorities to the test and uncover what actually makes a voyage unforgettable. From the big itinerary call—seven unhurried nights on the Disney Fantasy versus a Wish double dip at Castaway Cay—to the most controversial dining debate on the ocean, we weigh time, cost, and vibe to help you plan with purpose. We get honest about premium dining: Remy and Enchanté deliver exquisite, lingerin...
Think of a cruise that gives more than sunsets and selfies. We set out from San Juan on Disney Magic after a 15-year gap, fresh off real-life health hurdles, and built a trip around slow joy: a food-forward Puerto Rico layover, a rum masterclass at the Bacardí Founders Experience, and a calm-first plan onboard with concierge comforts, spa therapy, and long, quiet reads on the veranda. San Juan set the tone. The Flavors of San Juan tour steered us to small, soulful hits—guava-butter croissant...
The drums hit before the curry cools, the Muses raise the roof, and a shadow man steals the show—Wesley's maiden voyage on Disney Destiny was packed with moments that surprised in the best ways. We're picking up where we left off last week to continue our look into Disney's newest cruise ship. We dig into Pride Lands’ dinner theater, where gorgeous savannah lighting and rich design meet a sound mix that sometimes overwhelms the meal. The food is a genuine highlight—complex, abundant, and anch...
A brand-new Disney ship beckons, and Wesley answered the call. Welcome aboard a look at the Disney Destiny’s maiden voyage, with sky-high expectations and the magic of a ship that tells its story through every surface. From a shockingly luxurious pre-cruise stay at Pier Sixty-Six with early check-in, poolside setup, and frozen grapes, to a blissfully efficient embarkation at Port Everglades, the tone was set before Wesley ever touched the Grand Hall’s carpet. And yes, that Grand Hall hits dif...
This week it's Pixie Dust or Bust! Two lifetime perks. Ten platinum options. One ruthless scoring system. We set out to answer a question Disney fans argue about forever: which benefits would actually deliver the most joy, value, and ease over a lifetime of trips? We walk through a stacked slate of choices: Club 33 memberships on both coasts, six concierge-level Disney Cruise Line sailings every year, two Adventures by Disney trips annually, a home in Golden Oak, twelve VIP tours a year, fre...
A nervous dad, two small kids, and a head full of Six Flags memories walk into Hollywood Studios—and everything changes on Slinky Dog Dash. We invited fellow creator Jarrett to share the real story of taking a young family to Walt Disney World after decades away: planning paralysis, stroller logistics, and the unexpected magic of cast members who turn chaos into calm. We dig into the moment Galaxy’s Edge flipped a switch and turned a four year old's casual curiosity into full-on Star Wars fa...
Holiday season at Disney is more than lights and garland—it’s a choose-your-own-adventure of music, culture, food, and after-hours magic. We dive into what’s new, what’s worth your time, and how to shape a plan that fits your vibe, whether you’re a parade chaser, a foodie, or a character hunter. On the West Coast, Disneyland Park sparkles with snoap, shimmering castle lights, and the long-running Christmas Fantasy Parade, while the Fantasyland Theater turns into a cozy hub of crafts, carols,...
The ship greeted our guests Ryan and Tegan with a surprise: a pumpkin tree called Ginger, glowing at night with character-carved pumpkins and just enough Halloween vibe to make the decks feel new. From there, this sailing became a golden birthday story—father–daughter photos on formal night, a cake from the dining team, and a towel-cake masterpiece waiting in their stateroom. Of course they didn’t abandon the classics: Tegan still chased Broadway-style shows, met characters on the fly, and Ry...
The monorail doors slide open and we step into a milestone: 200 episodes of Adventures and Mouscapades! What began as two Disney fans recording the conversations we were already having has become a tight-knit community, a growing library of trip reports and DVC reviews, and a surprising bridge to guests we once thought were out of reach. We pull back the curtain on how we make the show, what we’ve learned over the last 4 years, and why we still chase the spark that makes a park day, a cruise,...
199. First Voyage Magic

199. First Voyage Magic

2025-10-2001:23:57

The name call at boarding barely landed before Daniel and Callae's kids started pointing at everything—the chandelier, the horn, the characters waving from above. That set the tone for a retirement celebration that doubled as a first Disney cruise for a 17-person crew, and the story only got better from there. We dive into why a smaller ship (hello, Disney Magic) made big-family travel feel manageable, how YouTube tips both helped and melted away, and the simple choices that changed momentum—...
What if you had to choose just two magical Disney perks to have forever? Would you pick unlimited FastPasses, free hotel stays, or perhaps a night in Cinderella Castle Suite every year? This week, we dive into the ultimate Disney fantasy game, debating which combination of magical benefits would create the perfect Disney life. Unlimited Fast Passes ForeverFree Hotel Stays Forever$500 Free Merchandise every time you enter the parkFree Platinum Plus AP foreverFree Disney WeddingUnlimited and Fr...
What happens when you combine Disney Vacation Club ownership, the Princess Half Marathon, and traveling with two toddlers? Pure magic, with a healthy dash of organized chaos! In this captivating episode, we chat with Kallie, a dedicated listener who turned her runDisney passion into the perfect excuse for her family's "welcome home" trip as new DVC owners. With her husband, two young children (ages 2 and 4), and the grandparents in tow, she embarked on a whirlwind February weekend at D...
Curious about what lies beneath the Magic Kingdom? Want to dive into Epcot's massive aquarium or trek across rope bridges over crocodiles? In this comprehensive exploration of Disney World tours, we take you beyond the standard theme park experience to discover exclusive behind-the-scenes adventures that most visitors never see. Disney World's expansive footprint allows for an impressive array of specialized tours across its parks and resorts. From the affordable Behind the Seeds agricultural...
What happens when a meticulously planned Disney vacation collides with unexpected illness? Travel agent Sara returns to the podcast to share her remarkable journey combining Walt Disney World parks with back-to-back Disney Cruise Line sailings on both the Magic and Treasure. The adventure begins with a red-eye flight and her family's first experience using Disney's Disability Access Service, providing valuable insights for parents of neurodivergent children. When both Sara and her daug...
Unlock the hidden world of Disneyland tours as we pull back the curtain on experiences most park visitors never see. From historical journeys aboard Walt's beloved trains to spooky seasonal adventures through Halloween haunts, these specially curated experiences offer Disney enthusiasts a deeper connection to the magic. We dive into the Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour ($140), where guests ride in Lillian Disney's elegantly designed Lily Bell presidential car while learning fascinating storie...
The world of Disney Parks is constantly evolving, but keeping track of what's actually happening versus what's merely rumored can be challenging. That's why we're thrilled to welcome Scott Gustin, one of the most trusted voices in Disney journalism, to share his firsthand experience from the 2025 edition of Destination D23 and provide context that goes beyond the headlines. Scott takes us behind the curtain of this fan-focused event, explaining how it differs from the larger D23 Expo and why...
A routine cholesterol test turned into a life-saving discovery when doctors found an aortic aneurysm that required quick surgical intervention. Nathan sits down with his wife and co-host Alicea just nine days after her open heart surgery for a candid conversation about facing mortality with grace, humor, and remarkable optimism. Alicea takes us through her journey from initial diagnosis to recovery, sharing the surprising way her aneurysm was discovered through a precautionary CT scan. Thoug...
Universal's Epic Universe has arrived, and we're trading Mickey ears for Power-Up Bands to explore Orlando's newest theme park sensation! Our special guest Marielle, a former Disney cast member who helped open Toy Story Mania and later worked on Disney Cruise Line, shares her candid first impressions of this ambitious new destination. The conversation takes us through each of Epic Universe's distinct "portals" – from the spellbinding Ministry of Magic where you'll feel transported directly i...
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