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Description
Jessica Mickelson is the voice behind Well Hello Magic, a Disney-loving mom of four, former therapist, podcast host, content creator, and your go-to expert for planning joyful, stress-free Disney vacations.
A lifelong Disney fan raised on Main Street magic and Mickey-shaped memories, Jessica now helps families, moms, and first-time travelers confidently plan trips to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond without losing their minds (or their budget).
As a mom who’s done it all from toddler meltdowns to teens chasing thrill rides, from multigenerational trips to magical girls' weekends. Jessica offers real-world advice rooted in emotional insight, practical planning, and a deep love of Disney storytelling. Whether you're traveling solo, with a stroller brigade, or booking for a party of 14, Jessica gives you the tools to make it magical your way.
On the Podcast she shares Disney vacation tips, park planning strategies, event guides (like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party), and emotional reflections from inside the parks alongside expert guests and fellow moms who love magic as much as she does.
In addition to blogging and podcasting, Jessica creates daily content on Instagram and YouTube, where she blends humor, hacks, and heartfelt moments into helpful videos and reels for Disney travelers of all kinds.
When she’s not answering DMs about Lighting Lane or testing out stroller nap strategies, you’ll find her:
- Baking Disney-themed sugar cookies for her brand Well Hello Cookie
- Running her sign rental business Sign Gypsies Lehigh Valley
- Writing her debut YA novel series, Foreign Parents Syndrome
- Planning her annual Disney mom retreat, The Enchanted Escape
With thousands of families already turning to her for first-time Disney planning help, budget-friendly vacation strategies, and military Disney discounts
112 Episodes
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Send us a text This week on The Well Hello Magic Podcast, we’re taking you on a full Disney journey that spans Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World, the Jollywood Nights holiday party at Hollywood Studios, and the peaceful, relaxing escape of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. If you’ve been searching for real reviews, tips, and honest experiences on Fort Wilderness campsites, Disney RV camping, DVC beach resorts, or what Jollywood Nights is like for families, this ep...
Send us a text Melissa from Happy Haunts Plan Magic on Instagram is joining me today, and you are going to love this conversation. She is the owner of Foolish Mortal Planning Co. and a travel expert who has helped hundreds of families plan intentional and magical Disney vacations. Recently, she had the incredible opportunity to be one of the very first people in the world to step onto the Disney Destiny. Through her partnership with the travel agency A Mouse in the Beach, she was invited on t...
Send us a text In this episode of Behind the Magic, we’re thrilled to welcome Shakira Patterson of Occasions by Shakira, a family-first creator who turns the everyday into something extraordinary. Shakira opens up about life as a military spouse, raising four children, and building a brand centered on intentional memory-making. She shares how she started her career, the unexpected path it took, and how she developed her product line (including The Occasions Bin®) to serve families looking to ...
Send us a text The holidays have officially arrived at Walt Disney World, and we’re talking about all things Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights in this festive episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered which of these two holiday parties is right for your family, I’m breaking it all down with honest insights, practical planning advice, and real parent perspective. We’ll start with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, the clas...
Send us a text I’m thrilled to welcome Brianna Watson of Expedition Watson to the podcast! Brianna is a dedicated mom blogger, lifestyle and travel creator based in Orlando, where she shares her family’s real-life adventures through motherhood, Disney, travel, and everyday magic. Her brand is all about keeping it real and inviting families to find joy in the beautiful chaos of life. Brianna has built an incredible platform filled with warmth, authenticity, and creativity. Over the years, she’...
Send us a text In this week’s episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, I’m sharing our family’s recap of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World. This was one of those quick Disney trips that filled our cups completely, and we packed in so much magic. From driving to Disney with kids to candy trails and fireworks, this episode covers it all. We start by talking about what it’s really like to drive to Disney as a family. I share our best tips for long car rides with kids, ho...
Send us a text I am so excited to welcome Amanda Kass from Once Upon a Marathon back to the podcast. Amanda is a certified running coach, an incredible content creator, and one of my favorite people to talk to about all things Disney. She is not only an expert in runDisney but also someone who pours her heart into helping others reach their running goals. Amanda began running in graduate school and has since completed countless Disney races, including the Dopey Challenge, which is one of the ...
Send us a text Planning a Disney trip is magical, but it is not always perfectly polished. Sometimes it is a little last minute, a little messy, and a whole lot of fun. In this episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, we are diving into two big topics: finding the best places to work remotely while at Walt Disney World Resort and tips for pulling off a last-minute Halloween trip like a pro. First up, let’s talk about remote work at Disney. Whether you are a content creator, a parent squeezing...
Send us a text I am so excited to welcome Paula, the creative force behind @practicallyperfectfamily and @chronicallyperfectpaula to the Well Hello Magic Podcast today. Paula was one of the very first “froggy friends” with Undercover Tourist, which is where my journey of following her incredible work began. Over the years, I have watched her grow from hitting her first 10,000 followers to inspiring more than 150,000 people across multiple platforms. Her mix of humor, honesty, and heart has ma...
Send us a text On today’s episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, we’re talking all about one of the most popular Disney experiences for families — character dining at Walt Disney World Resort. ✨ We’ll go over every single character meal currently available, plus a few beloved experiences that are now part of Disney history (goodbye Bon Voyage Breakfast and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Breakfast). We’ll also talk about what sets a true character meal apart from signature dining experie...
Send us a text This week’s episode is extra special because my sister, Nicolette, joins me for a heartfelt conversation about our family’s multigenerational love for Walt Disney World. We grew up as true “Disney kids,” with parents who made magical memories a family tradition — and that legacy still shapes who we are today. Together, we reminisce about our earliest park trips, the ways Disney has influenced our values, and how those experiences have carried into our adult lives. Nicolette sha...
Send us a text In this week’s episode, I’m sharing my full planning and preparation process for our 2024 Disney Christmas vacation — and how you can start getting ready for 2025 and 2026 if you want to be in the parks during the most magical time of year. I walk you through every detail of our trip, from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Moonlight Magic at Animal Kingdom to our stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village. You’ll hear why we chose to skip Jollywood Nights last...
Send us a text It’s officially 100 episodes of Well Hello Magic! ✨ I cannot believe we’ve reached this milestone together, and I’m so grateful for every single one of you who has listened, shared, and supported the podcast over the past 2 ½ years. While today’s episode isn’t the special family feature I’ve been teasing (that one is still in the editing room!), I wanted to use this space to share what’s next. In this milestone episode, I’m giving you a peek behind the curtain at my plans for t...
Send us a text Planning a Disney trip is one of the most exciting things a family can do, but it can also be one of the most overwhelming. With so many rides, restaurants, resorts, and extras, it’s easy to feel like you need to do everything, eat everything, and see everything in just a few days. The truth is, most families approach Disney the wrong way, and it leaves them stressed, overscheduled, and overspent. In this episode, I’m sharing the real Disney advice that might hurt your feelings...
Send us a text Planning a Walt Disney World vacation and not sure which resort is right for your family? In this episode, I give you a complete rundown of every single Disney resort, including the location, pros, and cons of each one, so you can confidently decide where to stay. Here is what you will find in this episode: Value Resorts Disney’s All-Star Movies ResortDisney’s All-Star Music ResortDisney’s All-Star Sports ResortDisney’s Pop Century ResortDisney’s Art of Animation Resort (includ...
Send us a text On today’s episode of the Well Hello Magic podcast, we’re breaking down some of the biggest updates in the world of Disney. First up, we’re diving into Destinations 23, Disney’s fan-favorite event where new announcements and big reveals are expected. I’ll share what we know so far, brainstorm some of the exciting possibilities, and talk about what fans like us are most hoping to see. If you’ve been wondering what’s coming next for the Disney parks and beyond, this episode is pa...
Send us a text this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the world of Disney trip planning — specifically, what it’s really like being the lead planner. You know…the person in charge of flights, G+ strategy, resort picks, dining reservations, and making sure your cousin doesn’t Venmo you two weeks after the trip is over. 😅 Whether you’re coordinating a multigenerational vacation, a besties’ weekend getaway, or just trying to keep your own family alive and joyful inside Magic Kingdom, I’...
Send us a text In this jam-packed episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, Jessica takes you through everything you need to know about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for 2025. From dates and pricing to parades, fireworks, and rare character sightings, Jessica breaks down exactly how to plan a stress-free, magical Halloween night. If you're looking to make the most of every moment or simply wondering if the event is worth it, this episode will help you decide, prep, and plan like ...
Send us a text Ever wondered if you could visit all four Walt Disney World theme parks in one day with kids, teens, and grandparents in tow? In this episode of Well Hello Magic: The Podcast, I’m walking you through every magical (and exhausting) step of our family’s Four Park Challenge to celebrate my niece’s birthday. From rope drop at Animal Kingdom at 7:00 AM to leaving Magic Kingdom at 1:00 AM, we tackled 17 attractions, dined at 5 different locations, and covered over 12.5 miles. W...
Send us a text Have you ever decided to plan a last-minute trip to Walt Disney World and felt completely overwhelmed? In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I’m planning our own family Disney vacation with just 12 days to go. We already have our Disney hotel and theme park tickets booked, but now it’s time to make the magic happen. I’ll walk you through what to do first when planning a spontaneous Disney World trip and how to make smart choices even when the dining reservation window has al...
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