Geekin' On WDW | Trip Reports From A Community of Disney World Fans

Planning your first Walt Disney World vacation can feel overwhelming. How far ahead should you plan? How much should you budget? Do you really need to schedule every minute?And what about all those Disney extras you may not even know exist?This week, I’m continuing our Disney World for Beginners series with two great friends and Disney experts — Toni-Ann Zarcone, co-host of the Disney Crush Podcast, and MandieRae Malinoski, travel advisor and owner of Royal Escapes.We start with the basics and quickly discover one of the most important Disney planning lessons:Have a plan…but don’t plan the magic right out of your vacation.We geek out about:👉 Why trying to “do it all” can actually hurt your Disney vacation👉 When you should start planning and which dates really matter👉 What a good Disney travel advisor should do for you👉 Realistic ways to think about the cost of a Disney World vacation👉 Resorts, dining, Lightning Lanes and finding value for your family👉 Private fireworks cruises — and why we think they can be an incredible value👉 Capture Your Moment photo sessions👉 Cabanas and relaxing pool days👉 Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot👉 Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and makeover alternatives👉 Fishing, golf and other overlooked Disney activities👉 Savor the Savanna and other Animal Kingdom experiences👉 Celebration at the Top and special fireworks dining experiences👉 Some of our favorite dining recommendations for first-time familiesBut one of my favorite ideas from this conversation has nothing to do with reservations or itineraries.Sometimes the thing you thought would be the highlight of the trip isn’t the thing everyone remembers.It might be your child dancing with performers in Harambe. It might be an afternoon at the pool, building a droid, catching a fish, meeting a favorite character or sitting together on a boat watching the fireworks.Those unexpected moments can become the memories your family talks about for years.👑 Planning a Disney Vacation?If you’re thinking about planning your next Disney vacation and some Epic Universe…My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin’ Tiaras — your trusted Disney travel planners.Whether you’re booking Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, or beyond, they’ll help you plan a smart, stress-free vacation from start to finish.Already booked?👉 You can transfer your reservation to us and still get expert tips, strategy and support — and it’s a great way to support the show.📧 [email protected] reach out on Facebook Messenger.And right now, there are great opportunities for upcoming travel, so it’s a perfect time to start planning.❤️ Join the Geekin’ FamilyCome join us in the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:If you could choose ONE Disney extra for your next vacation, what would it be?And a huge thank-you to our Patreon Super Geeks for helping support the podcast and this amazing Disney community. Join at Patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode of Geekin’ on Walt Disney World.

This week, Curt welcomes longtime Geek Christina Marriott to the podcast for a summer Walt Disney World trip report packed with planning strategies, family memories, great food—and a few hot takes!Christina describes herself as “the binder lady without the binder,” and she definitely did her homework. She researched historical crowd patterns, planned around the July heat, used Lightning Lanes and Weight Magic, and even scheduled daily sit-down meals and afternoon breaks to keep everyone going.The surprise?July crowds were incredibly low, leading Christina to declare that maybe “July is the new February!”Curt and Christina geek out about:Why Pop Century was the right choice for this tripUsing the Skyliner, Lightning Lanes and Weight MagicStarting the vacation with a relaxing day at Typhoon LagoonManaging the Florida heat with meals, shows and afternoon breaksWhy they stopped “rope dropping the rope drop”Disneyland vs. Disney World attraction comparisonsCosmic Rewind, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Test TrackCinderella’s Royal Table, Yak & Yeti, Via Napoli and Satu’li Canteen breakfastThe infamous six juice boxes at Roundup Rodeo 😂And how slowing down actually helped this hardcore Disney family have a better vacationBy the end of the trip, Christina, Ben and Camille felt like they had done everything they wanted to do without completely wearing themselves out—a Disney vacation that left them feeling “full in the best possible way.”👑 Planning a Disney Vacation?Curt’s wife Margita and Auntie Judy—the Travelin’ Tiaras—can help you plan Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal and other magical vacations.Booking or transferring your vacation through the Travelin’ Tiaras is also a great way to support the podcast.📧 [email protected]❤️ Support the PodcastA huge thank-you to our Patreon Geeks whose support helps cover the costs of producing the show and keeps us Geekin’ every week. www.patreon.com/geekinonwdwpatreon.com/GeekinOnWDWAnd come join the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook community to share your Disney stories, trip reports, tips and favorite memories!

This week, Curtis welcomes Lisa to the podcast for the first time!Lisa shares the emotional story of where her love for Disney began, why walking into the Magic Kingdom still reminds her of her dad and mother-in-law, and how her Disney vacations have changed over the years.We also geek out about her trip to Disneyland Paris, including why she thinks Phantom Manor might actually be better than Haunted Mansion, an amazing Big Thunder Mountain, the value of upgrading your resort experience, and the fun of meeting Disney fans from all over the world.Then we get into the heart of this week’s show:Where are the best places to slow down at Walt Disney World?We talk about:👉 Relaxing upstairs at Columbia Harbour House👉 Riding the PeopleMover when you need a break👉 Exploring the quiet corners of World Showcase👉 The gardens and koi ponds in the Japan Pavilion👉 Baseline Tap House at Hollywood Studios👉 Slowing down on Animal Kingdom’s trails👉 Resort hopping for a midday break👉 Taking a boat to Wilderness Lodge and relaxing at Geyser Point👉 Enjoying EPCOT after the crowds have disappeared👉 And learning that you don’t always have to race to the next attractionLisa also shares some of her Disney favorites, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Liberty Tree Tavern, Fantasmic, Peter Pan’s Flight, EPCOT festivals, character meets and Mickey Bars.But underneath all of it is a great reminder:Sometimes the best Disney memories happen when we stop worrying about how much we can accomplish and give ourselves permission to simply enjoy being there.👑 Plan Your Next Vacation with the Travelin’ TiarasThinking about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or another magical vacation?Margita and Judy — the Travelin’ Tiaras — would love to help!Already booked? In many cases, you can transfer your reservation and still get their planning help, tips and support.Booking through the Travelin’ Tiaras is also a wonderful way to support the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast.📧 [email protected]💙 Join Our Geekin’ FamilyCome join the conversation in our Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:Where is YOUR favorite place at Walt Disney World to slow down and escape the crowds?And if you have a Disney trip report, a great Disney story, or a topic you’d love to geek out about, reach out to Curt. We’d love to have you on the show!❤️ Support the PodcastA huge thank-you to our Patreon Geeks who help keep the show going every week.Join our Patreon family at:patreon.com/GeekinOnWDWThanks for listening, Geeks — and remember, sometimes the best thing you can do at Walt Disney World is slow down and enjoy the magic happening all around you.

Episode 682 — Dream Disney Weekends, Golden Girls & Disney This or ThatThis week, Cousin Heather Stone Capelle is back, and we’re having one of those conversations that feels like hanging out with friends and geeking out about Disney for an hour.We start by designing our dream Disney weekends with friends.Heather builds the ultimate Golden Girls getaway with her daughter and her Disney friends, complete with a Beach Club stay, an EPCOT fireworks cruise, a VIP tour, pool time, Victoria & Albert’s, wine pairings, and plenty of time to slow down and enjoy being together.Then I start building my own guys weekend with lounge crawls, burger challenges, bourbon, live music, and a possible four-park VIP challenge.And after that…things get competitive.We jump into a big round of Disney This or That, debating everything from resorts and attractions to food, lounges, and Disney traditions.We geek out about:Beach Club vs. PolynesianBoardWalk area vs. Animal Kingdom LodgeContemporary vs. Grand FloridianSkyliner vs. MonorailRope Drop vs. Magic Kingdom at nightHaunted Mansion vs. Pirates of the CaribbeanSoarin’ vs. Spaceship EarthRunaway Railway vs. RatatouilleFestival of the Lion King vs. FantasmicCharacter breakfasts vs. signature dinnersNomad Lounge vs. Trader Sam’sDole Whip vs. Mickey Premium BarsBig group trips vs. traveling with one close friendBut some of the best parts of this episode aren’t really about choosing one Disney thing over another.Heather and I talk about how much the people you travel with shape the entire trip, why the best plans still need room for spontaneity, and how special it is to spend time at Disney with people who understand why this place means so much to you.Sometimes the best Disney moments aren’t the rides or the reservations.They’re the laughter, the strange little moments, the pictures you didn’t plan, and the friends who make you say:“We’ve got to do this again.”👑 Travelin’ TiarasThinking about your next Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or other magical vacation?My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin’ Tiaras and would love to help you plan it.You can also transfer an existing reservation and still get their planning help, strategy, and support.Booking through the Travelin’ Tiaras is also a wonderful way to support the podcast.📧 [email protected] reach out through Facebook Messenger.💙 Join the Geekin’ FamilyCome hang out with us in the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:Who would be on your dream Disney weekend, and what is the one thing your group absolutely has to do?And if you have a recent trip report, a great Disney story, or a topic you’d love to geek out about, reach out to me and come on the show.🌟 Support the ShowA huge thank-you to our Patreon family for helping support the costs of producing the podcast and keeping the show going every week.patreon.com/GeekinOnWDWThank you for being part of this amazing Disney Geek community!

In this episode of the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast, host Curtis Stone sits down with local correspondent Jason to get a fresh 'boots on the ground' perspective of the parks. Jason has been living in the Orlando area for three years and has some incredible tips on how to navigate the summer heat, find hidden dining gems, and experience unique character interactions.From the newly revamped Muppet coaster pre-show to the retro arcade gaming at Disney Springs' Level 99, we cover all the latest changes you need to know before your next trip.**In this episode, we talk about:*** **Spontaneous Magic:** Playing Duck, Duck, Goose with Stitch and Donald Duck at the Animation Courtyard.* **The Muppets Return:** Experiencing the revamped pre-show and finding new Muppet merchandise.* **Animal Kingdom Construction:** How the Dinosaur area closure impacts a park day.* **Hidden Food Gems:** Italian affogatos at Vivoli Gelato and the incredible Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse.* **EPCOT Wait Times:** Which lines are consistently inflated and why.* **Underrated Attractions:** Why Star Tours remains a must-ride on every trip.* **Millennium Falcon Fixes:** How we would redesign Smugglers Run to improve the engineer and gunner roles.* **Best Value Snacks:** Main Street’s customizable popcorn tubs and the Pineapple Scrunch Sundae.**The Heart of the Episode**This conversation shines a spotlight on the return of 'plus magic' to the Disney parks. While big E-ticket rides are amazing, it's often the small, unexpected moments—like a cast member showing you a secret shortcut or Goofy joining in on a game of jump rope—that leave the most lasting impressions.**Planning Your Next Adventure?**Ready to find your own hidden gems? Let Margita and Judy at the Travelin' Tiaras handle all the details! From resort bookings to cruise coordination, they’ve got you covered. Support the podcast by emailing them at [email protected].**Support the Show on Patreon**Want to help keep the weekly episodes coming? Join our Patreon community and become a Super Geek! Sign up today at patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW.**Join the Geekin' Community**Connect with fellow Disney Geeks, share your favorite vacation tips, or apply to share your own trip report by joining our Geekin' on Walt Disney World Facebook community!Email [email protected] to be a guest on the show