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

What does Disney's newest resort have in common with a simple wooden park bench where Walt Disney once sat watching his daughters ride a merry-go-round?Both tell fascinating stories about Disney's past, present, and future!This week on the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast, Curtis Stone is trying something new — his very first solo episode!We're introducing two new segments: Disney Crystal Ball, exploring what's coming to Walt Disney World, and Walt's World, sharing the stories, dreams, and inspiration behind Walt Disney himself.And we're kicking things off with two great topics: Disney's upcoming Lakeshore Lodge and the remarkable story of a father, his daughters, and the park bench that helped inspire Disneyland.👑 Plan Your Next Vacation With the Travelin' Tiaras!Thinking about your next Disney vacation or a visit to Universal's Epic Universe?Curtis's wife Margita and Auntie Judy are the Travelin' Tiaras, your trusted vacation planners!They can help you plan:Walt Disney World and Disneyland vacationsDisney Cruise Line adventuresUniversal Orlando and Epic UniverseCruises, all-inclusive resorts, and other destinationsAlready booked? You may be able to transfer your reservation and still receive their expert planning advice and support.Booking or transferring your vacation through the Travelin' Tiaras is a wonderful way to support the podcast!📧 [email protected] can also connect with them through Facebook Messenger.🔮 Disney Crystal Ball: A Deep Dive Into Lakeshore LodgeDisney's newest Deluxe Villa Resort, Lakeshore Lodge, is scheduled to open July 1, 2027, along the shores of Bay Lake near Magic Kingdom.Curtis shares his research into this exciting new resort, including its accommodations, restaurants, recreational experiences, and unique location near Fort Wilderness.🏨 What We Explore967 announced accommodations — and how Lakeshore Lodge compares with Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and other Disney Vacation Club resortsUnique room themes inspired by Pocahontas, Bambi, Encanto, Brother Bear, and FantasiaWaterfront lake houses and the luxurious Hidden Willow Presidential SuiteLakeshore Lagoon and Daydream River — featuring a zero-entry pool, water slide, and lazy riverNew dining experiences including Moonglade, Paint Out Point Bar & Grill, Bay Lake Provisions, and Branch and BrushMagic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from the Bay Lake shorelineSpecial opening experiences for DVC members, including dining, park tickets, and commemorative experiencesCurtis also discusses why the resort's outdoor spaces, nature-inspired design, and waterfront lounges have him particularly excited.And here's something interesting: Lakeshore Lodge is being built on property once associated with River Country, Walt Disney World's original water park!Could this become one of Disney World's most desirable resorts?🎠 Walt's World: The Park Bench That Helped Inspire DisneylandFor our first Walt's World segment, we're traveling back to Griffith Park in Los Angeles.Picture Walt Disney sitting on a wooden park bench, eating peanuts while watching his daughters Diane and Sharon enjoy the merry-go-round.Walt loved these outings with his girls, but he began imagining something different.What if there were a place where parents and children could have fun together, instead of adults simply watching from the sidelines?That simple idea became an important part of Walt's vision for Disneyland.Curtis explores:Walt's special "Daddy's Day" outings with his daughtersThe Griffith Park carousel and the famous park benchHow Walt imagined a different kind of family amusement parkThe creativity, engineering, and determination required to build DisneylandThe opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955Why Walt's original vision still matters to families todayAnd now, as a grandfather, Curtis reflects on how meaningful those shared family experiences become as the years go by.Sometimes the greatest memories aren't about which attraction you rode.They're about who was sitting next to you.❤️ It's Always About the PeopleWhether we're talking about a beautiful new Disney resort or the dreams of Walt Disney himself, there's a common thread running through this episode.Disney gives families and friends opportunities to spend time together, share experiences, and create memories that last for generations.And sometimes the biggest dreams begin with the simplest moments.💬 Join the Geekin' Conversation!We'd love to hear your thoughts on this week's episode!Are you excited about Lakeshore Lodge? Would you stay there instead of Wilderness Lodge or the Polynesian?What did you think about Walt's park bench story?And how do you like our new Disney Crystal Ball and Walt's World segments?Come join the conversation in our Geekin' on Walt Disney World Facebook group!Have a Disney vacation story or trip report you'd love to share? We'd love to have you as a guest on the podcast!❤️ Support the Podcast on PatreonA huge thank-you to our amazing Patreon Super Geeks!Your support helps cover the costs of producing the podcast and allows us to keep sharing Disney stories, trip reports, tips, and conversations every week.If you enjoy the show and would like to support our Geekin' family, visit:https://patreon.com/GeekinOnWDWWe appreciate every one of you!🎧 Listen to Geekin' on Walt Disney WorldCatch new episodes of the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast app.Visit https://geekinonwdw.com for more episodes and to connect with our Disney Geek community.Thank you for listening, supporting the show, and being part of this wonderful Geekin' family!Keep taking care of each other, have a magical day, and may all your dreams come true!

What happens when you bring together a group of Disney Geeks, an 80th birthday celebration, some unexpected surprises, and a few constantly changing vacation plans?You get a trip you'll be talking about for years!This week on the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast, my good friend Wendy Fox turns the tables and interviews me about our unforgettable 10-day September adventure to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.The reason for this trip? Celebrating our very own Auntie Judy's 80th birthday!And between the celebrations, incredible friendships, great food, and a few hilarious mishaps, we certainly made some memories.🎉 This Week's Highlights👑 Auntie Judy Turns 80! — Celebrating at Magic Kingdom, wearing her birthday tiara, and enjoying a fantastic evening at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue with friends.❤️ A Surprise All the Way from England — Our good friend AJ travels across the Atlantic to surprise Judy at Hollywood Studios, creating one of the most emotional moments of the trip.👶 Some Exciting Family News — A surprise FaceTime call during dinner at Rainforest Cafe brings wonderful news about another grandbaby on the way!🍽️ Disney Dining Adventures — From GEO-82 and Wailulu Bar & Grill to California Grill and Hollywood & Vine, we share some favorite meals and experiences.😂 The Ever-Changing Vacation Plans — Margita and Judy keep us laughing with their constantly evolving plans, including one particularly funny moment at EPCOT.🎢 A Big Thunder Mountain Mishap — My attempt to spot a hidden detail on the ride doesn't go quite as planned!🏰 Epic Universe and Universal Orlando — We explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Monsters Unchained, and some surprisingly impressive Universal dining.🎸 The Great Ozzy Osbourne T-Shirt Hunt — My mission to find one particular shirt becomes an adventure of its own!🎢 Disney World vs. Epic UniverseOne of our biggest conversations is about how impressed we were with Epic Universe.The immersive lands, incredible attractions, and surprisingly good quick-service dining really stood out.I share why Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment might now be my favorite attraction in all of Florida!We also discuss a few things Disney could learn from Universal's newest park.❤️ It's Really About the PeopleAs much as we love the attractions, resorts, and restaurants, this trip reminded me that some of our favorite vacation memories come from the people we share them with.Celebrating Judy's milestone birthday, reconnecting with longtime friends, and watching her reaction to AJ's surprise made this vacation something special.That's what our Geekin' community is all about!👑 Plan Your Next Vacation with the Travelin' Tiaras!Thinking about your next Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or other vacation?My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin' Tiaras, and they'd love to help you plan your next adventure.Their planning assistance can help make your vacation easier, and you can even transfer an existing eligible reservation to them.Supporting the Travelin' Tiaras also supports the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast!📧 [email protected] can also reach them through Facebook Messenger.💙 Join Our Geekin' Community!We'd love to hear about your favorite Disney birthday celebrations, memorable surprises, or trips with friends!Come join the conversation in our Geekin' on Walt Disney World Facebook group.And if you'd like to share your own Disney vacation experiences on the podcast, we'd love to hear from you!🌟 Support Our Patreon CommunityA huge thank-you to our Patreon Super Geeks who help make this podcast possible.Your support helps us continue sharing Disney stories, trip reports, and conversations with our wonderful community.Join us at https://www.patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW🎙️ More Adventures with Geekin' on TravelLove hearing about vacations beyond Disney?Check out our other podcast, Geekin' on Travel, where we share stories from cruises, international destinations, and other travel adventures.Visit https://geekinontravel.com🎧 Listen and SubscribeListen to Episode 692 of the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.Visit https://geekinonwdw.com for more episodes and information.Thanks for being part of our Geekin' family. We love you, Geeks!

Episode 691 — We’ve Been to Disney HOW Many Times… and Never Did This?!This week, my good friend and longtime Disney Geek Dana Brogneri is back on the podcast to share a 10-night Walt Disney World trip with her husband and daughter — including a split stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Beach Club.Dana and her family have been to Disney plenty of times, but that’s what makes this trip so much fun.They kept discovering experiences that made them wonder, “How have we never done this before?”At Animal Kingdom Lodge, Dana shares a fantastic FREE activity called the String of Memories, where her daughter collected beads while learning about African culture, animals, conservation and even helping prepare enrichment activities for the animals.Then they took things to another level with the Starlight Safari — heading onto the savanna at night with night vision goggles and getting incredibly close to giraffes, zebras and other animals.We also get into:👉 Why Dana would choose Beach Club over Animal Kingdom Lodge👉 The convenience of walking to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios👉 A nighttime safari most Disney guests may not even know exists👉 Dana's surprisingly good EPCOT fireworks viewing spot👉 Food & Wine Festival favorites, including a pistachio cookie, liquid nitrogen chocolate and cast-iron trout👉 Princess breakfast at Akershus — including a little Viking Coffee!👉 A surprise appearance by some rarely seen Disney characters at EPCOT👉 Experiencing Disney's new animation area at Hollywood Studios👉 The emotional Mickey and Walt moment in Once Upon a Studio👉 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — rain, the Headless Horseman and one very happy little Cruella de Vil👉 Gideon's vs. Summer House cookies — Dana picks a side!👉 A great Ale & Compass takeout tip for Beach Club and Yacht Club guestsAnd Dana already has another Disney adventure on the books — including a future stay at Lakeshore Lodge!What I really enjoyed about this conversation is the reminder that you can visit Walt Disney World over and over again and still find something you've never experienced before.Sometimes it's a big experience like heading onto the savanna after dark.Sometimes it's discovering a new place to watch the fireworks.And sometimes it's simply slowing down enough to notice something you've walked past a hundred times.That's one of the things that keeps us Disney Geeks coming back.👑 Planning Your Next Vacation?My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin' Tiaras, and they'd love to help you plan your next adventure!Whether you're thinking about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, or another great vacation, they can help make the planning easier from start to finish.Already booked?You may be able to transfer your reservation and still get their planning help, tips, strategy and support.And when you book or transfer your vacation through the Travelin' Tiaras, you're also helping support the podcast.📧 [email protected] reach out to us through Facebook Messenger.Thank you to everyone in our Geekin' family who has supported Margita and Judy!❤️ Join Our Disney Geek CommunityCome hang out with us in the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Facebook group and answer this week's question:What's something you discovered at Disney after multiple trips that made you say, “How did I never know about this?”And if you've got a recent Disney trip, a great family story, or an experience you'd love to share with the Geekin' family, reach out to me.Come on the show and tell us your Disney story!🌟 Support the PodcastA huge thank-you to our Patreon Super Geeks who help make this podcast possible.Your support helps cover the costs of producing the show and allows me to continue bringing these Disney conversations to our community every week.patreon.com/GeekinOnWDWThanks for listening, Geeks!Let's keep discovering the Disney magic together. ✨

This week, I’m joined again by our good friend and fellow Disney Geek Amanda Filippone, who somehow managed to pack enough adventures into one vacation for about three separate trip reports!Amanda and her family spent 19 days in Florida, combining Universal Orlando with an extended Walt Disney World stay filled with resort hopping, birthdays, special events, great meals, a few disappointments, and some wonderfully unexpected Disney moments.They started at Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort, where Unlimited Express Pass made it easy to hit favorites again and again. Amanda shares her thoughts on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure — including whether it might actually compete with Guardians of the Galaxy for one of her favorite rides.Then it’s over to Disney, where the family stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level, Pop Century and the Contemporary Resort.We talk about:Why Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level earned a 10 out of 10An unexpected Cast Member interaction on Expedition EverestUsing the Wait Magic app with a larger family groupWhy Amanda loved Hollywood Studios After HoursHaving an almost empty Oga’s Cantina and their own Star Tours vehicle!Little Eli’s first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop and the family tradition behind itFavorite meals at ‘Ohana, Garden Grill and Sebastian’s BistroA couple of dining experiences that didn’t quite live up to expectationsNot one, but two Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween PartiesA deluxe setup at Typhoon LagoonThe viral Animal Kingdom ice cream sandwichCelebrating a 15th birthday with a private Magic Kingdom fireworks cruiseResort hopping and discovering a fantastic fireworks viewing spot at the ContemporaryBut one of my favorite parts of our conversation comes when Amanda talks about something bigger than attractions, resorts and dining.As a grandmother, she now gets to watch her grandson experience some of the same Disney moments she remembers sharing with her own children when they were little. We talk about how Disney has this incredible ability to create new memories while bringing old ones rushing back at the same time.As a grandfather myself, that one really hit home.✨ Planning Your Own Disney Adventure?If you’re thinking about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal or another great vacation, reach out to Margita and Auntie Judy — the Travelin’ Tiaras!They can help with everything from choosing your resort to navigating the details and putting together a vacation that works for your family.Already booked? You may be able to transfer your reservation and still get their planning help, tips and support — while also supporting the podcast.📧 [email protected] reach out to us through Facebook Messenger.And a big thank-you to Amanda for trusting the Travelin’ Tiaras with her adventures — even if she occasionally gives Margita a workout with a few changes along the way! 😂❤️ Join Our Disney Geek CommunityCome join us in the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:Could you do 19 days at Disney and Universal — and what would be the ONE special experience you’d add to a trip that long?And if you enjoy the podcast and want to help support what we’re doing, check out our Super Geeks on Patreon. Your support helps keep this podcast going and, even more importantly, helps us continue building this incredible Disney Geek community.Thanks for listening, Geeks — and enjoy Episode 690!

What happens when you bring 10 family members together for a Walt Disney World vacation, throw in some clever Disney math, a little pixie dust, and an incredible VIP tour?You get one unforgettable Disney adventure!This week, my good friend and longtime Disney Geek Kristy Houston returns to share an amazing extended-family vacation filled with special experiences, unexpected surprises, and some really touching family moments.Kristy took on the challenge of planning a trip for 10 people, including grandparents, young children, and family members who hadn't experienced much Disney magic before.And wow… did she deliver!From renting an eight-bedroom vacation home to enjoying an EPCOT fireworks cruise, staying Club Level at the Contemporary, and experiencing a Disney VIP tour, this trip had a little bit of everything.But some of the most memorable moments had nothing to do with expensive experiences.They were about family, friendships, accessibility, and making memories together.✨ In This EpisodePlanning Disney for 10: The challenges and rewards of bringing multiple generations together for a family vacation.Staying Off Property: Christy's first experience renting a large vacation home, complete with a private pool, movie theater, and plenty of room for everyone.Adventures Beyond Disney: Exploring the Crayola Experience, WonderWorks, and a pirate dinner show.A Special Disney Connection: An unexpected meeting with another family from Australia who shared a remarkable connection with Christy's daughter Charlotte.An EPCOT Fireworks Cruise: Why this experience became one of the family's favorite memories.Returning to Give Kids the World: Charlotte shares a very special place and a meaningful family moment.Disney Math at Its Finest: How a Contemporary Club Level stay, a VIP tour discount, and dining promotions created an unexpected opportunity.Inside a Disney VIP Tour: Backstage entrances, private character experiences, special treats, and a remarkable tour guide named Kelly.VIP Surprises: Secret ice cream freezers, backstage transportation, exclusive merchandise, and some unforgettable Disney service.The Magic of Happily Ever After: How a rainy day ended with fireworks, Tinker Bell, and a family memory Christy will never forget.❤️ More Than Just a Disney VacationOne of my favorite stories from this episode comes when Kristy describes standing with her husband Stephen during the Magic Kingdom fireworks.After months of planning and coordinating this big family vacation, she finally had a chance to stand back, enjoy a Dole Whip, and watch everyone she loves enjoying the magic together.Sometimes the greatest Disney moments aren't about the attractions, restaurants, or special experiences.They're about the people you're sharing them with.And that's what makes this trip report so special.👑 Plan Your Next Vacation with the Travelin' TiarasThinking about your next Disney vacation, Disney Cruise, Universal adventure, or another amazing destination?My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin' Tiaras, and they'd love to help you plan your next adventure!Christy worked with Margita on part of this vacation, and it's a great example of how an experienced travel planner can help you explore options and opportunities you might not have considered.Already booked? You may be able to transfer your reservation and still benefit from their planning expertise.Supporting the Travelin' Tiaras also helps support the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast!📧 [email protected] reach out through Facebook Messenger.🎧 Join Our Disney Geek FamilyLove talking Disney with other people who understand your obsession?Come join our Geekin' on Walt Disney World Facebook group, where we share trip reports, planning tips, favorite memories, and plenty of Disney fun.Have a Disney vacation story you'd love to share? Reach out! Some of our favorite episodes feature listeners sharing their own magical adventures.❤️ Support the Podcast on PatreonA huge thank-you to our Patreon Super Geeks!Your support helps cover the costs of producing the podcast and keeps our Disney Geek community going strong.Join our Patreon family:https://www.patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW🌎 More Adventures on Geekin' on TravelLove hearing travel stories beyond Disney?Check out our other podcast, Geekin' on Travel, featuring incredible vacations, cruises, destinations, and adventures from our friends and listeners.Find Geekin' on Travel wherever you listen to podcasts.Thank you for being part of our Disney Geek family!Keep taking care of each other, have a magical day, and may all your dreams come true! ✨