March 13, 2025 • 44 mins
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World and want expert advice to make your vacation magical? We sat down with PlanDisney panelists Emille and Shantel, a Disney expert who helps families create unforgettable trips, to get insider tips on resorts, dining, park strategy, Genie+, and more!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, guys, it is Anti Ward. I am in the
most magical place on earth. I'm a Disney World and
I have found a couple of friends. I love the years, Ladies.
I feel like I'm being left out, so I'm gonna
have to go to the gift shops. Series are done here.
I have met some friends here who are experts on
how to book your trip to Disney for you, your family,
(00:21):
your friends. This is Chantelle and Emil. Thank you for
joining me today.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Thank you for having me. All right.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
I have a lot of questions. So I'm kind of
new to the whole Disney World booking my trip thing.
This is my first trip back to Disney since I
was a kid, so a lot's changed.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
It has, it has absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So the cool thing about Disney now is all of
the different options you have. Okay, so we have four
theme parks, we have tons of different resorts you could
stay at on property, and then you can even do
fine dining and shopping as well. So it's not just
going and looking at a pretty castle and riding a
roller coaster or anything, for sure, for sure. So Meil,
(01:02):
I'm going to start with you. Tell me a little
about you and why you love Disney.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
So, oh my gosh, the nostalgia like flat out. So
first trip with my grandmother when I was six, we
stayed at the contemporary resort. And when you're six years
old and you're staying at this place that your views
are of a magical castle, there's a monorail that runs through.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
I just couldn't believe my eyes. I'm like, is this
place real?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
So immediately right, the connection is there. Then I was
a teen and my parents brought the whole family, and
my mom and dad were never mushy gushy, but seeing
them hold hands in Main Street, are you joking?
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Like?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
So this place just has.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Not only the magic of those nostalgic moments with family
and those memories that you create, but then we grew
up with like the movies and the soundtracks. So you
walk in and you're just in your childhood, no matter
how old you are, and it just takes you back
and it instantly makes your heart happy.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
So that's my Disney sat.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Myself yesterday, and we'll get to that later. But a
Star Wars bu oh and we're laughing at me. Yes,
all right, so tell me your story.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Okay, So my backgrounds a little different.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
I grew up going to Disneyland, and I learned to
love Disney World as an adult with my own family,
my kids. So we brought them here and this is
their park and.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Just watching it through their eyes. We usually stay at like,
you know, a value resort.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
They've they've had the experience of a monorail resort as well,
but they just love like the larger than life themes
that they have and the you know, you open your
bedroom door and we're having our room. It's in toy
Story like you see Andy's room, and they're just their
favorite movies have been brought to life for them from
the beginning of the trip all the way through, like
(02:48):
while we're in the theme parks and the dining like
you said, so it's just complete magic from start to finish.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
So I think that's one thing that I noticed the
minute I stepped on the Disney property at the resort,
Like my particular room, I'm staying at Animal Kingdom, so
I have the Hokuna Matada room, which is fantastic because
that is my favorite Disney song. I love singing it
all the time. I walked in and I just I
told my husband, I was like, oh, we're in a
(03:14):
Kuna madada. But you know, I think as an adult
you go back to being a child immediately when you
get here.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, the immersion is unreal and as soon as you
step in, you can disconnect and just get absorbed by
all the details. And I mean Disney, they don't miss
a detail.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
It's incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
So let's talk just let's just go to the very beginning,
because I know we've got some folks who are watching
and they're like, Okay, I am going to do this.
I'm going to book my Disney trip. I'm going to
take my family to Disney. Where do you even start?
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
So for me, it's always let's talk budget. You know,
it is a vacation. Where are we at in that place?
And then where do you want to stay?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
So Disney is giant and there are.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
So much any amazing, magical options. What is it about
your family that's drawing you in? You know, Chanta was
talking about toy Story.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
My kids right.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Now, they're getting a little bit older, so they like
a little bit more like the high end stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
You know, they're like, when can we go to the
Grand Flow.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
During the holidays to see the life size gingerbread house
and get ourselves, you know, some hot chocolate. So what
is the style that like fits and needs your family's
desires and needs, and that is site to side with
the budget. And then there's you know, the time of
year when do we want to say, do we want
to experience the holiday magic and you know, Halloween here
(04:35):
is amazing, Mickey's not so scary.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
And there's just so many different activities.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Or do you just want to do like a spring
break and there's festival. So there's really a lot of
different ways to kind of navigate that and pick. But
once you have your budget, your location, where you want
to say your dates, then the fun starts.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Then you can start.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Kind of digging down and planning you know, the attractions
and the restaurants and all that kind of stuf. So
breaking it down really is the first step.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
So and Disney makes it easy because there's so much
technology now that can help you have the website where
you can just go and everything is there. Now, I
will tell you this, I did have to have my
friend Michelle helped me through the website. Now, once I
did it the first time, I was fine, It's easy,
(05:23):
figured it out, But tell me a little about my
Disney experience. Can you take that one?
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Yes, I can take that one.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
So I'd like call it practicing at home a couple
of days before my trouble open up the app, I'll
look at the wait times kind of start getting an
idea of what to expect at that time of day.
I also like to open up the app and you
can actually mobile order your food that way. And as
mom with littles who are kind of picky, it's a
huge lights lifesaver because you can open it up and
(05:49):
when you mobile order, they have photos, so.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
We kind of plan out our meals like that.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Especially, you know, throughout the day, I'm like, Hey, which
picture do you like? So seeing it on you know,
our phone is so much easier. And I also like
that you can see your room. And fun fact, if
you open up the map and you're trying to get
from one location to the other, you can actually there's
like a little walking person. If you touch that person,
it'll give you walking directions so you can navigate yourself.
(06:19):
Especially you know for the first time guests who doesn't
know really what direction to go that it's so convenient.
It's just a matter of getting to know the apps.
I think familiarizing yourself before you get here helps.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Well.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
I checked into my room and was already like when
I got off of the bus. It said, oh, you're
in this room, you know, welcome home. It's what it said.
And I thought, oh, you don't want to do that
because I will move here. But you know, I mean,
how easy. Like usually checking in that's a hard thing.
You got to drag your luggage up there, you got
to do ever, and it was all done for me.
(06:53):
So I think the thing that I love about this
is that the folks at Disney are trying to make
it as easy as possible, yes, for moms or dads
to book the Disney vacation and not have to worry
about all the details once you get here.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
And there's so many planning tools.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So my Disney experience, obviously if you go to the website,
there's really a plethora of things. But we are on
Plan Disney the panel and so this is where you
can so a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Will you have a Disney.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Person in your life, right, there's that person that's like
the Disney nerd. Right, You're like, oh my gosh, I'm
going to Disney. Help me plan this, so, but if
you don't, that's what we're here for. And the panel
is so incredibly diverse that somebody on the panel has
experienced whatever you have a question about, and so we
have that boots on the ground perspective. So you can
(07:48):
literally go on the plan Disney dot com and either
search for a question and if you don't find the answer,
you can ask one of us and we will customize
and answer for you. And we've been there, done that,
and that's kind of the magic of Disney planning. There
are tools out there, and we are so excited to
just be able to answer those questions and help you.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Out, especially because we're able to feel connected with you,
like if you're looking to do something that we have
personally done, I feel like it just makes it so
much more magical because we're like, oh, my goodness, yes,
do this, well, you know, add those little tips in
My family liked doing this when we did it.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
You should try this.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
It's just it's really great to connect because I know
there's a computer that divides us, but we're able to
share those experiences with you and it's it's so fun.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
So plan Disney dot Com is definitely where you need
to go to start you.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Can under yeah, yeah, yeah, it's definitely the helpful place
and it can feel overwhelming. Yeah, you know, they're social
media in general, websites.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
There's like where do I start?
Speaker 3 (08:48):
But yeah, go to plan Disney and start picking our
brains digitally and asking this question.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
So that's what it is. It's like it's a help
for anybody.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
But it is. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
But we are just regular people that love Disney and
have been coming here with our families for years from
all diverse places. And we have people that myself we
do English and Spanish. We have people that answer questions
in Portuguese, in French. There's people that are specific for cruise.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Line and disney Land.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
So again, a plethora of information at the palm of
your hands.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
So now obviously you mentioned budget earlier, Yes, and that
is a very big important part of it. So and
I don't even want to hit on like when you're
on a budget, because I feel like a trip, when
you're planning a trip to Disney, it's probably going to
be your It's the trip, right, It's the trip of
the year. It's something your kids are waiting for, it's
(09:42):
something your family is planning for. I know a lot
of people who bring multi generations, right, so it's the
grandparents and the parents and the kids are here. So
how many days is the norm for people to stay,
do you think? Or how many days does someone plan
for to get the full experience, because once you're here,
(10:03):
you want to be able to soak it all in.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
Yes, I personally like to recommend a minimum of four days,
not including your traveling days, depending on where you're traveling from,
because you know, sometimes it takes a little bit longer
to get here. But I say four for the first
time person. That way you can experience each of the
theme parks. That way, you're not having to pick and choose,
because that's what makes it hard, because you want to
see everyone in your family has a different taste, right,
(10:27):
you know, my son would rather go to Hollywood Studios
or my daughter's about your Kingdom girl. So four minimum
and then grow from there depending on you know, the
fine details that she was talking about, the dining experiences
you want to do if you're going to be here
during a holiday for a party, just build from there.
Speaker 4 (10:44):
But I always like to say four minimum.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Yeah, well, and there's always specials too. Yeah, is that
when you Disney. It's got great specials. So if you
are here for five days, you get a certain amount off,
or if you're you know or hear a certain amount
of days, you get different discounts. So always check out
those discounts.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Yeah, yeah, because Special Offers page and check it.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Frequently, do because they change.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
So we'll have you know, spring Spring deals or Summer deals.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Or Florida Resident Military.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
There's a lot of always military things that they can
take advantage of.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
She can tell you all about those.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
All right, well, let's seg into that. Tell me about
the military and what Disney does to make it a
magical experience.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
So I think Disney does a really good job of
honoring eligible service members and their families. And for my
family personally, it's really nice because it gives us the
time to reconnect because our lives are just so busy.
We're away from home, it's us all the time, so
being able to reconnect without the stress is really nice.
They offer specials on resorts and they also have a
(11:44):
ticket promotion, so those are all on the website as well.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
If you just search military promotions.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
And you'll all pull up. You'll also find them on
the special Deals page. And they're just really great to have,
especially because planning vacation is a lot and I feel
like as a military family, woopberk it gets time most
of the time. So we're looking for a quick a
quick book instead of being able to plan and budget
for an entire year.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Right right, Okay, So I want to say, are you
both moms? Okay, so how old are your children?
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I have a seventeen year old and an eleven year
old boys, girls, one of each.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Okay, my oldest is a boy, and then the little
is a girl.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, and your's a little they're little.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
I have a ten year old boy and then a
seven year old daughter.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
All right, so we have four theme parks here, And
how do you handle it as a parent when, as
you said, your son likes one thing your daughter likes
the other. You've got the age gap of the teenagers
versus the younger ones. How do you try to make
everybody happy in your one trip here, your four or
(12:45):
five days that you're.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Sure you include them in the planning.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
And so I think for for my crew, it's pick
your fave and realize that you are not going to
get to see it all, but so prioritizing is key,
and there's always that one thing that they don't want
to miss, and we will do whatever we can to
make that happen. Lightning lanes are key, especially if it's
an attraction, because you know that shortens your waytime and
(13:09):
it allows you to see even more. And so for sure,
just kind of letting them pick and it makes part
of the planning so much fun.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
And then they get so excited about it.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Right, They're already so excited they're going to be here,
but getting to say like, oh, this day I'm gonna
go dotron and you know, sis is like I don't
want to do it, but you know, we go worser
into it.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Well, yeah, and that was the thing, like I think
the kids also. I noticed with our ten year old,
they get really tired. They're so pumped up, they're so excited,
and then you've still got a lot of things booked.
How do you as moms kind of keep the momentum
going at the park where you're not like this was
the worst.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
We take a lot of breaks, okay, okay, and sometimes
we don't always go back to the resort just sitting
down like, okay, guys, let's get a snack and we're
gonna sit here and eat it and just you know,
take in.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
The views and so we'll tell me about your favorite thing.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Just those conversations, kind of just creating our own little escape,
you know, at a at a table or on a
bench and enjoying our snack together and reflecting on our
day really helps bring us back.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
In and okay, you ready did your feet? Are your
feet good?
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Let's go?
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Yeah, talk to me about the teenager.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Oh my gosh, yeah, keeping them happy. No, but we're
Disney people, so he enjoys the process. He enjoys being here.
We do take the resort breaks because the resorts here
are just as magical as the parks, truly, and my
kids are big pool people, and so we do sometimes,
you know, take that break refresh, and those are that's
(14:40):
when you start thinking of the longer trips, because if
you want to have like a resort day or those
resort breaks, you're gonna want to stay a little bit
longer so you don't miss out on like full part
days and all the other things that are to be seen.
I also think it's important if your family likes to
just take those breathers, plan a dinner reservation and a
late lunch reservation. And you can also kind of kill
(15:03):
two birds with one stone and like say that you
want to meet X, Y and Z character figure out.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
You know, come to Plan Disney ask us like, hey,
where can I meet some And so we get those
questions a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
We actually have one recently that I was like, oh, yeah,
you can actually meet.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
So and so at this restaurant.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Plan that and you can kind of work around that,
and you're sitting down, you're taking a breather, and you're
still having a blast, right You're you're getting to meet
the characters and the kids are still continuing to make memories.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
It's Central Florida. Those a C breaks are key.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
So yeah, shows to fix it up. You could do
a ride and do a show. Ye kind of get
a little accause.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Oh my goodness, I know we know all the special places, Yes,
those like longer attractions like Carousel progress. Listen, that is
the spot two o'clock at MK. There's a rainstorm coming,
Let's go to carousel.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Oh okay, all right, I need to know about that one. Yes,
I'm gonna get the girls some when I have them
on speed dial at the park already. So you mentioned
lightning lanes. That is one thing that I learned really quickly,
but one thing that was also very confusing to me
when I was trying to book. How do I know
what tickets to buy? You know, there's park hoppers, there's this.
(16:18):
Do I buy one park? Two parks? Do I buy
all the parks? How do I What am I doing
here with the tickets?
Speaker 5 (16:24):
I think it goes back to your preference and what
your family wants to do and experience. That's why I
always say the four so that you can try and
find what's your guys' groove.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
It's really and your time too. You know, if you're
short on time, I don't recommend park copy and I
recommend doing one park a day so that you really
soak it all in.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Especially if you're traveling with younger kids, it can be
a little bit more challenging to all right, let's go
to the next one, and that way you're going at
their pace, and you know, including them in the planning,
like we mentioned before, so that they're part of the
whole experience, and it's it's really fun when you step
back and let your kiddos kind of run the show.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
You get to see what they want to do. You know,
I'm an overplanner, so I like.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
To say, Okay, we're going here at this time, here,
at this time, here, at this time. Yes, I have
my my my Disney experience open. I'm like, okay, you guys,
you need to hurry up, We've got to go. But
I think stepping back and really letting them tell me, like,
but I want to go in here.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
Let's go into this shop. And I'm like, okay, yeah,
let's do that.
Speaker 5 (17:23):
So that's why I always say, do the one park
per day, a minimum of four. Now, you know, when
we do some of our adult trips, let's get the
park hoppers, let's go.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Where we going?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
What are our tops?
Speaker 4 (17:36):
So it really depends on the style.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Trip, all right. So like when you're planning a trip,
if you don't get the parks, so park hopper is
only good for one day, correct.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
It depends on the ticket you purchase. And so this
is where are we looking at a bundle? Are we looking?
And we're here to break it down for you, right.
But it just like Chintel was saying you, it's customizable.
So that's the beauty of it. It's what you want
it to be.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
You can make your Disney vacation, whatever you want it
to be. You can get a one day, one.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Park, but you can also get you know, a multiple
park day with park hopper, with hot park Copper.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Then you can add the extras and visit the water park.
So there's different different ways to navigate it. But you
can start base level one park one day and then
see do we need to add the other things and
go from there.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So I'm going to just say this for the park hopping. Yesterday,
I park hopped and I had almost twenty thousand steps
on my steps. And I think what people need to
understand is we're talking about park hopping, but these parks
aren't like right next door, and you're not just like
walking from one to the other. Now, Disney does make
(18:47):
it easy and convenient for you to get with transportation.
There's the boats, there's the buses, and there's a Mono
rail and Iron Skyliner. So I mean there's options for
you to get from one park to the other, but
it will take you anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes
is what it was taking us yesterday to get from
park to park. And then the parks are gigantic, so
(19:08):
once you get to your second park. You're going to
need a lot of time to take it all in,
and I promise you'll you'll end up being like, oh
my gosh, I missed this because so I'm kind of
like you guys. I would suggest a park a day.
Maybe you could squeeze in two parks, but it's going
to be a long day if you do that, for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
If you're your family, Yeah, yah, kids.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
That's going to be a long, long day on them.
We tried to squeeze two parks in with the ten
year old, and by the time the fireworks hit it
was my husband was having a carrier, which is hard
with the ten year old.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Yeah, she was pooped, but and also like she didn't
really When we got home, she said, I wish I
hadn't been so tired because I missed the want to
keep it going. Yeah, well she kind of slipped through
the fireworks.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's an excuse to come back exactly.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
That's why I tell my kids, you know, whenever we
would come and not get to do things, I'm like, hey,
add it to the list, we'll come back.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
So that's something I noticed a lot of repeat customers.
Oh yeah, what is bringing these people back to Disney
over and over and over.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
It's those memories, man, for me seeing my kids grow up,
I can I have pictures of them in front of
Cinderella Castle in like different stages and ages, and it just.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
How sweet is that? Like?
Speaker 3 (20:27):
And then you remember when they were five and like
Small World was the place to be, and now seventeen
and all we want to do is Guardians and Tron
and so the beauty of Disney, like no matter what
stage in life, Disney adults coming to Disney, coming with
your toddlers, and there is something for everybody. And you
can make the trip just as magical with your babies
(20:50):
all the way to like bringing the grandparents.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
And let me tell you we do. We do the
girls' trips and those those monoil crawls. Girls listen, well, yeah,
I mean.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Yes, drink around the world. I haven't done that. Yeah, No,
it really is.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Like, honestly, I cherish my times or I've come here
so plant Disney becomes kind of a family. We become
friends with each other and we end up kind of
vacationing with each other. And that's how I discovered coming
to Disney without my kids and kids.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Turn off the camera right now, turn off. I sometimes
prefer it. I don't know that it's so much fun.
It's not. I prefer that sounds.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
It's a different experience, but equally as fun, like a
complete blast.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
So let's talk about packing.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Oh man, I'm.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
So I have noticed that the resort's Disney is. They're wonderful.
They make the beds tall so I can show suitcases under.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
It, tons of storage, tons of storage in.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
The rooms, and you have everything you need in your
rooms too. This was a big one for me. This
is so silly. But toiletries, like the bathroom is stocked
with your shampoo and your body wash and all the
things that you need like Disney. Yes, so if there's
like it's just one less thing you have to pack,
is why I bring it right?
Speaker 4 (22:13):
And more room for souvenirs, right, that's my justification.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
One.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
Yeah, but seriously, what are the best packs that you
need to bring?
Speaker 3 (22:22):
It's Central Florida, rein gear, rain gear, ponchos, umbrellas.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Just have it with you. It's you.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Hopefully you don't need it, but even if you do,
a rainy day of Disney is better than a day.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Anywhere else, and it's still a blast.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
I think with traveling with kids is making sure you
have their extras. I like to always just bring an
extra outfit for me, even not for me.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
I'm sorry for my little ones that way.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
And you know, if they spill something, if if we
have a character dining reservation later and they're dirty, or
you know, it rains, and their kids they don't want.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
To carry a umbrella, they want to go splash.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
Just having that backup out for for them is really
handy and portable charger because you're using your R Disney experience.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
So that's my top.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
I can't go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Without my backup battery.
Speaker 5 (23:06):
Yes, sure, And there's actually kiosks around the park to
where you can swap you know, you can purchase one,
and it's good for I mean, it feels like for
like five years and all I do is keep it
in my broad back yep and then just go swap
it out and get a new charged one and I
don't have to worry about charging it at bedtime and
(23:27):
or if you.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Happen to forget.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
It's just I love that about Disney too. I feel like,
obviously it's because they have great people like you guys
who are helping them out, you're like, hey, this is
what you need at the park. I even noticed it's
daylight savings time this weekend. And I don't know who
did it, but somebody changed every clock in the park yesterday.
(23:50):
I was quite impressed because it's going to take away white.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
Didn't you see him do it?
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (23:54):
Did he?
Speaker 1 (23:58):
So you touched on something I did want to touch
about what you take into the park. So you can
take a backpack into.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
The yes, absolutely.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
You can actually even bring snacks, which helps my family.
My kids are always hungry and it's it's really convenient
to be like, Okay, let's get a snack here and
then we'll go sit down somewhere.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
So I like to bring my portable charger, snacks for
the kids, back up clothes.
Speaker 5 (24:19):
I like to bring some sort of sanitizer or wipe
for you know, those Mickey ice cream bars can get messy.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Yes, I think even the teenagers need that.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I and you're touching stuff right, Yes, I think those
are like my must have.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
Oh, in a water bottle. I like to bring a
reusable water bottle.
Speaker 5 (24:37):
You are able to get complimentary water cups at you know,
quick service locations, but it's nice to pour that cold
water into your water bottle to keep it cold, especially
on those hot summer days.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Right, definitely, I am. I had a very good friend
who told me that I need to take a separate
pair of shoes, like just flip flops.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yeah, yeah, because if you.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Do get caught in the rain and then your shoes
get wet, it's the worst.
Speaker 2 (25:02):
I've had friends by crocs. So yeah, but you can
also throw.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Yeah, but those are some of the essentials that I
had learned to the rain poncho, just those little when.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
You can or whatever thousand steps. I mean even you
might just want to switch right and you don't even.
Speaker 4 (25:21):
Have to carry all that with you. You can rent
to locker and just you know, leave it in there.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
If you see those clouds looming or you know, ready
to change or weather, if it gets cooler and you
don't want to start with.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
You that's another thing. Depending on the weather, like what
time of year you're here at Disney, definitely take like
sleeves for night.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
For sure, it gets cold here sometimes. I mean we
get the.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Lower coaster at night. Yeah, you know. So let's talk
about some of the really cool experiences you can do
here at Disney. Yes, So how about if I put
you on the spot here.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
Okay, I'm I've got one of mine, but I'm thinking
it's an extra, so we added it on. We like
to do a resort day when we visit. Okay, and
my husband's a huge fisherman.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
Okay, so what does that mean? You go visit a
resort day on our rest day.
Speaker 4 (26:12):
It's our break day, so we don't go to the parks.
Speaker 5 (26:15):
We usually stay in our resort, enjoy the pools. I
like to take advantage of the magic outside of the
theme parks, and I'll do you know, a character dining experience.
That way, they're still beating their favorite characters, but we're
not like, Okay, we have lightning Lane, let's go. We
get to really live in that moment. So on our
break day, we'll do something like that.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Enjoy the pool.
Speaker 5 (26:37):
This our most recent trip we did. It's called an
enchanting extra, and so we booked it. My husband's a
huge fisherman, and I.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Don't you know, I don't really care for it, but
he loves it. Oh no, and we're fishing at my
favorite place. Yes, I will go join you.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
So we did it to our excursion and we had
a guided tour where he was helping us you know
load I I don't even know the right language.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Yes, we were fishing outside of Magic Ingom.
Speaker 5 (27:04):
Cinderella Castle was you know, in our background, and my
whole family got to fish. We all had our poll
and our guide was able to you know, help us
set up our lines and our hooks and we got
to you know, step back and take a picture. Something
that he enjoyed doing, my husband in the place that
I enjoyed doing.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
So it really brought our family together.
Speaker 5 (27:24):
And I think like looking into those extras, even if
you're not in a theme park, you know, you want
to just enjoy the resorts.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
Something like that to add on is a great option.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
There are so many options for me.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
So I'm a fireworks girl, Like that's probably my top thing,
Disney fireworks. Like there was this meme that was going
around a while back where you come to Disney watch
the fireworks and then.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
Like you go to your hometown Fourth of July and
you're just.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
Like, oh, that was Catey for effort.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Thanks Nicky.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Where's sanchized? Like you know soundtrack?
Speaker 3 (27:58):
No, But so there is is a fireworks cruise that
you can take and there's two options. You can either
do the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, so Happily ever After
or maybe the holiday ones, or you could do Epcot fireworks.
And this little pontoon that fits about ten people up
to ten puts you right in the middle of it,
and they pipe in the music and so you can
(28:19):
have a little private party on the water and watch
magic and cry like I do or not.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
But I cry and it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
But that's like a celebration for like a special birthday,
an engagement.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Oh my gosh, are you kidding?
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Well? I did see at the park yesterday a lot
of people walking around with like either just married shirts
or you know, they come here for their honeymoon. A
lot of people do yes, are you right? The engagements or.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Walking by the hub, which is the little central area
in Magic Kingdom and APPLAUSA rubs.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
You know, somebody just got proposed.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
So awesome. So has a lot of new attractions. Every
time I open up the app there's something there's like
new new. Because there's so many different resorts, there's something new.
What are some of the new exciting things that are
going on here.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
I'm excited about the stuff that's coming this summer so again,
I'm I'm a fireworks nighttime parade kind of stuff. We
have a new summertime and why am I drawing a
blank of the name we just talked about.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
This starlight Starlight, thank you. There's a giant sign outside.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
There's just so much new stuff, but I am so
My favorite growing up was the main Street Electrical Parade
and we miss it. But so there's a new one
coming and I am dying it's coming this summer, so Starlight,
we can't wait. There is a villain show that's coming
up that we are super soaked.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
You're a villains girl, right, I am. It's so much fun.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
Yes, Little Mermaid at Disney Hollywood Studios. The show that
used to be there is getting reimagined. So Little Murma
had classic We.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
All love her.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
Love that. What else?
Speaker 4 (30:03):
I think you covered it?
Speaker 5 (30:04):
And I think that, going back to our conversation earlier,
that's what makes us always come back, because every time
you come back, it's something different, something new to experience,
new memories to be alloyed, and yes, a.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Nighttime spectacular for you to enjoy.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
You're crying again, you know, I am?
Speaker 1 (30:19):
You know I'm a rides girl. Yeah, And I mentioned
earlier I was a Star Wars back. Oh my gosh.
Yesterday we were at Hollywood and I did I would
like do all of the Star Wars things a million times.
Speaker 5 (30:33):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
So we were talking earlier about how basically these Disney
parks bring all of our favorite movies to life, and
like with the Star Wars in particular, I got to
feel like I was Princess Leah and Mark Hamill and
I'm dating myself. I'm going to Star Wars, but you know,
you're doing the smugglers running the Millennium Falcon, walking.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
Up to the Millennium Falcon, like I grew up with
Star Wars, but I can't. I can't really call myself
a nerd. But I was like, are you joking right now?
It's like life size You're just like whoa. And then
you get to like pilot the thing. It's incredible.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
And Rise of the Resistance we were just thought it
yesterday and I've been on it a bunch of times,
and every.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Single time it's just incredible. You like you said, you're
sucked into the movie.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
You're sucked into the storyline and you notice these different details.
My mind explodes with what Disney can't accomplish with these attractions.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
It's incredible, all right, And I'm not. I mean, I
had one day I said, this is this is my
first trip trip to Disney. But I did have one
day a few months ago that we came in and
we and we went to Epcot and I did the
Guardians of the Galaxy. Oh man, that ride changed my life.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
What song did you get your so I got oh
my gosh, hanga. No, it was everybody wants.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
I did do Conga? Yes, because I wrote it three times.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
I still haven't gotten Conga. I love Everybody. I think
that was actually my favorite.
Speaker 3 (32:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
I mean, but to me, I've never experienced anything like
that on our right, It's.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
It is the most like smooth. It's unreal. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
Yeah, Because you were talking about feeling like you were,
you know, in the Star Wars ri ide, feeling like
you were flying the Millennium futons. With Guardians of the Galaxy,
you really feel like you're flying through outer space, and
that to me totally embodies the magic of Disney that
they can create. It's just crazy. They've also got a
(32:41):
lot of things we want to talk about the littles
because I know I've got a lot of moms and
dads who are probably, Okay, we got to we're going
to bring the kids. I have not experienced all the
little people things because my kids were older. So tell
me some of the really cool things little can do.
Speaker 5 (32:53):
So I've been bringing my kids since they were little,
Like I remember carrying my daughter in like a backpack carrier.
And and there's rider switch, which is great option for
families with littles because you know they don't meet the
height requirement just yet. So you know, mom, dad, grandma
and grandpa can go ride the ride. Well, someone hangs
back with your little and then the adults will get
(33:15):
the opportunity to swap, so the next person will stay
with the little and the other person will get to
go experience that attraction.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
And I think that's what makes it also so special,
is you.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
Remember the time where you brought your little and you
know they're not measuring up, and the second that they
they make that requirement, I mean we're like, yes, you
know that was this summer, first Disney milestone this summer
for my family and just my daughter. I remember her
like coming off shaking because it was like her first
roller coasters.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
But you did it. So it's just I mean there's
so many opportunities.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
Also, if you're traveling with little littles, there's the baby
care centers, so you know, if something happens they need
a change and you want a little bit quieter's place
or quiet place to nurse.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
You can go in an air conditioned pa oasis for mom.
And it's so you.
Speaker 5 (34:06):
Forget something, you run out of diapers, wipes, you forget,
there's like you can purchase.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
All that there.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Yeah, yeah, in La Park.
Speaker 5 (34:14):
It really alleviates the stress of oh, no I left
in the resort, we got to go back.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
You can just pop in there and.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Yeah, baby diapers, wives, it's super clean, air conditioned. Yeah,
it kind of it gives you often.
Speaker 5 (34:26):
Yeah, to keep that normal like routine for your children
if they need it. There's high chairs in there they
can eat and you know, just a little bit more
of a home atmosphere.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
So it's really great. So there are just so many things.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
So when I talk to parents, one of the things
that always comes up is nobody knows what age is
the appropriate age to bring your child. And I don't
mean appropriate like there's an inappropriate thing, but like how
old do they need to be for them to fully
enjoy it and take it all in? What do you suggest?
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Are you joking?
Speaker 3 (34:58):
Have you ever seen a little six month old meeting
Winnie the po It'll make you cry? Apparently I'm a
cry No, it's my favorite, and like seeing them like
reach out my kids is the brightest orange that you've
ever seen in your life.
Speaker 2 (35:14):
And these babies are just like their brains are exploding, like, oh,
he's here.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
It's the cartoon.
Speaker 3 (35:20):
R I am, however old I am, and my daughter
is a Mickey obsessed girly And every time you visit,
we have to go say hi to the boss and
I get excited. It's just like, so I really think
people will argue like, oh, they're too little, they won't remember. Honestly,
do you remember anything when you were three? I don't
remember anything, but are we you do you?
Speaker 2 (35:42):
As a parent.
Speaker 5 (35:43):
It's just like I remember crying the first time my
son walked up to Mickey. I was just like in
tears and I couldn't compose myself. Thankfully, Disney Disney Photo
Past did such a good job because I was like, no,
you you can and you want to be in the
moment and so purchasing that Memory Maker was one hundred
(36:04):
percent worth it because that PhotoPass photographer captured I mean,
the walk of ivery step the hug.
Speaker 4 (36:13):
I was like, oh my goodness. So he doesn't remember,
but I do.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
You've got to talk about memory Maker. I'm so glad
you brought that up. That is a lifesaver. You're so right.
I've had so many moments Mom gets to be in
the picture. So let's tell everybody what it is.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
So Memory Maker is something you can add onto the package.
It's an option. So we have photographers all throughout the parks,
the resorts, the water parks, everywhere, even Disney Springs sometimes
and they take amazing, high quality pictures of you.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
And it also includes ride pictures.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
So it's basically a package that you use that wherever
you see a Disney official photographer, you just get in line.
They take an amazing picture in front of all the icons.
But then also, like I said, the rides see attractions
and then you kind of see them in different spots.
They're there with the characters as well, so you can
be in the moment, Mom can be in the picture.
And so they take a bunch of pictures you tap
(37:07):
your magic band, you tap your magic mobile on your phone,
whatever you have linked to the account. They even give
you a card if you don't have any of those options,
which is fine. And then at the end of the
trip you can go back and you have all those memories.
Every single trip that I've been, I have this and
it's hundreds and hundreds of pictures and they're all good. Yeah,
like they're great quality. And again, like everybody's just kind
(37:27):
of in the moment. You're not worried about the cell phone.
You can do that too, but in their good quality.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
It's just I'm going to insert a couple of photos here.
This is me holding baby Groot. Yes, this is this
is when we all saw Donald Duck uh and oh
Tinkerbell flew into my hand.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Yes, yes, Sometimes that the add a little extra fixt
us and you don't know what you're gonna get until
you get home.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
And that's actually the kids love that, like, oh who
did we get in this?
Speaker 3 (37:56):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (37:57):
That's fun. Magic bands, we have to talk about this.
These these are magical. They will save your life. You
have to get a magic ban. They are a bazillion
different options. They are just as bad as the ears
I think there's more collectibles, right, yes, So let's talk
about the magic bands, where you get them, what.
Speaker 4 (38:17):
Do you do with it?
Speaker 3 (38:18):
Wearable technology. This is your keys to the Kingdom. This
is your wallet, this is your lightning lane. So anything
that is linked into your My Disney experience is going
to be linked here. You tap to enter the park,
you tap to pay for your food, you tap for
your you know, uh, lightning lanes, et cetera. And the
new ones interact with certain things around the parks and
(38:39):
the show. So you'll literally be watching fireworks and this
thing just starts buzzing.
Speaker 2 (38:43):
And turning on colors. So it's the whole experience.
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Yesterday, it happened on a ride and I thought it
because you know, with your with this watch, it'll like
buzz if I get a text or something. And I
was going there, oh oh.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
Yeah, it's telling you that there's something going on.
Speaker 4 (38:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
Even open to your hotel room.
Speaker 2 (39:01):
Yeah it's a key, it's your room key.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
Yeah, definitely, And that just kind of helps not have
to keep track of a laneyard with a card or whatever.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
It's just it's right there, it's happen go.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Yes, definitely, and it's waterproof.
Speaker 2 (39:12):
Too, and it's beautiful.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
Like when you have the packages that we were talking
about earlier. If you happen to add a dining plan,
that's another thing to kind of take off your list.
You show up, you're enjoying your meals that you pretty planned.
You pay with it, and you go, where's that money
coming from?
Speaker 2 (39:25):
We don't know. We don't ask questions of Disney. We
just have and go and have a great time.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
I know, all right, I'm gonna I gotta wrap up
here in a minute. But I got I struggle with
the ears. I want everyone that I see.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
So what you know?
Speaker 5 (39:39):
How do you know?
Speaker 1 (39:41):
How do you know what ears? You need to start
out with? Yes, just any.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
The answer is yes, you get them all.
Speaker 4 (39:49):
You're asking the wrong.
Speaker 3 (39:52):
I know.
Speaker 2 (39:52):
I yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
I saw a girl on TikTok earlier this week that
had taken frames and she put the empty frames on
the wall and then.
Speaker 2 (40:03):
She hung the holder.
Speaker 5 (40:08):
I mean, if it matches the elephant, yes, if it
fits the occasion, if it's holiday seasonal.
Speaker 3 (40:14):
Yes, you have to have a Christmas want Halloween one.
My daughter calls these the butter ones. I don't know
why do they look like butter I thought they looked
like spring I'm rocking butter.
Speaker 4 (40:24):
So the answers, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
So I felt a little peer pressure yesterday because I
was I was walking around the park and I did
not have anything Disney on.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
Well it's okay, okay, you know, no shame, but we
do not.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
But you'll see people they collect the bags.
Speaker 2 (40:44):
Yes, the flies. Yes, what do they call lounge flies?
That's the brand that makes them.
Speaker 3 (40:49):
Okay, yeah, and those are collectible, so there's people those
like actually hold the value.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
It's like a whole thing.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
There's a whole community where you can get lounge flies.
The lines are crazy pins.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
I saw people sitting around.
Speaker 3 (41:03):
With the other communities of things that you can kind
of like make it part of your Disney experience.
Speaker 2 (41:08):
And yeah, pin trading is a big one.
Speaker 1 (41:10):
So like because I did. I saw a girl she
had a book and there were people around her. We
didn't know what. I said, was she selling those?
Speaker 3 (41:15):
And they were like no, straight you trade them. And
they have like events where you come and you bring
all your pins. The super gool on the Yeah, you
can usually find and cast members will have members. Oh,
if you ever see a cast member, they'll usually have
a little board and a lanyard and you can go
in there and trade.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
That's a super fun thing for.
Speaker 4 (41:31):
Inst It's really fun. You may never get me out
of here, I know, I know for souvenirs.
Speaker 1 (41:39):
Let's run down the websites that everybody can go to
for help.
Speaker 3 (41:42):
So Disney just Disney dot com, Plan Disney dot com
for ours, and you can also find us on the
help tab. So if you're in the main website and
you look under help, you can also ask us questions there.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
We're on Instagram as well, Plan Disney.
Speaker 5 (41:58):
The Disney Parks had social media pages as well, and
you can I like to look at those before I plan.
So make sure you add those to your follow list
because that parks.
Speaker 3 (42:06):
Blog is an amazing one to follow because they are
going to be telling you all of the upcoming stuff
whenever tickets are starting to get sold for like the
special events, because those do sell out, so if somebody's
looking forward to make it's not so scary those actually
get announced coming up soon, right historically that I think. Okay,
So Disney Parks Blog, like you said, like the Disney Parks,
all the social media, all those.
Speaker 4 (42:29):
Official Disney parks is where you want to get most.
Speaker 1 (42:31):
Of p my Disney dot com I think is what
is that what it's called?
Speaker 2 (42:35):
I think if you just type in Disney dot com
it will pull up.
Speaker 3 (42:38):
But it's like Walt Disney World dot Disney dot go.
Maybe yeah, yeah, it'll but Google will help you out.
Speaker 1 (42:44):
Google will help you out this website right here, yeah,
on the caption. Also, I do want to hit on
the lightning lanes and why that's so important, because we
you have to book things in advance. Don't think you
can just get to the park and you can book
dining or you can book the experiences. You have to
book them in advance.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
It makes it easier.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
The yeah, slides will fill up.
Speaker 2 (43:07):
They do, they do.
Speaker 3 (43:08):
So planning is a key part to make your Disney
vacation as stress free as possible. And not to say
that you can't just show up and play. I do
it all the time as a local. I just show up,
I play, and it's still an amazing experience. But for
those must does so lightning lanes, if you're staying on
property at one of the Disney resorts seven days before
your check and date, you can start making those and
(43:29):
so the earlier the better, especially for those you know,
the Trons and the Guardians of the Galaxy. The Tiana
is like the newer attractions. You're gonna want to get
those as soon as possible. And then for people that
are staying off site three days before your arrival, so
another one of those perks of staying on property, you
get a little added you know benefit.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
Yeah, right, and then it's great because with the app
on your phone, it'll pop up and it'll go, oh,
you're you know, your ride's coming up, and then you
know to head to that part of the park and
it's great. So thank you guys so much for all
the tips.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 1 (44:02):
Having my next vacation now, yeah, you guys got to
go shopping with me.
Speaker 3 (44:09):
I'm on, let's go Disney Springs, biggest Disney store in
the world.
Speaker 2 (44:13):
Is it still?
Speaker 1 (44:14):
What's the deal with the McDonald's too.
Speaker 2 (44:16):
The one here, the solar powered ones is it's so
cool though?
Speaker 3 (44:19):
I can't Yeah, I think they have like bikes there
so that you can work off the fries that you
got and then it like powers the place.
Speaker 2 (44:25):
I might have to be making that.
Speaker 1 (44:28):
They are working out. I know.
Speaker 2 (44:30):
I'm sorry, I'm sty thousand.
Speaker 3 (44:34):
Steps you are, yes, no, they cancel out at Disney.
Speaker 2 (44:38):
No calories of Disney, plan your Disney vacation today
Hi, guys, it is Anti Ward. I am in the
most magical place on earth. I'm a Disney World and
I have found a couple of friends. I love the years, Ladies.
I feel like I'm being left out, so I'm gonna
have to go to the gift shops. Series are done here.
I have met some friends here who are experts on
how to book your trip to Disney for you, your family,
(00:21):
your friends. This is Chantelle and Emil. Thank you for
joining me today.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Thank you for having me. All right.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
I have a lot of questions. So I'm kind of
new to the whole Disney World booking my trip thing.
This is my first trip back to Disney since I
was a kid, so a lot's changed.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
It has, it has absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So the cool thing about Disney now is all of
the different options you have. Okay, so we have four
theme parks, we have tons of different resorts you could
stay at on property, and then you can even do
fine dining and shopping as well. So it's not just
going and looking at a pretty castle and riding a
roller coaster or anything, for sure, for sure. So Meil,
(01:02):
I'm going to start with you. Tell me a little
about you and why you love Disney.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
So, oh my gosh, the nostalgia like flat out. So
first trip with my grandmother when I was six, we
stayed at the contemporary resort. And when you're six years
old and you're staying at this place that your views
are of a magical castle, there's a monorail that runs through.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
I just couldn't believe my eyes. I'm like, is this
place real?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
So immediately right, the connection is there. Then I was
a teen and my parents brought the whole family, and
my mom and dad were never mushy gushy, but seeing
them hold hands in Main Street, are you joking?
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Like?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
So this place just has.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Not only the magic of those nostalgic moments with family
and those memories that you create, but then we grew
up with like the movies and the soundtracks. So you
walk in and you're just in your childhood, no matter
how old you are, and it just takes you back
and it instantly makes your heart happy.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
So that's my Disney sat.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Myself yesterday, and we'll get to that later. But a
Star Wars bu oh and we're laughing at me. Yes,
all right, so tell me your story.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Okay, So my backgrounds a little different.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
I grew up going to Disneyland, and I learned to
love Disney World as an adult with my own family,
my kids. So we brought them here and this is
their park and.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Just watching it through their eyes. We usually stay at like,
you know, a value resort.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
They've they've had the experience of a monorail resort as well,
but they just love like the larger than life themes
that they have and the you know, you open your
bedroom door and we're having our room. It's in toy
Story like you see Andy's room, and they're just their
favorite movies have been brought to life for them from
the beginning of the trip all the way through, like
(02:48):
while we're in the theme parks and the dining like
you said, so it's just complete magic from start to finish.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
So I think that's one thing that I noticed the
minute I stepped on the Disney property at the resort,
Like my particular room, I'm staying at Animal Kingdom, so
I have the Hokuna Matada room, which is fantastic because
that is my favorite Disney song. I love singing it
all the time. I walked in and I just I
told my husband, I was like, oh, we're in a
(03:14):
Kuna madada. But you know, I think as an adult
you go back to being a child immediately when you
get here.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, the immersion is unreal and as soon as you
step in, you can disconnect and just get absorbed by
all the details. And I mean Disney, they don't miss
a detail.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
It's incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
So let's talk just let's just go to the very beginning,
because I know we've got some folks who are watching
and they're like, Okay, I am going to do this.
I'm going to book my Disney trip. I'm going to
take my family to Disney. Where do you even start?
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
So for me, it's always let's talk budget. You know,
it is a vacation. Where are we at in that place?
And then where do you want to stay?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
So Disney is giant and there are.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
So much any amazing, magical options. What is it about
your family that's drawing you in? You know, Chanta was
talking about toy Story.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
My kids right.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Now, they're getting a little bit older, so they like
a little bit more like the high end stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
You know, they're like, when can we go to the
Grand Flow.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
During the holidays to see the life size gingerbread house
and get ourselves, you know, some hot chocolate. So what
is the style that like fits and needs your family's
desires and needs, and that is site to side with
the budget. And then there's you know, the time of
year when do we want to say, do we want
to experience the holiday magic and you know, Halloween here
(04:35):
is amazing, Mickey's not so scary.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
And there's just so many different activities.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Or do you just want to do like a spring
break and there's festival. So there's really a lot of
different ways to kind of navigate that and pick. But
once you have your budget, your location, where you want
to say your dates, then the fun starts.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Then you can start.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Kind of digging down and planning you know, the attractions
and the restaurants and all that kind of stuf. So
breaking it down really is the first step.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
So and Disney makes it easy because there's so much
technology now that can help you have the website where
you can just go and everything is there. Now, I
will tell you this, I did have to have my
friend Michelle helped me through the website. Now, once I
did it the first time, I was fine, It's easy,
(05:23):
figured it out, But tell me a little about my
Disney experience. Can you take that one?
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Yes, I can take that one.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
So I'd like call it practicing at home a couple
of days before my trouble open up the app, I'll
look at the wait times kind of start getting an
idea of what to expect at that time of day.
I also like to open up the app and you
can actually mobile order your food that way. And as
mom with littles who are kind of picky, it's a
huge lights lifesaver because you can open it up and
(05:49):
when you mobile order, they have photos, so.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
We kind of plan out our meals like that.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Especially, you know, throughout the day, I'm like, Hey, which
picture do you like? So seeing it on you know,
our phone is so much easier. And I also like
that you can see your room. And fun fact, if
you open up the map and you're trying to get
from one location to the other, you can actually there's
like a little walking person. If you touch that person,
it'll give you walking directions so you can navigate yourself.
(06:19):
Especially you know for the first time guests who doesn't
know really what direction to go that it's so convenient.
It's just a matter of getting to know the apps.
I think familiarizing yourself before you get here helps.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Well.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
I checked into my room and was already like when
I got off of the bus. It said, oh, you're
in this room, you know, welcome home. It's what it said.
And I thought, oh, you don't want to do that
because I will move here. But you know, I mean,
how easy. Like usually checking in that's a hard thing.
You got to drag your luggage up there, you got
to do ever, and it was all done for me.
(06:53):
So I think the thing that I love about this
is that the folks at Disney are trying to make
it as easy as possible, yes, for moms or dads
to book the Disney vacation and not have to worry
about all the details once you get here.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
And there's so many planning tools.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So my Disney experience, obviously if you go to the website,
there's really a plethora of things. But we are on
Plan Disney the panel and so this is where you
can so a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Will you have a Disney.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Person in your life, right, there's that person that's like
the Disney nerd. Right, You're like, oh my gosh, I'm
going to Disney. Help me plan this, so, but if
you don't, that's what we're here for. And the panel
is so incredibly diverse that somebody on the panel has
experienced whatever you have a question about, and so we
have that boots on the ground perspective. So you can
(07:48):
literally go on the plan Disney dot com and either
search for a question and if you don't find the answer,
you can ask one of us and we will customize
and answer for you. And we've been there, done that,
and that's kind of the magic of Disney planning. There
are tools out there, and we are so excited to
just be able to answer those questions and help you.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Out, especially because we're able to feel connected with you,
like if you're looking to do something that we have
personally done, I feel like it just makes it so
much more magical because we're like, oh, my goodness, yes,
do this, well, you know, add those little tips in
My family liked doing this when we did it.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
You should try this.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
It's just it's really great to connect because I know
there's a computer that divides us, but we're able to
share those experiences with you and it's it's so fun.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
So plan Disney dot Com is definitely where you need
to go to start you.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Can under yeah, yeah, yeah, it's definitely the helpful place
and it can feel overwhelming. Yeah, you know, they're social
media in general, websites.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
There's like where do I start?
Speaker 3 (08:48):
But yeah, go to plan Disney and start picking our
brains digitally and asking this question.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
So that's what it is. It's like it's a help
for anybody.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
But it is. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
But we are just regular people that love Disney and
have been coming here with our families for years from
all diverse places. And we have people that myself we
do English and Spanish. We have people that answer questions
in Portuguese, in French. There's people that are specific for cruise.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Line and disney Land.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
So again, a plethora of information at the palm of
your hands.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
So now obviously you mentioned budget earlier, Yes, and that
is a very big important part of it. So and
I don't even want to hit on like when you're
on a budget, because I feel like a trip, when
you're planning a trip to Disney, it's probably going to
be your It's the trip, right, It's the trip of
the year. It's something your kids are waiting for, it's
(09:42):
something your family is planning for. I know a lot
of people who bring multi generations, right, so it's the
grandparents and the parents and the kids are here. So
how many days is the norm for people to stay,
do you think? Or how many days does someone plan
for to get the full experience, because once you're here,
(10:03):
you want to be able to soak it all in.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
Yes, I personally like to recommend a minimum of four days,
not including your traveling days, depending on where you're traveling from,
because you know, sometimes it takes a little bit longer
to get here. But I say four for the first
time person. That way you can experience each of the
theme parks. That way, you're not having to pick and choose,
because that's what makes it hard, because you want to
see everyone in your family has a different taste, right,
(10:27):
you know, my son would rather go to Hollywood Studios
or my daughter's about your Kingdom girl. So four minimum
and then grow from there depending on you know, the
fine details that she was talking about, the dining experiences
you want to do if you're going to be here
during a holiday for a party, just build from there.
Speaker 4 (10:44):
But I always like to say four minimum.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Yeah, well, and there's always specials too. Yeah, is that
when you Disney. It's got great specials. So if you
are here for five days, you get a certain amount off,
or if you're you know or hear a certain amount
of days, you get different discounts. So always check out
those discounts.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Yeah, yeah, because Special Offers page and check it.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Frequently, do because they change.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
So we'll have you know, spring Spring deals or Summer deals.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Or Florida Resident Military.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
There's a lot of always military things that they can
take advantage of.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
She can tell you all about those.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
All right, well, let's seg into that. Tell me about
the military and what Disney does to make it a
magical experience.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
So I think Disney does a really good job of
honoring eligible service members and their families. And for my
family personally, it's really nice because it gives us the
time to reconnect because our lives are just so busy.
We're away from home, it's us all the time, so
being able to reconnect without the stress is really nice.
They offer specials on resorts and they also have a
(11:44):
ticket promotion, so those are all on the website as well.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
If you just search military promotions.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
And you'll all pull up. You'll also find them on
the special Deals page. And they're just really great to have,
especially because planning vacation is a lot and I feel
like as a military family, woopberk it gets time most
of the time. So we're looking for a quick a
quick book instead of being able to plan and budget
for an entire year.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Right right, Okay, So I want to say, are you
both moms? Okay, so how old are your children?
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I have a seventeen year old and an eleven year
old boys, girls, one of each.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Okay, my oldest is a boy, and then the little
is a girl.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, and your's a little they're little.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
I have a ten year old boy and then a
seven year old daughter.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
All right, so we have four theme parks here, And
how do you handle it as a parent when, as
you said, your son likes one thing your daughter likes
the other. You've got the age gap of the teenagers
versus the younger ones. How do you try to make
everybody happy in your one trip here, your four or
(12:45):
five days that you're.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Sure you include them in the planning.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
And so I think for for my crew, it's pick
your fave and realize that you are not going to
get to see it all, but so prioritizing is key,
and there's always that one thing that they don't want
to miss, and we will do whatever we can to
make that happen. Lightning lanes are key, especially if it's
an attraction, because you know that shortens your waytime and
(13:09):
it allows you to see even more. And so for sure,
just kind of letting them pick and it makes part
of the planning so much fun.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
And then they get so excited about it.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Right, They're already so excited they're going to be here,
but getting to say like, oh, this day I'm gonna
go dotron and you know, sis is like I don't
want to do it, but you know, we go worser
into it.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Well, yeah, and that was the thing, like I think
the kids also. I noticed with our ten year old,
they get really tired. They're so pumped up, they're so excited,
and then you've still got a lot of things booked.
How do you as moms kind of keep the momentum
going at the park where you're not like this was
the worst.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
We take a lot of breaks, okay, okay, and sometimes
we don't always go back to the resort just sitting
down like, okay, guys, let's get a snack and we're
gonna sit here and eat it and just you know,
take in.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
The views and so we'll tell me about your favorite thing.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Just those conversations, kind of just creating our own little escape,
you know, at a at a table or on a
bench and enjoying our snack together and reflecting on our
day really helps bring us back.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
In and okay, you ready did your feet? Are your
feet good?
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Let's go?
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Yeah, talk to me about the teenager.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Oh my gosh, yeah, keeping them happy. No, but we're
Disney people, so he enjoys the process. He enjoys being here.
We do take the resort breaks because the resorts here
are just as magical as the parks, truly, and my
kids are big pool people, and so we do sometimes,
you know, take that break refresh, and those are that's
(14:40):
when you start thinking of the longer trips, because if
you want to have like a resort day or those
resort breaks, you're gonna want to stay a little bit
longer so you don't miss out on like full part
days and all the other things that are to be seen.
I also think it's important if your family likes to
just take those breathers, plan a dinner reservation and a
late lunch reservation. And you can also kind of kill
(15:03):
two birds with one stone and like say that you
want to meet X, Y and Z character figure out.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
You know, come to Plan Disney ask us like, hey,
where can I meet some And so we get those
questions a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
We actually have one recently that I was like, oh, yeah,
you can actually meet.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
So and so at this restaurant.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Plan that and you can kind of work around that,
and you're sitting down, you're taking a breather, and you're
still having a blast, right You're you're getting to meet
the characters and the kids are still continuing to make memories.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
It's Central Florida. Those a C breaks are key.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
So yeah, shows to fix it up. You could do
a ride and do a show. Ye kind of get
a little accause.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Oh my goodness, I know we know all the special places, Yes,
those like longer attractions like Carousel progress. Listen, that is
the spot two o'clock at MK. There's a rainstorm coming,
Let's go to carousel.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Oh okay, all right, I need to know about that one. Yes,
I'm gonna get the girls some when I have them
on speed dial at the park already. So you mentioned
lightning lanes. That is one thing that I learned really quickly,
but one thing that was also very confusing to me
when I was trying to book. How do I know
what tickets to buy? You know, there's park hoppers, there's this.
(16:18):
Do I buy one park? Two parks? Do I buy
all the parks? How do I What am I doing
here with the tickets?
Speaker 5 (16:24):
I think it goes back to your preference and what
your family wants to do and experience. That's why I
always say the four so that you can try and
find what's your guys' groove.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
It's really and your time too. You know, if you're
short on time, I don't recommend park copy and I
recommend doing one park a day so that you really
soak it all in.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Especially if you're traveling with younger kids, it can be
a little bit more challenging to all right, let's go
to the next one, and that way you're going at
their pace, and you know, including them in the planning,
like we mentioned before, so that they're part of the
whole experience, and it's it's really fun when you step
back and let your kiddos kind of run the show.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
You get to see what they want to do. You know,
I'm an overplanner, so I like.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
To say, Okay, we're going here at this time, here,
at this time, here, at this time. Yes, I have
my my my Disney experience open. I'm like, okay, you guys,
you need to hurry up, We've got to go. But
I think stepping back and really letting them tell me, like,
but I want to go in here.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
Let's go into this shop. And I'm like, okay, yeah,
let's do that.
Speaker 5 (17:23):
So that's why I always say, do the one park
per day, a minimum of four. Now, you know, when
we do some of our adult trips, let's get the
park hoppers, let's go.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Where we going?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
What are our tops?
Speaker 4 (17:36):
So it really depends on the style.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Trip, all right. So like when you're planning a trip,
if you don't get the parks, so park hopper is
only good for one day, correct.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
It depends on the ticket you purchase. And so this
is where are we looking at a bundle? Are we looking?
And we're here to break it down for you, right.
But it just like Chintel was saying you, it's customizable.
So that's the beauty of it. It's what you want
it to be.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
You can make your Disney vacation, whatever you want it
to be. You can get a one day, one.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Park, but you can also get you know, a multiple
park day with park hopper, with hot park Copper.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Then you can add the extras and visit the water park.
So there's different different ways to navigate it. But you
can start base level one park one day and then
see do we need to add the other things and
go from there.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So I'm going to just say this for the park hopping. Yesterday,
I park hopped and I had almost twenty thousand steps
on my steps. And I think what people need to
understand is we're talking about park hopping, but these parks
aren't like right next door, and you're not just like
walking from one to the other. Now, Disney does make
(18:47):
it easy and convenient for you to get with transportation.
There's the boats, there's the buses, and there's a Mono
rail and Iron Skyliner. So I mean there's options for
you to get from one park to the other, but
it will take you anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes
is what it was taking us yesterday to get from
park to park. And then the parks are gigantic, so
(19:08):
once you get to your second park. You're going to
need a lot of time to take it all in,
and I promise you'll you'll end up being like, oh
my gosh, I missed this because so I'm kind of
like you guys. I would suggest a park a day.
Maybe you could squeeze in two parks, but it's going
to be a long day if you do that, for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
If you're your family, Yeah, yah, kids.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
That's going to be a long, long day on them.
We tried to squeeze two parks in with the ten
year old, and by the time the fireworks hit it
was my husband was having a carrier, which is hard
with the ten year old.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Yeah, she was pooped, but and also like she didn't
really When we got home, she said, I wish I
hadn't been so tired because I missed the want to
keep it going. Yeah, well she kind of slipped through
the fireworks.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's an excuse to come back exactly.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
That's why I tell my kids, you know, whenever we
would come and not get to do things, I'm like, hey,
add it to the list, we'll come back.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
So that's something I noticed a lot of repeat customers.
Oh yeah, what is bringing these people back to Disney
over and over and over.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
It's those memories, man, for me seeing my kids grow up,
I can I have pictures of them in front of
Cinderella Castle in like different stages and ages, and it just.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
How sweet is that? Like?
Speaker 3 (20:27):
And then you remember when they were five and like
Small World was the place to be, and now seventeen
and all we want to do is Guardians and Tron
and so the beauty of Disney, like no matter what
stage in life, Disney adults coming to Disney, coming with
your toddlers, and there is something for everybody. And you
can make the trip just as magical with your babies
(20:50):
all the way to like bringing the grandparents.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
And let me tell you we do. We do the
girls' trips and those those monoil crawls. Girls listen, well, yeah,
I mean.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Yes, drink around the world. I haven't done that. Yeah, No,
it really is.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Like, honestly, I cherish my times or I've come here
so plant Disney becomes kind of a family. We become
friends with each other and we end up kind of
vacationing with each other. And that's how I discovered coming
to Disney without my kids and kids.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Turn off the camera right now, turn off. I sometimes
prefer it. I don't know that it's so much fun.
It's not. I prefer that sounds.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
It's a different experience, but equally as fun, like a
complete blast.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
So let's talk about packing.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Oh man, I'm.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
So I have noticed that the resort's Disney is. They're wonderful.
They make the beds tall so I can show suitcases under.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
It, tons of storage, tons of storage in.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
The rooms, and you have everything you need in your
rooms too. This was a big one for me. This
is so silly. But toiletries, like the bathroom is stocked
with your shampoo and your body wash and all the
things that you need like Disney. Yes, so if there's
like it's just one less thing you have to pack,
is why I bring it right?
Speaker 4 (22:13):
And more room for souvenirs, right, that's my justification.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
One.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
Yeah, but seriously, what are the best packs that you
need to bring?
Speaker 3 (22:22):
It's Central Florida, rein gear, rain gear, ponchos, umbrellas.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Just have it with you. It's you.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Hopefully you don't need it, but even if you do,
a rainy day of Disney is better than a day.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Anywhere else, and it's still a blast.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
I think with traveling with kids is making sure you
have their extras. I like to always just bring an
extra outfit for me, even not for me.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
I'm sorry for my little ones that way.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
And you know, if they spill something, if if we
have a character dining reservation later and they're dirty, or
you know, it rains, and their kids they don't want.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
To carry a umbrella, they want to go splash.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
Just having that backup out for for them is really
handy and portable charger because you're using your R Disney experience.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
So that's my top.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
I can't go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Without my backup battery.
Speaker 5 (23:06):
Yes, sure, And there's actually kiosks around the park to
where you can swap you know, you can purchase one,
and it's good for I mean, it feels like for
like five years and all I do is keep it
in my broad back yep and then just go swap
it out and get a new charged one and I
don't have to worry about charging it at bedtime and
(23:27):
or if you.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Happen to forget.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
It's just I love that about Disney too. I feel like,
obviously it's because they have great people like you guys
who are helping them out, you're like, hey, this is
what you need at the park. I even noticed it's
daylight savings time this weekend. And I don't know who
did it, but somebody changed every clock in the park yesterday.
(23:50):
I was quite impressed because it's going to take away white.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
Didn't you see him do it?
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (23:54):
Did he?
Speaker 1 (23:58):
So you touched on something I did want to touch
about what you take into the park. So you can
take a backpack into.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
The yes, absolutely.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
You can actually even bring snacks, which helps my family.
My kids are always hungry and it's it's really convenient
to be like, Okay, let's get a snack here and
then we'll go sit down somewhere.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
So I like to bring my portable charger, snacks for
the kids, back up clothes.
Speaker 5 (24:19):
I like to bring some sort of sanitizer or wipe
for you know, those Mickey ice cream bars can get messy.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Yes, I think even the teenagers need that.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I and you're touching stuff right, Yes, I think those
are like my must have.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
Oh, in a water bottle. I like to bring a
reusable water bottle.
Speaker 5 (24:37):
You are able to get complimentary water cups at you know,
quick service locations, but it's nice to pour that cold
water into your water bottle to keep it cold, especially
on those hot summer days.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Right, definitely, I am. I had a very good friend
who told me that I need to take a separate
pair of shoes, like just flip flops.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yeah, yeah, because if you.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Do get caught in the rain and then your shoes
get wet, it's the worst.
Speaker 2 (25:02):
I've had friends by crocs. So yeah, but you can
also throw.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Yeah, but those are some of the essentials that I
had learned to the rain poncho, just those little when.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
You can or whatever thousand steps. I mean even you
might just want to switch right and you don't even.
Speaker 4 (25:21):
Have to carry all that with you. You can rent
to locker and just you know, leave it in there.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
If you see those clouds looming or you know, ready
to change or weather, if it gets cooler and you
don't want to start with.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
You that's another thing. Depending on the weather, like what
time of year you're here at Disney, definitely take like
sleeves for night.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
For sure, it gets cold here sometimes. I mean we
get the.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Lower coaster at night. Yeah, you know. So let's talk
about some of the really cool experiences you can do
here at Disney. Yes, So how about if I put
you on the spot here.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
Okay, I'm I've got one of mine, but I'm thinking
it's an extra, so we added it on. We like
to do a resort day when we visit. Okay, and
my husband's a huge fisherman.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
Okay, so what does that mean? You go visit a
resort day on our rest day.
Speaker 4 (26:12):
It's our break day, so we don't go to the parks.
Speaker 5 (26:15):
We usually stay in our resort, enjoy the pools. I
like to take advantage of the magic outside of the
theme parks, and I'll do you know, a character dining experience.
That way, they're still beating their favorite characters, but we're
not like, Okay, we have lightning Lane, let's go. We
get to really live in that moment. So on our
break day, we'll do something like that.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Enjoy the pool.
Speaker 5 (26:37):
This our most recent trip we did. It's called an
enchanting extra, and so we booked it. My husband's a
huge fisherman, and I.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Don't you know, I don't really care for it, but
he loves it. Oh no, and we're fishing at my
favorite place. Yes, I will go join you.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
So we did it to our excursion and we had
a guided tour where he was helping us you know
load I I don't even know the right language.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Yes, we were fishing outside of Magic Ingom.
Speaker 5 (27:04):
Cinderella Castle was you know, in our background, and my
whole family got to fish. We all had our poll
and our guide was able to you know, help us
set up our lines and our hooks and we got
to you know, step back and take a picture. Something
that he enjoyed doing, my husband in the place that
I enjoyed doing.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
So it really brought our family together.
Speaker 5 (27:24):
And I think like looking into those extras, even if
you're not in a theme park, you know, you want
to just enjoy the resorts.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
Something like that to add on is a great option.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
There are so many options for me.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
So I'm a fireworks girl, Like that's probably my top thing,
Disney fireworks. Like there was this meme that was going
around a while back where you come to Disney watch
the fireworks and then.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
Like you go to your hometown Fourth of July and
you're just.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
Like, oh, that was Catey for effort.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Thanks Nicky.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Where's sanchized? Like you know soundtrack?
Speaker 3 (27:58):
No, But so there is is a fireworks cruise that
you can take and there's two options. You can either
do the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, so Happily ever After
or maybe the holiday ones, or you could do Epcot fireworks.
And this little pontoon that fits about ten people up
to ten puts you right in the middle of it,
and they pipe in the music and so you can
(28:19):
have a little private party on the water and watch
magic and cry like I do or not.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
But I cry and it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
But that's like a celebration for like a special birthday,
an engagement.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Oh my gosh, are you kidding?
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Well? I did see at the park yesterday a lot
of people walking around with like either just married shirts
or you know, they come here for their honeymoon. A
lot of people do yes, are you right? The engagements or.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Walking by the hub, which is the little central area
in Magic Kingdom and APPLAUSA rubs.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
You know, somebody just got proposed.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
So awesome. So has a lot of new attractions. Every
time I open up the app there's something there's like
new new. Because there's so many different resorts, there's something new.
What are some of the new exciting things that are
going on here.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
I'm excited about the stuff that's coming this summer so again,
I'm I'm a fireworks nighttime parade kind of stuff. We
have a new summertime and why am I drawing a
blank of the name we just talked about.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
This starlight Starlight, thank you. There's a giant sign outside.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
There's just so much new stuff, but I am so
My favorite growing up was the main Street Electrical Parade
and we miss it. But so there's a new one
coming and I am dying it's coming this summer, so Starlight,
we can't wait. There is a villain show that's coming
up that we are super soaked.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
You're a villains girl, right, I am. It's so much fun.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
Yes, Little Mermaid at Disney Hollywood Studios. The show that
used to be there is getting reimagined. So Little Murma
had classic We.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
All love her.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
Love that. What else?
Speaker 4 (30:03):
I think you covered it?
Speaker 5 (30:04):
And I think that, going back to our conversation earlier,
that's what makes us always come back, because every time
you come back, it's something different, something new to experience,
new memories to be alloyed, and yes, a.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Nighttime spectacular for you to enjoy.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
You're crying again, you know, I am?
Speaker 1 (30:19):
You know I'm a rides girl. Yeah, And I mentioned
earlier I was a Star Wars back. Oh my gosh.
Yesterday we were at Hollywood and I did I would
like do all of the Star Wars things a million times.
Speaker 5 (30:33):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
So we were talking earlier about how basically these Disney
parks bring all of our favorite movies to life, and
like with the Star Wars in particular, I got to
feel like I was Princess Leah and Mark Hamill and
I'm dating myself. I'm going to Star Wars, but you know,
you're doing the smugglers running the Millennium Falcon, walking.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
Up to the Millennium Falcon, like I grew up with
Star Wars, but I can't. I can't really call myself
a nerd. But I was like, are you joking right now?
It's like life size You're just like whoa. And then
you get to like pilot the thing. It's incredible.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
And Rise of the Resistance we were just thought it
yesterday and I've been on it a bunch of times,
and every.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Single time it's just incredible. You like you said, you're
sucked into the movie.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
You're sucked into the storyline and you notice these different details.
My mind explodes with what Disney can't accomplish with these attractions.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
It's incredible, all right, And I'm not. I mean, I
had one day I said, this is this is my
first trip trip to Disney. But I did have one
day a few months ago that we came in and
we and we went to Epcot and I did the
Guardians of the Galaxy. Oh man, that ride changed my life.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
What song did you get your so I got oh
my gosh, hanga. No, it was everybody wants.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
I did do Conga? Yes, because I wrote it three times.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
I still haven't gotten Conga. I love Everybody. I think
that was actually my favorite.
Speaker 3 (32:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
I mean, but to me, I've never experienced anything like
that on our right, It's.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
It is the most like smooth. It's unreal. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
Yeah, Because you were talking about feeling like you were,
you know, in the Star Wars ri ide, feeling like
you were flying the Millennium futons. With Guardians of the Galaxy,
you really feel like you're flying through outer space, and
that to me totally embodies the magic of Disney that
they can create. It's just crazy. They've also got a
(32:41):
lot of things we want to talk about the littles
because I know I've got a lot of moms and
dads who are probably, Okay, we got to we're going
to bring the kids. I have not experienced all the
little people things because my kids were older. So tell
me some of the really cool things little can do.
Speaker 5 (32:53):
So I've been bringing my kids since they were little,
Like I remember carrying my daughter in like a backpack carrier.
And and there's rider switch, which is great option for
families with littles because you know they don't meet the
height requirement just yet. So you know, mom, dad, grandma
and grandpa can go ride the ride. Well, someone hangs
back with your little and then the adults will get
(33:15):
the opportunity to swap, so the next person will stay
with the little and the other person will get to
go experience that attraction.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
And I think that's what makes it also so special,
is you.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
Remember the time where you brought your little and you
know they're not measuring up, and the second that they
they make that requirement, I mean we're like, yes, you
know that was this summer, first Disney milestone this summer
for my family and just my daughter. I remember her
like coming off shaking because it was like her first
roller coasters.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
But you did it. So it's just I mean there's
so many opportunities.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
Also, if you're traveling with little littles, there's the baby
care centers, so you know, if something happens they need
a change and you want a little bit quieter's place
or quiet place to nurse.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
You can go in an air conditioned pa oasis for mom.
And it's so you.
Speaker 5 (34:06):
Forget something, you run out of diapers, wipes, you forget,
there's like you can purchase.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
All that there.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Yeah, yeah, in La Park.
Speaker 5 (34:14):
It really alleviates the stress of oh, no I left
in the resort, we got to go back.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
You can just pop in there and.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Yeah, baby diapers, wives, it's super clean, air conditioned. Yeah,
it kind of it gives you often.
Speaker 5 (34:26):
Yeah, to keep that normal like routine for your children
if they need it. There's high chairs in there they
can eat and you know, just a little bit more
of a home atmosphere.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
So it's really great. So there are just so many things.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
So when I talk to parents, one of the things
that always comes up is nobody knows what age is
the appropriate age to bring your child. And I don't
mean appropriate like there's an inappropriate thing, but like how
old do they need to be for them to fully
enjoy it and take it all in? What do you suggest?
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Are you joking?
Speaker 3 (34:58):
Have you ever seen a little six month old meeting
Winnie the po It'll make you cry? Apparently I'm a
cry No, it's my favorite, and like seeing them like
reach out my kids is the brightest orange that you've
ever seen in your life.
Speaker 2 (35:14):
And these babies are just like their brains are exploding, like, oh,
he's here.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
It's the cartoon.
Speaker 3 (35:20):
R I am, however old I am, and my daughter
is a Mickey obsessed girly And every time you visit,
we have to go say hi to the boss and
I get excited. It's just like, so I really think
people will argue like, oh, they're too little, they won't remember. Honestly,
do you remember anything when you were three? I don't
remember anything, but are we you do you?
Speaker 2 (35:42):
As a parent.
Speaker 5 (35:43):
It's just like I remember crying the first time my
son walked up to Mickey. I was just like in
tears and I couldn't compose myself. Thankfully, Disney Disney Photo
Past did such a good job because I was like, no,
you you can and you want to be in the
moment and so purchasing that Memory Maker was one hundred
(36:04):
percent worth it because that PhotoPass photographer captured I mean,
the walk of ivery step the hug.
Speaker 4 (36:13):
I was like, oh my goodness. So he doesn't remember,
but I do.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
You've got to talk about memory Maker. I'm so glad
you brought that up. That is a lifesaver. You're so right.
I've had so many moments Mom gets to be in
the picture. So let's tell everybody what it is.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
So Memory Maker is something you can add onto the package.
It's an option. So we have photographers all throughout the parks,
the resorts, the water parks, everywhere, even Disney Springs sometimes
and they take amazing, high quality pictures of you.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
And it also includes ride pictures.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
So it's basically a package that you use that wherever
you see a Disney official photographer, you just get in line.
They take an amazing picture in front of all the icons.
But then also, like I said, the rides see attractions
and then you kind of see them in different spots.
They're there with the characters as well, so you can
be in the moment, Mom can be in the picture.
And so they take a bunch of pictures you tap
(37:07):
your magic band, you tap your magic mobile on your phone,
whatever you have linked to the account. They even give
you a card if you don't have any of those options,
which is fine. And then at the end of the
trip you can go back and you have all those memories.
Every single trip that I've been, I have this and
it's hundreds and hundreds of pictures and they're all good. Yeah,
like they're great quality. And again, like everybody's just kind
(37:27):
of in the moment. You're not worried about the cell phone.
You can do that too, but in their good quality.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
It's just I'm going to insert a couple of photos here.
This is me holding baby Groot. Yes, this is this
is when we all saw Donald Duck uh and oh
Tinkerbell flew into my hand.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Yes, yes, Sometimes that the add a little extra fixt
us and you don't know what you're gonna get until
you get home.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
And that's actually the kids love that, like, oh who
did we get in this?
Speaker 3 (37:56):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (37:57):
That's fun. Magic bands, we have to talk about this.
These these are magical. They will save your life. You
have to get a magic ban. They are a bazillion
different options. They are just as bad as the ears
I think there's more collectibles, right, yes, So let's talk
about the magic bands, where you get them, what.
Speaker 4 (38:17):
Do you do with it?
Speaker 3 (38:18):
Wearable technology. This is your keys to the Kingdom. This
is your wallet, this is your lightning lane. So anything
that is linked into your My Disney experience is going
to be linked here. You tap to enter the park,
you tap to pay for your food, you tap for
your you know, uh, lightning lanes, et cetera. And the
new ones interact with certain things around the parks and
(38:39):
the show. So you'll literally be watching fireworks and this
thing just starts buzzing.
Speaker 2 (38:43):
And turning on colors. So it's the whole experience.
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Yesterday, it happened on a ride and I thought it
because you know, with your with this watch, it'll like
buzz if I get a text or something. And I
was going there, oh oh.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
Yeah, it's telling you that there's something going on.
Speaker 4 (38:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
Even open to your hotel room.
Speaker 2 (39:01):
Yeah it's a key, it's your room key.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
Yeah, definitely, And that just kind of helps not have
to keep track of a laneyard with a card or whatever.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
It's just it's right there, it's happen go.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Yes, definitely, and it's waterproof.
Speaker 2 (39:12):
Too, and it's beautiful.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
Like when you have the packages that we were talking
about earlier. If you happen to add a dining plan,
that's another thing to kind of take off your list.
You show up, you're enjoying your meals that you pretty planned.
You pay with it, and you go, where's that money
coming from?
Speaker 2 (39:25):
We don't know. We don't ask questions of Disney. We
just have and go and have a great time.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
I know, all right, I'm gonna I gotta wrap up
here in a minute. But I got I struggle with
the ears. I want everyone that I see.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
So what you know?
Speaker 5 (39:39):
How do you know?
Speaker 1 (39:41):
How do you know what ears? You need to start
out with? Yes, just any.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
The answer is yes, you get them all.
Speaker 4 (39:49):
You're asking the wrong.
Speaker 3 (39:52):
I know.
Speaker 2 (39:52):
I yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
I saw a girl on TikTok earlier this week that
had taken frames and she put the empty frames on
the wall and then.
Speaker 2 (40:03):
She hung the holder.
Speaker 5 (40:08):
I mean, if it matches the elephant, yes, if it
fits the occasion, if it's holiday seasonal.
Speaker 3 (40:14):
Yes, you have to have a Christmas want Halloween one.
My daughter calls these the butter ones. I don't know
why do they look like butter I thought they looked
like spring I'm rocking butter.
Speaker 4 (40:24):
So the answers, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
So I felt a little peer pressure yesterday because I
was I was walking around the park and I did
not have anything Disney on.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
Well it's okay, okay, you know, no shame, but we
do not.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
But you'll see people they collect the bags.
Speaker 2 (40:44):
Yes, the flies. Yes, what do they call lounge flies?
That's the brand that makes them.
Speaker 3 (40:49):
Okay, yeah, and those are collectible, so there's people those
like actually hold the value.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
It's like a whole thing.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
There's a whole community where you can get lounge flies.
The lines are crazy pins.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
I saw people sitting around.
Speaker 3 (41:03):
With the other communities of things that you can kind
of like make it part of your Disney experience.
Speaker 2 (41:08):
And yeah, pin trading is a big one.
Speaker 1 (41:10):
So like because I did. I saw a girl she
had a book and there were people around her. We
didn't know what. I said, was she selling those?
Speaker 3 (41:15):
And they were like no, straight you trade them. And
they have like events where you come and you bring
all your pins. The super gool on the Yeah, you
can usually find and cast members will have members. Oh,
if you ever see a cast member, they'll usually have
a little board and a lanyard and you can go
in there and trade.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
That's a super fun thing for.
Speaker 4 (41:31):
Inst It's really fun. You may never get me out
of here, I know, I know for souvenirs.
Speaker 1 (41:39):
Let's run down the websites that everybody can go to
for help.
Speaker 3 (41:42):
So Disney just Disney dot com, Plan Disney dot com
for ours, and you can also find us on the
help tab. So if you're in the main website and
you look under help, you can also ask us questions there.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
We're on Instagram as well, Plan Disney.
Speaker 5 (41:58):
The Disney Parks had social media pages as well, and
you can I like to look at those before I plan.
So make sure you add those to your follow list
because that parks.
Speaker 3 (42:06):
Blog is an amazing one to follow because they are
going to be telling you all of the upcoming stuff
whenever tickets are starting to get sold for like the
special events, because those do sell out, so if somebody's
looking forward to make it's not so scary those actually
get announced coming up soon, right historically that I think. Okay,
So Disney Parks Blog, like you said, like the Disney Parks,
all the social media, all those.
Speaker 4 (42:29):
Official Disney parks is where you want to get most.
Speaker 1 (42:31):
Of p my Disney dot com I think is what
is that what it's called?
Speaker 2 (42:35):
I think if you just type in Disney dot com
it will pull up.
Speaker 3 (42:38):
But it's like Walt Disney World dot Disney dot go.
Maybe yeah, yeah, it'll but Google will help you out.
Speaker 1 (42:44):
Google will help you out this website right here, yeah,
on the caption. Also, I do want to hit on
the lightning lanes and why that's so important, because we
you have to book things in advance. Don't think you
can just get to the park and you can book
dining or you can book the experiences. You have to
book them in advance.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
It makes it easier.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
The yeah, slides will fill up.
Speaker 2 (43:07):
They do, they do.
Speaker 3 (43:08):
So planning is a key part to make your Disney
vacation as stress free as possible. And not to say
that you can't just show up and play. I do
it all the time as a local. I just show up,
I play, and it's still an amazing experience. But for
those must does so lightning lanes, if you're staying on
property at one of the Disney resorts seven days before
your check and date, you can start making those and
(43:29):
so the earlier the better, especially for those you know,
the Trons and the Guardians of the Galaxy. The Tiana
is like the newer attractions. You're gonna want to get
those as soon as possible. And then for people that
are staying off site three days before your arrival, so
another one of those perks of staying on property, you
get a little added you know benefit.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
Yeah, right, and then it's great because with the app
on your phone, it'll pop up and it'll go, oh,
you're you know, your ride's coming up, and then you
know to head to that part of the park and
it's great. So thank you guys so much for all
the tips.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 1 (44:02):
Having my next vacation now, yeah, you guys got to
go shopping with me.
Speaker 3 (44:09):
I'm on, let's go Disney Springs, biggest Disney store in
the world.
Speaker 2 (44:13):
Is it still?
Speaker 1 (44:14):
What's the deal with the McDonald's too.
Speaker 2 (44:16):
The one here, the solar powered ones is it's so
cool though?
Speaker 3 (44:19):
I can't Yeah, I think they have like bikes there
so that you can work off the fries that you
got and then it like powers the place.
Speaker 2 (44:25):
I might have to be making that.
Speaker 1 (44:28):
They are working out. I know.
Speaker 2 (44:30):
I'm sorry, I'm sty thousand.
Speaker 3 (44:34):
Steps you are, yes, no, they cancel out at Disney.
Speaker 2 (44:38):
No calories of Disney, plan your Disney vacation today
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