Walt Disney World is heading into a major transition year with a lot of construction happening, and 2026 is shaping up to change how families plan their trips.

In this episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad Podcast, we break down everything we know so far about what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2026 and what it actually means for real families. From Bluey and Bingo arriving at Animal Kingdom to major changes at Hollywood Studios, ride refurbishments, character moves, and festival dates, there’s a lot happening that could impact when you go and how you plan.

We also talk candidly about spring break crowds, traveling with babies, and how upcoming closures like Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster and Frozen Ever After could affect your 2026 vacation if you’re not paying attention.

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip in 2026, or even thinking about it, this episode will help you avoid surprises and make smarter planning decisions.

🎧 Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome back and life updates

🏰 Need Help Planning a Disney Trip?

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line or Universal Orlando vacation in 2026 and want expert help, I’m a travel agent and my services are 100% free.

☕ Enjoy the Show? Support the Podcast

If this episode helped you and you want to support the work we do, you can buy me a coffee or leave a tip to support future episodes and content.

📩 Got a Question?

Send in your listener questions and we may answer them on a future episode.

If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip for the 2025 holiday season, this episode answers the most common listener questions we are getting right now. Matt and Chip break down the newest changes at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, how to plan park days around Christmas parties, whether MultiPass is still worth it during holiday hours, the best free Christmas activities for families, what crowds look like the week between Christmas and New Years, and how to prepare for Florida’s unpredictable winter weather.

If you want real, practical advice from two dads who do this every week, this is the episode to watch.

In today’s episode, you will learn:

What Disney removed, what the new packages include, and whether the experience is still worth it for girl dads in 2026.

How to plan around Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights, which days have the lowest wait times, and how to avoid the biggest holiday mistakes.

What that price spike really means for families and the future of line skipping in the parks.

Why wait times are out of control, why Express Pass is becoming essential, and the simple mistake that ruins most first time visits.

Resort decorations, gingerbread houses, the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, and how to meet Santa without a park ticket.

The temperature swings that surprise most families, what to pack, and the simple trick that prevents an emergency trip to Disney Springs for clothes.

Holiday crowds, MultiPass during party days, Christmas week warnings, and more.

If you want real, practical, family centered Disney and Universal planning advice without the gimmicks, this is your episode.

Chapters

01:05 What changed at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in 2026

04:20 Is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique still worth it

09:00 Disney Cruise Line updates and discounts

12:45 Epic Universe warning Should families visit without Express Pass

15:55 Why is Premier Pass selling out Is it worth the price

20:40 Listener Question How to plan park days during Christmas party season

24:50 Listener Question Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party vs Jollywood Nights

28:55 Listener Question The best free holiday activities at Disney

34:20 Listener Question Is Christmas week really that crowded

38:35 Listener Question How to handle Florida winter weather swings

42:20 Final thoughts and trip planning tips

Helpful Links

Get a free Disney or Universal vacation quote!

Your trip deserves expert planning and it costs you nothing.

➡️ https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

Read the latest Disney planning guides

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Join the newsletter for weekly tips and deals

➡️ https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation is exciting, but it is also way easier to get wrong than most families realize. After helping hundreds of families plan their trips, I see the same seven mistakes over and over, and they lead to stress, meltdowns, exhaustion, and a vacation that feels more like a survival mission than actual fun.

In this episode, I break down the 7 rookie mistakes most first-timers make at Walt Disney World and show you exactly how to avoid them so your trip is smoother, happier, and actually feels like a vacation.

You’ll learn:

📩 Get a free vacation quote: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

Plan smart, not perfect — and I’ll see you in the parks!

Ranking every Walt Disney World resort hotel — from the best deluxe resorts to the ones we’d only stay at for a discount. In this episode, Matt and Chip debate and break down every Disney World resort using real experience as dads, travelers, and Disney fans.

If you’ve ever wondered which Disney resort is actually worth the money, this tier list covers it all — transportation, dining, pools, theming, and value for families. Before you book your next trip, find out which resorts made the Elite Tier and which ones we’d avoid (even if the price looks tempting).

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 Intro: How we ranked every Disney resort

 Resources & Free Planning Help

Plan your Walt Disney World vacation with Adventures of a Disney Dad — free tools, honest rankings, and expert tips for families.

The Adventures of a Disney Dad Podcast is back, and this week I’m joined by my friend and returning guest, Matt Richardson, one of the most passionate voices in the Disney running community. We’re diving into everything you need to know before your first runDisney race weekend, including the early mornings, the corrals, the famous Balloon Ladies, and all the details that make these races different from anything else out there.

Whether you’re considering signing up, or actively getting ready for Wine & Dine, Princess Half Marathon, Marathon Weekend, or Springtime Surprise, this episode will help you feel prepared, confident, and excited for race day.

🎧 In This Episode:

⏱ Chapters:

01:00 – What makes runDisney races unique

06:00 – Why racing keeps runners motivated

08:30 – What makes the runDisney community so inclusive

10:30 – The Balloon Ladies explained (and how not to get swept)

13:00 – Navigating corrals, proof of time, and pacing tips

17:30 – Character photos vs race time: how to balance both

20:30 – Early morning race logistics (yes, 2:30 a.m. wake-ups!)

25:00 – Avoiding social media fear-mongering before your race

27:30 – Fueling and pre-race breakfast strategies

30:30 – When to arrive for race weekend and expo tips

38:00 – Which race weekend is best for first-timers

44:30 – The value of charity bibs and fundraising tips

46:00 – Best Disney resorts to stay at for race weekend

📎 Show Notes & Links:

🎽 Follow Matt Richardson on social:

https://www.instagram.com/mattrichardson

https://www.tiktok.com/@matthungryagain

💙 Support Matt’s Boys & Girls Club charity run: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2025bgccfdisneywinedine/account/2159671/

🏰 Plan your next runDisney trip with me — my travel services are 100% free: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

📧 Join my newsletter for Disney race tips, park planning, and family vacation advice: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com

🔗 Read: 6 Tips to Avoid the runDisney Balloon Ladies: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/rundisney/rundisney-balloon-ladies

#runDisney #DisneyWorld #DisneyRunning #DisneyMarathon #WineAndDineHalfMarathon #PrincessHalfMarathon #MarathonWeekend #SpringtimeSurprise #AdventuresOfADisneyDad

I planned our first Disney World trip the wrong way and learned the hard lessons so you don’t have to. In this episode I share 6 things I wish I knew before our first Walt Disney World vacation with little kids so you can save time, avoid stress, and have a smoother trip.

What you’ll learn:

00:50 Dining Reservations: Not the End of the World

02:49 Rope Drop: Not Mandatory for Everyone

04:47 Transportation Woes: Plan Ahead

08:08 Disney Discounts: Keep an Eye Out

10:04 Choosing the Right Resort: It Matters

12:39 Embrace Disney Technology: Save Time and Stress

I’m Matt, a Disney dad of three and a travel agent who plans trips for families every week. These are the exact tips I give my clients.

Walt Disney World Key Date Calculator: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/walt-disney-world-key-date-calculator

Free weekly tips: Join my newsletter for park strategies, booking reminders, and family-first advice → www.adventuresofadisneydad.com

Work with me: Ready for help planning your trip? Get a free quote →https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

Disney World is expensive, but not everything is worth the money. In this video, I share 9 Disney World extras that are always worth the splurge. From fireworks dessert parties and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to Savi’s Workshop and VIP tours, these are the upgrades my family has tried and loved at Walt Disney World.

You’ll learn what each experience costs, what’s included, and why it may (or may not) be right for your trip.

👇 Helpful Links

📖 More Disney planning tips: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com

Read more: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/walt-disney-world/disney-world-experiences-actually-worth-the-money

📝 Free Disney World vacation quote: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

👍 Like this video, subscribe, and share your favorite Disney splurge in the comments!

In this episode, Chip and Matt are joined by special guest Hallie Jones to answer your listener questions!

We discuss the pros and cons of Disney resorts like Pop Century vs. Coronado Springs, to offering expert tips on Multi Pass.

We also dive into topics such as the best viewing spots for Magic Kingdom fireworks outside the park, common mistakes to avoid at Magic Kingdom, and much more.

01:50 Discussing Disney's Announcements and Future Plans

05:08 Tron Aries Overlay and Upcoming Trips

08:28 Which Parks to Visit on Which Days

15:01 Split Stays Between Universal and Disney

22:07 Best Spots to View Magic Kingdom Fireworks

25:42 Pop Century vs. Coronado Springs

33:28 Common Mistakes at Magic Kingdom

38:45 When to Consider Park Hopper Tickets

43:48 Top Multi Pass Selections at Epcot

48:56 How Much Time Do You Spend on Your Phone at Disney?

Newsletter and Freebie: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com

Plan your next trip with me (free)

👉 https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

Connect with Hallie: https://www.instagram.com/itallstartedwithamouse138

Animal Kingdom in one day with kids. Exact plan with rope drop strategy, Lightning Lane Multipass picks, must see shows, best character meets, can’t miss food, hidden trails, and how to handle evenings. It’s not just a zoo and not just a place for thrill rides. We show how to balance Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safari at rope drop with a chill, animal forward day that still hits the headliners.

01:00 Skip park or half day debate with kids

Plan your next trip with me (free): https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

This week we are sharing how to save money and time at Walt Disney World with 10 Disney World things to skip! I sat down with Disney Content Creator, Jay, to discuss some popular dining, parties, add-ons and strategies that we think are NOT worth the time or money.

00:24 Meet Jay: Disney Content Creator

01:28 Resort Reviews: Contemporary vs. Boardwalk

03:13 Dining at Disney: Steakhouse 71 and More

04:11 Jay's Disney Content Journey

09:44 10 Things Not Worth Your Time or Money at Disney

21:05 Is Park Hopper Worth It for First Timers?

22:19 The Pitfalls of Overplanning Your Disney Vacation

23:24 The Importance of Flexibility in Your Disney Schedule

25:56 Saving Money on Disney Resort Views

28:21 The Downside of Too Many Table Service Restaurants

30:19 Avoiding Long Waits for Peter Pan's Flight

32:05 The Hassle of Booking Dining at Other Resorts

34:48 Skipping Water Rides to Stay Dry

36:53 The Fantasmic Dining Package Debate

📱 Connect with Jay! • Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/king.jayscorner

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kingjay9

📌 Planning a Disney vacation? Let’s work together: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote