Behind the Plans

Behind the Plans

By TouringPlans- Chrissy Harrison, Amy SchinnerSociety & CulturePlaces & Travel
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Behind the Plans episodes

  • Len had a BIG DAY! New DAS update! Jollywood vs MVMCP- and what's new!

    Len joins Chrissy and Amy to talk about his big day! Thank you to all the amazing friends who joined us for Len's walk down Main Street, USA, in a suit with Josh D'Amaro's face all over it. 

    We all had an amazing day, unless you were working the Spring Roll cart or at Sunshine Terrace (we ordered a lot!!) Thank you again to everyone who was able to join us or reach out - Len felt the love, we felt the love, it was a great day!!

    If you are a Chaos Member, please send Chrissy your T-shirt size and mailing address. Even if you were there, we have stickers!!

    If you joined us and had your picture taken, please email a selfie to Chrissy.

    This week we discussed:

    • TouringPlans News
      • Recap of Len's walk down Main Street
      • Hallmark Watch Party: November 7th
      • Lightning Lane video coming soon! Everything you need to know about Lightning Lanes with Len.
      • What's New at the Christmas parties! Including a DAS update that won't make anyone angry!
      • Debate- Which party is better? Jollywood or MVMCP?

        • Are you team Jollywood or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party? Let us know in the comments!!

        If you're interested in being a patron of our show, please visit http://[email protected]/behindtheplans

        Thank you! Be Kind and Make Good Choices!

        48 min
      • Club Level Menu Changes create FEELINGS, Lightning Lane Tips, Did Christmas Come Late??

        Chrissy, Amy, and sometimes Len take you behind the scenes of TouringPlans. This podcast shines a light on TouringPlans, how we operate, and the crazy personality of our Slack group! More importantly, we cover the latest Disney Parks and Universal Studios Orlando news, travel tips, and so much more!

        This week we cover TouringPlans News, Club Level Menu Changes- and the feelings are LARGE, Lightning Lane Tips, Christmas Came Late - and other Christmas date expectations.

        On November 7th, we're gathering at Magic Kingdom when Len walks down Main Street USA in a suit with Josh D'Amaro's face on it. On November 28th, we will tune in to the Hallmark movie set in Magic Kingdom with a LIVE Watch Party on our YouTube channel. Len, Chrissy, and Amy will be joined by Jim Hill of the Disney Dish! Our Behind the Plans Patrons have a lot of fun! Exclusive Len content, free fun, and an exclusive live Q&A with Len twice a year (ask him anything- it does not have to be Disney!) To join our Club, visit our Patron Program page http://patron.podbean.com/behindtheplans

         

        New Sponsor!

        Mystery Box Warehouse- Greensboro NC

        $5 off $20 admission with the code: may There Always Be Space in Your Mind

        Exclusive access to Disney Merch!

        https://share.google/ph1XAqMx6INXxlI5r


        Lightning Lane link - https://touringplans.com/blog/new-custom-lightning-lane-grace-period-for-touring-plans/

        Reservation Finder link- https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/reservation-finder

        Let's talk about it!

        Thanks Everyone! Be Kind and Make Good Choices!

        47 min
      • Reservation Finder and Characters Change it Up!

        Chrissy, Amy, and sometimes Len take you behind the scenes of TouringPlans. This podcast shines a light on TouringPlans, how we operate, and the crazy personality of our Slack group! More importantly, we cover the latest Disney Parks and Universal Studios Orlando news, travel tips, and so much more!

        This week we cover TouringPlans News, which right now is focused on Christmas and our events happening this November.

        • November 7th is a gathering at Magic Kingdom where Len will walk down Main Street USA dressed in a suit with Josh D'Amaro's Face on it. 
        • November 28th, we will tune into the Hallmark movie set in Magic Kingdom with a LIVE Watch Party on our YouTube channel. Len, Chrissy and Amy will be joined by Jim Hill of the Disney Dish!
        • Listener Feedback- What?? Someone agrees with us???

          • Our Behind the Plans Patrons have a lot of fun! Exclusive Len content, free fun, and an exclusive live Q&A with Len twice a year (ask him anything- does not have to be Disney!)

          To join our Club visit our Patron Program page http://patron.podbean.com/behindtheplans

          Reservation Finder

          The TouringPlans website has brought back a fan favorite! Chrissy explains the completely free Dining Reservation Finder.

          Characters Change-Up!

          Disney World has changed schedules, locations, and in some cases characters are not around at all anymore! 

          Let's talk about it!

          Thanks everyone! Be Kind and Make Good Choices!

           

          43 min
        • The one about AI- featuring Len Testa

          Len joins the chaos this week to talk about AI!

          But first, TouringPlans has a HUGE announcement! Followed by smaller save-the-date announcements. 

          Then, Len and Chrissy talk about the new AI tool on the Disney World website. Somehow, Chrissy is part of the Beta test- so of course they tried to break it!

           

          Have you seen Len's blog posts about the AI books and websites that help you plan your Disney vacation?? But they have maps that show lakes in front of the castles??? 

          Favorite line of the show: Ozempic Orcas! 

           

          Thank you to our amazing patrons! We look forward to spreading the love on November 7th, and if you can't make it, we will ship the love to you and, of course, share photos! 

          Visit http://[email protected]/behindtheplans for more information about our patron benefits!

          Thanks, everyone!

          52 min
        • The New Cost of a Disney Vacation, and Meaningful Ways to Stretch the Budget

          Chrissy, Amy, and sometimes Len keep you up to date on all the news and tips from Disney and Universal Parks to maximize your magic!

          This week we try to recover from the price increases at Disney World with some real costs and some tools and tips on how to make your budget stretch a little more. Including of course, the TouringPlans app, strategies, and our ticket finder, as well as lessons learned long ago (we're talking early 1980's!)

          The TouringPlans News is mostly about being ready for November!

          • If you are attending the Nov 7th gathering in the Magic Kingdom, please let us know your shirt size!
          • The Thanksgiving episode will be fun!!
          • Do you love a Hallmark Movie AND Disney? Join in on our watch party  with BINGO cards as we laugh and cry along with this years newest Hallmark Hit! November 28th - we'll share the link!

            • Be Kind and Make Good Choices!!

             

            Tags- Disney World, Disney Christmas, Thanksgiving, Disney tips, Disney Budgeting, podcast

             

             

            37 min
          • Too much news for a title!

            We had a very full week, an absolutely full show. And then we woke up and Disney added SO MUCH to our day!! 

             

            So this week is just news, news, news!

            • Price Increases- Chicken tenders are how much??
            • Universal Nights at Epic Universe! Great event, is it worth the price?
            • Cocktails AND great food at Magic Kingdom?? Do tell!
            • Epcot's Food & Wine Festival is completely open. Our opinions on the final four booths!

              • Are you enjoying the show? Would you love exclusive Len content and prizes? Please consider becoming a sponsor. Visit our patron page http://patron.podbean.com/behindthepage  

              Thankyou!!

              43 min
            • Testing Epcot's International Gateway with Kids!
              The TouringPlans podcast!
               
              Testing Epcot's International Gateway with kids!
              After a fabulous truffle fry challenge- you know we have to do Pizza!
              It's October! Time to start planning for Christmas!!!
               
              We love our patrons! And they get a special window into the TouringPlans craziness with exclusive Len Content and so much more! http://patron.podbean.com/beindtheplans
               
              Disney Planning, Epcot, Disney Christmas, DisneyParks, Walt Disney World
              59 min
            • New Food Booth, New Animation Building, and Sparkly Tiaras

              Chrissy and Amy talk about food scales at festival booths for an important project (with a real doctor ya'll!)

               

              The Festival Favorites Food Booth is now open at Epcot's Food and Wine Festival

              • First noticeable placement of a kraft food item
              • Good but not the best food
              • Collecting data for trashcantables.com
              • Located by Communicore Hall

                • Animation Building Now Open at Disney's Hollywood Studios

                • 4 attractions inside
                  • Once Upon a Studio- fun film celebrating animation. Most of us have seen it on a tv, but this theater has fun surprises.
                  • Drawn To Wonderland- A playspace with Mary Blair art celebrating Alice in Wonderland
                  • Off the Page- Charachter Meet and Greet- Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip and Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch
                  • Olaf Draws- An art lesson with Olaf and Disney Animators
                  • There are no posted Wait times, which also means no DAS 
                  • There is no bathroom in the building- must use the one outside.

                    • Bibbity Bobbity Boutique

                    Chrissy meant to say Tiana's Bayou Adventure, but Gigi is so old now that Splash Mountain was still a thing last time she was at BBB, so her mom heart said Splash Mountain... apologies.

                    • For ages 3-12
                    • Prices range from $59-$299 + extra accessories you know they will want!
                    • Takes about 90 minutes
                    • We discuss all the clothing options- especially for hot weather
                    • Creating Memories!

                      • Next week we dive into using AI to plan travel (Thank you, Andrea, for the idea that came in the day before Disney's big announcement!

                      We have thoughts, but we will run more tests this week...

                      Be Kind, and Make Good Choices!

                       

                      Sticker Photos for our sponsors will be up soon. We have to resize them and if you have heard the episode- it's late and I'm going to bed.- Amy

                       

                      All editing, converting, and posting is Amy (so if you have tips please share!)

                      46 min
                    • Behind the Plans- The Halloween Horror Nights Episode

                      Chrissy and Amy welcome their guest and fellow TouringPlans Team Member Joe Matt to the pod! 

                      Touring Plans News-

                      • Subscribers, be sure to check your Podbean app for your exclusive content!! (Apologies from Amy for saying sponsors instead of subscribers throughout that segment. Did we mention this episode highlights the ADD a bit)
                      • We have a big week coming with a new attraction at Hollywood Studios and new food booths at Food and Wine!

                        • Joe Matt is with us to discuss all things HHN! Joe is the TouringPlans Universal Expert! 

                        • Favorite Houses
                        • Stay and Scream/ Scream Early
                        • Deathly Afraid Necklaces and why the event is truly an adult scene.
                        • The new beverage obsession!

                          • Here's the link for the Unmasking the Horror Tour Joe talks about!

                          https://store.universalorlando.com/en/us/store/c/uo_ice_default_pb_extras/HHN_UNMASKING_ICE?config=true

                          Thanks Everyone!!

                           

                          48 min

                        About Behind the Plans

                        From the publisher's feed

                        Welcome to Behind the Plans, where Chrissy, Amy, and occasionally Len talk all things Disney Parks and Universal Orlando Resort.