Is visiting Disney during the holidays actually worth it — or is it just crowds, chaos, and five-hour wait times?

🎄🏰 This week on Catch Us At The Castle, Steph and Ed break down what it's really like to visit Disney World and Disneyland between Thanksgiving and New Year's (without the holiday parties).

They talk holiday crowds, Lightning Lane strategy, the best times to go, and what to do when your favorite rides are totally out of reach. Plus, they share festive alternatives like gingerbread houses, resort hopping, Santa sightings, and whether they think Disneyland or Disney World is the better holiday bet.

If holiday Disney is on your wish list, this episode is all about planning smart, setting expectations, and deciding if the magic is worth the madness.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

0:00 – Why people want to visit Disney during the holidays.

1:14 – What this episode covers (and what it doesn't),

2:01 – Why holiday Disney really is more magical.

4:44 – How bad do holiday crowds actually get?

5:38 – Real wait times & what to expect for virtual queue rides.

7:17 – Lightning Lane strategy & planning pitfalls.

0:43 – What to do if you can't ride your must-dos.

13:30 – Is there a "slow" time during the holidays?

17:26 – Disneyland vs. Disney World at Christmas.

19:58 – Final verdict: is holiday Disney worth it?

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Planning your first trip to Tokyo Disney or plotting a return? Ed and Steph unpack everything they've learned from multiple visits to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea — where to stay, how the packages work, why popcorn is practically a sport, and whether this legendary destination can really be cheaper than a U.S. Disney trip. From fantasy-worthy hotels to fantasy-priced Chateau rooms, Fantasy Springs rides, and those iconic popcorn buckets, this is your starter guide to doing Tokyo Disney right.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Cold open: Snack chat, popcorn tongs, and a total brain freeze on Pascal's name

00:37 – Welcome back to the castle: Intro to the episode and today's focus on Tokyo Disney planning

01:15 – Why Tokyo Disney is its own beast: Distance from Tokyo proper, airport logistics & why staying close matters

02:30 – On-site icons: Tokyo Disneyland Hotel vs. Hotel MiraCosta, room themes, triple twin setups & fitting families in one room

05:00 – Monorail, "walk" hotels & paying to loop the bay: Toy Story Hotel, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, Ambassador & Celebration Hotel

06:40 – Early entry perks: Happy Entry details, which hotels qualify, and why Tokyo DisneySea access is more restricted

09:45 – The pain of booking Disney hotels in Japan: Website woes, late-night drops & popular package dates selling out

10:56 – Packages 101: What's included, Premier Access, paper vouchers, and why packages can be big value for overseas visitors

13:30 – Premier Access vs. U.S. Lightning Lanes: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Beauty and the Beast and how "unlimited" really works

16:00 – Dining inside the package: Pre-booking restaurants, how flexible reservations really are, and picking rides as part of the deal

17:45 – Food reality check: Why table-service is "fine but not fantastic," and how packages can over-lock you into sit-down meals

18:45 – Counter-service & the mall food court: Better options for noodles, sushi, fried rice and saving some yen

20:00 – Park overview: How Tokyo Disneyland compares to the U.S. parks vs. why Tokyo DisneySea feels like a whole different world

21:30 – Journey to the Center of the Earth & immersive theming: Steam, sound design, and forgetting you're in a Disney park

22:45 – Classic rides with a twist: Indiana Jones, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mystic Manor vibes and unique attractions

23:45 – Small World with Groot?! The Groot overlay that makes even Small World feel fresh again

25:00 – The popcorn obsession: Garlic shrimp, roast beef, scallop, chocolate lines, and why buttered popcorn is the hardest to find

26:45 – Popcorn tongs & etiquette: Mickey-hand tongs, cultural norms about walking and eating, and how Ed ate a lot of weird popcorn for friends

28:30 – How many days do you need? A one-day plan for Disneyland and why Ed calls DisneySea a "two-day" park

29:30 – Non-ride ways to explore DisneySea: Boats, trains, canoeing and just wandering through next-level theming

31:00 – Fantasy Springs land overview: How it fits into DisneySea and why it still feels like its own mini-gate

31:45 – Ranking the four new Fantasy Springs rides: Rapunzel's Lantern Festival (favorite) Peter Pan's Neverland Adventure Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey Tinker Bell's Busy Buggies (cute but skippable unless you've got little ones)

34:20 – Eating in Fantasy Springs: Snuggly Duckling, (probably) Lookout Cookout & using these spots as air-conditioned escapes

36:30 – Fantasy Springs Hotel review: Tangled rooms, limited dining, the eye-popping Chateau side & why it might be a "one and done"

38:45 – Popcorn buckets as a lifestyle: Baymax fandom, the wall of buckets, Rapunzel light-up bucket & why they're hard to pack home

41:00 – Is Tokyo Disney actually cheaper than U.S. parks? When it can be, when it isn't, and how packages, hotel choice and Fantasy Springs affect the bill

43:00 – Tokyo DisneySea as a top-tier park: Why so many fans (including Ed now) say it's their favorite park in the world

44:15 – Looking ahead: Dreaming about a future big-group trip and maybe, maybe a Chateau stay if Ed wins the lottery

44:45 – Wrap-up: Final thoughts and a reminder you can always catch us at the castle

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🎄 Episode Summary It's the most magical time of the year at Walt Disney World! Steph and Ed unwrap everything you need to know about Disney's holiday season — from Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights to the free festive fun at the resorts, Epcot, and Disney Springs. They share their favorite strategies for avoiding long lines, saving a little pixie dust (and cash), and soaking up all the holiday cheer — hot cocoa, snow on Main Street, Santa Jack, and all!

🕒 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

• 00:00 – Kicking off the holiday season at Disney World
• 01:15 – Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party overview and ticket tips
• 04:10 – What's included: treats, fireworks, parade, snow, and character meet & greets
• 06:10 – Steph's experience (and why she's still chasing that cookie-and-hot-chocolate moment!)
• 07:15 – Ride strategies for party nights, including Jingle Cruise and short standby waits
• 09:00 – How to prioritize: characters, parades, fireworks, or rides?
• 10:25 – Why late-night ride runs can make your ticket totally worth it
• 12:35 – The ideal Christmas party plan (Ed's and Steph's versions!)
• 14:50 – Parade-watching hacks and the best viewing spots beyond Main Street
• 17:00 – Surviving the end-of-night crowds and creative exit strategies
• 20:25 – Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios: fun idea or festive flop?
• 22:20 – What worked, what didn't, and whether Jollywood's worth the cost
• 23:45 – Free holiday fun: Epcot's Candlelight Processional and seasonal treats
• 25:10 – Disney Springs tree stroll, Santa meetups, and festive extras
• 26:55 – Resort hopping for holiday decorations (and where to grab a snack!)
• 28:20 – The legendary Grand Floridian gingerbread house — and its 2025 fate
• 31:10 – Steph and Ed's closing thoughts: how to plan a merry trip without overspending

✨ Key Takeaways Very Merry Christmas Party is pricey but magical — plan ahead, skip long treat lines, and hit rides during parades or fireworks. Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios is improving, but may not be must-do yet. Epcot's Candlelight Processional and resort-hopping make for festive (and free!) alternatives. Disney Springs offers great décor, the Christmas Tree Stroll, and easier Santa meetups.

Pro tip: Visit Magic Kingdom on a party day without a party ticket — you'll enjoy lower daytime crowds and can spend your evening resort-hopping for holiday magic.

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Ready to conquer every ride at Walt Disney World like a pro? Steph and Ed share their tried-and-true ride strategies for all four Disney World parks, from when to hit Magic Kingdom on a party day to how to squeeze the most value out of Lightning Lanes and virtual queues. Whether you're planning your first visit or your fiftieth, this episode is packed with insider timing tips, smart shortcuts, and even a few snack detours along the way.

🕒 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

00:00 – Why accurate crowd calendars are your best trip-planning tool

01:15 – Early Theme Park Entry vs. After Hours: What's worth it

02:40 – The pros and cons of staying at a Deluxe resort (and sneaky point-redemption options!)

04:10 – Magic Kingdom tips: early entry strategy, party-day hacks, and must-ride priorities

07:20 – Lightning Lane Multi Pass 101 — how to budget, stack, and modify reservations

10:00 – Which rides sell out fastest (and which to skip in early entry)

13:00 – Haunted Mansion, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and crowd shifts since Big Thunder's closure

15:20 – Epcot strategy: single-rider secrets, food-and-ride balance, and best entrances

20:25 – Hollywood Studios: rope-drop vs. Lightning Lane, and the best way to tackle Star Wars + Toy Story lands

27:35 – Why Toy Story Mania is easier to ride at Disney World than Disneyland

28:05 – Animal Kingdom in half a day: best rope-drop route, food favorites, and when to safari

33:40 – Hidden gem: paid nighttime safaris and after-hours park options

36:00 – Ed and Steph's hot takes on after-hours events, costs, and when they're worth it

37:23 – Wrap-up and listener Q&A invitation

✨ Key Takeaways Use crowd calendars and early/after-hours access to beat long lines. Lightning Lanes can be worth it, but plan which parks deserve your budget. Single-rider lines at Epcot and Hollywood Studios are big time-savers. Animal Kingdom + Epcot make a perfect same-day park-hop combo. Eat well, plan smart, and rope drop early — the castle (and the rides) await!

🎙️ Episode Summary In this powerful yet uplifting episode, Steph shares her harrowing journey of discovering — and living with — Valley Fever, a rare fungal illness that led to a collapsed lung while she was walking around Disneyland. From the first cough to surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Steph opens up about what she's learned, the misconceptions around the disease, and why awareness matters — all with humor and resilience. Ed helps unpack the story, adding context and questions (plus a few Disney tie-ins along the way).

🕒 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Catch Us At The Castle!

01:15 – Steph reveals her collapsed lung story from Disneyland

02:30 – Early symptoms and multiple misdiagnoses

05:00 – Learning what Valley Fever actually is — and how it's contracted

07:00 – Surprising stats about where Valley Fever exists in the U.S.

09:45 – When the "just pneumonia" diagnosis didn't add up

11:00 – Steph's determination to make it to Disneyland's Pride Night anyway

13:00 – The trip that changed everything: Mayo Clinic and the collapse confirmation

15:20 – Facing surgery and what doctors found inside Steph's lung

18:50 – Recovering and discovering new non-opioid pain options

22:45 – Steph's takeaways: how to advocate for yourself with doctors

25:20 – Living with Valley Fever long-term and finding hope

27:45 – Looking ahead: awareness, advocacy, and Disney dreams ahead

30:00 – Closing thoughts: Steph's return to the parks and Ed's reflections

✨ Key Takeaways

• Don't ignore a cough that lingers more than 3 weeks — especially if you live in or travel through the Southwest.
• Ask for a Valley Fever test (and re-test if symptoms persist).
• Advocate for your care — Steph's persistence likely saved her life. New testing and treatment options are emerging, thanks to research at Mayo Clinic.

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Thinking about your next Disney World trip but overwhelmed by all the hotel choices? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza break down the pros, cons, and hidden gems of staying on-site, off-site, or even with Disney Vacation Club. From $1,000-a-night deluxe resorts to budget-friendly rooms under $200, they share real-world tips, point-hacking strategies, and surprising ways to save.

You'll hear:

✨ Why the "Disney bubble" is real — and worth it

✨ The best value resorts (and which moderates to skip)

✨ Insider info on Swan & Dolphin, Good Neighbor hotels, and timeshares

✨ How Disney Vacation Club (DVC) stays can unlock deluxe perks at moderate prices

✨ What to watch out for with off-site "deals" that aren't really deals

Whether you're planning your first family trip or a repeat adults-only getaway, this episode will help you match your budget to the right resort — and avoid rookie mistakes along the way.

Key Moments

01:20 – Steph's coast-to-coast Disney challenge: all six parks in 24 hours

05:40 – Disneyland Halloween Time: 100+ new food items & seasonal churros

07:55 – Fireworks recap: last night of Wondrous vs. revamped Halloween Screams

08:40 – Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay & the real gingerbread house tradition

12:00 – Disney's tech win: how to reset your Magic Key for repeat surprises

12:50 – Over to Walt Disney World: Food & Wine Festival kicks off at Epcot

16:20 – Test Track's breathtaking revamp (and single rider vs. Lightning Lane strategy)

20:55 – Navigating Lightning Lane tiers: Frozen, Ratatouille, Test Track & Guardians

21:45 – Geo 82: Disney's first adults-only lounge (and Steph's pro tip for fireworks seating)

25:05 – Drink prices vs. experience: are the cocktails worth $20+?

28:20 – Beak and Barrel opens at Magic Kingdom: theming, interactivity & must-try mocktails

31:15 – 45-minute seating limit explained (and why it might loosen over time)

33:20 – Pirate theming, animatronics & hidden Easter eggs inside Beak and Barrell

35:20 – Starlight Parade debut at Magic Kingdom — why Steph loved it

37:15 – Wrap-up: working from Disney, listener feedback, and what's next

👋 Connect with us:

Follow Steph on Instagram: @stephparkside

Follow Ed on social: @pizzainmotion 🎧 Love the show? Don't miss future episodes of Catch Us at the Castle.

👉 Follow, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Planning a trip to Disneyland and wondering how to beat the crowds? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza share their tried-and-true strategies for maximizing ride time, avoiding long waits, and making the most of every magical minute in the parks. From rope drop secrets to smart use of Lightning Lanes, they'll help you navigate Disneyland like a pro.

You'll hear: ✨ The key differences between Disneyland and Disney World ride planning ✨ Why rope dropping is essential (and which rides to prioritize first) ✨ Hidden benefits of single rider lines and rider swaps for families ✨ Smart Lightning Lane strategies (and why you can't book in advance) ✨ How to avoid peak crowds with a surprising school calendar trick

Key Moments 00:45 – How Disneyland ride planning differs from Disney World 03:20 – Why you must rope drop (and which rides to target) 07:05 – Using single rider lines at Matterhorn, Millennium Falcon & Space Mountain 10:42 – Rider swap explained for families with little ones 13:15 – Lightning Lane strategy: what to book first after scanning in 17:30 – The Fantasyland rope drop trick: Peter Pan, Mr. Toad & Pinocchio in rapid succession 22:05 – Why Arizona & Utah school breaks make Disneyland extra crowded 25:10 – Touring Plans app tips to minimize wait times 28:40 – How to adjust strategy during peak vs. low-crowd times 32:15 – Final takeaways: rope drop, flexibility, and smart planning win the day

👋 Connect with us: Follow Steph on Instagram: @stephparkside Follow Ed on social: @pizzainmotion

🎧 Love the show? Don't miss future episodes of Catch Us at the Castle. 👉 Follow, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts.

Thinking about your next Disney World trip but overwhelmed by all the hotel choices? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza break down the pros, cons, and hidden gems of staying on-site, off-site, or even with Disney Vacation Club. From $1,000-a-night deluxe resorts to budget-friendly rooms under $200, they share real-world tips, point-hacking strategies, and surprising ways to save.

You'll hear:

✨ Why the "Disney bubble" is real — and worth it

✨ The best value resorts (and which moderates to skip)

✨ Insider info on Swan & Dolphin, Good Neighbor hotels, and timeshares

✨ How Disney Vacation Club (DVC) stays can unlock deluxe perks at moderate prices

✨ What to watch out for with off-site "deals" that aren't really deals

Whether you're planning your first family trip or a repeat adults-only getaway, this episode will help you match your budget to the right resort — and avoid rookie mistakes along the way.

🎙️Show Summary What makes or breaks a Disney trip?

In this episode of Catch Us at the Castle, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza share the essentials they never head to Disneyland or Disney World without!

Gear, snacks, apps, and little tricks that keep the magic running smoothly. From weather apps and loungefly must-haves to ponchos, cooling fans, comfy shoes, and yes, the all-important Dole Whip, their lists reveal the smart packing strategies and quirky routines that make every park day easier, happier, and more magical.

✨ Episode Show Notes

In this episode of Catch Us at the Castle:

• Why the right battery pack can save your Disney day (and the ongoing fuel rod debate).
• The weather apps that actually help you plan your park strategy. Ponchos vs. rain jackets vs. heated vests—gearing up for Florida storms and chilly California nights.
• Tools that keep wait times (and stress) under control.
• The case for comfy shoes and our favorite brands
• Packing light without sacrificing style.
• Hydration hacks

Ways to beat the Florida and California heat Park treats that make the trip feel complete

👉 Subscribe to Catch Us at the Castle for more insider tips, trip-planning tricks, and Disney park stories that make every visit unforgettable.

🎙️ Show Summary Disneyland vs. Disney World: which castle reigns supreme? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza go head-to-head on their favorite things about each park—from snacks and rides to history and theming. Along the way, they trade surprises, poke fun at each other's picks (yes, churros are worth fighting for), and dig into what makes each coast magical in its own way. Whether you're a devoted Disneyland regular or a Disney World diehard, you'll find plenty to nod along with—and maybe a few reasons to switch sides.

✨ Episode Show Notes In this episode of Catch Us at the Castle: Why Disneyland feels special as "the park where Walt walked" and how its compact size makes park hopping effortless.

The case for Disneyland churros (and why Disney World needs to step it up).

Quick service vs. table service: how the food game differs coast to coast.

Preserving Disney history—how Disneyland balances nostalgia with new attractions better than its bigger sibling.

Web Slingers and other experiences you'll only find at Disneyland.

Transportation talk: multiple airports, easy walking distance hotels, and why Anaheim is simpler than Orlando. Security differences that might change how you experience each park.

At Disney World: the sheer scale—four parks, water parks, Disney Springs, and endless non-park activities. Figment, festivals, popcorn creations, and the surprisingly good fine dining at Disney World.

Fireworks strategy: why you can stroll up last-minute in Orlando but need hours of patience in Anaheim.

And yes… why one of these parks has protesters outside and the other doesn't. Plus: Surprising picks from both Steph and Ed's lists.

The little details that make or break a Disney trip. Listener challenge: where do you stand on churros, castles, and coast-to-coast comparisons?

👉 Subscribe to Catch Us at the Castle for more insider Disney park debates, trip hacks, and stories that make the magic even better.