In this special Halloween edition of The Running Wine Mom, Samantha brings listeners right into Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Cabins to chat with her four-year-old daughter Willow.
Together they relive meeting the Mandalorian, riding Haunted Mansion, trick-or-treating down Main Street U.S.A., and debating whether Mickey sleeps on the castle roof.

Beyond the laughs and lollipops, Samantha reflects on how slowing down to see Disney through a child’s eyes reminds parents that the real magic isn’t in the candy bags — it’s in connection, curiosity, and being present.

🏰 Episode Highlights

• Willow’s “Tiana meets Slinky Dog” ride concept
• Meeting the Mandalorian (“He’s my favorite!”)
• Candy-corn dinners and Fort Wilderness bunk-bed life
• The question every parent needs: Are we chasing perfection or presence?
• Samantha’s mindful-mom reflections from the trip

💬 Favorite Quotes

“She gave me a whole big bag — it’s super heavy!” – Willow“Kids don’t need perfect plans; they just need you in the moment.” – Samantha

🧺 Mentioned & Linked in This Episode

• 🏕️ Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins

• 🎃 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

• 👻 Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom

• 🐸 Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

• 🎧 Listen to The Running Wine Mom Podcast

📸 Behind the Scenes

Catch video clips and photos from this episode:

• Instagram → @TheRunningWineMom

• TikTok → @TheRunningWineMom

• YouTube → The Running Wine Mom Podcast Channel

🪄 Takeaway Message

Trick-or-treating at Disney isn’t just about collecting candy — it’s about collecting connection. Every ride, every laugh, every sticky hand reminds us that childhood is fleeting, and presence is the sweetest souvenir.

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