We’re back with an “early edition” of Going Beyond the Castle, and Ashley just returned from the Most Magical Place on Earth! In this episode we break down a very real WDW week with little ones—what worked, what didn’t, and the magical surprises in between.

What we cover:

Resort & Arrival: All-Star Sports (Baseball section), pool time wins, monorail loop, and a near-miss Trader Sam’s wait

Water Park Reality: Typhoon Lagoon fun → Florida downpour exit

Hollywood Studios: Rise of the Resistance (hello, mystery drop), Woody’s Lunch Box tachos, Star Tours’ Ahsoka sequence, Oga’s Cantina, Villains summer fun, and why Droid Depot is now easy walk-in

EPCOT: Guardians (skipped for motion sickness), new Test Track experience, Kidcot, Remy’s, Regal Eagle s’mores bar, Via Napoli pizza window thoughts

Animal Kingdom: Rope-drop Flight of Passage (kid-approved!), Everest honesty hour, Festival of the Lion King participation, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Flame Tree BBQ

Rest-Day Strategy: pools, Skyliner resorts, Beaches & Cream celebration shake, and letting kids recharge

Parenting in the Parks: managing expectations, naps, and celebrating the small moments (like playing football in the All-Star “stadium”)

What should we cover next—Disney Adults (magic isn’t just for kids), Overrated vs. Underrated Attractions, or The Art of the Rest Day? Tell us!