Kids Travel Tales | A Family Travel Podcast

Can you really throw a quinceañera on a Disney Cruise? 🚢 Lizzy from Mother Knows Best Travel joins us with her daughter Gabby to share how they planned an unforgettable quinceañera aboard the Disney Destiny for 52 family members and friends.

Plus, Lizzy shares what she’s learned after 26 Disney cruises—and what she’d do differently next time for a group celebration.

Would you take a 12-year-old to Disney World’s fanciest restaurant? 😳 Scott Carlson—the Disney Cruise Dad and co-owner of We Do Travel Right—did exactly that, treating his son to Victoria & Albert’s for an unforgettable father-son birthday dinner.

From A5 Wagyu and a behind-the-scenes kitchen visit to 25 Disney cruises and some hilarious Disney parenting fails, Scott shares what he’s learned about making Disney memories with his kids.

In this episode:

🍽️ What it was REALLY like taking a 12-year-old to Victoria & Albert’

🚢 Why Scott now prefers Disney Cruise Line over Disney Worl

👨‍👦 His favorite father-son Disney memories—and biggest parenting fail

✨ Why Disney dads should stop being “passenger princesses” and help plan the trip

Plus, Scott shares Disney Cruise tips, his favorite Disney World lounge, his least-favorite Disney ship and the Disney Dad shoes he refuses to give up.

Allie and Matthew of Happily Ever Taylor spent $4,500 on a Disney VIP Tour—so what exactly did they get for the money? 😳 Despite ride closures and unexpected hiccups, they tackled all four Disney World parks, rode 14 attractions and walked away with a VERY different opinion about whether a VIP Tour is actually worth the cost.

In this episode:
🎢 How they tackled four Disney World parks and 14 rides in one VIP Tour

💰 Whether their $4,500 VIP experience was actually worth it

🚪 The secret entrances, minimal waits and unexpected VIP perks

Plus, Disney travel expert Jamie McMahon breaks down Disney vs. Universal VIP Tours, pricing, ride strategy and what families should know before spending thousands on a VIP day.

TripTales podcast host Kelsey Graves boarded her first Disney Cruise expecting an easy, magical family vacation. Then Hurricane Milton arrived. 😱

Rough seas, motion sickness, a very sick kid and a closed Port Canaveral turned their four-night Disney Wish sailing into SIX nights—and left Kelsey wondering whether cruising is really for her.

In this episode:

🚢 What went wrong on Kelsey’s first Disney Cruise—and why her kids STILL loved it

🌴 Why an all-inclusive resort worked better for her family than cruising

🎄 Why Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party surprised her with tweens and teens

🎢 Disney World vs. Universal and Epic Universe as kids get older

Plus, Kelsey shares what she’s learned from 140+ TripTales episodes, including multigenerational Disney World travel, Beaches Turks & Caicos, family vacation planning and the destinations she thinks are overrated—and underrated.

Disney food looks amazing on social media…but does it actually live up to the hype? 😳 Travel planner Brittany Adams joins us to rank EPCOT’s four major food festivals—and reveals “the worst thing” she’s ever eaten at Disney World.

From Food & Wine to Flower & Garden, Festival of the Holidays and Festival of the Arts, we’re breaking down which EPCOT festival is actually worth planning a Disney vacation around—and when families might be better off skipping festival season altogether.

In this episode:

🍴 Which EPCOT festival Brittany would choose over ALL the others

😳 The hyped Disney food she says was a total disappointment

🎨 What makes Food & Wine, Festival of the Arts, Flower & Garden and Festival of the Holidays different

👨‍👩‍👧 When families should visit EPCOT for smaller crowds and shorter ride waits

Editor’s note: We recorded this episode before the passing of Dolly Parton. We’re sharing it today in celebration of the joy, generosity and unmistakable Tennessee spirit she brought to Dollywood. 💛

What makes Dollywood such a special place for families? Tennessee local and Disney travel expert Haley Ragsdale of Academy Travel joins us to share why Dolly Parton’s beloved theme park has earned a place alongside Disney and Universal for her family.

From Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread and surprisingly great rides to the beauty of fall in the Smoky Mountains, Haley shares what makes this corner of Tennessee worth experiencing—and why fall and Christmas can be especially magical times to visit.

After 20+ international flights with kids, Ceci thought she knew how to handle flying with toddlers—until one trip went so badly her husband asked, “Can we make an emergency landing?” 😳

The former airline employee and founder of NapNest joins Kids Travel Tales to share what she’s learned about surviving long-haul flights with babies and toddlers, including the sleep struggles that inspired her to invent her own travel product.

In this episode:

• ✈️ What really happened during their nightmare toddler flight
• 😴 How Ceci got her child to sleep for NINE hours on an airplane
• 🧳 What parents overpack—and her must-have international flight essentials
• 🌎 Jet lag, direct vs. connecting flights, bedtime routines, and a former airline employee’s airport tips

If you’re planning international family travel with a baby or toddler, this episode is packed with realistic tips for making long flights a little less chaotic.

Planning a Disney World holiday vacation? 🎄 Before you book Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or Disney Jollywood Nights, listen to this episode!

Disney travel planner Sammie Fay joins us to compare Disney World's two biggest holiday events, share her favorite Halloween and Christmas party traditions, and help families decide which special event is the best fit for their vacation. From exclusive characters and holiday treats to fireworks, entertainment, and budget-saving ticket strategies, we're covering everything parents need to know before visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays.

In this episode:

🎄 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party vs. Jollywood Nights—which is the better value?

🎃 What makes Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party so popular with families

🍪 The can't-miss holiday food, exclusive characters, and entertainment at Disney World

✨ Money-saving tips for Disney's separately ticketed holiday events and how to choose the right one for your family

Whether you're planning your first Disney Christmas vacation or deciding between Disney's Halloween and Christmas parties, this episode is packed with family travel tips to help you create magical holiday memories.

After the incredible response to our episode "Autism and Disney World: Tips from a Former Disney Princess," we're back with a special bonus conversation featuring travel fairy and former Disney princess, Dez, and autism advocate Dawn.

This time, we're exploring why Beaches Resorts has become one of the most recommended vacation destinations for families traveling with autistic children and those with sensory needs.

From autism-certified staff and sensory-friendly spaces to one-on-one buddy programs and Sesame Street's inclusive programming, this episode highlights how thoughtful accommodations can help make family vacations more relaxing—for kids and parents alike.

Disney World or Royal Caribbean—which vacation is the better fit for a young family?

Cruise content creator Sarah LeJeune joins us to share why her family keeps choosing Royal Caribbean for vacations with toddlers, what has made them loyal to the cruise line, but why they're seriously considering making the switch to MSC Cruises for future sailings.

Also in this episode:

👶 Toddler cruise hacks, nap schedules on vacations, packing tips, and managing toddler tantrums at sea

💰 Why older Royal Caribbean cruise ships can be one of the smartest values for young families