Moms Behind the Magic

Free things to do at Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom fireworks from Disney resorts, the Electrical Water Pageant, Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long at Fort Wilderness, Movies Under the Stars, Skyliner and Monorail rides, resort hopping, and the BoardWalk at night. Stretch your fun without stretching your Disney World budget!

In this More Magic episode, Disney travel agent moms Aly and Becki share the no-extra-cost experiences behind some of their families' biggest Disney memories, perfect for arrival days, rest days, and resort-only trips.

In this episode:
✨ Where to watch the fireworks outside the parks, with the music piped in
✨ Why the Electrical Water Pageant deserves a second look
✨ The nightly character experience at Fort Wilderness most guests never find
✨ How to turn the Skyliner, Monorail, and Disney boats into attractions of their own
✨ The resorts worth hopping to, from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Art of Animation
✨ What happens on the BoardWalk after dark, and what Disney Springs offers for free
✨ The Disney Springs parking "hack" you should NOT try
✨ Pool parties, scavenger hunts, celebration buttons, and the freebie Becki swears by
✨ An included perk coming back in summer 2027
✨ Our favorite free thing at Disney World of all

Co-Hosts: Aly and Becki
Edited: Stacy Walker

Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram

BABYQUIP
BabyQuip.com/p/magic10 Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC10 to get Aly off every $50 spent!

GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! Shop here at MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com

MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - @‌getawaywithAly on Instagram
Becki - @‌soundslikeanadventure on Instagram
Karla - @‌magicmomma_travels on Instagram
Katie - Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers on Facebook
Stacy - Disney Planning Made Simple - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

#MoreMagic #FreeDisney #DisneyBudget #DisneyResorts #DisneyWorld #DisneyPlanning #DisneyTravelAgent

Disney's All-Star Resorts deep dive: Are Walt Disney World's value resorts the best way to stay on site for less? Aly and Stacy break down All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports so your family can decide if an affordable Disney World hotel is right for your next trip.

Two Disney travel agent moms share the real pros and cons of the All-Star Resorts: theming, rooms, buses, pools, dining, and the hidden perks most families don't know about.

In this episode:
✨ Every themed section, from Toy Story and 101 Dalmatians to the football field and the giant jukebox
✨ Can you request a specific section? (And how to boost your chances)
✨ Standard vs. preferred: the most worth-it upgrade at Disney World?
✨ The All-Star Music Family Suite that sleeps six
✨ The dining perk you can ONLY get at the All-Stars
✨ Bus tips, stroller hacks, and Aly's legendary armadillo chase
✨ A guitar pool? A baseball diamond pool? Which is best for your kids?
✨ The connecting-room strategy for families of five or more
✨ All-Star trivia showdown!

Co-Hosts: Aly & Stacy
Edited: Stacy Walker

Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram

BABYQUIP
BabyQuip.com/p/magic10 Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC10 to get $10 off every $50 spent!

GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! Shop here at MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com

MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - @‌getawaywithAly on Instagram
Becki - @‌soundslikeanadventure on Instagram
Karla - @‌magicmomma_travels on Instagram
Katie - Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers on Facebook
Stacy - Disney Planning Made Simple - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

#DisneyWorld #DisneyAllStarResorts #AllStarMovies #AllStarMusic #AllStarSports #DisneyValueResorts #DisneyPlanning #DisneyTravelAgent

The best Disney World additions of the 21st century, ranked! From Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and the Disney Skyliner to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tron Lightcycle Run, and Avatar Flight of Passage, Stacy counts down her Top 21 Walt Disney World game-changers since 2000 and Aly reacts to every pick.

It's a More Magic episode! Two Disney travel agent moms, one ranked list, and 26 years of Disney World history to argue about. Will Aly agree with Stacy's #1?

In this episode:
✨ Why two things that don't even exist anymore made the list (and which one Aly never got to experience)
✨ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique vs. Tron: which one really changed Disney World more?
✨ Epcot's turnaround: Soarin', Frozen Ever After, and Space 220 Restaurant
✨ Captain Jack Sparrow joins Pirates of the Caribbean, and Aly isn't convinced of his ranking
✨ The value resort that made the Top 10 (and why big families love it)
✨ Animal Kingdom Lodge, Expedition Everest, and the Pandora pick that had to represent the whole land
✨ Happily Ever After at #5? Aly has thoughts
✨ The Disney Dining Plan, Disney's Magical Express, and the conveniences we miss most
✨ The Top 3 reveal, sweaty palms, and the #1 pick that left Stacy terrified
✨ What we left off, and what you think we got wrong

Co-Hosts: Aly & Stacy
Edited: Stacy Walker

Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram

BABYQUIP
BabyQuip.com/p/magic10 Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC10 to get $10 off every $50 spent!

GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! Shop here at MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com

MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - @getawaywithAly on Instagram
Becki - @soundslikeanadventure on Instagram
Karla - @magicmomma_travels on Instagram
Katie - Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers on Facebook
Stacy - Disney Planning Made Simple - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

#DisneyWorld #DisneyPlanning #DisneyTravelAgent #DisneyRankings #WaltDisneyWorldHistory #MoreMagic #DisneyPodcast

Rest Day Draft

Every Disney World vacation needs a rest day, but that doesn't mean it has to be the forgettable one! Aly, Stacy, and Becki draft the best ways to spend a no-park-ticket day: resort pools, resort activities, resort dining, Disney Springs restaurants and activities, lounges, and a wild card. Plus, Stacy shares some big moving news, we all commiserate about that travel agent hold music, and the lightning round asks the big questions: stay in the bubble or leave? Pool or spa? Laundry or ignore it?

Who drafted the best rest day? Come vote in our Facebook community! And stay until the very end for bloopers (Aly may or may not have frozen...).

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Stacy Walker, Becki
Edited: Stacy Walker
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram

BABYQUIP
BabyQuip.com/p/magic10 Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC10 to get $10 off every $50 spent!

GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! Shop here at MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com

MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - @getawaywithAly on Instagram
Becki - @soundslikeanadventure on Instagram
Karla - @magicmomma_travels on Instagram
Katie - Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers on Facebook
Stacy - Disney Planning Made Simple - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

Ep 52: Disney Believe Predictions & Reveals - What We Got Right (and Wrong!)

Aly and Becki put their Disney Cruise Line predictions on the record the day before Disney revealed the Disney Believe, then sat back down right after the big announcement to see how they did! Hear their best guesses, every reveal, and their honest, immediate reactions to DCL’s newest ship.

In this episode:

• How the Wish-class ships share one layout but get brand-new theming, and the teaser-video clues we used to make our guesses

• Our predictions for the lounges, the theaters, the kids’ club, and the big question: what’s the new dinner show?

• Sailing date and home port: the Believe debuts December 18, 2027 out of Fort Lauderdale (plus a travel-agent reminder that inaugural deposits are non-refundable!)

• Meet the storytellers, Hugo and Beatrice, and the stunning Moana-themed Great Hall with Grandma Tala’s stingray and the Heart of Te Fiti chandelier

• Café Kakamora and Big Hero Sips

• The Wishing Well Snow White lounge (we called it!) and Sea Notes, the Little Mermaid piano bar

• Monsters, Inc. at the Oceaneers Club, Joyful Sweets, and the Zootopia-themed Gazelles adult space

• That two-story, Magic Kingdom-themed Tower Suite we’re manifesting

• Our “prove it to me” list: Haunted Mansion Parlor again, Skygazers pub (not the Snuggly Duckling!), and Oaken’s Table

• Tangled with enhanced effects and the world-premiere Encanto stage show

• Booking tips: general bookings open October 19, with earlier windows for Castaway Club and DVC members, so reach out to your travel agent!

MORE MAGIC Episodes are quick visits with your Moms Behind the Magic to bring you a little bit MORE to your week!

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Becki Smedley
Edited: Stacy Walker

Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram

GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! Shop here at MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com

MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - @‌getawaywithAly on Instagram
Becki - @‌soundslikeanadventure on Instagram
Karla - @‌magicmomma_travels on Instagram
Katie - Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers on Facebook
Stacy - Disney Planning Made Simple - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

Ep 51: Winners vs Winners – The Ultimate Disney World Quick Service Awards

It's the grand finale of our quick service series! After crowning winners park by park across Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, every park champion now goes head-to-head for the title of best quick service in all of Walt Disney World. We spin the wheel, argue (a lot), and hand out the final crowns.

THE FINAL AWARDS

• Best Overall Quick Service: La Cantina de San Angel (EPCOT), with Docking Bay 7 a very close second

• Best Theming: Satu'li Canteen (Animal Kingdom), after a heated blue noodles vs. Woody's Lunchbox showdown

• Best Value Meal: Regal Eagle Smokehouse (EPCOT)

• Best Sit-Down Spot: Connections Eatery (EPCOT)

• Best Fresh Food: Harambe Fruit Market (Animal Kingdom)

• Best Meal That Feels Like a Snack: Ronto Roasters (Hollywood Studios)

• Meal Worth the Wait: Les Halles Boulangerie-Pâtisserie (EPCOT)

Final tally: EPCOT 4, Animal Kingdom 2, Hollywood Studios 1, and Magic Kingdom… zero. Plus our honorable mentions for the restaurants that deserved a shout-out, including Woody's Lunchbox and Docking Bay 7.

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

• Florida love bug season, red worm season, and closing up the pool for bonfire weather

• The great elementary school recorder debate

• A lightning round of Kiss, Crown, Curse that gets personal (hockey puck burgers, a "dead mall food court," and a Pop-Tart betrayal)

Do you agree with our picks? Come tell us in the Facebook group!

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Katie Boone, Karla Steward
Edited: Stacy Walker

⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community⁠⁠
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠

FRIENDS LIKE ME
Doing Disney Deluxe Style
⁠⁠Family Vacations with Kayla: Disney, Universal, Cruises, Hawaii & More⁠⁠

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

BABYQUIP
⁠⁠https://www.babyquip.com/⁠⁠ Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC10 to get $10 off every $50 spent!

GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! ⁠⁠Shop here⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com⁠⁠

MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop⁠⁠ Shop for MERCH HERE!

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - ⁠⁠@‌getawaywithAly⁠⁠ on Instagram
Becki - ⁠⁠@‌soundslikeanadventure⁠⁠ on Instagram
Karla - ⁠⁠@‌magicmomma_travels⁠⁠- on Instagram
Katie - ⁠⁠Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers⁠⁠ on Facebook
Stacy - ⁠⁠Disney Planning Made Simple⁠⁠ - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Katie Boone, Karla Steward
Edited: Stacy Walker
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community⁠⁠
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠
FRIENDS LIKE ME
Doing Disney Deluxe Style
⁠⁠Family Vacations with Kayla: Disney, Universal, Cruises, Hawaii & More⁠⁠
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

Episode 50: Disney's Lakeshore Lodge – Book Now or Wait?

It's a monumental day, MMs! Bookings for Disney's Lakeshore Lodge, the first brand-new Walt Disney World resort since Riviera, are officially open to the general public after two days of early access for DVC members and Annual Passholders. Aly and Stacy drop in for a quick More Magic chat on everything we know so far and the big question: should you book now or wait?

In this episode:

• The basics: a Disney Vacation Club resort on Bay Lake between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, opening July 1, 2027, bookable with DVC points or as a regular room or package

• Nature-meets-animation theming inspired by Pocahontas, Bambi, Brother Bear, Encanto and Fantasia

• Room options from deluxe studios to Grand Villas, the Hidden Willow Presidential Suite, and bucket-list waterfront Lake Houses

• The Artist's Nest, a club-level lounge coming to a DVC resort

• Lakeshore Lagoon, a lazy river, and that treehouse waterslide

• Dining and lounges: Moonglade, Bay Lake Provisions, Paint Out Point Bar & Grill, and Dandelion Terrace with Magic Kingdom fireworks views

• Who should book now, who might wait, and why a low refundable deposit makes it easy to hold your spot

• Lakeshore Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge: two very different vibes

Want to leave your family's imprint on a piece of Disney history? Reach out to your Moms Behind the Magic travel agent to grab your spot in Lakeshore Lodge's inaugural year!

MORE MAGIC Episodes are quick visits with your Moms Behind the Magic to bring you a little bit MORE to your week!

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Stacy Walker
Edited: Stacy Walker

Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram

GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! Shop here at MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com

MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - @‌getawaywithAly on Instagram
Becki - @‌soundslikeanadventure on Instagram
Karla - @‌magicmomma_travels on Instagram
Katie - Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers on Facebook
Stacy - Disney Planning Made Simple - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

Episode 49: Port Orleans Deep Dive

Grab a Mickey beignet! Aly and Stacy are diving deep into Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside, two sister moderate resorts at Walt Disney World with totally different personalities. French Quarter brings wrought iron, Mardi Gras color, and lively fun. Riverside brings the laid-back, scenic charm of the bayou. Aly shares how her family fell in love with Disney at Dixie Landings (now Riverside), and Stacy explains why she stays at Riverside but heads to French Quarter for the fun.

In this episode:

• Resort history (which one opened first might surprise you!)

• Becki's lobby fun facts, Hidden Mickeys, and Princess and the Frog nods

• Mardi Gras at French Quarter, including the decorated golf cart parade

• Transportation: Sassagoula River boats to Disney Springs (not the parks!) plus bus stop pro tips for big resorts

• Room types: standard, preferred, king, 5th sleeper, and the Royal Guest Rooms

• Dining: Boatwright's, Riverside Mill, Sassagoula Floatworks, Scat Cat's Club, River Roost with Yeehaw Bob, the pool bars, and the new boiled peanuts

• Pools: Ol' Man Island's sawmill slide vs. Doubloon Lagoon's sea serpent, plus one of the best splash pads on property

• Unique extras: carriage rides, fishing excursions, boat and bike rentals, and the scenic walk between resorts

• Port Orleans trivia to test your knowledge

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Stacy Walker
Edited: Stacy Walker
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community⁠⁠
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠
FRIENDS LIKE ME
Doing Disney Deluxe Style
⁠⁠Family Vacations with Kayla: Disney, Universal, Cruises, Hawaii & More⁠⁠
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

BABYQUIP
⁠⁠https://www.babyquip.com/⁠⁠ Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC to get $30 off an order of $150 or more!
GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! ⁠⁠Shop here⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com⁠⁠
MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop⁠⁠ Shop for MERCH HERE!
We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - ⁠⁠@‌getawaywithAly⁠⁠ on Instagram
Becki - ⁠⁠@‌soundslikeanadventure⁠⁠ on Instagram
Karla - ⁠⁠@‌magicmomma_travels⁠⁠- on Instagram
Katie - ⁠⁠Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers⁠⁠ on Facebook
Stacy - ⁠⁠Disney Planning Made Simple⁠⁠ - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

Breastfeeding or pumping and wondering if a Disney trip is even possible? It is! Aly and Stacy welcome our very first guest, Tamari Jacob, lactation specialist, mom of four, and founder of One With the Pump, to walk through exactly how to nurse or pump at Walt Disney World without letting it take over your vacation.

In this episode:

• You can nurse anywhere in the parks - yes, even on it's a small world!

• The Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center (next to Crystal Palace) and why Tamari calls it the gold standard: private recliners, outlets, A/C, and supplies for purchase

• Every park has a Baby Care Center - find them ahead of time in the My Disney Experience app

• What to pack: a primary pump, an optional wearable, and a cooler bag or breast milk thermos

• Keeping pump parts cold so you can reuse them throughout the day

• Why you should pump right before heading into the park, and why staying on property makes this so much easier

• Timing pump breaks around lunch or while the family rides something you'd skip (hello, Carousel of Progress!)

• Enjoying a drink on a moms' trip, flying home with your milk through TSA, and asking your resort about freezer space

• Freeze-dried breast milk and portable bottle warmers

• Stacy and Aly share their own stories, from the 90s to twins, plus a baby-focused Lightning Lane round with Tamari

Our magic word for this episode: POSSIBLE.

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Stacy Walker
Edited: Stacy Walker
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community⁠⁠
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠
Special Guest: Tamari Jacob - OneWithThePump.com
DISCOUNT CODE: MAGIC
Breastfeeding & Pumping at Disney World - Blog Post at OneWithThePump.com
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

BABYQUIP
⁠⁠https://www.babyquip.com/⁠⁠ Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC to get $30 off an order of $150 or more!
GUIDES
Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! ⁠⁠Shop here⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com⁠⁠
MERCH
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop⁠⁠ Shop for MERCH HERE!
We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:
Aly - ⁠⁠@‌getawaywithAly⁠⁠ on Instagram
Becki - ⁠⁠@‌soundslikeanadventure⁠⁠ on Instagram
Karla - ⁠⁠@‌magicmomma_travels⁠⁠- on Instagram
Katie - ⁠⁠Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers⁠⁠ on Facebook
Stacy - ⁠⁠Disney Planning Made Simple⁠⁠ - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.

Disney planning, vacation tips, resort strategies, transportation, family travel, Disney tips, travel planning, Disney resorts, park strategies, travel hacks Disney planning, Disney tips, travel strategies, Lightning Lane, packing tips, Disney weather, park transportation, dining reservations

Bashful: Your Disney Questions Answered

In this episode of Moms Behind the Magic, Aly, Becki, and Karla answer listener questions that Disney fans may be too bashful to ask. From favorite resorts and cruise ships to budgeting, accessibility, family dynamics, and working with a travel agent, this mailbag episode is packed with honest advice and strong opinions. The hosts discuss:

• Why first-time cruisers may not need to overthink which Disney ship they choose—and what matters more to experienced cruisers.

• Favorite Disney resorts, including Grand Floridian, BoardWalk, Polynesian, Yacht and Beach Club, and how the best choice depends on your family, travel season, and priorities.

• Restaurants, snacks, and attractions they still have not tried, with spirited debates about Via Napoli, Chef Art Smith’s, Summer House on the Lake, Gideon’s cookies, Mickey bars, Figment, and more.

• Rookie mistakes like overpacking, skipping rest breaks, arriving too late for rope drop, and taking complicated transportation routes without checking the plan.

• Disney pin trading basics, including how to identify official pins and why it can be a fun, affordable activity for kids.

• Size inclusivity and accessibility, with tips for checking ride fit and speaking with cast members before waiting in line.

• Planning for families with different ages, energy levels, ride priorities, and expectations.

• Traveling with a spouse who is not a Disney fan, including splitting up when needed and choosing resorts or experiences they will enjoy.

• Advice for solo parents and grandparents traveling with kids, from restroom logistics to ride requirements and asking cast members for help.

• Disney budgeting, including often-overlooked costs like snacks, souvenirs, and Lightning Lane purchases.

• When staying on property may be worth the convenience, how to approach hard-to-find rooms, and what to consider before joining Disney Vacation Club.

• How travel agents are paid, communicating your budget, when another agent may be a better fit, and how bounce-back offers work.

• The behind-the-scenes team that helps keep the podcast and its community running.

The episode closes with a conversation about Disney destinations beyond the parks, including Vero Beach, Hilton Head, and Aulani. Most importantly, the hosts remind listeners that questions are always welcome—and there is no wrong way to plan a magical vacation

Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Becki Smedley, Karla Steward

Edited: Stacy Walker

⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Facebook Community⁠⁠

⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠

FRIENDS LIKE ME

Doing Disney Deluxe Style

⁠⁠Family Vacations with Kayla: Disney, Universal, Cruises, Hawaii & More⁠⁠

PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!

BABYQUIP

⁠⁠https://www.babyquip.com/⁠⁠ Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC to get $30 off an order of $150 or more!

GUIDES

Moms Behind the Magic Podcast GUIDES! ⁠⁠Shop here⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠MomsBehindtheMagicPodcast.com⁠⁠

MERCH

NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!

⁠⁠Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop⁠⁠ Shop for MERCH HERE!

We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts:

Aly - ⁠⁠@‌getawaywithAly⁠⁠ on Instagram

Becki - ⁠⁠@‌soundslikeanadventure⁠⁠ on Instagram

Karla - ⁠⁠@‌magicmomma_travels⁠⁠- on Instagram

Katie - ⁠⁠Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers⁠⁠ on Facebook

Stacy - ⁠⁠Disney Planning Made Simple⁠⁠ - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook

Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.