Disney just dropped Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2026 details, and we are breaking it all down.

In this episode, we cover party dates, the Boo to You Halloween Parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, the brand new Stitch dance party in Tomorrowland, trick or treating tips, rare character meet and greets, and whether the party is worth the cost for families with young kids.

Whether you are planning your first Halloween party at Magic Kingdom or looking to level up your strategy, we are sharing the practical tips and real talk you need to make the most of your night.

If you haven't yet hit that follow button on your favorite podcast platform, what are you waiting for? Your follows and ratings help other Messy Bun Moms add a little more magic to their life without the chaos.

And don't forget, if you are looking for some help planning your magical vacation and want someone to take it off your to-do list, reach out and we are here to help. This is exactly what we do.

⁠Follow along, submit a question or send a quote request here.

Ever thought about staying at TWO Disney World resorts on one trip? It's called a split stay and once you know how to do it right, it's an absolute game changer for your Disney vacation.

We're breaking down everything: how split stays actually work, why we love them, and the real strategy behind choosing which two resorts make sense for YOUR family. We're talking transportation, dining plans, luggage transfer on switch day, and the honest cons nobody warns you about (toddler moms, this one's for you).

PLUS: we do a live split stay resort draft for three very different Disney families. A dad who didn't even want to come, a first-timer family in full princess era, and a party of four kids AND grandparents. We made our picks, now we want yours.

What we cover:

• What a Disney World split stay is and how reservations work
• Choosing resorts based on transportation and park access
• How to attach the dining plan to one or both reservations
• Club level perks and how to maximize switch day
• The luggage transfer process explained
• Who a split stay is actually right for
• Live resort draft for three real-life Disney family scenarios

Tell us your split stay picks over on Instagram and Facebook @MouseEarsAndMessyBuns!

And don't forget, if you are looking for some help planning your magical vacation and want someone to take it off your to-do list, reach out and we are here to help. This is exactly what we do.

Follow along, submit a question or send a quote request here.

Not every Disney deluxe resort needs to be steps from a park to be worth it and in this episode, we're breaking down four that prove exactly that.

We're diving into Animal Kingdom Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness; covering everything from transportation trade-offs and dining to pool vibes, room sizes, and who each resort is actually the right fit for.

If you've ever wanted your Disney vacation to feel like a real vacation, more space, a slower pace, and a home base you actually want to come back to, this episode is for you.

We cover:

• Why Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most immersive resorts on all of Disney property
• The honest truth about Saratoga Springs and when it actually makes sense to book it
• Why Old Key West might have the best room sizes on property
• What makes the Fort Wilderness Cabins feel like two vacations in one
• The real transportation trade-offs no one warns you about at these resorts

Plus we play a chill resort edition of This or That: savannah views vs. Magic Kingdom rope drop, anyone?

And as always, make sure you are following us over on Facebook or Instagram and if you have any listener questions you would like answered or work with either Kathleen or Meagan on your next magical vacation, you can find all the links here.

Don't forget to leave us a review!

Trying to figure out which Epcot area resort is right for YOUR family? We're breaking down all four Epcot area deluxe resorts: Disney's BoardWalk Inn, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and the Riviera Resort, so you can pick the right resort for you.

We're talking Storm Along Bay (and the slide situation nobody warns you about), the BoardWalk's nighttime entertainment, our (okay Meagan's) honest thoughts on Yacht Club hallways, and why one of us calls the Riviera her favorite resort on all of Disney property.

We cover:

• BoardWalk Inn pros, cons & that quick service problem
• Yacht Club vs Beach Club — what's actually different?
• Storm Along Bay: everything you need to know before you go
• Riviera Resort & why the Skyliner changes everything
• Walking distance to Epcot & Hollywood Studios explained
• The International Gateway entrance advantage for resort guests

Whether you're planning a girls' trip, a family vacation, or finally treating yourself to a Disney deluxe stay, this episode will help you find your perfect fit.

🎙️ New episodes drop weekly.

Follow Mouse Ears & Messy Buns so you never miss a magical minute. Submit your listener questions or send in your quote form if you want help building your next magical vacation.

2027 Walt Disney World vacation packages are officially open for booking and in this bonus episode, Meagan breaks down everything you need to know right now.

We're covering the brand new dining plan with additional table service credits, the 20% discount on dining plans for kids ages 3-9, and why booking your 2027 Walt Disney World vacation early is the smartest move you can make for your family.

We also walk you through exactly how flexible Disney vacation packages really are; including how to modify or cancel penalty-free, how to make payments on your own timeline, and what happens to your money if your plans change.

All it takes is a $200 deposit to get started. No stress. No risk. Just a plan that works.

Because Mom life is messy, but the magic can be well planned.

🔗 Ready to start planning with Kathleen or Meagan? Request your quote here

Mom life is messy, but the magic can be well planned and this week Meagan is back from her family trip to Disneyland with the full, unfiltered recap.

They cover everything a Disney World family needs to know before making the jump to Disneyland: the hotel comparison, the parks, the logistics, and the moments nobody warns you about.

On the hotel side, Meagan breaks down Pixar Place club level- stunning Pixar theming floor by floor, a concierge staff that delivered, and honest cons including the pool situation and the elevator nightmare on floor 14. Plus how club level at Disneyland actually compares to Disney World's version (temper those expectations).

In the parks, California Adventure stole the show: Avengers Campus, Guardians of the Galaxy, and a 4-year-old so starstruck meeting Spider-Man he forgot how to speak. They also get into why Disneyland's Lightning Lane system is so much simpler than Disney World's, whether Magic Bands are even worth packing, and how the lack of transportation logistics will completely rewire your morning routine.

Lessons learned include the time change nobody really accounts for, why strollers at Disneyland are a whole situation, and how many days you actually need to do this trip right.

Emryn, Meagan's 9-year-old, joins for the snack break, giving the trip a 9 out of 10, crowning her ride of the trip, and dropping her number one tip for first time Disneyland kid visitors.

If you're a Disney World family curious about Disneyland, or actively planning a California trip, this one will save you time, money, and at least one stroller meltdown.

🎧 Follow Mouse Ears and Messy Buns so you never miss an episode.

Find us on Instagram & Facebook for sneak peeks, behind the scenes, and a community of messy bun moms who want a little extra magic. And don't forget, if you are looking for help planning a magical trip of your own, you know where to find us.

Not all Deluxe Resorts are created equal and this week, we're breaking down the Magic Kingdom resort area with someone who has stayed at every single one.

We're joined by Natali Bohm, owner of Axis Travel Group and Disney World Annual Passholder, for an honest, no-fluff breakdown of the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge.

We cover the real pros and cons of each resort, who each one is actually best for, what the monorail access really means for your family's day, and the one resort Natali says gives you the best bang for your Deluxe dollar.

Plus... we're going Behind the Magic on Club Level. What is it, who should book it, and which lounge is actually worth the splurge?

Whether you're dreaming of a balcony fireworks view or just trying to figure out if Deluxe is even worth it for your family, this episode will help you stop second-guessing and start booking.

Don't forget to leave us your thoughts in the comments and follow along!

Because mom life is messy… but the magic can be well planned.

Follow along and join the community:

Instagram & Facebook: ⁠⁠Mouse Ears and Messy Buns⁠

Hang out with Natali Bohm!

⁠⁠Axis Travel Group⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok

Disney just dropped a summer savings offer exclusively for Disney+ Perks members and we are breaking it all down so you don't miss it.

We're talking rooms starting from $99 per night at All Star Sports all the way up to savanna view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge and yes that includes Cars Family Suites at Art of Animation and fifth sleeper rooms at Port Orleans Riverside.

This offer is valid most nights June 21 through August 15 and rooms are limited so this is not a sit on it kind of moment. There are some important booking details attached to this one that you need to know before you try to grab it, including specific procedures that if not followed correctly could get your reservation cancelled.

Kathleen and Meagan are both Disney travel advisors who know exactly how to book this offer the right way.

If you are looking for some well planned summer magic, we have a short quote form here. Mom to mom planning for real life.

As always, come join us over on Instagram or Facebook. We would love to hear your thoughts on episodes, topic requests or just join a community of moms who want a little extra magic in their life.

Trying to choose the right Disney World resort can feel overwhelming, especially when the moderate resorts sit right in the sweet spot between budget and deluxe.

In this episode of Mouse Ears & Messy Buns, we break down every Disney moderate resort at Walt Disney World so you can figure out which one is the best fit for your family.

We cover:
• Caribbean Beach Resort
• Coronado Springs Resort (including Gran Destino Tower)
• Port Orleans French Quarter
• Port Orleans Riverside
• The famous Royal Guest Rooms

We’re talking about the real pros and cons of each resort: from Skyliner access and transportation, to room sizes for families of five, best pools, walking distances, and which resorts are best for toddlers, adults, first-time Disney trips, and relaxing vacations.

You’ll also hear:
• Which moderate resort has the best pool
• The most relaxing Disney resort vibe
• Our picks for best bang for your buck
• Why Coronado Springs might be the most underrated Disney resort
• The truth about Caribbean Beach and those internal bus loops

If you're planning a Disney vacation and trying to decide between value, moderate, or deluxe resorts, this episode will help you understand why moderates are often the perfect balance of price and amenities.

Don't forget to leave us your thoughts in the comments!

Because mom life is messy… but the magic can be well planned.

Follow along and join the community:
Instagram & Facebook: Mouse Ears and Messy Buns

Trying to decide between Pop Century, Art of Animation, or the All-Star Resorts at Disney World?

In this episode of Mouse Ears and Messy Buns, we break down Disney World value resorts, who they’re best for, who they’re not for, and how to choose the right fit for your family. We talk Skyliner resorts, family suites, Disney theming, budget-friendly onsite stays, transportation, pools, and what families should really know before booking.

Come join us!

⁠Mouse Ears and Messy Buns