I had the opportunity to chat with Junell Dubois who launched a Disney inspired blog, Miss Adventures in Adulting just six months before recording this interview. Junell went from the corporate world to the blogging world…and she shares exactly how that transition went. Some of the questions we answer in this interview:

• How long did it take to start her blog?
• Can you learn how to blog if you do not have a technical background?
• How many posts did Junell have on her blog when she announced her blog?
• How did Junell launch her new blog?
• How does Junell make money from her blog?

Show Notes

• Junell and I both took this course to learn how to start a blog!
• If you use Pinterest, which I HIGHLY recommend, Tailwind is a lifesaver! << Save $15 by using this affiliate link!
  • Related: Click here to learn exactly why I love Pinterest so much
• Canva is an amazing free resource for creating graphics!

Junell's favorite Table Service and Quick Service restaurants

Table Service: Le Cellier

Quick Service:  Epcot Festival Food!  (But really excited about trying Woody's Lunch Box!)

Where to find Junell

Junell's blog: Miss Adventures in Adulting 

Follow Janine on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest

Join the Dispreneur Facebook group

Follow us on Instagram

I had the opportunity to chat with Jackie who opened a Disney inspired Etsy shop, So Minnie Ears, last year while homeschooling her son. Some of the questions we answer in this interview:

• How much time does Jackie spend on her business?
• What is the hardest part of her running her Etsy shop?
• What are Instagram Pods?
• What is DisneyBounding?

Jackie's favorite Table Service and Quick Service restaurants

Table Service: Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant

Quick Service:  Be Our Guest

Where to find Jackie

Jackie's Etsy shop

Follow Jackie on Instagram

I had the opportunity to chat with Janine Guerra who opened a Disney inspired Etsy shop, Craft Designs by J9, in 2017 with only two decals! Now, two years later, she has 476 5-star reviews and 2,302 sales. Some of the questions we answer in this interview:

• How Janine got started from hobby to Etsy shop
• What was the hardest part of starting her Disney business?
• How much inventory does Janine keep on hand?
• Can you run a Disney business just for fun?
• Can you own a Disney inspired business if you don't live near the parks?
• What would Janine do differently?
• How spending $1 per day has brought Janine sales

Janine's favorite Table Service and Quick Service restaurants

Table Service: Via Napoli

Quick Service:  Lotus Blossom Cafe and Sleepy Hollow

Where to find Janine

Janine's Etsy shop

Follow Janine on Instagram

I had the opportunity to chat with Conor Brown from WDW Opinion about a really great solo trip he took to Disney World. Some of the questions we answer in this interview:

• What is an Unpopular Disney Opinion?
• Why should you take a solo trip to Disney World?
• How can you eat at the most popular Disney restaurants as a solo traveler - WITHOUT an Advanced Dining Reservation?
• What rides in Disney World have a Single Rider Line?
• What would Conor do differently on his next solo trip?

Trip Dates: April 3 - 8

Travel Party: Most of this trip was a solo trip

Resort: AirBnB (Save $55 on your first stay!) & All Star Movies

Budget tip: You can rent a room at an AirBnb instead of the entire home. This is very budget-friendly, but it may push you outside your comfort zone! (Not recommended for your first solo trip.)

Pro Tip: Take the earliest flight possible! If you can get to the parks by noon, and you will almost be able to fit in a full extra day. (Note - this may work best for Annual Passholders.)

Show Notes

• Disney College Program

Restaurants Mentioned The Polite Pig Tune-In Lounge Jiko - The Cooking Place Favorite Quick Service: Satu'li Canteen  Favorite Table Service: Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' and Sanaa Review of Sanaa on WDW Opinion Where to find Conor

WDW Opinion Blog/Podcast/Live Show

Become an Opinioneer and join Conor's Facebook Group!

Follow WDW Opinion on Instagram

Hey there Dispreneurs! Today is the first of a very special series just for you. What is a Dispreneur? A Disney Entrepreneur - bloggers, makers, podcasters, social influencers...If this is you we invite you to join our brand new Facebook Group for Disney Entrepreneurs. If you join in July, you will be entered to win a year's subscription of The Photo Reserve!

Today Julienne, owner of a digital marketing agency, discusses her experience taking a class with the Disney Institute. If you are a business owner looking to learn from the best, then Disney Institute could be right for you.

We discuss the perks of taking a course with the Disney Institute, who are these classes for, what types of courses are offered and more. Since Julienne is also an Annual Passholder and Disney travel planner, we get into those details as well.

Show Notes Dispreneurs Facebook Group – Where raving Disney fans become thriving entrepreneurs Detour to Neverland episode Disney Institute

• Disney's Approach to Quality Service
• Women's Leadership Summit

Disney Annual Pass math – is it worth it?

Related: Episode 5: Vacation like a Disney Expert

How to save 5% on your Disney vacation

• Purchase Target gift cards with a REDcard

Julienne's Favorite Table Service and Quick Service Restaurants Table Service: Chef Mickey's Quick Service: Electric Umbrella Where to find Julienne Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

• Facebook group for entrepreneurs and mompreneurs
• juliennedesjardins.com

Planning a Disney vacation? Book with Julienne

• Email Julienne for a no pressure and no obligation quote

Follow Julienne on Instagram

Today's interview is with Shawna, who shares every detail about her family's first cruise. And not just first DISNEY cruise, but their first cruise of any kind! Now this family is no stranger to Disney vacations…they have been to Disneyland several times (because they live in Oregon and when you're so close it's too hard to pass up) and they vacationed in WDW once.

So…after this day-by-day review of their cruise on the Disney Dream…would they do it again? How does embarking on a cruise go as a first-timer? What was their experience on Nassau like? Or what about Castaway Cay?

We will answer all of these questions and more.

PLUS, Shawna and her family experience Walt Disney World in a fantastically unique way. By taking a STAYCATION in a Disney resort, complete with the Disney Dining Plan! She tells us all about it.

Trip Dates: February 24 – March 5 (Cruise February 25 – March 1)

Travel Party: Shawna, her husband, and her three kids (ages 10, 8, and 4)

Planning tools: Melissa @ timetogethervacations (travel agent), Pinterest, podcasts, Facebook Group (specific for their same cruise dates), YouTube

Stateroom: Deluxe Family Cabin with porthole

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – land in Orlando and drive to Port Canaveral

Day 2:  Embark on the Disney Dream

Day 3: Nassau

Day 4: Castaway Cay

Day 5: Sea day

Day 6: Disembarkation from the ship, drove to Walt Disney World, Disney Springs

Day 7: Pool day at Port Orleans Riverside

Day 8: Pool day at Port Orleans French Quarter

Day 9: Resort day and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

Day 10: Travel home

What should I pack for my Disney Vacation?

• Kindles for the kiddos
• Inflatable booster seats (Bubble Bum)
• A cardigan for the air conditioning!
• Sunscreen and aloe

Show Notes Pro Tip – after you board, if you would like to sit down and relax for lunch, head to Cabanas. Leave your bag at a table before you go through the buffet! Dining options on the ship Second seating for dinner – shows were at 6:00 pm or 6:15 pm, dinner is at 8:15 pm Nassau – Pro tip: stay on the ship!

Related: Episode 1: Insider Tips to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, & Disney Cruise Line from Travel Agent and Podcaster, Phil Gramlich

AquaDuck What's included in a Disney Cruise Youth Clubs Castaway Cay Castaway Cay 5k Pirate Night How to take a Walt Disney World Staycation – NO park days! Port Orleans Riverside Disney Dining Plan Maria and Enzo's Boma – Flavors of Africa BoardWalk Villas Ample Hills Creamery Disney's Beach Club Resort Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Pro tip: If you are planning a Land and Sea Disney vacation, plan the 'Land' portion first! It will take you time to get your land legs back. Follow Shawna's Disney adventures on Instagram

I had the opportunity to chat with Michael Arnold from A Castle A Dream and A Mouse (DIZCDM) about a really great trip he took to Disney World one-on-one with his nine-year-old son. Some of the questions we answer in this interview:

• Should you skip Epcot with young kids?
• Is Disney After Hours worth it?
• How to ride every ride in Hollywood Studios without waiting in any lines

Trip Dates: April 5 – 9

Travel Party: Michael and his nine-year-old son

Resort:  All Star Music

Itinerary

Day 1: Epcot and Hollywood Studios

Day 2: Animal Kingdom and Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios

Day 3: Magic Kingdom

Show Notes Parking rates at the Disney theme parks – $25/day for standard parking [5/27/2019] Minnie Van (Lyft) or Uber <– Save on your first ride! Dooney & Bourke Magicband Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Additional episodes discussing the Flower & Garden Festival: 

• Episode 15: Planning a special Disney World vacation with two boys (ages 8 and 10)

Extra Magic Hours Disney After Hours

*The Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom party was 10pm to 1am, we arrived at 5:30pm

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy The Royal Majesty Makers – The Sword in the Stone show What to pack in your Disney park bag?

• Extra socks
• Sunscreen
• Bottled water

Restaurants Mentioned Coral Reef Restaurant Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Resources Mentioned

An introduction to runDisney for beginners

Where to find Michael

Michael's blog: A Castle a Dream and a Mouse

Michael's Facebook group: Mouse Guests

Follow Michael on Instagram!

Calling all boy Moms (okay, all Moms really, but if you are a boy Mom this report will be extra special!) Lyndsey, who blogs at Boymoms Unite, walks us through her Disneyland vacation and shares genius Disneyland tips for Moms along the way. If you don't have kids, you will still find such great tips for planning your Disneyland vacation, but we do focus a lot of those kiddos. You will hear specifically about staying at the Disneyland Hotel, how to manage three kids with a large age gap, and the benefits of a multigenerational Disney vacation.

Trip Dates: February 27 - March 1

Travel Party: Lyndsey, her husband, her Mom, and her three boys (ages 8, 5, and 2)

Resort: Disneyland Hotel (we also mentioned Paradise Pier and Disney's Grand Californian)

Attractions Mentioned Indiana Jones Adventure (height requirement 46") Disneyland Railroad Autopia (height requirement 32") Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island Radiator Springs Racers (height requirement 40") Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Animation Academy Turtle Talk with Crush Incredicoaster (height requirement 48") Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! (height requirement 40") Fantasmic Show Notes Good neighbor hotels Baby Care Center Mobile Order

Disneyland makes it so easy to take your baby. So if you're feeling hesitant about that, don't be!

Restaurants Mentioned Red Rose Taverne Carnation Cafe Blue Bayou Galactic Grill In'N'Out Burger Resources Mentioned

Episode 10: Tips for a Disneyland Vacation (Plus Five Days in San Diego)

Where to find Lyndsey

Lyndsey's passion for all things boys and Disneyland is felt throughout this episode. You can find her blog at Boymoms Unite and specifically the Disneyland Guides we mentioned. 

If you are thinking of planning a Disneyland vacation, you can learn more here or reach out to Lyndsey directly at [email protected].

Make sure you follow Lyndsey on Instagram...especially if you are a Boymom looking to connect.

 

Today's trip report is from Jennifer, who visited Walt Disney World in February with her family. I knew as soon as I stopped recording that I would title this episode, "Why February is the Best Month to Visit Disney World." So we have our work cut out for us to prove that to you! It wasn't any one thing she says exactly…just the tone of her entire vacation.  If you are trying to decide which month to visit – make sure you listen to this episode and consider February!

Trip Dates: February 3 -9

Travel Party: Jennifer, her husband, their two kids (both age 6), Grandma and Grandpa, Jennifer's Aunt

Resort: Disney's BoardWalk Inn (two room suite)

Disney Dining Plan: No

Park Hopper: Yes

Planning Tools: Disney Food Blog (DFB on YouTube) and Zadd Crew Podcast

Show Notes

• Disney Vacation Club (DVC)
• International Gateway
• Festival of the Arts
• FastPass+ Tiers:  GREAT FastPass+ info 
• Jedi Training in Hollywood Studios

Restaurants Mentioned

• Poutine at The Refreshment Port in Epcot
• Chicken Guy
• Tusker House Restaurant
• Be Our Guest
• Casey's Corner
• Cheshire Cat Tails 
• Sci-Fine Dine In Theater Restaurant
• Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Kringla Bakeri
• Via Napoli
• Sunshine Seasons
• Chef Mickey's
• Kona Cafe

We are going to celebrate the holidays in Disney World – Christmas actually! The reason I held on to this one is because if you are planning a December vacation, planning is just ramping up for you! (Your 180 day window for dining reservations will be opening very soon!)

Christi and her family chose the Deluxe Dining plan for this vacation. We discuss all the ins and outs of the Deluxe plan…so if you are considering it, this is for you!

Trip dates: December 22 – 30

Resort: Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Travel party: Christi, her husband, her 13-year-old daughter, and her daughter's 13-year-old friend

Show Notes

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
• Crystal River – visit the manatees
• Disney Vacation Club – Disney's timeshare program
• Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
• Memory Maker
• Candlelight Processional Dining package
• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• Extra Magic Hours
• Flight of Passage ride vehicle

Restaurants mentioned:

• The BOATHOUSE Restaurant
  • Christi's husband HIGHLY recommends steak carpaccio!
• Cinderella's Royal Table
• Garden Grill
• Be Our Guest
• Biergarten Restaurant
• Sommerfest Jumbo Pretzel
• Sanaa
  • You MUST get the bread service! You won't regret it!
• Boma – Flavors of Africa
• Jiko – The Cooking Place
• Tusker House Restaurant
• Yak & Yeti Restaurant
• Trattoria al Forno
• 50's Prime Time Cafe
• Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen
• 'Ohana
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• The Mara

Resources Mentioned Food allergies in Walt Disney World How to prioritize hard-to-get dining and FastPasses!