Part 1 of our Valentine’s weekend recap at the Disneyland Resort starts with travel day: how everything unfolded getting there and how I prepped mentally and strategically for what ended up being a massive park day.

At one point, I thought I might need to complete 53 total attractions in a single 16-hour day across both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

I’m breaking down:

• How I structured the EveryRide strategy

• The ride order and pacing decisions

• What worked better than expected

• What derailed the entire plan

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to pull off EveryRide in one park day, this is the full behind-the-scenes recap. From the first attraction, to the final one. Did I walk away successful?

Give Kids the World Donation Link: give.gktw.org/SoarinAroundWDWPod

In Episode 2 of the Haunted Mansion portion of our Treasured Attraction series, we return to the gates of the esteemed mansion to explore what lies beneath the cobwebs and candlelight. This week, we dive into the most widely accepted combined legend of the attraction, piecing together generations of tragedy, curses, and ghostly residents. 

We break down the layered backstory of figures like Master Gracey, Constance Hatchaway, Madame Leota, and the Ghost Bride, and talk about why Disney has intentionally never given the Haunted Mansion a single definitive story. From Imagineer intent to evolving ride updates, we explore how the Mansion stays alive by changing with every generation, and every ride.

But the story doesn’t stop at the ride itself. We also step behind the scenes to discuss some of the most legendary Haunted Mansion experiences ever offered, including exclusive after-hours dinners inside the attraction, Club 33’s infamous Ghostly Retreat, large-scale Haunted Mansion galas, and rare backstage tours that revealed the secrets behind the Mansion’s most iconic illusions.

To round out the episode, we share some of our favorite Haunted Mansion Easter eggs to keep an eye out for on your next visit: from hidden wedding rings and cursed families to crypts packed with musical, literary, and Imagineer lore.

Sources:

https://yourmileagemayvary.com/2024/10/31/tbt-2002-when-we-had-dinner-inside-wdws-haunted-mansion/

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013/03/26/dining-in-disneyland-marc-davis-centennial-dinner-inside-the-haunted-mansion/

Link to Room for One More Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP_-QllQqu0&t=2s 

In this episode of Treasured Attractions, we begin our journey through one of Disney’s most iconic attractions: The Haunted Mansion.

Part One takes us back to the very beginning, exploring the long development of the attraction—from its earliest concepts in the 1950s to its opening at Disneyland in 1969 as the last attraction Walt Disney personally influenced. We discuss the many Imagineers who helped shape the Mansion, the creative balance between spooky and silly, and how those competing visions ultimately made the ride unforgettable.

We’ll also dive into the creation of the groundbreaking Omnimover ride system, the origins of classic characters like Madame Leota and the Ghost Host, and the opening of Walt Disney World’s version of the attraction.

This episode sets the foundation for our Haunted Mansion series, uncovering why this attraction has remained a fan favorite for generations.

So hop into your Doom Buggy and prepare to hurry back, there’s always room for one more.

Credit and shoutout to the Walt Disney Family Museum for a huge part of the history and background of this attraction used int his episode

In this episode, we’re officially kicking off our Valentine’s Weekend trip to Disneyland with a full pre-trip planning breakdown! We’re sharing how this unexpected West Coast trip came together thanks to a work conference, why we decided this would be a kid-free getaway, and how we made it all work financially while already having another Disney trip on the books.

We dive into travel logistics, including flights, off-property hotel choices, and navigating conference-discounted park tickets (plus what not to do if you ever go that route). We also break down our park ticket strategy, Lightning Lane decisions, and how modifying conference tickets turned into a much bigger process than expected.

This episode also sets the stage for a huge solo park day, as one of us prepares to attempt an EveryRide challenge at Disneyland Resort to raise money for Give Kids the World—a cause that’s incredibly close to our hearts. We talk about what the challenge involves, why we’re doing it, and how you can participate through donations and a giveaway.

We wrap up with an overview of our tentative daily plans for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, what we’re most excited to experience for the first time, and what content you can expect during and after the trip across the podcast, Instagram, Patreon, and YouTube.

Whether you’re planning a Valentine’s Day Disney trip, attending a conference at Disneyland, traveling without kids for the first time, or just love hearing how the Disney planning sausage gets made—this episode is for you.

✨🎡💖

GKTW Fundraising Link

https://give.gktw.org/fundraiser/6930377

Every Ride Attempt 2- Dec 2024

https://youtu.be/hS980Ya4Ico?si=sh33lPbTo7WD02Zg

Every Ride Attempt 1- Dec 2023

https://youtu.be/_nZQC5yT8Pc?si=KOYam4dHQrKZcMn7

Using our WED Wheel and listener polls, we set out to design a resort that feels like it has always belonged at Walt Disney World. One rooted in story, nostalgia, and thoughtful theming rather than characters on every wall.

Olivia pitches a Frontierland-inspired resort influenced by the lore of Big Thunder Mountain, blending subtle storytelling with outdoor adventure and family-friendly pricing. Meanwhile, Dad dreams up the ultimate Walt Disney World nostalgia resort, celebrating the park’s earliest years through archival photos, extinct attraction vehicles, and a lobby that feels like a living museum.

Along the way, we break down what defines a Disney moderate resort, discuss where these resorts could live on property, explore transportation options, room layouts, pools, dining, and recreation, and tackle how new development (like the upcoming Disney Lakeshore Lodge) could reshape the Bay Lake resort area.

We wrap things up with a Would You Rather question that gets to the heart of Disney storytelling: reimagining old attractions, bringing back the past, or creating something entirely new.

Would you stay at a resort like these? And what do you think Disney’s next moderate resort should be? Let us know and join the conversation.

We’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of a Disney Channel phenomenon that defined a generation: High School Musical. In this very special Nostalgic Nights episode, we revisit the movie that taught us it’s okay to want more than one dream, ask whether Sharpay Evans was actually the villain, and determine if “We’re All in This Together” still holds up two decades later.

For this watch-through, I finally made Madi sit down and experience High School Musical for the very first time (yes, really). We talk first impressions, early-2000s fashion whiplash, the realism of Troy’s sports-versus-theater dilemma, and whether this movie could ever be made the same way today. 

Plus, we dive into behind-the-scenes trivia, Zac Efron lore, soundtrack supremacy, and the cultural impact that turned a made-for-TV movie into an iconic franchise.

Is High School Musical truly deserving of its legendary status, or is it pure nostalgia? And the big question: would Madi willingly watch High School Musical 2?

Grab your Wildcats gear and press play, this is the start of something new. 🎶🔥

In Part 2 of our Treasured Attractions series on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, we take a global (and deeply personal) look at one of Disney’s most beloved attractions.

We explore where Tower of Terror has existed around the world, including California, Paris, and Tokyo, and how each version adapted the same core concept to fit its park, culture, and storytelling style. From Tokyo’s original Hotel Hightower to Paris’s evolving narratives, we break down what makes each tower unique.

Then we shift into memories: first rides, unforgettable reactions, family members riding purely out of love (and fear), and our thoughts on the Guardians of the Galaxy transformation. We wrap up by talking about why Tower of Terror remains a favorite despite not loving scary things, answer a listener question about our dream guest-facing Cast Member role, and end with a fun Would You Rather: unlimited rides or unlimited snacks?

In this episode of Soarin’ Around WDW, we’re checking into one of Walt Disney World’s most iconic attractions: the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Joined by my dad as co-host, we take a deep dive into the history, development, and legacy of The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror.

We explore how the attraction came to life in the early 1990s as Disney-MGM Studios’ first true E-ticket, from its roots in abandoned Imagineering concepts to its opening alongside Sunset Boulevard on July 22, 1994. We discuss the creative minds behind the project, the decision to tie the story to The Twilight Zone, and the unexpected challenges, like a construction sinkhole, that shaped the final design.

Then we break down how the ride actually works, explaining the revolutionary elevator system, AGV ride vehicles, the Fifth Dimension illusion, and the powerful Otis motors that pull riders faster than gravity. We also talk about how the Tower evolved over time, from a single drop to today’s randomized drop sequences.

Along the way, we uncover some of our favorite Easter eggs hidden across the Tower’s versions around the world and discuss the 1997 Tower of Terror TV movie starring Kirsten Dunst and Steve Guttenberg.

From storytelling to engineering, this episode celebrates why the Tower of Terror remains one of Disney’s most beloved and brilliantly themed attractions.

Fasten your seatbelts and stow those tray tables, Flight Crew — because we’re officially cleared for takeoff into 2026! In today’s episode, I’m doing something I’ve never done before: ringing in the new year with six Disney trips already booked or in the works — spanning coast to coast, across the Atlantic, and even out to sea aboard the Disney Wish.

Think of this episode as my own personal Soarin’ Around the World, lifting off from California, gliding over to Florida, hopping across to Paris, and sailing the high seas — all packed with pixie dust, planning excitement, and big Disney dreams.

🎢 What’s on the 2026 flight path?
✈️ February 2026 – Adults-only Disneyland & Disney California Adventure trip (with a solo park day!)
🎂 March 2026 – Walt Disney World birthday surprise for Aili
🏰 June 2026 – Disneyland Paris + Disney Adventure Park before a family wedding in France
🏃 Late 2026 – Another attempt at the EveryRide Challenge with Reegan
🎃 October 2026 – A return to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
🛳️ BONUS – Planning ahead for a March 2027 girls cruise on the Disney Wish

We also share some exciting show updates, including guest appearances, collaborations with podcast friends, the launch of our brand-new Patreon, and our first affiliate partnership with TNT Shirts & Apparel with our new code SOARIN15 for 15% off of any purchase in their shop— plus exclusive show merch coming soon!

Whether you’re planning your very first Disney trip or your fiftieth, this episode is all about dreaming big, planning boldly, and soaking up every magical moment along the way.
What Disney trips do you have planned for 2026? And which of these adventures are you most excited to hear more about? Let us know in the comments or over on Instagram!

Here’s to a year filled with magic, memories, and plenty of pixie dust — thanks for being part of the Flight Crew as we Soarin’ into 2026! ✨🎆

In this special holiday minisode, we’re cozying up with cocoa and sharing our Very Magical Disney Wish List: our dream Disney bucket list items that would make the ultimate magical moment. From once-in-a-lifetime experiences to the simple traditions we’d love to check off, Olivia and Dad each reveal their top ten Disney wishes.

Whether you're wrapping gifts, traveling, or enjoying a quiet Christmas Eve moment, we hope this episode brings you a little joy and a sprinkle of Disney magic.

And we want to hear from YOU:What’s on your Magical Disney Wish List? Share it with us in the comments or over on Instagram @soarinaroundwdwpod!

Happy Holidays, Flight Crew! 🎄✨