Welcome back to The Great British Mickey Waffle! 🇬🇧🧇Tonight, we are looking ahead at what is shaping up to be one of the most transformative years in Orlando history: 2026.From major closures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the first-ever Muppets-themed coaster at Hollywood Studios, there is so much to cover. Plus, Universal Orlando is entering its first full year with Epic Universe fully integrated—how is that changing the "Park Hopper" game?On tonight's menu:The Muppet Takeover: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is rebranding—what do we expect from the Summer 2026 debut?Farewell to DinoLand: With DINOSAUR closing next month (February 2, 2026), we look at the progress of Tropical Americas.Magic Kingdom’s "Back to Basics": Cinderella Castle’s 1971-inspired repaint and the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain this Spring.Epic Universe Year 2: New ticket rules, park hopping, and how it’s affecting crowd patterns.Epcot Refresh: "Soarin’ Across America" and the 250th US Anniversary updates.What are you most excited for in 2026? Are you planning a trip this year?

Enjoy the show and join us for more throughout the new year !

It’s the 1st of January 2026, and while the UK is cold, dark, and definitely NOT Florida, the team at The Great British Mickey Waffle is here to kickstart your holiday planning! Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned pro, the very first steps can be the most overwhelming.

In this episode, we break down how to navigate the "big jigsaw puzzle" of Florida planning without the stress.

Join the Conversation!Have a question about your 2026 trip? Drop it in the comments below or join our lovely Facebook community, The Waffler's Arms, to chat with fellow Florida fans!

Subscribe for more Disney World & Universal Orlando tips!

#DisneyWorld2026 #FloridaPlanning #OrlandoFirstTimer #GreatBritishMickeyWaffle #DisneyTipsUK #UniversalEpicUniverse #TravelHacks

It’s time for the final GBMW Live Show of 2025 — and we’re celebrating in true Disney style 🎄✨Join us for our Great British Mickey Waffle Christmas Party, packed with festive fun, plenty of laughs, and a big look back at an incredible year for GBMW and Disney fans alike.In this special end-of-year show, we’re:🎁 Exchanging our GBMW Secret Santa gifts📆 Looking back at our highlights from 2025🏨 Debating which Disney World resort lobbies are the most festive🎄 Sharing why Disney at Christmas just hits differentlyFrom towering Christmas trees to gingerbread displays and that unmistakable holiday atmosphere, we’re talking all things Walt Disney World at Christmas — plus reflecting on another amazing year.Thank you for being part of the GBMW journey in 2025 💛However you’re celebrating, we hope this episode brings a little Disney magic to your festive season.🎅 Merry Christmas from all of us at The Great British Mickey Waffle!

What does it take to visit all six Disney castles in just one year?

Andy from The Most Magical Podcast on Earth joins The Great British Mickey Waffle to share how he completed the ultimate Disney bucket list – every castle, every resort, in a single calendar year.In this episode, Ben,Becca & John welcome back Andy, who has done what most Disney fans only dream of – visiting every Disney castle on the planet in just 12 months.We talk through how the idea started, the planning and logistics, and the emotional moments of walking up to each castle – from Disneyland Paris on New Year’s Eve to Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs and everything in between.

🎧 Listen to Andy’s show:Search for “The Most Magical Podcast on Earth” on your podcast app of choice.👋 Connect with The Great British Mickey Waffle: • Join our Facebook community: search “The Wafflers’ Arms” • Subscribe here on YouTube for weekly live shows & new episodes • Follow us on Instagram, Threads & TikTok – just search Great British Mickey Waffle👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like the video, subscribe, and share it with a Disney friend.We’ll see you soon… we’ll see you real soon! ✨📅 GBMW Live: Wednesday nights at 8:30pm UK time🎧 New podcast episodes: 1st & 15th of every month➡️ Follow us on socials: Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Facebook @GBMickeyWaffle🟧 Listen to the Podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon | All platforms🟩 Join the Community: Facebook Group: The Wafflers’ Arms

Join The Great British Mickey Waffle LIVE as we compare Disney’s two biggest festive hard-ticket events to help YOU decide which one is worth your money on your next Orlando trip:🎤 Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios🎅 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic KingdomWe’re breaking down:✅ Characters & meet and greets✅ Ride overlays✅ Fireworks, parades & shows✅ Food & drinks✅ Atmosphere & value for money✅ Who each party is best for

We also include loads more too - in true GBMW style!

Enjoy the show

Claire and Robyn are live on location at Walt Disney World, exploring all the festive fun of Christmas at EPCOT, while John hosts from the UK and is joined by Junior Wafflers Josh and Morg.We’ll be taking you through the best of EPCOT’s holiday offerings, including:✨ Festival of the Holidays highlights✨ Holiday Kitchens & must-try seasonal snacks✨ Festive entertainment & decorations✨ Candlelight Processional insights✨ Tips for Christmas week at Walt Disney World✨ Live chat reactions as Claire and Robyn take us around the park and share some Creatoons buys too.

Best time to visit Orlando in 2025?

We break down Orlando weather, crowd levels, events and Disney World 2025 planning tips to help you choose the perfect month for your holiday.

This guide is perfect for anyone planning Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, or simply a sunshine break in Central Florida.

💬 Tell us in the comments — When’s your favourite time to visit Orlando?

👍 Like, Subscribe and ring the bell for more GBMW content!

📅 New podcast episodes: 1st & 15th of every month

📺 GBMW Live: Wednesday nights at 8:30pm UK time

➡️ Follow us on socials:Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Facebook @GBMickeyWaffle

Welcome to GBMW Live, We’re diving into one of the biggest challenges at Walt Disney World… CROWDS.Whether you’re planning your very first trip or you’re a seasoned UK visitor returning to the magic, we’re sharing our best real-life strategies to help you avoid long queues, dodge the busiest areas, and keep the magic flowing all day long.We’ll cover:✨ How to plan your day to avoid the worst crowds✨ Rope drop vs staying late — what actually works✨ Park-by-park crowd strategies (MK, EPCOT, DHS, DAK)✨ Tips for families, sensory needs & accessibility✨ When Genie+ genuinely helps… and when it doesn’t✨ Food, transport & break-time hacks✨ Your best tips from the live chat!Whether you’re visiting in peak season or planning an upcoming holiday, these tips will help you have a smoother, more magical Disney day.

Enjoy the Show

Can you really enjoy a full day at Walt Disney World without riding anything?Tonight on GBMW Live, Ben, Becca, John, and Robyn build the perfect Disney day with no rides, no queues, and no stress — just shows, characters, trails, food, and pure Disney magic.Whether you’re planning a slower-paced trip, visiting with little ones, taking a rest day, or simply want to see the parks differently, this episode is packed with ideas for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom — plus resort and Skyliner options too!

From performing as Dory in Finding Nemo: The Musical to earning the prestigious Disney Legacy Award, Katie Whetsell joins John and Claire for an emotional, magical and inspiring Disney conversation.

Katie shares heartfelt stories of her time at Walt Disney World, what it was like to perform as Dory every day, her experiences with guests, her life on Disney Cruise Line, and the emotional moment she received the Legacy Award.

This episode celebrates what makes Disney performers so special — the heart, the community, and the magic they bring to guests around the world.