In this episode, Kelsey sits down with expat mom Brittani, who moved from Phoenix, Arizona to the Netherlands with her family of five. As a long-time Disneyland California fan, Brittani has now visited Disneyland Paris twice (Spring 2024 and December 2024) - and she’s sharing everything you need to know before you go.

From the decadent breakfast spread at the Disneyland Paris Hotel to must-ride attractions like Crush’s Coaster (only found here!), Brittani gives a full breakdown of what makes Disneyland Paris special. She also opens up about the cultural differences you might notice in the parks, where to stay, how it compares to other Disney parks, and her family’s favorite foods, experiences, and rides.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Disneyland Paris train station, The Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station
- Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Disneyland Paris Hotel
- Gare du Nord train station
- Half Board meal plan, the Royal Banquet, La Table de Lumière, PYM Kitchen, Walt's
- The Royal Encounter
- Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to be called: Disney Adventure World)
- The Disneyland Paris Castle, stained glass, and dragon (La Tanière du Dragon)
- Phantom Manor, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, Hyperspace Mountain, Web Slingers Spider-Man Adventure, Avengers Flight Force, Crush's Coaster, Hero Training Center
- Premiere Access Pass
- Disney Village Paris

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast that highlights a guest's trip itinerary for family and couples travel. Popular episodes include: Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with Kids, Disney Cruise, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos and a Park City Ski Trip.

In this episode, Kelsey chats with Mary Ellen from the Wonderland on Points podcast and @familytravel4thewin on Instagram to hear all about her family of 5's 4-night getaway to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Traveling in January 2025, Mary Ellen shares how she booked both flights and hotel entirely on points, plus her tips for saving on food while still enjoying the best the resort has to offer. From daily fun at the Baha Bay waterpark (included in your stay!) to choosing budget-friendly dining options and navigating the resort with kids of all ages, this episode is packed with helpful insights for families dreaming of a warm-weather escape.

Mentioned in this episode:
- LINK to $25 travel toddler cot: https://amzlink.to/az01SvOlw8T3Z
- LINK to big-kid inflatable (with foot) sleeping mat: https://amzlink.to/az0wCGVzlVgpS
- LINK to flat-packed sand toys: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/qhZqz
- Baha Mar Resort Hotels: Rosewood, SLS, Grand Hyatt
- Baha Bay Waterpark
- Hyatt Guest of Honor Reward and Hyatt Globalist Status
- Kraven App
- John Batiste's Jazz Club at Baha Mar
- FlightConnections.com
- Mary Ellen's Facebook Group: Traveling on Points

Trip Tales is a travel podcast that highlights a guest's trip itinerary for family and couples travel. Popular episodes include: Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with Kids, Disney Cruise, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos and a Park City Ski Trip.

In this heartfelt episode, Kelsey sits down with Giovanna Silvestre, author of Confused Girl and @confusedgirlla on Instagram, to talk about her unforgettable month living on the Amalfi Coast. From mid-October to mid-November 2023, Giovanna stayed in an AirBNB with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, immersing herself in the beauty and rhythm of local life. She opens up about how this magical stretch of Italian coastline became a place of healing as she grieved the loss of her father and finished writing her book. From charming seaside towns to moments of deep personal transformation, this episode is a reminder of the power of travel to restore and inspire. Giovanna also shares the best time to travel to Amalfi coast, great restaurants and hotel recommendations.

Mentioned in this episode:
- The villages along the Amalfi Coast: Amalfi, Praiano, Positano, Ravello, Atrani, Maiori, Minori
- Fly into the Naples airport
- Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello
- Restaurant in Atrani: Le Arcate
- Puglia, Italy for beaches
- Hotel Margherita in Praiano
- Giovanna's Book Launch Giveaway (Win 2 nights in Maui!)

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast that highlights a guest's trip itinerary for family and couples travel. Popular episodes include: Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with Kids, Disney Cruise, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Europe, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and a Park City Ski Trip.

I'm back from an amazing spring break in New York City with my family of 5 and I'm sharing all the details! In this episode, you’ll hear how we made the most of 4 nights and 5 days in the Big Apple (March 2025), from iconic sights like the Statue of Liberty and Summit One to navigating the subway and seeing SIX on Broadway. I break down how I planned the itinerary, found a hotel room that fit all five of us, and kept the kids engaged in one of the busiest cities in the world.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Travel to New York City with Kids Facebook Group
- ChatGPT to plan itinerary
- Travel Must-Have Links
     - Collapsible Hamper
     - Travel Sound Machine
     - Mini Charging Station
     - Travel Night Lights
     - Hanging Toiletries Bag (in size Large)
- RIU Plaza Manhattan Times Square (Bed & Breakfast rate) sleeps 5 in a room
- Restaurants: Junior's Cheesecake Times Square, Ellen's Stardust Diner, Serendipity III Times Square, Trattoria Trecolori (next to SIX theater), Jack's Wife Frida cafe in SoHo
- Statue of Liberty via Statue City Cruises
- Chinatown restaurant: Wo Hop
- Sloomoo Institute slime museum
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum + BOATLIFT Documentary narrated by Tom Hanks
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
- Central Park
- Broadway Show: SIX
- FAO Schwarz and the Jellycat Diner

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast that highlights a guest's trip itinerary for family and couples travel. Popular episodes include: Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with Kids, Disney Cruise, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Europe, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and a Park City Ski Trip.

In this episode, Kelsey welcomes Katie Kinley from @katiekinleytravels to share about her experience on the Disney Wish cruise ship. Katie and her family of 5 recently sailed on the Disney Wish for a 4-night Halloween on the High Seas cruise to Nassau and Castaway Cay, and she’s here to break down their experience. From ship highlights and what it’s really like to cruise Disney with three kids, to snorkeling on Disney’s private island, Katie shares why her family loved every minute.

But the adventure didn’t stop there! After disembarking, Katie and her crew took on the ultimate Disney challenge—3 parks in 1 day! They tackled Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom in a single day, making memories (and magic!) at lightning speed.

Plus, this episode serves as a rebuttal to Kelsey’s own not-so-magical Disney Cruise experience in October. 

Mentioned in this episode:
- Katie Kinley Travels
- Link to Trip Tales Episode 34: Stuck at Sea! My HONEST Review of Our Disney Cruise
- Disney Cruise Guaranteed State Room
- Disney's: Caribbean Beach Resort, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge
- Orlando Transportation: Away We Go Transportation
- DCL (Disney Cruise Line) Transportation
- Disney World Skyliner
- Beaches & Cream at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club
- Riviera Resort Character Breakfast
- Fish Extender & Pixie Dusting
- Atlantis & Baha Mar in the Bahamas
- Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Tron, Tiana's Bayou Adventure

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast that highlights a guest's trip itinerary for family and couples travel. Popular episodes include: Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with Kids, Disney Cruise, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Europe, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and a Park City Ski Trip.

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Annie from @letstraveltalk on Instagram to hear about her family of 5's adventure to Costa Rica in November 2024. From beach days at the Hyatt Andaz Peninsula Papagayo to the rainforest surrounding Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, Annie shares how Costa Rica delivered the perfect blend of adventure and nature. The family’s trip included rappelling down waterfalls, jet skiing along the scenic coastline, and zip lining in the rainforest. They also spent time soaking in the volcanic hot springs at Tabacon, with views of the iconic Arenal Volcano, and even tackled thrilling river rapids on a whitewater rafting adventure. Of course, no trip to Costa Rica would be complete without spotting some of the country’s most famous residents — sloths! 

Mentioned in this episode:
- Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Hyatt
- Flew Southwest into Liberia Airport in Costa Rica
- Southwest Companion Pass
- Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, by Hyatt
- Adobe Car Rental, Costa Rica
- Jet Ski Tour through the Andaz
- Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa in La Fortuna
- Pure Trek Waterfall Rappelling Adventure
- La Fortuna Sloth Watching Trail and Night Walk Tour
- Wave Expeditions - Zipline and Rafting Adventure Combo in Arenal
- La Fortuna Waterfall
- Restaurant recommendation in La Fortuna: Pollo Fortuneño

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast that highlights a guest's trip itinerary for family and couples travel. Popular episodes include: Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with Kids, Disney Cruise, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Europe, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and a Park City Ski Trip.

Kelsey's Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral Link

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I’ve been booking incredible vacations for my family without spending a dime on hotels. It all comes down to: transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt.

I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process, explain why Hyatt is the best transfer partner, and show you how to maximize your points for free stays at high-end resorts. 

Mentioned in this episode:
- The Trip Tales website: www.triptalespodcast.com
- Omni Grove Park Inn - Asheville, NC
- The Cape - A Thompson Hotel in Cabo, Mexico
- Holiday Inn Grand Canyon
- Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell
- Grand Hyatt Scottsdale

If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal’s Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation.

Kelsey sits down with Erika to chat about her family of five’s December 2024 ski trip to Copper Mountain, just outside of Denver, CO. Having skied at many of the top U.S. ski resorts, Erika shares why Copper Mountain stood out as a hidden gem. From its family-friendly vibe, fun restaurants, and wide-open slopes with no lift lines, to unique activities like ice skating on a real pond under Edison lights and experiencing the best snow tubing they’ve ever done, Erika explains why Copper was the perfect winter escape for her family.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort in West Virginia
- EPIC Pass vs. IKON Pass
- How to combat altitude sickness
- Turo rental cars
- Frisco, CO, & Vail Ski Resort, Four Seasons Vail Village
- Copper Mountain Lodging: East Village (beginner ski terrain) vs. Center Village (intermediate ski terrain, half pipe, base village) vs. West Village (advanced ski terrain)
- Copper Mountain Activities: Ice skating on a real pond under Edison lights, snow tubing, sledding hill, snow maze
- Copper Mountain Restaurants: Down Hill Dukes, Forage & Feast, Aerie, Sauce on Copper, Uptown on Main (in Frisco)

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal’s Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation.

In this Trip Fails Minisodes episode, we’re diving into three mini Trip Fails stories that didn’t quite go as planned.

First, Katie shares her experience at The Kingsley in Bloomfield Hills, MI in November 2024 - a hotel that gives off swanky boutique vibes but, surprise… it’s actually a DoubleTree by Hilton in disguise. Spoiler: the experience didn’t match the luxury look.

Next, Tali recounts how she got stuck in a timeshare scam at Westgate Orlando Lakes in 2018, learning the hard way why those "free gifts" aren’t always worth it.

And finally, Laura shares why Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Mountains left her family underwhelmed in August 2021. But don’t worry—we’re also giving you two alternative indoor waterparks that actually live up to the hype!

Mentioned in this episode:
- The Kingsley Bloomfield Hills - a DoubleTree by Hilton
- Detroit, Royal Oaks, Troy, Birmingham, & Bloomfield Hills areas of Michigan
- Courtyard by Marriott - Courtyard Detroit Troy, Michigan
- Westgate Lakes Orlando
- 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles about David & Jackie Siegel (owners of Westgate Resorts) attempt to build the largest single family home in the U.S
- Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Mountains
- Soundwaves Waterpark at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN
- Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

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Kelsey sits down with Faith, a seasoned Turks & Caicos traveler who has visited three times (May 2019, May 2022, and May 2023) - and loved Seven Stars Resort so much, she’s returned twice. Faith shares why this boutique-style resort stands out, from its swanky yet serene atmosphere to its top-tier hospitality, family-friendly vibe, and unbeatable location on Grace Bay Beach. Plus, she dives into the best restaurants (including a Kardashian fav!) and must-do excursions across the island, giving you everything you need to plan the ultimate Turks & Caicos getaway!

Mentioned in this episode:

- Beaches Turks & Caicos
- Travel Agent Rachel Lackey with Vacations Booked
- Book Seven Stars Resort on Black Friday or Cyber Monday
- Marriott Credit Card & Marriott Points
- The Palms Turks & Caicos Spa
- Seven Stars restaurants: Seven, The Deck, The Farm
- Off property restaurants: Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar at Grace Bay Club, Magnolia Restaurant & Wine Bar, Coco Bistro, Da Conch Shack (a Kardashian fav), local Turks & Caicos Fish Fry, Mr. Grouper's, Omar's Beach Hut
- Excursion companies: Caicos Dreams (private boat tour), Big Blue Collective (Kayaking Mangrove Eco Tour spotting turtles and iguanas), Island Vibes Tours (popular half-day tours from resorts with snorkeling, Iguana Island, and rum punch!)
- Fun Facts With Faith: Jojo the Dolphin

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: [email protected]

Trip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal’s Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation.