WDW Prep To Go - a Disney World planning podcast

Sarah A. sailed concierge on the Disney Wish with her husband, two children, parents, sister and brother-in-law to celebrate her parents’ 35th anniversary. Shannon chats with Sarah to learn more about their four-day sailing that included a cabana on Castaway Cay, Palo dinner and brunch, a martini tasting, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. They also discuss the fun non-park activities Sarah and her family enjoyed at Disney World both before and after their time on the Wish. Sarah shares her strategies for taking young children to many fine dining restaurants and the surprise she and her sister arranged to thank their parents for their cruise.

Post trip begins at 38 minutes.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WDWPREPSCHOOL and get on your way to being your best self.

Links:BetterHelp 

MTP Photography

Away We Go Transportation

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The 2023 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival spans more than 120 days. We were at the opening days of the festival to check out every topiary, garden, merchandise product, and scavenger hunt prize. We sampled every food and drink item at the outdoor kitchens. In this episode, Shannon highlights the good - and not so good - so you can strategically plan your visit to the Flower and Garden Festival to maximize your time and money. 

Links:

• 2023 Complete Guide to Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival

• Flower and Garden Festival Topiary Map

• 2023 Flower and Garden Festival Food Booths

Leave me a message (including trip report submissions)

Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and trip info.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep to Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes  (and please leave a review!)

• Subscribe in Google Podcasts

• Listen on Stitcher

Follow on social media

• Instagram

• Twitter

• Facebook

• Pinterest

• TikTok

• YouTube

Become a Patron

Get a quote request for a future trip from Small World Vacations

Visit the site

Check out the new WDW Prep Merch!

Things we recommend

Walt Disney World vacation planning can be tricky (even for seasoned travelers!). Families with autistic children or adults have extra accommodations to take into consideration. Today, Shannon talks with Melinda, Amanda, Emily, Lori, and Anthony about traveling with family on the autism spectrum. They share their experiences, tips, and encouragement. 

Links:

• Planning Resources for Visiting Walt Disney World with Special Needs

• Taking a child on the autism spectrum to Walt Disney World

• Guide to Disability Access Service (DAS) at Walt Disney World

• How to use Rider Switch at Walt Disney World

• Orlando Medical Rentals

• Kids Nite Out

 

Leave me a message (including trip report submissions)

Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and trip info.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

 

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep to Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes  (and please leave a review!)

• Subscribe in Google Podcasts

• Subscribe to the feed

• Listen on Stitcher

Follow on social media

• Instagram

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• Facebook

• Pinterest

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• YouTube

 

Heading to Disney World? You’ll need a place to stay.   With more than 30 different onsite Disney World resorts to choose from, not to mention the countless offsite options within a short drive to the parks, it may all seem a bit overwhelming.   When it comes time to book, how do you know what the best Disney World resorts are?   Over the past several years, we’ve made it our mission to collect as much information as we can about all your different Walt Disney World resort hotel options.   We’ve not only stayed in all the resorts (most multiple times), but we’ve also spent a lot of time putting together videos and beefing up all of our resort-specific pages with our personal pics and reviews.   Let's chat about the best Disney World Resorts.   Links:

• Walt Disney World Value Resorts
• Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts
• Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts
• Best Disney Resorts
• 7 Step Disney World Planning Process

  Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and trip info.   You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo   Subscribe to get new episodes There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes  (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Podcasts
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

  Follow on social media

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok
• YouTube

Become a Patron Get a quote request for a future trip from Small World Vacations Visit the site Check out the new WDW Prep Merch! Things we recommend

Our goal is to help you plan your dream Disney World vacation, and that all starts right here. This episode will walk you through planning a trip in 7 easy steps. After that, we’ll go through some of the other important information you’ll need to know before you go.  Consider this a Cliff Notes version for getting started (or even for getting reacquainted) with Disney vacation planning.   The past few years have brought many changes – some of which are fairly significant. Here are the ones that are the most important for you to be aware of:

• FastPass+ service is out and Genie+ is in
• Extra Magic Hours (EMHs) have been replaced with a new program called “Early Theme Park Entry“
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours have been added – but only for onsite guests at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts
• Reservations are required to visit the parks
• Disney’s Magical Express has been discontinued (no more free rides between the airport and your Disney Resort)
• Park hopping can only be done after 2 PM
• Advanced Dining Reservations are made at 60 days out now (instead of 180 days)
• Disney Dining Plan is not currently being sold (although Disney has confirmed it will be back sometime in the future)

Our best advice is to make sure you do not assume that everything is the same – because it isn’t.   This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WDWPREPSCHOOL and get on your way to being your best self.   Links:

• BetterHelp
• Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar
• Complete Guide to Disney World Dining
• Disney World Touring Strategies
• 7 Step Disney World Planning Process
• Guide to Disney Park Pass Reservations

  Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and trip info.   You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo   Subscribe to get new episodes There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes  (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Podcasts
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

  Follow on social media

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok
• YouTube

Become a Patron Get a quote request for a future trip from Small World Vacations Visit the site Check out the new WDW Prep Merch! Things we recommend

Have you considered combining an Adventures by Disney vacation with a Disney Cruise? Glenda and her husband did exactly that, and she's here to tell us all about her experience. Was Adventures by Disney worth it? You'll find out!

Warning - the post trip of this episode contains spoilers for the Disneyland Adventures by Disney trip. The ABD portion begins at the 1 hour 8 minute mark.

Timestamps:

20 minutes: Post Trip Begins (Disney Cruise) 59 minutes: San Diego 1 hour 8 minutes: Disneyland Adventures by Disney Trip

Links:

• Adventures By Disney
• Disney Cruise Line

Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and trip info.   You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo   Subscribe to get new episodes There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes  (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Podcasts
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

  Follow on social media

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok
• YouTube

Become a Patron Get a quote request for a future trip from Small World Vacations Visit the site Check out the new WDW Prep Merch! Things we recommend

Have you ever wondered what taking a road trip to Walt Disney World with a toddler would be like? Mary Margaret joins us today to chat about her recent trip with her husband and their 15-month old son. They attended many character meals, Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours at Magic Kingdom, and much more!   Post Trip Timestamp: 38:11   Links:

• SlumberPod
• Mousekeeping Envelopes
• Disney After Hours Guide
• Disney After Hours Tickets and Info from Walt Disney World
• Best Disney Character Meals

  Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and trip info.   You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo   Subscribe to get new episodes There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes  (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Podcasts
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

  Follow on social media

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok
• YouTube

Become a Patron Get a quote request for a future trip from Small World Vacations Visit the site Check out the new WDW Prep Merch! Things we recommend

Scott Gustin joins Shannon on the podcast today to discuss his history as a journalist and his interest in Walt Disney World and Disneyland. We get a peek into his life in the media sector on, why he is only active on Twitter, and his drive to deliver non-sensationalized news content.     Connect with Scott Gustin on Twitter

• Scott Gustin

  Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and trip info. You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo   Subscribe to get new episodes There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes  (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Podcasts
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

  Follow on social media

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok
• YouTube

Become a Patron Get a quote request for a future trip from Small World Vacations Visit the site Check out the new WDW Prep Merch!