We covered A LOT. January updates including the Skyliner closure, Festival of the Arts crowds, Frozen Ever After closing with no reopen date, Cinderella Castle repaint timing for photos, and the Wilderness Lodge boat closure (02:25). I also shared my behind-the-scenes process for pricing a summer trip; comparing DVC Rental Store confirmed reservations vs. booking through Disney and how the 4+2 ticket promo fits. (07:18).
I answered questions from Betsy on pre-cruise parks (Magic Kingdom vs. Hollywood Studios) (18:50), Elizabeth on Beach Club with a newborn + pool logistics (21:18), Colleen on Buzz Lightyear’s reopening and which fireworks to prioritize (23:33), Lindsay on doing Animal Kingdom as a half-day without overdoing it and how I’d use LLMP (26:02), Sarah on Riviera travel time for naps, Easter crowds, and dining on fireworks nights (30:05) and doing Guardians with young kids using Rider Switch (34:00–38:18), Crystal on which second park to add after a first-trip Magic Kingdom visit (38:18), T on requesting cribs on the app (41:11), Shea on BoardWalk vs. Wilderness Lodge/AKL for Christmas decor (44:00), Tracy on whether EEH are worth it with kids (47:11), Katie on early Tusker House reservations (52:04), and Erin on when the 2026 dining plan (kids eat free) actually makes sense (55:43).
February WDW updates including Frozen Ever After reopening 2/12, DINOSAUR's closure, Wildlife Express closing 2/23, and Blizzard Beach / Typhoon Lagoon flip (01:43–04:05). I also covered the 4+2 ticket promo deadline (02:55).
I shared my current dining alert recommendation (Stakeout) and a new 30% off member code for MagicBand + Apple Watch charms from Lynn’s Etsy shop (05:00–09:43) with code LAIDBACK.
Planning Q&A included Lightning Lane booking order and strategy, choosing Hollywood Studios vs. Animal Kingdom with young kids, Magic Kingdom lunch strategy (Skipper Canteen vs. quick service), parade timing, and realistic expectations for Big Thunder Mountain reopening (12:30–21:26). We also talked Disney Dining Plan strategy with kids, which character meals are worth prioritizing (Akershus vs. Cinderella’s Royal Table), plus Nomad Lounge vs. Tusker House (21:26–30:54).
In this live planning call, we covered Disney’s latest app update, November ride changes, and what to expect with Standby Skipper. I also answered member questions from Grace (15:45) on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party routes, Caroline (19:00) on parade timing and breaks, Carolyn (22:45) on EPCOT dining for New Year’s, and Christine (25:50) on mindset when plans go sideways.
In this month’s live planning call, we covered real-time takeaways from booking Lightning Lanes with the new app flow (00:40), December-specific Disney updates you need to know (10:30), and then dove into member questions about January trips, crowd levels, and Multi-Pass strategy.
I answered questions from Marynay (15:08) on January crowds + choosing between EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, and Angela (19:37) on pre-booking Lightning Lanes for a Fantasyland morning + Space Mountain/pre-dessert party night. Then we talked through Molly’s EPCOT vs. Hollywood Studios with 3 toddlers dilemma (23:51) and wrapped with a quick chat on Sebastian’s Bistro favorites (28:02) and whether Storybook Dining is “worth it” (30:26).
