Adventures of a Disney Dad: A Walt Disney World Trip Planning Podcast

This week I sat down with Julie Voris, a content creator and Disney cast member who works PhotoPass in the parks. This episode is for those who feel like the Disney World vacation is a giant to do list you are trying to survive. We talk about how to slow down, find the joy, and actually enjoy the vacation you worked so hard to plan. Julie is not a tips and tricks account, and that is exactly why I wanted her on. We get into how young is too young to take your kids, why your own memories matter just as much as theirs, and the trap of trying to do every single thing in one day. Julie shares what she sees from behind the camera in the parks every week, and I share a few stories from my own family trips that taught me the same lessons the hard way. We also dig into the stuff that quietly ruins good trips. Julie walks through how to plan a brutally hot August park day so nobody melts down, why heading back to the resort pool is not quitting, and how reading a little Disney history can change the way you see the parks. I get honest about the spreadsheet families I worry about, and we both agree that value at Disney is subjective, so the bubble wand and the chocolate on the shirt belong in the picture. Stick around to the end for the rapid fire favorites and two of my all time favorite reset tricks for a rough park day. Julie has a monorail move that gets you out of the chaos without going all the way back to your room, and I finally share my PeopleMover secret that I usually keep to myself. Connect with Julie Voris: Instagram.com/julievoris Substack :: substack.com/@julievoris (or on the app @julievoris)Website :: julievoris.com Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Meeting Julie Voris 02:15 How Julie Fell in Love with Disney 06:28 How Young Is Too Young to Take Your Kids to Disney World 09:49 Why Your Memories at Disney World Matter Too 12:10 When Teenagers Act Too Cool for Photos at Disney World 15:06 What Makes Working at Disney World Special 16:48 Does Living Near Disney World Change the Magic 19:41 Spotting a Good Disney World Vacation in Five Minutes 22:13 Best Advice for First Time Planners at Disney World 23:50 The Real Point of a Disney Trip 27:08 Surviving a Hot August Park Day 32:31 Learning What Works for Your Family at Disney World 39:16 What Belongs in Your Disney World Budget First 41:32 Recognizing When to Take a Break 50:34 The Monorail and PeopleMover Reset Tricks 👉 Need help planning your Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, or Disney Cruise Line vacation? Matt is a travel agent with The Magic for Less Travel, and his services are 100% free to you. 📩 Get a free quote: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote ⭐ Enjoy the podcast? Please take a minute to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more Disney families find us. Have a question? Email us: matt@adventuresofadisneydad.com ☕ Want to support the podcast? If this episode helped you, consider buying us a coffee or dropping something in the tip jar. Every bit of support helps keep the show going. https://adventures-of-a-disney-dad.kit.com/products/matthew-brandabur 📬 Have a Disney planning question? Leave a comment, send an email, or drop it on social. We read them all and use them for future episodes.

Walt Disney World is heading into a major transition year with a lot of construction happening, and 2026 is shaping up to change how families plan their trips. In this episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad Podcast, we break down everything we know so far about what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2026 and what it actually means for real families. From Bluey and Bingo arriving at Animal Kingdom to major changes at Hollywood Studios, ride refurbishments, character moves, and festival dates, there’s a lot happening that could impact when you go and how you plan. We also talk candidly about spring break crowds, traveling with babies, and how upcoming closures like Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster and Frozen Ever After could affect your 2026 vacation if you’re not paying attention. If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip in 2026, or even thinking about it, this episode will help you avoid surprises and make smarter planning decisions. 🎧 Episode Chapters 00:00 Welcome back and life updates03:15 Planning Disney World during spring break with kids and babies07:55 Bluey and Bingo coming to Animal Kingdom in 202612:10 Is Animal Kingdom becoming a full-day park?14:30 Taylor Swift Eras Tour costumes at Hollywood Studios16:05 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster changes and Muppets retheme20:10 How refurbishments impact trip planning22:10 Hollywood Studios animation courtyard and character changes25:30 Festival dates and ride closures that affect 2026 trips26:45 When will Cinderella Castle be repainted?28:30 Final thoughts and planning advice 🏰 Need Help Planning a Disney Trip? If you’re planning a Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line or Universal Orlando vacation in 2026 and want expert help, I’m a travel agent and my services are 100% free.👉 Get a quote and start planning: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote ☕ Enjoy the Show? Support the Podcast If this episode helped you and you want to support the work we do, you can buy me a coffee or leave a tip to support future episodes and content.👉 Tip jar and support link: https://adventures-of-a-disney-dad.kit.com/products/matthew-brandabur 📩 Got a Question? Send in your listener questions and we may answer them on a future episode.Email: matt@adventuresofadisneydad.com

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation is exciting, but it is also way easier to get wrong than most families realize. After helping hundreds of families plan their trips, I see the same seven mistakes over and over, and they lead to stress, meltdowns, exhaustion, and a vacation that feels more like a survival mission than actual fun. In this episode, I break down the 7 rookie mistakes most first-timers make at Walt Disney World and show you exactly how to avoid them so your trip is smoother, happier, and actually feels like a vacation. You’ll learn:• Why party nights and park hours can quietly wreck your plans• The big reason you should never do Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios back to back• How one extra resort night can transform the entire trip• Why dining reservations can throw off your whole schedule• When rope drop hurts families more than it helps• Simple ways to recover, pace yourself, and avoid burnout• The number one planning mistake that ruins Disney trips for most families 📩 Get a free vacation quote: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote📰 Join the weekly newsletter: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com Plan smart, not perfect — and I’ll see you in the parks!

The Adventures of a Disney Dad Podcast is back, and this week I’m joined by my friend and returning guest, Matt Richardson, one of the most passionate voices in the Disney running community. We’re diving into everything you need to know before your first runDisney race weekend, including the early mornings, the corrals, the famous Balloon Ladies, and all the details that make these races different from anything else out there. Whether you’re considering signing up, or actively getting ready for Wine & Dine, Princess Half Marathon, Marathon Weekend, or Springtime Surprise, this episode will help you feel prepared, confident, and excited for race day. 🎧 In This Episode: How Matt got started with runDisney and what makes these races so special Why runDisney events are perfect for beginners and new runners How to navigate early mornings, corrals, and the 16-minute pace rule Tips for avoiding rookie mistakes and making the most of race weekend What to expect at the expo, plus merch advice Our picks for the best races and resorts for runners and spectators ⏱ Chapters: 01:00 – What makes runDisney races unique 06:00 – Why racing keeps runners motivated 08:30 – What makes the runDisney community so inclusive 10:30 – The Balloon Ladies explained (and how not to get swept) 13:00 – Navigating corrals, proof of time, and pacing tips 17:30 – Character photos vs race time: how to balance both 20:30 – Early morning race logistics (yes, 2:30 a.m. wake-ups!) 25:00 – Avoiding social media fear-mongering before your race 27:30 – Fueling and pre-race breakfast strategies 30:30 – When to arrive for race weekend and expo tips 38:00 – Which race weekend is best for first-timers 44:30 – The value of charity bibs and fundraising tips 46:00 – Best Disney resorts to stay at for race weekend 📎 Show Notes & Links: 🎽 Follow Matt Richardson on social: https://www.instagram.com/mattrichardson https://www.tiktok.com/@matthungryagain 💙 Support Matt’s Boys & Girls Club charity run: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2025bgccfdisneywinedine/account/2159671/ 🏰 Plan your next runDisney trip with me — my travel services are 100% free: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote 📧 Join my newsletter for Disney race tips, park planning, and family vacation advice: www.adventuresofadisneydad.com 🔗 Read: 6 Tips to Avoid the runDisney Balloon Ladies: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/rundisney/rundisney-balloon-ladies #runDisney #DisneyWorld #DisneyRunning #DisneyMarathon #WineAndDineHalfMarathon #PrincessHalfMarathon #MarathonWeekend #SpringtimeSurprise #AdventuresOfADisneyDad

Disney World is expensive, but not everything is worth the money. In this video, I share 9 Disney World extras that are always worth the splurge. From fireworks dessert parties and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to Savi’s Workshop and VIP tours, these are the upgrades my family has tried and loved at Walt Disney World. You’ll learn what each experience costs, what’s included, and why it may (or may not) be right for your trip. 👇 Helpful Links 📖 More Disney planning tips: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com Read more: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/walt-disney-world/disney-world-experiences-actually-worth-the-money 📝 Free Disney World vacation quote: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote 👍 Like this video, subscribe, and share your favorite Disney splurge in the comments!

Animal Kingdom in one day with kids. Exact plan with rope drop strategy, Lightning Lane Multipass picks, must see shows, best character meets, can’t miss food, hidden trails, and how to handle evenings. It’s not just a zoo and not just a place for thrill rides. We show how to balance Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safari at rope drop with a chill, animal forward day that still hits the headliners. 01:00 Skip park or half day debate with kids 02:30 Rope drop philosophy with Multipass basics and pricing 03:30 Flight of Passage vs Safari at rope drop, how to pair with Multipass 05:30 First three Multipass picks that work all day 07:30 Characters you should prioritize and where to find them 09:00 Trails, photo spots, and “side quests” around Tree of Life 11:00 3 2 1 family plan: 3 rides, 2 characters or shows, 1 meal 13:00 Use Tusker House to meet Mickey and friends fast 15:00 Quick eats that hit, what to skip for food 18:00 Kali River Rapids: when to ride and when to skip 20:00 Park hours, Pandora at night, and evening hop strategy 22:00 Half day vs full day and cutting table service if time is tight Plan your next trip with me (free): https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tips for 2025. Learn how to avoid common mistakes at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, beat the crowds, and plan the perfect night at Magic Kingdom with your family. You paid over $150 for one night at Disney World’s Halloween party. In this episode, I’m sharing 9 practical strategies based on years of experience taking my kids to MNSSHP. From character meets to parade timing, this guide will help you save time, skip stress, and make the most of your night. Watch this if you want to enjoy MNSSHP without wasting time, missing out on characters, or melting down in a parade crowd. 📍 Chapters: 01:03 The Crowd Myth You Need to Know 02:40 How Early to Arrive (and Why) 04:00 Group Costume Strategy 05:10 Set Priorities, Not Schedules 06:55 Rare Characters and Wait Times 08:45 Best Time for Boo-To-You Parade 10:15 When to Ride Rides 11:10 Florida Weather Realities 12:20 Candy Bag Hacks 13:10 Why We Skip Table Service Meals 📌 Planning a Disney vacation? Let’s work together: https://www.adventuresofadisneydad.com/get-a-quote