Geekin' On WDW | Trip Reports From A Community of Disney World Fans

This week, Curtis welcomes Lisa to the podcast for the first time!Lisa shares the emotional story of where her love for Disney began, why walking into the Magic Kingdom still reminds her of her dad and mother-in-law, and how her Disney vacations have changed over the years.We also geek out about her trip to Disneyland Paris, including why she thinks Phantom Manor might actually be better than Haunted Mansion, an amazing Big Thunder Mountain, the value of upgrading your resort experience, and the fun of meeting Disney fans from all over the world.Then we get into the heart of this week’s show:Where are the best places to slow down at Walt Disney World?We talk about:👉 Relaxing upstairs at Columbia Harbour House👉 Riding the PeopleMover when you need a break👉 Exploring the quiet corners of World Showcase👉 The gardens and koi ponds in the Japan Pavilion👉 Baseline Tap House at Hollywood Studios👉 Slowing down on Animal Kingdom’s trails👉 Resort hopping for a midday break👉 Taking a boat to Wilderness Lodge and relaxing at Geyser Point👉 Enjoying EPCOT after the crowds have disappeared👉 And learning that you don’t always have to race to the next attractionLisa also shares some of her Disney favorites, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Liberty Tree Tavern, Fantasmic, Peter Pan’s Flight, EPCOT festivals, character meets and Mickey Bars.But underneath all of it is a great reminder:Sometimes the best Disney memories happen when we stop worrying about how much we can accomplish and give ourselves permission to simply enjoy being there.👑 Plan Your Next Vacation with the Travelin’ TiarasThinking about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or another magical vacation?Margita and Judy — the Travelin’ Tiaras — would love to help!Already booked? In many cases, you can transfer your reservation and still get their planning help, tips and support.Booking through the Travelin’ Tiaras is also a wonderful way to support the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast.📧 [email protected]💙 Join Our Geekin’ FamilyCome join the conversation in our Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:Where is YOUR favorite place at Walt Disney World to slow down and escape the crowds?And if you have a Disney trip report, a great Disney story, or a topic you’d love to geek out about, reach out to Curt. We’d love to have you on the show!❤️ Support the PodcastA huge thank-you to our Patreon Geeks who help keep the show going every week.Join our Patreon family at:patreon.com/GeekinOnWDWThanks for listening, Geeks — and remember, sometimes the best thing you can do at Walt Disney World is slow down and enjoy the magic happening all around you.

In this episode of the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast, host Curtis Stone sits down with local correspondent Jason to get a fresh 'boots on the ground' perspective of the parks. Jason has been living in the Orlando area for three years and has some incredible tips on how to navigate the summer heat, find hidden dining gems, and experience unique character interactions.From the newly revamped Muppet coaster pre-show to the retro arcade gaming at Disney Springs' Level 99, we cover all the latest changes you need to know before your next trip.**In this episode, we talk about:*** **Spontaneous Magic:** Playing Duck, Duck, Goose with Stitch and Donald Duck at the Animation Courtyard.* **The Muppets Return:** Experiencing the revamped pre-show and finding new Muppet merchandise.* **Animal Kingdom Construction:** How the Dinosaur area closure impacts a park day.* **Hidden Food Gems:** Italian affogatos at Vivoli Gelato and the incredible Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse.* **EPCOT Wait Times:** Which lines are consistently inflated and why.* **Underrated Attractions:** Why Star Tours remains a must-ride on every trip.* **Millennium Falcon Fixes:** How we would redesign Smugglers Run to improve the engineer and gunner roles.* **Best Value Snacks:** Main Street’s customizable popcorn tubs and the Pineapple Scrunch Sundae.**The Heart of the Episode**This conversation shines a spotlight on the return of 'plus magic' to the Disney parks. While big E-ticket rides are amazing, it's often the small, unexpected moments—like a cast member showing you a secret shortcut or Goofy joining in on a game of jump rope—that leave the most lasting impressions.**Planning Your Next Adventure?**Ready to find your own hidden gems? Let Margita and Judy at the Travelin' Tiaras handle all the details! From resort bookings to cruise coordination, they’ve got you covered. Support the podcast by emailing them at [email protected].**Support the Show on Patreon**Want to help keep the weekly episodes coming? Join our Patreon community and become a Super Geek! Sign up today at patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW.**Join the Geekin' Community**Connect with fellow Disney Geeks, share your favorite vacation tips, or apply to share your own trip report by joining our Geekin' on Walt Disney World Facebook community!Email [email protected] to be a guest on the show

What happens when you’re wrapping up a long Disney day, riding the bus back to your resort, and suddenly realize one of your Disney Geek friends is sitting just a few seats away—even though you had no idea he was in Florida?This week, Curtis is joined by his good friend Andy Hoffman for a fun conversation that begins with an unexpected reunion on a Port Orleans Riverside bus.Andy shares stories from his surprise Walt Disney World trip, including the joy of introducing friends to classic attractions, helping them discover overlooked experiences, and seeing Disney through the eyes of people who haven’t done everything before.Then Curtis and Andy dive into a delicious countdown of their Top 10 Walt Disney World restaurants outside the parks.In this episode, we geek out about:Andy’s completely unexpected appearance during Curtis and Margita’s anniversary tripExperiencing attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and PhilharMagic with Disney newcomersWhy resort dining can become an entire Disney experienceThe best restaurants at Disney resorts and Disney SpringsBurgers, steaks, barbecue, buffets, seafood, noodles, pork dumplings, and dessertsGeyser Point, Three Bridges, Flying Fish, Boma, Beaches & Cream, Wine Bar George, Topolino’s, ‘Ohana, and moreWhether the Hall of Presidents is educational, boring—or bothWhy the people around the table often matter more than the foodCurtis and Andy compare favorites, share some strong opinions, remember great meals with Disney friends, and prove that you don’t need a park ticket to have an incredible Disney day.Because sometimes the meal becomes special not only because of what you ordered—but because of who was sitting beside you.👑 Plan Your Next Vacation with the Travelin’ TiarasThinking about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or another magical destination?Curtis’s wife Margita and their good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin’ Tiaras, and they can help you plan a smart, stress-free vacation from start to finish.Already booked? You may be able to transfer your reservation and still receive expert planning, strategy, and support.Booking or transferring through the Travelin’ Tiaras is also a wonderful way to support the podcast.📧 [email protected]💙 Support the Show on PatreonA huge thank-you to our Patreon family for helping make the podcast possible each week.Your support helps cover the costs of producing the show and keeps this Disney Geek community growing.Join us at:patreon.com/GeekinOnWDWJoin the ConversationWhat is your favorite Walt Disney World restaurant outside the parks?Come share your pick in the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook community.And if you have a Disney trip report, a favorite topic, or a story you’d love to share, reach out to Curtis about coming on the show.The best Disney memories are even better when Geeks share them together.

One of the best parts of the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast community is that it eventually jumps off the internet and into the parks. In Episode 659, we kick off a two-part trip report from a recent Geek Meet weekend at Walt Disney World where a group of longtime friends and listeners gathered to spend a few days enjoying the parks together. For this trip, Dan, Andy, and I shared a family suite at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, which turned out to be a surprisingly great option for a small group traveling together. The suite setup—with separate sleeping areas and a small kitchen space—worked perfectly for our home base during the weekend. A Weekend Built Around Community The meetup was inspired by longtime Geek Kevin Curtis-Allen and his wife Deborah coming down to Florida. That gave us the perfect excuse to organize a larger Geek Meet, with around 25–30 members of the community joining throughout the weekend depending on their travel schedules. From the very beginning, the trip was less about rides and more about spending time together—meeting up in the parks, sharing meals, and bouncing from place to place the way Disney trips often unfold when you’re with friends. Highlights from the First Half of the Trip Some of the early moments from the weekend included: A first meetup at Magic Kingdom’s Beak and Barrel, where a big group of Geeks gathered for drinks and food. One of those classic Disney surprises—riding the PeopleMover while Space Mountain was down, giving us a rare look inside the ride with the lights on. A spontaneous dinner trip to Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge, where the group tackled the famous bison burger. A late-night visit to EPCOT to catch a Broadway-level concert performance during the festival. Along the way we also started an unofficial “burger challenge”—trying burgers at different restaurants throughout the trip and debating which one might be the best on property. Because that’s the kind of totally unnecessary but very Geek-style challenge that happens when you put a group like this together. What Makes These Trips Special As fun as the parks and food were, the best part of the weekend was simply spending time with friends who all share the same love for Disney. Over the years this podcast has introduced me to hundreds of amazing people, and weekends like this are a reminder that the Geekin’ community is something truly special. From longtime friends reconnecting to first-time meetups between listeners, the trip was filled with the kind of moments that make Disney trips memorable. Coming Next Week: Part 2 This episode covers the first half of the Geek Meet weekend. In Episode 660, we’ll continue the trip report with: The EPCOT Geek scavenger hunt More park adventures with the group A few unique Disney experiences And some unforgettable final moments from the weekend There’s still plenty more Disney magic ahead. Travelin’ Tiaras – Let Us Help Plan Your Next Trip If you’re thinking about planning your next Disney vacation… My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin’ Tiaras, and they would love to help you plan your next magical adventure. Their planning services are completely free, and they can help with: Walt Disney World Disneyland Disney Cruise Line Universal Orlando And more Email: [email protected] Support the Podcast If you’d like to support the show and help keep the podcast going strong, you can join our community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geekinonwdw Thank you so much for listening and going Geekin’ on Walt Disney World with us. We love this community and we love YOU, Geeks. Until next time—keep taking care of each other, have a magical day, and may all your dreams come true! The post From Beak & Barrel to EPCOT Nights: Inside Our Geek Meet Weekend – Ep. 659 first appeared on Geekin' On WDW Podcast.