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

How far in advance should you book your Disney World vacation? Is the dining plan actually worth it? And what is going on with those new MagicBand checks at Disney Springs? In this episode, I sit down with my co-host Chip to answer the listener questions that have been flooding our inbox, and if you’re a family planning a Disney World trip, these are probably your questions too. We start with the...

Lightning Lane is more expensive than ever in 2026. In this episode I share 10 advanced ways to actually get your money's worth using Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World. If you have ever felt like you are paying a lot and still not skipping enough lines, this one is for you. I am a dad of 5 kids, all 8 and under, and we go to Walt Disney World a lot. I have booked thousands of Lightning Lanes fo...

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...

Planning your first Walt Disney World trip and feeling buried in news, discounts, and decisions? In this episode, Chip and I sort out what actually matters for your family right now. We cover the new Bluey experience, the best room discounts of the year, two changes Disney made without telling anyone, and a full breakdown of split stays. We start with Bluey’s Wild World at Animal Kingdom, because...

Most families head into a Walt Disney World trip with a quiet fear they’ll come home heavier, sluggish, and totally off track. In this episode I sit down with Jake Mayes, a fitness and nutrition coach who runs Magical Transformations, to talk about food, fitness, and the mindset that actually works on a Disney vacation. Jake and I cover how to think about eating and movement at the parks without r...

If you’ve been wondering whether Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is actually worth it, how to handle Magic Kingdom after hours events, or how to stop blowing up your day with Lightning Lane Multipass, this episode is for you! Chip and I are back together to dig into 10 real listener questions from families planning their next Walt Disney World trip. We’re halfway to Halloween, party tickets...

If you've ever stared at the My Disney Experience app trying to figure out which Magic Kingdom area restaurant is actually worth your money, this episode is for you! We sat down to rank all 20 table service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom area, including everything inside the park plus the four monorail and boat resorts. We're going to tell you exactly which ones we'd book again and which ones we...

Matt just got back from nine days at Walt Disney World with his family of 7, including 2 babies, and somehow it turned out to be his favorite trip ever and his least stressful one. In this episode, we break down what actually made it work, including the room request at Saratoga Springs that changed everything and a Lightning Lane rule Disney doesn't tell anyone about. Matt walks through the full t...

Matt is literally packing as this episode goes live. So who better to walk you through the last-minute Disney prep checklist than someone who is actively living it? We share the real things families forget before a Walt Disney World trip, including a few gems you only learn the hard way. In this episode, Matt and Chip go through their full pre-trip routine: checking dining reservations and canceli...

In this Disney news and planning episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad podcast, Matt and Chip break down several new Walt Disney World discounts, major attraction updates across the parks, and one of the most common questions families ask when planning a trip: where should we eat? Quick Service Edition! From new ticket deals that could save families hundreds of dollars, to the return of Soarin...

In this listener Q&A + Disney news episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad podcast, Matt and Chip break down the latest updates about Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom and answer real planning questions straight from the inbox. From the rumored Emperor’s New Groove family coaster to a Maleficent boat ride and possible Hades dinner show, we talk through what this new land might actually l...

In this episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad podcast, Matt and Chip break down everything that’s new at Walt Disney World in 2026 and what it means for families planning a trip. We cover Disney’s new CEO, what changes (and what probably won’t), and then dive into the best Disney World deals for 2026, including bounce back offers, room discounts, and how kids can eat free on the Disney Dining...

In this listener Q&A episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad podcast, Matt and Chip tackle real Disney World planning questions straight from the inbox. From the best and worst holidays to visit Walt Disney World, to dining strategies, Skyliner food debates, and whether certain “Disney hacks” still work, this episode is packed with practical advice for families planning a trip. Matt also sha...

Trying to decide which Disney World character dining experiences are actually worth the money? In this episode of Adventures of a Disney Dad, Matt and Chip rank their top 6 character dining experiences at Walt Disney World from worst to best, based on real trips, real kids, and real food opinions. We break down what actually matters to families, including: Which character meals give you the best b...

EPCOT might be the most misunderstood park at Walt Disney World, especially for families who haven’t visited in years. In this episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad Podcast, we’re joined by Dapper Danielle and co-author Ian Wilson to talk all things EPCOT, inspired by their brand-new book I Love EPCOT. We dive deep into what EPCOT really is today, how it’s changed, what families often miss, an...

Are you following Disney World advice that actually makes your vacation worse?   In this episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad Podcast, Matt and Chip break down the most overrated Walt Disney World planning advice we see all over social media, Facebook groups, and TikTok. From crowd calendars and rope dropping every day to overbooking dining and paying extra for hotel views, we’re calling out...

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 Kingdo...

If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip for the 2025 holiday season, this episode answers the most common listener questions we are getting right now. Matt and Chip break down the newest changes at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, how to plan park days around Christmas parties, whether MultiPass is still worth it during holiday hours, the best free Christmas activities for families, what crowds look...

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-t...

Ranking every Walt Disney World resort hotel — from the best deluxe resorts to the ones we’d only stay at for a discount. In this episode, Matt and Chip debate and break down every Disney World resort using real experience as dads, travelers, and Disney fans. If you’ve ever wondered which Disney resort is actually worth the money, this tier list covers it all — transportation, dining, pools, themi...

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...

I planned our first Disney World trip the wrong way and learned the hard lessons so you don’t have to. In this episode I share 6 things I wish I knew before our first Walt Disney World vacation with little kids so you can save time, avoid stress, and have a smoother trip. What you’ll learn: 00:50 Dining Reservations: Not the End of the World 02:49 Rope Drop: Not Mandatory for Everyone 04:47 Transp...

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)...

In this episode, Chip and Matt are joined by special guest Hallie Jones to answer your listener questions! We discuss the pros and cons of Disney resorts like Pop Century vs. Coronado Springs, to offering expert tips on Multi Pass. We also dive into topics such as the best viewing spots for Magic Kingdom fireworks outside the park, common mistakes to avoid at Magic Kingdom, and much more. 01:50 Di...

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 headliner...