Carousel of Conversations

Welcome back to Episode 82 of Carousel of Conversations! This week, RJ and Jessalyn are sharing all the details from their most recent Walt Disney World vacation. From the latest attractions and experiences to new dining spots we tried, we're breaking down everything that made this trip memorable. We chat about: • New rides and experiences at Disney World • Disney merchandise and must-have souveni...

In Episode 81 of Carousel of Conversation, we share our complete review of The Mandalorian & Grogu, the latest Star Wars movie featuring Din Djarin and everyone's favorite Force-sensitive companion. We discuss the film's story, performances, action, fan-service moments, and its place within the larger Star Wars universe. Does the movie successfully continue the journey started in The Mandalori...

On today’s episode of Carousel of Conversations, Karisa joins RJ to talk all about Disney Channel Night at Disneyland! From planning for an after-hours event to exclusive merchandise, character photo ops, entertainment, rides, food, and more — we break down everything you need to know before attending. We also discuss whether Disney Channel Night is worth the cost, what surprised us most, and tips...

In Episode 79 of the Carousel of Conversations, we break down the pros and cons of flying and driving to get to the parks! Whether you’re planning a cross-country vacation, a quick weekend getaway, or a same-day road trip, your travel method can completely change the experience. We discuss packing strategies, transportation costs, airport stress, road trip flexibility, rental cars, park transporta...

Happy May the Fourth! In Episode 78, RJ, Brian, and Noah jump into hyperspace to explore the full legacy of Star Wars video games—from the early 90s classics to today’s modern masterpieces. We break down the hits, the hidden gems, and the games that shaped generations of players across the galaxy. Whether you grew up with retro titles or you’re battling your way through newer releases, this episod...

Episode 77: It’s the grand finale of our Carousel Madness Bracket Challenge! 🎢🏆 After a week of matchups and listener votes, we finally reveal the winner of our Disney World Hotels bracket, featuring 16 iconic resorts going head-to-head. We break down the final results, discuss surprises along the way, and give our honest opinions on how everything shook out. Joining us for this special episode...

Step into the theater! On Episode 76 of the Carousel of Conversations, we are joined by Juliette to officially crown the winner of our social media tournament: Carousel Madness: Disney Movie Sequels Edition. We invited you to vote on the greatest Disney movie sequel of all time, and you delivered a finale that left us absolutely stunned. From early-round upsets to a photo-finish ending, we’re reca...

Welcome back to Carousel of Conversations! 🎢 In Episode 75, we’re diving into another exciting round of Carousel Madness—this time to determine the best snack in Disney World. RJ is joined by his good friend Austin as we break down the bracket, react to listener votes, and share our own picks along the way. From sweet classics to savory favorites, no snack is safe 👀 Make sure to: ⭐ Follow/Subsc...

Welcome back to Carousel of Conversations! This week, we’re kicking off our very first Carousel Madness Bracket Challenge, and we’re starting strong with 16 of the most iconic villains going head-to-head. We’re joined by special guest Brian Smith, who helps us break down the matchups, debate the contenders, and share his takes on who might rise to the top. From masterminds to monsters, each matchu...

"The parks are only half the vacation." That’s the mantra for this week’s episode of the Carousel of Conversations. Join Noah, Jessalyn, and RJ as they pull back the curtain on the "hidden" side of Walt Disney World. If you’ve ever felt burnt out by the lines or the price of a Genie+ day, this episode is your permission slip to slow down and explore the resorts. We’re covering 15 resorts with upda...

In Episode 72 of Carousel of Conversations, Noah is joined by his dad, Brian Smith, to take on one of Disney’s ultimate challenges—the 4 Parks Challenge! They share their full experience racing across all four Walt Disney World parks in a single day, making sure to ride at least one attraction in each park. From planning and logistics to unexpected moments, they break down what worked, what didn’t...

This week on the podcast we welcome Carlos and Sonya to break down everything you need to know about Disney Vacation Club (DVC). We talk about what DVC actually is, how it works, and how Disney fans are using it to vacation at Disney resorts year after year. Carlos and Sonya share their experiences, tips, and honest opinions about whether joining DVC is really worth it. In this episode we cover: •...

Tokyo Disneyland just hit different. In Episode 70, RJ and Noah sit down with Juliette — a real-life Disneyland Tokyo veteran — to break down everything you need to know before you go. From nailing the planning and prep, to navigating the park like a pro, to the food you absolutely cannot skip, this episode is your ultimate guide to one of the most magical theme park experiences on the planet. Whe...

In Episode 69 of Carousel of Conversations, Jessalyn takes over the mic with special guest host Cyndi to share all the magic from Bella’s unforgettable experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside Walt Disney World! If you’ve ever wondered whether the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is worth it, how to prepare, what to expect, or how to secure a reservation — this episode is for you. Jessalyn and Cy...

In Episode 68, RJ and Noah welcome special guest Brian to talk all about our experience on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at Magic Kingdom. We keep it mostly spoiler-free while sharing highlights from the day — including parade floats, a walk through the famous utilidors, and the lunch included with the tour. Whether you’re planning to book the tour or just curious about what happens behind the scen...

Episode 67 of Carousel of Conversations is all about our most recent trip to Disney World—and it came with plenty of magic and mayhem. 🏰❄️ We’re sharing funny stories, trip highlights, and the magical moments that made the vacation unforgettable, plus a full breakdown of how a snowstorm back home impacted our travel plans on both ends of the trip. Because of course it did. 😅 We also dive into:...

In Episode 66 of Carousel of Conversations, we dive into how travel looks completely different depending on who you’re going with. From solo adventures to couple getaways to full-on family trips, we talk about how everything changes — hotel choices, food plans, parks and activities, packing strategies, budgets, and even your mindset. We explore: What freedom looks like when you travel solo How cou...

Episode 65 is all about one of Disneyland’s most mysterious and exclusive experiences: Club 33! This week, Noah and I sit down with Karisa as she shares what it’s really like inside Club 33 — from the elevated dining and unique souvenirs! If you’ve ever dreamed about stepping through those iconic doors, this episode is for you. Let us know in the comments: Do you dream about Club 33 as much as we...

Episode 64: The Pre-Trip Game Plan 🎢✨ In this episode of Carousel of Conversations, Noah, Jessaly, and RJ dive into full trip-planning mode. We’re talking all things rides, snacks, restaurants, shows, Lightning Lanes, outfits, packing hacks, and the strategy behind it all. We break down: What we expect to ride at each park Where we’re planning to eat (and snack) Lightning Lane strategy and ride...

Welcome back and happy 2026!  In our first episode of the new year, hosts RJ, Jessalyn, and Noah look back at some of Disney’s biggest highlights from 2025 while turning their focus to what’s coming next in 2026. We touch on: Noteworthy Disney park news and changes Disney movies coming in 2026 What fans can expect from Disney in the year ahead And what’s coming up for the podcast itself in 2026 It...

In Episode 62 of Carousel of Conversations, RJ, Jessalyn, and Noah sit down to talk about the My Disney Experience app and explore some of its most useful — and often overlooked — features. While this episode isn’t meant to be a comprehensive guide, it offers helpful insights that can make navigating your Disney trip smoother, more efficient, and a lot more magical. Whether you’re a first-time vis...

Noah's on vacation and Jessalyn is out sick, so we bring back Spencer—Noah’s brother—to dive into our full review of the new Fantastic Four movie. We break down the characters, compare the dynamic of the original films versus the new reboot, discuss the villains, and share a few things that genuinely surprised us in the best way.   🔗 All our links: https://linktr.ee/Carouselpod

Gobble gobble, Disney fans! 🦃✨ In Episode 60 of Carousel of Conversations, we’re crafting the ultimate Disney Thanksgiving feast, creating our dream holiday dining experience at Walt Disney World. From a magical breakfast, to a flavorful quick-service lunch, all the way to a cozy table-service Thanksgiving dinner, we build our perfect plate for each part of the day. We break down our favorite ap...

In this episode of Carousel of Conversation, Jessalyn and I chat with Brian and Cyndi (Noah’s parents!) all about their incredible trip to Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. 🌺 We dive into everything from the amazing food and unforgettable character meet-and-greets to the resort’s top-notch amenities and the best excursions beyond the hotel. Get ready for a blend of Disney magic and island paradis...

In this episode of Carousel of Conversations, Noah, Jessalyn, and RJ chat about how to keep that Disney World magic alive — even after countless visits! From trying new resorts and unique dining experiences to exploring behind-the-scenes tours and diving into the Play Disney app, we share our favorite ways to make every trip feel fresh and full of wonder. ✨ Whether you're a Disney first-timer or...