Designed for Adventure: Family travel, parenting, and practical life stories

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Ellie and her mom return to share their ultimate insider guide to surviving and thriving during a runDisney weekend. Drawing from 15 years and 11 race weekends of experience, they cover critical logistics every runner needs to know—from navigating unexpected flight delays to beating the dreaded "balloon ladies". Key Highlights: The 2-Day Arriva...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Jesse is sitting this one out as Ellie welcomes her favorite running partner—her mom, Nana—to the show. Together, they look back at 15 years of running Disney races together across 13 different race weekends to share their best secrets, hacks, and lessons learned from designing and running in various costumes. From the genius method of securing Mickey ea...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Ellie and Jesse dive into the sensory-rich, thrilling world of amusement parks with young kids. While Ellie grew up running from ride to ride at Cedar Point, Jesse’s rural Missouri childhood looked a bit different, leading to some hilarious family compromises. Together, they break down why amusement parks are more than just a day of fun—they are actual l...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Jesse takes the lead to pull back the curtain on his role as the "Director of Domestic Survival". After nearly three years as a stay-at-home dad , Jesse shares the honest reality of transitioning from a professional teaching career to managing "small but very emotional humans". We discuss the events that led to this shift—including a...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Ellie and Jesse conclude their comprehensive Disney World planning series by exploring everything outside the four main theme parks. They dive into the immersive themes of Disney’s two water parks, discuss whether the massive Disney Springs shopping district is worth a visit, and break down the complexities of ticket pricing. The couple also engages in a...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Ellie and Jesse continue their Disney planning series by breaking down the four major theme parks at Walt Disney World. They provide a high-level overview of the logistics, family-friendliness, and unique themes of each location, from the classic "most magical" atmosphere of Magic Kingdom to the massive 500-acre wilderness of Animal Kingdom. Wh...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Ellie and Jesse are joined by Ellie’s parents—Nana and Papa—to recap the final leg of their massive New England tour: a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine. They discuss the transition from race life to "park life," sharing their favorite stops along the way, including a Civil War hero's grave and a 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue . From navig...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Ellie and Jesse are joined by two very special guests—Ellie’s parents—to recap a "logistical masterpiece" of a vacation. The group discusses their experience participating in the Mainly Marathons New England Race Series , which involved completing six races in six different states over six consecutive days . While Ellie and Jesse worked toward...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , I am joined by a very special guest—my mom—who is a true runDisney veteran with 12 race weekends under her belt. Together, we look back at 15 years of race travels to help you decide exactly where to stay for your next magical event. We break down the massive benefits of staying within the "Disney Bubble," from the 3:00 a.m. bus transportation...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Jesse and Ellie head deep into the heart of the Black Hills to explore the region’s best family-friendly destinations. They share why this area is a "legit" adventure hub, covering everything from the scenic overlooks of Spearfish Canyon to the prehistoric wonders of the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. Whether you are looking for the historical ki...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , we return to our old stomping grounds in Rapid City, South Dakota , and the surrounding Black Hills . Although we lived there for several years before having kids, we were blown away by how incredibly family-friendly the region is for a five-year-old and a toddler. We break down our favorite stops from our recent trip, from the "alien" landscap...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Jesse and I (Ellie) recap our recent family trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota and dive deep into the logistics of flying with a toddler and a five-year-old. We share our honest feedback on navigating O'Hare International Airport , the challenges of a 35-minute taxi on the runway, and the "minor miracle" of our checked bags making a ti...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , Jesse and Ellie trade the "Disney bubble" for a deep dive into American history. They recap two recent Civil War-themed trips: a rainy weekend exploring the vast battlefield of Gettysburg and a hot afternoon at a First Manasses reenactment in Brandy Station, Virginia. The couple discusses how to make "living history" engaging for a fi...

In this episode of Designed for Adventure , we dive deep into the one area where we never compromise: sleep . Drawing from "bad experiences" —where toddlers escaped their beds and parents were forced to hide in bathrooms to nurse infants—we explain why the layout of your lodging can make or break a vacation. We share our transition from cramped standard rooms to prioritizing one-bedroom suites and...

In this episode of Design for Adventure , I am diving into a full recap of my recent trip to Walt Disney World for the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend . This was my fifth time participating in this event since 2011, and I brought along my mom, my two best friends, and my two children for a fun-filled girls' weekend. I break down everything from the registration "disaster" —w...

In this episode of Design for Adventure , we introduce a new segment called "Trip Wars." Jesse and I set out to plan two completely different vacations for the same window in August—using specific parameters for flights, lodging, food, and activities—to see who could build the best adventure for the best price. The Contenders: Team Mountains (Jesse): Jesse takes us back to our honeymoon...

In this episode of Design for Adventure , I (Ellie) help Jesse overcome his "analysis paralysis" by diving deep into the world of Disney Vacation Club (DVC) point rentals . We explore how renting points allows families to stay in high-end Deluxe villas for a fraction of the cost—sometimes saving as much as $2,500 on a single stay at resorts like the Grand Floridian. I also break down the...

In this episode of Design for Adventure , we break down the most significant expense of any Walt Disney World vacation after park tickets: lodging. Choosing the right hotel depends entirely on your family's budget, logistics, and what you want out of the experience. We explore the differences advantages between staying "on property" versus "off property." While my husband J...

In this episode of Design for Adventure , Jesse and I (Ellie) dive into the often-overwhelming world of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. While I love the "Disney bubble" for its family-friendly design and nostalgia, Jesse joins us as a self-proclaimed skeptic who has never been and is wary of the crowds and costs. We break down the initial steps of planning, from deciding when to g...

In this episode of Design for Adventure , Jesse and I break down our recent nine-hour road trip to Ohio for the Easter holidays. We share our honest feedback on two different travel strategies: splitting the drive into two days with a hotel stay in Charleston, West Virginia, versus making the return trip in one "fell swoop". Along the way, we discuss our "no electronics" policy...

We are Ellie and Jesse, and on this episode of Design for Adventure , we are diving into the sometimes overwhelming and intimidating world of flying with young children . While we aren't "pro travelers" with hundreds of flights under our belts, we have successfully navigated the skies with our kids from ages six months up to five years old, and we’re here to share how we make it work...

In this episode of Design for Adventure, Ellie shares her experience using Thrill Data’s Wait Magic during a recent seven-day trip to Walt Disney World, calling it the "best decision" she ever made for her vacation. As a service that automates the booking and modification of Lightning Lanes, Wait Magic is designed to reduce the "pressure" and stress of managing Disney’s paid sk...

This episode of Design for Adventure, hosted by married couple Jesse and Ellie, explores the practical side of visiting Civil War battlefields with young children. Drawing from Jesse’s experience visiting 33 battlefields in a single year, the hosts share how to turn historical sites into engaging family adventures rather than stressful chores. Episode Highlights The "Construction Truck"...

Thinking about bringing your kids to a RunDisney race weekend—but not sure what to expect? In this episode, I’m sharing my first-ever experience doing RunDisney with kids after completing 9 race weekends without them. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance race weekend logistics with family life, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical tips. We’re talking all about what it’s like...

Road trips with kids don’t have to mean screens, tablets, and constant “Are we there yet?” In this episode of Designed for Adventure , we’re sharing practical ways to survive — and even enjoy — road trips with kids without relying on electronics . From classic car games to creative activities and simple planning tricks, we break down how to keep kids engaged, reduce stress, and turn travel time in...