Going Beyond The Castle

Send us a text Curious how Disneyland stacks up against Walt Disney World? This week, we’re joined by Stephanie—a Navy veteran and seasoned Disney traveler—who shares her love for Walt’s original park. From childhood trips with her grandmother to her recent visit for the Food & Wine Festival, Stephanie offers insider tips and unique insights. She breaks down her split stay between the luxuriou...

Send us a text Choosing the perfect Disney World resort can make or break your vacation experience. In this comprehensive breakdown, we pull back the curtain on every Disney accommodation option to help you find your ideal home base. We start with the crème de la crème – deluxe resorts. From the Hawaiian paradise of the Polynesian with its iconic 'Ohana restaurant to Beach Club's legendary Stormal...

Send us a text The dreaded question every Disney and Universal travel agent faces: "When is it not crowded?" For spring break travelers, the answer might be disappointing, but your vacation doesn't have to be.  Fred and Lori tackle the reality of March and April crowds when schools across the country schedule breaks at different times, creating a sustained peak season at the parks. Rather than avo...

Send us a text In this exciting episode, hosts Fred Briley and Lori Talamo take you on a thrilling tour of Universal Studios Orlando. They dive deep into the park's wide array of attractions, from heart-pumping thrill rides to family-friendly experiences. Fred and Lori share their favorites, including the magical Harry Potter areas, the lively Simpsons Springfield, and the action-packed Marvel Sup...

Send us a text Join us for a fun-filled Valentine's episode of *Going Beyond the Castle* as hosts Fred Briley and Lori Talamo team up with their spouses, Rachel and Josh, for a Disney-themed trivia night! From guessing each other's favorite attractions and snacks to sharing hilarious travel mishaps, this episode is packed with laughter, nostalgia, and plenty of Disney magic.  Along the way, we div...

Send us a text Think you can conquer all four Disney parks in one day? In this episode of Going Beyond the Castle, hosts Fred and Lori, along with special guest Olivia, dive into the ultimate Disney Four Park Challenge! From thrilling rides at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios to indulging in the best Disney snacks at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, they share personal experiences, expert strategies,...

Send us a text  If you're planning a trip to Disney and wondering where to eat, this episode of Going Beyond the Castle is a must-watch! Hosts Fred Briley and Lori Talamo take you on a delicious journey through the best dining spots across Disney World, sharing their top restaurant picks in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. Whether you're craving a quick-...

Send us a text In this episode, Fred and Lori dive into all things Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Orlando! From the dazzling parade floats and live entertainment to the mouthwatering Cajun cuisine and exclusive merchandise, they break down everything you need to know to make the most of this spectacular event. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Mardi Gras pro, this episode is packe...

Send us a text In this exciting episode of Going Beyond the Castle, Lori and Fred welcome Ruel Campbell from Virgin Voyages to explore all things Virgin Voyages Cruise Line! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or new to the world of cruising, Ruel shares insider insights into the unique experiences Virgin Voyages offers. From the innovative ship designs to the luxurious onboard amenities and thrilli...

Send us a text In this episode of Going Beyond the Castle, Fred and Lori are joined by Lauren Miller from EnchantAway Travel to dive into all things dining at Disney with food allergies. From navigating menus to understanding Disney’s allergy-friendly policies, Lauren shares essential tips and tricks to ensure that guests with dietary restrictions can enjoy a safe and delicious experience at the p...

Send us a text In this episode of Going Beyond the Castle, Fred and Lori dive into the world of Disney World dining options. They break down the different dining plans available at the parks, offering an honest comparison of the pros and cons of each. From the Quick Service plan to the Disney Dining Plan, they discuss which plans offer the best value, which are worth the extra cost, and how they f...

Send us a text In this exciting episode of Going Beyond the Castle, Fred and Lori welcome EnchantAway Travel Agency Manager, Shelley Eastmer, to share the highlights of her recent adventure aboard the Disney Treasure. Shelley takes us on a journey through the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, offering a firsthand account of its stunning amenities, unique experiences, and unforgettable moments. From...

Send us a text In this special year-end episode of Going Beyond the Castle, Fred and Lori take a moment to reflect on the highlights of 2024. From unforgettable Disney moments to thrilling cruise experiences and everything in between, they share their favorite memories from the past year. Join them as they revisit the magical trips, exciting adventures, and unexpected surprises that made 2024 so s...

Send us a text Get ready to unwrap some holiday magic! In this festive episode of Going Beyond the Castle, we’re celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas Disney-style! Join us as we count down our ultimate Disney wish list, sharing the top twelve Disney-themed gifts we’d each love to find under the tree. From park-exclusive treasures to enchanting collectibles, it’s a fun-filled celebration of all thi...

Send us a text In this episode of Going Beyond the Castle, hosts Fredrick Briley and Lori Talamo chat with David and Toni from The Disney Crush podcast. They explore their shared love for Disney, favorite parks, resorts, dining experiences, and the magic of introducing Disney to newcomers. The discussion delves into the origins of The Disney Crush, the challenges of podcasting during the COVID pan...

Send us a text On this week's episode, Fred’s cousin, Andy Meehan, joins the show to share all the magical details of his family’s Christmas vacation to Walt Disney World. Andy breaks down where his family stayed, highlights their favorite Christmas decorations around the parks and resorts, and offers practical tips for navigating Disney during the busy holiday season. Whether you're planning your...

Send us a text In this week's episode of Going Beyond The Castle, we dive into the enchanting transformations that Disney World and Universal Orlando undergo during the Christmas season! We explore how both destinations go all out to create unforgettable holiday magic, from spectacular decorations and themed entertainment to festive food and seasonal attractions.   At Disney World, we highlight th...

Send us a text Join Fred and Lori on this thrilling episode of Going Beyond the Castle as they welcome their very first special guest, Matthew Gimenez! Fred and Matthew recount their 28-hour whirlwind adventure to Walt Disney World, sharing every magical detail from their first-ever Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to Matthew's debut trip to Disney World. Tune in for insider tips, heartwarming...

Send us a text In this episode of Going Beyond the Castle, we’re exploring the best ways to save time in line at Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Studios Orlando. We’ll compare Lightning Lane and Virtual Queue options at Disney parks with Universal’s Express Pass, discussing how each system works, costs, and the benefits they offer. You’ll hear practical tips for making the most of these to...

Send us a text In this episode, we're diving into Universal Orlando’s highly anticipated Epic Universe! Join us as we cover everything we know so far, from immersive lands and groundbreaking attractions to what sets Epic Universe apart in Orlando’s theme park lineup. We'll share insider tips, speculate on must-do experiences, and explore how this park might change the landscape of theme park trave...

Send us a text In this episode of Going Beyond the Castle, Lori takes us on a journey through her latest trip to Walt Disney World! 🏰✨ From must-try snacks to new experiences and unexpected moments of Disney magic, Lori shares all the highlights that made this visit extra special. Whether you're planning your own trip or just want to experience the magic through her stories, this episode is pack...

Send us a text In this episode, Fred takes us on a magical journey through his most recent two-week adventure at Disney World! From exploring every resort to riding every ride and indulging in all the delicious food Disney has to offer, you won't want to miss Fred's insider tips and experiences from this ultimate Disney getaway! Stay up to date with all things Going Beyond the Castle at beacons.ai...

Send us a text n this exciting episode of Beyond the Castle, we dive into all the major Disney World announcements made at this year’s D23 Expo! From thrilling new attractions and magical park expansions to innovative experiences and immersive storytelling, we’ll break down everything you need to know. Whether you're planning your next trip or just want to stay up-to-date on the latest Disney magi...

Send us a text In this inaugural episode of Going Beyond The Castle, get to know the voices behind the magic! Fred and Lori introduce themselves, sharing their passion for travel and their unique journeys that led them to create this podcast. Discover their favorite destinations, insider tips, and what you can expect from future episodes. Whether you’re a Disney fan or an adventure seeker looking...