Roberta West

Guide to First Time Season 1: Walt Disney World

Society EN ↓ 7 episodes

Guide to First Time is a planning podcast for real people with real budgets and limited time — who refuse to settle for a forgettable experience. Each season tackles one big, bucket-list adventure from start to finish: the strategy, the savings, the insider moves, and everything first-timers get wrong. You're probably only going to do this once. So let's do it right! Hosted by Roberta West — Launch manager by day, millennial mom, friend who shows up with a color-coded spreadsheet and somehow makes it fun. In Season 1, we will deep dive into the Walt Disney World. All four parks. Every dollar....

Author

Roberta West

Episodes

Trip Report: Typhoon Lagoon Arrival Day 10.06.2026 32:14

Is Disney's free water park day on check-in day actually worth it? Short answer: yes — and here is exactly how to make the most of it. In this episode, host Roberta West shares a complete firsthand trip report from Typhoon Lagoon with three kids — from the 6AM drive up from South Florida to the bus ride home with three exhausted, happy children. Two trips in, multiple kids, and the verdict is the...

S1E6: Trip Report Springtime Surprise and Solo Trip 28.05.2026 38:37

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Planning a Budget Friendly Trip for 5 to Animal Kingdom 20.05.2026 35:16

One night. Five people. Animal Kingdom in a Florida summer. And a $500 budget that became $1,000 before we even bought snacks. In Episode 5 of Guide to First Time, I'm sharing exactly how I'm planning this trip — a one-night, two-day Animal Kingdom adventure with my sister-in-law (a Disney skeptic I am personally committed to converting), her two little ones, and my 10-year-old who has been to the...

Lightning Lane Strategy Hollywood Studios (half park day) 16.05.2026 20:49

⚡ Episode 4: How to Crush Hollywood Studios on a Half-Day (With Lightning Lanes You Bought at 2pm) Didn't pre-book Lightning Lanes? Arrived at the park at noon? Still do all the rides you want!! Here's exactly how. This episode breaks down the on-the-spot Lightning Lane strategy that works even on a packed park day — no 7-day advance booking, no rope drop required. 7 Tips That Actually Work: ⚡ C...

Half Day at Epcot Lightning Lane Strategy (Rides, Festival and Sit-Down Dinner at Space220) 13.05.2026 26:26

Proof that you don't need a full park day to have an epic Disney experience. In this episode, I'm breaking down our half-day at EPCOT during race weekend — how we arrived after lunch, skipped the stress, and still knocked out 9 rides including Guardians, Remy's, Test Track, Soarin', Living with the Land, Mission Space, Space 220, Figment, and Spaceship Earth. The strategy that made it work: ⚡ Pre...

Summer Disney World Trip with Kids ($3K Budget) 09.05.2026 23:52

Summer at Disney is hot, crowded — and absolutely worth it if you plan it right. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly what worked (and what didn't) from my first successful July trip with a family of five, plus what I'm doing differently for two upcoming summer trips in June and July 2026. Hot Summer Tips: 🏨 Book your hotel based on your parks — Skyliner access is a game-changer 📅 Go Sunday–W...

Halloween at Disney: First Time at Mickey's Not-So-Scary 06.05.2026 21:14

Is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party worth the ticket price? Here's everything you need to know before you go. In this episode of Guide to First Time , host Roberta walks you through a first-timer family trip report from Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom — Walt Disney World's famous Halloween event From booking strategy to the Boo-to-You Parade, this is the honest guide fi...