Kids Travel Tales | A Family Travel Podcast

Universal Kids Resort has been one of the most talked-about new theme parks of the year—but is the criticism deserved? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn sits down with Samantha, one of the first paying guests to visit during the soft opening, to separate social media hype from the real experience. From rides and character meet-and-greets to food, pricing, and splash pads, Samantha shares...

Planning a family trip to Washington, DC? From Smithsonian museum favorites to July 4th survival tips, you'll get practical advice for exploring the nation's capital with babies, toddlers, and older kids—all without breaking the bank. In this episode, you'll hear: Why Washington, DC is one of the best family vacations in America Hot takes on the most overrated attractions (yes, even the Air &...

Dreaming of a more luxurious Disney vacation? In this bonus episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn is joined by Disney travel advisor Jamie McMahon of Travelmation and Alli from Happily Ever Taylor Fam on YouTube to share their favorite ways to elevate a Walt Disney World vacation—from iconic deluxe resorts to hidden splurges that make a trip feel extra magical. In this episode, you'll hear: Why the G...

Which cruise line is actually best for families? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn chats with travel advisor and cruise expert Sam from Gabriel Getaways, who has sailed on FIVE major cruise lines — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, and Celebrity. And yes… she has some HOT TAKES. 👀 From why Carnival is her family’s favorite cruise line to why Royal Caribbean left her bored (...

Is a Disney VIP Tour actually worth the price tag? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn is joined by Disney creators Alli from Happily Ever Taylor Fam and travel advisor Jamie McMahon to break down the luxury side of Walt Disney World vacations — from private VIP guides to deluxe dining and bucket-list Disney experiences. Plus, Alli shares the viral bet she made with her husband to earn a Di...

Is Cinderella’s Royal Table actually worth the price? Why does Space 220 get so much hate? And are Disney food influencers setting expectations too high? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn chats with Disney travel advisor Brittany Adams about the most talked-about restaurants at Walt Disney World — including the ones families love, hate, and debate nonstop online. In this episode, you’ll h...

Traveling with a child on the autism spectrum or sensory issues can feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to busy destinations like Walt Disney World. In this special Autism Awareness Month episode of Kids Travel Tales, two moms share real-life strategies for making family travel more accessible, predictable, and enjoyable. From first flights to navigating Disney parks and cruises, this epi...

What should you actually spend money on during a Disney Cruise Line vacation — and what’s totally not worth it? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, we are joined by Disney travel expert Sammie Fay, a Mickey Guru Travel Advisor, to break down the ultimate Disney Cruise money-saving guide. From placeholder bookings to fish extenders, specialty dining, and those pricey princess experiences, this ep...

Planning a Disney World vacation as a military family ? You might be missing out on some of the biggest savings available. In this bonus episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn sits down with travel advisor Tracy from Trace of Magic Travel to break down how military families can access exclusive Disney discounts — and why working with a travel planner can make the process so much easier. From military...

Could an indoor water park really compete with Disney World? In this special all-family episode of Kids Travel Tales , Jenn is joined by her husband Chris to recap their spring break adventures — from Great Wolf Lodge to a surprise day at GalaxyCon Richmond . From wave pool obsessions to Magic Quest marathons (and one minor dad injury 😅), they share what worked, what didn’t, and whether Great Wol...

Can you really have a magical Disney day for FREE? We are chatting with Kayla from Adventurous Little Thinkers , a Tampa-based creator known for sharing low-cost family adventures. Kayla walks us through her viral “100% Free Disney Adventure Day” — a creative way families can enjoy Disney magic by exploring resorts, riding Disney transportation, and discovering hidden playgrounds without stepping...

Spring break is almost here, so we’re bringing back the very first episode of Kids Travel Tales — our deep dive into indoor water parks like Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari, and DreamWorks Water Park . In this episode, you’ll hear: Great Wolf Lodge vs. Kalahari — which works better for younger kids What to pack for an indoor water park weekend Why one night is usually enough Tips for managing kids with...

Which cruise line really has the worst food? After a viral TikTok debate, Jenn brings in Danielle from Happy Travel Mama — mom of five and cruise expert — to compare Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC from a family perspective. From kids clubs and pool decks to main dining rooms and private islands, Danielle shares honest opinions after sailing all three cruise lines (including 10+ Carnival cruise...

Can you train for 48.6 miles and still plan a magical Disney World family vacation? In this episode, Jenn chats with Haley Ragsdale of Academy Travel — runDisney veteran, Dopey Challenge finisher, and mom — about how to plan a successful runDisney weekend when toddlers are coming along . From 2 a.m. race wake-ups to stroller-packed finish lines, Haley shares practical tips for making race weekends...

Snowed in and dreaming of sunshine? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales , Jenn and Mia dive into the world of family-friendly all-inclusive resorts with Melissa from M&J Luxury Getaways . From Beaches Turks & Caicos to Dreams and beyond, we’re breaking down what “all-inclusive” really means — and whether it’s a smart alternative to a Disney vacation. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Hidden...

Picking the right Walt Disney World resort can feel just as overwhelming as planning the parks themselves. In this episode, Tracy ( Trace of Magic Travel ) breaks down how to actually choose the best Disney resort for your family — based on your kids’ ages, travel style, and budget. From stroller-friendly transportation to club level perks and hot takes on which resorts to skip, Tracy shares the r...

In this episode, we chat with Ashleigh Rainey , a former Disney cast member turned family travel advisor, to break down how to actually choose the best Disney cruise for your family. Ashleigh shares insider tips from her viral “Which ship should I choose?” series — plus practical advice Disney parents wish they knew before booking. In this episode, you’ll hear: What matters more when booking: the...

In Part 2 of Lauren and Wyatt’s family travel story, Jenn dives into their unforgettable trip to Italy with kids — complete with missed flights, lost luggage, and a "purr-fect" way to make wineries kid-approved. In this episode, you’ll hear: A wild missed-flight story involving Rome, AirTags, nuns, and the week of the conclave How cats, snacks, and prosciutto fat turned winery visits into Wyatt’s...

Is a Disney Cruise or Royal Caribbean sailing a better fit for your family vacation? In this‬ episode, Jenn & Mia sit down with‬ ‭ Alyssa‬ ‭, creator of‬‭ @dishingondisney ‬‭, a family vacation advisor with‬ ‭ We‬ Do Travel Right ‬ ‭, and a Disney superfan who recently tried out RC’s‬ ‭ Utopia of the Seas‬ ‭.‬ We’ll talk about where her family’s Disney love story began, what she thought of her...

In this festive December episode, Jenn and Mia chat with Lauren about her family’s once-in-a-lifetime adventure to meet Santa in Finland. In this episode, you’ll hear: • What it’s really like visiting Santa’s village in Finland with your own personal elf escort (named Sparkles!)  • The moment Lauren realized that they would be driving their dog sled themselves through the Arctic snow • Surprising...

Type-A moms, this one’s for you! What happens when you take two energetic boys across France, Italy, Switzerland and onto a Carnival cruise? Kristin, a multilingual mom of two, shares her best packing tips, how she balances wine tasting with Disneyland Paris, and why Switzerland might be the ultimate kid-approved destination. In this episode: 🧳 Europe family travel hacks — trains vs. cars, packin...

Before you book your next Vrbo or Airbnb, listen to this episode of Kids Travel Tales! Natalia shares why her family now prefers Hilton after multiple rental disasters (including on their honeymoon!), her go-to carsick remedies for kids, favorite weekend getaways, and why her daughter chooses Hershey Park over Disney World. 🍫✨

In Episode 2, Jenn and Mia chat with Abigail — a San Diego mom with a 5-year-old son who loves travel and water play. We’ll talk about weekend getaways in Southern California, favorite resort destinations, the challenges of traveling with little ones, and what makes the San Diego area such a dream destination for families. 🌴 In this episode: • Favorite SoCal weekend getaways for families  • Best...

Why does Mia's little sister, Paloma , always want to go on vacation to Baltimore ?  In this special Kids Travel Tales bonus episode, Mia interviews Paloma about the reasons she loves visiting Baltimore. ( Hint: It has to do with the beautiful Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel. 🦀🌊) And Mia asks the ultimate question: would Paloma rather take a trip to Baltimore or go on a Disney Cruise ? 🏰🚢

In our first episode of Kids Travel Tales , Jenn and Mia chat with Heather — a mom of two (ages 5 and 9), who has explored some of the best (and splashiest!) indoor water parks and family resorts, including Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge . 💦 From slides and splash zones to cruises and an all-inclusive ranch in New York , we dive into what really makes a family vacation work when your kids are at d...