One Slice at a Time

What is the best way to spend a day at Magic Kingdom? That depends on who you ask. In this episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie Pakosta and Ryan Joy compare two very different Magic Kingdom strategies. Ryan is a Florida annual passholder who can afford to slow down, skip a ride, and come back another day. Stephanie flies in for her Disney trips, often visits with a child, plans ahead, and is...

Modern air travel is not always smooth, and even the best-planned trip can run into delays, cancellations, missed connections, overbooked flights, weather problems, crew issues, airport shutdowns, or lost documents. In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Stephanie Pakosta and Ryan Joy continue the Modern Air Travel Myths series with part three: what to do when things go wrong. This episode is ab...

Ryan just returned from Sandals Ochi in Jamaica, and we are giving you the real review. In this episode, we talk about the airport transfer from Montego Bay, Club MoBay, private transfers, the Seaside and Hillside areas, the beach, pools, food, restaurant reservations, drinks, rooms, robes, and The Rabbit Hole speakeasy. Sandals Ochi has a lot to love, but it is not the right fit for every travele...

In this episode of One Slice at a Time, we're moving beyond booking airfare and focusing on what happens next: surviving the airport. From family travel and seat selection to TSA rules, airport apps, Real ID requirements, and lost luggage prevention, we're sharing the practical strategies we use with our own clients every day. You'll learn why airport stress often starts before you...

In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Stephanie and Ryan are talking about one of Stephanie’s most exciting upcoming hosted trips: Ireland in 2027 . This hosted group trip is designed for travelers who want to experience Ireland’s castles, coastlines, music, food, history, whiskey, and local charm without having to figure out every hotel, transfer, route, and ticket on their own. Stephanie’s Ir...

In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Stephanie and Ryan start a three-part air travel series with a practical look at modern airfare. Most travelers think they are simply buying a seat from point A to point B. But airfare also includes rules, restrictions, baggage policies, seat access, boarding order, change terms, refund rules, and recovery options if something goes wrong. We talk about: – W...

Ryan is back from Tahiti, and this episode may have Stephanie ready to pack a bag. This week on One Slice at a Time , Stephanie and Ryan talk through Ryan’s seven-night Windstar Cruises Dreams of Tahiti sailing aboard the Star Breeze . From the clear blue water of Bora Bora to drift snorkeling, private motu beach events, Polynesian culture, overwater bungalows, and Windstar’s small-ship service, R...

What is it really like to sail with Scenic River Cruises? In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Ryan shares his full experience aboard the Scenic Opal during a luxury Dutch Waterways river cruise through the Netherlands. Stephanie and Ryan break down:  Scenic’s included butler service   Excursions and enrichment experiences   Scenic food and drinks   Tulip season in the Netherlands   Keukenhof...

This week on One Slice at a Time , Stephanie and Ryan continue their month-long river cruise series with a full review of Emerald Cruises after Ryan stayed onboard during the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam. We talk about: 🍕 Emerald’s modern, younger vibe 🍕 The indoor pool that transforms into a movie theater 🍕 Cabin layouts and who should upgrade rooms 🍕 Breakfast, entertainment, and onbo...

Have you been curious about river cruising but not sure if it’s really worth the cost… or if it’s just for retired travelers? In this kickoff episode of our month-long river cruise series, Ryan shares what he learned after returning from the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam, where he toured multiple river cruise brands, explored a brand-new ship debut, and compared what really matters when choo...

This week on One Slice at a Time, Stephanie and Ryan head to Greece — one of the few destinations that truly offers something for every type of traveler. We’re talking ancient ruins in Athens, blue-domed sunsets in Santorini, flexible beach days in Mykonos, medieval charm in Rhodes, and the peaceful no-car island of Hydra. But we’re also talking strategy: Why do so many Greece vacations become exh...

Would you ride a roller coaster… on a cruise ship? In this episode, we break down a Caribbean group cruise sailing on Norwegian Aqua , one of the newest ships in Norwegian’s fleet—and why this type of trip might be one of the easiest ways to travel right now. We cover:  What makes Norwegian Aqua stand out   The full itinerary (Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola)   Why group cruises remove the stres...

In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Stephanie and Ryan break down Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and talk through what makes this resort such an interesting option for Walt Disney World travelers. They compare Grand Destino Tower vs. the Casitas, talk about the overall feel of the resort, cover the pool scene, food options, club level, and who this resort is actually best for. They also tal...

Most people think the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are basically the same. They’re not. And if you pick based on outdated advice (like “short cruise vs long cruise”), you could end up on the wrong ship for your trip. In this episode, we break down:  What’s actually different between the Dream and Fantasy   Why the home port matters more than the ship   Which one is better for first-time cruiser...

What if alumni engagement didn’t revolve around another banquet… but a shared experience at sea? In this episode, we’re talking about alumni cruises—and why they might be one of the smartest, most underused strategies in higher education today. Most institutions focus heavily on top-tier donors, but long-term sustainability comes from engaging alumni early and consistently. That’s where travel com...

Loews Royal Pacific is one of Universal Orlando’s Premier hotels—but is it actually worth the price? In this episode, we break down what you’re really paying for… and it’s not the room. We cover: Why Express Unlimited is the main selling point When this hotel saves you money (and when it doesn’t) Room expectations vs reality Pool, dining, and overall experience Transportation tips (especially for...

Cruise lines love to promote their private islands as the ultimate beach day — but are they really all the same? In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Stephanie and Ryan break down the most popular cruise line private islands and compare what actually makes them different. They discuss: • Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay • Disney’s newer island Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point • Royal Caribbean...

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the most iconic hotels at Walt Disney World. The monorail runs through the building, it’s within walking distance of Magic Kingdom, and it’s one of the original resorts that opened with the park in 1971.  But is it actually the best place to stay? In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Stephanie and Ryan break down everything about Disney’s Contemporary Res...

This week, we’re talking about one of the most exciting new ships in cruising— Windstar’s Star Seeker . Fresh out of the shipyard and already turning heads, this small luxury yacht is built for travelers who want fewer crowds, deeper destination experiences, and a more relaxed onboard atmosphere. We break down what makes this ship different, where it’s sailing, and who it’s actually a great fit fo...

We spent a full day at Universal’s Epic Universe during a holiday weekend—and this episode is the real breakdown. No fluff. No highlight-only version. We cover: Park layout and why it changes everything Ministry of Magic and Dark Universe reviews Super Nintendo World experience Ride breakdowns and crowd issues Whether Express Pass is worth it Food review including Pizza Moon What we’d do different...

This week we break down a real hosted group sailing aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima — what worked, what surprised us, and where this ship really fits for travelers. This is not a brochure talk. This is a real cruise review based on a 17-cabin hosted group sailing. We cover: • Norwegian’s position vs other cruise lines  • Group cruise planning strategy  • Prima ship layout and design  • Dining...

Is Discovery Cove worth the price — and where does it fit into a Disney or Universal vacation? In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Stephanie shares a full, start-to-finish review of her Discovery Cove day in Orlando, including the dolphin swim, snorkeling lagoon, lazy river through the aviary, food, drinks, and what surprised her most. Ryan helps break it all down from a traveler and planner...

It’s Stephanie’s birthday episode — so this week is all about her favorite trips, cruise picks, splurge choices, and smart travel tips for busy families. We talk about: Dream beach days in Virgin Gorda Disney Cruise Line for both families and adults Concierge and suite upgrades Packing and time-saving systems Favorite snorkeling trips Why weekend cruises are the best short vacation A local St. Lou...

We’re breaking down what a Disney VIP Tour REALLY includes, what it costs, and who it’s best for — based on our real VIP tour experience across all four Disney parks in one day. Plus Ryan’s Crusty Review features pizza spring rolls! bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese. Fun

Disney Cruise Line has a brand-new ship — and this one is bold, villain-packed, and seriously fun . In this episode of One Slice at a Time , Ryan and Stephanie break down the Disney Destiny , including what makes it feel familiar (if you’ve sailed the Wish or Treasure) and what makes it totally different the second you step into the Grand Hall. We’re talking:  ✅ Short sailings out of Fort Lauderd...