The Magic Kings Podcast

We've been dancing around this episode for the entire history of this podcast. We finally did it. THE SKYLINER The Disney Skyliner is the Great Big Beautiful Dads' (aka the Skyliner Squad's) favorite way to get around Walt Disney World. We talk about why we love it (as if we haven't done that on every episode already), what makes it the best transportation method in the bubble, and...

To celebrate July 4, the Great Big Beautiful Dads are joined by Also Steve and Ashlee for a special Independence Day episode! We each came up with a bunch of categories of things at Disney World, and we chose our MOUNT RUSHMORES! What are the top 4 park essentials? Animals in Kilamanjaro Safaris? BATHROOMS?! Listen to the episode and then...come up with your own Mount Rushmore categories! Share wi...

Steve is joined by his cousin Jane (how many cousins does this guy have?) and her husband Andrew to talk about their first trip (as adults at least) to Disney World! They had a whirlwind of a trip with their 14- and 11-year-old kids -- hitting all 4 parks, rope dropping every day, Broadway, Beverly -- and even a blizzard?! Listen in to hear how Disney World hit with these first-timers...with a lit...

Happy Father's Day from the Great Big Beautiful Dads! This Father's Day, we're counting down the 10 types of Disney World dads that you see around the parks. To all the dads out there: which one (or ones) describe you? Are you a Disney World dad ready to book your next vacation? Steve is a travel agent with Just Add Magic Travel and can help your family create the perfect Disney vacati...

This week, Magic Mike takes us on a trip around the world in a day! If you have one day in EPCOT on your Disney World vacation, and you want to make the most of it -- do all the major rides, take in the World Showcase, and leave room for some magical surprises -- listen in to this week's episode! Ready to put this strategy to the test? Get in touch! Steve is a travel agent with Just Add Magic...

Inspired by the news of the upcoming reimagining of the Carousel of Progress, The Great Big Beautiful Dads take a trip down memory lane and discuss some of our favorite things at Disney World that are no longer with us. Then we look into the crystal ball to see...what current WDW attractions could we be talking about as "gone but not forgotten" 20 years from now, and what could go in the...

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a Walt Disney World Cast Member? Who hasn’t?! We are thrilled to be joined by special guest Adam, a former Cast Member (and Team Member at Universal Orlando!). We learn about what it’s like to work in Magic Kingdom, the training that Cast Members go through, and learn a few secrets along the way. How are the shelves in Disney stores so full?! Don’t they get tired...

Steve's Disneyland trip is coming up!!!! Steve and Mike are joined by Steve's cousin and fabulous former guest Melanie and her husband George to talk all about planning their Disneyland trip! They talk dining, park strategy, and what rides are way better at Disneyland than Disney World (we shall see....) Ready to plan your next Disney vacation, whether it's Land, World, Cruise, Aulani, Adventures,...

THE RESULTS ARE IN!!! Thank you to everyone who voted to determine the winner of the 2026 May Madness final showdown between Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! Joined by special guests Also Steve and Ashlee, we reveal the winner and break down the results. Then we dive into Also Steve and Ashlee’s upcoming trip! They’re set to jet in lane June. We talk dining reser...

Bracket season is not over yet! We had a busy March and April with planning Mike's trip, special guests, and lots of fun. We're coming to you this May with MAY MADNESS! We took the attraction rankings we did for each park and jumbled them up into a 64-attraction bracket. Our good friends Also Steve and Ashlee came along to help us choose the winners of all these exciting matchups! ⁠Fill ou...

The thrilling conclusion of Mike's trip recap is upon us! Join us as Mike and his crew of 13 traverse Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and more dining experiences than you can shake a stick at! We're talking Topolino's, Sanaa, Teppan Edo, and even a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Stick around to hear Mike's new top 10 attractions at Disney World. SOME SHOCKERS Ready to...

Drum roll please........... The most anticipated event in Magic Kings Podcast history has finally occurred. Magic Mike made his triumphant return to Walt Disney World. And now he's here give us just a brief recap of what he and his family did. We go on a magic carpet ride through Beach Club, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and much more! Mike's group of 13, including his dad (B...

This week we are thrilled to be joined by Aileen, the founder of ⁠Just Add Magic Travel⁠ !! Aileen took a trip to Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii last summer. We've gotten lots of questions about Aulani, and we're so excited to have an expert in the house! We talk all things Aulani, including the food (Spam FTW), activities, and even Duffy! (If you don't know who Duffy is...n...

The anticipation has reached a fever pitch. The stage is set. Magic Mike is finally making his triumphant return to Disney World! (And for anyone who's counting...yes, we've squeezed 4 episodes out of Mike's trip planning...but tbh we could have done 40) We talk last-minute preparations, keeping the kids as grounded as possible, and the final itinerary for Mike's 13-person extended...

We're calling back the white smoke! Some last-minute convos with Magic Mike's family meant we returned to the inner sanctum for a final, official Lightning Lane conclave. We talk park strategy, who's doing what Single Pass rides, and mapping out our days around dining reservations. Did we squeeze 3 episodes out of planning Mike's trip? Don't be surprised if we stretch it to 4,...

We are closing out our Disney World attraction rankings by park with the Magic Kingdom! This week, we're blessed to be joined by fan favorite (and favorite in our hearts) Andres of the Real Dads of Boston ! We may not have agreed on everything.... This turned out to be just about the wildest ranking in the wilderness! Ready to put our rankings to the test at the Magic Kingdom? Steve is a trave...

The Great Big Beautiful Dads are blessed to have an extremely special guest this week: Sometimes Ben ( @SometimesBen ) of the incredible Disney World is Awesome podcast!!! Ben joins Steve, Mike, and Also Steve for a conversation about Universal Orlando. Ben is a big Universal fan, and Ben and Steve try to sell Mike and Also Steve on a Universal Orlando trip. We talk Express Pass, the Universal &qu...

The Great Big Beautiful Dads are tackling a hot topic in Disney World trip planning: Park Hopping! (Shout out to Hoppers, in theaters now -- just a coincidence) Tune in to learn our best tips for going from park to park on your Disney World vacation. Should you get the Park Hopper tickets? Which parks are the best for hopping? How would you tackle all 4 parks in one day? Listen in to find out! Rea...

Magic Mike and Steve are back in the conclave to continue the planning of Mike’s upcoming Disney World trip. The anticipation is building and this solemn task takes on new weight as the departure date draws near. Come along as we slice and dice Mike’s park days, talk Tier 1 and Tier 2, ponder park hopping, and deliberate the important questions to arrive at our white smoke moment. Ready for your o...

We are back with the next installment of our official rankings of the attractions in each park! We’re at Magic Mike’s favorite park this week: none other than EPCOT! This week we are blessed to be joined again by EPCOT aficionado, Steve’s cousin Melanie! We each ranked the rides and shows in EPCOT, averaged them out, and came up with the Magic Kings Podcast OFFICIAL attraction rankings! Ready to m...

Your old pal Steve traded in his ears for a broomstick and headed over to Universal Orlando for a few days! Joined by special guest Mary Kate for some sibling adventure time, they tackled the three theme parks of Universal Orlando, Steve went to some fantastic trainings, and they had a magical time! Listen in as we break down our experience from the perspective of tried and true Disney people. Spo...

Steve and special guest, his sister Mary Kate, went to EPCOT After Hours! Tune in to learn all about Disney After Hours events and hear about their experience at EPCOT! Did they get on all their must-do rides? Did they eat a million free snacks? Is Mike gonna do an After Hours event on his trip and post up at Yorkshire County Fish Shoppe? Tune in to find out! Disney World announced fantastic deals...

One of the Great Big Beautiful Dads, Steve, is joined by Sabine, the actual beauty of the marriage, the ride photo GOAT, for a very special episode! Sabine turns the tables and subjects Steve to a Disney trivia challenge. Does Steve actually know what he's talking about? Will Sabine accomplish her treasured goal of knocking Steve down a peg? Tune in to find out! Ready to learn some Disney trivia f...

We brought our expert panel BACK to rank the rides and shows of Disney’s Hollywood Studios! With so many of Disney World’s marquee attractions, plus a few hidden gems, this park was not easy for us to rank. Some of our results may shock you! Ready to see how these rankings stack up? Disney announced fantastic deals for Summer 2026, including 2 free hotel nights/park tickets when you book a 4-day/n...

The Great Big Beautiful Dads entered the trip planning conclave. Mike’s extended family trip is coming up fast, and we need to confer on the most sacred part of Mike’s Disney World experience: the food. Join Mike and Steve as they navigate the contours of Mike’s trip and make tough decisions that will shape the fate of his vacation. Did they send up the white smoke in the end? Tune in to find out!...