WDW Prep To Go - a Disney World planning podcast

Hannah embarked on a land and sea trip to celebrate her 30th birthday with her sisters and girlfriends. She called it, "One of the best trips I've ever been on!" Listen to hear how they navigated Walt Disney World and the Disney Fantasy with a member recovering from surgery, another with food allergies, and a few first timers in the mix.   Post trip begins: 28 minutes   Links: Disney Cruise Line p...

Full written version of this episode with pics and links - https://wdwprepschool.com/emily-katie-navigate-wdw-uo-with-a-wheelchair-prep-445/ Emily and Katie traveled for an adult friends' trip to Central Florida. Katie uses a wheelchair full-time, and they share extensively about the accessibility at both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.   Post trip begins: 31 minutes   Links: Walt Disney...

Ever wondered if buying into Disney Vacation Club is right for you? Shannon talks with seven DVC owners to find out why they bought in, what they view as the biggest advantages and disadvantages of the program, how they use their points (there's quite a variety!), if they'd recommend DVC ownership to a friend, and more.   Links: Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 6 Step Disney World Planning Process...

Wonder what's new at Disney World in 2025? Shannon recaps all that's coming to the most Magical Place on Earth this year and beyond.   Links: What's coming to Disney World in 2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 6 Step Disney World Planning Process   Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and...

Candy's 5-year-old niece recently completed treatment for leukemia, and to celebrate, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Give Kids the World made her dream trip to Walt Disney World a reality. But the magic didn't stop there—both sets of grandparents, along with aunts and uncles, planned their own trips to join in the fun. Candy shares what it's like traveling with a big group, her thoughts on staying...

Kara's trip in December to Walt Disney World with her two young children, husband, and parents was full with holiday fun and park hopping while trying to minimize extra steps. She shares how her side quest to maximize the value of the Disney Dining Plan ended as well as her thoughts on Caribbean Beach Resort, Standby Skipper, and Mears Transportation.   Post trip begins: 30 minutes   Links: Standb...

Sara traveled to Walt Disney World with her extended family during the busy Thanksgiving holiday week. She shares how she navigated a jam-packed holiday trip with two young kids and five adults. Listen to hear her thoughts on the value of the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass, Jollywood Nights, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and staying at the Boardwalk and Grand Floridian during the crowded h...

Are you traveling with a group? Cruising is a great way to allow for multiple individual interests and still carve out time for togetherness. Shannon shares tips to make your next group trip on Disney Cruise Line even better.   Links: See wdwprepschool.com/podcast for Palo private dining room form Small World Vacations Disney Cruise Line Request How to do embarkation day on Disney Cruise Line How...

Shannon spent Thanksgiving at Disney's Vero Beach Resort and is sharing all the details—from must-try activities to insider tips. Curious how it stacks up against Hilton Head Island? Tune in to find out!   Links: Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 6 Step Disney World Planning Process   Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message wi...

Jill's whirlwind solo four-day trip included four different Walt Disney World resorts, the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, an Orlando Informer Universal event, Jollywood Nights, a special once-a-year hidden Mickey, visiting several gingerbread creations, and very intentional meals and snacks. Listen to hear how she filled her days to maximize her time in Central Florida.   Post trip begins:...

Jacqueline 's trip with her three-year-old, her husband, and her extended family to Florida had a touch of just about everything! Listen to hear her thoughts about traveling in late October and early November, A ll S tar Mu sic Resort, M ickey's N ot S o S cary H alloween P arty, L ightning L ane Multi Pass, D isney C ruise L ine cruise transport , the Disney Wish , and runDisney .   Post trip beg...

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World in the next two months? Get ready for magical holiday events like Jollywood Nights and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! Plus, don't miss festive highlights like the gingerbread houses and Christmas Tree Stroll. Tune in for all the must-know details!   Links: Disney World Christmas 2024 Complete Guide Review and Guide to Jollywood Nights Mickey's Very Merry...

MK and her best friend maximized a short Disney World trip to celebrate their 40th birthdays. She shares lots of details, including the play-by-play of their 4-park challenge.   Post trip begins: 27 minutes   Links: Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 6 Step Disney World Planning Process   Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message...

Curious about the Halloween magic at Walt Disney World? Ever wondered what it's like to stay in an RV at Fort Wilderness? Join Shannon as she shares her favorite spooky highlights from her recent adventure!   Links: Halloween Activities at Walt Disney World Meacham's RV Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Complete Guide Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 6 Step Disney World Planning Process   Leav...

Emily planned to travel to Disney World with her husband, son, and daughter in late September. Hurricane Helene threw a wrench in those plans. Emily shares how she and her family pivoted to make the most of their trip to Disney World during hurricane season.   Post trip begins: 35 minutes   Links: Hurricanes at Disney World Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 6 Step Disney World Planning Process   Le...

Shannon, Heather, and several WDW Prep to Go patrons sailed on the Disney Magic this October. Shannon shares her impression of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and how this cruise redeemed the experience she had on the Disney Magic earlier this year.   Links: How to do embarkation day on Disney Cruise Line How to do disembarkation on Disney Cruise Line Youth Clubs on Disney Cruise Line Disne...

Taking it back to basics! Here's the details of our easy-to-follow 6-step planning process to customize your Walt Disney World vacation.   Links: 6 Step Disney World Planning Process Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar Disney World Touring Strategies   Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link below to leave us a message with your first name, location, and t...

Christina and her husband took their almost-three-year-old to Walt Disney World in September with a trip that included the dining plan, character meals, and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. She learned some things and had some fun. Christina shares what was (and wasn't!) worth it, how it was to travel with her son without extra adults, and if she will travel again this time of year.   Post t...

Laura traveled from Buffalo, New York, to southern California to experience Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Hollywood and run a 10k during the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon. Listen to hear how the record-breaking heat wave affected their parks' strategy.   Post trip begins: 26 minutes   Links: Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 6 Step Disney World Planning Process   Leave me a message (inc...

Matt, his wife, and their 4-year-old daughter are frequent visitors to Walt Disney World. For their September trip, Matt attempted the Every Ride Challenge. That consists of riding all 50 operating rides at the time of the challenge while raising money for Give Kids the World. He shares his insights on Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, crowds, weather, Bay Lake Tower vs. Polynesian, and Light...

Clay, his wife, and their three kids braved the August heat and spent a week at Walt Disney World. Taking advantage of the free dining promotion, they stayed at Beach Club Villas for their second family trip. Clay shares what went as planned - and what didn't.   Post trip begins: 37 minutes   Links: Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar Quicksilver Tours and Transportation Standby Skipper 6 Step Disney...

5 tips: Download the Food&Wine app If you're on a budget, consider pre-purchasing gift cards If ordering more than you can carry, bring a tray - https://amzn.to/3zamCZf If you have more than 1 person, send somebody to get a table Go on a weekday for fewer crowds BEST BOOTHS The Fry Basket - flight of fries, grapefruit mule, yuca fries, mango-rita sour drink India - chicken tikka masala, samosas, s...

Julie and her wife embarked on a three-city European vacation that included the Olympics, Disneyland Paris, London, and Dublin. Their multitude of tours, museums, and restaurants included many hits and a miss. Listen until the end to hear why their Dublin plans completely changed.   Post trip begins: 37 minutes   Links: Eating Europe 6 Step Disney World Planning Process   Leave me a message (inclu...

Becca had to reschedule her Disney World trip - with eight people in four generations ranging in age from 7 to 81 - from late June to mid-July due to a family emergency. She details what it was like to alter her carefully laid out plan and how Disability Access Service worked under the new rules. Her takeaway: it's important to temper expectations and find accommodation in the moment.   Post trip...

We were at the 2024 D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA, and bring you the details on all of the exciting announcements during the Disney Parks and Experiences Showcase!   Links: Disney Parks and Experiences: Every Announcement from D23 Expo Cars Area at Magic Kingdom (Everything We Know About The Frontierland Expansion)   Leave me a message (including trip report submissions) Please use the SpeakPipe link be...