Jessica Mickelson
Well Hello Magic: A Disney Planning & Experience Podcast
Jessica Mickelson is the voice behind Well Hello Magic , a top family-focused Disney World planning podcast and trusted resource for parents. She is a Disney-loving mom of four, former therapist, military spouse, content creator, and expert in realistic Walt Disney World vacation planning for families, moms, and first-time Disney travelers. A lifelong Disney fan raised on Main Street magic and Mickey-shaped memories, Jessica helps families confidently plan Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line vacations without overwhelm, burnout, or unrealistic expectations. Her approach cente...
Author
Jessica Mickelson
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
May 12, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
128: Disney Dream Cruise Recap: Embarkation, Food, Kids Clubs & Chaos 12.05.2026 54:37
Send us Fan Mail Planning your first Disney Cruise Line vacation? Wondering what embarkation day actually looks like with kids? Trying to decide if your family would rather cruise than do the Disney parks? This episode is for you. After sailing on the Disney Dream for a 3-night cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, I finally understand why people become “cruise families.” My kids were genuinely mad we ha...
127: Taking a Baby to Disney World for the First Time: What No One Tells You 14.04.2026 35:19
Send us Fan Mail Taking a baby to Walt Disney World for the first time is a completely different experience, especially if you are someone who has always known the parks inside and out. In this episode, we are talking about what it really looks like to bring a newborn or infant to Disney World and how much your trip changes when you become a parent. This is not your typical Disney World with a bab...
126: Everything You Need to Know About Disney’s Value Resorts (Before You Book) 08.04.2026 49:19
Send us Fan Mail If you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation and trying to decide which Disney value resort is best, this episode breaks down everything you need to know about Disney’s value resorts, including price, transportation, room types, and which resort is right for your family. We are covering all five Disney value resorts: Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney's All-Star...
125: Walt Disney World Solo Trip Recap: 3 Days, 3 Resorts, EPCOT Updates & Cruise Planning 25.03.2026 37:02
Send us Fan Mail I just got back from a whirlwind three-day solo trip to Walt Disney World, and this episode is a full, honest recap of everything I experienced. This trip was quick, but it was packed in the best way, and I’m walking you through it all from start to finish so you can see what a short solo Disney trip really looks like. I share how this trip came together, from saying yes to a last...
124: The Disney CEO Race: How Josh D’Amaro Won Disney’s Top Job with Amanda From Once Upon A Marathon 17.03.2026 1:53:28
Send us Fan Mail Disney has a new CEO, and if you’ve been following the leadership shifts at The Walt Disney Company over the past few years, you know this moment has been a long time coming. In this episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, I’m joined by Amanda from Once Upon a Marathon, one of my favorite creators when it comes to breaking down the business side of Disney. Amanda is known for her...
123: Preparing for Our First Disney Cruise as a Family on the Disney Dream | What I Bought, Booked & Planned 10.03.2026 30:04
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how my family is preparing for our upcoming Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream and all the things we’ve booked, purchased, and planned to make this trip as smooth as possible. If you’re planning your first Disney Cruise with kids , this episode gives you a real behind-the-scenes look at how one family is organizing everything before we step on t...
122: Disney Cruise Line for First Timers: Ships, Costs, Dining, Navigator App, and Mistakes to Avoid 09.03.2026 38:03
Send us Fan Mail Thinking about booking your first Disney Cruise Line vacation but not sure where to start? In this episode, I’m breaking down everything I’ve learned so far about Disney cruising for beginners as someone who still considers herself a learning cruiser. After sailing on the Disney Wish , preparing to sail on the Disney Dream , and already having the Disney Destiny booked for the fut...
121: Behind the Magic with Camille Dashana from Sparks of Magic 24.02.2026 58:14
Send us Fan Mail Camille is my dear friend, and in this episode of Behind the Magic, you are getting the full Disneyland girl experience. Camille is an entrepreneur, writer, Southern California native, mom of five, and married to her wonderful husband Jeff. She is also our cruise buddy. We sailed on the Disney Wish together and already have the Disney Destiny on the calendar next year. Disney is n...
120: Disney World Lightning Lane 2026: Pre-Booking Rules, Sell-Out Data & Best Time to Ride 17.02.2026 47:40
Send us Fan Mail f you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation in 2026 and feeling overwhelmed by Lightning Lane pre-booking, this episode is for you. Lightning Lane is not random. Sell-outs are not random. Mini drops are not random. And standby wait times are definitely not random. In this episode, I break down Disney World Lightning Lane strategy using real data — including pre-booking rules, M...
119: The Magic of Friendship: A Galentine’s Celebration Inside the Disney Community 10.02.2026 42:53
Send us Fan Mail Friendship can look a lot like magic and in this special Galentine’s Day episode, we’re celebrating the kind of connections that feel like home. This week on Well Hello Magic , Jessica is joined by three women who have become far more than fellow Disney creators: Corina from The Magical Latina , Meg from Meg For It , and Lauren from Lauren Dreams of Magic . What started nearly two...
118: Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth it in 2026?? 03.02.2026 30:01
Send us Fan Mail Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it in 2026 ? Should your family add the Disney Dining Plan or pay out of pocket? How does the Disney Dining Plan actually work, and who is it really for? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about the Disney Dining Plan at Walt Disney World so you can decide if it makes sense for your family’s vacation. We start by explaining h...
117: Behind the Magic with Kellie Krueger from We Don't Wear Ears 27.01.2026 1:11:28
Send us Fan Mail Disneyland hits differently when you experience it like a local, and in this episode of Behind the Magic , we’re unpacking exactly why. I’m joined by Kellie Krueger , a Disneyland pass holder of over 20 years and the creator behind We Don’t Wear Ears . Kellie brings a perspective that only comes from decades of regular park visits, raising a family alongside Disneyland, and learni...
116: Disney World Do’s and Don’ts: What Actually Makes or Breaks Your Trip 21.01.2026 53:59
Send us Fan Mail Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can feel magical… until it doesn’t. Between budgeting, park planning, Lightning Lane decisions, dining reservations, heat, crowds, and kids with very real limits, it’s easy for a Disney trip to miss the mark—especially for families. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real Disney World do’s and don’ts I actually follow as a mom of four and...
115: Behind the Magic with Guest Creator Matt Richardson 13.01.2026 1:01:51
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Magic , Jessica sits down with Disney Parks content creator Matt Richardson for a conversation that goes far beyond a typical Disney vacation story. Matt shares how his career in tech has taken him around the world, teaching and working with teams on how to integrate technology into everyday life. Those global work opportunities have also opened the d...
114: Disney World 2026: What to Expect, What’s New, Closures, and Planning Changes 09.01.2026 28:39
Send us Fan Mail Planning a Walt Disney World vacation in 2026 and wondering what’s new, what’s changing, and what you need to know before you book? This episode is your complete Disney World 2026 planning guide, breaking down everything coming to Disney World in 2026, park by park, so you can plan with confidence. In this episode, we cover what to expect at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios...
113: Behind the Magic - Guest Creator Brittany from Travels by Brittanyb 16.12.2025 1:14:42
Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is extra special because we’re welcoming back one of the original Well Hello Disney family members— Brittany B ! If you’ve been here since the early days (we’re talking 2022, under 1,000 followers ), then you might remember when Brittany was planning her very first Walt Disney World trip with her two young kids. What started as a mom planning her first Disney vacat...
112: Fort Wilderness Tips, Jollywood Nights with Kids, and Why We Love Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort 05.12.2025 35:40
Send us Fan Mail This week on The Well Hello Magic Podcast, we’re taking you on a full Disney journey that spans Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World, the Jollywood Nights holiday party at Hollywood Studios, and the peaceful, relaxing escape of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. If you’ve been searching for real reviews, tips, and honest experiences on Fort Wilderness camp...
111: Behind the Magic with Guest Creator Melissa from Happy Haunts Plan Magic 26.11.2025 53:19
Send us Fan Mail Melissa from Happy Haunts Plan Magic on Instagram is joining me today, and you are going to love this conversation. She is the owner of Foolish Mortal Planning Co. and a travel expert who has helped hundreds of families plan intentional and magical Disney vacations. Recently, she had the incredible opportunity to be one of the very first people in the world to step onto the Disney...
109: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and Tips for Surviving the Holidays at Home 11.11.2025 48:12
Send us Fan Mail The holidays have officially arrived at Walt Disney World, and we’re talking about all things Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights in this festive episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered which of these two holiday parties is right for your family, I’m breaking it all down with honest insights, practical planning advice, and real...
110: Behind the Magic – Guest Creator Shakira from Occasions by Shakira 11.11.2025 55:39
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Magic , we’re thrilled to welcome Shakira Patterson of Occasions by Shakira , a family-first creator who turns the everyday into something extraordinary. Shakira opens up about life as a military spouse, raising four children, and building a brand centered on intentional memory-making. She shares how she started her career, the unexpected path it took...
108: Behind the Magic – Guest Creator Brianna from Expedition Watson 07.11.2025 59:50
Send us Fan Mail I’m thrilled to welcome Brianna Watson of Expedition Watson to the podcast! Brianna is a dedicated mom blogger, lifestyle and travel creator based in Orlando, where she shares her family’s real-life adventures through motherhood, Disney, travel, and everyday magic. Her brand is all about keeping it real and inviting families to find joy in the beautiful chaos of life. Brianna has...
107: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Trip Report 31.10.2025 31:01
Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, I’m sharing our family’s recap of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World. This was one of those quick Disney trips that filled our cups completely, and we packed in so much magic. From driving to Disney with kids to candy trails and fireworks, this episode covers it all. We start by talking about what it’s...
106: Behind the Magic – Guest Creator Amanda from Once Upon A Marathon 28.10.2025 1:27:31
Send us Fan Mail I am so excited to welcome Amanda Kass from Once Upon a Marathon back to the podcast. Amanda is a certified running coach, an incredible content creator, and one of my favorite people to talk to about all things Disney. She is not only an expert in runDisney but also someone who pours her heart into helping others reach their running goals. Amanda began running in graduate school...
105: Best Places to Work at Walt Disney World + Last-Minute Halloween Tips 22.10.2025 38:36
Send us Fan Mail Planning a Disney trip is magical, but it is not always perfectly polished. Sometimes it is a little last minute, a little messy, and a whole lot of fun. In this episode of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, we are diving into two big topics: finding the best places to work remotely while at Walt Disney World Resort and tips for pulling off a last-minute Halloween trip like a pro. Firs...
104: Behind the Magic – Guest Creator Paula from Practically Perfect Family: Laughter, Magic & Resilience 16.10.2025 1:01:40
Send us Fan Mail I am so excited to welcome Paula, the creative force behind @practicallyperfectfamily and @chronicallyperfectpaula to the Well Hello Magic Podcast today. Paula was one of the very first “froggy friends” with Undercover Tourist, which is where my journey of following her incredible work began. Over the years, I have watched her grow from hitting her first 10,000 followers to inspir...
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