Explore every episode of the podcast Adventures and Mousecapades: A Podcast About Disney
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223. Disneyland for the Toddler Trifecta
06 Apr 2026
00:52:13
A last-minute flight deal turns into a full-on Disneyland stress test: two tiny kids, huge crowds, a rainy day at Disney California Adventure, and one missing “best friend” pillow that nearly breaks everyone’s heart. Jarrett is back to share how his family tackled their first Disneyland trip after recently doing Disney World and a Disney cruise and what actually changes when you swap Orlando’s giant bubble for Anaheim’s compact, walkable resort.
We talk through the real planning decisions parents care about, like whether park hopping is worth it with a five-year-old and a two-year-old, how rope drop can happen by accident, and why Lightning Lane can feel like a lifesaver and a headache at the same time. Jarrett breaks down what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised them most, from navigating stroller pinch points and record-level crowds to chasing Star Wars thrills in Galaxy’s Edge. Rise of the Resistance downtime, rider swap limitations, and height requirement surprises all make the trip feel messy, but the wins are big.
There’s also plenty of Disneyland and DCA detail for Disney trip planning nerds: ride highlights like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Smugglers Run, Web Slingers, and kid-friendly coasters, plus food notes on better Disneyland churros, the breakfast Ronto Wrap, and a quirky popcorn bucket refill rule difference. Most importantly, we dig into the parenting side: toddlers melt down, do weird toddler things, and still walk away with memories that pop up months later. If you’re planning Disneyland with young kids or comparing Disneyland vs Disney World, this one is for you.
If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe, share the episode with a Disney-loving friend, and leave a rating and review so more listeners can find us. What’s your best tip for surviving Disney with little kids?
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
The Disney Treasure looks like the future of Disney Cruise Line, but it doesn’t always move like the ships you already know. We sit down with Caleb and Caitlyn from Market House Podcast to unpack their first Wish-class sailing on the Treasure, plus the real-world challenge of doing it with a toddler who wants to walk everywhere, meet every character, and stay up for Pirate Night.
We get into the big contrasts: the breathtaking Grand Hall design, the crowd flow frustrations that show up when elevators and bottlenecks meet dinner traffic, and why a seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary can feel more relaxed even when the ship is packed with kids. They share what’s worth prioritizing on board, from sail away and the pirate deck parties to evening stage shows like Seize the Adventure, Beauty and the Beast, and Tale of Moana (including how hype can change your experience).
Then we hit the memory-makers: Haunted Mansion Parlor’s next-level theming, character interactions that feel more personal when lines stay open for the full scheduled window, and the Castaway Cay cabana waitlist call that turned an already great day into a “never going back to normal” moment. We also talk Disney Cruise Line dining on the Treasure, Festival of Foods, table placement noise at Coco, and practical tips for gluten free cruising and celiac-friendly options.
If you’re debating Disney Treasure vs Fantasy, Wonder, Dream, or other DCL ships, this conversation helps you choose based on budget, travel style, and where your family is right now. Subscribe for more Disney Cruise Line planning, share this with a cruise-curious friend, and leave a review so more Disney fans can find us.
Check out more from Caleb and Caitlyn over at the Market House Podcast! You can find them on Instagram @markethousepodcast and online at https://markethousepodcast.com.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Planning a 2026 Disneyland trip without drowning in tabs? We’ve got you. We walk through the year’s biggest dates and smarter strategies, calling out the can’t-miss festivals, the ride overlays that actually change your day, and the cultural moments that add heart to the parks. If you’re torn between a spring food crawl or a fall haunt, this guide helps you pick your window and build a plan that fits your style and stamina.
We start with early-year standouts: Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure brings Mulan’s procession, the Hurry Home pre-show before World of Color, character attire, and yes, irresistible food booths. February layers in Celebrate Soulfully with live gospel on the Downtown Disney stage and a heritage trail spanning both parks. We flag runDisney weekend as a crowd mover and give a quick reality check on what’s included with a regular ticket versus extra-cost events. Anaheim Ducks Day pops in late February with limited wristband photo ops and a lively fan rally.
Spring is where flavor leads. The California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (Mar 6–Apr 27) delivers chef demos, beverage seminars, tight LA studio bands, and the Sip and Savor play that makes tasting more wallet-friendly. We share a pro tip for the resort egg hunt: grab the keepsake when you pick up the map to avoid backtracking. Then come the Star Wars choices: Hyperspace Mountain returns Apr 28, while May 22 marks The Mandalorian and Grogu joining Smugglers Run and a looser Galaxy’s Edge timeline. If you want thrills now or fresh canon later, your timing matters.
Summer stretches the 70th celebration with park-wide decor, new character looks, and a Main Street theater exhibit featuring a surprisingly emotive Walt Disney animatronic. June 19 brings HBCU drumlines to Downtown Disney for a thunderous set you’ll feel in your bones. On July 2, Soarin’ Across America returns for the nation’s semiquincentennial, likely feeding patriotic holiday surges. Fall ushers in Halloween Time from Aug 21–Oct 31 with Haunted Mansion Holiday, Cars Land overlays, nighttime projections, and seasonal snacks, before holidays begin Nov 18 with festive decor, parades, and fireworks. Along the way, we keep an honest eye on crowds, mobile order tactics, and where merch will tempt you most.
If this helped you plan smarter or dream bigger, follow the show, share it with a Disney friend, and leave a quick review so more fans can find us. Got a 2026 trip on the books? Tell us your dates and what you’re most excited to see.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Victoria, BC is frequently a stop on many cruises in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska and is a gorgeous city with lots to offer. We were in town during out cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii last October and found ourselves back a few weeks ago to celebrate our daughter’s birthday. Since it’s a popular stop, we thought we’d share some of our favorite things to do in case you should ever find yourselves in this jewel of Southwest Canada. Just be warned ... according to our horse-drawn carriage tour guide, pretty much the whole place haunted.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We had the opportunity to attend a sensory friendly performance of Disney’s Broadway show Aladdin in Seattle and it was an amazing experience. The performance was absolutely incredible, and with having seen shows on both the Disney Dream and Wish cruise ships just a couple weeks before, our appreciation and admiration for the DCL show cast and crew is off the charts. But more importantly, it was great to see the Seattle Theater Group and Disney work together to provide a welcoming and safe space for audience members who many not feel comfortable in a regular show. Kudos to STG, Disney, the cast and crew, and everybody else involved in making this special event possible.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
This episode is full of surprises. We surprised our son Sterling with another cruise the same day we debarked the Disney Dream. We were surprised by two of our close friends who booked the last available room on the Disney Wish to join us for the weekend. And we’re utterly SHOCKED that, after this cruise, the Wish has absolutely vaulted up our stank rank of DCL ships. We did NOT see that coming! Listen in to find out why!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We’ve finally completed our “full house” tour of all 5 Disney Cruise Line ships with our recent 4-night cruise aboard the stunning Disney Dream. We’ve been on the Fantasy many times before, so we knew what to expect from her sister ship. Or so we thought. Could we have a new favorite ship in the Disney fleet? You’ll have to listen to find out!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
One of the reasons we started this podcast was we already found ourselves having frequent conversations Disney, so why not share some of that with all of you? This week we’re recorded a bunch of little conversations. Who’s the best Disney villain? What Disney movie has the best music? What should a 5th theme park at Disney World be? We had fun with this one.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
This is the first in an occasional series we’ll be doing to look at Disney Vacation Club resorts. First up: Bay Lake Tower. While this is a nice resort, connected to the Contemporary resort, its best features are summed up in three words: location, location, location.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
It’s time once again for our Quarterly Disney Review, taking a look at the goings on from the House of Mouse for the first three months of 2024. This time we’re trying out Microsoft Copilot to see if it can help us organize our various notes. Does it help? You be the judge!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We would NEVER pass up the opportunity to take a trip to Disney World, especially if half of our travel and lodging costs are paid for! This week we’re remembering an amazing time back in October 2018 when Alicea was in town for a conference with several coworkers, and Nathan tagged along “for research purposes.” Some of our character dining experiences on this trip are our gold standard that we compare all others against - you don’t want to miss why that is!
Putting this show together also brought back memories of our dear friend Mona, who sadly succumbed to cancer just a few months after this trip. Love you and miss you, Mona!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Welcome aboard the inaugural Sydney to Honolulu Disney Cruise through the South Pacific! Our amazing friends Rachel and Meredith are back to share all about this first-ever DCL experience, including stops in New Caledonia, Fiji, American Samoa, and Maui. Plus, they got to live the same day twice after crossing the International Date Line and became Shellbacks after crossing the equator at sea! You’ll want to hear all about this once in a lifetime experience!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Episode 115 - Building Disney: a Craftsman's Story
11 Mar 2024
00:36:27
Have you ever tapped your Magic Band to enter a Disney park? Have you ever watched fireworks on a Disney Cruise Line ship? Have you ever enjoyed a trip around Carousel of Progress. Well you’ve done all that thanks to amazingly talented folks like this week’s guest Jon, who’s a CNC Machinist for Disney. He may not be visible on stage all that often, but he’s part of the army of folks helping make the magic happen on your Disney vacation.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Doors close, choices open. We’re diving headfirst into a cascade of Disney Would You Rather dilemmas that test how we think about mentors, sidekicks, power, and responsibility, all while keeping the fun at full throttle. From Yen Sid’s steady hand to Merlin’s lovable chaos, we explore what good guidance really looks like and why structure vs. spontaneity is a decision you make as much as a personality you have.
We square off on sidekicks—Mushu’s snark and magic versus Pascal’s quiet loyalty—and unpack why conversation, humor, and a little dragon fire can change the course of a hero’s journey. Then it’s tools and power: Mary Poppins’ bottomless carpet bag or the Robin Williams–level whirlwind of a rules-bound genie. We talk constraints, creativity, and why having limits can sharpen the wish you truly want. Add Maui’s hook versus a magic carpet, and we hit the big question: is freedom the ability to go anywhere, or the power to become what the moment needs?
Our map gets bigger with world choices: the neon tech of San Fransokyo or the layered communities of Zootopia. One of us craves invention and labs; the other dreams of social design that celebrates difference. We bring that lens to everyday life with Baymax’s gentle healthcare support versus WALL·E’s eco-minded cleanup—care for the body or care for the planet—and push further into team dynamics: the scrappy resilience of the Resistance or the specialized punch of the Avengers. Fashion even gets strategic with Edna Mode’s tailored clarity against the Fairy Godmother’s high-reach magic. And we end with the ultimate risk call: accept Maleficent’s curse or negotiate Ursula’s contract. Spoiler: we’re reading the fine print and bringing a pen.
Join us, pick your path, and tell us where you land. Subscribe, leave a quick review, and share this episode with the Disney lover in your life—then drop your choices and why. Which dilemma did you agonize over the most?
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Alicea and Sterling headed down to Disneyland during school’s mid-winter break a couple weeks ago and had an absolute blast. Spending some time in the happiest place on earth was just what the doctor ordered. Sterling got to show off some hidden hockey skills and was in charge of their daily itinerary. What did he decide to do? Listen in to find out!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Welcome to a bicoastal Disney recording, with Nathan at Disney World and Alicea (and Sterling) in Anaheim at Disneyland. We’ve been up to a lot in the last week: first time visits to popular Epcot restaurants, 500 pound cats with hairballs, churros, snacks, fireworks, and even special carpet samples. Give this episode a listen to hear all about it!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We’ve been to numerous Disney Parks After Hours events, DVC Moonlight Magic, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. One common theme over the last several years has been that they’re simply TOO busy. With Alicea in Florida for the last couple weeks house/doggie sitting, she’s had the opportunity to hit After Hours Events at both Epcot and Magic Kingdom … and boy have things changed for the better!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
It seems like everybody these days has a bag with them in the Disney parks. Some are huge, some are tiny. What essentials do we keep in our bags? Let’s find out…
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Jon Armstrong is an incredibly talented magician who grew up in the Disney universe. He’s been on TV, played the famous Magic Castle in LA, and headlined in Vegas, but one of his favorite gigs is aboard a Disney Cruise. Kids, tweens, teens, and adults alike love his shows, and so do we! Jon was on our infamous March 2020 Panama Canal cruise and ended up performing over a dozen shows throughout the voyage. We know you’ll enjoy his stories just as much as we did!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
As we continue to deal with damage to our house from a burst pipe, we look forward to better times ahead - and of course those better times are Disney trips! After hours events, bi-costal castle visits, side-to-side cruises… and that’s just the next few months!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Sometimes your peaceful evening watching Fantasia on your home theater is interrupted. In our case Mickey’s adventure with the brooms and buckets came to life and we suddenly had 1500 gallons of water in our house’s second story. Needless to say, this week’s adventure is a little different than our normal fare, but it’s still a good story. Stay dry … and maybe bring a mop.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We were on the Disney Fantasy for a week-long Western Caribbean cruise right before Christmas, and while it was great to see a Disney ship all dressed up for the holidays and spend time with family, there were a few issues and frustrations encountered on our 14th DCL voyage. Would we do it again? You’ll just have to listen in to find out.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We did something we swore we’d never do - visit the parks at this height of Christmas. December 24th was spent at Epcot, and we rope dropped Magic Kingdom on Christmas day. How did we do it? Was it worth it? Listen in to find out!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Episode 105 - Park Hop 'Till You Drop (Q4 Disney News)
01 Jan 2024
00:40:08
We bid 2023 a fond farewell and with a look back at all the Disney news that happened over the last 3 months of the year. “Wall-cot” is moving closer to turning back into Epcot; new Frozen and Zootopia lands opened internationally, and Disney finally announced anytime park hopping returns in early January! And there’s lots more where that came from.
This week is also our 2 year Podcastaversary. Thanks to listening in - we're truly humbled how far this little project has gone and can't wait to see where it goes in year 3!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
211. From Aulani To Aneurysm: A Wild 2025 And What’s Next
12 Jan 2026
00:30:05
Start with fireworks, end with gratitude—that’s the arc of a year that took us from Aulani sunsets and Alaska glaciers to hospital hallways and a comeback cruise. We pull back the curtain on twelve trips, a few legendary mishaps, and the wins that made 2025 feel both impossible and unforgettable.
We revisit the Junior Theater Festival in Sacramento and the hidden gem that is Stage Nine’s Disneyana trove. We talk first impressions of the Disney Treasure, why Trader Sam’s remains a ritual, and how the Grand Californian turned a busy week into slow mornings. Then the plot twist: an aortic aneurysm that led to open-heart surgery, a deep-breath recovery, and a return to sea on the Disney Magic from San Juan to Galveston—with a sun-drenched stop at Lookout Cay. Add a total knee replacement to close the year and you’ve got a masterclass in pacing, patience, and planning.
Looking ahead, we share the 2026 lineup: a concierge stay aboard the Disney Magic, Sterling’s performance at Disney California Adventure during Food & Wine, and a seven-night Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Destiny that swaps routine ports for St. Martin, San Juan, and Lookout Cay. We’ll catch July 4th fireworks from a Polynesian bungalow and maybe sneak in the US Open in New York, Halloween scares we missed last time, and a holidays finale split between the Big Island’s volcano views and an Aulani New Year. Along the way, we dig into podcast stats—20,000 downloads, global listeners, and a surge fueled by guest stories and community energy—plus practical tips on staying smart in parks and on ships.
Hit play to laugh at the mishaps, borrow our itineraries, and pick up strategies for making big trips feel doable. If you’ve got a Disney story to share or a cruise on the horizon, we’d love to have you on the show. Subscribe, leave a quick review, and tell a friend who still thinks FastPass exists—then drop us a note with your 2026 dream trip.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Disney World is a magical place for the holidays, and even more so when you get your whole family together. We got tickets for all 3 generations of our family to enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and it was an absolutely fabulous evening for young and old alike. From special character interactions, to thrilling rides, to special parades and castle stage shows, this was an amazing evening that we won’t soon forget.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Our holiday trip just so happened to coincide with another chance to do a DVC Moonlight Magic event at Animal Kingdom! This time instead of Nathan, it’s Alicea, Kaitlyn, and Sterling hanging out with Rachel and Mer. Snacks, rides, and the Merry Menagerie.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
The Disney Parks make magical memories any time of year, but there’s some special pixie dust applied to some rides during the holidays at the end of each year. This week we look at which rides you don’t want to miss if you’re going to be in the parks to capture an extra special dose of holiday spirit … or spirits, as the case may be.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
A surprise for Sterling: Holiday Haunted Mansion and other classic rides. Last minute character breakfasts. A World of Color desert party. Another epic Club 33 dinner. This was a great few days in Disneyland!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
There is an incredible amount of Disney history along Main Street USA in Disneyland, and we took a VIP tour to learn all about it. From window honorariums to plussed up soundtracks, all the way down to the light bulbs, there’s so much to take in on the Walt’s Main Street Story tour. The tour culminates with a visit to Walt and Lillian’s apartment above the firehouse, an opportunity every Disney fan should experience. Come along with us for a peak through Walt’s window….
One item of business this week: we're happy to announce we're adding our podcast to YouTube! If you're a YouTube Music or Podcast listener you can find us over there now too. We're adding our back catalog right now and should be up to date in the next week or so. See you in the comments at https://www.youtube.com/@ourmousecapadespod.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We made our first visit to the brand new Villas at Disneyland Hotel tower last weekend. This Disney Vacation Club resort opened in late-September, and is quite simply an artistic masterpiece of Disney Imagineering’s take on mid-century modern design. From the rooms to the decor to the pool and the new Palm Breeze Bar, this place is a 10 out of 10 in our book. We can’t wait to go back!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We get lots of questions about what Disney Vacation Club is all about, so we’re taking a look at DVC from a newcomer’s perspective today. What do you get? How does it work? Is it worth it? Why do we have so many points? Let’s find out!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We’re frequent cruisers with Disney Cruise Line, and just experienced 10 days with Royal Caribbean. Join us as we compare and contrast the two. Which has the better food or entertainment? Who has the best staff? How does Concierge stack up in comparison. Which is the best value, and most importantly, will we be back on Royal? Listen in to find out!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We spent 6 days and 5 nights on the beautiful Garden Isle of Kauai, Hawaii after our cruise. It’s a magical place of lush green forests, dramatic canyons, amazing people, and fantastic food. We share some of our favorite spots and highlights from our stay … as well as a couple lowlights. Let’s just say one of us ended the trip on crutches. Tune in to find out what happened!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We just got back from our cruise to Hawaii on Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas. This is the first time we've cruised not on Disney Cruise Line, and we were keen to both relax and explore the different style and offerings on RCI. With stops in Victoria, BC and Seattle, a 5-day transit, and a day off the stunning Nā Pali coast of Kauai, we had time to see and experience it all. Listen in to hear all about it!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
New magic is landing from every direction, and we’re sorting the signal from the noise so you can plan with confidence. From Bluey stepping into the parks and onto the ships, to Electric Mayhem cranking up Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, to Autopia finally going electric, this week is packed with news that actually changes how you map a Disney trip. We walk through what’s opening, what’s closing, and what’s getting better so you spend less time guessing and more time making great choices.
On the East Coast, we dig into Walt Disney World updates: refreshed tech on Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, a thoughtful reimagining of Hollywood Studios’ Animation Courtyard, and Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival dates that anchor spring travel. Animal Kingdom’s next chapter begins as DinoLand sets its farewell, while Frozen Ever After gets a visual lift with new animatronic faces. We also flag the take off date for Soarin’ Across America and how limited-time overlays like The Mandalorian on Smugglers Run can flip a must-skip into a must-do.
Out West, the long 70th celebration keeps Disneyland lively even as smart maintenance windows rotate key attractions. We break down Haunted Mansion and it’s a small world returning from their holiday states, Rise of the Resistance scheduling, and the practical win of Autopia’s electric conversion in 2026. California Adventure’s event cadence stays strong with Lunar New Year and Food & Wine, and Bluey’s Best Day Ever brings hands-on play to the Fantasyland Theatre—an easy anchor for family downtime between headliners.
We also head to sea with Disney Cruise Line: the Disney Adventure’s complex journey toward Singapore, Bluey programming rolling onto the Dream and Wish, and an intriguing West Coast outlook that could make short back-to-back sailings the savvy path to status. Whether you’re plotting a once-a-year vacation or stacking weekends around festivals, you’ll find clear takeaways, key dates, and a few pro tips to avoid hiccups and long lines.
Enjoy the episode? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and YouTube at our mousecapades, share with a Disney-loving friend, and drop a review in your podcast app. Tell us the one update you’re most excited to experience this year!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
A train trip from Seattle to Vancouver via rail is the perfect relaxing way to start off your vacation. Getting upgraded to a Panoramic Harbor View Suite at your hotel is just pure pixie dust! Good food and an epic start to our next adventure!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Episode 93 - T-rex doesn't have wings (Q3 Dis News)
09 Oct 2023
00:53:31
This week we recap all the Disney news from July through September. There were tons of announcements at Destination D23 just a few weeks ago, and we share the ones you probably care about the most.
More importantly: “T-rex doesn’t have wings”
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
This week we’re joined by Christine and Rob who had a literal whirlwind adventure in Disneyland recently when Southern California was hit by Hurricane Hilary. Who knew that the Incredicoaster in a tropical downpour could be so fun? They also got to take their 11 and 13 year olds to a magical meal at Club 33, saw Rodgers: The Musical, scored a black Kyber Crystal, and got cut in line by Captain Jack Sparrow. What a trip!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Our great friends Rachel and Meredith (Mer) are on the show this week and we’re talking about the Disney Wish. Seasoned cruisers, they just took a weekend 3-night excursion along with their other halves Bill and Andrew, aboard Disney's first Triton Class ship. While they did have a great time, and there are definitely stories we didn’t cover on the record, it was a great opportunity to compare notes about our Wish experiences.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
It wasn’t all frights and scares in Hollywood for Alicea and Kaitlyn, they also got to do a few other things while they were in town. Science fun at Griffith Observatory, “A Goody Movie” and the Walk of Fame at El Capitan Theater, and a day at Universal Studios Hollywood in regular theme park mode. Gotta get that podcast content! ;-)
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Kaitlyn and Alicea just got back from opening night of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023. They got to experience all 8 houses, the Terror Tram, and all 3 scare zones - plus dinner - with the “RIP Tour”. Chucky, The Last of Us, Stranger Things, and Mummies … who could ask for anything more?
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
This week we continue our conversation with Tim and Audie about the real reason they headed over to Europe, to enjoy a week-long river cruise on the Douro River in Portugal and Spain. River cruise is a different pace and a different kind of experience than an ocean cruise - is it right for you? You’ll have to listen to find out!
We’ve known Tim and Audie for over a decade, so we want to make it clear that this is not a sponsored episode. That said, if you’re looking for a great agent to work with tell them we said hi!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Audie Lawley is back on the podcast, and this time she’s joined by her husband Tim to tell us all about their transatlantic sailing on the Disney Dream earlier this year, from Miami to Barcelona with stops in the Azores, Lisbon, Cádiz, Málaga, and Cartagena (the one in Spain, not Colombia). Not only was this a special repositioning cruise, but it was also the Dream’s first sailing during DCL’s Silver 25th Anniversary celebration, complete with new character outfits, snacks, decorations, and of course merch!
We’ve known Tim and Audie for over a decade, so we want to make it clear that this is not a sponsored episode. That said, if you’re looking for a great agent to work with tell them we said hi!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
Episode 86 - Navigating Food Allergies at Disneyland
21 Aug 2023
00:45:31
This week we’re chatting with Robyn Johnson, who’s a mom of kiddos with food allergies and a frequent Disneyland visitor about navigating food options in the park when you have constraints in what you can eat. She’s launching a new website called ParkMagic.com, and it includes a tool called Picky Mickey that can help you plan what and where to eat given your allergies. And it works for everyone else too, and includes drinks at all the bars. Do give her site a look to help plan your next Disneyland adventure.
As we mentioned in the show, if you want to talk to someone at Disney about navigating special dietary needs while you’re at Disneyland or Disney World, there’s an email for each resort posted on the DL and WDW websites. Here are those pages:
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
It wasn’t supposed to be, but as it turns out this week’s look back at a previous Disney vacation turns out to be the last time we were in Hawaii … and that was all the way back in 2018. Don’t worry, we’re fixing that in just a couple short months. This week we cover our DVC Home of Aulani Resort, Kualoa Ranch, and finding secret treasures via the Shaka Guide app. We can’t recommend both Kualoa and Shaka Guide highly enough. Do yourself a favor and check them out on your next visit to Oahu! And no, we're not getting paid to say that. ;-)
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
209. Theme Park Roulette: Hollywood Studios Edition
29 Dec 2025
00:20:42
What happens when you hand your Hollywood Studios plan to a roulette wheel on a July Tuesday? We tested it—standby only, all ride types in play, casual sit down dining, storms looming—and discovered how randomness collides with Florida heat, crowd flow, and the realities of queue waits. From a lucky late-morning villains show to a brunch at Oga’s that fueled vibes more than bodies, we followed the wheel into Smugglers Run, character meets, Slinky Dog at peak heat, Tower of Terror salvation, and a Baseline Tap House reset that saved the evening. We closed with Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, a quick AC break at Vacation Fun, and the sparkle of Fantasmic as fireworks framed the lessons learned.
Along the way, we break down practical tactics for Hollywood Studios without Lightning Lane: anchor your day with one morning headliner, a true midday meal indoors, and an evening show; group Galaxy’s Edge stops to reduce backtracking; use character experiences and theater shows as strategic AC breaks during storm windows; and respect the hidden time tax inside certain queues, especially Smugglers Run. We talk queue math, walk times, and why pretzels and charcuterie at Baseline can be the smartest thirty minutes you spend all day.
If you crave spontaneity but don’t want to sacrifice fun, this story-driven play-by-play will help you build rails around randomness. You’ll hear where we went wrong, where we got lucky, and how small choices—shade, snacks, sequence—compound into either energy or exhaustion. Hit play, steal our hard-won tips, and then tell us: would you trust a wheel to plan your park day? Subscribe, share with a Disney friend, and leave a quick review to help more fans find the show.
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We had the pleasure of touring 3 different cruise ships while they were in port here in Seattle between cruises to see what Celebrity, Norwegian, and Holland America have to offer. They’re very distinct markets that each are catering to - are we one of them? Could a Disney Cruise Line alternative be in our future? Let’s find out!
This episode is NOT an ad for any cruise line, or for Travel Perks - the travel agency that made these tours available through the Microsoft Prime employee discounts program. We paid for our tours on our own and nobody from Travel Perks or the cruise lines had any say in or knowledge of what we shared on this episode. “These are our own opinions and suggestions…” :-)
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
To conclude our European tour we taken in all the non-Disney sights, sounds, and tastes of Paris. Fine dining and stunning adornments at Versailles. A show at the Moulin Rouge. Famous artworks at the Musee D’Orsay. Big hitters like the Arc de Triumph, Sacre Cour, and the Eiffel Tower. And a TGV train trip to the beautiful old city of Bruges, Belgium. And to top it off, fine cuisine at … Five Guys?!?
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.
We take a detour into Disney news this week with our latest installment of our Quarterly Disney Report, covering all the happenings at the House of Mouse from April through June. Movies came out. Content was added to (and removed from) Disney+. Anniversaries were celebrated. And Alicea and I had WAY too much fun recording this one. Enjoy!
---- Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.