We are 5 Disney-loving Moms sharing tips, tricks, and a whole lot of Disney Magic! Come plan your Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise vacations with us! Fun, love, and joy on every episode! From budgets to dining to rides to resorts and everything in between! These 5 Moms love to share their lives and Disney experiences as parents as well as travel planners as they come from different experiences and opinions! You'll have fun and learn so much more about planning a Disney vacation while you're at it!
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Disney's All-Star Resorts deep dive: Are Walt Disney World's value resorts the best way to stay on site for less? Aly and Stacy break down All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports so your family can decide if an affordable Disney World hotel is right for your next trip.
Two Disney travel agent moms share the real pros and cons of the All-Star Resorts: theming, rooms, buses, pools, dining, and the hidden perks most families don't know about.
In this episode: ✨ Every themed section, from Toy Story and 101 Dalmatians to the football field and the giant jukebox ✨ Can you request a specific section? (And how to boost your chances) ✨ Standard vs. preferred: the most worth-it upgrade at Disney World? ✨ The All-Star Music Family Suite that sleeps six ✨ The dining perk you can ONLY get at the All-Stars ✨ Bus tips, stroller hacks, and Aly's legendary armadillo chase ✨ A guitar pool? A baseball diamond pool? Which is best for your kids? ✨ The connecting-room strategy for families of five or more ✨ All-Star trivia showdown!
MERCH NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month! Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.
The best Disney World additions of the 21st century, ranked! From Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and the Disney Skyliner to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tron Lightcycle Run, and Avatar Flight of Passage, Stacy counts down her Top 21 Walt Disney World game-changers since 2000 and Aly reacts to every pick.
It's a More Magic episode! Two Disney travel agent moms, one ranked list, and 26 years of Disney World history to argue about. Will Aly agree with Stacy's #1?
In this episode: ✨ Why two things that don't even exist anymore made the list (and which one Aly never got to experience) ✨ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique vs. Tron: which one really changed Disney World more? ✨ Epcot's turnaround: Soarin', Frozen Ever After, and Space 220 Restaurant ✨ Captain Jack Sparrow joins Pirates of the Caribbean, and Aly isn't convinced of his ranking ✨ The value resort that made the Top 10 (and why big families love it) ✨ Animal Kingdom Lodge, Expedition Everest, and the Pandora pick that had to represent the whole land ✨ Happily Ever After at #5? Aly has thoughts ✨ The Disney Dining Plan, Disney's Magical Express, and the conveniences we miss most ✨ The Top 3 reveal, sweaty palms, and the #1 pick that left Stacy terrified ✨ What we left off, and what you think we got wrong
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53. The Best Rest Day at Disney World - Fantasyland Draft
Episode 53
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • Duration 01:30:13
Rest Day Draft
Every Disney World vacation needs a rest day, but that doesn't mean it has to be the forgettable one! Aly, Stacy, and Becki draft the best ways to spend a no-park-ticket day: resort pools, resort activities, resort dining, Disney Springs restaurants and activities, lounges, and a wild card. Plus, Stacy shares some big moving news, we all commiserate about that travel agent hold music, and the lightning round asks the big questions: stay in the bubble or leave? Pool or spa? Laundry or ignore it?
Who drafted the best rest day? Come vote in our Facebook community! And stay until the very end for bloopers (Aly may or may not have frozen...).
MERCH NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month! Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!
We would also love to have you follow & support our Co-Hosts: Aly - @getawaywithAly on InstagramBecki - on InstagramKarla - on InstagramKatie - on FacebookStacy - - A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook
52. NEW Disney Cruise Ship “Believe” Revealed: What We Got Right & Wrong (More Magic)
Episode 52
Thursday, October 15, 2026 • Duration 50:31
Ep 52: Disney Believe Predictions & Reveals - What We Got Right (and Wrong!)
Aly and Becki put their Disney Cruise Line predictions on the record the day before Disney revealed the Disney Believe, then sat back down right after the big announcement to see how they did! Hear their best guesses, every reveal, and their honest, immediate reactions to DCL’s newest ship.
In this episode:
How the Wish-class ships share one layout but get brand-new theming, and the teaser-video clues we used to make our guesses
Our predictions for the lounges, the theaters, the kids’ club, and the big question: what’s the new dinner show?
Sailing date and home port: the Believe debuts December 18, 2027 out of Fort Lauderdale (plus a travel-agent reminder that inaugural deposits are non-refundable!)
Meet the storytellers, Hugo and Beatrice, and the stunning Moana-themed Great Hall with Grandma Tala’s stingray and the Heart of Te Fiti chandelier
Café Kakamora and Big Hero Sips
The Wishing Well Snow White lounge (we called it!) and Sea Notes, the Little Mermaid piano bar
Monsters, Inc. at the Oceaneers Club, Joyful Sweets, and the Zootopia-themed Gazelles adult space
That two-story, Magic Kingdom-themed Tower Suite we’re manifesting
Our “prove it to me” list: Haunted Mansion Parlor again, Skygazers pub (not the Snuggly Duckling!), and Oaken’s Table
Tangled with enhanced effects and the world-premiere Encanto stage show
Booking tips: general bookings open October 19, with earlier windows for Castaway Club and DVC members, so reach out to your travel agent!
MORE MAGIC Episodes are quick visits with your Moms Behind the Magic to bring you a little bit MORE to your week!
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Becki SmedleyEdited: Stacy Walker
51. Best Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World: Our Winners Revealed
Episode 51
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • Duration 01:06:37
Ep 51: Winners vs Winners – The Ultimate Disney World Quick Service Awards
It's the grand finale of our quick service series! After crowning winners park by park across Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, every park champion now goes head-to-head for the title of best quick service in all of Walt Disney World. We spin the wheel, argue (a lot), and hand out the final crowns.
THE FINAL AWARDS
Best Overall Quick Service: La Cantina de San Angel (EPCOT), with Docking Bay 7 a very close second
Best Theming: Satu'li Canteen (Animal Kingdom), after a heated blue noodles vs. Woody's Lunchbox showdown
Best Value Meal: Regal Eagle Smokehouse (EPCOT)
Best Sit-Down Spot: Connections Eatery (EPCOT)
Best Fresh Food: Harambe Fruit Market (Animal Kingdom)
Best Meal That Feels Like a Snack: Ronto Roasters (Hollywood Studios)
Meal Worth the Wait: Les Halles Boulangerie-Pâtisserie (EPCOT)
Final tally: EPCOT 4, Animal Kingdom 2, Hollywood Studios 1, and Magic Kingdom… zero. Plus our honorable mentions for the restaurants that deserved a shout-out, including Woody's Lunchbox and Docking Bay 7.
ALSO IN THIS EPISODE
Florida love bug season, red worm season, and closing up the pool for bonfire weather
The great elementary school recorder debate
A lightning round of Kiss, Crown, Curse that gets personal (hockey puck burgers, a "dead mall food court," and a Pop-Tart betrayal)
Do you agree with our picks? Come tell us in the Facebook group!
Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Katie Boone, Karla Steward Edited: Stacy Walker
50. NEW RESORT: Disney's Lakeshore Lodge (More Magic)
Episode 50
Thursday, October 8, 2026 • Duration 23:22
Episode 50: Disney's Lakeshore Lodge – Book Now or Wait?
It's a monumental day, MMs! Bookings for Disney's Lakeshore Lodge, the first brand-new Walt Disney World resort since Riviera, are officially open to the general public after two days of early access for DVC members and Annual Passholders. Aly and Stacy drop in for a quick More Magic chat on everything we know so far and the big question: should you book now or wait?
In this episode:
The basics: a Disney Vacation Club resort on Bay Lake between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, opening July 1, 2027, bookable with DVC points or as a regular room or package
Nature-meets-animation theming inspired by Pocahontas, Bambi, Brother Bear, Encanto and Fantasia
Room options from deluxe studios to Grand Villas, the Hidden Willow Presidential Suite, and bucket-list waterfront Lake Houses
The Artist's Nest, a club-level lounge coming to a DVC resort
Lakeshore Lagoon, a lazy river, and that treehouse waterslide
Dining and lounges: Moonglade, Bay Lake Provisions, Paint Out Point Bar & Grill, and Dandelion Terrace with Magic Kingdom fireworks views
Who should book now, who might wait, and why a low refundable deposit makes it easy to hold your spot
Lakeshore Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge: two very different vibes
Want to leave your family's imprint on a piece of Disney history? Reach out to your Moms Behind the Magic travel agent to grab your spot in Lakeshore Lodge's inaugural year!
MORE MAGIC Episodes are quick visits with your Moms Behind the Magic to bring you a little bit MORE to your week!
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Stacy Walker Edited: Stacy Walker
Grab a Mickey beignet! Aly and Stacy are diving deep into Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside, two sister moderate resorts at Walt Disney World with totally different personalities. French Quarter brings wrought iron, Mardi Gras color, and lively fun. Riverside brings the laid-back, scenic charm of the bayou. Aly shares how her family fell in love with Disney at Dixie Landings (now Riverside), and Stacy explains why she stays at Riverside but heads to French Quarter for the fun.
In this episode:
Resort history (which one opened first might surprise you!)
Becki's lobby fun facts, Hidden Mickeys, and Princess and the Frog nods
Mardi Gras at French Quarter, including the decorated golf cart parade
Transportation: Sassagoula River boats to Disney Springs (not the parks!) plus bus stop pro tips for big resorts
Room types: standard, preferred, king, 5th sleeper, and the Royal Guest Rooms
Dining: Boatwright's, Riverside Mill, Sassagoula Floatworks, Scat Cat's Club, River Roost with Yeehaw Bob, the pool bars, and the new boiled peanuts
Pools: Ol' Man Island's sawmill slide vs. Doubloon Lagoon's sea serpent, plus one of the best splash pads on property
Unique extras: carriage rides, fishing excursions, boat and bike rentals, and the scenic walk between resorts
48. Breastfeeding & Pumping at Disney World (More Magic!)
Thursday, October 1, 2026 • Duration 48:52
Breastfeeding or pumping and wondering if a Disney trip is even possible? It is! Aly and Stacy welcome our very first guest, Tamari Jacob, lactation specialist, mom of four, and founder of One With the Pump, to walk through exactly how to nurse or pump at Walt Disney World without letting it take over your vacation.
In this episode:
You can nurse anywhere in the parks - yes, even on it's a small world!
The Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center (next to Crystal Palace) and why Tamari calls it the gold standard: private recliners, outlets, A/C, and supplies for purchase
Every park has a Baby Care Center - find them ahead of time in the My Disney Experience app
What to pack: a primary pump, an optional wearable, and a cooler bag or breast milk thermos
Keeping pump parts cold so you can reuse them throughout the day
Why you should pump right before heading into the park, and why staying on property makes this so much easier
Timing pump breaks around lunch or while the family rides something you'd skip (hello, Carousel of Progress!)
Enjoying a drink on a moms' trip, flying home with your milk through TSA, and asking your resort about freezer space
Freeze-dried breast milk and portable bottle warmers
Stacy and Aly share their own stories, from the 90s to twins, plus a baby-focused Lightning Lane round with Tamari
47. Your Disney Questions Answered - Bashful Episode
Episode 47
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 • Duration 01:26:32
Bashful: Your Disney Questions Answered
In this episode of Moms Behind the Magic, Aly, Becki, and Karla answer listener questions that Disney fans may be too bashful to ask. From favorite resorts and cruise ships to budgeting, accessibility, family dynamics, and working with a travel agent, this mailbag episode is packed with honest advice and strong opinions. The hosts discuss:
Why first-time cruisers may not need to overthink which Disney ship they choose—and what matters more to experienced cruisers.
Favorite Disney resorts, including Grand Floridian, BoardWalk, Polynesian, Yacht and Beach Club, and how the best choice depends on your family, travel season, and priorities.
Restaurants, snacks, and attractions they still have not tried, with spirited debates about Via Napoli, Chef Art Smith’s, Summer House on the Lake, Gideon’s cookies, Mickey bars, Figment, and more.
Rookie mistakes like overpacking, skipping rest breaks, arriving too late for rope drop, and taking complicated transportation routes without checking the plan.
Disney pin trading basics, including how to identify official pins and why it can be a fun, affordable activity for kids.
Size inclusivity and accessibility, with tips for checking ride fit and speaking with cast members before waiting in line.
Planning for families with different ages, energy levels, ride priorities, and expectations.
Traveling with a spouse who is not a Disney fan, including splitting up when needed and choosing resorts or experiences they will enjoy.
Advice for solo parents and grandparents traveling with kids, from restroom logistics to ride requirements and asking cast members for help.
Disney budgeting, including often-overlooked costs like snacks, souvenirs, and Lightning Lane purchases.
When staying on property may be worth the convenience, how to approach hard-to-find rooms, and what to consider before joining Disney Vacation Club.
How travel agents are paid, communicating your budget, when another agent may be a better fit, and how bounce-back offers work.
The behind-the-scenes team that helps keep the podcast and its community running.
46. Park Pulse In Disney World Fall 2026 - More Magic!
Episode 46
Thursday, September 24, 2026 • Duration 23:51
MORE MAGIC Episodes are quick visits with your Moms Behind the Magic to bring you a little bit MORE to your week!
Aly and Katie bring you a fast-moving fall 2026 update from Walt Disney World, covering seasonal entertainment, holiday transitions, new experiences, and important closures to know before you go!
Magic Kingdom is in full fall mode with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party underway and sold out for the season. They also talk fall decor, seasonal merchandise, and the upcoming transition to Christmas.
Important updates: • Walt Disney World Railroad closed Sept. 28 through late October • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closed Nov. 2, reopening expected in December • Carousel of Progress closed for a major overhaul, with reopening expected spring 2027
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is also right around the corner, so now is the time to start planning!
Food & Wine Festival continues through Nov. 21, with food, drinks, merchandise, and Eat to the Beat concerts. Festival of the Holidays begins Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 30.
Also covered: • Candlelight Processional dining packages open Oct. 14 • Holiday storytellers around World Showcase • Glimmering Greenhouses at Living with the Land • Soarin’ Across America • DuckTales ending in the Play Disney app for now, with a return expected • Coral Reef Restaurant closed through Nov. 3
The new Magic of Disney Animation building is open with character experiences, play spaces, and drawing opportunities. They also preview Jollywood Nights, running select nights Nov. 7 through Jan. 5.
Plus: • New Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run mission with Fortnite integration • Hollywood Studios closing early Oct. 20 for a private event
Animal Kingdom continues through a period of major construction and change, but there’s still plenty to enjoy—including the Bluey and Bingo interactive experience at Conservation Station for younger guests.
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MERCH NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month! Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.
MERCH NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month! Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
BABYQUIP https://www.babyquip.com/ Pack Light. Travel Happy. Use code MAGIC10 to get $10 off every $50 spent!
MERCH NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month! Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!
MERCH NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month! Moms Behind the Magic Podcast Merch Shop Shop for MERCH HERE!
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.
Disney planning, vacation tips, resort strategies, transportation, family travel, Disney tips, travel planning, Disney resorts, park strategies, travel hacks Disney planning, Disney tips, travel strategies, Lightning Lane, packing tips, Disney weather, park transportation, dining reservations
The episode closes with a conversation about Disney destinations beyond the parks, including Vero Beach, Hilton Head, and Aulani. Most importantly, the hosts remind listeners that questions are always welcome—and there is no wrong way to plan a magical vacation
Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Becki Smedley, Karla Steward
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you are listening, and click those FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE buttons on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
NOW OPEN: Moms Behind the Magic Shop to help your Disney and Beyond planning go even further with digital planning guides! At least one new guide is added to the shop per month!
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.
Disney Springs is getting into the fall spirit with Zombeats drummers, spooky stilt walkers, and a roving pumpkin DJ. They also chat seasonal treats, Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar holiday transformations, and Level 99, a new interactive entertainment experience.
Typhoon Lagoon is closed for the season, while Blizzard Beach remains open with holiday theming, snowmen, and Christmas music.
They also discuss Hurley Burley at the BoardWalk, opening Oct. 1 as a family-friendly daytime spot and adults-only lounge at night.
Fall at Walt Disney World brings plenty of seasonal magic—but also sold-out events, refurbishments, changing park hours, and quick transitions into the holidays. This episode gives you the updates you need to know before your next trip!
PLEASE SHARE our new podcast with your Disney-loving friends, leave us 5-star reviews wherever you listen, and click FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE on Spotify or your favorite listening platform!
Co-Hosts: Aly Thomas, Becki Smedley Edited: Stacy Walker
At least one new digital planning guide is added to the shop each month!
Any reference to pricing is meant for entertainment purposes.
Aly: @getawaywithaly on Instagram Becki: @soundslikeanadventure on Instagram Karla: @magicmomma_travels on Instagram Katie: Disney Planning with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers on Facebook Stacy: Disney Planning Made Simple — A Disney Blues Support Group on Facebook
Moms Behind the Magic: Park Pulse Fall Edition 2026🏰 Magic Kingdom🌐 EPCOT🎬 Hollywood Studios🦁 Animal Kingdom🎃 Disney Springs❄️ Water Parks & More✨ Final ThoughtsGUIDES & MERCHFOLLOW OUR CO-HOSTS
