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Danielle shares all the fun details of her August trip to WDW for the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! Was it hot? Yes! Was it worth it? Also yes! If you’ve heard Danielle on the podcast before, you will know she likes to go, go, go on her trips and is a serial park hopper. This trip was no different! New this go around was a stay at Old Key West as first time guests. Trip Dates: August 20-24, 2026 Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/27/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Danielle on all social media (Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube) and check out AskTheMouse.com Nine Dragons   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Danielle, from AskTheMouse.com, is planning another trip to Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. She and her husband Danny will be traveling August 20-24 and are looking forward to staying at Old Key West for the first time! Trip Dates: August 20-24, 2026 Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 8/3/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Danielle on all social media (Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube) and check out AskTheMouse.com Visit the Outer Banks in NC Six Ravens at Disney Springs   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Tony is back to share the details of his August 2026 trip to Walt Disney World with his daughter Cece. As always, they had a fantastic time and didn’t even let a sprained ankle get in their way! Trip Dates: August 10-14, 2026 Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/16/26   Episode Specific Links: Video: How to Outsmart the Disney Dining Plan La Poutinerie Virginia’s Disney Vacation Club Referral Link (if you end up purchasing, she gets a Disney gift card as a thank you for the referral)   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Tony and his daughter Cece are heading back to their happy place, Walt Disney World! They are excited to be planning this trip and will be enjoying Pop Century Resort once again for easy access to the skyliner. They got a vacation package which includes the quick service dining plan “for free”.  Trip Dates: August 10-14, 2026 Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 8/2/26   Episode Specific Links: Video: Tour of Pop Century Resort People mentioned in this episode: Jeanette - @pixiejeanette Jon - @thewdwrunner   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

RE-RELEASE: ORIGINALLY AIRED IN MAY 2025 (note: the chapter time stamps below will be about 1min 20sec off based on the added re-release intro) On this special episode, Virginia talks through what steps you should consider if you are planning your own Walt Disney World vacation. Sprinkled throughout, you’ll hear tips and tricks from some of the wonderful travel agents that have been previous podcast trip report guests. If you like this episode and want to hear any deep dives into other related topics, please reach out through the podcast website whereilongtobepodcast.com!   Episode Chapters: Intro (00:00:10) Travel Agent Tip: First Timers (00:01:58) Travel Agent Tip: Travel Agent Fit (00:03:45) Step 1 Decide When to Take Your Trip (00:05:00) Travel Agent Tip: Deciding When to Travel (00:06:26) Step 2 Make a Budget (00:08:06) Step 3 Decide on the Type of Ticket (00:09:05) Travel Agent Tip: When to Cruise (00:14:10) Step 4 Choose a Resort (00:15:10) Travel Agent Tip: Choosing a Resort (00:52:19) Travel Agent Tip: Choosing a Resort (00:53:34) Travel Agent Tip: Choosing a Resort (00:55:47) Step 5 Consider Transportation (00:57:17) Step 6 Book Your Dining Reservations (00:58:52) Travel Agent Tip: Dining Plan Value (00:59:45) Travel Agent Tip: Saving Money on Food (01:07:30) Travel Agent Tip: Saving Money on Food (01:06:47) Step 7 Book Add On Experiences (01:08:53) Step 8 Consider Whether You Want to Use Lightning Lanes (01:10:18) Step 9 Order Things You Need for the Trip and Get Packed (01:22:53) Travel Agent Tip: Things to Bring (01:33:01) Travel Agent Tip: Things to Bring (01:33:34) Step 10 Enjoy Your Trip (01:34:24) Travel Agent Tip: Carrying on the Magic (01:35:23) Travel Agent Tip: Traveling with a Group (01:36:35) Travel Agent Tip: Traveling with Kids with Different Needs (01:37:15) Travel Agent Tip: Slow Down (01:39:12) Travel Agent Tip: Traveling with Young Kids (01:39:45) Travel Agent Tip: Beating the Heat (01:41:12) Closing Words Travel Agent Episode Collaborators: Hailey with Imagination Vacation Travel Co Kate with Playcation Travel Kelly with Wish List Travel Kristen with Mickey World Travel Miranda with 101 Vacations Travel Molly with Magic Memories with Molly Renee with Main Street Travel Agency   Episode Specific Links:   Tickets Disney Ticket Offers for Veterans OrlandoAttractionTickets.co.uk Undercover Tourist   Resorts David's DVC Rental DVC Rental Store Touring Plans Room Finder   Dining Main Street Dish Episode on the Disney Dining Plan (with statistics!) - Listen on Apple or Spotify Stakeout - dining reservation finder (ios or android)  Mouse Dining - dining reservation finder Touring Plans - dining reservation finder   Amazon Recommendations (no affiliate links) MagicBand Protector (12 pack) Anti-Theft Crossbody Phone Lanyard Collapsible Bins Big Binder Clips Dot Stickers Electrolyte Packets Sunflower Lanyards Previous Episodes Mentioned: Disney Dames (All-Star Music Family Suite stay) - Disney Dames Budget to Bougie Trip Elizabeth (Victoria and Albert’s - Elizabeth’s Disney/Universal Extended Family Trip Molly (Dolphin Encounter) - Molly’s Mother/Son Trontastic Birthday Trip Amy (Behind the Seeds Tour) - Amy’s Spring Break at the Boardwalk Krista (Up Close with Rhinos Tour) - Krista’s Spectacular Summer Split Stay Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Heather is excited to report on her recent trip to Walt Disney World she took with her mom and her two kids, Vivian and Ethan. They had the pleasure of attending the very first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party of the year along with four full days of park fun. While things didn’t go exactly according to plan, they had a lot of magic along the way, proving that being able to pivot and go with the flow (as Crush likes to say) is probably the best Disney skill to have! Trip Dates: August 5-10, 2026 Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/17/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Heather on Instagram - @heather.lipscomb.2204 Video - Trying the Viral Ice Cream Sandwich Gary Sinise Snowball Express People mentioned in this episode: Chrissy - @cecagg Jeanette - @pixiejeanette Maria - @mrsbobo428 Nanci - @nancibat3 Megan Cahill (Heather’s travel agent) - @megan.n.cahill Becky Gandillon - @raisingminniemes (check out the Main Street Dish episode Becky did about the Disney Dining Plan on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and also go back and listen to her recent appearance on Where I Long To Be where we discussed the latest edition of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World which she authored!)   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Heather is planning a trip to WDW with her daughter, son, and mom for some Disney fun! They plan to stay at All-Star Movies and have tickets to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (the very first night of the party season).  Trip Dates: August 5-10, 2026 Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 7/28/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Heather on Instagram - @heather.lipscomb.2204 Wait Magic (powered by Thrill Data) People mentioned in this episode: Megan Cahill (Heather’s travel agent) - @megan.n.cahill   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Beth and Alex’s monumental trip to Japan has come to a close, and while that’s sad, it’s happy for the rest of us because we finally get to hear all about it. They had a wonderful time in both the Disney and Universal portions of their stay, but also got to see a lot of the country and culture of Japan. Trip Dates: July 9-August 2, 2026 Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/26/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Beth (@bethclifford_/) on Instagram and listen to her previous episodes of the podcast Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel Video - Journey To the Center of the Earth (POV Ride Through) Where I Long To Be Podcast - Tokyo Disney and Universal episodes People mentioned in this episode: Jeanette - @pixiejeanette   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Beth is returning to the podcast, this time with her husband Alex, to discuss the trip they have planned for Japan! They will be traveling for about three weeks, along with Beth’s mom, to tour the country with stops at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea, as well as Universal Studios Japan. Trip Dates: July 9-August 2, 2026 Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 6/19/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Beth (@bethclifford_/) on Instagram and listen to her previous episodes of the podcast Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel Where I Long To Be Podcast - Tokyo Disney and Universal episodes People mentioned in this episode: Leoni - @leonibarker Jeanette - @pixiejeanette   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

It’s finally time for Alex’s Greece trip report! Not sure that you’ll get too many planning tips out of this one, but if you are an Alex fan, you’ll definitely get some laughs!!! Trip Dates: April 2-12, 2026 Recorded 4/19/26   Episode Specific Links: EF Tours Ramada Athens Attica Riviera Temple of Athena Nike Delphi Museum Omiros Hotel Santorini Hotel Asterias Village Knossos Palace Candia Hotel (The “Hotel Athens B” turns out was just their way of noting it was the second hotel in Athens!) People mentioned in this episode: Beth - @bethclifford_ Leoni - @leonibarker   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

The Polynesian looked perfect on paper - but after their stay, Kim and her husband Tom will be looking for other options for their next visit after some real customer service let downs. Listeners can expect an honest conversation about Kim’s experience that did not live up to the expectations all of us have when it comes to staying in a Disney resort…especially at a deluxe price. But not to worry, this isn’t all complaints! Kim and Tom had a magical week that proves the best vacations are the ones that leave room for flexibility, good food, and a little people-watching. Trip Dates: July 7-14, 2026 Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/10/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Kim on Instagram - @realkimshady_peloton Touring Plans Room Finder Kokomo Music Video Wine Bar George Brunch Menu MCO Reserve (schedule your airport security) People mentioned in this episode: Beth Johnston with Main Street Magic (Kim’s travel agent) - @theitineraryandbeyond   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Kim is planning a trip to celebrate her and her husband Tom’s 10th wedding anniversary! After Tom said he would really like to stay at the Polynesian, she decided to make it happen. What Tom doesn’t know, is that instead of being a triple split stay between the Polynesian Resort, the Polynesian Tower, and Coronado Springs, Kim has made a sneaky switch-a-roo for this to be only split between both sides of the Polynesian. They will have two days of park time, so much of their week will be spent visiting other resorts, heading to Disney Springs, and enjoying some rest and relaxation at the pool, which they don’t usually do. The perfect plan to celebrate 10 years! Trip Dates: July 7-14, 2026 Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 6/18/26   Episode Specific Links: Follow Kim on Instagram - @realkimshady_peloton Disney College Program Video - Brunch at Wine Bar George Review MCO Reserve (schedule your airport security) People mentioned in this episode: Beth Johnston with Main Street Magic (Kim’s travel agent) - @theitineraryandbeyond   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Virginia talks with Becky Gandillon, Author of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2027, about her Disney origin story, how she turned a love of park planning and data into work with Touring Plans, and why she thinks Walt Disney World is in the middle of an exciting new era. They also get into practical trip-planning topics like crowd patterns, Lightning Lane value, and which tools Touring Plans users may be overlooking.   Recorded 8/13/26   Video Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube!   Episode Specific Links: Follow Becky on Instagram (@raisingminniemes) and make sure you buy her book, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Becky Gandillon with Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa Shop Becky’s favorite park must-haves on her Amazon list The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger The Main Street Dish Podcast - check out the episode Becky did about the Disney Dining Plan on Apple Podcasts or Spotify People mentioned in this episode: Renee - @magicaltravelsbymonty     Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected]. You can also leave comments, hot takes, and questions by voice message at whereilongtobepodcast.com through the Leave Virginia a Voice Message button on the right side of the page. Just remember, if you leave a voice message, it might get played on the show!   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Sadly, Virginia and Alex have returned to real life after a magical July Disney/Universal trip. They got to check out Epic Universe for the first time and did two tours for the first time, including Caring for Giants and the Keys to the Kingdom tours.  Trip Dates: July 3-13, 2026 Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/5/26   Episode Specific Links: Molly Krpata was our travel agent for the Universal portion of our trip. Please reach out to her if you are looking for your own magical travel agent! And don’t forget to listen to Molly’s previous appearances on the podcast. Love hearing from Alex? Listen to his previous appearances on the show! Cookie and Cold Brew Reels: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 UV Umbrella Walter Being Picked Up Reel People mentioned in this episode: Jody - @park.planning.pal Jeanette - @pixiejeanette Maren - @marenmouse Maria - @mrsbobo428 Nanci - @nancibat3   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Virginia and Alex chat about the plans for their upcoming July vacation which includes finally getting back to Universal Studios in addition to Disney time! They are planning to split their time between the Hard Rock Hotel, Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, and Boardwalk. Trip Dates: July 3-13, 2026 Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 6/30/26   Episode Specific Links: Molly Krpata was our travel agent for the Universal portion of our trip. Please reach out to her if you are looking for your own magical travel agent! And don’t forget to listen to Molly’s previous appearances on the podcast. Hampton Inn Closest to Universal Studios Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village Disney’s Boardwalk Villas People mentioned in this episode: Nanci - @nancibat3 Jeanette - @pixiejeanette   Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.   Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email [email protected].   Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com