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Road trips with kids are an adventure all on their own — especially when you’re traveling with picky eaters! 😂 In this episode of Chaos & Carry-Ons, Stephanie and Shelby are talking about their favorite road-trip food stops that can keep the whole family fed without adding more chaos to the journey. So grab your favorite road-trip snack, buckle up, and come hang out with us!

Is a Disney vacation really more expensive than Universal? We’re putting it to the test! In this episode of Chaos & Carry-Ons, we’re pricing out a December vacation for two adults at both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. We compare a mid-range hotel, park tickets, and the extras you need to make the most of your park days—including Disney’s Lightning Lane and Universal’s Express Pass. We break down the numbers, compare what you’re actually getting for your money, and decide which vacation gives you the better value. So, which one costs more? Which one gives you more for your money? And is the extra cost of the skip-the-line options actually worth it? Grab your imaginary calculator and come find out as we put Disney vs. Universal head-to-head!

Are we normal… or have we just convinced ourselves that we are? 😂 This week on Chaos and Carry Ons, Shelby and Stephanie are comparing the random everyday things we all do, but rarely talk about. From how many alarms it takes to actually get out of bed to laundry habits, daily routines, and those little quirks that seem completely normal… until you find out someone else does them totally differently. It’s a laid-back Labor Day episode full of laughs, questionable habits, and plenty of “Wait… you do WHAT?!” moments. Listen along, compare your answers to ours, and decide: Are we normal? Are YOU normal? Or are we all just a little chaotic? 🎧 Grab your coffee, settle in, and spend Labor Day with Chaos and Carry Ons!

Planning a Disney World Christmas trip? 🎄 We’re breaking down Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party vs. Jollywood Nights for 2026! We’re talking ticket prices, dates, entertainment, characters, fireworks, food, attractions, and—most importantly—which party is right for you. Whether you’re traveling with little kids, heading to Disney as an adult, or looking for the ultimate Christmas experience, we’re helping you decide if either party is worth the extra $$$… or if you should just do both. 😂

Ready to step into the fog? 🎃👻 This week on Chaos and Carry Ons, Shelby and Stephanie are breaking down everything you need to know about Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Orlando Resort! Whether you're planning your first HHN or wondering if Halloween Horror Nights is worth adding to your Universal Orlando vacation, we're covering the haunted houses, scare zones, Halloween entertainment, themed food, crowds, wait times, Stay and Scream, and our biggest planning tips for making the most of your night. We're also talking about Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass—why it's available as an add-on and why we highly recommend considering it if you want the best chance of experiencing everything in one night. Plus, we're answering one of the biggest questions for families: Is Halloween Horror Nights kid-friendly? We'll talk about how scary HHN really is, Universal's age recommendation, what parents should expect, and whether families with younger children may be better off choosing Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom instead. If you're planning a Universal Orlando Halloween vacation, Halloween Horror Nights trip, Orlando fall vacation, Disney World Halloween trip, or HHN 2026, this episode is packed with tips to help you decide if Halloween Horror Nights is right for you.

Stephanie is taking Shelby along for her Fourth of July trip to 30A in Florida. Stephanie shares her first experience staying in Seacrest. Was it crowded? is it worth the high price tag? We are answering all your questions. Along with great recommendations for places to eat, and what else you can find in 30A.

What was supposed to be a 7-night Disney World vacation somehow turned into 10… because apparently “just one more day” means something very different to Shelby. 😂 This week, Shelby is recapping their July Disney trip: the parks, new experiences, Cool Kid Summer fun, meals they definitely wouldn’t book again, and a new favorite spot at the Polynesian to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks that almost nobody seems to know about. But before any of that… we need to talk about CHECK-IN DAY. What could possibly go wrong? Apparently… A LOT. Why did Shelby find herself looking toward the sky asking, “Lord, why me?” You’ll have to listen to find out. It’s “one more day” Disney math, hidden gems, honest food reviews, summer fun, and a check-in day that could only happen to Chaos and Carry Ons.

After an unexpected six-week break, we're finally back! What started as our "Summer of Chit Chat" quickly turned into a full-blown summer of chaos. Between busy schedules, family adventures, and all the unpredictability that comes with real life, podcasting had to take a back seat for a little while. In this quick catch-up episode, we're sharing where we've been, what we've been up to, why we hit pause, and what's coming next for Chaos and Carry Ons. Thanks for sticking with us; we're excited to be back behind the microphones!

This week on Chaos & Carry-Ons, we're continuing our Summer of Chit Chat series with a deliciously controversial topic: Disney snacks! 🍿🏰 We're sharing our picks for one overrated and one underrated snack from each Walt Disney World park. From iconic favorites that may get a little too much hype to hidden gems we think deserve way more love, we're serving up some serious Disney food hot takes. Will we agree? Probably not. Will we offend someone's favorite snack? Almost definitely. Join us as we debate: 🍦 The snacks we think are overrated 🍪 The hidden gems you need to try 🍿 Our favorite sweet and savory treats 🏰 Which park has the best snack lineup overall Then head over to our social media and let us know: What are your most overrated and underrated Disney snacks? ✨ Plus, we're still in our Summer of Chit Chat and looking for more guests! If you'd love to be featured on the podcast or know someone we should invite, send us a message! Follow, rate, and review Chaos & Carry-Ons wherever you listen to podcasts. May your flights be on time and your luggage never lost… but if it's not, that's where the fun begins. ✈️🧳✨

Jordan has officially entered his Super Bowl era. 🍗👑 After months of talking about his love for chicken on the podcast, we finally put the self-proclaimed “Chicken King” to the test. In this chaotic video episode, Jordan blind tastes and ranks chicken tenders from 10 different fast food restaurants while trying to guess where each one came from. Will he correctly identify them all… or has he just been eating chicken professionally for no reason? 😂 Stephanie, Shelby, and Derek are along for the ride bringing commentary, roasting, and complete chaos the entire time. ⚠️ This is our SECOND video episode — and trust us, this one is worth WATCHING. Head to Spotify to see the blindfolds, reactions, rankings, and all the chicken-fueled chaos unfold.

Ever wondered what it’s really like to get married at Disney World? 💍🏰 In this episode of Chaos and Carry Ons, we sit down with our first Summer of Chit Chat guest to hear the real story behind her Disney wedding. From the planning process and magical details to unexpected moments and wedding-day chaos, she shares what made her say “I do” at Disney and what the experience was actually like. We talk venue choices, Disney touches, favorite memories, surprises along the way, and advice for future Disney brides dreaming of their own fairy tale wedding. ✨ Whether you’re planning a Disney wedding, love destination weddings, or just enjoy hearing behind-the-scenes stories full of magic and real talk, this episode is for you. 🎧 Grab your coffee and join us for a magical conversation filled with planning, memories, and a little chaos in true Chaos and Carry Ons fashion.

Memorial Day weekend means one thing: summer chaos has officially arrived. In this laid-back kickoff to our Summer of Chit Chat series, Stephanie and Shel are talking all things summer nostalgia... from drinking out of the water hose and melting popsicles to late-night Sonic runs, beach trips, grilling season, and summer travel plans. We also share updates on upcoming vacations to Disney and 30A, discuss raising teenagers in the era of TikTok slang and “brain rot,” and laugh about the generational differences between kids today and the summers we grew up with. This episode also includes a heartfelt life update from Shelby as she opens up about her cancer recurrence and why the podcast community has meant so much during this season of life. If you love casual conversations, funny friendship banter, motherhood chaos, travel talk, nostalgia, and real-life moments, this episode feels like sitting on the back porch with friends on a summer evening. Plus: details about this year’s Summer of Chit Chat guest episodes and how YOU can join the podcast.

Thinking about staying at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa? In this episode of Chaos and Carry Ons, Shelby and Stephanie break down the REAL cost of a Hawaii vacation at Disney’s famous resort on Oahu. From hotel pricing and flights to food, character breakfasts, luaus, rental cars, excursions, and Disney snacks, we’re sharing what a realistic week-long Aulani vacation could cost for a family of four in 2026. We also talk about our real-life May 2023 Hawaii trip experience, favorite excursions around Oahu, and whether Aulani is actually worth the price tag. Plus, we share tips for saving money with DVC rentals, booking strategies, and what activities we personally loved most during our trip. If you want to listen to our previous Aulani episodes, listen to them here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disneys-aulani-adventure-hawaii-series-part-1/id1782782672?i=1000680562504. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/final-aulani-trip-episode-for-now/id1782782672?i=1000682140251.

Stephanie and Shelby are breaking down everything you need to know about Disney’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World! Even though it’s only May, Halloween party tickets are officially on sale and the first party nights begin August 7th — so now is the time to start planning. In this Disney Halloween Party Guide 101 episode, they cover ticket strategy, party dates, costumes, candy trails, exclusive entertainment, fireworks, character meet-and-greets, ride overlays, rain tips, and how to make the most of your party night without wasting time or money. They also share personal stories from their own Halloween party experiences, including family costumes, navigating Florida rainstorms, favorite fireworks moments, and why this event has become one of their favorite Disney traditions. Whether you’re a first-time guest or a longtime Disney fan, this episode will help you decide if Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is worth it for your family and how to plan the perfect fall Disney vacation.

Join Shelby and Stephanie for a laid-back Mother’s Day chit chat as they compare expectations vs. reality, share favorite (and chaotic) mom moments, and talk through the different seasons of motherhood—from pre-kid life to toddlers and beyond. Plus, advice from fellow moms and a little encouragement for those just starting their journey. 💕