Advertise on podcast: The Planning Behind the Magic: Disney Podcast / Disney World / Universal / Cruise Vacations

26 // If you’re getting ready for a Disney vacation and wondering what you actually need to pack, this episode is for you! I’m sharing 10 things I never travel without — the little things I’ve learned make our Disney trips more comfortable, less stressful, and a whole lot more enjoyable. Here’s a little peek at what we’re talking about: ✨ Something that makes sleeping away from home much more comfortable🎧 One of my favorite ways to make long travel days easier🔊 A tiny item that helps me unwind at the end of a busy park day🔋 One thing I NEVER want to realize I left back in the room🥨 The simple solution I keep in my bag for those “I need something NOW” moments💊 How I make sure my family has what we need without carrying a whole medicine cabinet💧 The water bottle that has earned a permanent spot in my suitcase👟 What I bring to give my feet a break after long park days📱 The one thing I rely on for everything from memories to managing our plans📝 And the biggest one: why I absolutely believe in having a plan instead of winging it! Plus, I’m sharing a bonus packing tip that might just save the day when you inevitably come home with more than you brought. 😉 So grab your suitcase, friend, and come listen! And if you’re planning a Disney trip, be sure to grab my full packing guide HERE ✨ This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks and cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

25 // Okay, let’s talk about arrival day! You’ve made it to Walt Disney World, and now you’re probably wondering, “What are we actually supposed to do today?” Do you head straight to a park? Take it easy at the resort? Go to Disney Springs? And what about your luggage if your room isn’t ready yet? In this episode, we are talking through all of those details and more! Let’s make that first day feel just right for your family—and start making those memories from the moment you arrive. ✨ This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney Destinations, Universal Parks and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can feel like learning a whole new language! In this episode of The Planning Behind the Magic, I’m breaking down the Disney terms you’ll hear while planning your family vacation—from MagicBand+ and Lightning Lane to Park Hopper, Rope Drop, Memory Maker, and more. Whether it’s your first Disney trip or you’re a seasoned visitor, this episode will help you feel more confident navigating the Disney jargon and planning a magical vacation without the overwhelm. This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks and cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and have an EPCOT festival day on your itinerary, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to experience all that amazing food, entertainment, attractions, and festival fun without spending your entire day running from one thing to the next. I’ve got you! In this episode, I’m sharing my Top 10 Rules for creating your family’s ideal EPCOT festival strategy—from knowing when the festival booths actually open and prioritizing World Showcase, to taking a much-needed booth break and deciding whether you really need a dining reservation. As a Travel Advisor who specializes in Disney destinations, I help families take the guesswork out of planning, and I’m sharing the same kind of practical Disney planning tips I use to help families create a vacation that actually feels like a vacation. I’ll also share how I would approach an EPCOT day if your family wants to enjoy a little bit of everything, plus some of my favorite ways to add even more fun along the way, including entertainment, scavenger hunts, seasonal exhibits, and those delicious festival offerings. Because the best Disney World vacation strategy isn’t about trying to do it all—it’s about figuring out what will make the day successful for your family. This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney and Universal destinations. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World during a party season, you might be wondering how to make the most of your special party night—and experience all the magic that makes these evenings so much fun. In this episode of The Planning Behind the Magic, I’m sharing my top 10 things I think you should do on every Disney party night. From how I’d approach your park time earlier in the day to the little details that can make the evening feel extra magical, these are the things I don’t want you to miss. Because a party night doesn’t have to mean rushing from one experience to the next. With a little planning, you can enjoy the special entertainment, snacks, characters, and atmosphere while still making room to slow down and actually enjoy being together. This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks and cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me online! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

How many days do you actually need for a Walt Disney World vacation? The answer depends on your family, your priorities, and your travel vibe. In this episode, I’m walking you through three very different Disney vacation scenarios to help you understand how the length of your stay can affect your park days, resort, pace, and time to actually relax and enjoy the magic. And if you’re still wondering how many nights are right for YOUR family, grab my free Disney Vacation Length Guide through the link in the show notes. Because the best Disney vacation isn’t about doing it all—it’s about creating the right experience for your family. This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks and cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

🎄 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: Is It Worth Adding to Your Disney Vacation? There’s something extra magical about Walt Disney World at Christmas—but when you’re already planning a family vacation, adding another ticketed event can leave you wondering: Is it worth it? What will we actually get to experience? And how do we make the most of it without making our vacation feel even more exhausting? In Episode 20 of The Planning Behind the Magic, I'm talking all about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and what you need to know before adding this festive event to your Walt Disney World vacation. We’ll talk about what makes the party different from a regular Magic Kingdom park day, including the holiday entertainment, festive characters, special food, lower ride wait times, holiday overlays, parades, fireworks, and more. But we’re also talking about the planning behind the magic—because knowing what to expect can make all the difference. Inside this episode, we’ll cover: 🎄 What Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is and how the party ticket works🎄 When you can enter Magic Kingdom and how to think about your party time🎄 What you can experience during the party, including rides, entertainment, characters, parades, and fireworks🎄 How to decide what you want to prioritize during your limited party time🎄 Why the party may not completely replace a regular Magic Kingdom park day🎄 And, most importantly, which families may love adding this festive experience to their Disney vacation If you’re dreaming of creating a special Christmas tradition with your family, experiencing Disney magic in a new way, or finding that sweet spot between holiday fun, shorter ride waits, and actually enjoying your vacation, this episode is for you. Because your Disney vacation should create memories—not another list of things for you to manage. ✨ Want help planning your Walt Disney World vacation? If you’d rather talk through your plans with a real person and have someone help you create a vacation that fits your family, I’d love to work with you. I’m Hollie, a Travel Advisor with Fantastical Vacations, and my planning services are complimentary to you. I can help you think through the details so you can spend less time overwhelmed by the planning and more time looking forward to the magic. 📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @jollieholliedaytravel📘 Facebook: Fantastical Vacations by Hollie The Planning Behind the MagicBecause even magic needs a plan.

Hey! In this week's episode, I am so excited to dive into one of my absolute favorite Walt Disney World events: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. I've taken my own family to this spooky bash, and since August is right around the corner, I want to share my personal checklist so your family can skip the stress and just enjoy the magic. Here is a quick look at what we are chatting about today: The 8-Hour Strategy: How to maximize your time using the 4:00 PM early-entry hack.Costume Rules vs. Reality: Don't get stuck breaking the costume rules! Official Costume Guidelines HEREParty Priorities: Why you shouldn't treat this like a regular Magic Kingdom park day. This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney Parks, Cruises, Universal Parks and Royal Caribbean. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: ⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel

Our Hawaiian adventures continue! Join me for Episode 18 of The Planning Behind the Magic as I wrap up my family’s recap of Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa and the island of Oahu. From dodging T-Rexes on a Jurassic Park tour at Kualoa Ranch to eating malasadas, hunting down the absolute BEST shave ice on the island, and unexpected character meets with Max and Goofy—this episode is packed with my top tips for your next tropical Disney vacation. 👉 Don't forget: Grab my FREE Guide to Oahu by signing up my the newsletter here! This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney Parks, Cruises, Universal Parks and Royal Caribbean. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9⁠⁠ Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel

Grab your headphones, hit play while you fold that mountain of laundry or run your errands, and let’s talk about Disney's EPIC Hawaiian resort, Aulani! What are the pools like? What kind of food can you expect? Is the Lu'au worth it? Which Disney Characters can I meet? All this and more on today's episode! This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney Parks, Cruises, Universal Parks and Royal Caribbean. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: ⁠https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9⁠ Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel

This week, I'm sharing all about my recent trip to Orlando for this year's Fantastical Vacations agency meeting. Did I get to any parks? Where there any surprises along the way? This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks and cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: ⁠https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9⁠ Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https:⁠//www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

If you are wondering what I bring with me into Walt Disney World then this week’s episode is for you! I’m taking a quick break from the trip recaps for a fun hands on "pack with me" moment. I share my favorite park bag, cooling essentials, and more! You can also view a video of this week’s episode over on Instagram. This way you can see all the items I’m talking about. This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks and cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

This week, I’m wrapping up Day 3 of my family's very first Disneyland adventure. If you've ever felt the pressure to map out the "perfect" family vacation, consider this your official reminder that even professional travel advisors can't do it all—and that’s okay! Here is the honest scoop on what we’re talking about today: The Sunday Morning Reality Check: How to avoid the morning rush A Dose of 90s Nostalgia: The unexpected Disney World throwback that had me getting a little teary-eyed at Mickey’s PhilharMagic The Ultimate Carbs & Characters Mission: How I successfully hunted down San Fransokyo sourdough, a cinnamon roll macaron, and a meeting with Baymax (who tried to steal my backpack, naturally). Splitting up to Conquer: Why force anything; splitting up is the best option for everyone The Magic is in the Details: Why Disneyland’s local, laid-back vibe and roaming characters make the nighttime parade vibe completely differently than Walt Disney World. Grab your headphones, hit play while you fold that mountain of laundry or run your errands, and let’s talk Disney magic! This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney Parks, Cruises, Universal Parks and Royal Caribbean. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel

Ready to enter the original magic with me? 🏰✨ This week on The Planning Behind the Magic, I’m taking you along for Day 1 of my family's West Coast adventure! We are tackling a jam-packed Saturday split between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and let me tell you, the original park did not disappoint. In this episode, I’m sharing: The "split-stay" resort hack that accidentally doubled our Lightning Lanes! My literal rope-drop strategy for the famous (and delicious) breakfast chimichanga. Why Disneyland's versions of Autopia and Big Thunder might actually beat Disney World's. The total sensory overload of Hyperspace Mountain and the core-memory moment of watching Cars Land light up at dusk. Pop on your headphones and let’s dive into the west coast magic together! This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks, cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here: https://forms.gle/JZeZZkka4mfgwXwY9 Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/

I’m BACK! After an epic 11-day dream vacation to Disneyland and Aulani, I’m finally home (and heavily jet-lagged) to share the magic. Since this was my family’s first time on the West Coast, I got to experience that amazing "first-timer" wonder all over again! Pack your bags and join us for Day 1 as we play a fun game of "Choose Your Own Adventure" through our arrival day. Travel along from our early morning flight out of Michigan to checking into the iconic Disneyland Hotel. I'm sharing the whole story—from giant plates of nachos at the Grand Californian and a hilarious drink fail, to a perfect Friday night pizza tradition in Downtown Disney. Plus, test your knowledge with a quick round of Disney Family Trivia! This episode is sponsored by Fantastical Vacations by Hollie. Whether or not you LOVE the planning process I would love to support you! I plan Disney parks and cruises, Universal and Royal Caribbean cruises. For more information and a FREE quote use my Let’s Connect google form here. Be sure to connect with me here! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FVbyHollie/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieholliedaytravel/ If you love the show, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music!