WDW 4 Families - A Disney World Travel Planning Podcast

The WDW 4 Families crew is fresh off their latest October trips to Walt Disney World—and they’ve got stories, surprises, and tips to share! From crowd levels and weather to seasonal events and what’s new in the parks, this episode is your insider look at fall 2025 at Disney. What worked, what didn’t, and what should you plan for your own autumn visit?

🍂 Fall crowd trends and park strategies
🎃 Halloween season highlights and special events
🍔 Dining hits (and misses) from the trip
🏨 Resort stays and family takeaways

If you’re thinking about a fall Disney trip—or just love hearing trip stories straight from the parks—this episode brings you the latest firsthand updates from October at WDW!

In this episode, the WDW 4 Families crew shares the new things they experienced around Walt Disney World in 2025—from attractions and resorts to restaurants and hidden gems they’d never tried before. What lived up to the hype, what surprised them, and what’s officially earned a spot on their “must-do-again” list?

🌟 First-time attractions and park experiences
🏨 Resort stays, dining highlights, and hidden gems
🎠 What’s new for families in 2025
💡 Tips for adding fresh magic to your next trip

Whether you’re a Disney veteran looking to shake up your routine or planning your first visit in years, this episode dives into all the new magic waiting at WDW this year.

In this episode, Todd shares his firsthand experience exploring Universal Orlando’s highly anticipated new park: Epic Universe. From cutting-edge rides to immersive lands and how it stacks up against Disney, the crew dives into what families need to know. Is it worth planning a visit? How kid-friendly is it? And what surprised Todd the most?

🌀 Land highlights and early impressions
🎢 Attraction previews and tech takeaways
🍔 Dining, theming, and family must-knows
🆚 How it compares to WDW for your next trip

Whether you're curious, skeptical, or already booking tickets, this episode gives you an insider’s look at what Epic Universe is bringing to the table.

Thinking about a Disney trip in the fall? This episode is your guide to visiting Walt Disney World during one of the most festive (and sometimes overlooked) seasons. The WDW 4 Families crew shares the best (and worst) times to go, what makes fall special, and how to plan smart around crowds, weather, and events.

🍂 Best weeks for low crowds and great weather
🎃 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: worth it or skip it?
🍁 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival tips for families
🏨 Where to stay during fall to stay close to the action

Whether you’re a Halloween lover, a food festival fan, or just trying to pick the right season to visit, this episode helps you decide if fall is the perfect time for your next Disney trip.

In Part 2 of our Half-Day Parks series, the WDW 4 Families crew takes on EPCOT—a park that’s bigger than it looks, but doesn’t always require a full-day commitment. We’ll walk through 2025 updates, must-do attractions, can’t-miss food, and the smartest ways to enjoy EPCOT without overcommitting.

🌐 What’s new with EPCOT
🎢 Which rides to prioritize (and which can wait)
🍣 Best snacks and meals
🎯 How to build an efficient half-day touring plan

Whether you’re looking to pair EPCOT with another park or just take it easy for a day, this episode helps you decide if EPCOT works as a half-day experience—and how to do it right.

Is Animal Kingdom a half-day park? In Part 1 of this series, the WDW 4 Families crew breaks down Disney’s most immersive park—from what’s new in 2025, to the can’t-miss attractions, underrated food spots, and pro tips for maximizing your time. Whether you’re park-hopping, planning a rest day, or just wondering if you need a full day at Animal Kingdom, we’ve got the insight you need.

🦍 What’s changed and what’s still essential
🦒 Which rides are worth the rope drop
🌱 Best places to cool down or grab a bite
🕓 Smart strategies for a half-day itinerary

This episode will help you decide: Is Animal Kingdom really just a half-day park? Let’s find out.

In this episode, the WDW 4 Families crew dives into a fun and friendly debate: What’s the best age to take your kids to Walt Disney World? From toddlers seeing Mickey for the first time to pre-teens who can ride everything—every age brings something special. But is there a “sweet spot”? Or does it all come down to family dynamics and expectations?

🎠 Pros and cons of every age group
👶 Why “too young” might not be a dealbreaker
🎢 How height requirements and stamina play a role
📸 Memory-making vs. memory-keeping
💬 Real stories, honest opinions, and practical advice

Whether you're planning a first trip or a return visit, this episode will help you decide when might be the right time for your crew to experience the magic.

In this episode, the WDW 4 Families crew shares their top cost-cutting tips for planning a magical Walt Disney World trip without breaking the bank. From budget-friendly resorts and ticket hacks to meal strategies, merch tips, and money-saving park habits, we’re covering it all. Whether you’re a large family, a first-timer, or just looking to make the most of your money, this episode is packed with practical ways to stretch your dollars while still enjoying the magic.

💸 Where to save (and where it’s worth splurging)
🍽️ How to eat well without overpaying
🎟️ Hidden discounts and booking tips
🎒 What to bring to avoid pricey in-park purchases
🏰 And the #1 mindset that helps families enjoy Disney—on any budget

You can do Disney smart. Here’s how.

Planning your very first trip to Walt Disney World? This episode is your essential guide for first-time guests! The WDW 4 Families crew breaks down everything you need to know—from what to do before you even book, to smart park strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and those underrated tips that make a big difference .

We’ll cover:
🗓️ How to plan without overplanning
✅ What to prioritize (and what to skip)
🎡 Must-do experiences for families
🚫 Rookie mistakes to avoid
👟 Why comfort > fashion when it comes to footwear
💡 And our favorite tried-and-true wisdom for making your first trip magical

Whether you're bringing toddlers or teens—or it's your first time as an adult—you’ll leave this episode ready to plan with confidence and avoid the overwhelm. Welcome to the magic!

In this episode, the crew shares their ultimate tips for tackling Walt Disney World in the summer—when crowds are high and the temperatures are even higher! From the best resorts to beat the heat to cool-down dining spots, ideal touring hours, and many other must-do tips, this episode is packed with practical advice to keep your family cool, comfortable, and making magical memories. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned Disney veteran, you'll walk away with smart strategies to help you enjoy every steamy second of your summer trip.

In this episode, we’re diving into everyone’s all-time favorite Attractions, Restaurants, and Resorts at Walt Disney World. From thrilling rides that keep you coming back, to unforgettable dining experiences and the coziest places to stay, we’re sharing the ultimate fan favorites. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Disney pro, you’re bound to hear something that sparks your nostalgia—or adds a new must-do to your list. We also share a few of our personal picks and the stories behind them. It’s a fun, laid-back discussion filled with memories, laughs, and a little friendly debate. So grab a Dole Whip and join us as we count down the best of the best at the Most Magical Place on Earth!Please leave us a rating and review! And check us out on Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wdw-4-families-a-disney-world-travel-planning-podcast/id570358277

Charity, Kevin, Randy, and Kristen share trip reports from the most recent WDW trips. Randy blows everyone's minds. And a new cast member, Kidron, joins the gang.

For many Disney fans, visiting all of the parks, including the international ones is a bucket list item. Randy has completed that line item and has recently taken a second trip back to Tokyo Disneyland. In this episode Randy gives you all of the insights you need to plan a trip to Tokyo Disneyland. There are quite a few differences, and there are some important things you need to be aware of. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Hurricane Milton just came through and tore up a lot of things in Florida. People were wondering if they should still go on their vacation, postpone, or cancel. Some of us have been to Disney during a hurricane and we want to share our thoughts on this topic. There are always pros and cons to when you should go to Disney. Today we will discuss if a known storm should keep you from going.

As always, please take a moment to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Thanks for listening to our show!

Have you ever been to MNSSHP (yeah, it's a long acronym, we know!)? What about Oogie Boogie Bash? Do you even know the difference in the two? In this episode we answer all of your questions about these two parties, where they're located, what to expect, how to navigate the entire trip, and much more. We hope that you'll choose to go to one or more of these parties in the future because they have a LOT to offer families.

In this episode Randy and Kevin go head to head in a fun game of "plan Charity's trip to WDW." Charity is taking her family to WDW but has not had time to plan the trip. So, Randy and Kevin give suggestions on where she should stay, eat, and what she should do. Then, Todd picks the winner in each category and that's how this podcast goes. It's a super fun show and we hope you enjoy it!

As always, don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode we take a ride around the Walt Disney World resorts and visit each of the character dining locations. We will give you information on what characters you'll meet, what type of food you'll get, and how much it costs. We'll also give you our completely subjective opinions by rating it from 1-5. If you're looking for information on character dining in the parks, check out episode 281.

As always, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review!

In this episode we go through each WDW park and give you a ton of information about each character dining location. We will discuss location, what characters you'll find there, pricing, what type of food you'll eat, and even give you our number rating on a scale from 1 to 5.

Each character dining location has a unique set of characters and the experience will be different at each location. You'll even see the characters in different outfits that fit the restaurant. This is a great experience and we hope that you will find some space in your WDW vacation to eat at a character dining location.

As always, please leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

This is a short episode where to give a preview of Kevin's upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. He talks about where he's staying, what he's hoping to eat, and other important facets of the trip. One he gets back, we'll do a follow-up trip report to find out how the trip went and whether or not he was able to accomplish his goals.

As always, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and thanks for downloading today's show!

In this episode we are excited to tell you about our favorite foods at Walt Disney World that do not require a table service reservation. These could be quick service dining locations, food carts, etc. One of our favorite things to do at WDW is eat! There are so many options and you do not have to make a reservation in order to have some really good food. Unlike many theme parks, Disney is known to have good, unique food options and it's not all hamburgers and chicken tenders. We'll discuss that and more on this episode!

As always, we encourage you to head over to Apple Podcasts and give us a rating and review! Thanks for downloading today's episode.

Perhaps you have never stayed in a deluxe resort at WDW and are thinking, "it's too expensive and I could never afford to stay at the deluxe resorts." Or, maybe you've always wanted to go to the deluxe resorts and have just never ventured over there. Today we are talking about various ways you can stay at a deluxe resort and not break the bank. There are a number of different options and we feel you should at least consider the idea. We are giving you our best tips and tricks to staying at a deluxe resort.

Please leave us a rating and review over at apple podcasts!

Welcome to WDW 4 Families and today we are talking about our favorite restaurants in each of the four Walt Disney World Parks. These are table service meals which means you will have a server. With various opinions on the topic, you'll hear a variety of answers and may be surprised by some of our thoughts. As always, we'd love to hear what your favorite WDW restaurants are at each park.

Please head over to apple podcasts and leave us a rating and review!

Disney changes a lot. In fact, Walt Disney himself said that the parks would never be complete. And with change comes a lot of feelings. Many Disney fans are nostalgic and remember things a specific way. And yet, Disney will inevitably change that and attractions, shows, entertainment, hotels, and more will evolve. In this episode we talk about what changes we have really liked and those we don't. Which changes do you love and hate?

Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!!

In this episode we introduce a new cast member to our crew, Kristin! We know you will get to know and love her as we do. We are talking about the things we'd tell a first time guest of Walt Disney World. It's a big place and there's a LOT to do, so what is our best advice when you are going for the first time. Now, this is good advice for any guest as well, but it can definitely be daunting when you've never been before. We've packed this episode with a lot of great information and we hope you love it.

As always, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of WDW 4 Families we are going to give you an in-depth look at our experience at the infamous Space 220 restaurant at EPCOT. This is a tough restaurant to get a reservation for and we are going to answer the question of whether it's worth going to. Also, Charity gives us a report on Jollywood Nights. And we also have some trip reports to share. Overall, this is a fun episode and we hope you enjoy listening.

As always, we encourage you to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks for downloading today's episode!

Every year we put out an episode related to the WDW Marathon weekend. This year was seemingly "back to normal" but had a few twists and turns along the way. We invite you to listen as we talk about characters, interactions, expectations, and more. If your ran any of the marathon weekend races, we'd love to hear your feedback as well. This is always a fun time to be in Walt Disney World but it is definitely something you want to be prepared for because the crowds may be a little different. So, sit back and enjoy this episode.

As always, we encourage you to go to Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. Thanks for listening!

For years we have told you how much we love the moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. And, who doesn't love the deluxes? But, what about those value resorts? Some of them have gotten a significant upgrade in transportation, and others have gotten a major refurbishment. Todd has recently stayed at one of the value resorts and is giving you a full review of his experience. As always, thanks for supporting WDW 4 Families and feel free to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

We're back! And today we are going to be discussing a few new things at Walt Disney World, including Tron, and a few other new attractions. Plus, we are giving an in depth review of halloween and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. We'd love to hear what you have experienced recently regarding the halloween season and if you've ridden Tron, let us know what you thought! As always, thanks for downloading today's episode!

Kevin recently visited Walt Disney World and had an adult trip! That's right, no kids on this one! It was a 3 day trip, but he covered all 4 parks during that time and this episode gives you all of the details. There were new dining experiences, new attractions, and even a new resort stay. Lots of information is given and we hope this is a fun episode as you follow Kevin along his journey into the World! With WDW changing so often, there are always new things to see, eat, experience. As always, we hope that you will take a moment to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a 5-star rating and review!

You have submitted your questions and it's time for us to give you our answers. This episode is filled with a host of questions that are brought in by you, the listener. With our wide array of experiences we set out to answer your questions and give you some Disney insight along the way. If you ever have a question, you can submit those to us on our Facebook page, WDW4Families.

As always, we want to thank you for downloading this episode and ask you to take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and review!

You might not want to splurge and stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort, but you'd also rather not stay at a Value Resort either. So you land on a great option, the Moderates! But, which one is the best? And which one should you choose? In this episode we dive deep and give you our opinions on which Moderate Resort is the best based on a set of criteria that we came up with on our own. That's right, it's our opinion and we're sticking to it! In all seriousness, choosing which resort to stay at is a big decision. And this decision is likely determined by your family size, dynamic, life stage, and more. We hit on each of these things and bring you our opinions on which Disney Moderate Resort you should choose!

We appreciate you downloading the episode today and encourage you to subscribe if you have not already, and please go to Apple Podcasts and leave us a 5-star rating and review.

We all have those days at Walt Disney World where we just didn't get to the parks early. Some of us never arrive early at all. Others of us have good intentions, but, hey, we watched the fireworks the night before and we slept in. So, instead of arriving at the park at rope drop, we get there 2-3 hours after the park opens and there are already crowds in the park. You zig, we zag. In this episode, we talk about what we would do if we had to zag after everyone else who arrived earlier than us zigged. We hope you enjoy this episode and if you do, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave us a 5-star rating and review. 

Todd and Randy have recently come back from Walt Disney World and Disneyland respectively. In this episode we give you a full report on where they stayed, what they ate, and what new attractions they got to enjoy. With the parks changing rapidly and often, it's always good to hear about the new things that are coming and what you can expect on your next trip for you and your family. We hope you enjoy this episode and don't forget to leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple podcasts.

It's become an annual tradition that we do a show dedicated to the Walt Disney World Marathon. Each year Todd runs the Dopey challenge which is the 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon, in 4 consecutive days. In this episode we talk about this year's race and what you might experience if you choose to do a WDW  Marathon. It's amazing how much of a fan favorite the runDisney races have become over the years. In fact, they have become so popular that it can even be challenging to get in to the races. We also discuss strategies to ensure you get signed up for the races. As always, we hope you enjoy our podcast and encourage you to leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode we go through a Disney version of "Would You Rather?" One of the amazing things about Disney is all the things you can do, see, eat, and experience. And as you can imagine, there are a wide variety of opinions on what you should do. We each take 3 things and ask the question, what would you rather? There are obviously no wrong answers, but some sure are better than others! Either way, we found this episode to be fun and we'd love to hear what you would choose. As always, thanks for downloading the episode and please don't forget to go leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 

For many people, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! You may have heard that Walt Disney World does an amazing job of brining the Christmas season to their parks. And those rumors are true! Disney does a tremendous job of bringing the job of Christmas to each park. But the question is - should you bring your family for a vacation during the Christmas holidays? In this episode we are going to give you our top reasons to go to Disney during the holiday season, as well as our top reasons to not go during the holiday season. There are a lot of things to consider in this decision and we want to ensure that you're well informed and make the best decision for your family. Thanks for downloading today's episode and we'd love to have you leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

We all have our favorite things to do in the parks. Maybe it's because of nostalgia or perhaps it's the story you love. Some of us have a favorite food or restaurant we have to have every time we visit Walt Disney World. The amazing thing about WDW is the many different offerings available for everyone. In today's episode we discuss our must do attraction, food item, and show in each park. We'd love to hear what your must-do's are at each park too. As always, thank you for downloading today's episode and don't forget to go on iTunes and rate our show. 

Unlike most theme parks, Walt Disney World has some amazing dining locations. Whether you're looking for something quick, or a dining experience, or anything in between, the Disney parks has something for everyone. In this episode we each take a park and give our favorite character meal, quick service meal, and table service meal. And because we are the original family-friendly WDW podcast, you can be sure that our selections are made with kid-friendly options and a family atmosphere. We appreciate you support and hope you'll choose to subscribe to our channel and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast.  

This week we have an evil podcast where we go through a fun little game. The game goes like this - how would you plan a day in a Walt Disney World Park for your worst enemy? What would you have them ride, where would they eat, and what would their day ultimately look like? We all know there are amazing things about each Disney World park. And, there are those things that we might choose to skip. In this episode we explore those things we'd skip, but would have our enemies do! And as always, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Thank you for being a supporter of WDW 4 Families and for downloading today's episode.

This week our crew goes overseas all the way to Paris, France as we talk with Stephanie about her recent trip to Disneyland Paris. When planning a trip of this magnitude with your family there are many things to consider. It all begins with good planning. From there it's important to get a game plan in order and get the trip booked. Where are you going to stay, how many days do you need, and what are the differences from the Unites States parks? We answer all of these questions in more in this episode of WDW4Families. Thanks for downloading today's podcast and don't forget to go leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast.

This week we dive in to all things Disney Cruise Line. Without a doubt, Disney Cruise Line is the number one cruise line for families. Most of our cast members have been on multiple Disney Cruises and give some amazing tips about what you can expect on a Disney Cruise. Believe it or not, there are many things you need to be aware of before you cruise with Disney. We also answer some questions related to a Disney Cruise that will help give you some insight into what you need to be thinking about as you plan your next Disney Cruise Line trip with your family. Thanks for downloading today's podcast and don't forget to go leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast.