Lightning Lane can feel confusing, so in this episode of Enchanted Escape Pod, we break it all down in a simple, practical way. 🏰✨

We explain how Lightning Lane works now, the differences between Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass, and when it’s actually worth paying to skip the standby line (and when it’s not).

Then we go park by park and share our real-world Lightning Lane strategy for:

• Magic Kingdom

• EPCOT

• Animal Kingdom

• Hollywood Studios

From top priorities and tier picks to standby-skipping tricks, refreshing tips, and a few Lightning Lane regrets, this episode is packed with planning advice you can actually use on your next Walt Disney World trip.

🎢 Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Disney pro, this episode will help you save time, avoid stress, and make smarter ride decisions.

🎙️ Hosted by Lucas & Vanessa

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod & @vanessa.makes.magic

⭐ If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave us a review!

2026 is shaping up to be a HUGE year at Walt Disney World — and in this episode, we break down everything you need to know before planning your next trip. 🏰✨

From festival dates and special events to new attractions, ride reimaginings, and seasonal parties, we walk through the full 2026 Disney World calendar and explain what’s returning, what’s brand new, and what changes could impact your vacation.

🎢 In this episode, we cover:

• The full 2026 Disney World event calendar

• EPCOT festivals throughout the year

• After Hours events, Halloween & Christmas parties

• New and reimagined attractions opening in 2026

• Summer experiences, shows, and limited-time offerings

• What months might be best (or worst) to visit in 2026

🔮 Plus: we wrap things up by looking beyond 2026, with a quick reminder about major construction and expansions already underway for 2027 and beyond — and why they matter if you’re planning future trips.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Disney regular who loves staying ahead of the curve, this episode is your one-stop overview of Walt Disney World in 2026.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod and @vanessa.makes.magic

✉️ Got questions or episode ideas? DM us — we’d love to hear from you!

🎄✈️ We’re back from Walt Disney World — and this episode is PACKED! ✨

In this week’s episode of Enchanted Escape Pod, we recap our recent holiday trip to Walt Disney World — from flying in and checking into All-Star Sports to park hopping, Christmas parties, and everything in between.

🎢 Trip Highlights Include:

• Animal Kingdom afternoon with the new Zootopia show, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Flight of Passage, and lunch at Satu’li Canteen

• Dinner at The BOATHOUSE and a festive Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs

• A full gingerbread crawl across EPCOT, Beach Club, BoardWalk, Wilderness Lodge, and Contemporary

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom

• EPCOT Festival of the Holidays eats, our first time on GEO-82, and rides like Guardians, Soarin’, Living with the Land, Test Track, and Remy

• Park hopping to Hollywood Studios with Tower of Terror, Rise of the Resistance, Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania, and more

• Real talk about crowds, busy parks, and missing Fantasmic

• Flying home and final thoughts from the trip

📰 Plus — a full Disney news roundup!

If you’re planning a holiday trip or just love staying up to date with Disney news and honest trip reports, this episode is for you!

💬 Comment and share with friends

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod & @vanessa.makes.magic

In this episode, we’re diving into the best Quick Service meals across all four Walt Disney World parks — breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Vanessa covers Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, while Lucas takes on EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, sharing our favorite picks for every part of your Disney day.

Before we jump into the main topic, we also break down where to find Thanksgiving meals at Walt Disney World, including the best spots for a festive holiday plate if you’re visiting during Thanksgiving week.

From croissant sandwiches and kebabs to rice bowls and specialty hot dogs, this episode is packed with foodie tips to help you plan your next park day like a pro.

✨ Follow us on Instagram:

@enchanted.escapepod — our podcast page

@vanessa.makes.magic — for Disney travel planning, tips, and trip inspiration!

We are back with a festive deep dive into the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays — one of the coziest and most magical times of the year at Walt Disney World!

In this episode, we explore everything coming to this year’s festival, including:

🎄 2025 festival dates & major updates

🎤 Candlelight Processional, JOYFUL!, and World Showcase storytellers

🍽️ Holiday Kitchens — returning favorites, new dishes, and what we’re most excited to try

🍪 The Holiday Cookie Stroll

🎅 The return of the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth

📸 Our personal must-do list for navigating the festival like a pro

Whether you’re planning your own holiday trip or just love the EPCOT vibes during this season, this episode is full of tips, insights, and festive fun to get you in the spirit.

✨ Follow us on Instagram @enchanted.escapepod for more Disney content, trip tips, and behind-the-scenes fun from our adventures!

Grab your hot cocoa and Christmas sweaters because today we’re diving into Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2025! In this festive episode, we break down everything happening at Magic Kingdom this holiday season — from entertainment and rare character meets to holiday ride overlays and the brand-new treats you can’t miss.

We cover:

✨ This year’s nearly sold-out party dates

✨ All entertainment showtimes — parade, fireworks, stage shows & dance parties

✨ 35+ character meet-and-greets (including rare holiday costumes!)

✨ Full list of ride overlays like Jingle Cruise & Space Mountain Holiday

✨ Complimentary cookies, festive snacks, and a massive foodie guide

✨ 2025 exclusive merch including the new keepsake ornament

✨ Insider planning tips, crowd strategy, & best ways to maximize your night

Whether you’re attending the party, planning for clients, or just love the Christmas vibes at Disney, this episode is packed with everything you need to know to experience the magic.

🎧 Tune in, get cozy, and let’s celebrate the most magical time of the year!

It’s the glitziest holiday party in Hollywood Studios! In this episode, we’re diving into Disney Jollywood Nights 2025 — from the dazzling entertainment and rare character meet-and-greets to this year’s all-new foodie offerings and party tips. 💃🍸

We’ll break down:

🎟️ Event dates & ticket info

🎭 New shows, character experiences, and returning favorites

🍤 The complete foodie guide (and what’s worth trying!)

📸 Exclusive photo-ops, merch, and must-see vibes

🎅 Our best planning tips — and whether we think the event’s worth the splurge!

So grab your Santa hat and your sparkliest outfit, and join us as we talk all things Jollywood Nights — Hollywood glam meets holiday magic! 🌟

📲 Follow us on Instagram @enchanted.escapepod and check our Linktree for forms, episodes & more Disney fun.

We’re diving into the most luxurious stays at Walt Disney World! 💫 In this first part of our Deluxe Resort overview, we explore the Magic Kingdom area resorts — from the timeless elegance of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, to the tropical vibes of the Polynesian Village Resort, the sleek modern design of the Contemporary Resort, and the cozy rustic charm of Wilderness Lodge. 🏰🌺🌲

Join us as we talk about the history, theming, restaurants, and our favorite details that make each of these resorts a Disney classic! Whether you’re planning your next stay or just dreaming of a Deluxe getaway, this episode’s got you covered.

✨ Press play & don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @enchanted.escapepod

We’re back with a snack-tastic episode of Enchanted Escape Pod! 🍿✨

First up, we catch you up on the latest Disney news — including some big EPCOT updates:

🎬 Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is officially switching to 2D!

🎨 The 2026 Festival of the Arts dates have been announced.

🌎 And Disney has revealed new details about the upcoming Soarin’ Across America!

Then it’s time for the main course: the best Disney snacks at every Walt Disney World park. From the classics at Magic Kingdom to hidden gems in Animal Kingdom, we’re ranking, debating, and drooling our way through our favorite treats across all four parks.

Which park truly has the best snack lineup? Which famous treat is totally overrated? And what’s the one snack we can’t skip on any trip? Tune in and find out!

📍 Follow along on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

💫 Don’t forget to leave a review and tell us your favorite Disney snack!

There’s a ton happening across Walt Disney World right now — from major price hikes and new refurbishments to sneak peeks at upcoming lands like Monstropolis and Zootopia: Better Zootogether! 📰

We’re breaking down all the latest updates including:

💸 Ticket and Annual Pass price changes

🏗️ Closures and demolitions around the parks

🎢 The Muppets taking over Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster

🌴 The future of Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom

🚢 The arrival of the Disney Destiny cruise ship

🍰 Holiday dining events & new restaurants

Grab a Dole Whip and join us as we catch you up on everything new, rumored, and exciting at the Most Magical Place on Earth! ✨

🔗 Follow us on Instagram @enchanted.escapepod

🎃✨ Our Disney Halloween Trip Recap

We’re back from our magical (and spooky!) Disney trip — and we’ve got so much to share! In this episode, we’re recapping every highlight from our time at Walt Disney World, from amazing food to festive frights.

Here’s what we cover:

🍽️ Dinner at Raglan Road — live music, great food, and cozy Disney Springs vibes

🐾 A quick Animal Kingdom stop to kick things off

🌟 The brand-new Disney Starlight Parade lighting up Magic Kingdom

🌍 Our favorites (and not-so-favorites) from this year’s EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

🏴‍☠️ Our first-ever visit to Beak & Barrel and what we thought of it

🎃 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2025 — rides, snacks, Boo-To-You Parade & fireworks

🏨 Our stay at Pop Century Resort and how it fit perfectly into the trip

It’s the perfect mix of food, fun, and frightful Disney magic — all wrapped into one epic Halloween adventure.

🎧 Press play and join us for the full recap!

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps more Disney fans find the pod.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod (https://instagram.com/enchanted.escapepod)

😈🩸 Our very first Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando is in the books — and we’ve got a lot to say!

In this episode, we:

🏚️ Rank and review every haunted house (we went through houses 13 times in one night!)

💀 Walk through the scare zones and share which ones gave us chills (and laughs)

🎭 Talk about the live shows, from pyrotechnics to pure chaos

🍗 Dish on the event food we tried (and what we’d get again)

🧟 Share our overall first-timer impressions — what lived up to the hype, and what surprised us most

Whether you’re an HHN pro or just curious what the event is like, this one’s packed with spooky fun and honest takes.

🎧 Press play… if you dare.

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps other Halloween & theme park fans find the show!

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

🎃👻 Halloween season is officially here — and we’re diving into the ultimate spooky pre-trip report!

In this episode, we cover all the latest Disney news, then break down our plans for a jam-packed mini-trip that includes Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

📰 News roundup

🐾 Our arrival plans at Pop Century + first day at Animal Kingdom & Disney Springs

🍷 Our EPCOT Food & Wine must-eats

🎃 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Party strategy — rides, treats, parades, fireworks & Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

👻 Halloween Horror Nights hype — 10 haunted houses, 4 scare zones, 2 shows, and Death Eaters in Diagon Alley!

It’s Disney, Universal, and spooky season all rolled into one. If you’re planning a fall trip to Orlando, this is the perfect episode to get you in the mood.

🎧 Press play and join us for the frightfully fun pre-trip vibes.

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps other Disney & Universal fans find the show!

📲 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@enchanted.escapepod⁠

✨ Planning a Walt Disney World trip? We’ve got you covered with our 10 best tips to make your vacation smoother, more magical, and a lot less stressful.

In this episode, we cover:

🗓️ Why having a plan (but not a rigid one) is key

🍴 How to snag those hard-to-get dining reservations

🏨 The surprising perks of staying on-site

🌅 Rope drop strategies that actually work

💧 Hydration + packing hacks that will save your trip

🚎 How transportation can be part of the fun

🌟 And so much more

Whether it’s your first trip or your tenth, these tips will help you maximize the magic without burning out.

🎧 Press play, get ready to take notes, and start dreaming about your Disney days!

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps more Disney fans find the pod.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

We’re back from the West Coast with so much to share! In this episode, we:

🌟 Recap our magical days at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure

🎢 Talk about rides, snacks, and those little moments that made the trip special

🏃‍♀️ Share the highs (and sore legs) from running our very first Disney race

💡 Give tips for anyone thinking about mixing park days with runDisney fun

Whether you’re curious about planning your own Disneyland adventure or just want to hear how our first race went, this one’s packed with stories, laughs, and plenty of pixie dust.

🎧 Press play and come along for the ride!

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps more Disney fans find the pod.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

✨ Big announcements, big plans, and big Disney vibes!

This week we’re diving into the news from D23 — from movie announcements, to park updates, and jaw-dropping surprises! PLUS we’re sharing our own pre-trip report for Disneyland, where we’ll be doing a full day at the parks & our first RunDisney!

In this episode:

🎤 Our reactions to the biggest D23 reveals

🏰 What’s coming soon to Disney Parks & beyond

✈️ Our Disneyland trip prep: plans, strategies & must-dos

💡 A few hot takes you won’t want to miss

🎧 Press play for all the Disney buzz and trip planning!

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps more Disney fans find the pod.

📲 Follow along on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

Ever wondered what the ultimate Disney World job would be? With Labor Day around the corner, we thought it’d be the perfect time to celebrate work Disney-style. In this episode, we built a full bracket of iconic roles—from Jungle Cruise Skipper to Tinker Bell soaring through the skies—and battled it out until one dream job was crowned the winner 🏆.

At the news segment, we also share some very unfortunate updates from Disneyland before diving into the bracket fun.

Tune in for Disney park updates, plenty of laughs, and a game that just might spark your own Disney career daydreams. (Oh, and here, have a pig 🐷)

🎧 Press play and find out which job reigns supreme in the happiest bracket on earth!

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps more Disney fans find the pod!

🍷✨ The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2025 is here — and we’ve got your full guide to eating around the world!

In this episode, we:

🥘 Go through the entire foodie guide booth by booth

🧀 Talk about Emile’s Fromage Montage (aka the cheese crawl + prize!)

🎶 Highlight the Eat to the Beat Concert Series lineup

🔎 Break down the scavenger hunt fun around the festival

📖 Share our own past Food & Wine experiences from last year

🎧 Press play, grab a fork, and get ready to plan your tastiest Disney trip yet.

⭐ Don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps more Disney fans find the pod.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

🏝️✨ From hammocks on the beach to Mickey-shaped beignets to the largest hot tub at Disney — we’re stepping up the magic with a full breakdown of Walt Disney World’s Moderate Resorts. 🏨💫

In this jam-packed episode, we give you everything you need to know about all four Moderates:

🌴 Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – Skyliner hub + tropical vibes

🎭 Port Orleans – French Quarter – Beignets & jazz charm

🏞️ Port Orleans – Riverside – Southern elegance & hidden gems

🏰 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Stunning tower & top-tier dining

We’ll spill:

🔍 How Moderates stack up against Value & Deluxe resorts

🚡 The best ways to get around (including Skyliner & boats)

🍹 Which pools, dining spots & activities deserve your time

💡 Insider tips to help you pick the perfect resort for your trip

Planning a Disney vacation and wondering if a Moderate Resort is your sweet spot? We’ve got the scoop, the secrets, and maybe a few strong opinions.

🎧 Press play and listen — because the only thing better than talking Disney resorts is planning your next stay at one.

⭐ If you enjoy the show, leave us a review — it helps more Disney fans find us!

📲 Follow our adventures on Instagram: @enchanted.escapepod

Boo to you — we’re diving head-first into the spookiest after-hours event at Walt Disney World: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom! This party is one of our absolute FAVORITES of the year — and in this episode, we’re giving you the full lowdown on how to make the most of every candy-filled, character-packed, fireworks-blasting moment.

We’re covering:

🍬 Trick-or-treat locations and how to maximize the candy haul

🧙 Top character meet-and-greets you can ONLY find at the party

🎃 Exclusive ride overlays and party merch

🌭 A full foodie guide of all the party exclusive treats

👗 Tips for costumes, crowds, and first-timers

✨ Full entertainment rundown — from the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, to the Boo-to-You Parade, to the Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks

🧠 What’s new in 2025 and how it compares to previous years

Whether you’re a Disney pro or a first-time ghoul, this episode is your go-to guide to having a frightfully magical night.

🎧 Hit play and let the haunting begin!

📲 Follow us on Instagram @enchanted.escapepod