Capture The Magic Podcast - Disney World | Universal Studios Florida | News, Rumors & More

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A fun, honest and common sense approach to a Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando vacation. We discuss the latest Disney and Universal Studios related news, rumors, trip reports, tips, tricks, and more! Our goal is to help you maximize your time, save money and have more fun!

  1. 9h ago

    Ep 617 - Mickey's Not So Scary Foodie Guide, New Eats, More Refurbs & Why Are The Parks Slower This Summer

    Hey hey, welcome back to Capture The Magic! We have got a packed episode this week and honestly food is taking over Disney World right now in the best possible way so let's just get into it. First up, the full food and drink guide for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2026 is out and there is a lot to look forward to. Speaking of the party, opening night is already sold out so if you were on the fence, just know the demand is very real this year. But wait, there's even more food news because Magic Kingdom is out here dropping new menu items too. Over at Golden Outpost you can now get Hot Honey Chicken Strips served with sweet potato fries topped with marshmallows and pecans, which honestly sounds wild in the best way. And Pecos Bill's has a new Barbecue Bacon Cheeseburger with Angus beef, American cheese, house-made bacon jam, and barbecue sauce. Oh and they also have Churro Loops with chocolate sauce now. Yes please. Six Ravens at Disney Springs is about to open and the menu details are here and we are going through all of it. This one has been on a lot of people's radar and it's shaping up to be a really interesting addition to the Springs dining scene. Over at EPCOT, Zootopia: Better Zoogether has a brand new pre-show featuring Mayor Brian Winddancer from Zootopia 2 introducing Zoogether Day at a press conference. Fun fact, this makes it the third attraction with Patrick Warburton involved, which is just a very specific and delightful piece of Disney trivia. Also at EPCOT, Shiki-Sai in the Japan Pavilion has added a fireworks dining package where you get appetizers, traditional sashimi, an extensive sushi selection, an exclusive dessert, beverages, and a view of Luminous. Bookings open August 27th on their website and pricing is $149.50 per adult and $74.70 per child, which includes tax and gratuity. On the refurb front, two big ones to know about. Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge is getting a major lobby refurbishment starting August 17th and running in phases through early November. The main entrance and check-in are moving to The Palace Library, the gift shop closes for two weeks, and different areas will take turns going offline throughout the project. And Coronado Springs convention center is looking at a much longer timeline, starting August 10th of this year and running all the way through September 2027. Work will happen in phases and some of it at night, but if you're staying there you'll likely see some impact around the El Centro Corridor area. And before we get to what's coming the rest of 2026, we have to talk about the Kermit the Frog Annual Passholder magnet that is on the way because that is adorable and we are very excited about it. Looking ahead at the rest of 2026 there is so much happening. Disney After Hours at EPCOT runs through September 24th. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is in full swing. D23 is coming. EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival kicks off August 27th and runs all the way through November 21st. Then we have Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Disney Jollywood Nights, and more. The back half of this year is going to be very busy in the best way. Thanks so much for hanging out with us today. If you enjoyed this episode, drop a comment below and let us know what you are most excited about for the rest of 2026. Give this video a like, subscribe to the channel, and make sure you hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode of Capture The Magic. Head over to your favorite podcast app and find the Capture The Magic Podcast feed so you can listen wherever you like to hang out! Join Club 32 Help us fund & grow the show by becoming part of Club 32! You'll get more additional content, ad free versions of the podcast, CTM Apparel discounts, 1901 Candle Company discounts, a private Facebook Group, private podcast feed & more! - head to ctmvip.com Book Your Vacation With Zip Travel Co. Visit vacationwithzip.com to see how our dedicated CTM agents wither Lauren or Kendal can help you save time, money and plan the vacation of a lifetime! CTM Apparel Get the best Disney, Universal and/or Pop Culture apparel that is hand made in our shop - shop at ctmapparelco.com. Subscribe To The Show & Leave Us A Review Apple Podcasts - Click Here Stitcher - Click Here Spotify - Click Here Follow Us online CTM Facebook Group: @capthemagic Twitter: @capthemagic Instagram: @capthemagic YouTube: @ctmpodcast capturethemagicpodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Jul 23

    Ep 616 - Disney World News + Don't Melt At Disney World This Summer! Our Best Staying Cool Tips

    Episode 616 is here and we are packing this one full of Disney World news AND a full breakdown of how to actually survive and enjoy the parks this summer without completely melting. Whether you are heading to Walt Disney World soon or you are in the planning stages, this episode is for you. First up on the news front, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights tickets are now on sale to the general public. Quick heads up though, the cheapest nights and the ones closest to the holidays are usually the first to disappear, so if you are eyeing a specific date, do not wait on this one. Also in news, Disney celebrated Dole Whip Day and dropped some fun new treats worth knowing about. There is a new Dole Whip Peach with Streusel Crisp over at Pineapple Lanai, a Dole Whip Peach Streusel Cobbler Sundae at Blizzard Beach, and the fan favorite Swirl Up Some Magic cup is back for another year. Summer is really coming through with the snacks. And if you are a Food and Wine Festival fan, reservations are now open for the Parisian Breakfast Buffet at Chefs de France. It runs Friday and Saturday mornings during the festival at $67.95 per person and the menu is loaded with pastries, baguettes, cheeses, charcuterie, salmon, fresh fruit, and beverages. This one sold out last year so if you want in, grab that reservation now. Then we get into the main event of this episode, our full guide to staying cool at Disney World in the summer. We are talking hydration strategies, the right gear to wear, when to take breaks, how to build your day so you are not completely wiped out by noon, and which rides and experiences are best for cooling off. We cover splash pads, water rides, pool tips, After Hours events, H2O Glow Nights, the water parks, cool snacks, cooling accessories, and even why you should crank that hotel thermostat way down before you head out for the day. Summer at Disney is absolutely doable and can honestly be a great trip if you plan it right. We are giving you everything we know to make it happen. If you find this episode helpful, please give it a like, drop a comment below telling us your best tip for beating the heat at Disney, subscribe to the channel, and hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode. We put out content every week for Disney fans just like you. Find the full Capture The Magic Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Search Capture The Magic and come hang out with us! Join Club 32 Help us fund & grow the show by becoming part of Club 32! You'll get more additional content, ad free versions of the podcast, CTM Apparel discounts, 1901 Candle Company discounts, a private Facebook Group, private podcast feed & more! - head to ctmvip.com Book Your Vacation With Zip Travel Co. Visit vacationwithzip.com to see how our dedicated CTM agents wither Lauren or Kendal can help you save time, money and plan the vacation of a lifetime! CTM Apparel Get the best Disney, Universal and/or Pop Culture apparel that is hand made in our shop - shop at ctmapparelco.com. Subscribe To The Show & Leave Us A Review Apple Podcasts - Click Here Stitcher - Click Here Spotify - Click Here Follow Us online CTM Facebook Group: @capthemagic Twitter: @capthemagic Instagram: @capthemagic YouTube: @ctmpodcast capturethemagicpodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Jul 21

    CTM Universal Ep 128 - Ranking Every Universal Orlando Hotel From Worst to Best

    There are a LOT of hotels at Universal Orlando now, and honestly the choices can be overwhelming. So we did what any reasonable theme park fan would do and ranked all of them from worst to best. In this episode we're going through every single Universal Orlando resort hotel, talking about what makes each one worth it (or not), breaking down the perks, the vibes, the price points, and figuring out where you should actually be staying on your next trip. Spoiler: we don't all agree on everything, and that's kind of the point. Whether you're a first timer trying to figure out if Cabana Bay is the move or a seasoned Universal vet wondering if the new Epic Universe hotels shake things up, this one is for you. We cover: All the on-site Universal Orlando hotels The perks that actually matter when choosing where to stay Which hotels give you the best bang for your buck Our personal favorites and the ones we'd skip How the newer hotels stack up against the classics Drop your own Universal hotel rankings in the comments. We want to see where you land on all of this, and we guarantee someone is going to have a spicy take. If you like what you hear, please hit that like button, subscribe to the channel, and tap the notification bell so you never miss an episode. It really does help us out more than you know. Find the full Capture The Magic Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Search Capture The Magic and come hang out with us there too. Join Club 32 Help us to fund & grow the show by becoming part of Club 32! You'll get more additional content, CTM Apparel discounts, 1901 Candle Company discounts, private Facebook Group, private podcast & more! - head to ctmvip.com CTM Apparel Get the best Disney, Universal and/or Pop Culture apparel that is hand made in our shop - shop at ctmshirts.com Subscribe To The Show & Leave Us A Review Apple Podcasts - Click Here Stitcher - Click Here Spotify - Click Here Follow Us on Social Media CTM Facebook Group: @capthemagic Twitter: @capthemagic Instagram: @capthemagic Visit Us Online Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Capture the Magic Podcast – find the latest episodes! Capture The Magic Apparel – you can find a great Disney-inspired t-shirt collection! Join Club 32! Our private group with access to exclusive livestreams, podcasts, and MORE! Visit ctmvip.com Our Sponsors Zip Travel - visit travelwithzip.com to see how they can help you have the vacation of a lifetime! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    CTM Universal Ep 128 - Ranking Every Universal Orlando Hotel From Worst to Best
  4. Jul 16

    Ep 615 - Magic of Disney Animation Gets An Opening Date, D23 Update & Is Space Mountain Getting A Refurb?

    We have got a LOT to cover this week and honestly the news just keeps coming. Let's get into it. First up, Magic of Disney Animation finally has an opening date and it is September 14th. This is the brand new experience coming to the reimagined Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios and it sounds like a really solid lineup. You've got Drawn to Wonderland which is a playground experience, Off the Page for character meetings, Olaf Draws which is a drawing class (yes please), the Once Upon a Studio Theater, and more. This feels like a real destination area and we are genuinely excited to check it out. Quick financial note for anyone who follows the business side of things: The Walt Disney Company drops their 3rd Quarter financial results on Wednesday August 5th at 8:30am Eastern via live webcast. Worth keeping an eye on. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party fans, heads up. October 13th and August 18th are the next two dates to sell out and they are moving faster than last year. If you are on the fence about grabbing tickets, stop waiting. Also interesting, both Beak and Barrel and Geo-82 went to walk-up lists last week, which is actually a first for those spots. The party crowd is hungry. Now let's talk D23 because things are getting really exciting. Neil Patrick Harris is going to host the Experiences Showcase and honestly the format sounds amazing. It's inspired by the Carousel of Progress, he'll be guiding the whole show, chatting with Imagineers and storytellers, and there are supposed to be announcements, special performances, and surprises. We are so ready. Also at D23, Leslie Iwerks is debuting a brand new documentary focused on Disney Parks. She made the Imagineering Story and Disneyland Handcrafted, so the pedigree here is outstanding. We also want to take a moment to acknowledge that her father Don Iwerks recently passed away at 96. Don was an absolute legend. He developed the 360 degree Circle Vision camera, built the film equipment used at the 1964 World's Fair, engineered the 3D film and effects for Captain EO, and built the projection system for Star Tours. What a career. What a legacy. And then there is the Space Mountain rumor that has everyone buzzing. Word is the attraction could be getting a very major refurbishment, potentially including a full track replacement, updated audio, and a redesigned ride vehicle that seats two across instead of single file. Nothing confirmed yet but this might be something we hear more about at D23 next month. So yeah, a packed episode. Drop your thoughts in the comments below. What are you most excited about? Are you ready for Magic of Disney Animation? What do you think about the Space Mountain rumors? Let us know! If you enjoyed this episode, hit that like button, subscribe to the channel, and make sure you tap the notification bell so you never miss a new episode of Capture The Magic. Find the full Capture The Magic Podcast feed wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure you are subscribed so you never miss an episode! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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About

A fun, honest and common sense approach to a Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando vacation. We discuss the latest Disney and Universal Studios related news, rumors, trip reports, tips, tricks, and more! Our goal is to help you maximize your time, save money and have more fun!