Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast

Leslie Harvey and Joe Cheung

Join Leslie from Trips with Tykes and Joe from asthejoeflies as we discuss how to save you money, time, and stress as you plan your Walt Disney World vacation. Visiting Disney is like visiting another country - we're here to help you understand the ins and outs of what to do, where to stay, what to eat, how to minimize your wait times for rides, Genie+ tricks, and a whole lot more!

  1. 15H AGO

    How to Tackle Animal Kingdom w/o Lightning Lanes

    AK w/o LL Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description Do you want to tackle the parks without having to pay for Lightning Lanes? We're starting a brand new series, how to tackle the Disney Parks without Lightning Lane Multi Pass! On today's episode we kick things off with Animal Kingdom, probably the lowest on the difficulty scale. You can have a great day at Animal Kingdom without Lightning Lanes and unlike most of the other parks, you can pretty much do it all. Let us tell you how. What are your tips for tackling Animal Kingdom without Lightning Lane? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 2:56 - Why Animal Kingdom is the easiest park to skip Lightning Lane 6:43 - Rope drop to lunch 12:31 - Playing it by ear in the afternoon 24:42 - Disney dos and don'ts If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    27 min
  2. FEB 11

    Is the New Disney Inspire Visa Card Worth It?

    Disney Inspire Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Joe's Disney Visa referral link Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description New CEO! New President! New Credit Card! Lots of new Disney related stuff so we do a new…..s episode about it. We discuss Josh D'Amaro and Dana Walden's promotions and the challenges they are facing as they take over the company from Bob Iger. Then in our second segment we discuss the newly released Disney Inspire credit card - is this finally a Disney credit card worth getting for Joe and Leslie? Are you excited about the new CEO? Or the new credit card? Both? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 2:23 - Josh D'Amaro and Dana Walden get promotions 6:13 - Why we're excited, challenges they will face 13:33 - Memes 15:22 - Disney Inspire credit card breakdown and thoughts 28:10 - Card designs 30:37 - Disney dos and don'ts If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    32 min
  3. FEB 4

    Ep. 405 - Three Must Try Lounges at Disney World

    New to Disney Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description Joe was recently at Walt Disney World for the annual Travelmation Retreat and got to try three new lounges/restaurants at Disney World, plus the new Zootopia attraction at Animal Kingdom, and some more new to him things in this trip report. Beak and Barrel, Geo-82, Wailulu Bar and Grill - all three did not disappoint! Also, Dinosaur has gone extinct and Joe got to say goodbye. Thanks to all of Joe's clients for all the support in 2025! Have you been to any of the new offerings at Disney World? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 4:16 - Goodbye, Dinosaur 7:40 - Zootopia: Better Zoogether! 11:53 - Plaza Restaurant 14:33 - Theme Park view room at the Contemporary 17:50 - Geo-82, no kids allowed! 23:03 - Beak and Barrel 27:05 - Wailulu Bar and Grill at the new Polynesian Tower 29:40 - Disney dos and don'ts If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    34 min
  4. JAN 28

    Ep. 404 - Evaluating Conventional Disney Advice (Buy or Sell)

    Conventional Wisdom Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description There's a lot of conventional Disney wisdom out there - has some of it gotten outdated? Leslie and Joe buy and sell some of the common advice out there, including discussions about rope dropping, park hopping, waking up early for dining, and even proper footwear. Consider this a tips episode with some commentary on whether we agree or disagree with said tips. Enjoy! What's your favorite bit of Disney conventional wisdom? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 2:27 - Avoid peak dates 4:42 - Stay off site to save money 7:00 - Skip park hopper 9:09 - Wake up at 6 AM to book your dining 12:05 - Buy Lightning Lane Multipass 13:54 - Get good shoes 15:23 - Pack ponchos 17:02 - Rope drop 18:31 - Build in rest days 21:33 - Buy souvenirs off-site 23:38 - Book a bounceback offer 25:45 - Disney dos and don'ts If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    28 min
  5. JAN 21

    Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise w/ Adventures by Disney (Trip Report)

    ABD Christmas Markets Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description Joe took a bucket list trip - Adventures by Disney Rhine Christmas Markets River Cruise. Was it worth the money? Why is Europa Park bizarro Disney? We discuss the Adventures by Disney difference and talk about what it's like experiencing Christmas markets in Europe. Plus, some thoughts on AMA Waterways, river cruising, and the beauty of multi-generational trips. Have you ever considered a river cruise with Adventures by Disney? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 2:42 - What is Adventures by Disney? 10:55 - River cruising 101 22:45 - Europa Park 27:45 - Christmas markets 36:02 - Overall review of the trip 39:17 - Disney dos and don'ts If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    43 min
  6. JAN 14

    Why You Should Visit Disneyland in 2026 (and when to go)

    When to Visit Disneyland Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description Last episode we broke down the best times to visit Disney World, this week we're talking about when to visit Disneyland. Why 2026 might be the year to visit Disneyland and how to avoid crowds when you get there!  When are you planning to visit in 2026? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 2:36 - Why Disneyland is worth visiting in 2026 5:56 - Discounts 12:17 - Month by month breakdown 27:03 - Disney dos and don'ts If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    29 min
  7. JAN 7

    Is it Even Worth Visiting Disney World This Year?

    When to Visit in 2026 Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description It's the start of a new year, so Leslie and Joe break down what's coming to Walt Disney World and when are the best times to visit. Plus, we discuss whether this might be a good year to skip that Disney World vacation and all the discounts Disney is throwing at guests. When are you planning to visit in 2026? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 2:23 - Should you bother visiting Disney World in 2026? 6:18 - Discounts 13:08 - Month by month breakdown 23:29 - When we would visit 25:58 - Disney dos and don'ts If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    29 min
  8. 12/17/2025

    What We're Thankful for

    400! Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe!  Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today!  Episode Description Episode 400! On today's episode, we talk about what we're thankful for in 2025, what we've been thankful for over the last 400 episodes, and discuss some of our most listened to episodes out of the last 400. Plus, some things we are NOT thankful for, Disney wise, recently. Have you listened to all 400 episodes? (haha) Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on social media, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram! Episode Notes (all timestamps are approximate) 2:15 - What we're thankful for in 2025 10:09 - Most downloaded episodes 13:53 - What we're not thankful for 20:28 - What we've been thankful for over 400 episodes If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content! You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link. If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.

    29 min
4.9
out of 5
355 Ratings

About

Join Leslie from Trips with Tykes and Joe from asthejoeflies as we discuss how to save you money, time, and stress as you plan your Walt Disney World vacation. Visiting Disney is like visiting another country - we're here to help you understand the ins and outs of what to do, where to stay, what to eat, how to minimize your wait times for rides, Genie+ tricks, and a whole lot more!

You Might Also Like