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

Hollie Carnevale
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Planning a Disney World trip with your family? 🎢✨ I’m Hollie, your travel advisor for ALL things Disney and Universal. I’m here to make Disney World trip planning for families magical, stress-free, and full of fun! I can't wait to share all of my first-hand Disney knowledge with you!

  1. 1d ago

    Disney World 2026: How many days do you really need in Walt Disney World?

    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/

  2. Aug 12

    Disney World 2026: What to Expect at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

    🎄 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: hollie@fantascticalvacations.com📸 Instagram: @jollieholliedaytravel📘 Facebook: Fantastical Vacations by Hollie The Planning Behind the MagicBecause even magic needs a plan.

  3. Jul 29

    Disney World 2026: What to Expect at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

    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

  4. Jul 22

    Disney's Aulani Resort Trip Recap: Part 2

    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

  5. Jul 15

    Disney's Aulani Resort Trip Recap: Part 1

    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

  6. Jul 8

    Trip Recap: Agency Meeting + Walt Disney World 2026

    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/

  7. Jun 24

    What's In My Disney World Park Bag for 2026: Pack With Me

    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/

  8. Jun 17

    Disneyland Trip Recap: Part 3

    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

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Planning a Disney World trip with your family? 🎢✨ I’m Hollie, your travel advisor for ALL things Disney and Universal. I’m here to make Disney World trip planning for families magical, stress-free, and full of fun! I can't wait to share all of my first-hand Disney knowledge with you!

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