Disney Hour Express

Abbie & Rob
  • 4.1 (14)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

It’s a tale as old as time. Two lifelong Disney and theme park fanatics found each other and created a travel agency. Now, we’ve decided to share our knowledge in a podcast. Grab a drink and hang with us as we talk queue times, rope drops, and the best place to grab a Mickey pretzel.

  1. 2d ago

    Our 2026 Walt Disney World Vacation – Part 2: EPCOT Without Rope Drop

    Our 2026 Walt Disney World vacation recap continues! In Part 2, we head to EPCOT for a full family day—but this time, we intentionally skip rope drop and try to experience the park at a slower pace. After taking the Disney Skyliner from Art of Animation, we meet Stitch near the International Gateway and quickly discover a problem with our Lightning Lane plans. We share our actual wait times and honest reactions to Soarin’ Across America, Test Track 3.0 and the updated version of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. We also discuss the upcoming changes to Spaceship Earth and Journey Into Imagination with Figment. Along the way, we try Sunshine Seasons for the first time, explore some frequently overlooked EPCOT attractions and enjoy a relaxed walk around World Showcase before dinner at San Angel Inn. The evening ends with a missing hat, a second ride on Soarin’ Across America and a last-minute dash to Remy’s just before EPCOT closes. Did skipping rope drop finally give our family the slower EPCOT day we wanted—or did Lightning Lane planning add another kind of stress? Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. 00:00 Welcome and Our Disney World Recap Continues 03:00 Planning a Slower Day at EPCOT 07:34 Skipping Rope Drop and Taking the Skyliner 10:41 A Surprise Character Encounter at EPCOT 12:34 Our Lightning Lane Mistake and Spaceship Earth 19:54 Soarin’ Across America First Impressions 23:05 Sunshine Seasons and Living with the Land 33:06 Test Track 3.0 and Lightning Lane Timing 38:27 The Seas, Figment and Overlooked EPCOT Attractions 47:49 A Relaxed Walk Around World Showcase 51:40 San Angel Inn Dinner Review 55:11 Three Caballeros and the Missing Hat 58:45 Our Final Soarin’ Across America Verdict 1:02:12 Riding Remy’s at EPCOT Closing Time 1:06:41 Did Skipping Rope Drop Work?

  2. Sep 8

    Our 2026 Walt Disney World Vacation – Part 1: 17 Attractions in One Day

    Our long-awaited 2026 Walt Disney World vacation recap is finally here! In Part 1, we cover our arrival day, our first impressions of the Finding Nemo Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and a chaotic dinner that wasn’t exactly the magical start we had envisioned. The next morning, we rope drop Magic Kingdom and put a popular Disney planning theory to the test: Is Magic Kingdom really less crowded on a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party day? We share our actual wait times, how we used Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and our thoughts on the reopened Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and updated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Despite a torrential downpour, we make it through most of Magic Kingdom before park hopping to Hollywood Studios for more attractions, character dining at Hollywood & Vine, and Fantasmic! By the end of the day, we had completed 17 rides and shows—but the weather had already set something in motion that would affect the rest of our trip. Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. 00:00 Welcome to the Disney Hour Express 00:55 Our 2026 Walt Disney World trip report begins 03:02 Why we visited during the final week of August 06:00 Arriving at Art of Animation Resort 10:58 Our honest family-suite review and chaotic first dinner 21:54 Magic Kingdom rope drop without Abbie 26:42 Early Entry strategy, Mine Train and Peter Pan 35:18 Testing Magic Kingdom crowds on a party day 36:43 Jungle Cruise, Pirates and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure 43:09 Big Thunder Mountain and Lightning Lane timing 49:04 Fantasyland attractions and a break at Gaston’s Tavern 58:10 A major storm hits Tomorrowland 01:01:04 Space Mountain, TRON and racing through the rain 01:06:33 Lunch and park hopping to Hollywood Studios 01:09:10 Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Toy Story Mania 01:12:23 Exploring an unusually empty Galaxy’s Edge 01:16:32 Fantasmic Dining Package and Hollywood & Vine 01:24:14 Rise of the Resistance and The Little Mermaid 01:29:12 Ending the night with Fantasmic! 01:32:55 How we completed 17 attractions and shows

  3. Aug 12

    Disney World 2-Week Checklist + Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 Reactions

    Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is officially back for 2026, and opening night gave us plenty to talk about. We break down what looked new and different this year, including the Haunted Mansion-inspired Market Street entrance, the Stitch masquerade, new pirate entertainment, Powerline Max, character waits, Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, ride overlays, trick-or-treating and more. We also discuss what hasn’t changed much at MNSSHP and whether the familiar entertainment is part of the charm—or if Disney needs to do more with the event. Then we turn to our own Walt Disney World vacation, which is getting very close. What should you actually be doing about two weeks before a Disney trip? We go through our real pre-trip checklist, including My Disney Experience, tickets, flights, park hours, attraction closures, Lightning Lanes, must-do rides, MagicBands, payment methods, packing, shoes, park bags, Florida weather and making time to rest. Whether you’re heading to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or counting down the final days before your own Walt Disney World vacation, this episode will help you know what to check, what to prepare and what not to over-plan. 🔗 Follow Family Travel Planner – Your Go-To Disney & Universal Vacation Experts! Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. 00:00 Welcome to Disney Hour Express 02:56 MNSSHP 2026 Opening Night Reactions 05:19 Market Street & the Haunted Mansion Welcome 14:20 New Entertainment & Character Strategy 23:48 Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade 30:20 Hocus Pocus, Fireworks & Ride Overlays 35:01 Trick-or-Treating, Merch & Allergy-Friendly Changes 41:13 Your Disney World Two-Week Checklist 44:56 Park Hours, Closures, Lightning Lanes & Priorities 52:06 Nighttime Shows, MagicBands, the App & Payments 57:32 Packing, Shoes, Park Bags, Weather & Rest

  4. Jul 28

    Halloween Horror Nights 2026: HHN 35 First-Timer Guide

    Halloween Horror Nights 2026 is celebrating 35 years of fear at Universal Orlando. With 10 haunted houses, several ticket options, an expanded Stay & Scream experience and major changes to Express Pass options, planning a night at HHN 35 can quickly become confusing. In this episode, Abbie and Rob break down what first-time visitors should know before entering Universal Studios Florida after dark. We explore the history of Halloween Horror Nights and preview the announced HHN 35 houses, including Sinners, Stranger Things 5, Hellraiser and Evil Dead Burn. We also discuss the scare zones, live entertainment, attractions and food confirmed so far. Then, we compare single-night tickets, Rush of Fear, Frequent Fear, Frequent Fear Plus and Ultimate Frequent Fear passes. We examine Universal’s decision to discontinue its separate multi-night Fear Pass + Express products, why longtime HHN fans are frustrated and how the change could affect the way repeat visitors experience the event. We also look back at complaints surrounding the 2025 Premium Scream Night and what Universal is changing for 2026. You’ll learn the difference between Scream Early and Stay & Scream, what to expect from the scareactors, whether HHN is appropriate for your family and where to stay when Halloween Horror Nights is the focus of your trip. Whether you’re attending for one night or considering a multi-night pass, this first-timer guide will help you understand the costs, compare your ticket options and prepare for Halloween Horror Nights 2026. Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event. Universal warns that the event may be too intense for young children and does not recommend it for children under 13. Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. 00:00 Welcome to the Disney Hour Express 00:54 Is HHN the world’s biggest Halloween event? 04:10 Date night and 10,000 podcast downloads 09:15 HHN 35 dates and what to expect 13:00 The history of Halloween Horror Nights 19:05 Premium Scream Night and the 2025 complaints 23:34 The HHN 35 haunted houses 30:26 Scare zones and live entertainment 37:12 Rides and food available during HHN 44:33 Single-night tickets and Frequent Fear passes 49:02 Express Pass, Premium Scream Night and R.I.P. Tours 51:19 Frequent Fear rules and the Express controversy 56:20 Scream Early and the new Stay & Scream experience 59:16 Scare actors and advice for first-time visitors 01:05:39 Final thoughts and upcoming Disney episodes

  5. Jul 14

    Disney World Holiday Parties 2026: Not-So-Scary, Jollywood & Very Merry

    Disney World’s 2026 holiday parties are almost here. We’re breaking down Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney Jollywood Nights and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party—including 2026 dates, ticket prices, entertainment, attraction overlays and what’s new this year. In Episode 145 of Disney Hour Express, we explain what each separately ticketed event includes and share our experience attending all three parties. You’ll hear our best strategies for early entry, lower ride waits, trick-or-treat trails, complimentary cookies, rare characters and finding a good parade-viewing spot. We also compare the three Disney World holiday parties and discuss whether the experience justifies tickets that can cost more than $200 per person. If you could only attend one—or needed to eliminate one—which party should you choose? Whether you’re planning a Halloween trip or visiting Walt Disney World during Christmas, this guide will help you decide which 2026 Disney holiday party is best for your family.   Follow Family Travel Planner – Your Go-To Disney & Universal Vacation Experts! Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. 00:54 Disney World’s 2026 Holiday Party Season 03:27 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 07:11 Ticket Prices and Halloween Ride Overlays 14:14 Characters, Candy and Early-Entry Strategy 22:10 Boo-to-You Parade Tips and Best Viewing Spots 29:09 Treat Trails and New Halloween Experiences 41:35 Disney Jollywood Nights 2026 47:39 Jollywood Entertainment and Attractions 55:43 Is Jollywood Nights Worth It? 58:09 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 1:02:25 Christmas Parade, Fireworks and Entertainment 1:07:09 Cookie Stops and Holiday Ride Overlays 1:12:04 Are Disney’s Holiday Parties Worth the Price?

  6. Jun 30

    Disney Destiny Family Cruise Review: The Good, the Bad & What We’d Do Differently

    Abbie and Rob wrap up their Disney Destiny series with an honest family review of their first Disney Cruise Line vacation — and answer the big question: was it worth it? After several episodes covering embarkation day, dining, entertainment, kids clubs, Castaway Cay, and Cozumel, this finale looks back at the full trip: what they loved, what disappointed them, and what they would do differently next time. They talk about the stateroom, the veranda, Disney cruise food, room service, the Oceaneer Club, onboard lounges, Castaway Cay, Cozumel, and the challenge of trying to do everything on a first cruise. They also share practical advice for families planning their first Disney cruise, including how to approach the app, character experiences, seasickness prep, embarkation day, and finding the right pace once you’re onboard. The episode also compares Disney Cruise Line to a Walt Disney World vacation and asks whether a Disney cruise feels like a replacement for the parks or a completely different kind of Disney trip. If you’re considering the Disney Destiny, planning a Disney cruise with kids, or wondering whether Disney Cruise Line is worth it for families, this episode gives you the good, the bad, and the lessons learned from a real family sailing.   Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. 00:00 Opening 00:54 Welcome to Episode 144 01:38 Toy Story 5, parenting, and Disney movies 07:38 Back to the Disney Destiny cruise recap 09:10 Favorite parts of our first Disney cruise 10:49 Castaway Cay and the beach day experience 11:54 Dining service, cast members, and traveling with kids 14:15 What felt different from a Disney World trip 18:09 Haunted Mansion Parlor and themed lounges 19:33 What did not work as well onboard 22:13 Oceaneer Club and kids’ programming 26:54 Cozumel and port day thoughts 30:15 Castaway Cay food and room service 32:34 What we would do differently next time 44:03 Advice for families taking a first Disney cruise 50:13 Is a Disney cruise worth it? 59:01 Wrap-up and sign-off

  7. Jun 17

    Episode 143 - Disney World Table Service Dining Draft: Dining Plan Picks for Every Park

    In episode 143 of Disney Hour Express, Abbie and Rob bring back their annual Walt Disney World Dining Draft and try to choose the table service restaurants for their upcoming family trip. They debate Magic Kingdom dining options like The Plaza Restaurant, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Tony’s Town Square, talk through whether a sit-down meal makes sense before Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and explain how the Disney Dining Plan and park hopping change the decision. Then they go park by park through Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT with options like Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic dining package, Yak & Yeti, San Angel Inn, Biergarten, and 1900 Park Fare. Plus, they close with a quick Disney news roundup covering Disney World website AI testing, the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster, EPCOT solar trash cans, and a rumored Epic Universe nighttime show. 🔗 Follow Family Travel Planner – Your Go-To Disney & Universal Vacation Experts! Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. Chapter List 00:00 Welcome to Disney Hour Express Episode 143 02:15 The fourth annual Disney Hour Express dining draft 04:15 Mickey’s Not-So-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dining debate 08:00 The Plaza Restaurant vs. party time strategy 12:00 Magic Kingdom dining: Crystal Palace and the kids’ pick 15:30 Liberty Tree Tavern, Diamond Horseshoe, and atmosphere matters 18:30 Tony’s Town Square enters the conversation 26:15 How the Disney Dining Plan changes the dining strategy 30:15 Hollywood Studios table service options 31:15 Hollywood & Vine and the Fantasmic dining package 35:30 Sci-Fi, Roundup Rodeo BBQ, 50’s Prime Time, and Brown Derby 39:45 Animal Kingdom dining options 42:15 Yak & Yeti vs. Tusker House 44:45 EPCOT dining: too many good choices 47:20 San Angel Inn, La Hacienda, and Mexico pavilion memories 48:20 Biergarten, buffet talk, and trying something new 53:00 EPCOT quick service side notes: Sunshine Seasons and Les Halles 56:40 Resort dining pick: 1900 Park Fare 59:00 Disney World news: AI testing on Disney’s website 1:00:45 Monsters Inc. Door Coaster progress at Hollywood Studios 1:01:50 EPCOT solar-powered trash cans 1:04:45 Epic Universe nighttime show rumors 1:06:20 Wrap-up and what’s coming next

  8. Jun 2

    Ep 142: Disney Destiny Review Part 3 | Shows, Pirate Night, Haunted Mansion Parlor & Castaway Cay

    We're back with Part 3 of our Disney Destiny review series, and somehow we're still not done talking about Disney Cruise Line's newest ship... or at least the newest one they're okay talking about.  In this episode, we're diving into the entertainment, lounges, bars, port stops, and some of the biggest surprises from our sailing. We share our thoughts on Disney Hercules, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, Disney Seas the Adventure, Pirate Night, the Haunted Mansion Parlor, and everything else that kept us busy throughout the cruise. We also discuss our experiences in Cozumel and Disney's Castaway Cay, including Bailey's stingray snorkeling adventure, our favorite moments on the island, and why Castaway Cay ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip. Along the way, we share practical tips for future cruisers, what we'd do differently next time, and the entertainment experiences that exceeded our expectations. If you're considering a Disney Destiny sailing, planning your first Disney Cruise Line vacation, or simply love hearing about Disney travel experiences, this episode is packed with honest opinions, family stories, and plenty of Disney cruise talk. 🔗 Follow Family Travel Planner – Your Go-To Disney & Universal Vacation Experts! Planning your next magical getaway? Connect with Family Travel Planner for expert tips, booking help, and all things Disney and Universal. 🌐 Website: www.familytravelplanner.com 📸 Instagram: @disneyfamilytravelplanner 🎥 TikTok: @familytravelplanner ▶️ YouTube: Family Travel Planner Channel 👍 Facebook: Disney Family Travel Planner Whether you’re dreaming of a Disney World vacation, Universal thrills, or need help with dining plans, we’ve got the tools and tips to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable. 00:00 Disney Destiny Part 3 Begins 02:20 Disney Cruise Theater Shows & Popcorn Buckets 05:53 John Armstrong Magic Show Review 10:08 Disney Hercules: The Ship's Signature Show 13:43 Frozen: A Musical Spectacular 15:05 Which Show Was Our Favorite? 15:26 Pirate Night, Deck Party & Fireworks at Sea 25:38 Adults-Only Disney Destiny Ship Tour 28:33 Trivia, Bingo & The Diamond Seminar Trap 30:51 Movies, Funnel Vision & Entertainment Around the Ship 34:58 De Vil's, Sanctum & Cruise Lounges 38:18 Haunted Mansion Parlor: Worth the Hype? 43:43 Cozumel Port Day Review & Excursion Advice 53:06 Arriving at Disney's Castaway Cay 54:03 Bailey's Stingray Snorkeling Adventure 1:02:07 Castaway Cay Food, Ice Cream & Beach Day Tips 1:08:40 What We'd Do Differently Next Time & Part 4 Preview These read more naturally in Apple Podcasts and Spotify while

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4.1
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

It’s a tale as old as time. Two lifelong Disney and theme park fanatics found each other and created a travel agency. Now, we’ve decided to share our knowledge in a podcast. Grab a drink and hang with us as we talk queue times, rope drops, and the best place to grab a Mickey pretzel.

Information

  • Creator
    Abbie & Rob
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Disney Hour Express

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