In this episode of Design for Adventure, we break down the most significant expense of any Walt Disney World vacation after park tickets: lodging. Choosing the right hotel depends entirely on your family's budget, logistics, and what you want out of the experience. We explore the differences advantages between staying "on property" versus "off property." While my husband Jesse—a self-proclaimed Disney skeptic who would much rather be watching the NFL draft—tries to wrap his head around the logistics and costs, The Three Tiers of Disney Resorts:

• • Value Resorts: These are famous for their over-the-top, larger-than-life theming, featuring icons like four-story Dalmatian dogs and giant Coca-Cola cups. They offer a lower price point—sometimes as low as $100 a night with deals—making them an excellent choice for families who just need a comfortable bed and a fun pool area while staying "in the bubble". Nothing wrong with a Value Resort!
  • Moderate Resorts: A step up in amenities, these resorts offer larger rooms, more dining options (including sit-down restaurants), and pools with water slides. Themes range from the New Orleans-inspired French Quarter to the sprawling, Caribbean Beach-themed resort located on the Disney Skyliner loop.
  • Deluxe Resorts: These premium properties offer the most subtle theming, largest rooms, and private balconies. The biggest perks of staying Deluxe include prime locations—such as being within walking distance to Magic Kingdom or Epcot—and access to Extra Magic Hours, which allow guests to stay in the parks for two additional hours after they close to the general public on select nights.

We also share strategies for making luxury stays more affordable, such as renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points. Additionally, we discuss the benefits of Shades of Green for military families and using Marriott points at the Swan and Dolphin. With Disney's flexible $200 refundable deposit, you can book early and retroactively apply new discounts as they are released to ensure you get the best deal for your adventure.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure:

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In this episode of Design for Adventure, Jesse and I (Ellie) dive into the often-overwhelming world of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. While I love the "Disney bubble" for its family-friendly design and nostalgia, Jesse joins us as a self-proclaimed skeptic who has never been and is wary of the crowds and costs. We break down the initial steps of planning, from deciding when to go based on Florida’s "four seasons"—including the busy spring break rush and the "hotter than Hades" but budget-friendly summer months—to determining the ideal length of stay for your family's needs.

Key Highlights:

• • The "Theme Park" Distinction: Why I believe Disney is in a different category than a standard amusement park because of its immersive family-centric design.
  • Budget vs. Convenience: How to navigate the 21 different resorts on property, from $100-a-night value deals to staying closer to the parks to avoid the hassle of folding a double stroller on a bus.
  • Seasonal Deep Dive: We explore the unique offerings of each season, such as Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival in the spring, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the fall, and the overnight transformation into Christmas magic in November.
  • Planning Logistics: The benefits of using a travel agent versus booking yourself using Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points, and why the $200 refundable deposit makes Disney one of the most flexible vacations to book.
  • A Skeptic's Strategy: Jesse shares his secret to happiness—keeping expectations low—while I discuss how I am tailoring our upcoming January trip to find resorts and experiences he might actually enjoy.

Whether you are a seasoned "Pro-Planner" or are trying to convince a reluctant spouse to give Mickey a chance, this episode provides a roadmap to make the process manageable and fun.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure:

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• Subscribe: Follow us to catch Part 2 of our Disney planning series when we talk about Hotels!

In this episode of Design for Adventure, Ellie shares her experience using Thrill Data’s Wait Magic during a recent seven-day trip to Walt Disney World, calling it the "best decision" she ever made for her vacation. As a service that automates the booking and modification of Lightning Lanes, Wait Magic is designed to reduce the "pressure" and stress of managing Disney’s paid skip-the-line system.

Key Episode Highlights

• • The "Phone in Pocket" Strategy: The most significant benefit I noted was the ability to stay off my phone and remain present with my children, dancing during parades and watching their reactions to the castle instead of "fiddle faddeling" with the Disney app.
  • Automated Flexibility: I explain how I set up "searches" that allowed the service to automatically find the earliest available ride times or specific windows that worked around my daughter's nap schedule.
  • Pro Stacking Tactics: I talk about how I used a "park hopping" strategy by scanning into Animal Kingdom at 8:00 a.m. to begin "stacking" high-demand Lightning Lanes for Epcot, like Frozen Ever After and Test Track, before Epcot had even opened for the day.
  • Group Management: The episode details how to split large parties into groups, allowing some members to ride thrill attractions like Haunted Mansion while others stay with younger children, all handled automatically by Wait Magic.

• • Technical Integration: To use Wait Magic, you must connect with a Thrill Data account through the "Friends and Family" list on the My Disney Experience app.
  • Planning vs. Spontaneity: While Wait Magic requires about one to two hours of upfront planning to set priorities and search parameters, it allows for a much more relaxed experience once you are inside the park.
  • Subscription Options: I discusses the different tiers available, including 2-day, 1-week, 1-month, and annual subscriptions. (I opted for the full year to cover future trips)
  • Managing Expectations: While highly effective, Wait Magic is dependent on actual ride availability; it cannot "create something out of thin air" on exceptionally busy days.

Practical Tips & Setup: Ultimately, this episode serves as a guide for parents who want to budget for convenience and ensure they spend their Disney vacation making memories with their kids rather than managing a screen.

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This episode of Design for Adventure, hosted by married couple Jesse and Ellie, explores the practical side of visiting Civil War battlefields with young children. Drawing from Jesse’s experience visiting 33 battlefields in a single year, the hosts share how to turn historical sites into engaging family adventures rather than stressful chores.

Episode Highlights

• • The "Construction Truck" Strategy: Discover how simple toys like monster trucks and construction vehicles can keep a toddler occupied in the dirt while you read historical markers. Our son and daughter loves these: https://amzn.to/4dPKX8D
  • The Army men our son loves: https://amzn.to/4m7uper
  • Explaining War to Kids: Jesse shares his "freeze tag" analogy—explaining the conflict as a game between teams in blue and gray—to help his five-year-old understand the basics of the war without getting into overly complex or graphic details.
  • Horses and Heroes: Learn why their son became obsessed with the horses of famous generals, including Stonewall Jackson’s horse, Little Sorrel, and Robert E. Lee’s Traveler.
  • Battlefield Picnics: The humor and heart of having family lunches at spots like Bloody Angle or Slaughter Pen, and why using these preserved lands for family time honors those who fought there.

  
  

  Practical Tips for Parents

• • Use the National Park Service website to find visitor centers, driving tours, and event calendars for reenactments.
  • Why you might want to bring sound-canceling headphones if your child is sensitive to the loud "concussion" of cannon fire.
  • Tips for using picture books at bedtime to get kids excited about the landmarks they will see the next day.
  • The exact book that our son loves. He prefers real pictures over cartoons or drawings: https://amzn.to/47ZLLnC
  • Finding museum programs where kids can make battle flags or play with figurines in sand pits to keep them engaged while parents explore.

  
  

  Memorable Moments

• • The "sheer disappointment" of finding a headstone instead of a literal arm at Stonewall Jackson’s arm burial site.
  • The simple joy of feeding tadpoles in a mud puddle at Gettysburg.
  • Teaching "museum etiquette" and providing a level of freedom for kids to explore.

Whether you are a history buff or just looking for a way to get the kids outside, this episode proves that you can pass history on to the next generation while still having a good time.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure:

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Thinking about bringing your kids to a RunDisney race weekend—but not sure what to expect?

In this episode, I’m sharing my first-ever experience doing RunDisney with kids after completing 9 race weekends without them. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance race weekend logistics with family life, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical tips.

We’re talking all about what it’s like to experience a RunDisney weekend as a parent—from navigating the expo to managing race day and everything in between.

✨ In this episode, we cover:

• How to navigate the RunDisney expo with kids (what worked and what didn’t)
• What race morning looks like when your kids aren’t waking up early
• How the race worked from a parent perspective while the kids stayed back

• What post-race looks like with kids—energy, timing, and expectations
• The biggest differences between doing RunDisney with vs. without kids
• What I would change next time to make the experience smoother

This episode is perfect if you’re planning a RunDisney trip with your family and want realistic, experience-based tips to make it more enjoyable for everyone.

If you found this episode helpful, make sure to follow the podcast and leave a review—it helps more families planning RunDisney trips find us!

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Road trips with kids don’t have to mean screens, tablets, and constant “Are we there yet?” In this episode of Designed for Adventure, we’re sharing practical ways to survive — and even enjoy — road trips with kids without relying on electronics.

From classic car games to creative activities and simple planning tricks, we break down how to keep kids engaged, reduce stress, and turn travel time into part of the adventure. Whether you’re heading to a weekend getaway or a long family vacation, these ideas will help you create fun memories on the road while keeping everyone entertained and sane.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why we never take a tablet on a road trip

• Why letting your kids be bored is okay

• Simple car games kids can play

• Toys that have worked and haven’t worked

• How to make the journey feel like part of the adventure

If you’re planning a family road trip soon, this episode will give you practical ideas to make the drive smoother, calmer, and a lot more fun.

🎧 Follow Designed for Adventure for more tips on traveling with kids, making meaningful family memories, and finding adventure in everyday life.

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