Millennials love Disney, and this episode is your no-stress guide to planning a Disney World trip without blowing your budget. Derek Mazzarella, CFP® and Kelly Turner sit down with Disney travel agent Bethany Stinchin (Boardwalk Travel) to break down what a Disney vacation actually costs, how to avoid the rookie mistakes, and how to skip the three-hour lines.

If the words "Lightning Lane" and "60-day dining window" make your head spin, start here. We cover the whole system in plain English, from picking a park to landing a character breakfast.

What you'll learn:

The best age to take your kids (before the magic is gone) and the ride height requirements that trip families up
How to set a realistic Disney budget (trips range from $1,000 to $25,000+)
The four parks explained: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
Value vs. moderate vs. deluxe resorts, and why the cheap hotels have the best theming
Getting around: the Sky liner, monorail, buses, and boats
The cheapest times of year to go (and why summer isn't as bad as you think)
Lightning Lanes decoded: what a single pass, multi-pass, and premier pass actually cost
The 2026 and 2027 dining plans, and how to break even on them
Why you still need a stroller (even for an 8-year-old)
The reservation timeline: what to book at 60 days vs. 7 days out
Character meals worth it and the one to skip
Do travel agents cost extra? (Spoiler: no)

Chapters

00:00 Lightning Lanes and Ride Access
24:58 Strategic Planning and Ride Booking
27:23 Crowd Calendars and Weather Considerations
28:46 Special Events and Character Parties
30:14 Dining Plans and Considerations
37:22 Role of a Disney Travel Agent
43:50 Expectations and Mistakes to Avoid

Connect with Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmazzarella/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millennialmoneymatterspodcast/reels/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Millennial-Money-Matters-Podcast/61569837731004/?_rdr


Reach out to Kelly Turner at kturner@totalmortgage.com and Derek Mazzarella at dmazzarella@mygfpartner.com