This week, Curtis welcomes Lisa to the podcast for the first time!

Lisa shares the emotional story of where her love for Disney began, why walking into the Magic Kingdom still reminds her of her dad and mother-in-law, and how her Disney vacations have changed over the years.

We also geek out about her trip to Disneyland Paris, including why she thinks Phantom Manor might actually be better than Haunted Mansion, an amazing Big Thunder Mountain, the value of upgrading your resort experience, and the fun of meeting Disney fans from all over the world.

Then we get into the heart of this week’s show:

Where are the best places to slow down at Walt Disney World?

We talk about:

👉 Relaxing upstairs at Columbia Harbour House

👉 Riding the PeopleMover when you need a break

👉 Exploring the quiet corners of World Showcase

👉 The gardens and koi ponds in the Japan Pavilion

👉 Baseline Tap House at Hollywood Studios

👉 Slowing down on Animal Kingdom’s trails

👉 Resort hopping for a midday break

👉 Taking a boat to Wilderness Lodge and relaxing at Geyser Point

👉 Enjoying EPCOT after the crowds have disappeared

👉 And learning that you don’t always have to race to the next attraction

Lisa also shares some of her Disney favorites, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Liberty Tree Tavern, Fantasmic, Peter Pan’s Flight, EPCOT festivals, character meets and Mickey Bars.

But underneath all of it is a great reminder:

Sometimes the best Disney memories happen when we stop worrying about how much we can accomplish and give ourselves permission to simply enjoy being there.

Thinking about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or another magical vacation?

Margita and Judy — the Travelin’ Tiaras — would love to help!

Already booked? In many cases, you can transfer your reservation and still get their planning help, tips and support.

Booking through the Travelin’ Tiaras is also a wonderful way to support the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast.

📧 TravelinTiaras@gmail.com

Come join the conversation in our Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:

Where is YOUR favorite place at Walt Disney World to slow down and escape the crowds?

And if you have a Disney trip report, a great Disney story, or a topic you’d love to geek out about, reach out to Curt. We’d love to have you on the show!

A huge thank-you to our Patreon Geeks who help keep the show going every week.

Join our Patreon family at:

patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW

Thanks for listening, Geeks — and remember, sometimes the best thing you can do at Walt Disney World is slow down and enjoy the magic happening all around you.

This week, Cousin Heather Stone Capelle is back, and we’re having one of those conversations that feels like hanging out with friends and geeking out about Disney for an hour.

We start by designing our dream Disney weekends with friends.

Heather builds the ultimate Golden Girls getaway with her daughter and her Disney friends, complete with a Beach Club stay, an EPCOT fireworks cruise, a VIP tour, pool time, Victoria & Albert’s, wine pairings, and plenty of time to slow down and enjoy being together.

Then I start building my own guys weekend with lounge crawls, burger challenges, bourbon, live music, and a possible four-park VIP challenge.

And after that…things get competitive.

We jump into a big round of Disney This or That, debating everything from resorts and attractions to food, lounges, and Disney traditions.

• Beach Club vs. Polynesian
• BoardWalk area vs. Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Contemporary vs. Grand Floridian
• Skyliner vs. Monorail
• Rope Drop vs. Magic Kingdom at night
• Haunted Mansion vs. Pirates of the Caribbean
• Soarin’ vs. Spaceship Earth
• Runaway Railway vs. Ratatouille
• Festival of the Lion King vs. Fantasmic
• Character breakfasts vs. signature dinners
• Nomad Lounge vs. Trader Sam’s
• Dole Whip vs. Mickey Premium Bars
• Big group trips vs. traveling with one close friend

But some of the best parts of this episode aren’t really about choosing one Disney thing over another.

Heather and I talk about how much the people you travel with shape the entire trip, why the best plans still need room for spontaneity, and how special it is to spend time at Disney with people who understand why this place means so much to you.

Sometimes the best Disney moments aren’t the rides or the reservations.

They’re the laughter, the strange little moments, the pictures you didn’t plan, and the friends who make you say:

“We’ve got to do this again.”

Thinking about your next Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or other magical vacation?

My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin’ Tiaras and would love to help you plan it.

You can also transfer an existing reservation and still get their planning help, strategy, and support.

Booking through the Travelin’ Tiaras is also a wonderful way to support the podcast.

📧 TravelinTiaras@gmail.com

Or reach out through Facebook Messenger.

Come hang out with us in the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:

Who would be on your dream Disney weekend, and what is the one thing your group absolutely has to do?

And if you have a recent trip report, a great Disney story, or a topic you’d love to geek out about, reach out to me and come on the show.

A huge thank-you to our Patreon family for helping support the costs of producing the podcast and keeping the show going every week.

patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW

Thank you for being part of this amazing Disney Geek community!

In this episode of the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast, host Curtis Stone sits down with local correspondent Jason to get a fresh 'boots on the ground' perspective of the parks. Jason has been living in the Orlando area for three years and has some incredible tips on how to navigate the summer heat, find hidden dining gems, and experience unique character interactions.

From the newly revamped Muppet coaster pre-show to the retro arcade gaming at Disney Springs' Level 99, we cover all the latest changes you need to know before your next trip.

**In this episode, we talk about:**

* **Spontaneous Magic:** Playing Duck, Duck, Goose with Stitch and Donald Duck at the Animation Courtyard.

* **The Muppets Return:** Experiencing the revamped pre-show and finding new Muppet merchandise.

* **Animal Kingdom Construction:** How the Dinosaur area closure impacts a park day.

* **Hidden Food Gems:** Italian affogatos at Vivoli Gelato and the incredible Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse.

* **EPCOT Wait Times:** Which lines are consistently inflated and why.

* **Underrated Attractions:** Why Star Tours remains a must-ride on every trip.

* **Millennium Falcon Fixes:** How we would redesign Smugglers Run to improve the engineer and gunner roles.

* **Best Value Snacks:** Main Street’s customizable popcorn tubs and the Pineapple Scrunch Sundae.

**The Heart of the Episode**

This conversation shines a spotlight on the return of 'plus magic' to the Disney parks. While big E-ticket rides are amazing, it's often the small, unexpected moments—like a cast member showing you a secret shortcut or Goofy joining in on a game of jump rope—that leave the most lasting impressions.

**Planning Your Next Adventure?**

Ready to find your own hidden gems? Let Margita and Judy at the Travelin' Tiaras handle all the details! From resort bookings to cruise coordination, they’ve got you covered. Support the podcast by emailing them at TravelinTiaras@gmail.com.

**Support the Show on Patreon**

Want to help keep the weekly episodes coming? Join our Patreon community and become a Super Geek! Sign up today at patreon.com/GeekinOnWDW.

**Join the Geekin' Community**

Connect with fellow Disney Geeks, share your favorite vacation tips, or apply to share your own trip report by joining our Geekin' on Walt Disney World Facebook community!

Email curt.stone@geekinonwdw.com to be a guest on the show