Send us a text

Ready for a vacation that actually feels like a vacation? We dive into Disney Cruise Line’s sweet spot: low-stress planning, high-quality service, and itineraries that fit every season of family life, from stroller days to teen independence and even a much-needed girls’ weekend. With three new ships in three years, the options are bigger and better—think Marvel energy on the Destiny, seasonal magic for Halloween and Very Merry sailings, and shows that make dinner an event, not a chore.

Join Sarah and guest Emily, Travel Advisor from Glass Slipper Concierge as they break down when to sail and why: January and February bring lower crowds and sharper pricing, while spring break, summer, and holidays pack on themed fun. We compare staterooms in plain English, including motion-friendly midship picks and why concierge can be a family game-changer. Then we get tactical with a little-known embarkation-day upgrade strategy and the bounceback offer that can shave 10% off your next cruise, now including concierge. If you’re eyeing a bigger adventure, that combo can unlock real savings.

The best memories are often the unexpected ones, and a Disney cruise raises your floor so you can savor the moments that matter. If you’re weighing parks vs. cruise, curious about upgrades, or dreaming of Alaska and Europe, this one’s your blueprint. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a break, and tell us where you’d sail first.

Thank you for listening to this week's episode! Please follow us on instagram @parksidebreaks and leave us a rating and review.

Send us a text

We celebrate the Wine and Dine Half-Marathon with real talk on costumes, pace, and pre-dawn buses, then pivot to Disney’s holiday season to weigh Very Merry Christmas Party against Jollywood Nights. Costs, crowds, transport, and value drive the choices we make and the plans we recommend.

• Wine and Dine Half overview, course vibe, costumes
• How pace groups and balloon ladies really work
• Registration timing, sellouts, and charity bib options
• Resort picks and race-day transportation realities
• Price pressure at Disney and why overseas parks tempt
• Magic Kingdom’s fast flip to Christmas decor
• Very Merry features, exclusive snacks, and kid stamina
• Jollywood Nights for adults, short waits, cocktails, live shows

We’ll do a post on Instagram and ask everyone to give us their best Jollywood Nights. If you think we should go, maybe we do a poll: Should we go to Jollywood?

Thank you for listening to this week's episode! Please follow us on instagram @parksidebreaks and leave us a rating and review.

Send us a text

Ever wondered how to group travel to Disney and still have fun? We break down the real-world playbook from a weekend with a large group- 9 adults twelve kids, and zero meltdowns we couldn’t fix with snacks, shade, and smart timing.

We start with park news—our take on Soarin’ Across America and what we hope Disney highlights for the 250th anniversary—then jump into Banana Ball’s 2026 stop at ESPN Wide World of Sports and how to tackle the ticket lottery. The core of the episode is our group strategy: morning anchors at Magic Kingdom (PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, and a Tron Lightning Lane), a smart lunch staging spot near Cheshire Café and Cosmic Ray’s, and a split model that lets big kids chase thrills while littles stack short wins.

Logistics can make or break a trip, so we get specific about transportation and timing. If you’re exiting Epcot’s back gate, be ready for Skyliner crunch and plan alternatives—front bus loop, your own car, or rideshare. We also share why party nights can mean lighter Magic Kingdom mornings, how to pick meetups that actually work, and the stroller truth no one wants to hear: bring one, even for bigger kids, to carry water, snacks, and tired legs.

If you’re the planner in your circle or joining friends who know Disney well, you’ll leave with a clear template for expectations, safety, meals, and rides that keeps the magic high and the stress low. Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your Disney crew, and leave a review telling us your best group-trip tip.

Thank you for listening to this week's episode! Please follow us on instagram @parksidebreaks and leave us a rating and review.