Behind the Plans

Chrissy, Amy, and sometimes Len take you behind the scenes of TouringPlans. This podcast shines a light on TouringPlans, how we operate, and the crazy personality of our Slack group! More importantly, we cover the latest Disney Parks and Universal Studios Orlando news, travel tips, and so much more!

This week we cover TouringPlans News, which right now is focused on Christmas and our events happening this November.

• November 7th is a gathering at Magic Kingdom where Len will walk down Main Street USA dressed in a suit with Josh D'Amaro's Face on it.
• November 28th, we will tune into the Hallmark movie set in Magic Kingdom with a LIVE Watch Party on our YouTube channel. Len, Chrissy and Amy will be joined by Jim Hill of the Disney Dish!
• Listener Feedback- What?? Someone agrees with us???

Our Behind the Plans Patrons have a lot of fun! Exclusive Len content, free fun, and an exclusive live Q&A with Len twice a year (ask him anything- does not have to be Disney!)

To join our Club visit our Patron Program page http://patron.podbean.com/behindtheplans

Reservation Finder

The TouringPlans website has brought back a fan favorite! Chrissy explains the completely free Dining Reservation Finder.

Characters Change-Up!

Disney World has changed schedules, locations, and in some cases characters are not around at all anymore!

Let's talk about it!

Thanks everyone! Be Kind and Make Good Choices!

Len joins the chaos this week to talk about AI!

But first, TouringPlans has a HUGE announcement! Followed by smaller save-the-date announcements.

Then, Len and Chrissy talk about the new AI tool on the Disney World website. Somehow, Chrissy is part of the Beta test- so of course they tried to break it!

Have you seen Len's blog posts about the AI books and websites that help you plan your Disney vacation?? But they have maps that show lakes in front of the castles???

Favorite line of the show: Ozempic Orcas!

Thank you to our amazing patrons! We look forward to spreading the love on November 7th, and if you can't make it, we will ship the love to you and, of course, share photos!

Visit http://patron@podbean.com/behindtheplans for more information about our patron benefits!

Thanks, everyone!

Chrissy, Amy, and sometimes Len keep you up to date on all the news and tips from Disney and Universal Parks to maximize your magic!

This week we try to recover from the price increases at Disney World with some real costs and some tools and tips on how to make your budget stretch a little more. Including of course, the TouringPlans app, strategies, and our ticket finder, as well as lessons learned long ago (we're talking early 1980's!)

The TouringPlans News is mostly about being ready for November!

• If you are attending the Nov 7th gathering in the Magic Kingdom, please let us know your shirt size!
• The Thanksgiving episode will be fun!!
• Do you love a Hallmark Movie AND Disney? Join in on our watch party with BINGO cards as we laugh and cry along with this years newest Hallmark Hit! November 28th - we'll share the link!

Be Kind and Make Good Choices!!

Tags- Disney World, Disney Christmas, Thanksgiving, Disney tips, Disney Budgeting, podcast

We had a very full week, an absolutely full show. And then we woke up and Disney added SO MUCH to our day!!

So this week is just news, news, news!

• Price Increases- Chicken tenders are how much??
• Universal Nights at Epic Universe! Great event, is it worth the price?
• Cocktails AND great food at Magic Kingdom?? Do tell!
• Epcot's Food & Wine Festival is completely open. Our opinions on the final four booths!

Are you enjoying the show? Would you love exclusive Len content and prizes? Please consider becoming a sponsor. Visit our patron page http://patron.podbean.com/behindthepage

Thankyou!!

The TouringPlans podcast!

Testing Epcot's International Gateway with kids!
After a fabulous truffle fry challenge- you know we have to do Pizza!
It's October! Time to start planning for Christmas!!!

We love our patrons! And they get a special window into the TouringPlans craziness with exclusive Len Content and so much more! http://patron.podbean.com/beindtheplans

Disney Planning, Epcot, Disney Christmas, DisneyParks, Walt Disney World

Behind the Plans is a TouringPlans podcast.

This Week

• TouringPlans News
• The NEW Disney Dining Plan
• TRUFFLE FRY CHALLENGE
• Epcot's New Festival Center

Chrissy and Amy talk about food scales at festival booths for an important project (with a real doctor ya'll!)

The Festival Favorites Food Booth is now open at Epcot's Food and Wine Festival

• First noticeable placement of a kraft food item
• Good but not the best food
• Collecting data for trashcantables.com
• Located by Communicore Hall

Animation Building Now Open at Disney's Hollywood Studios

• 4 attractions inside

• Once Upon a Studio- fun film celebrating animation. Most of us have seen it on a tv, but this theater has fun surprises.
• Drawn To Wonderland- A playspace with Mary Blair art celebrating Alice in Wonderland
• Off the Page- Charachter Meet and Greet- Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip and Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch
• Olaf Draws- An art lesson with Olaf and Disney Animators

• There are no posted Wait times, which also means no DAS
• There is no bathroom in the building- must use the one outside.

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique

Chrissy meant to say Tiana's Bayou Adventure, but Gigi is so old now that Splash Mountain was still a thing last time she was at BBB, so her mom heart said Splash Mountain... apologies.

• For ages 3-12
• Prices range from $59-$299 + extra accessories you know they will want!
• Takes about 90 minutes
• We discuss all the clothing options- especially for hot weather
• Creating Memories!

Next week we dive into using AI to plan travel (Thank you, Andrea, for the idea that came in the day before Disney's big announcement!

We have thoughts, but we will run more tests this week...

Be Kind, and Make Good Choices!

Sticker Photos for our sponsors will be up soon. We have to resize them and if you have heard the episode- it's late and I'm going to bed.- Amy

All editing, converting, and posting is Amy (so if you have tips please share!)

Chrissy and Amy welcome their guest and fellow TouringPlans Team Member Joe Matt to the pod!

Touring Plans News-

• Subscribers, be sure to check your Podbean app for your exclusive content!! (Apologies from Amy for saying sponsors instead of subscribers throughout that segment. Did we mention this episode highlights the ADD a bit)
• We have a big week coming with a new attraction at Hollywood Studios and new food booths at Food and Wine!

Joe Matt is with us to discuss all things HHN! Joe is the TouringPlans Universal Expert!

• Favorite Houses
• Stay and Scream/ Scream Early
• Deathly Afraid Necklaces and why the event is truly an adult scene.
• The new beverage obsession!

Here's the link for the Unmasking the Horror Tour Joe talks about!

https://store.universalorlando.com/en/us/store/c/uo_ice_default_pb_extras/HHN_UNMASKING_ICE?config=true

Thanks Everyone!!

It's time for Food & Wine! Chrissy and Amy have all the details for Epcot's big festival!

• Best & Worst
• Emile's Fromage Montage- Big Change!
• Trains
• Tables
• Parisian Brunch- How much for a mimosa refill??

Update on the TouringPlans app

• The dining section, of course!

TouringPlans News

• Amy is at HHN tonight!
• Len will be filming exclusive content for our subscribers this weekend! (Find the link to join our subscribers below)
• Make all of your arrangements for Len's walk

Subscriber information https://patron.podbean.com/behindtheplans

Behind the Plans -

This week-

TouringPlans News- including what's planned for Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, Halloween Horror Nights, and Len's big walk down Main Street USA in his Josh D'Amaro suit.

Observations With a Side of Opinions- have you seen the tables in Epcot? Fun with trains, shirt sizes, and what we miss at Food & Wine

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party update- It was raining! What does that look like? Character times and revisiting Friars Nook

We ran short on time and had to pivot from our original plan; we will visit Disney Dining Plan soon. In the meantime, if you have questions, please email Christina@touringplans.com; we'll be happy to help!

This Week on Behind the Plans

We’ve got a little bit of everything in this episode — TouringPlans news, D23, Disney CEOs, vacation planning, and the very important question: What’s in our bag?

TouringPlans News

We kick things off with what’s happening around TouringPlans and the latest Disney news that has caught our attention.

D23: What a Time

We’re talking about D23 — what stood out, what got us excited, and what we’re still trying to wrap our heads around.

Josh D'Amaro is a theme park fan!

We’re celebrating Disney having a CEO who, by all appearances, is an actual theme park fan. Naturally, this leads to an extremely serious discussion about when Len will finally wear his Josh D’Amaro suit down Main Street, U.S.A.

We may even have a date in mind. 😂

Vacation Planning Tips

Because we can’t talk about Disney and Universal for an entire episode without sneaking in some actual vacation planning advice. We share a few things that can make your next trip easier, less stressful, or just a little more fun.

What’s in Our Bag?

You know that one thing you never go to the parks without?

We’re sharing ours.

And no, it’s not Hokas. 😂

Behind the Plans is the conversation you won’t find in the content — the opinions, stories, laughs, and behind-the-scenes discussions that happen when the cameras (and keyboards) aren’t quite rolling.

Hosted by Amy and Chrissy, with occasional appearances from Len Testa.

mini episode, D23 Wrap-Up

Josh D'Amaro is a theme park fan! Previously, while commenting on a rumor that a Journey Into Imagination refurb would be announced at this year's D23, Len Testa said that if this happens, he would make a full suit with Josh D'Amaro's face and wear it while walking down Main Street USA. Well... Chrissy and Amy waited for HOURS in the middle of the night, watching the live stream, and IT HAPPENED!

In this episode we discuss

• Len's predictions
• Overall thoughts about this year's D23.
• The color of the suit (spoiler: Len does not get a vote).
• How many steps Len has walked in two days.

We will be back to our regularly scheduled programs with a new full episode Wednesday morning.

Welcome to a special mini episode!

Len joins Chrissy and Amy to check in from D23.

• Encanto House Ride
• Avengers Campus hypotheticals
• Will a very popular purple dragon announcement blow our minds?

This week's topics include

• TouringPlans News, includingLen's trip to D23
• Epic Universe Express Passes, were they worth it?
• Disney Resorts, shutting down some rumors, and delving into resorts in general, including our personal favorites.
• A quick MNSSPH update, including new allergy policy, and how to find discounted tickets.
• Chrissy & Amy have Show & Tell

Chrissy and Amy are taking you behind the scenes of TouringPlans with their outtakes, opinions, and occasional chaos.

This episode's topics.

• Thanking our listeners and sharing how to reach us for feedback.
• What's coming up for the MNSSHP
• Double Rope Dropping at the Magic Kingdom
• Lightning Lane Day of Drop Times at Disney World
• Show & Tell

Chrissy and Amy, TouringPlans’ Caliper Cuties, because they measure everything from bacon to toilet paper. chat about what was happening with the TouringPlans team and Disney World.

Amy ‘s week was a food theme. New locations, new menus, evacuations- it was an adventure!

D23 thoughts- including the Muppets!

Do influencers cover what you need them to? We want to make sure we cover what our listeners and Liners want and need to see, not just what looks pretty on social media.

Thanks everyone!

This week Behind the Plans has a lot going on!

First, thank you so much for the kindness you are giving this show. We are grateful for the lovely words, and excellent feedback about what you would like this show to look like.

TouringPlans has a fun announcement about D23, lots of testing, and a Disneyland trip.

We discuss testing processes and results. Compare the Bluey experiences at Animal Kingdom vs Disneyland. Heads up at Epcot, the bathroom renovation in Germany creates permanent changes. AI got the new feature at Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland all wrong, and AI gets most Disney news and planning wrong. Ketchup and Mac and Cheese are sponsored by Kraft and Heinz, but what will that mean? And finally, it’s time to get your HHN tickets in Orlando. Look closely the ticket options have changed and there are a lot so many to choose from.

Thank you everyone, make good choices!

Chrissy and Amy chat about the data behind the Disney Springs busses- it is WAY more interesting than we expected.

Universal Kids is now open- some things were fixed- but Chrissy was bugged by a new development.

Epic has new fireworks and we are delighted. Plus, the park is a year old now, of course, we discuss.

Our deep dive was inspired by the party tickets that dropped this morning. It’s Party Season Ya’ll! We’re so excited about Christmas and we get deep into Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

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