Kids Travel Tales | A Family Travel Podcast

What does someone who’s taken 78 Disney cruises REALLY think about Disney Cruise Line? 🚢 Tammy Whiting, co-author of "The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line," joins us after her first Disney cruise with her grandson—and after 100 cruises total, she has plenty of opinions.

We’re talking multigenerational cruising, Disney vs. Royal Caribbean for older kids, the best Disney ships for families, and whether the complaints about the Disney Adventure are actually justified.

Plus:

• Why Royal Caribbean may have the edge for tweens and teens
• The Disney Cruise Line splurge Tammy says IS worth the money
• Her surprising advice for families cruising with grandparents
• Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay, favorite ships, ports and more

And after 78 Disney cruises, Tammy reveals which Disney ships are starting to show their age—and where she wants to cruise next.

Can you really throw a quinceañera on a Disney Cruise? 🚢 Lizzy from Mother Knows Best Travel joins us with her daughter Gabby to share how they planned an unforgettable quinceañera aboard the Disney Destiny for 52 family members and friends.

Plus, Lizzy shares what she’s learned after 26 Disney cruises—and what she’d do differently next time for a group celebration.

Would you take a 12-year-old to Disney World’s fanciest restaurant? 😳 Scott Carlson—the Disney Cruise Dad and co-owner of We Do Travel Right—did exactly that, treating his son to Victoria & Albert’s for an unforgettable father-son birthday dinner.

From A5 Wagyu and a behind-the-scenes kitchen visit to 25 Disney cruises and some hilarious Disney parenting fails, Scott shares what he’s learned about making Disney memories with his kids.

In this episode:

🍽️ What it was REALLY like taking a 12-year-old to Victoria & Albert’

🚢 Why Scott now prefers Disney Cruise Line over Disney Worl

👨‍👦 His favorite father-son Disney memories—and biggest parenting fail

✨ Why Disney dads should stop being “passenger princesses” and help plan the trip

Plus, Scott shares Disney Cruise tips, his favorite Disney World lounge, his least-favorite Disney ship and the Disney Dad shoes he refuses to give up.

Allie and Matthew of Happily Ever Taylor spent $4,500 on a Disney VIP Tour—so what exactly did they get for the money? 😳 Despite ride closures and unexpected hiccups, they tackled all four Disney World parks, rode 14 attractions and walked away with a VERY different opinion about whether a VIP Tour is actually worth the cost.

In this episode:
🎢 How they tackled four Disney World parks and 14 rides in one VIP Tour

💰 Whether their $4,500 VIP experience was actually worth it

🚪 The secret entrances, minimal waits and unexpected VIP perks

Plus, Disney travel expert Jamie McMahon breaks down Disney vs. Universal VIP Tours, pricing, ride strategy and what families should know before spending thousands on a VIP day.

TripTales podcast host Kelsey Graves boarded her first Disney Cruise expecting an easy, magical family vacation. Then Hurricane Milton arrived. 😱

Rough seas, motion sickness, a very sick kid and a closed Port Canaveral turned their four-night Disney Wish sailing into SIX nights—and left Kelsey wondering whether cruising is really for her.

In this episode:

🚢 What went wrong on Kelsey’s first Disney Cruise—and why her kids STILL loved it

🌴 Why an all-inclusive resort worked better for her family than cruising

🎄 Why Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party surprised her with tweens and teens

🎢 Disney World vs. Universal and Epic Universe as kids get older

Plus, Kelsey shares what she’s learned from 140+ TripTales episodes, including multigenerational Disney World travel, Beaches Turks & Caicos, family vacation planning and the destinations she thinks are overrated—and underrated.

Disney food looks amazing on social media…but does it actually live up to the hype? 😳 Travel planner Brittany Adams joins us to rank EPCOT’s four major food festivals—and reveals “the worst thing” she’s ever eaten at Disney World.

From Food & Wine to Flower & Garden, Festival of the Holidays and Festival of the Arts, we’re breaking down which EPCOT festival is actually worth planning a Disney vacation around—and when families might be better off skipping festival season altogether.

In this episode:

🍴 Which EPCOT festival Brittany would choose over ALL the others

😳 The hyped Disney food she says was a total disappointment

🎨 What makes Food & Wine, Festival of the Arts, Flower & Garden and Festival of the Holidays different

👨‍👩‍👧 When families should visit EPCOT for smaller crowds and shorter ride waits

Editor’s note: We recorded this episode before the passing of Dolly Parton. We’re sharing it today in celebration of the joy, generosity and unmistakable Tennessee spirit she brought to Dollywood. 💛

What makes Dollywood such a special place for families? Tennessee local and Disney travel expert Haley Ragsdale of Academy Travel joins us to share why Dolly Parton’s beloved theme park has earned a place alongside Disney and Universal for her family.

From Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread and surprisingly great rides to the beauty of fall in the Smoky Mountains, Haley shares what makes this corner of Tennessee worth experiencing—and why fall and Christmas can be especially magical times to visit.

After 20+ international flights with kids, Ceci thought she knew how to handle flying with toddlers—until one trip went so badly her husband asked, “Can we make an emergency landing?” 😳

The former airline employee and founder of NapNest joins Kids Travel Tales to share what she’s learned about surviving long-haul flights with babies and toddlers, including the sleep struggles that inspired her to invent her own travel product.

In this episode:

• ✈️ What really happened during their nightmare toddler flight
• 😴 How Ceci got her child to sleep for NINE hours on an airplane
• 🧳 What parents overpack—and her must-have international flight essentials
• 🌎 Jet lag, direct vs. connecting flights, bedtime routines, and a former airline employee’s airport tips

If you’re planning international family travel with a baby or toddler, this episode is packed with realistic tips for making long flights a little less chaotic.

Planning a Disney World holiday vacation? 🎄 Before you book Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or Disney Jollywood Nights, listen to this episode!

Disney travel planner Sammie Fay joins us to compare Disney World's two biggest holiday events, share her favorite Halloween and Christmas party traditions, and help families decide which special event is the best fit for their vacation. From exclusive characters and holiday treats to fireworks, entertainment, and budget-saving ticket strategies, we're covering everything parents need to know before visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays.

In this episode:

🎄 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party vs. Jollywood Nights—which is the better value?

🎃 What makes Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party so popular with families

🍪 The can't-miss holiday food, exclusive characters, and entertainment at Disney World

✨ Money-saving tips for Disney's separately ticketed holiday events and how to choose the right one for your family

Whether you're planning your first Disney Christmas vacation or deciding between Disney's Halloween and Christmas parties, this episode is packed with family travel tips to help you create magical holiday memories.

After the incredible response to our episode "Autism and Disney World: Tips from a Former Disney Princess," we're back with a special bonus conversation featuring travel fairy and former Disney princess, Dez, and autism advocate Dawn.

This time, we're exploring why Beaches Resorts has become one of the most recommended vacation destinations for families traveling with autistic children and those with sensory needs.

From autism-certified staff and sensory-friendly spaces to one-on-one buddy programs and Sesame Street's inclusive programming, this episode highlights how thoughtful accommodations can help make family vacations more relaxing—for kids and parents alike.

Disney World or Royal Caribbean—which vacation is the better fit for a young family?

Cruise content creator Sarah LeJeune joins us to share why her family keeps choosing Royal Caribbean for vacations with toddlers, what has made them loyal to the cruise line, but why they're seriously considering making the switch to MSC Cruises for future sailings.

Also in this episode:

👶 Toddler cruise hacks, nap schedules on vacations, packing tips, and managing toddler tantrums at sea

💰 Why older Royal Caribbean cruise ships can be one of the smartest values for young families

After sailing on 12 Caribbean cruises, travel advisor Amber McAleer or Travelmation never expected an Alaska cruise to become her favorite family vacation.

In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Amber shares honest advice for families considering an Alaska cruise—from the best age for kids and the biggest packing mistakes to how to save money on excursions and why shoulder season may be the smartest time to sail.

Universal Kids Resort has been one of the most talked-about new theme parks of the year—but is the criticism deserved? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn sits down with Samantha, one of the first paying guests to visit during the soft opening, to separate social media hype from the real experience.

From rides and character meet-and-greets to food, pricing, and splash pads, Samantha shares what surprised her most—and why she thinks parents should stop judging the park based on TikTok photos alone.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why one of the first paying guests gave Universal Kids Resort a 10 out of 10
• The best rides, themed food, and character experiences for kid
• Whether the ticket price is worth it for families with young children
• The truth about the shade, landscaping, and other viral complaints
• Why this may be the perfect first theme park before a trip to Universal Orlando

Planning a family trip to Washington, DC? From Smithsonian museum favorites to July 4th survival tips, you'll get practical advice for exploring the nation's capital with babies, toddlers, and older kids—all without breaking the bank.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Washington, DC is one of the best family vacations in America
• Hot takes on the most overrated attractions (yes, even the Air & Space Museum!)
• Why you don't need a car—and how locals use the Metro
• Tips for July 4th fireworks, where to stay, and hidden gems tourists often miss

Dreaming of a more luxurious Disney vacation? In this bonus episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn is joined by Disney travel advisor Jamie McMahon of Travelmation and Alli from Happily Ever Taylor Fam on YouTube to share their favorite ways to elevate a Walt Disney World vacation—from iconic deluxe resorts to hidden splurges that make a trip feel extra magical.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why the Grand Floridian remains Disney's most iconic luxury resort
• Hidden ways to experience deluxe Disney resorts without staying there
• Why Minnie Vans may be Disney's most underrated luxury upgrade
• Other simple ways to add luxury touches to your vacation on almost any budget

Which cruise line is actually best for families? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn chats with travel advisor and cruise expert Sam from Gabriel Getaways, who has sailed on FIVE major cruise lines — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, and Celebrity.

And yes… she has some HOT TAKES. 👀

From why Carnival is her family’s favorite cruise line to why Royal Caribbean left her bored (and hungry), Sam breaks down the biggest cruise line rumors, mistakes first-time cruisers make, and what families should really consider before booking.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Which cruise line has the best food, entertainment & kids activities
• Why she STILL hasn’t booked a Disney Cruise
• Cruise tips every first-time family cruiser should know

Is a Disney VIP Tour actually worth the price tag? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn is joined by Disney creators Alli from Happily Ever Taylor Fam and travel advisor Jamie McMahon to break down the luxury side of Walt Disney World vacations — from private VIP guides to deluxe dining and bucket-list Disney experiences.

Plus, Alli shares the viral bet she made with her husband to earn a Disney VIP Tour by growing her YouTube channel!

In this episode, you’ll hear:
• What a Disney VIP Tour actually includes (and costs)
• How families use VIP tours to ride more with less stress
• Smart ways to add “luxury Disney” touches without overspending

Is Cinderella’s Royal Table actually worth the price? Why does Space 220 get so much hate? And are Disney food influencers setting expectations too high?

In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, Jenn chats with Disney travel advisor Brittany Adams about the most talked-about restaurants at Walt Disney World — including the ones families love, hate, and debate nonstop online.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why some Disney restaurants are massively overrated
• Best Disney World restaurants for kids vs. adults
• How to balance dining reservations with ride planning
• The most underrated Disney restaurant families are missing

Traveling with a child on the autism spectrum or sensory issues can feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to busy destinations like Walt Disney World. In this special Autism Awareness Month episode of Kids Travel Tales, two moms share real-life strategies for making family travel more accessible, predictable, and enjoyable.

From first flights to navigating Disney parks and cruises, this episode is filled with practical advice for parents planning trips with sensory needs in mind.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How to prepare kids with autism or sensory needs for the airport and travel days
• What to know about Disability Access Service (DAS) at Walt Disney World Resort and queue re-entry options
• Why Disney Cruise Line may be a better fit for some families
• Small Disney planning details that can prevent big meltdowns

What should you actually spend money on during a Disney Cruise Line vacation — and what’s totally not worth it? In this episode of Kids Travel Tales, we are joined by Disney travel expert Sammie Fay, a Mickey Guru Travel Advisor, to break down the ultimate Disney Cruise money-saving guide.

From placeholder bookings to fish extenders, specialty dining, and those pricey princess experiences, this episode is full of honest opinions and detailed strategies to help families cruise smarter with DCL.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The best time to book a Disney cruise for the lowest price
• What’s worth the splurge (and what to skip) onboard
• How a Disney cruise placeholder can save you money
• Tips for choosing the right ship at the right budget for your family