Holiday Disney: Magical, Miserable, or Both?
Catch Us At The Castle
Is visiting Disney during the holidays actually worth it — or is it just crowds, chaos, and five-hour wait times? 🎄🏰 This week on Catch Us At The Castle, Steph and Ed break down what it’s really like to visit Disney World and Disneyland between Thanksgiving and New Year’s (without the holiday parties). They talk holiday crowds, Lightning Lane strategy, the best times to go, and what to do when your favorite rides are totally out of reach. Plus, they share festive alternatives like gingerbread houses, resort hopping, Santa sightings, and whether they think Disneyland or Disney World...
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Tokyo Disney Deep Dive: Popcorn, Packages & Planning the Perfect Trip
Catch Us At The Castle
Planning your first trip to Tokyo Disney or plotting a return? Ed and Steph unpack everything they’ve learned from multiple visits to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea — where to stay, how the packages work, why popcorn is practically a sport, and whether this legendary destination can really be cheaper than a U.S. Disney trip. From fantasy-worthy hotels to fantasy-priced Chateau rooms, Fantasy Springs rides, and those iconic popcorn buckets, this is your starter guide to doing Tokyo Disney right. Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold open: Snack chat, popcorn tongs, and a total brain...
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From Very Merry to Jollywood: Disney World’s Most Festive Time Of Year!
Catch Us At The Castle
🎄 Episode Summary It’s the most magical time of the year at Walt Disney World! Steph and Ed unwrap everything you need to know about Disney’s holiday season — from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights to the free festive fun at the resorts, Epcot, and Disney Springs. They share their favorite strategies for avoiding long lines, saving a little pixie dust (and cash), and soaking up all the holiday cheer — hot cocoa, snow on Main Street, Santa Jack, and all! 🕒 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 00:00 – Kicking off the holiday season at Disney World 01:15...
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Queue the Magic: Beating the Lines at Disney World!
Catch Us At The Castle
Ready to conquer every ride at Walt Disney World like a pro? Steph and Ed share their tried-and-true ride strategies for all four Disney World parks, from when to hit Magic Kingdom on a party day to how to squeeze the most value out of Lightning Lanes and virtual queues. Whether you’re planning your first visit or your fiftieth, this episode is packed with insider timing tips, smart shortcuts, and even a few snack detours along the way. 🕒 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 00:00 – Why accurate crowd calendars are your best trip-planning tool 01:15 – Early Theme Park Entry vs. After...
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A Day At Disneyland With A Collapsed Lung
Catch Us At The Castle
🎙️ Episode Summary In this powerful yet uplifting episode, Steph shares her harrowing journey of discovering — and living with — Valley Fever, a rare fungal illness that led to a collapsed lung while she was walking around Disneyland. From the first cough to surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Steph opens up about what she’s learned, the misconceptions around the disease, and why awareness matters — all with humor and resilience. Ed helps unpack the story, adding context and questions (plus a few Disney tie-ins along the way). 🕒 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 00:00 – Intro:...
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Coast-to-Coast Disney — Six Parks in 24 Hours, Halloween Time, and Brand-New Restaurants
Catch Us At The Castle
Thinking about your next Disney World trip but overwhelmed by all the hotel choices? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza break down the pros, cons, and hidden gems of staying on-site, off-site, or even with Disney Vacation Club. From $1,000-a-night deluxe resorts to budget-friendly rooms under $200, they share real-world tips, point-hacking strategies, and surprising ways to save. You’ll hear: ✨ Why the “Disney bubble” is real — and worth it ✨ The best value resorts (and which moderates to skip) ✨ Insider info on Swan & Dolphin, Good Neighbor hotels, and timeshares...
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Disneyland Ride Strategies: How To Get The Most Out Of A Day In The Parks
Catch Us At The Castle
Planning a trip to Disneyland and wondering how to beat the crowds? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza share their tried-and-true strategies for maximizing ride time, avoiding long waits, and making the most of every magical minute in the parks. From rope drop secrets to smart use of Lightning Lanes, they’ll help you navigate Disneyland like a pro. You’ll hear: ✨ The key differences between Disneyland and Disney World ride planning ✨ Why rope dropping is essential (and which rides to prioritize first) ✨ Hidden benefits of single rider lines and rider swaps for families ✨...
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Where to Stay at Disney World — On-Site, Off-Site & Everything in Between
Catch Us At The Castle
Thinking about your next Disney World trip but overwhelmed by all the hotel choices? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza break down the pros, cons, and hidden gems of staying on-site, off-site, or even with Disney Vacation Club. From $1,000-a-night deluxe resorts to budget-friendly rooms under $200, they share real-world tips, point-hacking strategies, and surprising ways to save. You’ll hear: ✨ Why the “Disney bubble” is real — and worth it ✨ The best value resorts (and which moderates to skip) ✨ Insider info on Swan & Dolphin, Good Neighbor hotels, and timeshares ✨...
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We Don't Go To Disney Without.....
Catch Us At The Castle
🎙️Show Summary What makes or breaks a Disney trip? In this episode of Catch Us at the Castle, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza share the essentials they never head to Disneyland or Disney World without! Gear, snacks, apps, and little tricks that keep the magic running smoothly. From weather apps and loungefly must-haves to ponchos, cooling fans, comfy shoes, and yes, the all-important Dole Whip, their lists reveal the smart packing strategies and quirky routines that make every park day easier, happier, and more magical. ✨ Episode Show Notes In this episode of Catch Us at the Castle: Why can...
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Dueling Castles: Disneyland vs Walt Disney World
Catch Us At The Castle
🎙️ Show Summary Disneyland vs. Disney World: which castle reigns supreme? In this episode, Steph Sweets and Ed Pizza go head-to-head on their favorite things about each park—from snacks and rides to history and theming. Along the way, they trade surprises, poke fun at each other’s picks (yes, churros are worth fighting for), and dig into what makes each coast magical in its own way. Whether you’re a devoted Disneyland regular or a Disney World diehard, you’ll find plenty to nod along with—and maybe a few reasons to switch sides. ✨ Episode Show Notes In this episode of Catch Us...
info_outlineIs visiting Disney during the holidays actually worth it — or is it just crowds, chaos, and five-hour wait times?
🎄🏰 This week on Catch Us At The Castle, Steph and Ed break down what it’s really like to visit Disney World and Disneyland between Thanksgiving and New Year’s (without the holiday parties).
They talk holiday crowds, Lightning Lane strategy, the best times to go, and what to do when your favorite rides are totally out of reach. Plus, they share festive alternatives like gingerbread houses, resort hopping, Santa sightings, and whether they think Disneyland or Disney World is the better holiday bet.
If holiday Disney is on your wish list, this episode is all about planning smart, setting expectations, and deciding if the magic is worth the madness.
⏱️ Episode Timestamps
0:00 – Why people want to visit Disney during the holidays.
1:14 – What this episode covers (and what it doesn’t),
2:01 – Why holiday Disney really is more magical.
4:44 – How bad do holiday crowds actually get?
5:38 – Real wait times & what to expect for virtual queue rides.
7:17 – Lightning Lane strategy & planning pitfalls.
0:43 – What to do if you can’t ride your must-dos.
13:30 – Is there a “slow” time during the holidays?
17:26 – Disneyland vs. Disney World at Christmas.
19:58 – Final verdict: is holiday Disney worth it?