Wanderlust & Wishes

Finding the right all-inclusive resort sounds easy until you start factoring in who is actually going on the vacation.

This week, we’re looking at all-inclusive resorts through the lens of two very different families. Julie is, admittedly, a little extra when it comes to vacation planning, while Krystle’s family is much more willing to go with the flow. But beyond our planning styles, we’re also working with differ...

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort may be one of the most instantly recognizable Value Resorts at Walt Disney World. Giant characters, oversized movie props, colorful courtyards, and some serious Disney nostalgia make this resort feel exactly like what many people picture when they hear "Disney Value Resort."

But what do you give up for that lower price?

We're unpacking All-Star Movies from top to bottom, including the rooms, resort lay...

Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean? It’s one of the biggest questions families ask when choosing a cruise, and the answer isn’t as simple as you might think.

This week, we’re putting Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean head-to-head to talk about who does it better when it comes to the things that actually matter on vacation. We’re comparing cruise ship activities, staterooms, dining, kids clubs, enterta...

The random resort picker has spoken again, and this week we're heading to the Value Resort category with Disney's Pop Century Resort!

Pop Century may be a Value Resort, but it has one major advantage that sets it apart from some of the other Value options at Walt Disney World: the Disney Skyliner. Add in updated rooms, a fun throwback-to-the-decades theme, and easy access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and suddenly this little Valu...

If you’ve ever planned a Universal Orlando vacation, you’ve probably heard at least a few of these: Universal is only for older kids. Express Pass means you won’t wait in line. Harry Potter is one land. You can do all of Universal in one day. And yes, people really do still ask us which Disney park has the Harry Potter castle.

This week, we’re separating fact from fiction and tackling some of the biggest Univ...

The random resort picker is taking us to New Orleans this week! On this Resort Review episode, we're checking into Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, one of the smallest, most charming, and maybe most underrated resorts at Walt Disney World.

French Quarter doesn't have the Skyliner. You can't walk to a theme park. There's no table-service restaurant, Club Level, or sprawling list of amenities. And yet, this little ...

How confident are you in your Walt Disney World attraction rankings when you have absolutely no idea what’s coming next?

This week, we’re putting our Disney opinions to the test with a blind ranking challenge. Julie and Krystle each brought 10 completely random Walt Disney World attractions and revealed them to each other one at a time. The catch? Once an attraction gets a spot on the list, it stays there.

Do you play it ...

On this week's Resort Review, we're heading to Crescent Lake and checking into Disney's Beach Club Resort, a resort with two pretty big claims to fame: one of the best pools at Walt Disney World and a location that puts you just steps away from EPCOT.

But are Stormalong Bay and that incredible location enough to make Beach Club one of Disney's best Deluxe Resorts?

We're unpacking everything that comes with a stay at B...

Welcome back as we continue Kate’s European adventure! This time we’re heading aboard the Disney Dream for a seven-night Norwegian cruise.

In Part 2, we pick up with Kate and her family as they sail from Southampton with stops in Amsterdam, Maloy, Alesund, and Bergen. We talk through Kate's experiences in each port from sailing into the fjords surrounded by incredible scenery to exploring tiny fishing villages, navigatin...

Our Resort Reviews series is back, and this time the random resort picker landed on one of the most iconic places to stay at Walt Disney World: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Known as Disney's flagship resort, the Grand Floridian has a reputation for luxury, incredible dining, beautiful grounds, and one of the best locations on property. But it also comes with a pretty significant price tag. So, does the experience actua...

What happens when you combine Disneyland Paris, a few days exploring Europe, and a Disney Cruise Line sailing through the Norwegian Fjords? You get one pretty incredible 16-day European adventure.

In Part 1, we’re joined by our friend and fellow travel advisor Kate to talk about how this trip came together, why her family decided to pair Disneyland Paris with a Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard the Disney Dream, and what it was l...

This week, we're kicking off a brand-new Walt Disney World Resort Review Series on Wanderlust and Wishes.

There are a LOT of places to stay at Walt Disney World, and choosing the right resort can make a huge difference in your vacation. So we're working our way through them one by one, breaking down what we love, what we don't, and who we think each resort is really best for.

And because we don't want to play favorites, we're leaving...

What exactly is Club Level at Walt Disney World, and is it worth paying extra for?

This week, we’re joined by our friends and fellow travel advisors Lindsay and Leslie to talk all things Disney Club Level. Between them, they’ve experienced Club Level stays at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and most recently, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, so we’re getting the fi...

Halloween season starts earlier than ever in Orlando, and one question comes up every year:

Should you choose Disney Halloween or Universal Halloween?

In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're comparing Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World with Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Orlando Resort to help you decide which Halloween vacation is right for you. Or, should you experience both?

We cover every...

Think Walt Disney World is only for kids? Believe you have to  buy a MagicBand, or spend thousands of dollars to have a great Disney vacation? Think again!

In Episode 114 of Wanderlust & Wishes, Julie and Krystle are busting some of the biggest Walt Disney World myths that first-time visitors hear over and over again. From Disney princess misconceptions and park reservations to staying off property, using a Disney travel ad...

Christmas may still be months away, but Disney has already started sharing what's coming for the 2026 holiday season, and we're diving into all of it in this year's Halfway to the Holidays episode.

From Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights to EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays, festive resort decorations, Disney Springs, Disney Cruise Line Merrytime sailings, and Disneyland at Christmas, we're sharing what m...

Thinking about taking an Alaska cruise? In this special roundtable episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're joined by three of our friends and fellow travel advisors who recently returned from three different Alaska sailings. From cruise line comparisons and unforgettable excursions to wildlife encounters, glacier viewing, packing tips, and planning advice, we're sharing the real experiences that can help you decide if an Alaska c...

Summer is one of the most popular times to visit Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but it's also one of the hottest. In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're sharing our favorite tips for staying cool, hydrated, and comfortable while tackling long park days in the Florida heat.

From smart hydration strategies and electrolyte tips to the best places to cool off, when to take a midday break, and the summer gear that's ...

Planning an Orlando vacation and trying to decide between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando? We're revisiting one of our most popular episodes with a completely updated 2026 comparison.

A lot has changed since we recorded this episode last year. Epic Universe has officially opened, Disney's Lightning Lane system has evolved, and new attractions and hotels have changed the conversation.

In this episode, we're comparing Disney an...