Wanderlust & Wishes

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...

With the addition of Epic Universe, many families are wondering if Universal Orlando is still an affordable vacation destination. In this episode, we're putting that question to the test.

Julie and Krystle each have a budget of $5,000 to plan a Universal Orlando vacation, but they're planning for very different families. Julie is building a trip for a family of four, while Krystle is stretching the same budget for a family of five. ...

This week on Wanderlust & Wishes, we're sharing a very special Walt Disney World trip report as we celebrate our daughter Ella's 13th birthday!

As part of a family tradition, Ella's grandparents take each grandchild on a trip of their choice for their 13th birthday, and for the final grandchild's big adventure, she chose Walt Disney World. Ella even brought her lifelong best friend Sofia along for the fun.

Join us as we recap our...

This episode is a bonus On-the-Go episode with real time reviews/comments on Julie's Walt Disney World trip. This trip was a birthday celebration trip for Julie's daughter, Ella. Ella brough her lifelong bestie, Sofia. This was Sofia's first trip to Walt Disney World. Listen in for their 13 year old point of view. There were both fun and frustrating moments with forever memories made! 

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If you've ever wondered whether a Disney Cruise Line specialty sailing is worth planning your vacation around, this episode is for you!

We're diving into Disney Cruise Line's themed cruises, including Halloween on the High Seas, Very Merrytime Cruises, Pixar Day at Sea, and Marvel Day at Sea. We break down what makes each sailing unique, when they're offered, which ships participate, and the exclusive entertainment, character experi...

Thinking about booking your first family all-inclusive vacation in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Costa Mujeres, or Playa Mujeres? In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're answering one of the most common questions we get from clients: how do all-inclusive resorts actually work? Whether you're just starting your research or trying to narrow down hundreds of resort options, we're breaking down everything first-time visitors need to ...

In this anniversary episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we’re looking back on another year of travel, vacations, cruising, theme parks, and all the opinions that changed along the way. From debating Epic Universe vs Magic Kingdom to choosing between cruise vacations and theme park trips, we’re sharing the experiences, surprises, trends, and travel hot takes we can’t stop talking about after a full year of adventur...

Planning a day at Magic Kingdom can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we’re sharing the small Magic Kingdom tips and Disney World tricks that can completely change the flow of your day. These aren’t the big strategies everyone talks about nonstop. These are the underrated details, hidden shortcuts, transportation tips, ride strategies, food hacks, parade s...

This week on Wanderlust & Wishes, Julie and Krystle break down what rope drop at Universal Orlando’s newest theme park actually looks like right now, including what has changed since opening, whether Early Park Admission is really worth it, and how to decide between Super Nintendo World, Battle at the Ministry, Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and more.

We’re talking real strategy, realistic expectations, and the touring...

Trying to figure out the best way to rope drop EPCOT in 2026? In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we’re breaking down exactly how to start your Disney day with the shortest waits, smartest route, and biggest time savings possible. We cover the best rope drop strategy for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, and Test Track, how your arrival method completely changes y...

Planning an Alaska cruise can feel overwhelming, but in this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, Krystle and Julie break down everything you need to know before you book. From choosing between top cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line to understanding the difference between roundtrip and one-way Alaska itineraries, we cover it all.

We dive into why Gl...

We’re celebrating Episode 100 … by diving into one of the most immersive and magical experiences at Universal Orlando Resort.

In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, Krystle and Julie are breaking down all the things when it comes to wands inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

We’re talking through how the interactive wands actually work, where you can cast spells throughout the parks, and the spots that ...

This week, Krystle and Julie are breaking down what traveling to Disney with toddlers actually looks like, from stroller strategy and nap schedules to rope drop planning, packing essentials, and handling those inevitable meltdowns. If you’ve been wondering how to balance park time with rest, what you truly need to bring, or how to avoid common mistakes families make with little ones, we’re walking through it all.

This is...

On this episode, Krystle and Julie are breaking down exactly how rope dropping Magic Kingdom works in 2026. From the moment you scan into the park to those first critical decisions at park open, we’re walking you through a realistic strategy that helps you beat the crowds without feeling stressed or rushed.

We talk through which rides should be your top priority, how early you really need to arrive, and how rope drop compares ...