Parks and Pals

Join us this week for episode 3 of Inside the Gates as we discuss the latest updates with brand new theme park food for the Halloween season. On top of that, we bring you the latest news on the opening of The Beak and Barrel at Magic Kingdom, UK theme parks updates and the biggest rumours surrounding Rip Ride Rockit's replacement.If you want to get involved in our new episodes, then look out for the polls on our Instagram throughout the week.

After so much anticipation, Universal Studios UK is finally on the cards! Join us in this week's episode where we are talking to Lawrence (@universallybedford) to discuss everything from rides, entertainment, hotels and more. If you've ever wanted to know more about the future of UK theme park scene then this is your next stop!

Join us this week for episode 2 of Inside the Gates as we discuss the updates and closures happening at Walt Disney World from Hollywood Studios to Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin. On top of that, we bring you our latest predictions from the upcoming D23 event and Merlin's recent investment announcement. Plus we get to hear some of your favourite memories from your trips.If you want to get involved in our new episodes, then look out for the polls on our Instagram throughout the week.

Wouldn't it be lovely if all trips to Orlando could leave you with enough money leftover to plan the next trip? In this week's episode, we put Chloe through her paces to come up with the ultimate budget friendly itinerary for all. Whether you're a sun-soaking couple, a fun-loving family of four, or group of friends seeking cheap thrills, we've got a plan for you!

Welcome to our first bonus episode of Inside the Gates and your weekly roundabout of all things theme park news. In this week's episode, we'll discuss the opening of Disney's Starlight, all of the latest Halloween Horror Nights updates, changes coming to Animation Courtyard and hear from you! If you want to get involved in our new episodes, then look out for the polls on our Instagram throughout the week. 

When visiting a theme park, we are used to stepping into immersive worlds, but very few do it as well as Universal's Islands of Adventure! In this weeks episode, we discuss the top attractions across the park, put them through their paces and decide once and for all which ride takes the top spot.

Disney have produced some of the most outstanding parks across the USA. From where it all began on the east coast with Disneyland to the Florida project and opening of Disney World, they have produced world class attractions, shows and lands. In this week's episode, we are joined by the wonderful Chloe and Sam (@Ch103amy) to discuss all of the east and west coast parks, our most magical memories and decide which is best!

Every time we mention Disney World and Universal Resort, we immediately focus on the highs, the thrills, must-dos across your visit - but what about everything else? In this week's episode, we discuss the most underrated attractions across all four Disney World parks and every Universal Orlando Resort park. Where should we all give a little bit more love to?

Disney World is an ideal location for the perfect romantic date day - but knowing what to spend your hard earned money on can be tricky! In this week's episode, we've both planned a full day in the parks with the simple task: what is the cheapest and most expensive way to spend a day at the parks? Expect hidden gems, lavish luxuries and endless fun!

Universal Studios Orlando has always been the home of the movies, taking us to Wizarding Worlds, stunning sets and behind the scenes of your favourite blockbusters. In this week's episode, we decide, once and for all, what the best attractions are in this great staple of Florida. No minions were harmed by the opinions in the episode!

The landscape of Walt Disney World is ever changing and 2025 is the year of continuous updates. In this week's episode, we discuss all the major progress happening across all the parks from new bars and experiences, ride updates and future projects. Who's ready for a change? 

Think of the strangest experience you could possibly have, now imagine that against a backdrop of the sunshine state. In this week's episode, we explore the weird, wacky and wonderful world of alternative experiences and attractions in Orlando - from museums to crazy theme parks, buckle up for the most absurd episode we've ever done! 

Throughout history, epic battles have been fought between rivals to claim their rightful place on top. Disney vs. Universal is no exception. For years in Orlando, Disney World and Universal Resort have competed for our attention with stunning theme parks, relaxing resorts and world class entertainment - but it's time to decide, who's winning? This week, we are joined by Russ from Orlando Adventures Podcast to decide once and for all whether it's Disney or Universal at the pinnacle!

2025 certainly feels like the year of trips! Following on from an extremely successful visit in February, we travel back to Orlando to explore all the wonders of Disney World and Universal Studios, plus an extra special visit to Epic Universe! Join us this week where we recap our entire May 2025 trip with a review of Epic Universe, the magic of car hire and answering the all important question - can you do everything in one week?

Hollywood 1939. Amid the glitz and the glitter of a bustling young movie town at the height of its golden age, we invite you to drop into the entire history of Tower of Terror. In this week's episode, we dive deep into one of Hollywood Studios most beloved attractions and fill you with fun facts, historical details, and creepy backstories. We invite you, if you dare, to step aboard because in tonight's episode of Parks and Pals you are the star. And this episode travels directly to . . . The Twilight Zone.

In the final episode of our Disney World ranking episodes, we finally decide the greatest attractions and experiences at Animal Kingdom. With so many ways to spend your day from incredible shows, jaw-dropping attractions and serene walks, let us put you through your paces on our safari ride through the parks best and worst attractions.

How do you decide which attractions to skip at Hollywood Studios? With so many unforgettable experiences ranging from spectacular shows, amazing attractions and immersive worlds, this can sometimes seem like a mammoth task. Fear not and makes some judgements by agreeing or disagreeing with our ranking of the top attractions at the park. In this week's episode, we decide  once and for all what the best attractions are at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

As our countdown clock descends closer to 0, we are preparing ourselves for another fun-filled trip to Orlando. In this week's episode, we discuss our day to day breakdown for the trip including: dinner reservations, ride priorities, park visits, hotel stays and more. Buckle up for another Parks and Pals adventure! 

With the imminent opening of Epic Universe in Orlando, we thought it's time to take matters into our own hands to help Disney create a 5th park. This week, we've recruited Jade (@timeforjade) to design, share and imagineer some possibilities for this new landmark. Expect crazy coaster, incredible lands and questionable decisions throughout!

It's time for the Disney eras tour - 70s edition. As part of a brand new mini series, we jump back in time to the 1970s to explore this defining decade for the parks and brand as a whole. We discuss everything from cultural phenomenons, groundbreaking technology, and how a day in the parks would be spent. Join us for this epic time travel adventure from the pivotal moment of Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World's grand opening!

What is the best EPCOT attraction? And what's the most skippable? In this week's episode, we dive into everybody's fond favourites and rock bottoms to decide which attractions at EPCOT are truly worth our time. Expect minor arguments, controversy and plenty of hilarity!

What makes a truly great roller coaster? Is it the feeling of seeing the world upside down, soaring at incredible speeds or the sheer thrill of being thrown out of your seat? In this week's episode, we are joined by Natasha and Luke (@castlesandcoasterscouple) to discuss all of the amazing coasters Orlando has to offer and even have a go at designing our own! 

The big question - is the Disney Dining Plan really worth it? This was the overhanging question from our recent trip to Disney World so we've decided to crunch the numbers, weigh up the pros and cons and outline everything we at while staying in Orlando. From main meals to margaritas, snacks to soda, we will answer the all important questions: how much did we save? And, would we use it again?

Having recently returned from a fun-filled trip to Orlando, we were feeling reflective about the new experiences, challenges and overall trip, so we decided to focus on the biggest lesson we've learnt. In this week's episode we'll discuss our main 5 takeaways from the trip including the changes to virtual queues, new resorts, plus how many naps we ended up taking…

With so much do in Orlando, sometimes you need a second opinion! In this week's episode, we've joined forces with Rollon Holidays (@rollonholidays) to create our ultimate top 5s across Disney World and Universal Studios. Expect endless laughter, hidden gems and new approaches to your Florida trip.

98, 99, 100! To celebrate reaching 100 episodes of Parks and Pals, we decided to put it to you, the listeners for a whole heap of questions. In this week's episode, we answer all of the questions posed to us by you - expect strong opinions and controversial answers! 

Disney's snack game has always been high, and with 2025, there are some great new additions to the parks. In this episode, be sure to grab a snack and join us for a culinary adventure looking through some of the new food options for the parks and resorts. If there's one thing to take away from this episode, it's that Disney loves their loaded fries!

With 2025 being a pivotal year for Disneyland Paris, who better to discuss all of the significant changes coming to the park than with the wonderful Sam4G0d! This week we'll discuss all of the recent updates announced from Disney Parks regarding the future of Disneyland Paris and build our excitement for all the new worlds incoming.

Ever wondered where Jaws ended up? How illegal is it to take ashes to Disney World? In this week's episode we'll be debunking the biggest Disney World and Universal Studios myths and get to the truth! From to wacky to the out right absurd, it's time to separate the fact from the fiction. 

It's time to separate the walk-ons from the worth the waits! Ever wondered which Magic Kingdom attractions are actually worth spending your precious park time on - look no further. In this week's episode, we debate and discuss every single ride at Disney World's most popular park and rank them from worst to best. Who will come out on top? How does your favourite attraction fair? Be prepared for some controversial conversations!

It's time to set sail for another spectacular episode on Disney Cruise Line!This week, we are joined by the fabulous Anni (@annistores) to discuss all of the exciting updates coming from Disney Cruise Line including the newest additions to the fleet. If you're a cruise veteran or newbie like Steven, there's something for everyone as we explore how to get the most out of your next Disney Cruise. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes!

Change is good…right? With so many developments happening across Orlando at Disney and Universal, we thought now was a perfect time to discuss all of the updates and changes coming to the parks throughout 2025.From park expansions to ride updates, we'll cover everything across all four Disney World parks alongside the anticipated arrival of Universal's Epic Universe. How easy will it be to get reservations at the Pirates of the Caribbean bar? What will be the biggest surprises of the year? But most importantly, how do we say goodbye when there's no more dino to get?!

Have you ever wanted to travel to Tokyo Disneyland? Wouldn't know where to start for booking hotels and parks?Then look no further - this week we are joined by Leigh and Becky (@abrittravels) to discuss their extensive experiences at Disney and Universal worldwide and how to get the most out of your trips. In particular we discuss the challenges faced when booking Tokyo Disneyland including early morning wake ups, queuing and endless merchandise!

Continuing our series on the history of Imagineering, this week we explore the events in the Disney timeline from the opening of EPCOT all the way to MGM studios. Expect Imagineer spotlight, audio-animatronics and pure nostalgia.

And so our journey comes to an end (for 2024), we've grabbed hold of our dreams and are ready to make 2025 a year of unforgettable memories, mayhem and magic. In this week's episode, we'll be discussing our upcoming trips and plans for 2025 alongside our Disney World and Universal New Year's resolutions - expect challenges, excitement and our goals…in one day!

Welcome one and all to the first annual Orlando Awards, hosted by Parks and Pals (@parksandpalsuk) and Orlando Adventures Podcast (@orlando_adventures_podcast). This year, you've come together to vote for your Floridian favourites across Disney World and Universal Studios and it's time to reveal the much anticipated winners. From best attraction to greatest park, we've got you covered for all of your fan favourites - who takes home the prize? You have decided! 

Imagineers have spent decades creating everyday magic throughout the parks and continue to amaze us with incredible inventions and ride systems that take us to new and immersive worlds. In this week's episode, following on from part 1 (episode 57), we explore the history of imagineering from Disneyland California's expansion in the 1970s to the opening of EPCOT. 

During the festive period, Walt Disney World is transformed into a winter wonderland and that includes a Christmas overhaul of the menus! In this weeks episode, we are joined by James (@snacksbeersmickeyears) to discuss our favourite festival holiday snacks and holiday food options across the parks and hotels.

At this festive time, where better to head than to EPCOT for the final festival of the year: Festival of the Holidays. In this weeks episode, we'll discuss the history of the Christmas festival and explore all the Yuletide snacks, activities and entertainment  available this time of year. Did someone say gingerbread?

From sweet treats and delights from quick service to incredible character dining experiences, Disney World has endless options for breakfast - but which ones are worth your time and money? In this week's episode we are joined by Ben and Becca (@gbmickeywaffle) to discuss every breakfast dining option on property. Where shall we head first for the most important meal of the day?  

Finishing up our Disney World resorts series, we dive into the finer side of staying on site by exploring every deluxe resort. We'll talk through all facilities, restaurants and pools and discuss our favourite resorts to stay at. Why settle for less?

How long is the perfect trip to Orlando? Most would argue around 14 days, however, can you pack all the attractions, entertainment and never-ending food into just 7 days? This week, we are joined by Becky and Ciara (@magicwiththemiskimmins) to create the ultimate 7-day Floridian adventure that includes Universal, Walt Disney World and a whole load of margaritas! Care to join us? 

Have you ever noticed striking similarities across Pixar films? Have you spend ages tracking down easter eggs and wondering how everything in Pixar films seems connected? In this week's episode, we explore the Pixar Universe Theory across decades of films and try to figure out what ties them all together. As one door closes, another opens...

Disney boasts 12 theme parks around the globe, spanning 3 continents and has an estimated 150 million visitors each year - but how do you navigate every park without prior experience? In this week's episode, we are joined by Nicci (@niccis.family.adventures) who talks through her approaches to all of the Disney parks worldwide. Grab your passport as our next stop could be anywhere!

Continuing our series focusing on Walt Disney World resorts, we delve into everything on offer at the moderate hotels on property. Where's the best resort for food and drink? Which hotels offer new experiences? Join us as we explore the best features of the moderate resorts.

Since the late 90s, Disney has adapted several of its well-known films into unforgettable stage shows. Whether it's immersing us in pride rock in The Lion King or swinging through the rainforest with Tarzan, Disney musicals bring the action, drama and wonder to life! In this week's episode, we are joined by West End star Dayle Hodge as we take a trip through the timeline of Disney musicals on stage. 

Finding hidden Mickeys has become a fan favourite for all Disney parks, properties and films fans - but where did the trend begin? In this week's episode, we deep dive into the history and secrets of hidden Mickeys and explore how to spot these hidden gems around the globe. 

EPCOT continues to boast some of the best variety of all the Disney World parks, partly down to its ever changing landscape and range of yearly festivals. In this week's episode, we take you for a tour around EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival 2024 to showcase the exciting new booths, superb entertainment and endless food options at the park's best foodie festival. 

With over 20 resorts to choose from at Walt Disney World, it can seem overwhelming to decide where to stay. Where's best for transport? Which resort has the biggest pool? In this week's episode, we explore all of the value resorts on offer to decide where you can really get the most for your money! 

Universal Studios is a household name around the globe, but with the expansion of the Orlando resort with Epic Universe and the heavily speculated UK park on the horizon, where does that leave us? This week, we are joined by Russ (Orlando Adventures Podcast) to explore future predictions in the Universal parks across the US and UK. Expect outrageous predictions, chaotic re-imaginings and lots of family.  

If you're looking to explore immersive worlds and ride thrilling attractions, then there's no better place than Disney's Hollywood Studios. From the edge of the galaxy in Batuu to wondering what life would be like as a miniature in Toy Story Land, Hollywood Studios is the gateway to glamour and stardom. But how do you squeeze all of this excitement into a day? In our final 'getting the most out of' Disney World edition, we take you through the best tips and tricks for this extraordinary park.