Wizards and Pixie Dust

Your podcast hosts Mary Yohannan and Emily Nugent gave you all the juicy details about the good and bad food then encountered in episode 55. In this episode they finish the rounds, and go into the fun activities. Are you ready to find Remi? Hungry? You will be after finishing the rounds at Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Mary and Emily. Listen to find out one of their secret go to spots for apple themed drinks and dessert! Yum! Thinking of planning a Disney or Universal vacation? Why not plan with one of our Authorized Disney vacation planning specialists. Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling agents will get back to you soon.

Food and Wine Festival 2022 - Your podcast hosts, Mary and Emily are here to tell you what is good and what you should stay away from!! One of Mary's favorite food choices year after year at the Food and Wine Festival is the Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions, and Cheese! Yummy!! Thinking of planning a Disney or Universal vacation? Why not plan with one of our Authorized Disney vacation planning specialists. Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling agents will get back to you soon.

We hoped you enjoyed the last episode where we talked about Part 1 of the redesigned “Worlds” of Epcot. In this episode we get into the amazing new parts of the “World Showcase.” Epcot was built to bring the culture to America by having 11 countries in the World Showcase. Each country was built to be authentic and true so we could be transported without having to leave the US. Over the years, not much has changed with the exterior of the countries. If you went in 1981 when it first opened, it would look pretty much the same. However, Disney decided that they needed to bring their movies to life first by adding various characters such as Mary Poppins to England, Belle to France, and Mulan to China. Then came the redesign of Norway's boat ride into Frozen Ever After after the Frozen movies. Last year was Epcot's first major ride build in the World Showcase with Ratatouille ride. Your podcast hosts, Emily Nugent and Mary Yohannan, talk about all these updates including how Disney finally learned to make going around the showcase fun for kids and adults. Mary's kids on their last trip went into each country doing these two things, and Mary got to try different foods and drinks because of it. Don't miss out on this major tip! Are you ready to explore all of Epcot's worlds? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling agents will get back with you shortly to help plan your next Epcot adventure.

Your podcast hosts, Emily Nugent and Mary Yohannan, have dedicated two parts to going through the redesigned Epcot park. Epcot will be celebrating 40 years this year. It seems like the Disney Imaginears were hard at work to make it pretty for its birthday. Over the past couple of years has undergone major changes. In this episode we talk about the redesign of what used to be called Innovations East and West. Now it is all the “Worlds.” The “World of Discovery,” the “World of Nature,” and the “World of Celebration.” Each of these make up the front end of Epcot, while the “World Showcase” makes up the back of the park. We go into detail about each of these redesigns explaining our favorite areas, and where the best toddler friendly areas are located. If you think your kids would be “bored” at Epcot, make sure to listen into this episode because we talk about the amazing kid activities that are worth the trip! Are you ready to explore all of Epcot's worlds? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling agents will get back with you shortly to help plan your next Epcot adventure.

Universal Orlando Resort's Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) 31 is ready to book! You can purchase packages or just tickets to enjoy this frightful, award-winning experience for 2022. Universal did bring back the R.I.P. tours which are at an additional cost to your already purchased admission ticket. Each is limited to a certain number of guests, but you get priority access to the houses and all of the shows. Most guides have been doing this for years so they also have a ton of HHN history knowledge. These tours are so popular that they do sell out. They only have so many R.I.P. tour guides per night and they do two time frames. New this year is the Behind The Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour. If you have ever wondered what the houses look like with the lights on, well this is your opportunity! You can choose from going through either three or six houses during the day, and you can take photography! Of course Mary opted to do this tour this year. The only thing that we are waiting with bated breath for is the themes to the houses and scare zones. Your podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Emily Nugent,, talk about some of the speculation maps that are out and some of the themes might interest you! So make sure to listen in on this episode. Comment to let us know if you have any thoughts on what a house might be or what you would like it to be. Is this the year you are ready to take that leap and be frightened by the best in the industry? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling agents will get back with you shortly to help plan this Halloween adventure.

Walt Disney World has so many new and exciting things happening over the next couple of weeks. Let's dive right in! Meet and Greets are back. That is right, you can get up close again with many of your favorite characters. Ready to hug Mickey Mouse or how about dancing with Joy, you can do just that. Your podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Emily Nugent, are super excited about the release of the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller-coaster at Epcot. This is the newest installment at Epcot and one of the few Marvel(R) rides at Walt Disney World. If you are an annual passholder you probably received an "early admission" ticket for this ride. Otherwise, everyone else will be able to ride early this summer. If you love the wilderness and are looking for some old time show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is back! Grab a table, enjoy family style dining, and bring your singing voice. This is an interactive show for all ages. In other news, Expedition Everest will be open again. It is still unclear exactly what was refurbished during the down time, but our fingers are crossed it was the broken Yetti. Spring promotions are out and we have been busy at Life is Better Traveling applying them to our clients reservations. On one reservation we helped save a family $800! Thinking of taking that Walt Disney World vacation this spring or summer? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling agents will get back with you shortly.

We are excited that our 50th episode is here!! It has been a great ride the last year and half, and we look forward to giving you even more amazing information in the next 50 episodes. So what do you talk about in the 50th episode? Crowds, of course! It is springtime, and with spring brings spring breakers.  Everyone is flocking to warmer destinations, and Walt Disney World is on that short list of getaways for families.  With the large amounts of people crowding Main Street USA, how can one feel peace and assurance that they won't get lost in the crowds or become that stressed out guest we see on Tik Tok.  Mary Yohannan, and our new co-host, Emily Nugent have some amazing tips and tricks on how to beat the crowds at Walt Disney World this spring.  Grab a coffee, and a pen and paper! We are busy helping plan 2022 and 2023 Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando vacations. Make sure to reach out to us to help you plan an amazing family vacation. Simply fill out the form below and we will get back with you.

Pin trading! In the beginning, getting the character's autographs is fun for the kids. As they phase out of wanting to get autographs, they phase into trading and collecting pins. All of the Disney parks have had various pins since their openings. However, it was until 1999 that trading pins became popular. Today, it seems to be a sport. Can you find rare pins, mystery pins, cast member pins, volunteer pins, etc? Your podcast hosts Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder along with Life is Better Traveling travel agent Emily Nugent talk about how pin trading has evolved. We talk about around what age kids get into trading, the best way to get pins to trade, and the new pin trading boxes released in October. Spoiler alert! If your kids are 8 years of age or older you may want to listen in. Not sure where to start to plan a Disney vacation? No worries. Our agents over at Life is Better Traveling have helped hundreds of families plan amazing Disney vacations from WDW to Adventures by Disney. Simply fill out the form below and one of the agents will get with you shortly.

Mary Yohannan and Emily Nugent, a Life is Better Traveling travel agent, were able to try out Genie+ during some of the busiest times at Walt Disney World. Mary was in the Magic Kingdom on Martin Luther King Jr. day when she purchased Genie+ for her family of four. With it being a busy holiday, Mary was able to quickly navigate the new system and get her family several lightening lanes that day. However, there was one important tip that Mary gives during the podcast so you don't wear out your family with zig-zaging through the park. Emily stayed on property with her family of four. She has some amazing tips on how to snag your first lightening lane pass, and how to stack your passes. When stacking you can really maximize your time in the parks and the kids will love you for it! She also has recommendations on which parks you should purchase Genie+. Since not all parks are worth the $15/person/day, you can end up saving money with this one tip! Plan now with Emily by CLICKING HERE Not sure where to start when planning a Disney vacation? Do you feel overwhelmed? We understand as there are so many components to a Walt Disney World vacation to consider. We are here to help put your mind at ease and make the planning fun for you. Simply fill out the form below and one of our agents will get back with you soon!

In the previous episode we talked about the free components of Disney’s new Genie plus system. We talked about understanding how to read the tip board, show and parade times, and how to get to dining. If you haven’t listened to the previous episode, we recommend you go back and listen before listening to this one. In this episode, your podcast hosts Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder welcome back Emily Nugent from Life is Better Traveling. Emily breaks down the paid version of the app. There are two versions of this app. One version is free, while the other version costs $15 per person per day. The paid version lets you book one reservations in advance starting at 7am for resort guests. If you aren’t staying on property, you can start to make reservations after the park opens. There is one HUGE downfall according to Disney fans, having to pay extra to get on some of the most popular rides. Listen in to find out which rides are included in the basic fee, and which ones are extra. Thinking of taking a Walt Disney World vacation? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling agents will get in contact with you soon. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLast

The creators at Walt Disney World have designed a system that will replace the old FastPass system, called Genie +. This innovative app is designed to take Walt Disney world’s visitor’s wait times down. Visitors will be able to plan their days by reviewing wait times in real-time. This will allow guests to spend more time doing what they really want. Overall improving guest experiences leading to the most magical vacation. Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder along with our special guest Emily Nugent from Life is Better Traveling are going to talk about navigating Genie +.  We get into the in’s and out’s of the app. Where to find historical wait time to plan your day. How to find dining times that work for you. Plan your day around parades and shows by knowing the exact times they start. If you are heading to Walt Disney World anytime soon, you will want to listen in as we navigate Genie + for you. Thinking of taking a Walt Disney World vacation but not sure where to start? Fill out the form below and one of our Life is Better Traveling agents will get started planning with you shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLast

Join your podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder as they talk about the recent updates on Walt Disney World’s characters meet and greets. Disney released new information that they are bringing back meet and greets. Some of the most iconic characters are coming back to the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Guests can enjoy meeting EARidescent Mickey Mouse on Main Street at Town Square Theater. A nice touch for the 50th anniversary celebration. Do you love the princesses? Princess meet and greets are coming back to Princess Fairytale Hall. Head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to meet up with the beloved Disney Junior characters and Minnie Mouse in Animation Courtyard. Even with meet and greets coming back, you will want to listen in to find out what Mary and Melissa believe will be the protocols. How close will you be allowed to the characters? How long will you have with them? Will cast members take your phone to take pictures for you? We will be answering these questions and more. Thinking of planning a Disney or Universal Orlando vacation but not sure where to start? Let one of our travel agents at Life is Better Traveling help take the stress, time, and energy of planning a vacation away. Simply fill out the form below and one of our agents will get back with you shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *First

Scare zones at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) are scare areas that you don’t want to miss. Listen in as your podcast host, Mary Yohannan talks about the various scare zones throughout HHN. Mary recaps the 5 scare zones. She talks about the theme of each zone, the characters, and intensity of the zone. One of her favorite scare zones, Crypt TV had scary but unique characters. This zone is sure to be enjoyable for any age over 13. Mary also talks about the two shows during HHN. Her favorite show Halloween Nightmare Fuel was so good that she is going to see again when she goes back in a few weeks. This show included magic, fire, and acrobatics. The music was paired perfectly with each scene, and she left wanting more. The other show, Marathon of Mayhem: Carnage Factory was a little less desirable. Listen in to find out why Mary thought this show fell flat. Thinking of planning a Disney or Universal Orlando vacation but not sure where to start? Let one of the travel agents at Life is Better Traveling take the stress out of planning. They have helped thousands of people plan stress-free vacations. Simply fill out the form below and one of the agents will get with you shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLast

Mary Yohannan, your podcast host, just spent four days at Universal Studios in Orlando to take in their Halloween activities. Mary talks about this year’s trick-or-treating taking place all over Universal Orlando Resorts. It is called Scarecrow Stalk, and you collect stamps and treats at each location as you STALK around the resort. You simply visit the stores on the list, check out the festive scarecrows, and collect your candy. Fun for all ages. In this episode, Mary also talks about the 10 haunted houses at Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). She talks how to get into one of the corrals so you can be one of the first people in a your house of choice. Mary takes a few seconds to break down each house. She explains why her favorite house is one of the lesser known houses. She also talks about which houses would be good for those under 13 years of age, and over 13 years of age. Listen in for some really good information. Thinking of going to Universal’s HHN or Universal Orlando in general? Simply fill out the form below and one of our Life is Better Traveling travel agents will get back with you shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *

Coronado Springs is one of the largest resorts on Walt Disney World properties. Riveria resort is one of the smallest properties. Your podcast hosts Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder dive deep into their impression of Coronado Springs after having just stayed there for a few nights. They also talk about their experience of the Riveria resort. They quickly visited the resort but found that a few things might be missing, especially for die-hard Disney fans. Listen in to find out their reviews on these two resort. Check us out on YouTube! Don’t delay! Spring break planning time is NOW. Rooms are going quickly so make sure to get with one of our travel agents over at Life is Better Traveling to get you started planning today. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *First

Walt Disney World (WDW) has various modes of transportation. Buses, boats, the monorail, Segways, bikes, and newly added the Skyliner. Even though the Skyliner is their most recent addition to WDW transportation, it is probably the best mode of transportation on property. Your podcast hosts, Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan talk about their recent experience on the Skyliner. Prior to riding, both ladies were extremely nervous. Some of their concerns included things like hot pods, getting stuck, being small inside, and moving slowly. Listen in to find out which concerns ended up happening to them! Thinking of planning a Walt Disney World vacation? Want to stay at one of the resorts attached to the Skyliner? Simply fill out the form below. One of the Authorized Vacation Planning travel agents at Life is Better Traveling will contact you soon. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *

Mary just took her family to Universal Orlando for an entire week during the height of covid cases in Florida. Join your podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder as Melissa asks Mary questions about what is going on down at the parks. We get to the bottom of mask wearing, social distancing, crowds, mobile ordering, and beating the heat. Make sure to listen in on this podcast for the one thing that Mary and her family did to ensure they remained safe. Thinking of taking the family to Universal Orlando but not sure where to start planning? One of the Life is Better Traveling travel agents can help answer all your questions and plan an amazing Universal vacation that will fit your family’s needs. Simply fill out the form below and one of our agents will get back with you shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Email

Best Bites: Halloween 2021 at Walt Disney World Resort were announced! Our loyal listeners know that this is Mary’s favorite time of year, Halloween. Join your podcast hosts Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder as they talk about these amazing treats that are being offered at which resorts and parks. Announcing the spooktacular treats: Resorts Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Sanaa and Sanaa Lounge Sea Witch's Brew – Vodka, raspberry liqueur, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, muddled berries, and edible glitter served in a Collins glass with a blue glow cube (Available 10/24-10/31)Disney's Art of Animation, Disney's Pop Century Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, and Disney's All-Star Music Resort – Food Courts Spooky Apple Spiced Spider Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake with apple filling and spiced buttercream caramel drizzle (Available 10/25-10/31)Disney's Contemporary Resort – Contempo Café Mini Halloween Cake – Halloween sprinkle cake with candy bar custard and chocolate glaze (Available 10/1-10/31)Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Gasparilla Island Grill Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes – Rich devil's food cake with “peanut boo-tter” filling decorated to resemble all three Sanderson Sisters (Available 9/1-11/1)Jack Skellington Pumpkin Pie Pop – Pumpkin pie colossal pop covered in white chocolate decorated as the iconic Pumpkin King (Available 9/1-11/1)Sally's Stitched Up Whoopie Pie Heart – Vanilla heart-shaped whoopie pie adorned with Sally's signature patchwork (Available 9/1-11/1)Be-Witching Minnie Mouse Cupcake – Cookies & cream-filled chocolate cupcake enrobed in chocolate ganache and topped with Minnie Mouse chocolate witch hat (Available 9/1-11/1) Disney's Old Key West Resort – Gurgling Suitcase Libations & Spirits and Olivia's CaféHarvest Refresher – Vodka with cranberry juice and muddled oranges (Available 9/26-11/25)Apple Cider Old Fashioned – Bourbon with fresh apple cider, bitters, muddled oranges, and brown sugar cinnamon (Available 9/26-11/25) Caramel Apple Martini – Vanilla vodka, butterscotch flavor liqueur, and fresh apple cider with a brown sugar cinnamon rim (Available 9/26-11/25)Disney's Old Key West Resort – Good's Food to go, Conch Flatts General Store, and Turtle Shack Poolside SnacksPoisoned Delight – Violet white chocolate mousse dome with an apple insert and fresh apple cake covered in a white chocolate glaçage (Available 10/1-10/31)Disney's Riviera Resort – Le Petit CaféMilk Chocolate and Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheesecake – Caramel milk chocolate mousse, chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake, roasted white chocolate shell, and graham cracker sable-inspired acorn (Available 9/25-11/27)Milk Chocolate and Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheesecake – Caramel milk chocolate mousse, chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake, dark chocolate glaçage, and graham cracker sable inspired bat (Available 10/24-10/31)Disney's Wilderness Lodge – Geyser PointBlood Orange – Tequila, blood orange, and simple syrup with lime juice (Available 10/3-11/7)Black Magic Margarita –Tequila, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, green apple syrup, grenadine, sour mix, and a glow cube (Available 10/3-11/7)A

Your podcast hosts Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder were just at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival! The Food and Wine Festival this year runs from July 15 – November 20, 2021, and showcases 34 different Global Marketplaces to sample various food and beverage delights. This is also the year of Remy, the tiny rat from the movie Ratatouille. His new ride opens in the France pavilion on October 1, 2021, and with his culinary gifts it is very fitting that he is the face of this year’s festival. Make sure to listen in on this episode to hear which treats Mary and Melissa tried as well as the fun activity Mary enjoyed while going around the World Showcase. Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival Thinking of going to the 2021 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, even if it is just for a weekend? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Life is Better Traveling will get back with you quickly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *

Wizards and Pixie Dust is paired with Life is Better Traveling, and a team of their travel agents were just down in Walt Disney World getting updates on what was happening. Your hosts and agents Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan were there with them. In this episode they talk about the updates to the mask policy that went into effect July 30, the length of the ride lines, and new security measures when entering the parks. While we were down in Walt Disney World in Orlando a new update came out saying that everyone would be required to wear masks while indoors. The original mask mandate was lifted in early June of this year, but with the number of covid cases on the rise in Florida, the mayor recommend wearing masks while indoors. Disney went one step further and made it a requirement to wear masks indoors and start social distancing again. Disney Mask Updates Thinking of planning a Walt Disney World vacation? Simply fill out the form below and we will get back with you shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *

When the resorts at Walt Disney World are sold out or can’t accommodate your family’s needs, the good neighbor hotels are a great way to get everything you need. Join your hosts Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder as they talk about some of the Walt Disney World good neighbor hotels. From higher end hotels with spas, luxurious pools and cabanas, to hotels with family suites there is something for everyone. Some of the good neighbor hotels even have character breakfasts, shuttles to the parks, and you even get perks that Walt Disney World resort guests get including making reservations early than general public. Thinking of planning a Walt Disney World vacation but not sure where to stay? Contact one of Life is Better Traveling’s Authorized Disney Vacation planners. Simply fill out the form below and one of the agents will be with you soon! Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *EmailConfirm EmailPhone *

The Food and Wine Festival is coming this month and you can get some great treats at Disney Springs. Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan your podcast hosts, talk about some of these delicious treats to enjoy at Disney Springs. This Foodie Guide is all about citrus of Florida. If you like orange or key lime infused treats then these tastings are perfect for your palette. Our favorite are the key lime inspired sweets! We also talk about RunDisney coming back to property. For the past year it has been virtual. However, if you love your RunDisney or if you have ever wanted to run a half-marathon at Walt Disney World, you can do it this year. The first half-marathon back will be in November for the Wine and Dine. Here are the dates for the upcoming races: Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz: November 4-7, 2021Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 5-9, 2022Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 24-27, 2022runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend presented by Otterbox: March 31-April 3, 2022 Are you ready to start planning for a Food and Wine Festival vacation or thinking of giving a Disney Vacation at Christmas ? Simply fill out the form and one of our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Life is Better Traveling will get with you soon! Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Email

Universal Orlando and Disney World both have released their Halloween plans It is now time to speculate on what Disney World will be doing for Christmas. Historically, Disney has released their plans for the Christmas season in June. In this episode your hosts, Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan, speculate when Christmas information will be released and if there will be parties. Some our favorite parties during Christmas are the Mickey’s Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom and the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam party at Hollywood Studios. Both parties were separated ticketed events, and not an after hours event. We speculate that the Christmas parties will not be an after hours event but may have limited hours. We also think since the fireworks are coming back July 1st that this may be happening. Make sure to listen in to find out what we said it is… Are you ready to start planning for a Christmas vacation or thinking of giving a Disney Vacation as a Christmas present? Simply fill out the form and one of our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Life is Better Traveling will get with you soon! Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *First

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resorts is one of the best ways to get your blood flowing. With 10 horror houses, of which only Beetlejuice has been announced, and up to 5 scare zone, you will scream or jump at least once. Join your hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, as they talk about the speculation maps for this year’s horror houses and updates on mask policies, social distancing, and fireworks at Walt Disney World. If you didn’t know, this year Universal will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights or HHN. With the 30th anniversary there is speculation that one of the houses may be a tribute house to all the favorite horror characters over the years. I am hoping they pay a tribute to the very first horror house The Dungeon of Terror. This is was the very first house in 1991 that opened for three nights only. The admission to get in was only $12.95. It was so popular that the next year they added another house from the scary movie, The People Under The Stairs. This year, Horror Nights runs every Wednesday through Sunday starting September 3rd until Halloween Night. Mary can’t wait to see which houses are going to be there this year. Thinking of going to Halloween Horror Nights for the 30th anniversary? Make sure to contact us at Life is Better Traveling to help you plan a spooky experience. Simply fill out the form below to get a quote today! Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *First

You probably have heard that this year Disney is doing an after hours event called Boo Bash. This is the first after hours Halloween event ever for Disney, but you may not know what all you get. Your hosts, Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan, go into the details of the Boo Bash and how you can get tickets for this select nights event. The Avengers Campus at Disneyland in California is now open! If you are a big Marvel fan like Mary, then you will be excited to hear about all the amazing meet and greets. We also talk about the new attraction, WEB-SLINGERS -A Spider Man Adventure. In Disney fashion, there is a back story to this ride. You start out at WEB industries where they are working on new spiderbots. Of course, something goes wrong and they recruit you to help. This is first-ever interactive ride where the ride picks up on your movements so you can sling webs. If you are excited about the concept of this ride, listen in to hear us talk about the meet and greets. Thinking of taking a Disney World or Disneyland vacation but not sure where to start? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Life is Better Traveling will be in touch. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLast

Can you book your own vacation? Yes, absolutely. Many people book their own vacations and are very happy with the outcome of the the vacation. However, there are millions of people every year that contact a travel agent to have them help plan an amazing vacation. Join your hosts, Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan, as we talk about the top 8 reasons why people contact a travel agent. Maybe you like to plan your own vacations but there are times when you would like to speak with an expert to have some questions answered. Maybe you have heard bad stories from friends who have used travel agents, or maybe you are afraid you will pay more by using a travel agent. Mary and Melissa discuss some of these topics and debunk a few myths. If you want to know if you pay more to use a travel agent, how a travel agent works with you, and/or when you should reach out to one, listen in. Our favorite two reasons are reason #1 and reason #8. Did one of our reasons help you decide you would like to use a travel agent to help plan your next vacation? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Award-Winning Travel Agents at Life is Better Traveling will reach out to you soon. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *First

Talking about food at Walt Disney World is one of our favorite things to do at Wizards and Pixie Dust. Join your hosts, Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan, as they talk about their favorite food choices in the Walt Disney World parks. Melissa and Mary have collectively been to Walt Disney World over 50 times. When it comes to food, these ladies have enjoyed many of the various delicious treats available at all the parks. From cupcakes to eggrolls, they have tried it all. In this episode they talk about their all-time favorite snacks and meals around the parks. Melissa talks about her favorite hidden spot in Epcot to sit and enjoy a coffee with a chocolate treat. Mary talks about her favorite snack that fills her up like a meal. Listen in as you may be surprised about some of their favorite spots. Think of planning a Disney or Universal Orlando vacation? You don’t have to do it alone. Simply fill out the form below and one of the award-winning travel agents at Life is Better Traveling will be in touch shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Email

Having food allergies is a lifestyle of making sure that the foods you eat do not have those allergens. Checking labels and asking questions is part of your food diet. If having food allergies has deterred you from taking a Walt Disney World vacation, join hosts Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder as they talk with Dena Bentz from Compass Destinations about what she does to ensure she eats well while being safe. Dena has a strong peanut allergy. Getting on a plane with any type of nuts in the air could be dangerous for her. Her love for Disney doesn’t stop her from traveling. Instead, she has learned what questions to ask, and how to navigate dining options so she still eats like a queen. Listen in as Dena talks about what questions to ask, how to read the menus, and a few tricks on how to figure out which options may work best for you. She has also helped many clients with food allergies enjoy various Disney vacations. If you want to work with a travel agent who helps with planning around food allergies, Dena is your girl. Dena and John Bentz with Compass Destinations Dena’s Contact information: travelagentdena@gmail.com Ready to start planning your Disney or Universal Orlando vacation? Simply fill out the form below a

May is allergy awareness month! In this episode we talk about Disney plans and if you have food allergies, how to make sure which foods don’t contain those ingredients. Your hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, talk about updates on the Disney dining plans and if they are coming back! Did you know that there are four different Disney Dining plans? Each plan is crafted to ensure you get a good amount of food. However, understanding which dining plan will work for you family can be a challenge. We explain the different plans available, and go into which plan works for different needs. Make sure to listen in as this episode will answer a lot of your Disney dining plan questions! Thinking of planning a Disney vacation for this summer? Simply fill out the form below and one of our sponsored Life is Better Traveling travel agents will help you to plan. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *

My Disney Experience or MDE for short, is the application associated with helping to plan your Walt Disney World vacation. You can either access this on your computer or via your phone. Join Mary Yohannan and Heather Joyce from Life is Better Traveling, as they talk about the updates and downfalls of the app. In the recent weeks, MDE has been experiencing some glitches. Glitches that have left clients without park reservations or unable to see reservations. In this episode we talk about some of the complaints that being have been talking about, and ways to possibly ensure that this doesn’t happen to you. Listen in to hear what Heather Joyce says is the best way to ensure that you have “proof” of reservations. Thinking of taking a Walt Disney World vacation or need help setting up your My Disney Experience? Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling travel agents will get back with you quickly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *

Birthday month celebrations continue! In this episode we talk about celebrating your birthday on a Disney cruise. Your hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, are joined by Life is Better Traveling’s Meghan Marshall. Meghan has celebrated her birthday on a Disney cruise, and has been on several Disney cruises when friends have celebrated birthdays. One of her favorite things about celebrating on the cruise is that cast members drop of little gifts to your cabin. Sometimes these gifts are chocolate covered strawberries or a cupcake. Besides celebrating birthdays, Meghan has been on several Disney cruises. She talks about the different kid’s clubs, and how she made friends that she still talks with years later. One of her favorite Disney cruises was the Star Wars themed cruise. People are allowed to bring costumes onto the ship and this one costume was her favorite. Listen in to find out what the costume was. Thinking of celebrating your next birthday on a Disney cruise or just want to take a Disney cruise? Simply fill out the form below and one of our sponsored Life is Better Traveling travel agents will help you to plan. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *First

In this episode we talk about Birthday experiences for kids between the ages 10 to 18. Join Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder as they talk with Heather Joyce from Life is Better Traveling. Heather talks about this one experience that she booked about five months in advance for her pre-teen son. Disney made this private birthday experience so memorable from the beginning to the end, and it didn’t cost her more than a character meal for everyone. Thinking of doing a Disney celecation? Contact one of our sponsored Life is Better Traveling travel agents to start planning today. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *EmailConfirm EmailPhone *Where

Celebrations at Walt Disney World are magical for all ages. However, celebrating your birthday there as a kid is as magical as flying with Peter Pan to Neverland. Join your podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, along with special guest, Emily Nugent from Life is Better Traveling as we talk about the special things she did for her kids birthday’s at Disney. Emily talks about this one thing she did before going to Disney that made the entire week special for her son. Listen in to make sure you know what she did that had all the cast members wishing her son a Happy Birthday everywhere they went! Thinking of taking a Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando celecation? Start planning today with one of the Life is Better Traveling travel agents. All of our agents are Authorized Disney Travel Professionals. Simply fill out the form below to start planning today! Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *

Many people get shirts made for their Disney vacation so everyone looks the same, and let’s be honest it makes for great pictures. Join your podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, as they talk with the founder of Fun and Fancy Tees, Morgan Jones. Morgan Jones, founder of Fun and Fancy Tees These shirts are amazing! I really think you should just head to Morgan’s Etsy site to check them out and buy one today! Get your Fun Tee today!

You can still incorporate some education into your kids Disney summer vacation. Join podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, as they talk about educational experiences at Walt Disney World. Summertime is just around the corner. If you are thinking of taking the kids to Walt Disney World for sun and fun, go for it! However, you can sneak in a few educational aspects during the Disney vacation. We have done this ourselves when taking our kids to Walt Disney World. One of our favorite educational experiences is actually in the Animal Kingdom, listen to find out why our families have to do this every time we go! Thinking of taking a Walt Disney World vacation this summer? Start planning now as summer availability is becoming limited. Contact one of the Life is Better Traveling Authorized Disney Vacation Specialists today. Simply fill out the form and we will make it easy so you can take it easy. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name * First Last Email * Email Confirm Email Phone *

Wondering what it is like to really wear a mask at Disney in the summer? Wondering if Disney really enforces their mask policy? Join your hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, along with special guest Heather Joyce, Life is Better Traveling travel agent, as we talk about mask wearing in the summer heat. Walt Disney World in the summer is already hot, then add a face mask to the mix. We talk about how many masks to bring for each person in your party. We also talk about the mask relief areas, and how it can be hard to find them. Did you think you might get a break from your mask while you are on the ride? Think again, Disney knows your not wearing a mask so expect to get a message. Lastly, we talk about the ways to get lots of water walking around the parks, even while wearing a mask. Looking for pool tips? We have you covered. Of course, you don’t want to miss out BIGGEST tip on the best ways to wash your masks at the end of the day. This tip doesn’t include a washing machine! Thinking of taking the family to Walt Disney World this summer? Start planning now as space is becoming limited. Simply fill out the form below and one of the Life is Better Traveling travel agents will get back with you quickly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name * First Last Email *

Disney food is the best food and they have so many food that will help you beat the Orlando heat. Join your podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, as they talk about their favorite food to cool down. Disney has so many iconic foods from the Kitchen Sink to their Mickey Ear ice cream bars. We talk about the Mickey Ear bars, but some of our other favorites include cupcakes, an amazing Ice Cream truck, and this iconic Orange Bird’s sweet, cool treat. Summer inventory at Walt Disney World is running low so make sure to contact one of our Life is Better Traveling travel agents today. Simply fill out the form below to have an agent contact you soon. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name * First Last Email * Email Confirm Email Phone * Where would you like to go? *

Universal Orlando Resorts is one of our favorite places to getaway with your significant other. Your hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, talk about their most favorite romantic property resorts. One resort we talk about will take you away to another country. If you have children who are below the height requirements for some of the more thrill rides, taking a romantic getaway is a perfect reason. We talk about rides you can really enjoy without the kids including one of Mary’s favorites, Escape from Gringott’s. Of course we have to talk about food. Melissa loves food so it natural that we discuss some great places in the resorts, parks, and at CityWalk. If you are looking to split a BIG dessert, then listen to find out which place we recommend. Thinking of taking a Romantic Universal Orlando Resorts getaway? Looking to book the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Package with all the extras? Fill out the form below for a quote from Melissa or Mary! Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *EmailConfirm EmailPhone *

Wizards and Pixie Dust podcast hosts, Mary Yohannan and Melissa Snyder, talk about their favorite romantic dining options on a Disney cruise. A Disney cruise is very family friendly. Everything available is planned with family in mind, including multi-generational families. One thing we love is that Disney knows adults also need some time to relax. Therefore, Disney provides multiple options throughout the ships to relax, unwind, and reconnect with your significant other. We had so much fun talking about two of our favorite romantic dining options on Disney cruise. Both options are European inspired cuisine. We give one big tip about when you can start to make reservations for dining you won’t want to miss! Are you thinking of taking a Disney Cruise? Contact one of our sponsored Life is Better Traveling travel agent to help you start planning today. They are experienced in both family, multi-generational family, and group travel aboard a Disney cruise. Simply fill out the form below and an agent will get with you soon. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *EmailConfirm EmailPhone *

Romantic Dining at Disney World is on everyone’s mind right now. With Valentine’s day is this weekend, we discuss a few good, romantic dining options. Join Melissa Snyder and Mary Yohannan, expert travel advisors, get into the romantic spirit of Valentine’s Day. Dena Bentz, owner of Compass Destinations, has helped many clients enjoy romantic getaways to Disney. Because she has planned so many romantic Disney getaways, she joins us to discuss some of her favorite, as well as, some of her client’s favorite romantic dining venues. In addition, Dena gives some tricks of overcoming your buffet anxieties. After all, when in Disney you must try everything! She also gives some tips how a travel agent is a good resource for helping pick restaurants based on a persons dietary likes or dislikes. Make sure to check out and follow Dena’s social media pages on Facebook at Compass Destinations Travel Agency and Instagram at Compass Destinations. Thinking of taking that Romantic Getaway? Contact Dena today…CLICK HERE

Romantic Dining in Epcot. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. We pick our favorite romantic dining places in Epcot. It may surprise you that Melissa and I don’t have the same go-to romantic restaurant. Of course we have to talk about our favorite romantic dining options over at Universal Orlando. Mythos always makes a great choice but make sure to listen to hear about our other favorites places for a romantic dinner. We also give a few Disney and Universal Updates. If you are thinking of planning of Disney or Universal Orlando vacation, make sure to contact one of our Award-Winning Life is Better Traveling travel agents. Simply fill out the form below and an agent will get back with you shortly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *EmailConfirm EmailPhone *Where would you like to go? *

New Disney Jungle Cruise? Disney is adding new components to the Jungle Cruise. The iconic water ride has been around for years, Walt Disney years. Originally Walt Disney wanted to use real animals. However, real animals are unpredictable so that idea was scrapped. After many years, both Jungle Cruises at Walt Disney World and Disneyland are getting spruced up. A favorite watering hold, Pecos Bill will also be getting some type of refurbishment. Disney submitted for permit this week looking to do some “General” updates. Lighting, floors, paint? We can’t wait to see. Good-bye to another favorite kids activity at the Magic Kingdom, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. This interactive card that had both kids and adults throwing cards to defeat villainous characters has been permanently put away. We are hoping that you can still purchase the cards on Main Street. However, over in Animal Kingdom they are bringing back the Lion King show! Nintendo World in Japan will have a Super Mario Brother Cart type of ride. We hear it is super interactive. Velocicoaster at Universal Orlando officially had human riders this week. We are hoping this means that they will open the ride before the projected summer date. Need help planning a Disney or Universal Orlando vacation? Contact one of our Award-Winning travel agents with Life is Better Traveling to help you start planning today.

No annual passes anymore for Disney! Last week Disneyland came out saying that they would not be continuing their annual pass program. They were going to refund those who currently have annual passes. This week we have heard rumors that Walt Disney World will not be selling any new annual passes. They would allow current pass holders to keep this perk, but we aren’t sure for how long. Disney Springs is opening some new sweet treat places. Gideon’s Bakehouse had it’s grand opening last week. The virtual queue wait was up to 8 hours, but we heard there were some unique cookies just for this special day. It also looks like a donut shop and marshmallow kiosk will be the newest sweet treat places. Homemade marshmallows, yummy! We also talk about few new restaurants opening at both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Even though we are still confused why there isn’t a pizza planet in Toy Story Land, we have heard there will be a Rodeo Round Up BBQ. It looks like you should be able to eat in outer space soon. The new restaurant near Mission Space should be opening earlier this year. Finally, France pavilion is getting a quick service restaurant. Hear what they may have. Universal Orlando is getting ready to have their Mardi Gras. This is an amazing six weeks of festivals, floats, food, and fun! We are excited to see that they will be representing may different countries including Tobago, Germany, and Bahamas. Of course there will be Beignets, Jambalaya, and other iconic New Orleans cuisine. Universal is really making sure to get the most out of their Tribute Store and are having a Mardi Gras Tribute store. This is a great time of year to head down to Universal Orlando and Disney. You can take in the Mardi Gras Festival at Universal and enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival over at Disney. Think you might want to go down for a visit? Make sure to contact one of our award-winning travel agents at Life is Better Traveling. Agent Help Please

Magical Express is the latest thing to be cut by Disney. Starting January 1, 2022, the Magical Express will no longer be available for service to take clients from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. Clients also lose the privilege of having their luggage delivered directly to their resort. The new question will be, how will clients get to and from the airport during their Walt Disney World vacation. The new train system, Uber, taxi, or a new shuttle service? I guess we will have to wait and see. Disney has also decided to no longer have Extra Magic Hours (EMH) in the evening and is limiting the Extra Magic Hours in the morning. It appears that resort guests will be able to get into the parks in the morning during EMH just 30 minutes before the other guests. Another perk of a Walt Disney Vacation that has vanished. The 5th anniversary Festival of the Arts is going on right now at Epcot. There are so many amazing foods around the world that are new to the Festival including Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie, a favorite. Of course we are so over-the-moon that Figment is again the mascot of this festival. The kids can enjoy a fun scavenger hunt throughout the World Showcase. Kids look for Figment hiding inside famous works of art at each pavilion. Once they complete the journey, they can return the map to the park’s Disney Traders for an artful surprise Yeah, we talk about 20 fun things to do at Universal Orlando Resorts. Even I, who loves Universal, had a few things on the list that surprised me. Rum tastings, secret waterfalls, a Who Can of food, are just a few of the things that we mentioned, and oh yeah, seeing the Men in Black office. Thinking of taking a Disney Vacation or Universal Orlando Resort vacation? Contact one of our award-winning travel consultants to help you start planning today.

As you know, we love to talk about food. It wouldn’t be a podcast if we didn’t get into the new foods coming to the Magic Kingdom. We love that there is finally meat on a stick! Corn Dogs with chips is a great idea. This is an easy to eat food, and very kid friendly. We also loved they are bringing in quick breakfast options including Cheshire Cat Tails and Donut holes. We haven’t been to Gideon’s Bakehouse personally, and we are a bit sad to hear that they have temporarily closed their doors at Disney Springs. However, it does look like they will be re-opening their doors at a later date for those scrumptious treats. We will keep you updated on the re-opening date. There are so many new promotions that came out this year too. Free tickets, up to 30% off room rates, and Memory Maker long time use. The Life is Better Traveling team has been very busy helping our clients get the most value for their vacation while saving them hundreds of dollars with these promotions. If you are thinking of taking a Disney Vacation, let us help you with a quote!

I was amazed by the amount of so many new things that came to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. We start off talking about the new re-vamping of Snow White’s Scary Adventures. This ride has been very dark, and many people have complained that it abruptly ends. Hopefully with these revamps, the new ride will be more jolly with a happy ending, especially with the new name Snow White’s Enchanted Wish! One of the other many new things that came to Walt Disney World, we all just love the new fountain at Epcot. However, we are curious to see just how large this fountain really is. We don’t think that the pictures do this fountain justice. We also want to know what happened to all those walls? We love that Disney is talking about their latest ship, the Wish. New itineraries, new places, and new amenities. Finally, we finish talking about Disney’s latest promotion. FREE tickets is amazing deal so if you are thinking about taking a Walt Disney World vacation make sure to contact one of our Life is Better Traveling travel agents.

A recent trip to WDW was exactly what we needed to hear from one of our amazing clients Mrs. D. We love Mrs. D because she is so transparent with us about what is really going on at the parks. Mrs. D goes to WDW at least 3 times a year so is a great resource for us and you! She opens up about exactly why the lines look so long for the rides but really aren't. Talking about ride lines winding out and around the ride was eye-opening. Everything that we have seen on various forums says "the magic" is gone but Mrs. D puts the squash on this. She talks about some of the differences she sees including characters, dining, and transportation. Even with these differences, she encourages everyone that "the Magic" is still there and how to best enjoy it. Lastly, we talk about the new Rise of the Resistance new times to be able to get your group number. With the park hopping coming back January 1, 2021, you will need to have your park reservation at Hollywood Studios in order to get a group for Rise of the Resistance. If you have a reservation at Magic Kingdom and park hop to Hollywood Studios, you would not be allowed to get a group number. We talk all about this and more in the podcast. Thinking of taking a WDW vacation? We are even planning last minute vacations right now! Contact one of our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners today for a quote.

Let's talk Holiday Merchandise! We are so excited that Universal Orlando has decided to turn their Tribute Store into a Holiday Christmas Store. We talk about several rooms including a Dr. Seuss room and Harry Potter themed room. Before leaving the Tribute Store, you can grab a quick bite at Earl's. Some of our other favorite items at Universal Orlando include their throw-back merchandise. My favorite was the throw-back poster with all the original rides and Universal Studios. There is also some new Secret Life of Pets merchandise all about Chloe and Gidget, Melissa's favorite. Feel free to shop at Universal's Store. Of course, Disney had some great holiday merchandise too. One of our favorite must have items for 2020 was a Disney cooking book. There were great ideas on making food fun for little ones. This may help them to eat anything! Another favorite of ours is the Aladdin Wishables. With every purchase, 100% of the total cost of the product goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Thinking of planning a last minute Disney or Universal Orlando Vacation? Contact one of our Authorized Vacation Planners to help you get started today!

The holidays at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are Magical. Come on a food journey with us as we talk about all the fun Christmas Foods. We start talking about all the Christmas foods available throughout the various parks. We were surprised to learn that many of the Christmas foods at the Magic Kingdom were actually at new food stands. Of course, there are many amazing treats including a sugar cookie taco. Our favorite park for holiday joy and treats is Hollywood Studios. We were so excited that there as a red velvet whoopie pie available. Finishing off with the Animal Kingdom and Epcot, we were over the moon for a brownie treat. We love brownies so this was our favorite. Since Epcot has their Taste of Epcot going on right now we talked about all the different foods available during this limited time. Treats from all nations are available including various beers and wines from their respective countries. Lastly we head over to Universal Orlando Resorts and check out their Holiday Treat Trail. There are only a few items on the trail so it is very easy to get a stamp for all these during your visit. Our favorite part of the treat trail is the FREE treat for completing this trail. Thinking of planning a WDW or UOR vacation? Make sure to contact one of our Authorized Travel Professionals to ensure your vacation is Magical. After all, Life is Better Traveling.

New Train and Deals, Oh my! In this podcast we talk about the new train that Brightline is going to put in from Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs. This train will allow guests to enjoy a quick way to get from the airport to WDW. After they enjoy their time at WDW they can then enjoy some time in South Florida by taking the train to either West Palm Beach or Miami. We have been reading a lot more about people not wearing their masks at WDW. We talk about what happens to people when they aren't wearing masks. If you don't wear your mask on a ride, you can expect to get called out over the PA system. Worse, people have a blurred ride picture on their Memory Maker. Park hopping is coming back starting January 1, 2021. You can add this feature onto your tickets when taking your 2021 Disney vacation. Right now it appears that you only need to make one park reservation for the park you initially planning on attending. After 2pm until closing you can park hop away! New Train and DEALS, Oh my! Universal Orlando Resorts is having an amazing Black Friday deal! Grab a package of up to 40% off a 4 night stay with a 4 day park pass. Packages are limited so let us soon if you want us to try to get you one! Thinking of planning a Disney or UOR vacation? Make sure to contact one of our Authorized Travel Professionals at Life is Better Traveling. https://lifeisbettertraveling.com/bookuniversalorlando/

We talk about what Disney is saying at the IAAPA conference this week. They discuss moving forward with various construction projects, and new AI-virtual experiences. Construction on things such as the Star Wars: Galactic StarCruiser hotel, Zootopia at Disneyland Shanghai, Marvel Campus at Disneyland California, and a new Fantasy Island at the Tokyo DisneySea. We get into more detail about the new Star Wars: Galactic StarCruiser hotel. It was originally thought to be a hotel that one could stay for the length of their vacation. However, it seems that now families are only allowed to stay for 2-nights. Disney wants you to be immersed into this experience. There are multiple areas to visit including the Silver C lounge, the Engineering room, and enjoying the experience of wielding a lightsaber. Lastly, we talk about all the amazing Christmas stuff going on at Universal Orlando Resort. Christmas tree treasure hunts, hot cocoa with the Grinch, and getting up close the Macy day balloons and floats are a just a few things we discuss. Thinking of booking a Disney vacation or Universal Vacation? Make sure to contact one of our Authorized Disney Travel Professionals or our Universal Preferred Travel professionals to help you plan.