The Laid-Back Magic® Way: A Disney World Planning Podcast
Planning a Disney vacation shouldn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or questioning if you’re “doing it right.” You want a trip your family will remember for years—but between endless online advice and all the moving parts, it’s easy to feel buried in details and unsure where to start. Here’s the good news: It’s not your fault. The problem isn’t you—the rigid, one-size-fits-all strategies forget every family is different. That’s where I come in. I’m Dana Stanley, creator of Laid-Back Magic® and a mom of three who knows exactly what it’s like to balance magical family dreams with real-life challenges. After over 16 years of planning Disney trips, I’ve learned that success isn’t about chasing perfection or treating your vacation like a To Do list—it’s about finding what works for your family and leaving room for the magic. On this podcast, I share simple, actionable tips, mindset shifts, and expert insights to help you plan Disney trips that feel even better than they look on paper. You’ll also hear real-life trip recaps, honest reviews, and guest perspectives to inspire your next vacation. I know how important this trip is to you, and I’ve been there—balancing nap times, budgets, and the pressure to make everything perfect. But I promise you: Disney World can be manageable, magical, and most importantly, laid-back. Subscribe now and join me every Monday as we plan your next favorite family memories together, the Laid-Back Magic® way. Your dream vacation is closer than you think—let’s make it happen! Let's connect! Somewhere Worthwhile Website → https://somewhereworthwhile.com/home Instagram → https://somewhereworthwhile.com/instagram Join the Laid-Back Magic® community → https://somewhereworthwhile.com/laidbackmagic Shop the guides → https://somewhereworthwhile.com/guides Read the blog → https://somewhereworthwhile.com/blogpage
Episodes
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If you’ve ever wondered how to plan a Disney vacation that feels calm instead of chaotic, this one’s for you.
In this episode, I’m sharing what real moms inside the Laid Back Magic® community know about creating a Disney family vacation that actually works in real life. What started ...
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If you’ve ever said, “We’ll go to Disney someday,” this is your sign that someday is now. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to plan a trip to Disney World for first-timers - from timing and resorts to common first-timer mistakes.
Here’s what we’re covering:
- When to start planning your first time to Disney World so you’re not stuck with leftover rooms or peak crowds.
- My fa...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
What actually happens when your dream trip collides with a storm? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to be in Disney during hurricane season - the good, the stressful, and everything about Disney World and hurricanes I wish I knew ahead of time.
Here’s what I cover:
- The reality of being stuck in a resort during Walt Disney World hurricane closures (hint: ...
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It’s time for September’s Monthly R.E.P.O.R.T. - my roundup of what I’m Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsessing, Recommending, and Treating.
This month? Think tacos, Dreamlight Valley, and some hard-earned hormone balance tips. Oh, and plenty of meal planning ideas for moms who are tired of 5 p.m. panic.
Here’s what I’m diving into this month:
- The weekly meal plan ideas that actuall...
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If morning Disney feels more like chaos than magic, this one’s for you. I’m sharing the real-life routine that make will make your morning at Disney manageable - even with three kids in tow. From stroller prep to quick wins before coffee, these are the little shifts that keep the day on track.
Because let’s be honest - surviving Disney World with toddlers isn’t about doing it all, it’s ...
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If you’re already stressing about Disney World dining, let me hand you a life raft: water views.
In this episode, I’m sharing 11 of my favorite spots where you can slow down, sip something, and remind yourself this trip is supposed to be fun. This list of Disney World restaurants is part survival strategy, part secret weapon for your sanity.
I’ll give you the scoop on which locatio...
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If the words “fun” and “relaxing” don’t describe your last Disney trip, this episode is your rescue plan.
I’m breaking down what most families get wrong when planning a Disney trip - and how a few simple shifts in Disney World planning (hi, transportation and dining, I’m looking at you) can make your Disney trip feel human again. If you’re ready to actually plan your Disney vacati...
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Planning a day at Hollywood Studios can feel like a high-stakes strategy game - with sunscreen and strollers. From deciding if the Fantasmic show is worth the hassle, to debating drinks at Oga’s Cantina, to making the most of park hopping at Disney World, this episode is your cheat sheet to all things Disney Hollywood Studios.
I’m answering real listener questions about what to do (and ...
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Planning Disney World character dining for your next trip, but feel personally victimized by the overwhelming number of options? I’ve got you.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the full Disney World character dining list - every single restaurant that includes characters, with real reviews, honest ratings, and tips to help you avoid the overpriced, underwhelming, or just plain chaotic ...
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Let’s talk tech - aka the actually useful apps on your phone that keep your Disney trip feeling magical (instead of like a meltdown waiting to happen).
In today’s episode, I’m diving into the must-have Disney World apps and other tech that help me avoid meltdowns (mine and my toddler’s), minimize the chaos, and yes - even enjoy my trip.
This isn’t your typical “download the My Disn...
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So, I may have thrown my entire list of personal Disney World rules out the window on our latest trip - and honestly? The results were surprising.
In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I completely veered off course with my usual Disney World planning approach. I’m walking you through the real-life results of what happens when planning your Disney World trip doesn’t go accordi...
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So, is the Disney Skyliner the dreamy, breeze-through-the-sky transportation Disney moms pin to their trip boards… or is it an actual anxiety-inducing gondola of doom? (Spoiler: For me, it was both.)
In this live-from-the-trip episode, I’m giving you my unfiltered, real-time reaction to riding the Disney Skyliner while staying at the Disney World Riviera Resort. If you’ve been eyeing th...
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LIVE FROM DISNEY! I'm recording this episode on location during our family trip to Disney World Riviera Resort, which means: real-time thoughts and zero filter.
Is the Disney Riviera Resort actually worth the hype - or the price tag? That’s what I’m unpacking (literally) in this honest, mildly unhinged Disney Riviera Resort review from inside our recent stay. I’m breaking down exactly w...
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If you’ve ever tried to plan a trip to Disney World while wiping yogurt off the wall and answering emails with one hand - same, friend.
In this episode, I’m five days out from our next Disney trip and walking you through what I’m reading, sipping, spiraling about, and loving lately…all with a very laid-back, minimalist Disney mindset.
From tweaking my mom morning routine to jugglin...
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Planning for your first time to Disney World and already feeling the pressure to “do it all”?
Deep breath, friend - I’m here to help you not lose your mind before you even get to Main Street.
In this episode, I’m sharing everything I wouldn’t do on a first Disney trip, and what I absolutely would - because your first time to Disney World shouldn’t feel like a stressful marathon of ...
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If you’re starting to pack for Disney World and staring blankly at your suitcase thinking, “Wait, where’s the actual list of things moms need?” - this episode is your new BFF.
Today, I’m sharing exactly what to pack for Disney World - not the Pinterest-perfect, curated-for-flat-lays kind of Disney packing list. I’m talking about the real-life, mom-of-three, survived-blisters-and-slushie...
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If the phrase “I need a vacation from my vacation” describes how you felt after your last Disney trip, this episode was made for you.
I’m sharing the real-life, real-mom moves I’m making to make our next Disney trip feel actually chill. We're talking Disney trip essentials that actually matter, a Disney trip itinerary that won’t make you cry in Tomorrowland, and a deep dive into what’s ...
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You asked, I answered.
In this episode, I’m tackling real Disney World questions from moms who are deep in the planning (and second-guessing) phase of their next Disney trip.
We’re talking about everything from margaritas to meltdown-prevention and which bag for Disney World actually holds up under pressure.
Whether you’re booking your first Disney trip or you’ve been through ...
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Ever book a last minute Disney trip and immediately think, “Wait, what did I just do?” Yep - same. That was me this week.
We hit confirm on a resort we’ve never stayed at, with less than 30 days until takeoff... and I’m not panicking (yet).
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I’m prepping for this last minute Disney trip - from what I’m skipping altog...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
If you’ve been on the hunt for the best Disney World restaurants for kids that aren’t booked out 60 days in advance (because who has time for that?), this episode is for you.
This episode is all about those hidden gems in Disney World - the ones that surprised me, delivered better-than-expected food, and didn’t come with sky-high stress levels for making those Disney World dining reserv...
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