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
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
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...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
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 ...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
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 ...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
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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Let’s talk about the Disney World planning advice that’s actually making your life harder.
You know the stuff: matching t-shirts for every day of the trip, waking up at the crack of dawn to rope drop, and spending hours figuring out are the Disney dining plans worth it…all in the name of “doing it right.”
But what if... that’s not what feels right to you?
In this episode, I’m breaki...
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Ever find yourself stress-scrolling through every article on Disney World stroller rules while also wondering if your six-year-old will miraculously walk eight miles a day in 90-degree heat? (Spoiler: they won’t.)
In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I’ve learned from years of navigating strollers in Disney World (with babies, toddlers, big kids… and yes, even one exhausted mom who...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
Spring is here, and that means it’s time for my monthly R.E.P.O.R.T. – a roundup of everything I’m currently reading, eating, playing, obsessing over, recommending treating… and also spiraling about.
This month, I’m talking DVC reservations (aka my current obsession), why family Spring activities like bike rides are hitting differently this year, and the surprising Disney+ pick my...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
Alright, let’s talk about the kind of heat that makes you question every life choice you’ve ever made: Disney in the summer.
If you’re dreaming of a trip to Disney World in the summer that doesn’t end with you melting into the pavement by 11 a.m., this episode is for you.
In this episode, I’m sharing my real-life, mom-tested strategies for how to stay cool at Disney World – beyond the ba...
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If you've ever felt like your brain is in full spreadsheet-mode 24/7 when planning a Disney trip... this episode is your sign.
Today, we’re tackling what no one wants to admit: you might be overplanning your Disney trip.
And not just in the cute Pinterest-planning kind of way. I'm talking about the kind of Disney World itinerary stress that leaves you feeling mentally tapped out be...
Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!
Planning your perfect Disney World trip only to spend half of it staring at your phone screen? Been there.
But if your goal this year is a Disney World trip that feels more magical and less like a never-ending scroll session, this episode is for you. I’m walking you through seven totally doable ways to stay off your phone during your next Disney World trip—without sacrificing the ma...
Get all the links mentioned in this episode in the full show notes HERE!
Let’s be real—planning a family trip to Disney World can feel like a ton of bricks when you’re trying to manage all the personalities, interests, and dynamics in a family.
In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really goes down when you’re managing expectations—from toddlers to in-laws—on a family trip to Disney World. Whether you're navigating...
Get all the links mentioned in this episode in the full show notes HERE!
Thinking of ditching your Disney itinerary for something a little more…barefoot?
In this episode, we’re trading Lightning Lane stress for pink sand and seashells in Eleuthera, Bahamas—aka the dreamy, no-schedule-needed spot that’s become my family’s not-so-secret escape.
This island has become one of our most treasured places outside of Disney World, and I ...
Ever feel like you need a PhD to figure out dining in Disney World?
Between navigating character dining in Disney World, the chaos of quick service, trying to answer “is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?”, and debating whether that mousse shaped like corn is actually good (spoiler: it is), it can feel like a full-time job.
Luckily, I’ve taken that job on for you. You're welcome.
In this episode, I’m answering your burning q...
Today, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of diving deep into Disney World planning, I’m bringing you something new: my first-ever R.E.P.O.R.T. episode.
Think of it as a peek inside my brain, but with actual recommendations—things I’m reading, eating, playing, obsessing over, recommending, and treating myself to this month.
If you’ve ever found yourself endlessly scrolling for the best books for women to add...
Packing for Disney World with a baby feels a little like preparing for a mini expedition—except instead of climbing Everest, you're navigating nap schedules, figuring out the Disney World stroller situation, and figuring out what rides can babies ride at Disney World without a meltdown (yours or theirs).
But here’s the thing—it can be magical and manageable.
As a mom of three, I’ve done Disney World with a baby at every stage. ...
If you’re deep into Disney World planning, your search history probably looks something like this: “where to stay at Disney World”, “best Disney resort for toddlers”, “Disney Boardwalk restaurants”, and “how to survive Disney transportation without losing my mind”.
Sound familiar? If so, you’re in the right place.
Choosing the right resort is a big deal—especially when you’ve got kids, a stroller, and an overflowing park bag to...
Let’s be real—if you're planning on spring break in Disney World, you need a strategy.
Picture Disney World crowds, then multiply it by ten. That’s what you’re walking into. But don’t panic!
In this episode, I’m breaking down how to survive and actually enjoy even the busiest days at Disney World (without waiting in 90-minute lines back-to-back). Whether you're spending spring break in Disney World, or any other days duri...
Ever feel like Disney World planning is an extreme sport that no one prepared you for?
If you’ve ever second-guessed your Disney World dining reservations, underestimated Disney transportation, or thought “Eh, I’ll figure it out when I get there”—I’ve got news for you. That’s how you end up stressed, exhausted, and eating overpriced popcorn for dinner.
In this episode, I’m breaking down common Disney World planning mistakes tha...
Ever wondered how someone goes from filming weddings to talking about planning trips to Disney World for a living? Yeah, me too.
Because five years ago, I didn’t even know what a Disney content creator was—let alone think I’d be one.
In today’s episode, I’m rolling back the tape (yes, actual tape—shoutout to my fellow 90s kids with VHS collections) and sharing how I went from wedding videographer to full-blown Disney mom, makin...
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