All Things Travel Podcast

The Disney Arrival Day Survival Guide (And How to Leave Without the Tears)

Walt Disney World Arrival & Departure Day Tips | All Things TravelArriving and leaving Walt Disney World can be the most stressful parts of your vacation — but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, travel advisors Ryan and Julie of Wonder and Beyond Travel break down exactly how to plan your Disney arrival and departure days so you can skip the chaos and soak up the magic.In this episode, you'll learn:Why booking a flight before noon (ideally 8–9 AM) sets your whole trip up for successThe truth about TSA PreCheck — when it's essential vs. when it's overkill (hint: Orlando International is a different beast)Orlando airport navigation tips, including the terminal monorail transferHow to choose between private transfers, Minnie Van, Mears Connect, Uber/Lyft — and the car seat rule parents can't afford to missThe mobile order hack that means your first meal is ready the moment you arrive at your resortHow to use Bell Services, resort check-in, and Magic Band setup to reduce frictionWhether to use Disney's free waterpark perk — and the split-stay trick that maximizes itHow dining plan credits work on arrival day (spoiler: they start immediately)Why departure day calls for an afternoon flight, a character breakfast, and possibly a final pool sessionShould you go to a park on arrival or departure day? The honest answer — and the specific situations when it actually worksPlus, Julie shares an unforgettable group booking at Beaches Turks & Caicos for a multigenerational family of 17, including butler service, private-pool townhouses, and why this trip is already a dream in the making.Wonder and Beyond Travel specializes in Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, cruises, all-inclusive, and international travel. Connect with Ryan and Julie at wonderandbeyondtravel.com.Support the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/newReady to plan your vacation?  Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!Please share the show with your travel buddies!!  Click this link and share the show!Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

Dream Trips to the British Isles: Hiking the Cliffs of Ireland to the Streets of London

Dreaming of a trip to the British Isles? In this episode of All Things Travel, travel advisors Ryan and Julie of Wonder and Beyond Travel break down four distinct ways to experience Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and London — with expert insight on their favorite travel partner, CIE Tours.What's covered in this episode:🥾 Walking & Hiking Tours (Small Group, Max 16) Perfect for the active explorer, CIE's small-group hiking tours cover wild coastlines, hidden gems, and iconic landscapes. Ryan walks through the Ireland Northern Coast itinerary — a 9-day journey from Dublin through Donegal, Derry City, the Giant's Causeway, and back. Expect 2–6 miles of scenic walking per day at a comfortable pace, with expert guides and quality accommodations throughout.🏰 Guided Group Tours (Max 45 people) Julie highlights the Scottish Dream — an 8-day, 7-night tour from Glasgow to Edinburgh including 13 meals, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Glamis Castle (Shakespeare's Macbeth setting), a Loch Lomond cruise, Isle of Skye, a Scottish sheepdog demonstration, a distillery tasting, and the Culloden Battlefield. All logistics, transfers, and entrance fees are included.🚗 Private Driver Trips (Fully Customized) Want total flexibility? Ryan shares his clients' experience with CIE's private driver option, spotlighting the 10-Night Southern Ireland Foodie Trip — complete with the Dublin Tasting Trail, an Irish Whiskey Museum visit, a belly-knocking cooking class in Kilkenny, the Midleton Distillery, a Kinsale food tour, an oyster farm visit, and a Galway food tour. Your driver adapts the itinerary on the fly.🏙️ The Day Tripper (Base Yourself in One City) Skip the constant packing and unpacking! The London Day Tripper is a 6-day, 5-night itinerary using London as your home base. Day trips include Oxford University, Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, and Windsor Castle — all with meals and logistics handled.Also in this episode: Julie shares a client spotlight — couples celebrating a 40th anniversary on a 6-night Eastern Caribbean Princess Cruise sailing from Port Canaveral.Ready to plan your British Isles adventure? Visit WonderandBeyondTravel.com to start dreaming bigger with Ryan and Julie.Next week: Arrival Day & Departure tips for Walt Disney World!Support the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/newReady to plan your vacation?  Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!Please share the show with your travel buddies!!  Click this link and share the show!Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

River Cruising in North America: Mississippi, Columbia, Hudson & Alaska with American Cruise Lines

River Cruising in the United States: American Cruise Lines Destinations & ItinerariesThink river cruising is only for Europe? Think again. In this episode of All Things Travel, travel advisors Ryan and Julie — co-owners of Wonder and Beyond Travel — dive deep into river cruising right here in the United States, spotlighting American Cruise Lines and what makes them a standout option for domestic travelers.What makes American Cruise Lines different?Ships built in the USA (Salisbury, Maryland)Staterooms nearly the size of hotel rooms — all with private balconiesTruly all-inclusive: food, drinks, onboard enrichment & most excursionsVessels range from classic Mississippi paddleboats to modern catamaransShips carry fewer than 200 guests for a boutique experienceFlights and pre-cruise hotel often includedItineraries covered in this episode:🎵 Mississippi Explorer — 12-day cruise between New Orleans, LA and Memphis, TN, stopping at Oak Alley, Natchez, Vicksburg, and more. Music-themed sailings available.🌲 Columbia & Snake Rivers — 9-day cruise from Portland, OR to Clarkston, WA following the Lewis & Clark Trail through stunning Pacific Northwest landscapes and wine country.🍂 Hudson River Fall Foliage — 9-day cruise from New York City to Albany, NY, with stops at Sleepy Hollow, West Point, Hyde Park, and the Catskills.🐋 Alaska Explorer — 19-day journey from Fairbanks to Juneau covering Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, Sitka, and the Inside Passage — no Canadian port stop required.Best for: Travelers with 10–14+ days, history lovers, nature enthusiasts, grandparent-grandchild trips, and anyone who wants to cruise without a passport.🌐 Ready to book? Visit wonderandbeyondtravel.comNext episode: Exploring the British IslesSupport the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/newReady to plan your vacation?  Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!Please share the show with your travel buddies!!  Click this link and share the show!Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

Disney World at Night: Parades, Fireworks, Dessert Parties & After Hours Events Explained

Disney World offers an overwhelming number of nighttime shows, events, and experiences — and knowing which ones are worth your time (and money) can make or break your trip. In this episode, travel advisors Ryan and Julie of Wonder and Beyond Travel break down every major evening option at Walt Disney World, from free park-included entertainment to premium paid add-ons.What's included with park admission:Magic Kingdom – Disney Starlight Dream the Night Away Parade (new in 2025) + Happily Ever After fireworks & castle projection showEPCOT – Luminous, the nighttime spectacular over World Showcase Lagoon + Spaceship Earth projectionsHollywood Studios – Fantasmic!, the 30-minute lagoon show featuring Sorcerer MickeyAnimal Kingdom – Tree of Life Awakenings (every 10 minutes after dark) + Avatar bioluminescent landExtended Evening Hours – Low-crowd late-night park access exclusively for Deluxe resort guests (plus Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve & Shades of Green).Paid upgrades & add-ons:Magic Kingdom & EPCOT Dessert Parties – reserved viewing with treats, drinks & premium spots (~$100/adult at MK)Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package at EPCOTGeo 82 Champagne Experience (21+) near Spaceship Earth for LuminousDisney After Hours Events – separately ticketed 3-hour park access with near-empty rides at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios & EPCOTDisney's H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon (returning June–September)Fireworks Cruises – private watercraft charter for Happily Ever After or Luminous (great for groups of 10)Celebration at the Top at California Grill in the Contemporary Resort (21+, private observation deck)Pro tips covered: best viewing spots on Main Street, when to arrive for the parade vs. fireworks, how to beat post-show crowds, booking windows (most add-ons open 60 days out at midnight), and how to build nighttime events into your touring plan without exhausting your family.Hosted by Ryan & Julie, co-owners of Wonder and Beyond Travel.🔗 Ready to plan your Disney trip? Visit WonderAndBeyondTravel.comNext week: U.S. destinations for river cruise experiences.Support the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/newReady to plan your vacation?  Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!Please share the show with your travel buddies!!  Click this link and share the show!Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

Europe for Every Traveler: First-Timers, Families, Foodies & Adventure Seekers

Planning a trip to Europe but not sure where to start? In this episode of All Things Travel, travel advisors Ryan and Julie from Wonder and Beyond Travel break down the best European destinations — not by popularity, but by YOUR travel style.🏛️ Best for First-Timers: Rome, Italy Rome tops the list for first-time Europe visitors. Iconic landmarks, walkable streets, familiar food (pasta, pizza, bread), and nonstop flights from the US East Coast (8–9 hrs) and Midwest (9–10 hrs) make it an ideal starting point. Must-dos: Guided Colosseum & Roman Forum tour, Vatican Museums (early entry only!), Trevi Fountain, and an evening food tour.👨‍👩‍👧 Best for Families: London, England London is "Europe with training wheels" — minimal language barrier, world-class public transit (the Tube), and endless family-friendly attractions. Fly nonstop from the East Coast in ~7 hours into Heathrow. Top picks: Tower of London, Changing of the Guard, Natural History Museum, Thames River Cruise, and the Harry Potter Studio Tour. 🏔️ Best for Adventure & Scenery: The Swiss Alps Switzerland delivers the cinematic, bucket-list version of Europe. Fly into Zurich or Geneva and navigate seamlessly via the Swiss rail system — no rental car needed. Base yourself in Zermatt (Matterhorn views), Interlaken (adventure parks, paragliding), or Lucerne (lakeside charm). Activities include train rides to the top of Europe, hiking, skiing, and snow tubing.🍷 Best for Food & Wine Lovers: Provence, France For a slow, sensory-rich escape, Provence is the answer. Think lavender fields, rosé vineyards, olive oil farms, and countryside village markets. Fly into Paris (7–8 hrs nonstop), then take the high-speed train to Avignon. Don't miss a cooking class, vineyard tasting, and a sunset rosé overlooking the hills.🚢 Best for Effortless Multi-Country Exploration: Danube River Cruise Want to see five countries in seven days without repacking your bags? A Danube River Cruise is the answer. Top cruise lines include AmaWaterways (culinary focus), Viking (destination programming, great for first-timers), and Scenic (ultra-luxury, highly inclusive). Highlights include the Hungarian Parliament, wine tasting in Austria's Wachau Valley, and the thermal baths of Budapest.🏌️ Honorable Mentions: London + Scotland for sports lovers (Wimbledon & golf), and Greece for honeymooners or a relaxed Athens-Mykonos-Santorini itinerary.Ready to plan your European adventure? Visit WonderAndBeyondTravel.com to connect with Ryan and Julie.All Things Travel is your go-to podcast for expert vacation planning, travel tips, and destination inspiration.Support the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/newReady to plan your vacation?  Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!Please share the show with your travel buddies!!  Click this link and share the show!Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!