Jon Self is filling in and bringing us his full review of SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival. Jon recently attended the festival and is breaking down everything you need to know before you go — from food items and drink options to what’s worth prioritizing and what you can probably skip.

Jon covers the overall vibe of the festival, how it compares, and which dishes surprised him the most. Jon also shares practical tips for navigating the event, pacing yourself, and getting the most value out of your visit — especially if you’re going in with limited time or a specific food wish list. Whether you’re a first-time Seven Seas attendee or a returning festival fan, this episode will help you plan smarter and eat better.

If you’re heading to SeaWorld soon or just love theme park food festivals, this episode is packed with honest opinions, helpful insights, and plenty of mouth-watering discussion. Consider this your go-to guide for tackling Seven Seas with confidence (and an appetite).

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We’re building our ultimate Walt Disney World meal — pulling our favorite picks from all across property to create one perfect dining experience. From the location and atmosphere to the drink, appetizer, entrée, and dessert, we’re drafting the best bites Disney has to offer right now.

We last did this episode awhile back, and let’s just say… a lot has changed. Over the years, we’ve tried new restaurants, revisited longtime favorites, watched menus evolve, and had some strong opinions shift along the way. With all that dining under our belts, it felt like the perfect time to update our picks and see what still holds up — and what’s earned a spot on the new list.

To keep things interesting, we added a few ground rules: we can’t choose the same item, we can’t pick more than once from the same location, and we can pull individual items from family-style meals. The result is a fun, conversational episode filled with debate, nostalgia, cravings, and plenty of “almost picked this” moments.

This isn’t about naming the “best” restaurant at Walt Disney World — it’s about what we actually crave, what we go back to time and time again, and what makes a meal feel memorable. If you’ve ever thought about what your perfect Disney meal would look like, this episode is guaranteed to get you hungry and spark a few ideas of your own.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
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🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

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🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re breaking down everything you need to know about using gift cards at Walt Disney World and why they might be one of the most underrated tools for planning and budgeting your vacation.

Whether you’ve received a Disney gift card as a gift, plan to purchase them ahead of your trip, or are just looking for a smarter way to manage spending in the parks, gift cards can make a huge difference. We walk through exactly where Disney gift cards are accepted — from theme parks and water parks to resorts, Disney Springs, tickets, special events, and more. We also explain how to use Disney gift cards for mobile food ordering in the My Disney Experience app, making quick-service meals and snacks even easier.

We’ll also discuss why gift cards are so popular with seasoned Disney travelers, including how they help control spending, simplify purchases, and even save money when you take advantage of discounts from places like Target or warehouse clubs. Plus, we cover how to use gift cards to pay off resort room charges, manage multiple cards by combining balances, and avoid common mistakes that can catch guests off guard.

We even touch on using gift cards with kids, why they’re great for teaching budgeting, and what other types of gift cards may work around Walt Disney World. If you’re trying to stay on budget without losing the magic — or just want fewer surprises when the bill comes — this episode is packed with practical tips you can actually use.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re sharing our full review of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, one of our favorite and most creative festivals of the year. Running from January 16 through February 23, 2026, this festival blends food, visual art, and live entertainment in a way only EPCOT can — and we’re breaking down everything you need to know before you go.

We start with the basics, including when to visit, how long to plan for, and why this is one festival that truly benefits from multiple days. We also share practical tips like where to stay for easy access (hello, BoardWalk and Skyliner resorts), why weekends can be especially crowded, and how being comfortable, budgeting ahead, and sharing dishes can seriously improve your experience.

From there, we dive into the heart of the festival — the visual art and galleries, interactive elements, and live entertainment offerings. We talk about the Once Upon a Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway exhibit and the Disney on Broadway Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre, featuring show-stopping performances and Broadway talent like Adam Jacobs and Isabelle McCalla.

Of course, no Festival of the Arts review would be complete without food. We cover the food studios, festival merchandise, and the always-fun Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, including how it works, whether it’s worth doing, and tips for completing it at your own pace.

If you’re wondering whether Festival of the Arts is worth a dedicated visit — or how to tackle it the right way — this episode has you covered.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re breaking down our full VIP Tour experience and putting real numbers behind one of Disney’s most talked-about (and most expensive) offerings. We go far beyond the “it was amazing” review and dig into the math, comparing VIP Tours directly to Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, Lightning Lane Premier Pass, After Hours events, and seasonal party tickets.

You’ll hear how much we actually accomplished during our tour, how it compares to a well-planned Lightning Lane day, and when alternatives like After Hours events or party nights might make more sense. We also discuss who VIP Tours are truly designed for, who should absolutely skip them, and where the real break-even point starts to appear.

We’ll walk through current pricing, hourly costs, per-person breakdowns, and dollar-per-hour comparisons so you can see exactly what you’re paying for — and what you’re not. We also talk about what VIP Tours include that Disney doesn’t always advertise, how group size completely changes the value, and why this experience is less about luxury and more about time, flexibility, and mental freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a VIP Tour is a bucket-list splurge, a smart group strategy, or just Disney pricing gone wild — this episode gives you the honest breakdown you’ve been looking for.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re setting the table for EPCOT’s most creative festival and getting you ready for opening weekend. Before we head into the parks for our full review next week, we’re taking a step back to talk expectations, favorites, and a whole lot of food. First, we break down where EPCOT Festival of the Arts ranks for us among EPCOT’s four annual festivals and why it continues to punch above its weight despite being the shortest of the bunch.

From there, we each reveal our Top 5 returning Festival of the Arts dishes, sharing the items that have stuck with us year after year and seeing just how much overlap there is between our lists. These are the bites we still think about, still recommend, and would absolutely order again without hesitation. Then it’s time to look ahead as we each share our Top 5 new dishes we’re most excited to try this year, based purely on menus, descriptions, and presentation. No reviews yet — just hype, curiosity, and a little healthy skepticism.

We wrap things up by talking about which booths we’re heading to first, which dishes have the most pressure to live up to expectations, and teasing our full opening weekend review coming next Friday. Whether you’re attending Festival of the Arts for the first time or already planning your must-do food stops, this episode is the perfect appetizer for what’s to come.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re taking a look at how our Disney opinions have changed over time — from the way we plan and tour to how we handle crowds, dining, resorts, and even souvenirs. Some of these shifts came from experience, some from necessity, and some from simply realizing that what worked years ago doesn’t always work now.

We talk through big-picture topics like how much planning is actually too much, whether rope drop is always worth it, and how our thoughts on table-service dining and midday breaks have evolved. We also dive into crowd tolerance, how much time to spend at the resort, traveling with kids at different ages, and why Disney Springs has slowly become a bigger part of our trips.

This isn’t about saying one way is right and another is wrong — it’s about understanding that Disney trips change as you do. Whether you’re a first-timer, a seasoned visitor, traveling with kids, or just looking for a more relaxed approach, this episode is all about finding what works best for you.

If you’ve ever looked back at an old Disney habit and thought, “Why did we do it that way?” — this one’s for you.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re putting Disney’s Old Key West Resort head-to-head with Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to see which laid-back villa resort comes out on top.

Both resorts offer spacious accommodations, boat access to Disney Springs, and a slower, more relaxed pace than your typical theme park hotel—but they go about it in very different ways. Old Key West brings Florida Keys charm, oversized villas, and that “this feels like home” energy that longtime DVC fans love. Saratoga Springs counters with elegant Victorian theming, newer-feeling rooms, Treehouse Villas, and one of the best locations for easy Disney Springs access.

We break things down round by round, comparing theming and atmosphere, room size and comfort, dining options, transportation and walkability, recreation and amenities, and overall value for your vacation dollars or DVC points.

As always, we leave the final decision open during the episode so you can play along at home and decide which resort deserves the crown. Is bigger always better? Does location beat nostalgia? And which one truly delivers the best Disney resort experience?

Grab your scorecard, settle in, and let the Resort Wars begin.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.