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We celebrate the Wine and Dine Half-Marathon with real talk on costumes, pace, and pre-dawn buses, then pivot to Disney’s holiday season to weigh Very Merry Christmas Party against Jollywood Nights. Costs, crowds, transport, and value drive the choices we make and the plans we recommend.

• Wine and Dine Half overview, course vibe, costumes
• How pace groups and balloon ladies really work
• Registration timing, sellouts, and charity bib options
• Resort picks and race-day transportation realities
• Price pressure at Disney and why overseas parks tempt
• Magic Kingdom’s fast flip to Christmas decor
• Very Merry features, exclusive snacks, and kid stamina
• Jollywood Nights for adults, short waits, cocktails, live shows

We’ll do a post on Instagram and ask everyone to give us their best Jollywood Nights. If you think we should go, maybe we do a poll: Should we go to Jollywood?

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Ever wondered how to group travel to Disney and still have fun? We break down the real-world playbook from a weekend with a large group- 9 adults twelve kids, and zero meltdowns we couldn’t fix with snacks, shade, and smart timing.

We start with park news—our take on Soarin’ Across America and what we hope Disney highlights for the 250th anniversary—then jump into Banana Ball’s 2026 stop at ESPN Wide World of Sports and how to tackle the ticket lottery. The core of the episode is our group strategy: morning anchors at Magic Kingdom (PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, and a Tron Lightning Lane), a smart lunch staging spot near Cheshire Café and Cosmic Ray’s, and a split model that lets big kids chase thrills while littles stack short wins.

Logistics can make or break a trip, so we get specific about transportation and timing. If you’re exiting Epcot’s back gate, be ready for Skyliner crunch and plan alternatives—front bus loop, your own car, or rideshare. We also share why party nights can mean lighter Magic Kingdom mornings, how to pick meetups that actually work, and the stroller truth no one wants to hear: bring one, even for bigger kids, to carry water, snacks, and tired legs.

If you’re the planner in your circle or joining friends who know Disney well, you’ll leave with a clear template for expectations, safety, meals, and rides that keeps the magic high and the stress low. Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your Disney crew, and leave a review telling us your best group-trip tip.

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We're so back. Thanks for listening to our first episode back with a new name, Parkside Breaks. For our first episode we introduce our guest, Emily Dostie from Glass Slipper Concierge. We follow along with her as she reviews her trip to Disneyland. We break down why the West Coast parks feel calmer, kinder, and more walkable—and how that shift turns a packed itinerary into a truly luxurious experience. Think: direct hotel-to-park access at the Grand Californian, characters actually roaming, lighter Lightning Lane pressure, and mornings that don’t start in a sprint.

We compare the energy of Disney California Adventure to Hollywood Studios, gush over the length and thrill of the Incredicoaster, and get honest about Guardians of the Galaxy vs Tower of Terror. Cars Land glows like a memory you get to step into, and seasonal overlays—like Haunted Mansion’s Nightmare Before Christmas—show how Disneyland layers charm without adding chaos. Oogie Boogie Bash wins points for balance: sold-out party, but breezy lines, organic character moments, and candy trails that keep things moving.

Pulling back, we map smarter ways to travel across the Disney universe. VIP Tours that prioritize presence, Disney Cruise Line’s expanding ports for easier access beyond Florida, and curated Adventures by Disney that erase planning friction across Europe, Africa, and the American West. For the explorers at heart, National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions offer small-ship journeys to the Galápagos, Antarctica, and Iceland, guided by conservation and storytelling. Our takeaway is simple: luxury at Disney isn’t just a price point—it’s less stress and more time together.

If you loved this, tap follow, share it with a Disney friend, and leave a quick review. Tell us: what’s your one guaranteed ride and one guaranteed treat on your perfect Disney day?

Thank you for listening to this week's episode! Please follow us on instagram @parksidebreaks and leave us a rating and review.