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Artwork for The Laid-Back Magic® Way: A Disney World Planning Podcast

The Laid-Back Magic® Way: A Disney World Planning Podcast

Dana Stanley
Disney World
Magic Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
Epcot
Lightning Lane
Walt Disney World
Family Travel
Mobile Ordering
Animal Kingdom
Riviera Resort
Disney
Crowd Calendars
Laid-Back Magic
Strollers
Lightning Lanes
Boardwalk Resort
Dining Reservations
Disney's Riviera Resort
Disney Vacation Planning
Disney Vacation Club

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes81Founded2 years ago
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Places & TravelHobbiesLeisureSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Laid-Back Magic® Way: A Disney World Planning Podcast

Latest Episodes

Start your free quote with A Mouse and A Beach 🏖️

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Part 2 of my Disney trip reports is here, and this one takes us from a late night at Magic Kingdom to a ... more

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Thanks to our sponsor, Whit's Whimsy - Use code LAIDBACK for 15% off your first order! 🛍️

Read the full show notes for this episode HERE!

After months of planning, we're finally kicking off our summer Disney trip reports! In Part 1, I'm taking you... more

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When you plan your Disney trip, how do you decide where to stay? Is your resort simply a place to sleep, or could it become the heart of your vacation?

In this episode, I'm joined by Marianne of The R... more

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The day before you leave for Disney World can feel surprisingly overwhelming.

Even if you've alre... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Marianne Sellerland
The Resort Mom, resort-focused influencer/guest
The Resort Mom
Episode: 78: Playground vs. Home Base: Rethinking Your Disney Resort with Marianne of The Resort Mom
Summer Harms
Travel agent who books Disney trips, known as Summer Makes Magic
Summer Makes Magic
Episode: 58: The 16 "Silly Little" Disney World Tips We Actually Use
Marianne Southerland
Disney enthusiast and expert on planning Disney vacations
Episode: 42: Staying Disney Club Level, Buy vs. Rent DVC Points, and a Disney-Inspired Lake House with Marianne Southerland

Host

Dana Stanley
Host of Laid-Back Magic Way and founder of Laid-Back Magic; specializes in practical Disney planning for families.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 240 ratings
  • Love this podcast!

    I love Disney and love listening to Disney podcasts. They really help prepare me and give me lots of tips before our trips… Dana’s podcast is my favorite and I have binge-listened to tons of episodes over the past two months. I really thought I knew all the tips and tricks but I’ve actually learned a lot from her. Side note, her voice is so calming that some days when I’m stressed I just listened to her podcast because she gets me in a calm state of mind… Thank you, Dana!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jkallen824
    United Statesa month ago
  • A Podcast That Feels Like Home!

    I feel like Dana and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to visiting Disney Parks. Listening to this show is constant “hey, me too!” energy. Dana’s approach is the perfect reminder that Disney does not have to be stressful. Whether it’s packing tips or park hopping strategies, her advice is essential listening, whether you’ve been visiting for 30 years or it’s your very first trip. If you want a more laid back approach to your magic, this is the podcast for you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jess haskill
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing Disney planning podcast for families!

    I’m a first time mom and already making plans for my toddler’s first Disney trip. I was naive to the fact that going to Disney as an adult is completely different from taking a trip with children - especially little kids. Dana covers everything from baby gear, to how to optimize your day, and tons of other details. I feel prepared to plan our first trip as a family and make sure we focus on the right things to have a great time and not become overtired or overwhelmed! Highly recommend. Also perf... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alyo1026
    United States2 months ago
  • I Want to be Besties with Dana!

    I’m currently in my “Disney era” and absolutely love Dana’s style and thinking around making trips work for your family. I find her tips super useful and the podcast itself enjoyable and relaxing. I love listening while I’m driving or have a few minutes to myself before bed. I have a very similar philosophy to Dana in terms of a slower paced trip and prioritizing things our family will truly find memorable rather than cramming everything in because of FOMO. I’d recommend this podcast to every mo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stress Free Marie
    United States3 months ago
  • Wonderful and relaxing podcast

    I love this podcast! I love Disney, and also find Dana extremely soothing to help me escape from the stresses of daily life!! Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JennB from
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience value quick, bite-sized episodes with concrete tips for Disney planning.
Listeners praise the calm, practical approach that reduces trip planning stress.
Fans note the host's relatable, mom-friendly voice and steady pace as a major draw.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

68: Disney World Q+A: Real Answers to Your Disney Planning Questions Part 2
Q: Emily BK23 asked about hormone therapy and its effects?
Dana shares her personal experience with hormone therapy, detailing trials with progesterone and testosterone, the side effects she faced, and how low-dose testosterone helped with energy, sleep, and joint pain, while progesterone did not agree with her.
68: Disney World Q+A: Real Answers to Your Disney Planning Questions Part 2
Q: Emily BK23 asked, thoughts on Chef Mickey's?
Dana strongly advises against Chef Mickey's, describing it as loud, overpriced, and crowded, and recommending Topolino's, Tusker House, or Garden Grill as better character-meal alternatives, especially at the Riviera for a resort Mickey breakfast.
68: Disney World Q+A: Real Answers to Your Disney Planning Questions Part 2
Q: Mary Caitlin Duffy asked, favorite non-character table service, both in parks and at resorts?
She lists Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom, Spice Road Table and Le Chef de France in Epcot, with Hollywood Brown Derby as a non-character option in Hollywood Studios, and Tiffins in Animal Kingdom, plus resort options like Citricos, Gico, Sanaa, and Boathouse for sit-down dining.
68: Disney World Q+A: Real Answers to Your Disney Planning Questions Part 2
Q: Rebecca Halsman asked, Favorite quick service in each park?
Dana describes Pecos Bill's in Magic Kingdom as a go-to, La Cantina in Epcot for a Mexico-area lunch break, Docking Bay 7 in Hollywood Studios, and Sultuli Canteen in Animal Kingdom, highlighting how each fits a break from the usual park food and supports family-friendly meals.
57: Disney Dining Plan 2026: Sarah from The Main Street Mom Explains When It’s Worth It and When to Skip It
Q: Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it, and who should consider it?
The guests suggest it's worth it for families that plan to do more than one character meal or enjoy high-cost dining experiences, especially when a promo makes kids' dining credits free; for others, particularly those who don't eat many table-service meals or dislike preplanning, paying cash may be better.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show guides families through planning Disney World trips with a calm, practical approach. Hosts real-world tips, mindset shifts, and actionable strategies to make magical vacations manageable, especially for parents navigating nap schedules, budgets, and busy schedules. Episodes frequently feature gear, lodging, dining, and park-day optimizations, plus guest perspectives from travel planners and family-focused contributors. A standout element is the consistently laid-back, mom-friendly hosting style that emphasizes balance, flexibility, and avoiding overwhelm, while still delivering concrete tactics and timely promos from partners in the Disney travel space.

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How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 81 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Marianne Sellerland
2. Summer Harms
3. Marianne Southerland

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