Are 2 and 4 too young for a Disney Cruise? We put it to the test!

This summer, we did something very Florida-resident of us: we booked a three-night sailing on the Disney Wish, which Lindsay booked only ONE WEEK before departure and took our two youngest kids along for the adventure.

And we learned a lot.

In this episode of Real Family Fun, we're sharing what it was really like sailing on the Disney Wish with an almost 2-year-old and a 4-year-old.

We're talking about:

Our guaranteed verandah stateroom—and the pros and cons of letting Disney choose your room location

Why Disney's split bathrooms and bathtubs are SO helpful with little kids

It's a Small World Nursery and our experience leaving our youngest onboard

The Oceaneer Club with a 4-year-old—and what happens when your kid suddenly decides they're done

Rotational dining with toddlers and preschoolers, including Worlds of Marvel, Arendelle and why we skipped 1923 altogether

Pirate Night with little kids

Nassau and Castaway Cay at their pace

Naps, sensory overload and why sometimes the best plan is to split up

And maybe our biggest takeaway: you do NOT have to do everything.

Some of our favorite moments happened because we slowed down, followed the kids' lead and let each parent do something different when it made sense.

We were worried cruising with two little ones might feel stressful. Instead, it ended up being a surprisingly relaxing family getaway—and our four-year-old is still asking when he can go back to the “boat hotel.”

Planning a Disney Cruise with your family? I can help you choose the right ship, sailing, stateroom and itinerary—and help you navigate all those little details that can make a BIG difference when traveling with kids.

🌐 derricklindsaymgmt.com/realfamilyfun
📧 lindsayk@beourguesttravelcompany.com

Thanks for listening to Real Family Fun with Lindsay & Derrick!

#RealFamilyFun #DisneyCruise #DisneyWish #DisneyCruiseLine #DisneyWithKids #DisneyCruiseWithKids #CruisingWithKids #ToddlerTravel #TravelWithToddlers #FamilyCruise #FamilyTravel #CastawayCay #DisneyVacation #DisneyTravel

Derrick is heading to Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Orlando…and as usual, he’s done absolutely no research.

So Lindsay is getting him ready!

HHN is celebrating its 35th year, and we're breaking down what Derrick (and his mom!) can expect before they head into the fog.

We’re talking about all 10 haunted houses—including Stranger Things 5, Sinners, Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn, Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness, and Universal’s original creations—plus the scare zones, Nightmare Fuel, food, Express Pass, Scream Early, and more.

We also get into the HUGE amount of HHN lore surrounding Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow, why Express Pass may be worth the extra money, and an option for people like Lindsay who love the creativity behind HHN…but aren't exactly fans of being scared.

And this is only part one!

Derrick will report back after experiencing HHN with Express Pass, and later this season we'll both be heading back for an RIP Tour—so we'll be able to compare the two experiences.

Whether you're planning your first Halloween Horror Nights or you're already an HHN superfan, come get ready for HHN 35 with us!

🎧 Real Family Fun with Lindsay & Derrick

Planning a Universal Orlando vacation or want help figuring out the best way to experience Halloween Horror Nights?

🌐 derricklindsaymgmt.com/realfamilyfun
📧 lindsayk@beourguesttravelcompany.com

Universal built an entire theme park for little kids — but is Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas actually worth planning a trip around?

In this episode of Real Family Fun, Lindsay shares her experience taking four-year-old Marcus to the brand-new Universal Kids Resort and gives her perspective as both a mom and a travel advisor.

We’re talking about the colorful new hotel, kid-friendly rides, incredible play areas, character experiences, water play, food, and what it was really like spending a day and a half there with a preschooler.

We also get into some of the things Universal Kids could improve — including hotel dining, poolside food and drinks, room service, and why the advertised 3–9 age range might not tell the whole story.

Plus, we compare Universal Kids Resort with Universal Studios Hollywood and the three theme parks at Universal Orlando to help families figure out which Universal experience makes the most sense for younger kids.

Our biggest takeaway? Universal Kids Resort is a fantastic add-on if you're already visiting Texas, live within driving distance, or have another reason to be in the Dallas area. But we wouldn't necessarily build an entire cross-country vacation around it just yet.

If you're considering Universal Kids Resort, Lindsay also explains why the day-and-a-half ticket may be the perfect amount of time to experience it.

Planning a Disney, Universal, or cruise vacation? Lindsay would love to help your family find the vacation that actually fits YOU.

Visit us at derricklindsaymgmt.com/realfamilyfun

or, email Lindsay with all of your travel needs at LindsayK@beourguesttravelcompany.com

Thanks for listening to Real Family Fun with Lindsay & Derrick!

Is the Orlando Informer Meetup worth it? We think so! 🎢🍔🍺

In this episode, we're sharing our full experience at the Orlando Informer Meetup at Universal Orlando Resort—one of the most unique ways to experience the parks after dark.

From walk-on attractions to unlimited food and drinks (yes, even Butterbeer!), we're breaking down everything that made this event one of our favorite Universal experiences yet.

We cover:

• What the Orlando Informer Meetup is and how it works
• Is it worth the price?
• Walk-on rides like Hulk, VelociCoaster, Gringotts, The Mummy, and more
• Our favorite food (and a few disappointing bites)
• Hidden gems like Comic Strip Cafe and Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream
• Construction updates around Universal Orlando
• Tips if you're thinking about attending a future meetup
• How it compares to a regular park day and a VIP Tour

If you're a Universal fan—or you're looking for a completely different way to experience the parks—this episode is for you!

✨ Planning your next Universal Orlando vacation?

Visit us at:
derricklindsaymgmt.com/realfamilyfun

Or reach out directly:
lindsayk@beourguesttravelcompany.com

Thanks for listening to Real Family Fun with Lindsay & Derrick!

Please excuse some of the audio hiccups in this episode!

We had a very special guest in the studio today—our son Malcolm—and he was very interested in helping with the microphone. The result is a little extra background noise, but also a whole lot of fun.

In this episode, Malcolm joins us to rank his favorite rides, parks, restaurants, snacks, and experiences across Walt Disney World from the perspective of an almost 9-year-old Disney fan.

We discuss:

• Malcolm's rankings of the four Walt Disney World theme parks
• His favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
• Why he loves TRON Lightcycle / Run, Expedition Everest, and Test Track
• Character dining, favorite snacks, and must-visit restaurants
• Disney water parks and why Typhoon Lagoon wins his vote
• Tips for families visiting Walt Disney World with elementary-aged kids

If you've ever wondered what Disney looks like through the eyes of a kid, this episode is full of honest opinions, surprising rankings, and plenty of laughs.

✨ Planning your own Walt Disney World vacation?

Visit us at:
derricklindsaymgmt.com/realfamilyfun

Or reach out directly:
lindseyk@beourguesttravelcompany.com

Thanks for listening to Real Family Fun with Lindsay & Derrick

#RealFamilyFunPodcast #DisneyPodcast #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyWithKids #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #MagicKingdom #EPCOT #HollywoodStudios #AnimalKingdom #TRONLightcycleRun #ExpeditionEverest #TestTrack #DisneyFoodie #TyphoonLagoon #FamilyVacation #DisneyMom #TravelAdvisor #DisneyTips #ThemeParkLife

Summer at Walt Disney World just got a whole lot cooler! ☀️🏰

In this solo episode, Lindsay breaks down everything you need to know about Cool Kid Summer 2026 at Walt Disney World.

From dance parties and character experiences to new entertainment and family-friendly activities, Disney is adding even more ways for kids to play, explore, and make magical memories—all included with your park admission.

In this episode, Lindsay shares:

• Jessie's Roundup and the new Toy Story fun at Magic Kingdom
• GoofyCore at EPCOT and why EPCOT is one of the best parks for families
• The new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show at Hollywood Studios
• Bluey and Bingo's arrival at Animal Kingdom
• Why the free water park admission on check-in day is one of Disney's best current perks
• New experiences, snacks, entertainment, and summer offerings throughout Walt Disney World
• Tips from a local mom and travel advisor on how to avoid overwhelm and focus on what matters most

Whether you're planning a summer vacation, a Disney Cruise pre-stay, or just curious about what's new at Walt Disney World, this episode will help you make the most of Cool Kid Summer.

✨ Planning your own Disney vacation?

Visit us at:
derricklindsaymgmt.com/realfamilyfun

Or reach out directly at:
lindseyk@beourguesttravelcompany.com

Thanks for listening to Real Family Fun with Lindsay & Derrick!

#CoolKidSummer #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyWorld #DisneyWithKids #FamilyTravel #TravelPodcast #DisneyVacation #DisneyPlanning #MagicKingdom #EPCOT #HollywoodStudios #AnimalKingdom #Bluey #DisneyTravelAdvisor #RealFamilyFunPodcast #DisneyMom #TravelWithKids #OrlandoFlorida #DisneyTips #FamilyVacation

In this episode, we’re diving into Disney World’s two water parks: Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park — and helping you decide which one is the best fit for your family.

We break down the theming, slides, wave pools, kids areas, lazy rivers, food, and overall vibe of each park after experiencing both with our own kids.

We also talk about:
• Which park is better for toddlers and younger kids
• The most intense wave pool we’ve ever experienced
• Why Blizzard Beach feels easier to navigate
• The best slides for families and thrill seekers
• Tips for planning a Disney water park day during the Florida summer
• Dining plans, lockers, transportation, and more

And somehow… we also end up talking about abandoned Disney water parks, theme park etiquette, and why you definitely should not jump off the Kilimanjaro Safaris truck

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and considering adding a water park day, this episode will help you figure out which park is right for your family.

Planning your own Disney vacation?
Visit us at: Real Family Fun Podcast & Travel Planning

#FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #DisneyWithKids #FamilyVacation #realfamilyfunwithlandd #TravelAdvisor #DisneyWaterParks #BlizzardBeach #TyphoonLagoon

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest parenting debates in theme parks: should you push your kids to go on the rides… or let them sit it out?

We’re sharing our real experiences navigating rides with our own kids—from cautious toddlers to coaster-loving moments—and the mistakes we’ve made along the way. Including one ride choice that may have accidentally created a long-term fear.

We also break down:
• Disney vs Universal for younger kids
• Which parks work best by age group
• How to introduce kids to thrill rides
• When to encourage them through fear—and when not to
• The difference between healthy pushing and pushing too far
• Our honest thoughts on rides at Universal Epic Universe, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Magic Kingdom

Whether your child is fearless, cautious, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with honest stories, practical tips, and a reminder that every kid is different when it comes to rides and fear.

#themeparks #familyrides #bigkidcoaster #themeparkplanning #takingkidsonrides