Well Hello Magic: A Disney Planning & Experience Podcast
ABOUT JESSICA | Well Hello Magic
Jessica Mickelson is the voice behind Well Hello Magic, a Disney-loving mom of four, former therapist, podcast host, content creator, and your go-to expert for planning joyful, stress-free Disney vacations.
A lifelong Disney fan raised on Main Street magic and Mickey-shaped memories, Jessica now helps families, moms, and first-time travelers confidently plan trips to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond—without losing their minds (or their budget).
As a mom who’s done it all—from toddler meltdowns to teens chasing thrill rides, from multigenerational trips to magical girls' weekends—Jessica offers real-world advice rooted in emotional insight, practical planning, and a deep love of Disney storytelling. Whether you're traveling solo, with a stroller brigade, or booking for a party of 14, Jessica gives you the tools to make it magical your way.
She is also the host of the Well Hello Magic Podcast, where she shares Disney vacation tips, park planning strategies, event guides (like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party), and emotional reflections from inside the parks—alongside expert guests and fellow moms who love magic as much as she does.
In addition to blogging and podcasting, Jessica creates daily content on Instagram and YouTube, where she blends humor, hacks, and heartfelt moments into helpful videos and reels for Disney travelers of all kinds.
When she’s not answering DMs about Lighting Lane or testing out stroller nap strategies, you’ll find her:
- Baking Disney-themed sugar cookies for her brand Well Hello Cookie
- Running her sign rental business Sign Gypsies Lehigh Valley
- Writing her debut YA novel series, Foreign Parents Syndrome
- Planning her annual Disney mom retreat, The Enchanted Escape
With thousands of families already turning to her for first-time Disney planning help, budget-friendly vacation strategies, and military Disney discounts, Jessica is your pixie-dusted big sister who’s not afraid to say:
“Bibbidi Bobbidi back the F up—I’ve got a plan.”
Episodes
93 episodes
093: How to Plan a Last-Minute Disney World Trip in Just 10 Days (Yes, It’s Still Magical!)
Have you ever decided to plan a last-minute trip to Walt Disney World and felt completely overwhelmed? In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I’m planning our own family Disney vacation with just 12 days to go. We already have our Disney hote...
•
Episode 92
•
31:06
092: Surviving Cool Kid Summer at Disney: How Our Family Does Summer at Walt Disney World Without the Meltdowns
Planning a summer trip to Walt Disney World? Wondering how families survive the Florida heat, long park days, and sticky strollers without losing the magic? In this episode of Well Hello Magic, I’m diving into everything you need to know about ...
•
Episode 91
•
27:37
091: How to Plan Your Perfect Day at Magic Kingdom for 2025 - 2026
Planning a day at Magic Kingdom doesn’t have to feel like a marathon—or a meltdown waiting to happen. In this episode, I’m sharing a full walkthrough of how to plan a realistic Disney day for every kind of traveler: families with littl...
•
Episode 91
•
54:44
090: The Top 10 Disney Don’ts: What I Never Do at Walt Disney World (and You Shouldn’t Either)
Planning a Disney vacation can feel like navigating a whole new world—especially if you're heading to Walt Disney World with kids or tackling your first family trip to the parks. In this episode, Jessica from Well Hello Magic<...
•
28:51
089: Why I Canceled Our Disney Trip, 2026 Disney Deals & Halloween Hype
In today’s episode, we’re covering a lot—from real talk on canceling a Disney trip to exciting news about 2026 vacation packages. First, I’m sharing why I made the tough call to cancel our Disney Easter trip just 24 hours before depart...
•
22:59
088: Planning Summer at Walt Disney World
We’re heading to Walt Disney World this summer for 10 full days of magic — and what started as just our family’s adventure has now turned into a full-on family reunion! Midway through the trip, we’ll be joined by my husband’s side of t...
•
26:27
087: Resort Only Stay at Walt Disney World
In this episode, I’m taking you on a special journey through our upcoming resort-only stay at Walt Disney World, where we’re skipping the theme parks and embracing the magic of the resorts. We’ll be staying at the vibrant Art of Animation Resor...
•
Episode 87
•
28:49
086: Survive and Thrive: Disney World Tips for Navigating Peak Spring Break Crowds
Spring break at Walt Disney World can be an exciting but challenging time to visit, with peak crowds, longer wait times, and high energy all around. In this episode, we're sharing essential tips to help you survive and enjoy the magic during on...
•
Episode 86
•
25:56
085: Disney vs. Epic Universe: Can Universal Studios Finally Compete?
In this episode of Well Hello Magic, we’re taking a deep dive into one of the biggest game-changers in Orlando theme parks—Universal’s Epic Universe. This brand-new park is set to reshape how families plan their Florida vacati...
•
Episode 85
•
33:33
084: Our Epic 4-Day Disney Trip with Kris from Happily Ever Park Hoppers
Get ready for a magical episode as I welcome my friend Kris from Happily Ever Park Hoppers to the podcast! We’re both Disney moms—I have four kids, and she has two teenagers—so this trip was a rare opportunity for us to experience Disn...
•
Episode 84
•
1:36:05
083: How to Plan Your Disney Day
Welcome to an episode of Well Hello Magic where we’re redefining the ultimate Disney day! In this episode, we explore the “Realistic Disney Day” method—a strategy that involves picking eight must-do activities or rides to ensure you get the mos...
•
Episode 83
•
29:07
082: How to Use Standby Skipper in 2025
Welcome back, everyone! In this updated 2025 guide, I'm here to teach you how to use StandbySkipper to master your Walt Disney World experience. This podcast is your ultimate resource for everything related to StandbySkipper, Lightning Lane boo...
•
Episode 82
•
32:22
081: Trip Recap and Overview of Festival of the Arts, Dolphin Resort, Hollywood Studios and The Super Bowl Parade
On this episode of the Well Hello Magic podcast, I talk about my content trip with Disney bestie Kris from @happilyeverparkhoppers for a full trip recap filled with all th...
•
Episode 81
•
35:36
080: Disney Destination Overview
Welcome to the ultimate Disney destination podcast, where we take you on a magical journey to all your favorite Disney locations around the globe! Whether you're a Disney superfan or someone planning their next adventure, this podcast is your o...
•
Episode 80
•
31:34
079: 2024 Christmas Recap and Planning Tips for Christmas 2025
Welcome to this special holiday episode of our podcast! In today’s show, I’ll be sharing all the details of our amazing 2024 Disney Christmas trip, along with tips and tricks for planning your own Disney vacation during the festiv...
•
Episode 78
•
44:50
078: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass Tips & Tricks
In this episode of Well Hello Magic, I’m diving into my six-month experience with Disney's Lightning Lane system. Over four unique trips, I’ve discovered tips, tricks, and strategies to help you make the most of this tool—while managin...
•
Episode 77
•
25:54
077: All the Changes coming to Disney World in 2025
In this episode, we’re diving into everything new and exciting happening at Walt Disney World in 2025! 🏰✨ Whether you’re already planning your trip or just dreaming of a magical getaway, we’ve got all the details to help you make the most of yo...
•
Episode 76
•
33:39
076: Christmas Movie Countdown
Today on the podcast, we’re embracing the holiday spirit with a deep dive into some of the best Christmas movies streaming on Disney+ and Netflix. First, we’ll explore the magical world of Disney+ and talk about my favorite Christmas films on t...
•
Episode 76
•
25:03
075: Mastering Disney’s Lightning Lane: Your Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Park Days at Walt Disney World
In this episode, we’re diving deep into Disney’s new Lightning Lane system, covering both the Multi-Experience Pass and Single-Experience Pass options to help you prepare for your trip. This system is one of the best planning tools Disney has e...
•
Episode 75
•
39:40
074: Christmastime at Walt Disney World Resort 2024
🎄✨ Get ready to experience the most magical holiday season at Walt Disney World! In this festive episode, we’re sharing all the incredible Christmas happenings in 2024 – from sparkling decorations and merry parades to holiday treats an...
•
24:50
073: Navigating Disney Price Increases, Holiday Magic & Festival of the Arts
In this episode, we're diving into some hot topics for Disney fans! First up, we're unpacking the recent Disney price increases—what's changing, how it might impact your next visit, and some tips for saving while still getting the most out of y...
•
Episode 73
•
25:36
072: Lighting Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass: The Basics and Park Strategy
In this episode of Well Hello Magic, we’re taking an in-depth look at Disney’s newest skip-the-line systems: Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Single-Pass. We’ll explain how each option works, dive into the pros and cons, and share our top...
•
Episode 72
•
27:53
071: Disney Cruise Line: The First Time on The Wish
Blog: Disney Cruise Line for Beginners: First-Timer Cruising TipsIn this episode, we’re setting sail on the Disney Wish—one of the mos...
•
Episode 63
•
32:43
070: The Beauty of Turning 40: Embracing Life's Wisdom and a Disney Adventure
In this episode, we celebrate the milestone of turning 40, exploring how growing older is a beautiful journey filled with wisdom, clarity, and newfound boundaries. At 40, you realize that you don't need to have all the answers; instead, you emb...
•
Episode 62
•
30:47
2024 D23 Expo Announcements for Walt Disney World and Beyond
In this podcast, we will delve into the latest and most thrilling announcements revealed during the D23 Parks Panel held over the weekend.The Walt Disney Company has quite a few exciting developments in the pipeline, with a particular f...
•
Episode 61
•
33:53