Wanderlust & Wishes
Planning your next Disney, Universal, cruise, or all-inclusive vacation and feeling overwhelmed?
Welcome to Wanderlust & Wishes, the weekly travel podcast hosted by travel advisors Krystle and Julie. We help families, couples, and Disney-loving adults plan smarter vacations without stress.
From Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Orlando to Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and all-inclusive resorts around the world, we share tips, honest reviews, hidden gems, and strategy you can actually use. Learn how to tackle rope drop, master Lightning Lanes, pack smart for cruises, and discover must-see experiences for every destination.
Whether you’re planning your first Disney trip, an adults-only getaway, or your next big adventure, Wanderlust & Wishes helps you travel like a pro and make unforgettable memories along the way.
New episodes every week- subscribe now and start planning your dream trip today!
Episodes
138 episodes
All-Inclusive Resorts at Every Budget: What Does Spending More Actually Get You? (Ep 121)
Finding the right all-inclusive resort sounds easy until you start factoring in who is actually going on the vacation.This week, we’re looking at all-inclusive resorts through the lens of two very different families. Julie is, admittedly...
Resort Review: Disney's All-Star Movies Resort | The Most Disney Value Resort?
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort may be one of the most instantly recognizable Value Resorts at Walt Disney World. Giant characters, oversized movie props, colorful courtyards, and some serious Disney nostalgia make this resort feel exactly like...
Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: Who Does It Better? (Ep 120)
Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean? It’s one of the biggest questions families ask when choosing a cruise, and the answer isn’t as simple as you might think.This week, we’re putting Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean head-to-head ...
Resort Review: Disney's Pop Century Resort | The Value Resort That Changes the Game
The random resort picker has spoken again, and this week we're heading to the Value Resort category with Disney's Pop Century Resort!Pop Century may be a Value Resort, but it has one major advantage that sets it apart from some of the ot...
Universal Orlando Myth Busting: What’s Fact, What’s Fiction & What You Actually Need to Know (Ep 119)
If you’ve ever planned a Universal Orlando vacation, you’ve probably heard at least a few of these: Universal is only for older kids. Express Pass means you won’t wait in line. Harry Potter is one land. You can do all of Universal in one day. A...
Resort Review: Port Orleans French Quarter | Disney's Most Charming Moderate?
The random resort picker is taking us to New Orleans this week! On this Resort Review episode, we're checking into Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, one of the smallest, most charming, and maybe most underrated resorts at Walt Disn...
No Take Backs! Blind Ranking Walt Disney World Attractions (Ep 118)
How confident are you in your Walt Disney World attraction rankings when you have absolutely no idea what’s coming next?This week, we’re putting our Disney opinions to the test with a blind ranking challenge. Julie and Krystle each broug...
Resort Review: Disney's Beach Club Resort | Disney's Best Pool & Steps from EPCOT
On this week's Resort Review, we're heading to Crescent Lake and checking into Disney's Beach Club Resort, a resort with two pretty big claims to fame: one of the best pools at Walt Disney World and a location that puts you just steps away from...
Kate’s European Adventure, Part 2: Norway Aboard the Disney Dream (Ep 117, part 2)
Welcome back as we continue Kate’s European adventure! This time we’re heading aboard the Disney Dream for a seven-night Norwegian cruise.In Part 2, we pick up with Kate and her family as they sail from Southampton with stops in Amsterda...
Resort Reviews: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | Does Disney's Flagship Live Up to the Hype?
Our Resort Reviews series is back, and this time the random resort picker landed on one of the most iconic places to stay at Walt Disney World: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.Known as Disney's flagship resort, the Grand Florid...
Kate’s European Adventure, Part 1: Disneyland Paris and the Start of an Epic Disney Trip (Ep 117, Part 1)
What happens when you combine Disneyland Paris, a few days exploring Europe, and a Disney Cruise Line sailing through the Norwegian Fjords? You get one pretty incredible 16-day European adventure.In Part 1, we’re joined by our friend and...
Walt Disney World Resort Review Series: Disney's Riviera Resort
This week, we're kicking off a brand-new Walt Disney World Resort Review Series on Wanderlust and Wishes.There are a LOT of places to stay at Walt Disney World, and choosing the right resort can make a huge difference in your vacation. S...
Disney Club Level: Is it worth the splurge? (Ep 116)
What exactly is Club Level at Walt Disney World, and is it worth paying extra for?This week, we’re joined by our friends and fellow travel advisors Lindsay and Leslie to talk all things Disney Club Level. Between them, they’ve experience...
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party & Halloween Horror Nights 35: Your 2026 Guide to Halloween in Orlando (Ep 115)
Halloween season starts earlier than ever in Orlando, and one question comes up every year:Should you choose Disney Halloween or Universal Halloween?In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're comparing Mickey's Not...
Disney World Myths Busted! 13 Walt Disney World Planning Mistakes to Avoid (Ep 114)
Think Walt Disney World is only for kids? Believe you have to buy a MagicBand, or spend thousands of dollars to have a great Disney vacation? Think again!In Episode 114 of Wanderlust & Wishes, Julie and Krystle ...
Walt Disney World for the Holidays 2026 (Ep 113)
Christmas may still be months away, but Disney has already started sharing what's coming for the 2026 holiday season, and we're diving into all of it in this year's Halfway to the Holidays episode.From Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party...
Alaska Cruise Roundtable: Real Experiences, Best Excursions & First-Time Tips (Ep 112)
Thinking about taking an Alaska cruise? In this special roundtable episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're joined by three of our friends and fellow travel advisors who recently returned from three different Alaska sailings. From cru...
How to Beat the Heat at Disney World & Universal: Summer Park Survival Tips (Ep 111)
Summer is one of the most popular times to visit Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but it's also one of the hottest. In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're sharing our favorite tips for staying cool, hydrated, and comfortable ...
Disney vs. Universal Orlando in 2026: Comparing Rides, Hotels, Food & Updates Since Adding Epic Universe (Ep 110)
Planning an Orlando vacation and trying to decide between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando? We're revisiting one of our most popular episodes with a completely updated 2026 comparison.A lot has changed since we recorded this episo...
How Far Does $5,000 Go at Universal Orlando? Real Family Vacation Plans on a Budget for 2026 (Ep 109)
With the addition of Epic Universe, many families are wondering if Universal Orlando is still an affordable vacation destination. In this episode, we're putting that question to the test.Julie and Krystle each have a budget of $5,000 to ...
Disney World Trip Report: Lightning Lane Wins, Resort Reviews & a 13th Birthday Adventure (Ep 108)
This week on Wanderlust & Wishes, we're sharing a very special Walt Disney World trip report as we celebrate our daughter Ella's 13th birthday!As part of a family tradition, Ella's grandparents take each grandchild on a trip of their...
On the Go Walt Disney World Birthday Trip June 2026
This episode is a bonus On-the-Go episode with real time reviews/comments on Julie's Walt Disney World trip. This trip was a birthday celebration trip for Julie's daughter, Ella. Ella brough her lifelong bestie, Sofia. This was Sofia's first tr...
Disney Cruise Line Specialty Cruises: Halloween on the High Seas, Very Merrytime, Pixar & Marvel Day at Sea (Ep 107)
If you've ever wondered whether a Disney Cruise Line specialty sailing is worth planning your vacation around, this episode is for you!We're diving into Disney Cruise Line's themed cruises, including Halloween on the High Seas, Very Merr...
The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Family All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun & Riviera Maya (Ep 106)
Thinking about booking your first family all-inclusive vacation in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Costa Mujeres, or Playa Mujeres? In this episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we're answering one of the most common questions we get from clients: how do a...
Anniversary Episode: Our Biggest Travel Opinions After One More Year of Trips, Cruises & Theme Parks (Ep 105)
In this anniversary episode of Wanderlust & Wishes, we’re looking back on another year of travel, vacations, cruising, theme parks, and all the opinions that changed along the way. From debating Epic Universe vs Magic Kingdom to choosing be...