19 Days at Disney & Universal — And the Moments We’ll Remember Forever With Amanda Filappone - Ep. 690

This week, I’m joined again by our good friend and fellow Disney Geek Amanda Filippone, who somehow managed to pack enough adventures into one vacation for about three separate trip reports!

Amanda and her family spent 19 days in Florida, combining Universal Orlando with an extended Walt Disney World stay filled with resort hopping, birthdays, special events, great meals, a few disappointments, and some wonderfully unexpected Disney moments.

They started at Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort, where Unlimited Express Pass made it easy to hit favorites again and again. Amanda shares her thoughts on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure — including whether it might actually compete with Guardians of the Galaxy for one of her favorite rides.

Then it’s over to Disney, where the family stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level, Pop Century and the Contemporary Resort.

We talk about:

• Why Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level earned a 10 out of 10
• An unexpected Cast Member interaction on Expedition Everest
• Using the Wait Magic app with a larger family group
• Why Amanda loved Hollywood Studios After Hours
• Having an almost empty Oga’s Cantina and their own Star Tours vehicle!
• Little Eli’s first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop and the family tradition behind it
• Favorite meals at ‘Ohana, Garden Grill and Sebastian’s Bistro
• A couple of dining experiences that didn’t quite live up to expectations
• Not one, but two Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties
• A deluxe setup at Typhoon Lagoon
• The viral Animal Kingdom ice cream sandwich
• Celebrating a 15th birthday with a private Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise
• Resort hopping and discovering a fantastic fireworks viewing spot at the Contemporary

But one of my favorite parts of our conversation comes when Amanda talks about something bigger than attractions, resorts and dining.

As a grandmother, she now gets to watch her grandson experience some of the same Disney moments she remembers sharing with her own children when they were little. We talk about how Disney has this incredible ability to create new memories while bringing old ones rushing back at the same time.

As a grandfather myself, that one really hit home.

✨ Planning Your Own Disney Adventure?

If you’re thinking about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal or another great vacation, reach out to Margita and Auntie Judy — the Travelin’ Tiaras!

They can help with everything from choosing your resort to navigating the details and putting together a vacation that works for your family.

Already booked? You may be able to transfer your reservation and still get their planning help, tips and support — while also supporting the podcast.

📧 TravelinTiaras@gmail.com

Or reach out to us through Facebook Messenger.

And a big thank-you to Amanda for trusting the Travelin’ Tiaras with her adventures — even if she occasionally gives Margita a workout with a few changes along the way! 😂

❤️ Join Our Disney Geek Community

Come join us in the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Facebook group and tell us:

Could you do 19 days at Disney and Universal — and what would be the ONE special experience you’d add to a trip that long?

And if you enjoy the podcast and want to help support what we’re doing, check out our Super Geeks on Patreon. Your support helps keep this podcast going and, even more importantly, helps us continue building this incredible Disney Geek community.

Thanks for listening, Geeks — and enjoy Episode 690!