Disney is expensive. Everyone knows that.
But there’s a difference between Disney being expensive and you accidentally lighting your wallet on fire because you followed bad advice.

In this episode, Scott and Candice tackle the real financial mistakes guests make at Walt Disney World and Disneyland—not from a place of judgment, but from experience, observation, and plenty of hard-earned lessons.

Candice draws on her work as a travel professional to share what she consistently sees cost people real money, while Scott brings the skepticism, humor, and occasional Gen X side-eye to the conversation.

This isn’t about shame. It’s about smarter choices, better planning, and making sure your Disney money actually buys you joy instead of regret.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why lack of planning is often the most expensive mistake of all

• The hidden cost of not understanding dining reservations and cancellation policies

• How park hopper tickets frequently get overbought and underused

• When staying off-property can actually cost more than staying on Disney property

• Transportation confusion that leads to unnecessary Uber, Minnie Van, and time costs

• Social media pressure and the myth that you have to “do everything”

• Food FOMO and why ordering for Instagram instead of hunger gets expensive fast

• The truth about overhyped dining experiences

• Emotional support Loungeflys, impulse souvenir regret, and popcorn bucket realities

• Why trying to do everything leads to disappointment—even on expensive trips

• How a simple strategy (4–5 priorities per park) can radically improve your experience

• A practical budgeting tip for festivals: gift cards instead of open-ended credit cards

The core takeaway:

You don’t need to experience Disney the most expensive way.
You need to experience Disney the most intentional way.

Because the biggest mistake of all?
Spending thousands of dollars and coming home with more frustration than magic.

Episode DescriptionIn Part Two of our Festival of the Arts coverage, Scott and Candice finish the grand culinary tour around EPCOT with more booths, more opinions, and more brutally honest reactions. From surprise standout menus to “why does this exist?” moments, we’re walking through the rest of the festival booth-by-booth and sharing what sounds incredible, what sounds questionable, and what we’d personally prioritize if we were there today.This episode is your planning guide, your foodie fantasy, and your cautionary tale—served with sarcasm and seasoned with love.🍽️ What We Cover in This Episode🎨 Festival PerspectiveWhy Festival of the Arts continues to be visually the most stunning EPCOT festivalWhy pretty food does not always equal good foodWhy Disney appears to be listening to guest feedback this yearThe noticeable increase in new items across boothsHow presentation sometimes fights practicality🗺️ Booths & Highlights Discussed (Part 2)🇺🇸 The Artist’s Table (American Adventure) – The surprise MVPSteakhouse Lobster Caesar SaladPeppercorn-Crusted StriploinFlourless Dark Chocolate TorteVerdict: Best overall booth of the festival based on menu strength🇯🇵 Goshiki (Japan Pavilion)Taiyaki custard pastryTokyo Kawaii RollWagyu Bun (purple bao!)Sake flights with souvenir wooden cupsWasabi IPA (Scott would try, Candice would not)🇫🇷 France Pavilion – The emotional support boothWarm brie bread (“Breakfast of Champions”)Crab cake with lobster bisqueChocolate-orange eclairFrozen French MartiniVerdict: Still undefeated in consistency🇨🇦 Gourmet Landscapes (Canada Pavilion)Wild mushroom risotto (plant-based)Roasted bone marrowBeet tartareFrozen Scotch chai cocktailVerdict: Creative, risky, very “Arts Festival energy”🌍 Fictional Vittles (World Discovery)Grilled oystersEarl Grey tea dessertImpossible bites with ambitious flavor layeringVerdict: Experimental, maybe too experimental🍰 Deco DelightsVanilla mousse + caramel + apricot jam dessertButtercream Fresco beer (deep curiosity, questionable availability)Strawberry shortcake ciderEspresso martini🧀 Pop EatsClassic grilled cheese + tomato soupCroque Monsieur grilled cheesePixel Perfect PilsnerVerdict: Comfort food booth done right🍦 Swirl the ShowcasePink vanilla soft serveDole Whip flightsNerds-covered Figment conesLiquid nitrogen cake popVerdict: Instagram-ready, flavor mileage may vary🍷 Craftsman’s CourtyardBeef Wellington-inspired croissantCast iron PEI musselsCoffee old fashionedVerdict: Sneaky strong savory booth🍨 Sunshine Seasons (Architecture of Drip)Blueberry gelato with banana & berry whipped creamVerdict: Pretty, refreshing, harmless☕ Joffrey’sPop Art Latte with lavender whipped cream and candy toppingOptional Baileys upgradeVerdict: Aesthetic > practicality, but still fun🏆 Festival SuperlativesBest Overall Booth:→ The Artist’s Table (USA)Most Reliable Booth:→ France PavilionMost Improved Energy:→ Across the entire festival this yearMost “Why does this exist?” Moment:→ Cookie palette painting experienceBiggest Surprise:→ How strong the savory offerings were compared to expectations📣 Listener EngagementHave you been to Festival of the Arts this year?Did the items we said sounded amazing actually deliver?Did the questionable ones surprise you?Come tell us:InstagramFacebookDiscord (new community now live!)We genuinely want your takes.❤️ Closing ThoughtsWe love these menu episodes because they let us experience the parks through imagination, planning, and pure Disney joy. If you enjoy these episodes, thank you for sticking with us through the culinary chaos.And remember…There’s always a great big beautiful tomorrow.

It’s festival season at EPCOT, and Scott and Candice are kicking off a two-part deep dive into one of the most overlooked (and shortest!) festivals of the year: Festival of the Arts.

This episode is not about the menus yet.
This is about mindset, strategy, expectations, and how to experience the festival in a way that actually feels meaningful.

If you’ve ever left a festival overwhelmed, overspent, or underwhelmed, this one’s for you.

In this episode:

Favorite Disney art
Candice shares her favorite piece of Disney art at home. Scott talks about the artwork in his office and the posters that line their bar walls, setting the tone for why this festival matters.

What Festival of the Arts actually is
This is not just a food festival with pretty plates. They break down the three pillars of the festival:
• Visual arts (artist booths, galleries, live signings)
• Performing arts (Disney on Broadway concerts, Voices of Liberty, live musicians)
• Culinary arts (creative and beautiful, but not always the best food)
Plus interactive elements like mural painting, scavenger hunts, chalk art, and PhotoPass art experiences.

Why you can’t “do it all”
You could spend an entire day in EPCOT doing only festival activities and still not experience everything. This is a festival that rewards intention, not speed.

How to prioritize your festival day
They walk through how to approach the festival depending on what you care most about:
• Attractions
• Visual art
• Live performances
• Food
The key takeaway: build your day around what matters to you, not what influencers say you “must” do.

Honest talk about festival food
Festival of the Arts food is often gorgeous, creative, and Instagram-friendly. That does not always mean it’s the most satisfying food of the year. Setting expectations matters.

Smart (and realistic) budgeting advice
• Rank your must-try items before you arrive
• Use gift cards to control spending
• Separate festival food budget from snacks and sit-down meals
• Don’t compare your experience to influencers who are being paid to eat everything

A reminder of what makes Disney different
They talk candidly about why live entertainment, storytelling, cast members, and immersion are the heart of Disney—and why supporting those experiences matters if we want them to continue.

Next week: Part Two – The Menus
What they would order
What they would skip
What sounds amazing but probably isn’t
What’s actually worth your money

If you enjoy thoughtful Disney conversations, honest opinions, and strategy without the hype, you’re in the right place.

And remember… there is always a great big beautiful tomorrow.