323 episodes

Join Leslie from Trips with Tykes and Joe from asthejoeflies as we discuss how to save you money, time, and stress as you plan your Walt Disney World vacation. Visiting Disney is like visiting another country - we're here to help you understand the ins and outs of what to do, where to stay, what to eat, how to minimize your wait times for rides, Genie+ tricks, and a whole lot more!

Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast Leslie Harvey and Joe Cheung

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 302 Ratings

Join Leslie from Trips with Tykes and Joe from asthejoeflies as we discuss how to save you money, time, and stress as you plan your Walt Disney World vacation. Visiting Disney is like visiting another country - we're here to help you understand the ins and outs of what to do, where to stay, what to eat, how to minimize your wait times for rides, Genie+ tricks, and a whole lot more!

    How to Book a Trip to Tokyo Disney

    How to Book a Trip to Tokyo Disney

    Planning Tokyo Disney
    Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe! If you’re planning to visit Disney World in 2024, definitely check out our Genie+ 101 episode!
    Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! 
    Episode Description
    Thinking about visiting Tokyo Disneyland Resort? Leslie and her family just visited over spring break and in this first Tokyo Disney focused episode Leslie shares everything she learned about booking a trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Where to stay, where to buy tickets, and most importantly - how to get those difficult dining reservations. Even if you’re not planning on going, the price might tempt you!
    Have any tips for planning a trip to Tokyo Disneyland Resort? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on Twitter, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram!
    Episode Notes
    (all timestamps are approximate)
    1:41 - Tokyo Disneyland Resort resources
    3:13 - Tokyo Disneyland basics
    9:34 - Booking tickets and hotels
    24:53 - Booking dining
    30:51 -  Disney dos and don’ts
    If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content!
    You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link.
    If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
    Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.
     

    • 34 min
    9 Tips to Help You Maximize the Disney Dining Plan

    9 Tips to Help You Maximize the Disney Dining Plan

    Disney Dining Plan
    Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe! If you’re planning to visit Disney World in 2024, definitely check out our Genie+ 101 episode!
    Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! 
    Episode Description
    The Disney Dining Plan is back! Famously, we are not the biggest fans at Disney Deciphered, but Joe recently bought the dining plan on his spring break trip to Disney World. He shares nine tips to help you maximize the dining plan and to make sure you are getting the most value (and not losing money) when purchasing the dining plan. 
    Have you been buying the dining plan and getting value out of it? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on Twitter, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram!
    Episode Notes
    (all timestamps are approximate)
    2:23 - Disney dining plan basics
    7:29 - Come up with a plan
    10:23 - The value of character meals
    12:29 - Using the dining plan for a larger group
    17:25 - Alcohol is included
    18:40 - Make sure to use ALL of your allotments
    19:31 - Avoid using the dining plan for Signature Dining or at least do the math
    21:45 - Using kids’ quick service meals to pay for adult meals
    22:47 - Eat your snacks!
    24:13 - Don’t ignore out of pocket costs
    27:56 -  Disney dos and don’ts
    If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content!
    You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link.
    If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
    Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.
     

    • 32 min
    Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Review

    Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Review

    Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
    Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe! If you’re planning to visit Disney World in 2024, definitely check out our Genie+ 101 episode!
    Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! 
    Episode Description
    We tried a new Walt Disney World resort (for us) - Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa! We’ve never prioritized this resort just because it seems too far from the parks and we don’t love Disney Springs. Were we wrong? Is Saratoga Springs a great value for people looking for deluxe benefits? We talk about it all and discuss why you should or should not consider Saratoga Springs for your next Disney stay!
    Have you stayed at Saratoga Springs? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on Twitter, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram!
    Episode Notes
    (all timestamps are approximate)
    2:49 - Saratoga Springs location and theming
    9:27 - Transportation options
    18:02 - Restaurants and food options
    20:31 - Amenities and pools
    21:56 - Pricing
    24:50 - Why you should/should not stay at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
    29:07 -  Disney dos and don’ts
    If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content!
    You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link.
    If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
    Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.
     

    • 32 min
    Ride Guide: Classic Fantasyland Attractions

    Ride Guide: Classic Fantasyland Attractions

    Ride Guide: Fantasyland
    Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe! If you’re planning to visit Disney World in 2024, definitely check out our Genie+ 101 episode!
    Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! 
    Episode Description
    We’re back with a ride guide! It’s been awhile, but today we’re discussing two classic rides - Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World! Is Peter Pan worth the wait/Genie+ difficulties? Is It’s a Small World worth the earworm? We discuss all that and more!
    Do you have to ride Peter Pan or It’s a Small World when you visit? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on Twitter, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram!
    Episode Notes
    (all timestamps are approximate)
    2:18 - Peter Pan background 
    3:51 - Queue and ride walkthrough
    9:18 - Who is Peter Pan for/not for?
    10:03 - Genie+ and touring strategies
    12:19 - Peter Pan tier ranking
    14:28 - It’s a Small World background
    16:42 - Queue and ride walkthrough
    20:16 - Who is It’s a Small World for/not for?
    22:26 - Genie+ and touring strategies
    24:52 - It’s a Small World tier ranking
    26:08 - Disney dos and don’ts
    If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content!
    You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link.
    If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
    Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.
     

    • 28 min
    Best Places to Eat at Disneyland

    Best Places to Eat at Disneyland

    • 31 min
    Taking Disney Strategies to Regional Theme Parks

    Taking Disney Strategies to Regional Theme Parks

    Regional Theme Parks
    Find us on Youtube - please like and subscribe! If you’re planning to visit Disney World in 2024, definitely check out our Genie+ 101 episode!
    Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! 
    Episode Description
    How do regional theme parks like Cedar Point, Six Flags, and even Sea World stack up to Disney? What Disney strategies and skills transfer over - and how can you get the best value out of these “amusement parks”? We discuss all that and more for when you wish you were at Disney but end up at a different amusement park instead!
    What’s your favorite park outside of Disney and Universal? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on Twitter, or leaving a comment on our Youtube page. You can also follow us on Instagram!
    Episode Notes
    (all timestamps are approximate)
    4:00 - Overview of other theme parks out there
    6:33 - When to visit the other parks
    7:54 - The value of season passes
    12:51 - How to save on those expensive one day tickets
    18:03 - Chaperones?
    21:57 - Ride and touring strategies
    29:59 - Food
    31:28 - Disney dos and don’ts
    If we've helped you to plan your trip and you'd like to thank us we'd appreciate you considering a one time donation. Or if you'd like to receive bonus content, check out our Patreon page and our special subscriber only content!
    You can also support the show by buying tickets (if they're the best deal, of course) using our Undercover Tourist link or signing up for Mouse Dining through our link.
    If you like what you hear, please share and subscribe! Find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, PlayerFM, iHeartRadio, or Google Podcasts (please leave a positive review if you're enjoying the show), like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
    Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.
     

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
302 Ratings

302 Ratings

Kimp.All ,

So helpful in preparing for Disney!

My husband and I spontaneously decided to book a WDW trip a little over a month from our departure date because of an airline deal. I messaged a Disney planner, but she took too long to get back to me, so we just booked a hotel and character meal ourselves. I haven’t been to WDW since 2003 and know ALOT has changed. With this podcast, I feel incredibly prepared planning the trip on our own! I’m actually glad we didn’t book further out because I’m completely obsessed with listening to all the old episodes and finding it hard to focus on anything else! Great job!

Ceta5 ,

So helpful to learn before a trip

My family recently took our first trip to Disneyworld and I crammed planning into the last few weeks by listening to this pod. It was so helpful, and our trip was so much better and less stressful thanks to their tips and guidance. Thank you so much!

tbonesteakubos ,

Best Disney podcast I have found

This podcast provides you with the best tips and tricks about the parks with no gimmicks. Because of it, I feel like I have a solid understanding of things like genie plus and of all the restaurants. Keep up the good work!

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