Halloween Horror Nights is one of Universal Studios Hollywood’s biggest events of the year, but is it actually worth the hype, the price, and the scares?

This week, Jessica is joined by her daughter Julian, who recently experienced Halloween Horror Nights for the first time. They talk about what it was really like for a total newbie, whether the 2 p.m. ticket was worth it, how they prioritized their limited time, and whether the event was actually as scary and crowded as it looks online.

They also dive into Julian’s experience on the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, how they approached the haunted houses, why lining up before one of their priority houses opened paid off, and how they managed to fit in Super Nintendo World and Toadstool Cafe during the event.

If you’ve been curious about Halloween Horror Nights but aren’t sure if it’s for you, this episode gives you a first-timer’s perspective to help you decide.

Get tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood and Halloween Horror Nights through Get Away Today: getawaytoday.com/castletalk

CHAPTERS

00:00 Is Halloween Horror Nights worth it? 00:21 A first-timer’s perspective with Julian 01:32 Halloween Horror Nights ticket options 03:18 Arriving for the 2 p.m. ticket 04:17 What to prioritize before Horror Nights begins 05:03 Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift 07:23 Choosing priority haunted houses 07:51 Why they lined up before the houses opened 09:04 What they didn’t have time to do 09:42 Were the crowds as bad as expected? 10:52 How scary is Halloween Horror Nights? 12:23 The best use of their time 13:13 Super Nintendo World and Toadstool Cafe 14:28 Would Julian do Halloween Horror Nights again? 15:46 Final thoughts and ticket information

Disneyland raised ticket prices again on October 6, 2026... but this might be the most boring Disneyland price increase we’ve seen in years.

In this episode of Castle Talk Radio, Becca and Jessica break down what actually changed, what surprisingly stayed the same, and why the headline “Disneyland raises ticket prices” doesn’t tell the whole story.

We talk about the small increases to select one-day tickets, unchanged base prices for multi-day one-park-per-day tickets, changes to Park Hopper pricing, and the whopping $1 increase to Lightning Lane Multi Pass. We also get into two things that didn’t increase at all: Disneyland parking and Magic Keys. Boring Price Increase Captions Boring Price Increase Captions Boring Price Increase Captions

There was also a major change for Magic Key holders: Disney removed the no-show penalty and now allows passholders to cancel a reservation through the end of the reserved day. We discuss what that could mean for reservation availability and whether Disney may eventually need to rethink the policy. Boring Price Increase Captions Boring Price Increase Captions

Then we get into the bigger question: why was this year’s increase so restrained? Could the economy be influencing Disney’s decisions? Could Disneyland eventually shift its major price increases back to spring? And does this tell us anything about Disney pricing under new CEO Josh D’Amaro compared with the Bob Chapek era? Boring Price Increase Captions Boring Price Increase Captions

Most importantly, we talk about what this means if you’re planning a Disneyland vacation. For many families buying regular multi-day one-park-per-day tickets, there simply isn’t the same urgency to rush out and buy tickets that there has been after previous price increases. Park Hopper travelers may have more incentive to compare prices, but this is definitely not a reason to panic-buy your vacation. Boring Price Increase Captions Boring Price Increase Captions

Discounted Disneyland tickets are available through our partners at Get Away Today. Visit GetAwayToday.com/CastleTalk to compare current ticket pricing and support Castle Talk Radio.

00:00 Disneyland’s surprisingly boring price increase 00:57 What changed with one-day Disneyland tickets 02:18 Multi-day ticket prices didn’t increase 03:22 Park Hopper prices get more complicated 07:31 Lightning Lane went up... one dollar 08:24 No increase for parking or Magic Keys 09:28 Disney removes the Magic Key no-show penalty 12:00 Why was this price increase so small? 13:15 Could Disneyland move price increases back to spring? 14:45 Chapek, D’Amaro and Disney’s pricing philosophy 16:59 What this actually means for your Disneyland vacation 19:20 Don’t panic over the price-increase headlines 20:30 Where to check discounted Disneyland tickets

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation? Visit GetAwayToday.com/CastleTalk for discounts on tickets, hotels, and Orlando attractions.

Carousel of Progress has always been about one thing: progress.

Now, more than 60 years after Walt Disney and his Imagineers introduced the attraction at the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, Disney is preparing to move the story forward again.

In this episode of Castle Talk Radio, Becca and Jessica look back at the history of Carousel of Progress and break down the major refresh coming to Walt Disney World in 2027.

We talk about how the attraction evolved from the World’s Fair to Disneyland and eventually Magic Kingdom, why “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” remains such an important part of the attraction, and why updating Carousel of Progress may actually be one of the most faithful things Disney could do with it.

Then we step through the newly announced version of the show, including a new generation of the Carousel family, the 1960s, Halloween night in 1985, New Year’s Eve 1999, a possible future, and the addition of a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic.

Plus, we discuss why the technology may change, but the real heart of Carousel of Progress has always been the same: family.

The updated Carousel of Progress is expected to debut at Walt Disney World in late spring 2027.

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation? Visit GetAwayToday.com/CastleTalk for discounts on tickets, hotels, and Orlando attractions.

Chapters

00:00 A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow Is Changing 01:17 What’s Coming to Carousel of Progress 01:52 Why the Attraction’s History Matters 02:15 The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair 02:46 The Sherman Brothers and That Famous Song 03:18 From the World’s Fair to Disneyland 04:06 Carousel of Progress Comes to Walt Disney World 04:43 Why Disney Is Updating the Attraction Now 05:37 Meet the New Carousel Family 06:46 Act One: The 1960s 08:16 Act Two: Halloween Night in 1985 09:30 Act Three: New Year’s Eve 1999 10:55 Act Four: A Possible Future 11:51 Imagineering Inspiration for the New Finale 13:18 Honoring the Past While Building the Future 14:53 What Does Progress Look Like Now? 15:53 When the New Carousel of Progress Debuts 16:19 Walt Disney Is Joining the Attraction 16:44 Why Family Is Still the Heart of the Story

Your Disneyland trip is booked, and then a few days before you leave, the forecast changes. Suddenly, it is going to be HOT.

In this episode of Castle Talk Radio, Becca and Jessica talk about Jessica’s recent Disneyland trip during an extreme Southern California heat wave and what actually helped her group handle the high temperatures.

We talk about what to pack, staying hydrated, sunscreen, adjusting your park strategy, taking midday breaks, and why a hot day at Disneyland can feel very different from the same temperature at home.

• Why Disneyland heat waves can happen even into the fall

• What Jessica packed for triple-digit temperatures

• Portable fans, umbrellas, sunscreen, and other heat essentials

• How to remember to reapply sunscreen

• Where to get free cups of water in the parks

• Electrolytes and staying ahead of dehydration

• Why extreme heat may mean changing your normal rope drop strategy

• Conserving energy by touring one area of the park at a time

• Using indoor attractions and air conditioning strategically

• Why midday hotel breaks become even more important in extreme heat

• Cool showers, fresh clothes, and other ways to reset

• Preventing and treating chafing

• Why Disneyland can feel hotter than the same temperature at home

Favorite theme park heat essentials: Becca's favorite fan: https://amzn.to/4d0udui

Cooling Towels: https://amzn.to/4y5cFpa

Powder Sunscreen you can wear over makeup: https://amzn.to/4xZzrhD

Disneyland vacation packages and tickets through Get Away Today: https://getawaytoday.com/castletalk

Some links may be affiliate links. Using them does not cost you anything extra and helps support Castle Talk Radio.

00:00 Disneyland in a Heat Wave 01:18 Who Was on Jessica’s Trip? 01:43 Preparing for an Extreme Heat Forecast 03:12 What to Pack for a Hot Disneyland Day 03:52 Sunscreen and Reapplying Throughout the Day 05:15 Hydration, Water & Electrolytes 07:11 How the Heat Changed Their Park Strategy 08:36 Using Indoor Attractions & Staying in One Area 11:08 Conserve Energy and Watch for Dehydration 12:50 Why Midday Hotel Breaks Matter 13:51 Cool Showers, Fresh Clothes & Resetting 14:35 Chafing and Other Heat-Related Comfort Issues 14:59 Why Disneyland Heat Feels Different Than Heat at Home 16:12 Wrap-Up & Get Away Today

Planning a Disneyland vacation in 2027? In this episode, Becca and Jessica explain why now may be the best time to start booking, why waiting until Black Friday could actually cost you more, and how booking early can help you lock in better prices and hotel availability.

They also compare real 2027 Disneyland vacation package pricing for Disney Resort hotels and nearby Good Neighbor hotels, including options for families traveling during January, February, and spring break. Plus, learn what happens if a better deal comes out after you book and how Get Away Today can help you save.

Book your Disneyland vacation through our partners at Get Away Today: getawaytoday.com/castletalk

Chapters 0:00 Why You Should Start Planning Disneyland 2027 Now 0:17 Welcome to Castle Talk Radio 1:25 Why Waiting Until Black Friday Could Cost You More 2:53 Current 2027 Disneyland Deals & Get Away Today 3:39 Flexible Disneyland Tickets for 2027 4:39 Refunds, Peace of Mind & Booking Early 5:21 Why Booking Early Gives You Better Hotel Options 5:47 Disneyland Hotel Package Pricing for a Family of Five 8:32 January 2027 Disneyland Vacation Pricing 9:29 Hilton Garden Inn Garden Grove Package 10:23 Element Anaheim & Courtyard Anaheim Pricing 10:45 Disney vs. Off-Property Hotel Pricing 11:40 Pixar Place Hotel & Club Level Pricing 13:02 Traveling Around Holidays & Peak Dates 13:46 How Much Can You Save Staying Off Property? 15:01 Spring Break 2027 Disneyland Prices 15:39 Knott’s Hotel Package Option 16:05 Walking-Distance Disneyland Hotel Options 16:45 Tropicana, Anaheim Hotel, Fairfield & Howard Johnson Pricing 17:07 What If a Better Disneyland Deal Comes Out Later? 17:27 How Get Away Today Handles New Discounts 17:50 Final Advice for Booking Disneyland in 2027

Humans are finally being invited into Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

In this episode of Castle Talk Radio, Becca and Jessica explore the new Monsters, Inc.-themed land coming to Walt Disney World. Rather than simply recreating scenes from the movies, Disney is building an entire city where guests will visit as human tourists during H.U.M.A.N. Day.

We discuss:

• Why humans are now welcome in Monstropolis • What H.U.M.A.N. Day means • The suspended door-vault coaster and its first-of-its-kind vertical lift • Why the coaster will not be ready when parts of the land open in 2027 • “Welcome to Monstropolis,” featuring a new song by Randy Newman • The Glob Theater show starring Mike and Sulley • Harryhausen’s Restaurant and its Audio-Animatronics sushi chef • Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza and the Monsters University Alumni Club • Shopping at the Scareporium • The bittersweet reality of Monstropolis replacing the former Muppets area • Why this could transform how families plan their Disney’s Hollywood Studios days

Monstropolis is shaping up to be much more than a new attraction. Disney is creating a city filled with restaurants, businesses, entertainment, hidden details, and plenty of reasons to slow down and explore.

Read the official announcement: https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/monsters-inc-land-monstropolis-walt-disney-world/

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation? Save on tickets and vacation packages through our partners at Get Away Today: https://www.getawaytoday.com/castletalk

Subscribe to Castle Talk Radio so you don’t miss future Monstropolis updates as Disney reveals additional opening details.

Jessica talks to Becca about her Oogie Boogie Bash experience and the kick-off to Halloween Time. From the new street party, to the low crowds, they talk about what Halloween time looks like in 2026.

See Becca's Oogie Boogie Bash costume reveal: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcRwtrEykz-/

Want to visit Disneyland? Lock in the current pricing (plus our extra discount) for trips through 2027 at https://getawaytoday.com/castletalk

Let's chat about D23... and why it felt like a letdown to many. Book your vacation here and save: https://getawaytoday.com/castletalk