Here are my top tips for finding the latest information to use to plan your next trip to Orlando.
These links are ones that we regularly use to find out what’s going on, what the current changes are and what the rumours are about what will or won’t be arround the next time that we visit.
Touring Plans
A commercial website, which is a great source of information on park hours, [unofficial] crowd Calendars, Events Calendar and general advice. You don’t need to subscribe, but if you do you’ll get a wealth of information without the advertising and you also get a good feeling that you’ve given something back.
The twitter and Facebook posts have great photos and links to the website for more information.
Twitter TouringPlans.com Facebook
WDWNT (Walt Disney World News Today)
WDWNT team are true Disney fans that don’t just cover Walt Disney World but news and events from other Disney parks around the world. (they also have a Universal News Today channel)
They do not “sugar coat” anything and share their honest and open opinions about what is happening, what is due to happen, rumours and opinions.
Whilst covering the news they will also (on the website) review all the new food and drink offerings, including restaurants and special events (such as Food and Wine festival at EPCOT).
Tom (Tom Corless) is known to go on a rant on the YouTube channel when he feels that something is not right, whether it’s the state of the current offerings (rides, pricing etc), Disney guest experience or treatment of Cast members. It’s clear that Disney means a lot to this team.
Twitter https://wdwnt.com YouTube
Mammoth Club
Mammoth club is fairly new on the scene, but it has impressive credentials.
Mammoth club started in 2022 after three key members of a well respected YouTube channel (AllEars.net) left to start their own channel (I suspect there’s some reason this happened, but I don’t think we will ever find out why)
Fronted by Molly (a former Disney cast member – like many good Vloggers) This channel provides all sorts of awesome information whilst being entertaining and informative.
This team have a strong following on YouTube for a good reason. Unlike some other channels they provide their content in accurate, informative and positive manner without being over the top (sometimes with a few fun little quirks [like throwaway references to Schitt’s Creek ])
Their content can be a bit more grown up than the channel that they used to work for (and some other channels), but it is a great resource for anyone visiting Orlando.
YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree
DFB (Disney Food Blog)
DFB have been going for a long while [Since March 2009]. AJ’s (AJ Wolfe) YouTube content is brilliant and unlike other Vloggers you won’t see her [except for her hands] in any of the postings. Instead the content is mostly reference shots/videos that the team have taken on location, with key headings and information on screen.
Despite the name, they don’t just cover Disney food, but cover a wide range of areas of interest for people going to Disney parks (Including some excellent YouTube posts on what to pack). The food reviews are great as they present the items well (unlike some Vloggers who show a quick [shaky] shot of the item and then cut to them eating the item – not a good look). They give honest and informative reviews (Similar to WDWNT).
DFB content is well presented, researched and delivered. In most YouTube postings they will reference guides or merchandise available on their web site (usually with a discount code), which is fair enough as it’s their business.
I highly recommend their YouTube content and their website. The only downside is it feels intended for US audiences (references to IS products, travelling within US etc that us Scottish/British/European viewers may not fully understand).
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com Facebook @DisneyFoodBlog YouTube
AllEars.net
All Ears have been on the YouTube scene for a long while and whilst the current staff are not to my taste, they are worth a mention if only to look at older content from Molly (now part of Mammoth Club [see above]). They are also linked to DFB [see above] (so you may see some crossover in content).
The channel tends to do fun challenges and feels a bit more “millennial” than other channels, with younger hosts it feels like they accidentally gloss over the facts and focusing more on the fun.
Many of the team are past Disney cast members (Some so recent they can be seen in other Vlogs – eg the now defunct [closing Sept 2023] Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser 😉 ). So they are Disney fans and may have backstage knowledge and contacts?
The team know their stuff and provide an insight into things you wouldn’t notice (like hidden details or trivia), however they don’t compare to Molly from Mammoth Club, but provide a close comparison.
Not my most favourite channel, but definitely not the worst, Worth a look.
https://allears.net YouTube @AllEars Facebook Instagram
PCDEV (Prince Charming Dev)
Dev is another ex-cast member turned Vlogger and he comes across as approachable and easy to like.
His YouTube posts are informative and light hearted, giving just enough information without bogging things down.
Devon is clearly a huge Disney fan. He also offer covers Universal parks and has taken a few Disney Cruise trips with his Fiancé Bianca. He is not shy in providing his personal opinion when things are not up to standard (unlike some Vloggers)
I like his content, he provides good insights into what is happening as it is happening, without being over the top. He appears genuine, unlike some other Vloggers and doesn’t put too much personal content on the channel.
YouTube Instagram
Adam Hattan
Adam is a UK based Vlogger who also used to be a Disney cast member. He regularly travels to WDW and regularly takes trips on Disney Cruises.
He sometimes is accompanied by his friend Garry C. Garry occasionally has issues that others may experience whilst in the parks and occasionally has to use a wheelchair. Adam has written books on the Disney parks and the Disney Cruises with photos provided by Garry.
Adam provides a much needed UK view on the parks (he has covered Disneyland Paris and Disneyland California as well as Walt Disney World in Orlando) travel from the UK and has a more flamboyant presentation style, which we found a bit difficult to handle initially but now we realise he’s just bringing his own style.
There are some other UK and European Vloggers out there but Adam has a unique style that feels comfortable to us now.
YouTube Book (Amazon) Instagram Twitter
The Tim Tracker
I have included Tim Tracker in this list as he used to be a regular watch for us.
Tim & his wife Jen started Vlogging in the Orlando area 10+ years ago and are regularly top of the list of Orlando Vloggers (either by money, subscribers or views).
They have said that they put their content up for themselves and their postings are not intended to be travel related. However they do review food, drinks and the parks, so I will let you decide for yourself.
The reason that we no longer subscribe to them is that they post a lot about personal stuff (shopping / home / family). When they have reviewed things that have been happening in the parks (or food / drinks) they have regular got things wrong or missed important information (and this is from someone from Scotland, who doesn’t promote these things or makes any money from such posts). It’s like that friend or family member who goes on about something (I realise this may sound hypocritical) without really knowing about it, but tries to sound authoritative and what they are saying just doesn’t sit right.
After saying all this, due to their high rankings on YouTube, on occasion they get “invited out” to media events. This means that they sometimes have content that other channels don’t cover. However other channels try to be independent and would rather spend their own money to avoid being seen as potentially influenced by the “host” (I’ll leave you to decide which Vloggers come across as honest and trustworthy)
YouTube Instagram Twitter
4K WDW
Unlike other YouTube channels 4K WDW contains almost no talking.
Mostly walking tours of the resorts (hotels), parks, Disney Springs, etc with occasional POV (Point of View) from the rides.
Not reality exciting, but gives you a good sense of places you may want to visit on Disney property (and how massive Everything is).
YouTube
WDW Explore and Chill
Similar to 4K WDW, mostly POV (“point of view”) walks around the resorts, parks and the general WDW area.
This channel is great for getting a feel of what it’s like to be there. With very little talking, you can hear any background music, get a sense of the ambiance and get a feel for many of the different areas around WDW.
YouTube
WDW prep School
This website has loads of data on what’s happening, and when. The site is a blog of hints, tips and reviews covering important information that will help you plan and make the most of your holiday.
Most importantly they estimate how busy the parks are (the crowd callander), using indications such as ride wait times, planned events and historical data they try their best.. It’s unofficial, but it’s a god way to plan your trip, so that you’re not stuck in a park during busy periods and you can make the most of your holiday.
Website
Disney Parks
Disney’s own Channel, pretty boring & basic but it’s OK.
YouTube
OK, so this is quite a long list and I could go on and on as there is such a wealth of content out there. I hope what I have provided above is of help to anyone looking to travel to Disney / WDW / Universal and the greater Orlando area.
I hope this helps someone looking to visit Orlando theme parks and the surrounding areas.
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