Welcome to Behind the Plans, where Chrissy, Amy, and occasionally Len talk all things Disney Parks and Universal Orlando Resort.
We're sharing the stories, opinions, behind-the-scenes moments, and plenty of laughs that don't always make it into our articles, videos, and social posts.
TouringPlans is known for data, but gathering that data means we spend a lot of time in the parks—and we have a lot to say along the way. We thought our Liners, longtime followers, and anyone who loves the parks might enjoy being a fly on the wall while we debate, laugh, and occasionally disagree about what we're seeing.
Len joins the chaos this week to talk about AI!
But first, TouringPlans has a HUGE announcement! Followed by smaller save-the-date announcements.
Then, Len and Chrissy talk about the new AI tool on the Disney World website. Somehow, Chrissy is part of the Beta test- so of course they tried to break it!
Have you seen Len's blog posts about the AI books and websites that help you plan your Disney vacation?? But they have maps that show lakes in front of the castles???
Favorite line of the show: Ozempic Orcas!
Thank you to our amazing patrons! We look forward to spreading the love on November 7th, and if you can't make it, we will ship the love to you and, of course, share photos!
Visit http://patron@podbean.com/behindtheplans for more information about our patron benefits!
Thanks, everyone!
14 Oct 2026
The New Cost of a Disney Vacation, and Meaningful Ways to Stretch the Budget
Chrissy, Amy, and sometimes Len keep you up to date on all the news and tips from Disney and Universal Parks to maximize your magic!
This week we try to recover from the price increases at Disney World with some real costs and some tools and tips on how to make your budget stretch a little more. Including of course, the TouringPlans app, strategies, and our ticket finder, as well as lessons learned long ago (we're talking early 1980's!)
The TouringPlans News is mostly about being ready for November!
If you are attending the Nov 7th gathering in the Magic Kingdom, please let us know your shirt size!
The Thanksgiving episode will be fun!!
Do you love a Hallmark Movie AND Disney? Join in on our watch party with BINGO cards as we laugh and cry along with this years newest Hallmark Hit! November 28th - we'll share the link!
Be Kind and Make Good Choices!!
Tags- Disney World, Disney Christmas, Thanksgiving, Disney tips, Disney Budgeting, podcast
7 Oct 2026
Too much news for a title!
We had a very full week, an absolutely full show. And then we woke up and Disney added SO MUCH to our day!!
So this week is just news, news, news!
Price Increases- Chicken tenders are how much??
Universal Nights at Epic Universe! Great event, is it worth the price?
Cocktails AND great food at Magic Kingdom?? Do tell!
Epcot's Food & Wine Festival is completely open. Our opinions on the final four booths!
Are you enjoying the show? Would you love exclusive Len content and prizes? Please consider becoming a sponsor. Visit our patron page http://patron.podbean.com/behindthepage
Thankyou!!
30 Sept 2026
Testing Epcot's International Gateway with Kids!
The TouringPlans podcast!
Testing Epcot's International Gateway with kids!
After a fabulous truffle fry challenge- you know we have to do Pizza!
It's October! Time to start planning for Christmas!!!
We love our patrons! And they get a special window into the TouringPlans craziness with exclusive Len Content and so much more! http://patron.podbean.com/beindtheplans
Disney Planning, Epcot, Disney Christmas, DisneyParks, Walt Disney World
23 Sept 2026
BtP New Disney Dining, Truffle Fries, Epcot is Cheesy!
Behind the Plans is a TouringPlans podcast.
This Week
TouringPlans News
The NEW Disney Dining Plan
TRUFFLE FRY CHALLENGE
Epcot's New Festival Center
16 Sept 2026
New Food Booth, New Animation Building, and Sparkly Tiaras
Chrissy and Amy talk about food scales at festival booths for an important project (with a real doctor ya'll!)
The Festival Favorites Food Booth is now open at Epcot's Food and Wine Festival
First noticeable placement of a kraft food item
Good but not the best food
Collecting data for trashcantables.com
Located by Communicore Hall
Animation Building Now Open at Disney's Hollywood Studios
4 attractions inside
Once Upon a Studio- fun film celebrating animation. Most of us have seen it on a tv, but this theater has fun surprises.
Drawn To Wonderland- A playspace with Mary Blair art celebrating Alice in Wonderland
Off the Page- Charachter Meet and Greet- Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip and Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch
Olaf Draws- An art lesson with Olaf and Disney Animators
There are no posted Wait times, which also means no DAS
There is no bathroom in the building- must use the one outside.
Bibbity Bobbity Boutique
Chrissy meant to say Tiana's Bayou Adventure, but Gigi is so old now that Splash Mountain was still a thing last time she was at BBB, so her mom heart said Splash Mountain... apologies.
For ages 3-12
Prices range from $59-$299 + extra accessories you know they will want!
Takes about 90 minutes
We discuss all the clothing options- especially for hot weather
Creating Memories!
Next week we dive into using AI to plan travel (Thank you, Andrea, for the idea that came in the day before Disney's big announcement!
We have thoughts, but we will run more tests this week...
Be Kind, and Make Good Choices!
Sticker Photos for our sponsors will be up soon. We have to resize them and if you have heard the episode- it's late and I'm going to bed.- Amy
All editing, converting, and posting is Amy (so if you have tips please share!)
9 Sept 2026
Behind the Plans- The Halloween Horror Nights Episode
Chrissy and Amy welcome their guest and fellow TouringPlans Team Member Joe Matt to the pod!
Touring Plans News-
Subscribers, be sure to check your Podbean app for your exclusive content!! (Apologies from Amy for saying sponsors instead of subscribers throughout that segment. Did we mention this episode highlights the ADD a bit)
We have a big week coming with a new attraction at Hollywood Studios and new food booths at Food and Wine!
Joe Matt is with us to discuss all things HHN! Joe is the TouringPlans Universal Expert!
Favorite Houses
Stay and Scream/ Scream Early
Deathly Afraid Necklaces and why the event is truly an adult scene.
The new beverage obsession!
Here's the link for the Unmasking the Horror Tour Joe talks about!
https://store.universalorlando.com/en/us/store/c/uo_ice_default_pb_extras/HHN_UNMASKING_ICE?config=true
Thanks Everyone!!
2 Sept 2026
Behind the Plans- Epcot's Food & Wine Edition
It's time for Food & Wine! Chrissy and Amy have all the details for Epcot's big festival!
Best & Worst
Emile's Fromage Montage- Big Change!
Trains
Tables
Parisian Brunch- How much for a mimosa refill??
Update on the TouringPlans app
The dining section, of course!
TouringPlans News
Amy is at HHN tonight!
Len will be filming exclusive content for our subscribers this weekend! (Find the link to join our subscribers below)
Make all of your arrangements for Len's walk
Subscriber information https://patron.podbean.com/behindtheplans
26 Aug 2026
Behind the Plans- Observations, Opinions and Updates
Behind the Plans -
This week-
TouringPlans News- including what's planned for Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, Halloween Horror Nights, and Len's big walk down Main Street USA in his Josh D'Amaro suit.
Observations With a Side of Opinions- have you seen the tables in Epcot? Fun with trains, shirt sizes, and what we miss at Food & Wine
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party update- It was raining! What does that look like? Character times and revisiting Friars Nook
We ran short on time and had to pivot from our original plan; we will visit Disney Dining Plan soon. In the meantime, if you have questions, please email Christina@touringplans.com; we'll be happy to help!
19 Aug 2026
We have a date! Vacation tips, and what's in our bags?
This Week on Behind the Plans
We’ve got a little bit of everything in this episode — TouringPlans news, D23, Disney CEOs, vacation planning, and the very important question: What’s in our bag?
TouringPlans News
We kick things off with what’s happening around TouringPlans and the latest Disney news that has caught our attention.
D23: What a Time
We’re talking about D23 — what stood out, what got us excited, and what we’re still trying to wrap our heads around.
Josh D'Amaro is a theme park fan!
We’re celebrating Disney having a CEO who, by all appearances, is an actual theme park fan. Naturally, this leads to an extremely serious discussion about when Len will finally wear his Josh D’Amaro suit down Main Street, U.S.A.
We may even have a date in mind. 😂
Vacation Planning Tips
Because we can’t talk about Disney and Universal for an entire episode without sneaking in some actual vacation planning advice. We share a few things that can make your next trip easier, less stressful, or just a little more fun.
What’s in Our Bag?
You know that one thing you never go to the parks without?
We’re sharing ours.
And no, it’s not Hokas. 😂
Behind the Plans is the conversation you won’t find in the content — the opinions, stories, laughs, and behind-the-scenes discussions that happen when the cameras (and keyboards) aren’t quite rolling.
Hosted by Amy and Chrissy, with occasional appearances from Len Testa.
16 Aug 2026
Josh D'Amaro is a theme park fan- mini episode D23 Wrap-Up!
mini episode, D23 Wrap-Up
Josh D'Amaro is a theme park fan! Previously, while commenting on a rumor that a Journey Into Imagination refurb would be announced at this year's D23, Len Testa said that if this happens, he would make a full suit with Josh D'Amaro's face and wear it while walking down Main Street USA. Well... Chrissy and Amy waited for HOURS in the middle of the night, watching the live stream, and IT HAPPENED!
In this episode we discuss
Len's predictions
Overall thoughts about this year's D23.
The color of the suit (spoiler: Len does not get a vote).
How many steps Len has walked in two days.
We will be back to our regularly scheduled programs with a new full episode Wednesday morning.
13 Aug 2026
mini episode, Len at D23! day 1
Welcome to a special mini episode!
Len joins Chrissy and Amy to check in from D23.
Encanto House Ride
Avengers Campus hypotheticals
Will a very popular purple dragon announcement blow our minds?
12 Aug 2026
TP news, epic express, disney resorts fact & fiction, show & tell
This week's topics include
TouringPlans News, includingLen's trip to D23
Epic Universe Express Passes, were they worth it?
Disney Resorts, shutting down some rumors, and delving into resorts in general, including our personal favorites.
A quick MNSSPH update, including new allergy policy, and how to find discounted tickets.
Chrissy & Amy have Show & Tell
5 Aug 2026
Ep. 4 Double Rope Drop, LL Drop Times, Show & Tell
Chrissy and Amy are taking you behind the scenes of TouringPlans with their outtakes, opinions, and occasional chaos.
This episode's topics.
Thanking our listeners and sharing how to reach us for feedback.
What's coming up for the MNSSHP
Double Rope Dropping at the Magic Kingdom
Lightning Lane Day of Drop Times at Disney World
Show & Tell
29 Jul 2026
Ep 3 food, influencers, is early entry worth it?
Chrissy and Amy, TouringPlans’ Caliper Cuties, because they measure everything from bacon to toilet paper. chat about what was happening with the TouringPlans team and Disney World.
Amy ‘s week was a food theme. New locations, new menus, evacuations- it was an adventure!
D23 thoughts- including the Muppets!
Do influencers cover what you need them to? We want to make sure we cover what our listeners and Liners want and need to see, not just what looks pretty on social media.
Thanks everyone!
22 Jul 2026
Ep2 fun announcement, pirates, Bluey, and bathrooms
This week Behind the Plans has a lot going on!
First, thank you so much for the kindness you are giving this show. We are grateful for the lovely words, and excellent feedback about what you would like this show to look like. TouringPlans has a fun announcement about D23, lots of testing, and a Disneyland trip.
We discuss testing processes and results. Compare the Bluey experiences at Animal Kingdom vs Disneyland. Heads up at Epcot, the bathroom renovation in Germany creates permanent changes. AI got the new feature at Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland all wrong, and AI gets most Disney news and planning wrong. Ketchup and Mac and Cheese are sponsored by Kraft and Heinz, but what will that mean? And finally, it’s time to get your HHN tickets in Orlando. Look closely the ticket options have changed and there are a lot so many to choose from. Thank you everyone, make good choices!
9 Jul 2026
Data Behind Disney Busses, and Party Season!
Chrissy and Amy chat about the data behind the Disney Springs busses- it is WAY more interesting than we expected. Universal Kids is now open- some things were fixed- but Chrissy was bugged by a new development. Epic has new fireworks and we are delighted. Plus, the park is a year old now, of course, we discuss. Our deep dive was inspired by the party tickets that dropped this morning. It’s Party Season Ya’ll! We’re so excited about Christmas and we get deep into Mickey’s N...
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17 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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