Where I Long To Be: A Magical Trip Report Podcast

Beth and Alex’s monumental trip to Japan has come to a close, and while that’s sad, it’s happy for the rest of us because we finally get to hear all about it. They had a wonderful time in both the Disney and Universal portions of their stay, but also got to see a lot of the country and culture of Japan.

• Trip Dates: July 9-August 2, 2026
• Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/26/26

 

Episode Specific Links:

• Follow Beth (@bethclifford_/) on Instagram and listen to her previous episodes of the podcast
• Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel
• Video - Journey To the Center of the Earth (POV Ride Through)
• Where I Long To Be Podcast - Tokyo Disney and Universal episodes
• People mentioned in this episode:
  • Jeanette - @pixiejeanette

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Beth is returning to the podcast, this time with her husband Alex, to discuss the trip they have planned for Japan! They will be traveling for about three weeks, along with Beth’s mom, to tour the country with stops at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea, as well as Universal Studios Japan.

• Trip Dates: July 9-August 2, 2026
• Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 6/19/26

 

Episode Specific Links:

• Follow Beth (@bethclifford_/) on Instagram and listen to her previous episodes of the podcast
• Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel
• Where I Long To Be Podcast - Tokyo Disney and Universal episodes
• People mentioned in this episode:
  • Leoni - @leonibarker
  • Jeanette - @pixiejeanette

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

It’s finally time for Alex’s Greece trip report! Not sure that you’ll get too many planning tips out of this one, but if you are an Alex fan, you’ll definitely get some laughs!!!

• Trip Dates: April 2-12, 2026
• Recorded 4/19/26

 

Episode Specific Links:

• EF Tours
• Ramada Athens Attica Riviera
• Temple of Athena Nike
• Delphi Museum
• Omiros Hotel Santorini
• Hotel Asterias Village
• Knossos Palace
• Candia Hotel (The “Hotel Athens B” turns out was just their way of noting it was the second hotel in Athens!)
• People mentioned in this episode:
  • Beth - @bethclifford_
  • Leoni - @leonibarker

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

The Polynesian looked perfect on paper - but after their stay, Kim and her husband Tom will be looking for other options for their next visit after some real customer service let downs. Listeners can expect an honest conversation about Kim’s experience that did not live up to the expectations all of us have when it comes to staying in a Disney resort…especially at a deluxe price. But not to worry, this isn’t all complaints! Kim and Tom had a magical week that proves the best vacations are the ones that leave room for flexibility, good food, and a little people-watching.

• Trip Dates: July 7-14, 2026
• Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/10/26

 

Episode Specific Links:

• Follow Kim on Instagram - @realkimshady_peloton
• Touring Plans Room Finder
• Kokomo Music Video
• Wine Bar George Brunch Menu
• MCO Reserve (schedule your airport security)
• People mentioned in this episode:
  • Beth Johnston with Main Street Magic (Kim’s travel agent) - @theitineraryandbeyond

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Kim is planning a trip to celebrate her and her husband Tom’s 10th wedding anniversary! After Tom said he would really like to stay at the Polynesian, she decided to make it happen. What Tom doesn’t know, is that instead of being a triple split stay between the Polynesian Resort, the Polynesian Tower, and Coronado Springs, Kim has made a sneaky switch-a-roo for this to be only split between both sides of the Polynesian. They will have two days of park time, so much of their week will be spent visiting other resorts, heading to Disney Springs, and enjoying some rest and relaxation at the pool, which they don’t usually do. The perfect plan to celebrate 10 years!

• Trip Dates: July 7-14, 2026
• Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 6/18/26

 

Episode Specific Links:

• Follow Kim on Instagram - @realkimshady_peloton
• Disney College Program
• Video - Brunch at Wine Bar George Review
• MCO Reserve (schedule your airport security)
• People mentioned in this episode:
  • Beth Johnston with Main Street Magic (Kim’s travel agent) - @theitineraryandbeyond

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Virginia talks with Becky Gandillon, Author of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2027, about her Disney origin story, how she turned a love of park planning and data into work with Touring Plans, and why she thinks Walt Disney World is in the middle of an exciting new era. They also get into practical trip-planning topics like crowd patterns, Lightning Lane value, and which tools Touring Plans users may be overlooking.

 

• Recorded 8/13/26

 

Video

• Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube!

 

Episode Specific Links:

• • Follow Becky on Instagram (@raisingminniemes) and make sure you buy her book, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Becky Gandillon with Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa
  • Shop Becky’s favorite park must-haves on her Amazon list
  • The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
  • The Main Street Dish Podcast - check out the episode Becky did about the Disney Dining Plan on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
  • People mentioned in this episode:
    • Renee - @magicaltravelsbymonty

 

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com. You can also leave comments, hot takes, and questions by voice message at whereilongtobepodcast.com through the Leave Virginia a Voice Message button on the right side of the page. Just remember, if you leave a voice message, it might get played on the show!

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Sadly, Virginia and Alex have returned to real life after a magical July Disney/Universal trip. They got to check out Epic Universe for the first time and did two tours for the first time, including Caring for Giants and the Keys to the Kingdom tours. 

• Trip Dates: July 3-13, 2026
• Post Trip Interview: recorded 8/5/26

 

Episode Specific Links:

• Molly Krpata was our travel agent for the Universal portion of our trip. Please reach out to her if you are looking for your own magical travel agent! And don’t forget to listen to Molly’s previous appearances on the podcast.
• Love hearing from Alex? Listen to his previous appearances on the show!
• Cookie and Cold Brew Reels: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
• UV Umbrella
• Walter Being Picked Up Reel
• People mentioned in this episode:
  • Jody - @park.planning.pal
  • Jeanette - @pixiejeanette
  • Maren - @marenmouse
  • Maria - @mrsbobo428
  • Nanci - @nancibat3

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com

Virginia and Alex chat about the plans for their upcoming July vacation which includes finally getting back to Universal Studios in addition to Disney time! They are planning to split their time between the Hard Rock Hotel, Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, and Boardwalk.

• Trip Dates: July 3-13, 2026
• Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 6/30/26

 

Episode Specific Links:

• Molly Krpata was our travel agent for the Universal portion of our trip. Please reach out to her if you are looking for your own magical travel agent! And don’t forget to listen to Molly’s previous appearances on the podcast.
• Hampton Inn Closest to Universal Studios
• Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village
• Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
• People mentioned in this episode:
  • Nanci - @nancibat3
  • Jeanette - @pixiejeanette

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share?  Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

• Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast
• TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast
• Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com