Big Thunder Podcast

Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or gearing up for the opening of Epic Universe? 🌌 In this episode of the Big Thunder Podcast, we break down our first-ever stay at Universal’s brand-new Stella Nova Resort — and whether it truly is the best new value hotel option at Universal.We give Stella Nova an overall grade and score the individual categories that matter most to families and theme-park travelers:Location & transportation to Epic Universe and the Universal parks 🚍Room quality & comfort 🛏️Dining and food options 🍔🍕Themed design & atmosphere ✨Pool area & amenities 🏊‍♂️Price vs. value 💰If you’re trying to decide where to stay for your next Universal Orlando vacation, or you want to know how Stella Nova compares to Cabana Bay, Terra Luna, or the Universal Helios Grand Hotel inside Epic Universe, this episode gives you everything you need. 🎢Whether you're planning your first visit or looking for the perfect hotel for your family, this review will help you figure out if Universal’s Stella Nova Resort should be your home base for Epic Universe 2025. 🌍✨Tune in for honest opinions, helpful tips, and all the insight you need before booking your stay! 🎧Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:01:08) A Resort's Importance(00:03:33) Cost & Disney Comparison(00:04:44) Stella Nova Review(00:16:11) Minnie Vacay(00:17:29) Grade Expectations - Pool, Food, & More(00:35:30) Would You Return?(00:38:12) Viewer Comments(00:40:43) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod...🐉 Did you catch our First Impressions on Epic Universe? You can watch it on YouTube! ➡️ https://youtu.be/PfyK9gx-Q-U?si=ZMi1dcaTYbh_Bdqa👑 Need a Stroller for your trip? We've always had a great experience with Kingdom Strollers! https://www.kingdomstrollers.com/?ref=minnie (Affiliate Link)🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!📲 Follow us on Instagram!Big Thunder PodBeauAbbyMinnie Vacay🛒 Merch Store: etsy.com/shop/BigThunderPodcast

In this week’s Big Thunder Podcast, we finally snag a reservation at The Beak and Barrel, the brand-new Pirates of the Caribbean–themed tavern in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland! ⚓ We’re sharing every detail from the immersive pirate atmosphere to the animatronic parrot who might just steal the show. 🦜Was the 45-minute time limit enough to enjoy our grog and grub? Are the snacks worth their weight in treasure, or should this bar walk the plank? 🍗💀 We’ll dish on the best (and weirdest) menu items, the two-drink limit, and whether the hype for this swashbuckling spot is truly deserved.If you’re planning your Disney World 2025 vacation, hunting for the best new Magic Kingdom restaurant, or just want to know if it’s worth fighting for a reservation, this is the episode for you. 🎢👑 Need a Stroller for your trip? We've always had a great experience with Kingdom Strollers! https://www.kingdomstrollers.com/?ref=minnie (Affiliate Link)Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:48) Beak and Barrel Basics(00:01:30) Reservations(00:2:28:26) Post-Fireworks Nightmare(00:08:27) Charley's Jungle Cruise Review(00:10:18) Checking In at Beak & Barrel(00:11:24) First Impressions(00:16:25) Food & Drinks(00:20:17) The Time Limit(00:22:42) Minnie Vacay(00:23:45) Would You Go Back?(00:25:39) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod..🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!📲 Follow us on Instagram!Big Thunder PodBeauAbbyMinnie Vacay🛒 Merch Store: etsy.com/shop/BigThunderPodcast

🎃 In this episode of The Big Thunder Podcast, we share our honest thoughts on our very first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom! 🌙 From the exclusive party treats 🍪 and spooky ride overlays 👻 to the Boo-To-You Parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, and Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks, we’re breaking down everything you need to know before you go.🎟️ Was the event worth the price? 💸 What are the must-do attractions and shows? 🕛 And how can you make the most of your time at this limited-capacity Halloween event? We’re sharing tips, surprises, and even a few disappointments from our experience so you can plan your best Disney Halloween trip yet! 🎃✨Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:02:16) The Game Plan(00:03:33) Food Reviews(00:08:49) Boo-to-You Review(00:15:04) Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular(00:16:29) Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Fireworks(00:17:57) Personal Highlights(00:22:31) The Negatives(00:29:01) Minnie Vacay(00:30:19) Final Thoughts(00:37:12) Advice for Next Year(00:40:18) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod...🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!📲 Follow us on Instagram!Big Thunder PodBeauAbbyMinnie Vacay🛒 Merch Store: etsy.com/shop/BigThunderPodcast

🎃🍴 In this episode of the Big Thunder Podcast, we sink our teeth into the brand-new foods at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2025 and the delicious new offerings at EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival 2025. Whether you’re planning your trip to Walt Disney World this fall or just dreaming about the spooky snacks and global flavors, we’ve got you!👻 From sweet treats to savory bites, we share what’s new, what’s returning, and which items we’d put at the top of our must-try list. Plus, to keep things fun, we play a game during each food discussion—testing our Disney knowledge and adding a little extra magic along the way.✨ If you’re planning a Disney trip, looking for the best Halloween snacks at Magic Kingdom, or wondering which EPCOT Food & Wine Festival foods are worth it, this episode is packed with tasty tips and Disney foodie fun.Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:01:08) Mickey's Not-So-Spooky Halloween Party(00:03:18) New Halloween Party Foods(00:16:00) Minnie Vacay(00:17:28) Epcot's Food & Wine Festival(00:18:58) New Festival Foods(00:35:03) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod...🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!📲 Follow us on Instagram!Big Thunder PodBeauAbbyMinnie Vacay🛒 Merch Store: etsy.com/shop/BigThunderPodcast

🌺 Aloha from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! In this week’s episode of the Big Thunder Podcast, Beau and Abby share all the details from their recent stay at the Polynesian Resort Club Level 🏝️ — from the incredible lounge snacks 🍍 to the stunning fireworks views over Seven Seas Lagoon 🎆. If you’ve ever wondered whether Club Level at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is worth it, we’ve got tips, pros, cons, and insider info to help you decide.We also dive into the breaking news about Star Wars Launch Bay and Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios ✨, talking about what the announced changes could mean for Star Wars fans and park-goers. Plus, we give our first impressions on the final Marvel film of 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps!Whether you’re planning your own Polynesian stay, a Hollywood Studios day, or just love geeking out over Disney and Marvel news, this episode has a little something for everyone. 🌴✨🎧 Listen now and start planning your dream Disney getaway!Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:55) Changes Planned for Animation Courtyard(00:10:16) Minnie Vacay(00:11:41) Staying Club Level at the Poly(00:39:23) Non-Spoilers - Fantastic Four: First Steps(00:47:20) SPOILERS! Fantastic Four: First Steps(00:52:54) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod...🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!📲 Follow us on Instagram!Big Thunder PodBeauAbbyMinnie Vacay🛒 Merch Store: etsy.com/shop/BigThunderPodcast

On this episode of the Big Thunder Podcast, we’re opening up our suitcases and backpacks to show you exactly what we pack for our trips to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando! From must-have essentials to surprising items that always come in handy, we’re helping you get theme park ready like a pro. 🏰🎢Then, we’re diving into the brand-new Lilo & Stitch movie — does this live-action reimagining capture the heart of the original, or does it miss the ohana mark? 💙🐶🌺 We’ve got thoughts!Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned passholder, this episode is packed with helpful tips, honest opinions, and lots of laughs.🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe for more Disney and Universal fun every week!Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:03:40) What We Pack for the Parks(00:34:40) Minnie Vacay(00:35:53) Lilo & Stitch Review(00:44:52) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod...🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!📲 Follow us on Instagram!Big Thunder PodBeauAbbyMinnie Vacay🛒 Merch Store: etsy.com/shop/BigThunderPodcast

In this episode of the Big Thunder Podcast, we’re diving into all the latest from Disney Parks—and beyond! From thrilling new stage shows to some not-so-jolly holiday news, we’ve got a jam-packed lineup for Disney fans of all kinds.🎭 New Stage Shows at Hollywood Studios: Two all-new productions are making waves at Walt Disney World! We’re breaking down everything we know about Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After—a musical romp starring Maleficent, Cruella, and more—and The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure, a fresh spin on the beloved undersea tale.🚀 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Is Getting an Upgrade: Say goodbye to clunky blasters and hello to new tech! We’ve got the scoop on what’s changing (and what we hope doesn’t) at this Magic Kingdom favorite.🎄 Holiday Letdown at the Grand Floridian: One of the most iconic holiday displays at Walt Disney World is getting downsized this year—and fans aren’t exactly full of cheer.🦖 New Rex Meet and Greet at Disneyland: Our favorite nervous dinosaur is coming to Pixar Pier! We talk about the adorable addition to Disneyland’s character lineup.💸 Disney Summer Deals: Planning a trip? We’re breaking down Disney’s latest discounts and promos to help you save some magic this summer.🎬 Live-Action Tangled Hits a Snag: The live-action remake of Tangled is officially paused—what’s behind the delay, and what could it mean for other remakes?🎲 PLUS: We Play Clue-by-Clue – Water Rides Edition! Can you guess the Disney World water ride before Abby does? Play along with our latest round of Clue-by-Clue!Whether planning a park day or dreaming of Dole Whip, this episode has something for every Disney fan.Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:01:19) New Shade in Toy Story Land(00:02:02) Opening Date for Hollywood Studios Shows(00:06:47) Space Ranger Spin Closing(00:09:18) New Toy Story Meet & Greet(00:10:29) Crummy Disney Christmas News(00:12:58) Minnie Vacay(00:14:23) Summer Disney Deals(00:20:32) GAME | Disney Water Rides(00:29:43) Live-Action Tangled Cancelled?(00:33:02) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod...🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!📲 Follow us on Instagram!Big Thunder PodBeauAbbyMinnie Vacay🛒 Merch Store: etsy.com/shop/BigThunderPodcast

🎙️ This week on the Big Thunder Podcast, we're diving into some enchanting new announcements from Disney and Pixar! 🌟 💀 First up, we're talking about the just-announced Coco 2 — what we know, what we hope to see, and why we’re both crying already 😭🎸. 🦸‍♂️ Then, it'll be clobberin' time in California when the Fantastic Four meet-and-greet comes to Disneyland! 🕵️‍♀️ Next, we play a brand-new round of Deception Detection, this time with a Snow White twist! Can YOU spot the lie in the fairest tale of them all? 🍎✨🎬 And finally, we give our honest thoughts on the brand-new Snow White movie — what worked, what didn’t, and whether it truly lived up to the magic of the original.It’s a jam-packed episode full of fairy tales, superheroes, and a little bit of mischief. Don't miss it! 💫Timecodes(00:00:00) Introduction(00:03:03) Coco 2 in Development(00:05:59) Fantastic 4 Meet and Greet(00:08:28) New Droids to Disney World(00:09:38) Characters at Resorts(00:10:26) Minnie Vacay(00:11:41) Free Disney Dining Plans(00:14:21) Snow White Game - Deception Detection(00:28:41) No Spoilers - Snow White Movie Thoughts(00:36:15) SPOILERS! Snow White Movie Thoughts(00:44:38) Next Time on Big Thunder Pod...🏰 Get ready to experience the magic as we unravel the excitement surrounding the grand openings, new attractions, thrilling updates, and the latest buzz from Disney and Universal Studios.🎢 Tune in now for an action-packed episode filled with excitement, laughter, and everything in between. Don't miss out on the adventure – hit play and enjoy the ride!🖥️ Check us out on YouTube!