80 and Fabulous! Auntie Judy's Disney Birthday Adventure & Epic Universe Surprises - Curt's Review - Ep. 692

What happens when you bring together a group of Disney Geeks, an 80th birthday celebration, some unexpected surprises, and a few constantly changing vacation plans?

You get a trip you'll be talking about for years!

This week on the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast, my good friend Wendy Fox turns the tables and interviews me about our unforgettable 10-day September adventure to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

The reason for this trip? Celebrating our very own Auntie Judy's 80th birthday!

And between the celebrations, incredible friendships, great food, and a few hilarious mishaps, we certainly made some memories.

🎉 This Week's Highlights

• 👑 Auntie Judy Turns 80! — Celebrating at Magic Kingdom, wearing her birthday tiara, and enjoying a fantastic evening at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue with friends.
• ❤️ A Surprise All the Way from England — Our good friend AJ travels across the Atlantic to surprise Judy at Hollywood Studios, creating one of the most emotional moments of the trip.
• 👶 Some Exciting Family News — A surprise FaceTime call during dinner at Rainforest Cafe brings wonderful news about another grandbaby on the way!
• 🍽️ Disney Dining Adventures — From GEO-82 and Wailulu Bar & Grill to California Grill and Hollywood & Vine, we share some favorite meals and experiences.
• 😂 The Ever-Changing Vacation Plans — Margita and Judy keep us laughing with their constantly evolving plans, including one particularly funny moment at EPCOT.
• 🎢 A Big Thunder Mountain Mishap — My attempt to spot a hidden detail on the ride doesn't go quite as planned!
• 🏰 Epic Universe and Universal Orlando — We explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Monsters Unchained, and some surprisingly impressive Universal dining.
• 🎸 The Great Ozzy Osbourne T-Shirt Hunt — My mission to find one particular shirt becomes an adventure of its own!

🎢 Disney World vs. Epic Universe

One of our biggest conversations is about how impressed we were with Epic Universe.

The immersive lands, incredible attractions, and surprisingly good quick-service dining really stood out.

I share why Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment might now be my favorite attraction in all of Florida!

We also discuss a few things Disney could learn from Universal's newest park.

❤️ It's Really About the People

As much as we love the attractions, resorts, and restaurants, this trip reminded me that some of our favorite vacation memories come from the people we share them with.

Celebrating Judy's milestone birthday, reconnecting with longtime friends, and watching her reaction to AJ's surprise made this vacation something special.

That's what our Geekin' community is all about!

👑 Plan Your Next Vacation with the Travelin' Tiaras!

Thinking about your next Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, or other vacation?

My wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin' Tiaras, and they'd love to help you plan your next adventure.

Their planning assistance can help make your vacation easier, and you can even transfer an existing eligible reservation to them.

Supporting the Travelin' Tiaras also supports the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast!

📧 [email protected]

You can also reach them through Facebook Messenger.

💙 Join Our Geekin' Community!

We'd love to hear about your favorite Disney birthday celebrations, memorable surprises, or trips with friends!

Come join the conversation in our Geekin' on Walt