Adventures and Mousecapades: A Podcast About Disney

Unlock the hidden world of Disneyland tours as we pull back the curtain on experiences most park visitors never see. From historical journeys aboard Walt's beloved trains to spooky seasonal adventures through Halloween haunts, these specially curated experiences offer Disney enthusiasts a deeper connection to the magic.

We dive into the Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour ($140), where guests ride in Lillian Disney's elegantly designed Lily Bell presidential car while learning fascinating stories about Walt's passion for locomotives. Seasonal offerings include the villain-focused Halloween tour and the heartwarming Holiday Time exploration, both featuring special access, treats, and commemorative keepsakes.<...

The world of Disney Parks is constantly evolving, but keeping track of what's actually happening versus what's merely rumored can be challenging. That's why we're thrilled to welcome Scott Gustin, one of the most trusted voices in Disney journalism, to share his firsthand experience from the 2025 edition of Destination D23 and provide context that goes beyond the headlines.

Scott takes us behind the curtain of this fan-focused event, explaining how it differs from the larger D23 Expo and why Disney strategically released major announcements like Zootopia Better Zoo-gether, Big Thunder Mountain updates, and the Buzz Lightyear vehicle...

A routine cholesterol test turned into a life-saving discovery when doctors found an aortic aneurysm that required quick surgical intervention. Nathan sits down with his wife and co-host Alicea just nine days after her open heart surgery for a candid conversation about facing mortality with grace, humor, and remarkable optimism.

Alicea takes us through her journey from initial diagnosis to recovery, sharing the surprising way her aneurysm was discovered through a precautionary CT scan. Though her arteries were perfectly healthy, the ballooning in her ascending aorta required swift action – a powerful reminder of how routine medical screenings ca...

Universal's Epic Universe has arrived, and we're trading Mickey ears for Power-Up Bands to explore Orlando's newest theme park sensation! Our special guest Marielle, a former Disney cast member who helped open Toy Story Mania and later worked on Disney Cruise Line, shares her candid first impressions of this ambitious new destination.

The conversation takes us through each of Epic Universe's distinct "portals" – from the spellbinding Ministry of Magic where you'll feel transported directly into Harry Potter's world, to the sensory explosion of Super Nintendo World where every corner pulses with gaming nostalgia. Marielle reveals which attractions tr...

Venture into the wild heart of Disney with our comprehensive exploration of Animal Kingdom Villas – where African wildlife and Disney magic create an unforgettable vacation experience. The magic begins with giraffes outside your balcony. Discover why these villas offer the widest accommodation variety in DVC – from value studios starting at just 7 points per night to three-bedroom grand villas with breathtaking savanna views. And food lovers rejoice! Jambo House and Kidani Village are home to some of Disney World's most celebrated restaurants. AKV is where you can experience the magic of Africa without leaving Disney property!

----
Adve...

What happens when you surrender control of your Disney day to the spin of a wheel? Join us as we experiment with Theme Park Roulette: Epcot Edition, letting chance dictate everything from attraction choices to dining options. What do you do when some of the biggest bangers in the park aren't available? What choices would you make?

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter...

When a soccer camp brings you to Orlando in July, what's a Disney enthusiast to do? For our returning guest Ryan and his daughter, the answer was clear – make the most of their proximity to Walt Disney World with strategic park visits before and after soccer. What started as a modest Disney side-trip transformed into something extraordinary when he realized they'd be in town for the premiere night of Disney Starlight, Magic Kingdom's breathtaking new nighttime parade. It just proves that Disney magic finds a way to fit into life's schedule – even when soccer takes center stage.

...

This week’s we’re talking to one of the most inspirational and creative people we’ve ever had the pleasure to cross paths with. Rob Lott has been a performer at Disney World for over 25 years. No doubt you’ve seen him on stage as Marlin in the Finding Nemo show, serenading audiences on Main Street with the Dapper Dans, just trying to be a part of the fun at the Hoop-Dee-Do as Six Bits Slocum, or in literally dozens of other roles. Rob also helps create, produce, and direct shows around the world, and has a passion for enco...

We’ve often heard that Celebrity Cruises is a frequent choice for those looking to branch out from Disney Cruise Line. Since we just took our first cruise with Celebrity, we can definitely see why people draw that comparison. So when your choosing who to sail with on your next adventure, who should you sail with? It all depends… but let us help you make that decision!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opin...

This week we’re joined by one of our amazing listeners Amy, who just took the Disney Wonder up to Alaska with her husband and 4 year old son. They had an amazing time, and learned a lot about heading west for a cruise with a younger kiddo to. Is a Disney cruise to the Frozen north worth it even with an inside state room? Listen in to find out!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we tr...

This week we went north as celebrities! Well, we cruised from Seattle to Alaska on the Celebrity Edge, at least. This is our first time sailing with Celebrity, first time departing from Seattle, and first time to Alaska. Was it all we had hoped for? YES! (for the most part) What happens when 8 friends take a vacation? Listen in to find out!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are...

This week we’re talking to CT, better known as Tin Foil Mouse Ears, about his recent stay at the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort in Disney World. This Disney Vacation Club addition to the existing resort replaced the Spirit of Aloha luau… was it a good change? It all depends on your perspective. Have you stayed at the Island Tower? What were your thoughts?

You can find more of CT’s thoughts and prognostications at https://dclduo.substack.com/ and links to his social media accounts at https://tinfoilmouseears.com/.

----
Adve...

We’re joined this week by Caroline from the Poor Unfortunate Podcast to talk about her recent trip on the fabulous Disney Wish. Was her cruise amazing? Yes. Did we make a new friend? Yes. Did we have an uncountable number of tangents? Also yes. You don’t want to miss a single minute of this one!

You can find more of Caroline, and her friend/co-host Conor, over at Poor Unfortunate Podcast | A Disney Podcast for Grown Ups.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to T...

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and it’s Gran Destino Tower are absolutely fantastic places to stay when you’re in Disney World. Catering to business travel with it’s attached major convention center, this moderate resort has the flair, class, and nearly all the amenities of a deluxe resort at a substantial savings. But don’t think families aren’t welcome too! The resort has an amazing pool complex a lots to do. Could this be your next vacation spot?

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse...

One day. One park. Random date. No lightning lanes. Restrictions on what rides and attractions you can choose from. What are you going to do? It’s time for your new favorite game show, THEME PARK ROULETTE! This time it’s Magic Kingdom in Disney World, opening day attractions that are still open, and only quick service meals. What would you choose?

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

...

From Florida to California, the Middle East, and Japan, there’s a ton of big project news that came out this week. We’re recapping the highlights and ruminating on what this all means for the parks and for Disney fans. So grab your hard hats and join the conversation!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter: @ourmousecapades
OurMousecapades.com
podcast@ourmousecapades.com<

With Universal’s Epic Universe opening up just up I-4 in Orlando, how does Disney respond? Will there be more coming to Disney World than was announced at D23 last year? Is Epic Universe a “one day park” given how few rides and attractions it has? We had a healthy discussion on this and more this week; what are your thoughts?

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instag...

What’s it like to be in Disney World with thousands of cheerleaders a couple times a year? Does it make each trip a little less special, or does it slowly turn you into a Disney adult without you realizing it? Alicea’s childhood friend Carrie is on this week to talk about what that’s like, and how special her recent trip - the last as a cheerleading parent - truly was. We also hear about what it was like in Disney World when the pandemic shut things down in 2020. Lots to learn in this week’s episode!

...

Bill is back on the show this week talking about the changes he’s seen at Disney over the years. A 12-year Disney alumni who’s done everything from sweeping streets to running finance for the water parks, Bill shares his former insider perspective on how Disney is managing Walt Disney World and looks at the potential impact of the new Epic Universe theme park opening this week. This is a perfect example of why we started this podcast: to share these chats that we’d be having anyway with a wider audience. Come along and enjoy!

----

One of our listeners Andrew joins us on the other side of the microphone this week to talk about his family’s recent cruise on the Disney Wonder out of San Diego. Not only that, they also hit Disneyland and tried out the Lightning Lane Premier Pass too. Is sailing out out Southern California right for this Arizona family? Is the Premier Pass worth the cost? You’ll just have to give this weeks show a listen!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are...

Disneyland over spring break is not for the faint of heart, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a bad experience. If you play your cards right (and have the right expectations), you can still have amazing experiences, eat great food, meet your heroes, snag all the Lightning Lanes you want, and even squeeze in a daily nap. Here’s our trip report of all the stuff we got up to in the Happiest Place on Earth.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mous...

A couple weekends ago we got to visit a new to us theme park, and a place that helped inspire Disneyland: Knott’s Berry Farm. Just 5 miles away from the Happiest Place on Earth, Knott’s features incredible thrills of its own, and offers some incredible food too. We were luck enough to hit the Boysenberry festival, and thoroughly enjoyed our day. Come along and see what Knott’s is all about!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor ar...

Disney blazed trails in 1998 with the cruise industry’s first private island, Castaway Cay. While others have copied and extended the concept, there’s nothing quite like the relaxation and fun found on this 1000 acre spot in the Bahamas. What makes it so special? Listen to this week’s episode to find out! Make sure you stay till the end for a special surprise from our good friend "Rachel from HR".

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we...

Our DVC resort overview series continues this week with a look at our happy place - Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. This is one of the few DVC locations not associated with one of the theme parks, but don’t think for a minute that means there’s not a lot to do. From the beach and pools to amazing food and even an onsite luau, Aulani is a perfect vacation destination.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mo...

We’re doing another quarterly Disney news rewind this week, looking at all the announcements and happenings coming out of the Mouse House over the last few months. From Disneyland’s 70th to ride updates to new cruise ships, Mickey has been busy!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter: @ourmousecapades
OurMousecapades.com
podcast@ourmousecapades.com

This week’s guests got Nathan to do something he hasn’t done in decades: watch a horror movie. We’re talking about the new horror/comedy moving Screamboat, based on the original Mickey Mouse cartoon Steamboat Willie. We were lucky enough to get a preview of the movie and spend some time talking with director Steven LaMorte and producer/actress Amy Schumacher. Steven and Amy are deep Disney fans, and that absolutely comes through as a loving, yet bloody, homage to Disney characters and storytelling in the movie.

Screamboat opens in theaters on 4/2 in North America, rolls...

This week, a Disney World pro visits Disneyland for the first time. We’ve got Frank from the Dillo’s Diz podcast on to talk about how a 50 year old former Disney World cast member had never taken a pilgrimage to Disneyland in California, until now. How does Disney in Anaheim compare to Orland? Listen in to find out!

You can catch more of Frank, and his sister Jen, on their amazing podcast Dillo’s Diz. You can find their show at https://dillosdiz.com.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan...

Stage Nine in Old Town Sacramento is an absolute treasure trove of all things pop culture and nostalgia. Not only is Stage Nine one of the largest Disney Fine Art galleries in the US, it also houses a gigantic Disneyana collection, has a toy store straight out of the dreams of 70s and 80s kids, and features a classic candy store too. Add to that RSVLTS, Loungefly, Funko Pop and more, and this place becomes your checkbook’s worst nightmare. It’s GREAT!

You can see and shop most of Stage Nine’s collection at https://stagenine.com. T...

This week we’re talking with Caitlyn and Caleb from the Market House Podcast who have recently taken their first “solo” trip (without other family to help) with their 1 year old to Disneyland. We haven’t been in that situation for 12+ years, so we thought we’d learn what it’s like to take a little to Disney these days.

If you want to hear more from Caitlyn and Caleb (and you do, trust us), check out https://www.markethousepodcast.com to link to their podcast feed and social channels.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion pr...

This is it! The closest to a maiden voyage we’ve ever been - we hit the new Disney Treasure for just her 9th revenue sailing, an eastern Caribbean itinerary with stops in Tortola, St Thomas, and Castaway Cay. We’ve sailed on all of the other Disney ships, so how does this one stack up? You’ll have to listen to find out! (hint: VERY WELL!)

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinio...

This week we’re joined by Brian and Sam, the incomparable DCL Duo, to talk all about runDisney and their recent trip down to Anaheim for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. We had a blast recording this episode, and when you get 4 Disney podcasters together, antics (and a long episode) are sure to follow. Enjoy!

You can catch more of these fabulous people and their amazing guests on their twice-weekly DCL Duo podcast, which includes a live episode most Monday evenings on YouTube. You can find links to all of their podcasts, social media channels, and even th...

We’re joined by Alex this week to talk about his family’s first trip on the Disney Magic. Tune in to hear what it’s like taking a group of 21 on a cruise out of Galveston to the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches of Mexico.

We also talk with Alex about his foundation, called Silent Wounds and Warriors, that seeks to help veterans and first responders overcome traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. You can find out more and donate to be a part of these heroes' recovery at https://silentwoundsandwarriors.com.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a p...

Not to be left out, Disneyland gets it’s turn this week as well look at what’s happening in 2025. Of course it’s Disneyland’s 70th birthday, but there’s a lot more to be aware of from ride and room closures, new openings, and special events, here’s what you need to keep in mind when planning your Disneyland trip in 2025.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Ins...

What’s happening in 2025 in WDW? From ride and room closures, new openings, and special events, we’ll cover what you need to keep in mind when planning your Disney World trip in 2025.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter: @ourmousecapades
OurMousecapades.com
podcast@ourmousecapades.com

We spent the New Year holiday on Oahu at one of our favorite Disney destinations, the Aulani Resort in Ko Olina. There’s so much to do at Aulani itself, and amazing activities for the whole family around the island. We did a UTV tour around Kualoa Ranch, visited Pearl Harbor with the USS Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri battleship tours, and spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Of course we also enjoyed Aulani itself, complete with an impressive fireworks display to ring in the new year - both official and unofficial. What a magical holiday!

...

We’re taking a look at what’s coming up for us in 2025 and beyond this week. We’ve got 4 cruises booked and at least 1 if not 2 trips to Disneyland. Of course we’ll be bringing you along for all the fun! What trips do you have planned? We’d love to hear from you and have you on the show. Just hit us up on socials or via email!

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel...

There’s nothing quite like spending the holidays in paradise, and that’s exactly what we did this year. We flew to Kauai early Christmas morning and spent 5 nights on the southern tip of the island in Poipu. Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai’s beauty (and the food!) did NOT disappoint.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter: @ourmousecapades
OurMousecapades.com
podcas...

We continue our series covering Disney Vacation Club resorts with a look at Disney’s Riviera Resort. This Epcot area DVC hotel on the Skyliner is absolutely gorgeous and instantly became one of our favorite places to stay. Incredible decor, stunning views, and delicious food await at this European inspired destination. 

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter: @ourmousecapades
OurMousecapades.com
podcast@our...

Join us for a look back at some of the key Disney announcements and updates from the last several months. This edition of our “quarterly” Disney review actually covers about 5 months, or everything we’ve heard since D23 over the summer. Don’t have time to keep up to date every week? We’ve got you covered.

----
Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Twitter: @ourmouseca...

We’re starting a little competition this week, pitting Disney villains against each other to see who’s mean reigns supreme! First up is our round of 32, with seeding courtesy of CoPilot AI. This was so fun!

Here’s are the competitors and seeds for the tournament…