The Squeeze – Tay & Taylor: Inside the Magic at Walt Disney World
Host: Taylor Lautner (with co-host, husband Taylor Lautner)
Date: September 24, 2025
Episode Overview
This special episode of The Squeeze takes place on location at Walt Disney World in Orlando, with hosts Tay and Taylor Lautner sharing their first-hand experiences—and plenty of laughs—immersing themselves in the magic of Disney. Beyond ride reviews and foodie highlights, the duo reflects candidly on the connection between mental health, nostalgia, and the restorative power of play and escapism that Disney uniquely offers. The episode aims to remind listeners about the importance of intentional self-care, being present, and making space for joy, even (especially!) as adults.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Disney World? – The Mental Health Connection
- Escapism & Nostalgia: Tay notes how Disney World isn't just for kids—it's a powerful escape for adults too, reviving a sense of childlike play and wonder.
“It provides such like an escape and a nostalgic type feel and you're able to just kind of get away from your everyday life and almost like play as an adult.” – Tay [02:51]
- Being Present: Taylor reflects how being fully immersed led to naturally being off his phone, truly soaking in each moment.
“The whole time I had been here, I had not been looking at my phone…” – Taylor [19:43]
2. Comparing Disney Parks: First Time for Tay, Nostalgia for Taylor
- Scale & Surprise: Tay, a lifelong Disneyland visitor, is blown away by the vastness of Disney World:
“The castle alone is about five times the size… I understand the world now.” – Tay [04:40, 04:58]
- Unique Offerings: Taylor reminisces about visiting as a kid for martial arts tournaments—a tradition that ended over 20 years ago.
- Practical Discoveries: They both share the misconception that you can easily walk between Disney World parks—only to discover the massive distances and dedicated transportation system. [05:33]
3. Food Finds: From Iconic Snacks to Michelin Dining
- Expectations Upended:
“The food, like, there's Michelin star restaurants here… we're actually like, we're foodies.” – Tay [06:15, 06:18]
- Must Eats:
- Turkey legs and pickles (the classics, every day for Taylor!) [00:27, 06:36]
- Brown Derby Cobb Salad – A standout for both, cited with enthusiasm.
“The Brown Derby… I wouldn't make it a talking point on this podcast, but I—” – Taylor [22:34]
- Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar: Creative Halloween snacks (mummy pigs in a blanket, ghost dumplings).
- Epcot Food & Wine Festival: Sampling dishes and drinks from around the world, feasting on Japanese and German treats, and a highlight hibachi dinner at Teponado. [11:09–12:56]
4. Standout Attractions & Parks Breakdown
Animal Kingdom
- Safari Experience: Both are awestruck by the authenticity and scale.
“Legitimately felt like we were in Africa.” – Taylor [07:26]
- Avatar Flight of Passage:
“It’s Soarin’ on steroids… you get the smells, you get the spray, the mist, and it literally feels like you're in Avatar.” – Taylor [08:02]
- Expedition Everest:
“I was not prepared to go backwards at all… the tracks end, and you’re like, oh.” – Tay [08:46]
- Tree of Life:
“They have… 365 carvings of different animals… standing under that, we took our photo in front of it, and there’s water coming down.” – Taylor [09:16]
Disney Springs
- Theming: Loved fall/Halloween vibes and playful food. [09:59–10:43]
Epcot (Food & Wine Festival)
- Immersion:
“Each country you enter… you feel like you’re fully immersed there, teleporting there.” – Tay [11:39]
- Rides:
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: “Like a dance party… we did it twice because it was so good… the funnest ride maybe I’ve ever been on.” – Taylor [14:20]
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: Tay’s enthusiasm prompts a movie night.
- Night Shows:
“The way they combined like light and music and the, like, choreography almost, of the fireworks. It's emotional.” – Tay [15:29] “Our whole group was, like, tearing up from this show.” – Taylor [15:46]
- Festival Note: Food & Wine Festival running through Nov 22 [16:21–16:38]
Hollywood Studios
- Tower of Terror: Original style, with a twist they won’t spoil. [17:06–17:31]
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance:
“The ride starts before you’re even on the actual ride… so immersive.” – Tay [18:27] “It was Rise of the Resistance that made me want to dive into [Star Wars].” – Taylor [19:17]
Magic Kingdom
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:
"I was being a loving wife... we rode it twice. I would have done it a third time if the group would have allowed me to." – Tay [23:12, 23:24] “This is what happens when you put yourself out there and stretch your boundaries.” – Taylor [24:24]
- Meeting Rapunzel:
“Meeting Rapunzel was crazy because it literally felt like she stepped out of the screen… I got to hold her hand, she took photos. She was making me dance.” – Tay [25:19–25:38]
- Merch Haul: Ears, especially themed popcorn ears, were a major souvenir.
5. Nighttime Magic, Fireworks & Shows
- Castle Fireworks:
“It’s so immersive… they project lights onto the castle… Minnie or whoever will shoot something out of a wand on the castle… and a firework comes out.” – Tay & Taylor [26:31–27:25] “The choreography of it is nuts… especially the Halloween specific firework show at the castle was so much fun.” – Taylor [27:06, 27:44]
- Personal Resonance: Tay recounts Halloween nostalgia from childhood visits, now recaptured as an adult.
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- On Disney as Adult Self-Care
“Just getting yourself out of your normal routine in your normal space… taking time for yourself to kind of just hit a reset button and recharge and restart.” – Tay [21:32]
- On Being Together:
"We spend a lot of time together, live together, we work together, work from home. But this was a different kind of time." – Taylor [28:49] “It was so much fun and we just like we had so much bonding time with the two of us…” – Taylor [28:21]
Key Timestamps
- 00:14 – On-site at Walt Disney World: intro and excitement.
- 02:51 – Disney as self-care and nostalgic escape.
- 04:40–05:33 – Scale differences: Disney World vs. Disneyland.
- 06:07–06:38 – Food highlights; discovering Michelin-star meals.
- 07:03–09:48 – Animal Kingdom safari, Avatar ride, Tree of Life.
- 10:43 – Disney Springs: Halloween food fun.
- 11:09–12:56 – Epcot Food & Wine Festival, shopping, and rides.
- 13:38–14:39 – Epcot rides: Guardians of the Galaxy, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
- 15:29–15:46 – Emotional night shows—the Symphony of Us.
- 16:48 – Day 2: Hollywood Studios and Star Wars.
- 18:58–19:43 – Reflection: escaping technology, being present.
- 22:34 – The Brown Derby Cobb Salad love.
- 23:12–24:54 – Magic Kingdom: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, pushing comfort zones.
- 25:19–25:38 – Meeting (and dancing with) Rapunzel.
- 26:31–27:44 – Fireworks spectaculars and projection-mapped castle.
- 28:21–28:51 – Bonding and relationship takeaways.
- 29:32 – Closing wellness reminder.
Final Takeaways – “The Magic Recap”
- Intentional Play: Disney isn’t just about rides—it's a setting for mindful play, deep connection, and rediscovering joy.
- Presence: By leaving behind stressors and screens, both hosts found a renewed ability to be present and recharge.
- Connection: Whether in childhood or grown-up “date night” form, shared adventures can deepen relationships.
- Mental Health Priority: The episode repeatedly circles back to self-care, with Disney as both metaphor and method for taking restorative breaks from routine.
“Make sure as you’re heading into this busy, back-to-school, back-to-work… that you’re still taking time to prioritize your mental health and your self-care and finding time for yourself and to be with your loved ones, with your family, with your friends. And there’s really no better place than Disney World to do that.” – Tay [29:32]
Rating and recommendation?
“Highly recommend. 10 out of 10.” – Taylor [30:00]
This episode blends pure Disney fun with honest, actionable mental health wisdom—illustrating that even in the ‘lime-est of lights,’ play is powerful, connection is vital, and everyone needs time to reset.