One Slice at a Time

Pizza is the passport. Travel advisors Stephanie Pakosta and Ryan Joy travel the world one slice at a time - chasing great pies, great cities, and the unexpected stories you find along the way. Plus the kind of trip-planning-know-how you only get from agents who book it for a living.

One Slice at a Time is a society podcast hosted by Ryan Joy and Stephanie Pakosta, with 60 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ryan Joy and Stephanie Pakosta hosts One Slice at a Time, a society show with 60 episodes published.

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  Episode #60

  Episode 60: AmaWaterways Celebration of Beer Rhine Cruise | AmaFiora 2027

  Aug 17, 202627 minS2

  Is the Rhine the perfect place to take your first European river cruise? This week, we're heading from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam and talking through one of the best-known river cruise routes in Europe—with one very fun addition. Ryan is hosting an AmaWaterways Celebration of Beer Rhine River cruise November 13–20, 2027 aboard AmaFiora. We'll take you stop by stop through the route, including Breisach, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Amsterdam. Along the way we're talking castles, vineyards, walking tours, bike rides, Riesling, Rüdesheim coffee, regional food, Kölsch beer, Altbier, Amsterdam snacks, and the kind of small-group experiences that make river cruising so different from an ocean cruise. We also explain what it's actually like to cruise with AmaWaterways. What's included? How do excursions work? Can you change your plans? What drinks are included? Can you bring your own bottle of wine back onboard? AmaWaterways offers multiple excursion choices in many ports, and guests can often change their selection even after initially choosing an excursion. Stephanie and Ryan also discuss the included drinks and the local experiences that happen both ashore and onboard. And yes—we finally get to the beer. The special sailing includes a brewer onboard, tastings, and beer experiences tied to the regions along the Rhine. If you're thinking about river cruising and aren't sure which cruise line, cabin, itinerary, or sailing fits you best, that's where we come in. Visit OneSlicePod.com to connect with us and start planning. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

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  Episode #59

  Episode 59: Is Disney’s Aulani Resort Worth It?

  Aug 10, 202618 minS2

  When most families think about a Disney vacation, they picture theme parks, early mornings, ride reservations, and packed schedules. Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii offers something very different. In this episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie Pakosta and Ryan Joy discuss whether Disney’s Aulani Resort is worth the long flight to Oahu and why it may be one of Disney’s most relaxing family destinations. Aulani is located in Ko Olina on the quieter west side of Oahu, about 30 minutes from Honolulu International Airport when traffic is light. The resort sits along a protected lagoon with calm water that works well for swimming, floating, paddleboarding, and families with younger children. Stephanie and Ryan explain why many Aulani guests may not need a rental car for their full stay. Parking can add a major daily cost, while airport transfers and one-day car rentals may be a better fit for guests who only plan to visit places such as Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, or Dole Plantation. They also cover Aulani dining, including the Disney character breakfast at Makahiki, oceanfront dining at AMA‘AMA, casual meals at Ulu Cafe, drinks and small plates at The ‘Ōlelo Room, and nearby restaurants such as Monkeypod Kitchen. Stephanie shares why families should reserve popular meals as soon as their booking window opens. The episode also covers: Rainbow Reef snorkeling The lazy river, pools, slides, and splash areas The KA WA‘A luau Ukulele, animation, art, and cultural activities Laniwai Spa Painted Sky experiences for children and tweens Hotel rooms, studios, and multi-bedroom villas Grocery delivery and kitchen options Aunty’s Beach House and children’s activities MagicBand+ use at the resort Pool chair planning How much Disney theming guests should expect Stephanie and Ryan agree that Aulani puts Hawaii first and Disney second. Guests receive the service and small details associated with Disney, but the main focus remains Hawaiian culture, scenery, food, and time together. They also explain why Aulani may work especially well as the final four or five nights of a larger Hawaii vacation. Families can spend the first part of the trip touring Oahu or another island, then finish at Aulani with fewer plans and more time at the beach and pool. And because this is One Slice at a Time, Ryan shares a Crusty Review of Brick Fire Tavern, a Neapolitan-style pizza restaurant he visited during his birthday trip. Planning an Aulani vacation involves more than choosing a room. Stephanie and Ryan can help you decide how many nights to stay, whether to add another Hawaiian island, which room type fits your family, when to reserve dining and activities, and whether you need a rental car. Visit OneSlicePod.com to request help planning your Hawaii vacation. Join the One Slice at a Time newsletter for practical travel advice, destination ideas, new podcast episodes, and planning tools. Visit ExtraCheese.fun to subscribe. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

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  Episode #56

  Episode 56 Hollywood Studios: Our Rides, Food and Lightning Lane Strategy

  Jul 20, 202624 minS2

  Should you wait to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios until all the park changes are complete? Stephanie and Ryan agree on this one: no. Disney parks are always changing, and waiting for every announced project to finish could mean putting off your trip for years. The better question is whether Hollywood Studios currently offers enough for your family—and how to plan the park around the attractions you care about most. In this episode of One Slice at a Time, we compare our personal Hollywood Studios itineraries. Ryan starts his morning on Sunset Boulevard with Tower of Terror, while Stephanie is much less excited about dropping into the Twilight Zone. From there, both plans depend heavily on available Lightning Lane times and whether the day’s biggest priorities are in Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or somewhere in between. We talk about why grouping nearby Lightning Lane reservations can save time, even though Hollywood Studios is one of the easier Disney World parks to cross. We also explain why Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance may be worth purchasing separately rather than risking a long standby wait. Hollywood Studios is also one of Disney World’s hottest parks, with limited shade in several areas. That makes its indoor shows more than entertainment—they can be a key part of a smart afternoon plan. We discuss the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast—Live on Stage and other shows that can give your family a much-needed break. Then it is time to eat. Ryan makes his case for Backlot Express, while Stephanie chooses Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant for lunch and shares a milkshake mistake she will not make twice. We also cover 50’s Prime Time Café, the Fantasmic! Dining Package, Roundup Rodeo BBQ and The Hollywood Brown Derby. Finally, we name our can’t-miss attractions, underrated picks, favorite snacks and overrated rides. Ryan shares why Star Tours remains part of nearly every visit, while Stephanie explains why Rise of the Resistance is more than a normal ride. And yes, we review the pizza. It would not be One Slice at a Time without checking the crust. Episode Notes Key Takeaways Do not wait for Hollywood Studios to be “finished.” Disney parks continue to change, and there is already plenty to plan around. Choose rope drop based on your family’s priorities—not a general ranking of the park’s rides. Try to group Lightning Lane return times by area so you are not crossing the park more than needed. Hollywood Studios is fairly compact, so changing areas is possible when the Lightning Lane schedule requires it. Consider purchasing Lightning Lane access for Rise of the Resistance when saving time and reducing uncertainty are high priorities. Use live shows as planned afternoon breaks, especially during hot or crowded days. Arrive early for popular shows during high-attendance periods. Sci-Fi Dine-In can work well for lunch because the lunch and dinner experience is similar. A Fantasmic! Dining Package can reduce the time spent waiting for a good seat. Star Tours is easy to overlook, but its changing scenes give it good repeat value. A successful Hollywood Studios day does not require doing every attraction. Attractions Discussed The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Star Tours Toy Story Mania Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Beauty and the Beast—Live on Stage Fantasmic! Dining and Snacks Discussed Backlot Express Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant 50’s Prime Time Café Roundup Rodeo BBQ The Hollywood Brown Derby Catalina Eddie’s Jack-Jack Num Num Cookie Cream cheese pretzel Toy Story Land lunch box tarts Pizza options in and near Hollywood Studios Resources Podcast and travel planning: OneSlicePod.com Free Disney planning guide: ExtraCheese.fun Previous park episodes: Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Next park episode: Animal Kingdom Planning a Disney World trip involves much more than choosing a resort and buying park tickets. Your park order, dining plans, Lightning Lane choices and family priorities all affect how the trip feels. Stephanie and Ryan help families make those choices before arrival so they spend less time trying to fix the plan during the vacation. Visit OneSlicePod.com to start planning your Disney World trip. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

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  Episode #55

  Episode 55: The Best Day at EPCOT

  Jul 13, 202623 minS2

  Is EPCOT good for kids? Stephanie and Ryan hear versions of that question all the time, and their answer is pretty clear: families are seriously underestimating this park. In this episode of One Slice at a Time, we're continuing our Walt Disney World park series with EPCOT. We break down what a real EPCOT day looks like for two very different Disney travelers. Ryan's perfect day may involve Soarin', festival snacks, a World Showcase scavenger hunt, and a Via Napoli reservation. Stephanie is trying to ride Guardians as many times as humanly possible. Balance. We talk through rope drop strategy, including how we choose between Remy and Frozen, when a Lightning Lane may make sense, and why EPCOT is one park where Stephanie sometimes skips Multi Pass. Then we get into the parts of EPCOT that families often walk right past. Kidcot stops. The huge aquarium after Nemo. Figment. The Gran Fiesta Tour. Voices of Liberty. Indoor shows that give you a break from Florida heat and rain. Scavenger hunts that actually get you walking through the countries instead of rushing from ride to ride. Stephanie also shares one of her biggest EPCOT tips for families: do not underestimate the walking. She learned that lesson during her first Disney trip at age 14 when her much younger brother finally announced he was not taking another step. We also talk about why EPCOT is a strong park for princess fans, where we like to watch the nighttime show, adult EPCOT weekends, avocado margaritas, maple popcorn, caramel popcorn, and attractions we think are completely overrated. Finally, Ryan gives Via Napoli an eight out of eight on the official One Slice pizza scale. Obviously. Planning Walt Disney World? Visit OneSlicePod.com to learn more about working with Stephanie and Ryan. Get our free Disney planning worksheet at ExtraCheese.fun . bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

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  Episode #54

  Episode 54 Magic Kingdom Tips: What to Ride, Skip, Eat & Book

  Jul 6, 202640 minS2

  What is the best way to spend a day at Magic Kingdom? That depends on who you ask. In this episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie Pakosta and Ryan Joy compare two very different Magic Kingdom strategies. Ryan is a Florida annual passholder who can afford to slow down, skip a ride, and come back another day. Stephanie flies in for her Disney trips, often visits with a child, plans ahead, and is very willing to pay for time-saving options when they make sense. The result? A practical conversation about what really matters at Magic Kingdom—and plenty of disagreement. We talk about whether rope drop is worth the stress, how to go opposite the crowds, what to do while waiting for your next Lightning Lane, which attractions deserve priority, and why the “perfect” plan looks different for every family. You will hear our takes on: • Magic Kingdom for adults • Magic Kingdom with children • One-day versus two-day park plans • Rope drop strategy • Lightning Lane priorities • Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Tomorrowland Speedway, and more • Mobile ordering • Columbia Harbour House • Casey’s Corner corn dog nuggets • Adventureland spring rolls • Dole Whip • Sleepy Hollow waffles • Skipper Canteen • Liberty Tree Tavern • Cinderella’s Royal Table • Be Our Guest • Fireworks dessert parties • Parade viewing • Post-fireworks park time • Hidden gems and overlooked attractions We also share two attractions we regularly skip, our picks for underrated Magic Kingdom experiences, and a few small details that can make a Disney day easier. Then it is time for the Crusty Review. Is the pizza at Pinocchio Village Haus worth your park time—or should you get the spring rolls instead? Let’s just say we have opinions. The biggest lesson from this episode is simple: stop building your Disney vacation around what Facebook says you “have” to do. A good Magic Kingdom plan should fit your family, your budget, your children, your energy level, and your priorities. Need help planning a Walt Disney World vacation? Visit OneSlicePod.com. Want our free printable Walt Disney World park planning guide? Join the newsletter at ExtraCheese.fun. Keep traveling the world, one slice at a time. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

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