We’re Back from the Dead: Fall Favorites & Theme Park Upsells

After a short break, we’re back with a dad-focused catch-up. From the softball team’s unlikely run from last place to the finals, to Ricky’s ongoing knee drama, this episode has plenty of laughs, stories, and real-life dad grit. Then we get into theme parks—the rising costs, confusing upsells, and the strategies that actually work. From Disney’s Lightning Lane to Universal’s new Epic Universe, we lay out what’s worth the money, what isn’t, and the one sneaky hack you need to know. If you’re a dad planning a family trip—or just love a good rant—you’ll want to hear this. Highlights include: • Softball finals recap & team awards • Ricky’s knee replacement decisions • Fall favorites: football, cider donuts, and lots and lots of leaves! • Disney & Universal upsells explained • The ride-hack every dad should know This episode blends family life, fall traditions, and theme-park survival tips into a mix that every dad can relate to. Timestamps: 00:00 Show Intro: Back from Summer Break & Softball Finals Run 02:00 Ricky’s Knee Injury and Surgery Decisions 06:30 Johnny’s Mid-Week Health Scare 10:20 Fall Favorites: Football, Donuts, and Family Traditions 14:40 Pumpkin Spice, Streaming Sports, and Seasonal Rants 20:00 Dealing with Leaves, Lawns, and School Traffic 26:00 The Real Costs of Disney & Universal Trips 30:00 Lightning Lane, Upsells, and What’s Worth Paying For 34:00 A Sneaky Ride Hack That Actually Works 37:00 Alcohol in the Parks, St. Louis “What If,” and Wrap-Up Links & Mentions: Disney Lightning Lane Passes Universal Express Pass The Best Apple Cider Donuts on the North Shore Nason's Stone House Farm What's Happening - Doobie or Not Doobie: Part 1 + 2   Support us: Patreon Site Visit the Mack & G Store   Follow us: Facebook Instagram  YouTube TikTok Twitter Join our Newsletter