Many Americans will take on debt this summer for a family trip to a Disney theme park. So why is the happiest place on earth breaking their bank accounts? Teo takes Clare on a fantasy trip to Disneyworld to find out, and see if Clare can have a truly magical experience on a budget. 

We want to answer your questions about how our world works! Click here to submit a question using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org

Support the show by supporting our home, KUOW Public Radio in Seattle.

Sources in this episode:
Disney’s Magic Kingdom Raises Prices, CNN News Room, 2014
Disney and the Decline of America’s Middle Class, New York Times, 2025
Can America Afford Disney?, Disney Tourist Blog, 2025
How Much Disney Can America’s Middle Class Afford in 2025?, Touring Plans Blog, 2025
The U.S. Economy Depends More Than Ever on Rich People, Wall Street Journal, 2025
Even Disney Is Worried About the High Cost of a Disney Vacation, Wall Street Journal, 2025
Why do people keep coming back?, USA Today, 2026
Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
How Do People Afford Disney?, Reddit, 2026 
Earnings Report, Walt Disney Report, 2024
Summer Travel Survey, Bankrate, 2025
Disney Survey, LendingTree, 2024
Global Attractions Attendance Report, AECOM, 2023
The Walt Disney Company, 2026
What’s The Current Disney Commission Rate For Travel Agents?, Mainstreet Agency Travel, 2026

Many Americans will take on debt this summer for a family trip to a Disney theme park. So why is the happiest place on earth breaking their bank accounts? Teo takes Clare on a fantasy trip to Disneyworld to find out, and see if Clare can have a truly magical experience on a budget.&nbsp;
We want to answer your questions about how our world works!&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/r/4nGSfCuAML">Click here</a> to submit a question using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org
Support the show by supporting our home,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/control-f-notes">KUOW Public Radio</a> in Seattle.
Sources in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLl2S2Cx7is">Disney&rsquo;s Magic Kingdom Raises Prices</a>, CNN News Room, 2014</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/opinion/disney-world-economy-middle-class-rich.html">Disney and the Decline of America&rsquo;s Middle Class</a>, New York Times, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-too-expensive-middle-class-americans/">Can America Afford Disney?</a>, Disney Tourist Blog, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://touringplans.com/blog/how-much-disney-can-americas-middle-class-afford-in-2025/">How Much Disney Can America&rsquo;s Middle Class Afford in 2025?</a>, Touring Plans Blog, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/us-economy-strength-rich-spending-2c34a571">The U.S. Economy Depends More Than Ever on Rich People</a>, Wall Street Journal, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/disney-parks-price-hikes-consumers-0bf4dbd6?">Even Disney Is Worried About the High Cost of a Disney Vacation</a>, Wall Street Journal, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2026/04/14/disney-world-disneyland-fans/89427065007/">Why do people keep coming back?</a>, USA Today, 2026</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bls.gov/cex/">Consumer Expenditure Surveys</a>, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Mommit/comments/1musn25/how_do_people_afford_disney/">How Do People Afford Disney?</a>, Reddit, 2026&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://investors.thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/news-details/2024/The-Walt-Disney-Company-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-Earnings-for-Fiscal-2024-11-14-2024/">Earnings Report</a>, Walt Disney Report, 2024</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/survey-summer-vacation/">Summer Travel Survey</a>, Bankrate, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/disney-goers-debt-survey/">Disney Survey</a>, LendingTree, 2024</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://aecom.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/reports/AECOM-Theme-Index-2023.pdf">Global Attractions Attendance Report</a>, AECOM, 2023</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/">The Walt Disney Company</a>, 2026</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://mainstreetagencytravel.com/news/whats-the-current-disney-commission-rates-for-travel-agents">What&rsquo;s The Current Disney Commission Rate For Travel Agents?</a>, Mainstreet Agency Travel, 2026</li>
</ul>

Control F is a podcast about data — hard, fuzzy, surprising, and sometimes unreliable data — and all the ways it influences our daily lives. In each episode, we dig deep on a topic and search through research, algorithms, and assumptions to bring you insights on how stuff works. In a world ruled by numbers, Control F reads between the (spreadsheet) lines to find the bigger story.

Control F is a podcast about data &mdash; hard, fuzzy, surprising, and sometimes unreliable data &mdash; and all the ways it influences our daily lives. In each episode, we dig deep on a topic and search through research, algorithms, and assumptions to bring you insights on how stuff works. In a world ruled by numbers, Control F reads between the (spreadsheet) lines to find the bigger story.

Control F is a podcast about data — hard, fuzzy, surprising, and sometimes unreliable data — and all the ways it influences our daily lives. 

Control F

Can Americans afford a Disney vacation?

Every road in the United States has a speed limit, but where do these numbers come from? Do they actually make people slow down? And do lower speed limits make roads safer? In this episode, Clare tells Teo about the origins of speed limits, the science and engineering behind them, and how they fit into the bigger picture of staying safe on American roadways. 

Have a question we should answer on the show? Click here to tell us using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org

Support the show by supporting our home, KUOW Public Radio in Seattle.

 

Sources in this episode:
The first speed limit passed in the United States, cultureNOW
The first state-wide speed limit, ConnecticutHistory.org
Statement on Signing the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, The American Presidency Project, 1974
I Can’t Drive 55, Sammy Hagar 
Impact speed and a pedestrian's risk of severe injury or death, 2011
Literature review of pedestrian fatality risk as a function of car impact speed, 2011
Speed Limit Information, Seattle Department of Transportation
Speed Limit Case Studies Report, Seattle Department of Transportation
Crash Analysis Database, Seattle Department of Transportation
Road Segment Counts Database, Seattle Department of Transportation
Interview with Yinhai Wang, University of Washington
Interview with Venu Nemani, Seattle Department of Transportation
Interview with Clara Cantor, Seattle Streets Alliance
Interview with Michael Smith, Seattle Streets Alliance

Every road in the United States has a speed limit, but where do these numbers come from? Do they actually make people slow down? And do lower speed limits make roads safer? In this episode, Clare tells Teo about the origins of speed limits, the science and engineering behind them, and how they fit into the bigger picture of staying safe on American roadways.&nbsp;
Have a question we should answer on the show? <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/4nGSfCuAML">Click here</a> to tell us using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org
Support the show by supporting our home, <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/control-f-notes">KUOW Public Radio</a> in Seattle.
&nbsp;
Sources in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://culturenow.org/site/dc33c32c-2696-434f-bf1a-b1b64037ac13/preview/ef276fe9-13c8-48d6-af51-d3e5909f5ab7#ef276fe9-13c8-48d6-af51-d3e5909f5ab7-image">The first speed limit passed in the United States</a>, cultureNOW</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://connecticuthistory.org/setting-speed-limits-today-in-history-may-21/">The first state-wide speed limit</a>, <a href="http://connecticuthistory.org">ConnecticutHistory.org</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-emergency-highway-energy-conservation-act">Statement on Signing the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act</a>, The American Presidency Project, 1974</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV3nn_de2k">I Can&rsquo;t Drive 55</a>, Sammy Hagar&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22935347/">Impact speed and a pedestrian's risk of severe injury or death</a>, 2011</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457510001077">Literature review of pedestrian fatality risk as a function of car impact speed</a>, 2011</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/safety-first/vision-zero/speedlimits">Speed Limit Information</a>, Seattle Department of Transportation</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/SDOT/VisionZero/SpeedLimit_CaseStudies_Report.pdf">Speed Limit Case Studies Report</a>, Seattle Department of Transportation</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://home.urbanlogiq.us/public/sdot-crash-analysis?c=47.560911345114505%2C-122.2903744917744&amp;z=14.081031554754803">Crash Analysis Database</a>, Seattle Department of Transportation</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://home.urbanlogiq.us/public/sdot-road-segments?c=47.56494803522651%2C-122.28602006208229&amp;z=10.786192912249993">Road Segment Counts Database</a>, Seattle Department of Transportation</li>
<li aria-level="1">Interview with Yinhai Wang, University of Washington</li>
<li aria-level="1">Interview with Venu Nemani, Seattle Department of Transportation</li>
<li aria-level="1">Interview with Clara Cantor, Seattle Streets Alliance</li>
<li aria-level="1">Interview with Michael Smith, Seattle Streets Alliance</li>
</ul>

Clare tells Teo about the origins of speed limits, the science and engineering behind them, and how they fit into the bigger picture of staying safe on American roadways.

How are speed limits calculated? 

Over a million international visitors were expected to come to the U.S. during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But how did forecasters come up with that number almost a year ago? Teo tells Clare about the surprisingly straightforward math and how businesses use that information to (try to) prepare enough beer when the Scots come to town.

We want to answer your questions about how our world works! Click here to submit a question using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org

Support the show by supporting our home, KUOW Public Radio in Seattle.

Sources in this episode:
Interview: Aran Ryan, Tourism Economics, 2026
Interview: John David, Sports Events and Tourism Association, 2026

Over a million international visitors were expected to come to the U.S. during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But how did forecasters come up with that number almost a year ago? Teo tells Clare about the surprisingly straightforward math and how businesses use that information to (try to) prepare enough beer when the Scots come to town.
We want to answer your questions about how our world works!&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/r/4nGSfCuAML">Click here</a> to submit a question using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org
Support the show by supporting our home, <a href="https://kuow.org/controlf">KUOW Public Radio</a> in Seattle.
Sources in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Interview: Aran Ryan, Tourism Economics, 2026</li>
<li aria-level="1">Interview: John David, Sports Events and Tourism Association, 2026</li>
</ul>

Over a million international visitors were expected to come to the U.S. during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But how did forecasters come up with that number almost a year ago?

How do you predict how many visitors will travel for the FIFA World Cup?

Every year, millions of Americans choose to hop on e-bikes because of their affordability, convenience and speed. Motorcycles can take you farther, faster, and have been around longer; so has their dangerous reputation. When you look at the numbers, which is actually more dangerous? Teo explains to Clare what the data says about the unique and shared risks of the two rides.

We want to answer your questions about how our world works! Click here to submit a question using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org

Support the show by supporting our home, KUOW Public Radio in Seattle.

Sources in this episode:
Safety and Injury Prevention Statement, American College of Surgeons, 2025 
Bike helmet protects a young boy’s brain, UW Medicine, 2025
Electric Bicycle Injuries and Hospitalizations, JAMA Surgery, 2024
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, 2024
Bicycle Injury at UW Medicine, Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, 2024 
Exploring Electric Bicycle Safety Performance Data and Policy Options for California, San Jose State University, 2025
E-Bikes are vehicles, not toys: What parents need to know, Utah Department of Public Safety, 2026
Select Risk Factors Associated with Causes of Motorcycle Crashs, National Transportation Safety Board, 2018
Micromobility: Data Challenges Associated with Assessing the Prevalence and Risk of Electric Scooter and Electric Bicycle Fatalities and Injuries, National Transportation Safety Board, 2022 
Traffic Safety Facts: Motorcycles, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025 
Traffic Safety Facts: Pedalcycles, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025 
Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024
Injury patterns and safety implications for electric bikes compared to mopeds in the United States, Traffic Injury Prevention, 2025
Interview: Stephen J. Mooney, Ph.D., University of Washington Department of Epidemiology, 2026

Every year, millions of Americans choose to hop on e-bikes because of their affordability, convenience and speed. Motorcycles can take you farther, faster, and have been around longer; so has their dangerous reputation. When you look at the numbers, which is actually more dangerous? Teo explains to Clare what the data says about the unique and shared risks of the two rides.
We want to answer your questions about how our world works! <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/4nGSfCuAML">Click here</a> to submit a question using our online form, or email the team at ControlF@kuow.org
Support the show by supporting our home, <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/control-f-notes">KUOW Public Radio</a> in Seattle.
Sources in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.facs.org/about-acs/statements/statement-on-electric-bicycle-safety-and-injury-prevention/">Safety and Injury Prevention Statement</a>, American College of Surgeons, 2025&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXReW3O5_MA">Bike helmet protects a young boy&rsquo;s brain</a>, UW Medicine, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10882498/">Electric Bicycle Injuries and Hospitalizations</a>, JAMA Surgery, 2024</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Research--Statistics/NEISS-Injury-Data">National Electronic Injury Surveillance System</a>, 2024</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://wtsc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Exec-Summary_Bike-Injury-in-Seattle_Oct2024.pdf">Bicycle Injury at UW Medicine</a>, Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, 2024&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/2423-Agrawal-Electric-Bicycle-Safety-Data-Policy.pdf">Exploring Electric Bicycle Safety Performance Data and Policy Options for California</a>, San Jose State University, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://highwaysafety.utah.gov/ebikes/">E-Bikes are vehicles, not toys: What parents need to know</a>, Utah Department of Public Safety, 2026</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SR1801.pdf">Select Risk Factors Associated with Causes of Motorcycle Crashs</a>, National Transportation Safety Board, 2018</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SRR2201.pdf">Micromobility: Data Challenges Associated with Assessing the Prevalence and Risk of Electric Scooter and Electric Bicycle Fatalities and Injuries</a>, National Transportation Safety Board, 2022&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813732">Traffic Safety Facts: Motorcycles</a>, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813739">Traffic Safety Facts: Pedalcycles</a>, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/fatality-analysis-reporting-system-fars">Fatality Analysis Reporting System</a>, 2024</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40854205/">Injury patterns and safety implications for electric bikes compared to mopeds in the United States</a>, Traffic Injury Prevention, 2025</li>
<li aria-level="1">Interview: Stephen J. Mooney, Ph.D., University of Washington Department of Epidemiology, 2026</li>
</ul>

Every year, millions of Americans choose to hop on e-bikes because of their affordability, convenience and speed. They also have a safer reputation than motorcycles. But are they actually safer?

Can Americans afford a Disney vacation?

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