The Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida share many of the same attractions. Many are almost exactly the same, like Soarin’, and some are very different, like Pirates of the Caribbean. We’ll decide which versions are better on Episode 77: Better in Disneyland or WDW?
Is Peter Pan’s Flight better in Disneyland or Walt Disney World? What about Haunted Mansion? We’ll debate them all this week!
If you like the cut of Lauren’s gib, check her out on these other episodes of the show:
I’m weird. That’s right, I admit it. I’m a weird guy. I don’t know how to fix a car, I’m not really handy around the house, and I’ve never changed a flat tire. I can, however, tell you the dates Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney’s MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, etc., had their opening days. That’s right, I’m weird. That’s the thought process behind this week’s Word of the Week – Weird.
You and I are a lot alike. We both love Disney, Walt Disney World, and listening to Disney podcasts. But have you fully embraced the weird?
I’ve eaten a lot of meals in Walt Disney World. More than a lot, actually…a TON. The majority of my meals in Walt Disney World have been fantastic but of course there are those exceptions. That’s why this week we wanted to talk about restaurants (or stands or kiosks) that we’d recommend trying again, on Episode 76: WDW Restaurants That Deserve A Second Look.
Many WDW restaurants (or stands or kiosks) have changed a lot over the last several years, but too many Disney guests don’t know about those changes. That changes with this episode.
If you enjoyed Johnny Shortsleeve’s appearance on the show, check him out on these episodes:
Episode 43: Best Places To Get Away From It All in WDW
Episode 49: Top Ways to Prepare for a WDW Trip
If you are thinking about taking a trip to Walt Disney World over the holiday season, you might want to look into attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. From character meet & greets to special a nighttime parade and fireworks show, here’s what you can expect at the party on this week’s Word of the Week – Very (Merry Christmas Party).
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the ultimate combination of Christmas and Disney that will turn even the biggest Scrooge McDuck into Tiny Tim!
When Walt Disney imagined EPCOT, it was to be his Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. It was going to be a utopia: a city that would be on the cutting edge of technology, health, transportation, and much more. With his untimely passing, the Disney Company ultimately moved ahead with EPCOT Center, a theme park that for years focused on “edutainment.” That may all be about to change and we’ll talk all about it on Episode 75: Epcot, A Change Is Gonna Come.
Epcot is going to change. That’s happening. We talk all about the news, rumors, and more and want to know what you think this week!
Most Disney fans know the story of the early years of Walt Disney’s life. He grew up on a farm in Marceline, Missouri, joined the Red Cross underage, and moved to Los Angeles in his early 20’s to pursue his passion of animation. But do you know the story of the guy behind Walt Disney who was just as instrumental in the success of the Disney company in many ways? This week I’ll tell you all about that other guy on the Word of the Week – Ub.
Ub Iwerks was Walt Disney’s right hand man for many of his successes and failures. He often gets overlooked, however, when it comes to the praise and accolades that Walt received throughout his adult life. This week, let me tell you all about the guy behind the guy behind the guy, Disney Legend Ub Iwerks and why he was a big part of Walt’s success.
Walt Disney World is the ultimate family vacation destination. With world class theme parks, amazing resorts, phenomenal dining, & so much more, there is no better time to take a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth than right now! If you’ve been putting off that family vacation because you have toddlers or babies, I’ll tell you why you shouldn’t on Episode 74: What Can My Toddler or Baby Do in Disney World?
If you’ve been putting off your WDW vacation because you think there’s nothing there for babies or toddlers, maybe you should think again! Listen in as my wife Amy and I fill you in on each and every attraction your little one can do in Walt Disney World. By the way, we missed a couple! Your little ones can also take part in the Na’Vi River Journey in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Frozen Live on Stage in Hollywood Studios, Frozen Ever After in Epcot, & Enchanted Tales with Belle AND Under the Sea in Magic Kingdom!
It’s no secret that Trader Sam’s is my favorite bar in both Disneyland and in Walt Disney World. When the Disneyland version debuted in 2011, it was so popular that Disney’s higher ups had no choice but to bring a version out to the East Coast. This week I wanted to tell you all about my two favorite watering holes in the Word of the Week – Trader Sam’s.
I LOVE both versions of Trader Sam’s so much that I am building a mini version of the bar in a room in my home. That’s 100% true! I’ll tell you what makes them so special on this show!
I talk about this topic all of the time on this podcast but I feel like I just have to repeat it again: Walt Disney World’s restaurants are not all cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers. Contrary to popular belief, WDW has become a culinary destination over the last decade or two, and some of the best dishes around are the sandwiches that populate the menus all over the theme parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Let’s take a look at our favorites on Episode 73: Top 10 Walt Disney World Sandwiches.
Name your favorite type of sandwich. Go ahead! I can guarantee Walt Disney World has a place where you can get a fantastic version! Let’s take a look at the Top 10 WDW Sandwiches!
Long before there were any plans for a Star Wars Land in Disneyland or Walt Disney World, an agreement was made between the Walt Disney Company and the leader of the Star Wars Universe, George Lucas. They had first collaborated on the 3D film Captain EO, and now Disney was trying to hop aboard the popularity of the Star Wars franchise and create all new experience. The week I’ll take a look at all of that and more on the Word of the Week – Star Tours.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is one of the best attractions in all of WDW. This week I’ll take you on a tour of the past, present, & future of this all time great!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has held a special place in my heart since 1998. This park marked the first location where I’d ever wear a name tag as a proud cast member in Walt Disney World and to this day I still think of it as my “home park.” I wanted to wait until Pandora: The World of Avatar opened to talk about my official attraction ranking list, and that day has finally arrived. Check out Episode 72: Ultimate Ranking of Animal Kingdom Attractions.
Which attraction is my top attraction in all of Animal Kingdom? Which one could I do without? This week I’ll tackle those and much more with my Ultimate Rankings!
One thing Walt Disney ALWAYS wanted in his theme parks was a train. From his earliest days in Marceline, Missouri, to taking the train from NYC to Los Angeles after Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was taken from him, Walt always had a fascination with railroads. This week I’ll take a closer look at that fascination with the Word of the Week – Railroad.
From the train that brought the Disney family to Marceline, MO to the WDW Railroad, take a trip with me as I explore the history of railroads in the life and times of Walter Elias Disney.
When Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, things were very different than they are today. The Most Magical Place On Earth opened with 1 theme park and 3 resorts, a far cry from what makes up WDW today. We’ll talk about how far WDW’s come in Episode 71: Walt Disney World Then & Now.
October 1, 1971: WDW opens with 1 theme park and 3 resorts. May, 2017: WDW consists of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and more than 25 resorts. Let’s talk about it!
Walt Disney World is the most popular family vacation destination in the world. From world class theme parks to amazing resorts and incredible shopping and dining experiences, there is truly something for everyone. But what do you do when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of The Most Magical Place On Earth? You look for a quiet little spot, of course! That’s what I’m focusing on on this week’s Word of the Week – Quiet.
Walt Disney World can be LOUD. It’s always busy, always energetic, & always exciting. But where do you go to get peace & quiet in the parks & resorts? Listen to this show!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom needed something new. The park hadn’t gotten new, big-time attractions since the debut of Expedition Everest and that now goes back more than a decade. So when Pandora: The World of Avatar was announced and called the biggest expansion in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, people were skeptical but excited. This week, my friend Johnny Shortsleeve and I take a look at the new land on Episode 70: Live Review of Pandora: The World of Avatar.
Stunning. Beautiful. Unexpected. Thrilling. These are a few of the words you’ll hear me say on this week’s show. Listen in and hear our actual reactions to Pandora: The World of Avatar!
Over the last several years, Walt Disney World has significantly upped their food game. From signature dining locations to fun, interactive restaurants and over the top menus, WDW certainly doesn’t offer only “amusement park food.” This week I wanted to take a closer look at something Walt Disney World has never really gotten right until recently. Take a listen to this week’s Word of the Week – Pizza.
One food that WDW could never quite get right was pizza. But these days both the parks and resorts have some excellent options to choose from. I’ll give you all of my faves in this week’s episode!
Walt Disney World is often referred to as the number one family vacation destination in the world. From infants to retirees and everyone in between, there is something for everyone on Walt Disney World property. But you don’t need a large party or family to have a blast on a WDW vacation. This week, I wanted to take a look at my Top 7 Tips for a Solo Trip to WDW.
A solo trip to Walt Disney World might seem overwhelming or maybe even a little bit lonely. But take it from someone who has taken several of these jaunts, it’s anything but! If I can’t convince you to take a solo trip to WDW with these 7 tips, I’ll buy you a Dole Whip! (Free Dole Whips are not guaranteed!)
Walt Disney Imagineering has come up with some pretty remarkable inventions over the last six decades. Disney Imagineers created the first ever tubular steel roller coaster and the first ever audio-animatronic animals and human figures. But one invention that sometimes goes unnoticed and under appreciated is the creation of the omnimover ride system that changed the theme park industry in the late 1960s. I’ll tell you all about it on this week’s Word of the Week – Omnimover.
Quickly, name the Disney omnimover attractions off the top of your head! How many did you come up with? This week I talk all about Disney’s iconic omnimover ride system, where it came from, and more!
Walt Disney World’s counter service locations aren’t all hamburgers and hot dogs these days! A guest’s dining options are pretty unlimited at locations in the theme parks, Disney Springs, and the resorts. On this week’s episode, we take a look at our favorite dining locations in Episode 68: Favorite WDW Counter Service Restaurants.
Burgers? Chicken Nuggets? Sure, you can still get them in WDW. But these days your dining options at counter service restaurants are pretty much unlimited! From Steak & Shrimp to Sushi & More, here are our Favorite Counter Service Restaurants!
Arguably one of the best attractions Walt Disney World has ever had was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It was a massive submarine attraction that placed guests in the middle of the action and under the sea years before The Little Mermaid ever would. The attraction’s ride vehicle may have even been more popular than the attraction itself. This week we’ll take the submarine for one more spin in Word of the Week – Nautilus.
One thing I promise at the start of the Word of the Week shows is history. This week, let’s take one more ride on the Nautilus through the beloved 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction.
In another episode of the Resort Roundup Series, this week we take a look at exactly why you should stay at two Deluxe Walt Disney World Resorts, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs. From the best pool on property to amazing dining and much more, Episode 67: Resort Roundup – Yacht & Beach Club will make you want to book your WDW stay tomorrow!
Want to walk to Epcot? How about Hollywood Studios? Need immediate access to Disney’s Boardwalk? Then staying at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Clubs might be perfect for you!
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was one of the Opening Day attractions for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The attractions were the same in name, but quite different on the inside. This week, I take a look at one of the most beloved attractions of all time on Word of the Week – Mister (Toad’s Wild Ride).
Jump in my DeLorean with me and let’s go back in time to October of 1971 when Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride first opened in Magic Kingdom! We’ll arrive at a time where the average person made $10,600.00 per year, a movie ticket cost $1.50, and you could buy a Datsun 1200 Sports Coupe for $1,866.00. Ah, that 1970’s!
I mention during the episode that Rolly Crump was the Imagineer in charge of bringing Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride to Walt Disney World. Check out my interview I did with him here:
From Broadway to Hollywood, from England to Los Angeles, is there a bigger showbiz icon than Dame Julie Andrews? She’s won a Tony, a Grammy, and an Academy Award. She and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have written over 30 books together. Now the pair have teamed up with The Jim Henson Company for the new Netflix hit, Julie’s Greenroom. Check out my interview with this amazing mother-daughter team on Episode 66: Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton.
In one of the most surreal moments of my life, I had the amazing opportunity to chat with Julie Andrews & her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton. I had the chance to talk to them about their new Netflix show, Julie’s Greenroom, the books they’ve written together, Mary Poppins (of course!) and more!
Cinderella Castle can be disassembled and packed away during a hurricane. Walt Disney’s face is one one of the singing busts in The Haunted Mansion. Dole Whips are delicious. Two of the previous three statements are lies. This week, I’ll help you separate fact from fiction on the Word of the Week – Lies.
Have you ever heard a stranger reciting facts on a WDW bus and you think to yourself, “That’s not even remotely true”? This week, I try to separate Disney truth from Disney lies!
What is the best attraction in each Disney park in the United States? This week we discuss (well, we nicely argue) about the top attractions and a whole lot more on Episode 65: Top That Disney Attraction.
Hollywood, 1989. A movie was made that was so bad it was an instant classic. This week we channel our inner Teen Witch and play “Top That Disney Attraction.”