This week I take a deeper look at Kilimanjaro Safaris, Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s flagship attraction. I talk animals, conservation, science, and more on this week’s Word of the Week – Kilimanjaro.
How many species of animal can you see on your African safari? Who was Warden Wilson Matua? Whatever happened to Big Red and Little Red? I answer these questions and much, much more this week!
It’s not every day that I have the chance to talk to true Disney voice acting royalty. Recently I had the awesome opportunity to talk to Mr. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too. Check out Episode 64: Interview With Jim Cummings.
What do Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, Hondo Ohnaka, & The Tasmanian Devil all have in common? The same man is behind all of their voices! Jim talks all about how he got started in the voice acting world, his time spent in New Orleans, the strangest character he’s ever voiced and much more!
I do my best to steer clear of any controversy on this podcast. Actually, that’s not true. I will talk about Dole Whips vs. Citrus Swirls sometimes, but that’s about as far as I go. That’s why this week’s Word of the Week is very, very interesting for me! Let’s talk about the Word(s) of the Week – Journey Into Imagination.
You may notice the title isn’t “Journey Into YOUR Imagination” or “Journey Into Your Imagination With Figment.” There is a reason for this. I’ll talk all about the controversies and changes to a beloved attraction this week!
The attractions in the Disney theme parks don’t start once the ride vehicles start to move. Actually, the attraction’s story begins long before any guests set foot anywhere near the load area of any attraction. That is why the queues for the attractions are so important. This week we’ll talk all about the queues on Episode 63: Best Queues in Walt Disney World.
The queues in Disney’s theme parks aren’t only where we, the guests, wait in line. They are the first step in a complete storytelling adventure and the Disney Imagineers are master storytellers. So this week, put the smart phones in your pockets as we take a look at WDW’s best queues!
Epcot’s World Showcase pavilions are loaded with great food, awesome entertainment, and some excellent attractions. This week I wanted to take a closer look at one of those pavilions in the Word of the Week – Italy.
What pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase offers delicious desserts, excellent entertainment, and the best pizza in all of Central Florida? Italy, of course! In ten minutes I’ll have you ready to pack your bags!
You can meet characters all over the place in Walt Disney World. Some experiences are fantastic. Others are, well, not so much. So how will you know where the best meet & greets are for your next WDW trip? Listen to this episode, of course! Check out Episode 62: Best Character Meet & Greets in WDW!
Want to know how to have the best time meeting Princesses, Princes, a certain chatty mouse, an ocean-dwelling turtle and more? My guests and I talk about these and much more on this week’s show!
During this episode I mentioned a couple of fantastic YouTube clips with guests meeting Gaston. Check them out!
Watch as a young man takes on Gaston in a pushup contest HERE.
Watch a little girl put Gaston in his place HERE.
Hoot Gibson is a part of Walt Disney World’s history that the average Disney fan might not know much about. He was a big part of one of Walt Disney World’s most ambitious attractions ever designed. So why haven’t you heard of this Walt Disney World attraction host and narrator? Find out on this episode of the Word of the Week – Hoot.
Hoot Gibson was the host and narrator of the ambitious Magic Kingdom attraction, The Western River Expedition. So where is he now? Listen and find out!
Did you know there is a ton to learn on a vacation to Walt Disney World? Sure, you can experience the amazing attractions, sensational shows, and ridiculously cool resorts, but WDW can also be an amazingly educational vacation destination. That’s what we tackle in this week’s episode, our top Educational Experiences in Walt Disney World.
Do you know what Rome smelled like when it burned to the ground? Do you know what Hydroponics is? Do you know where you can start to hone your skills as a chef on your WDW trip? We answer these questions and more this week!
This week no one is featured on a podcast quite like Gaston! Yes, for this week’s Word of the Week I went with a character who will be prominently featured in the brand new, live action version of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” which hits theaters later this week! I hope you enjoy this week’s episode of the Word of the Week – Gaston.
Gaston is one of the most popular Disney villains of all time, but originally he wasn’t even going to be the villain in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” I’ll tell you all about it on this week’s episode!
Epcot’s World Showcase is literally it’s own little world. With eleven countries represented in pavilions, dozens of dining options, attractions, and much more, it is one of the best places for families to hang out in all of Walt Disney World. This week we wanted to take a look at some of those things you might not know about World Showcase on Episode 60: Secrets & Fun Facts of Epcot’s World Showcase.
What is your favorite fun fact or secret of World Showcase? This week, Herb from the World of Walt and I share some you might not have ever heard before!
Check out Herb Leibacher and his VAST website on Walt Disney World over at www.worldofwalt.com!
Okay, so right off the bat you’re probably wondering what in the world Fritos have to do with Disney. I get that. But there is actually a fun, long story about Fritos and the Frito-Lay company that holds a firm place in the history of the Disney Company. I’ll tell you all about it in this week’s Word of the Week – Fritos.
After listening to this episode of the Word of the Week, I’ll only have one question for you to answer: Which Disney park food would you ultimately like to be buried with?
Do you want some extra room in your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room? Would you like a large refrigerator, a stove, or the ability to cook meals in your room? Then booking a DVC room may be a good choice for you! This week we talk all about how to do it on Episode 59: Can Regular Guests Book DVC Rooms?
Well, this is a surprise. If you’re used to hearing Phil as the host of these episodes, you might be out of luck on this one. Episode 59 is taken over by someone who has lots of questions!
I know what you’re thinking: Why is there a new episode up on a random Thursday? Well, I’ve been telling everyone I know about my family’s Land & Sea Vacation a couple weeks ago and I wanted to share the review with you as soon as possible. Welcome to a special edition of the show, Episode 58: Disney Land & Sea Vacation Review.
Have you been considering taking a trip to WDW or a voyage on the Disney Cruise Line? Why not do both? This week we tell you all about our last vacation, a Land & Sea Vacation to Walt Disney World & a ride on the newly-reimagined Disney Wonder!
Okay, so I’m kind of cheating right off the bat here. eBay is not a Disney company. They actually honestly have no real ties to Disney whatsoever. But to me, they go hand in hand! I have built up almost my entire Disney memorabilia collection thanks to eBay and a few other sites. That’s why this week I carefully chose my Word of the Week – eBay.
Do a simple search for the words “Disney” and “Prop” on eBay and you’ll get hundreds of results. From actual items that were used on attractions to attraction vehicles to signs and so much more, eBay is the place to find everything you’re looking for to build your Disney collection at home. This week I took a look at some authentic Disney items you can find on eBay and discuss how far they might set you back!
Walt Disney World has always, and rightly so, had the reputation that it is a family vacation destination. Families have been flocking to Central Florida since October of 1971 and rightfully so. With four theme parks, two water parks, over 20 resort hotels and much, much more, WDW has something for everyone. But that doesn’t mean you have to have a large family or children to enjoy all that Walt Disney World has to offer. This week I wanted to take a look at everything grown-ups can do on vacation on Episode 57: WDW Adult Must-Do’s.
The Disney Company has had its fair share of dragons over the years: Maleficent, Pete’s Dragon, The Reluctant Dragon (that’s a real thing; look it up) and more, but there might not be a more mysterious dragon in Disney history than the dragon in the logo of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. That’s why this week I chose that guy for my Word of the Week – Dragon.
So why exactly is there a dragon in the official logo for Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Why aren’t there dragons (real or imaginary) in the park? This week I explore the answers behind these questions and a lot more (Spoiler Alert: I go over 10 minutes!) on this week’s Word of the Week show!
I know, I know…Disney’s Hollywood Studios is under major, major construction. As a matter of fact, most guests these days are only allowing a half day of their trip to see the third oldest park in Walt Disney World. That’s exactly why I thought right now would be a perfect time for me to record Episode 56: Ultimate Ranking of Hollywood Studios Attractions.
When you think of a Walt Disney World vacation, maybe the first word that starts with C that you think of isn’t chicken. Maybe it’s Churro, or Cape May Cafe, or Coaster. But I’m here to make the argument today that Chicken is exactly what you should be thinking about on your next trip in this week’s Word of the Week – Chicken.
I’m not talking about Victoria & Albert’s on this episode or even California Grill. This is all about the best chicken dishes on property that the Everyman can enjoy! Sure, there may be a little too many mentions of fried chicken, but calories don’t count in Walt Disney World! You walk it all off anyway!
Brian Hull had a fairly unusual route to celebrity. He recorded a version of the famous Frozen song “Let It Go” and posted it to YouTube. Little did he know that just a couple years later he’d be living in California and working as a voice over artist and actor. You’ve never heard anything quite like my guest on Episode 55: Disney Character Impressions With Brian Hull.
I’m sure you’ve seen his viral video on YouTube, but just in case you haven’t been on the internet much over the last few years, let me tell you why this certain video went viral. As a college student, Brian Hull heard about a contest where all you had to do to enter was record yourself singing “Let It Go” and post it to a website. If your video won, the top prize was a $100 Disney gift card. Brian was a cash-strapped college student in Texas who desperately wanted to buy Frozen and Saving Mr. Banks on DVD, so he recorded the most unique version of “Let It Go” probably ever made, singing the song in the voices of 21 different Disney characters!
I talk with Brian all about having a viral video, instant fame, and how he is now pursuing his dream of being a voiceover artist in Hollywood. Oh, and there are some amazing Disney character impressions in the mix too, of course!
To watch the video that started it all for Brian, his “Let It Go” video featuring 21 different Disney character voices, CLICK HERE.
To see Brian’s equally amazing version of Adele’s “Hello” just CLICK HERE.
And to see anything and everything that Brian Hull has to offer on his YouTube channel, CLICK HERE.
This week I am not talking about either of the Blair Witch Project films or the girl from the old show The Facts of Life. This week’s Walt Disney World Word of the Week is all about a Disney Legend who is responsible for some of the most memorable scenes in the history of the Disney theme parks and resort hotels. This week’s episode focuses on the Word of the Week – Blair.
Mary Blair may not be a name that you instantly think of when you think of the history of the Disney Company, but you should. Her artwork set the tone for films like Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella and she is responsible for the look of one of the most iconic attractions in the history of the Disney theme parks, “it’s a small world”.
This week I take a look at the life and work of Disney Legend and artist Mary Blair. From films to attractions to resorts, she truly made her mark in the Disney history books.
Some of the most underrated hangouts in all of Walt Disney World are the lounges at the resort hotels. After a long day in the Disney parks, you might want to sit down on a comfortable chair or couch and relax, listen to some live music, or watch a game. You may even want an adult beverage or two. That’s exactly what my friend Johnny Shortsleeve and I did on my last trip to WDW. Check us out Live From Disney’s Belle Vue Lounge!
The Belle Vue Lounge can be found kind of tucked away in the main building of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, not a very long stroll from the lobby. It’s normally a quiet place to relax and recap your day, but on this night it was a little packed due to the fact that the Walt Disney World Marathon was the next morning and the resorts were quite crowded.
On this episode, my friend Johnny Shortsleeve and I talk about all of the fantastic lounges in Walt Disney World while lounging in one of those lounges ourselves! Stories are told, laughs are had, and tangents are gone off on! This one was a lot of fun!
If you want to check out more episodes featuring Johnny Shortsleeve (and why wouldn’t you?!), you can get them here:
Episode 49: Top Ways To Prepare for a WDW Trip
Episode 47:WDW Resort Roundup – Polynesian
How much do you know about the Princess that went on to be the inspiration for Disneyland’s castle? This week I tell you all you need to know about one of Walt Disney World’s most popular princesses in the Word of the Week – Aurora.
In 1959, Walt Disney introduced his latest princess, Princess Aurora, to the world. Otherwise known as Briar Rose or Sleeping Beauty, Aurora has gone on to hold some pretty impressive records in the realm of Disney animation. This week I’ll give you a little background on Princess Aurora, I’ll tell you what makes her appearances so different, and I’ll tell you where you can find her in the Walt Disney World theme parks today.
In many ways, this episode of the show is going to go against the advice that I normally give. I want everyone who is going to Walt Disney World to experience as many attractions as possible. But sometimes we just don’t have enough time to do it all. That’s why I came up with Episode 53: Attractions to Skip on Your WDW Trip.
We all want to experience everything Walt Disney World has to offer on each and every trip that we take to the Vacation Capital of the World. But what happens when we simply can’t spend as much time as we’d like to in the parks? Which attractions are okay to skip for children? Which ones are best to skip for adults with no children? This week my guest Chuck Rodriguez and I tell you which attractions it is okay for you to skip on your next trip to Walt Disney World.
If you’d like to hear more episodes featuring Chuck Rodriguez, check these out:
Episode 45: Imaginary Imagineering – Resort Edition
Episode 38: Most Controversial WDW Decisions
So, I’ll be you thought I would have a really difficult time coming up with something that started with the letter Z, right? This week I dug deep and I decided to bring to you a very fun and very exciting Word of the Week – Zippity.
The Zippity River Run was one of the attractions that was approved to be built in Disneyland in the early 1980’s. It also was approved for Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disney in the later 80’s. So why don’t we have the Zippity River Run to ride today? Just listen to this week’s episode to find out!
Running a marathon just might be one of the craziest things you can do on this Earth. You voluntarily sign up to experience pain, bleeding, exhaustion, elation, and an amazing sense of accomplishment all in one day. This week’s show is all about running in WDW on Episode 52: WDW Marathon Weekend 2017 Recap.
This week I brought on some friends from an online running group to talk all about their personal experiences with 2017’s Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Everyone had a different experience but we all agreed that we’d be participating in another run Disney event in the near future! If you’re on the fence about competing in a run Disney event I hope this week’s episode gives you the incentive to sign up and experience the pain!
Here are a few photos from my guests this week:
