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:
Okay, so I’m totally cheating right off the bat with this one. Admittedly, X is a very difficult letter when it comes to coming up with Walt Disney World Words. That’s why this week I decided to bend the rules a bit for the latest Word of the Week – (Project) X.
In the 1960s, Walt Disney was an American icon. The man reinvented animation, won several Academy Awards for multiple genres of films, and had created the first ever theme park in the history of the world. He needed something new. After the success of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair proved that the East Coast of the United States was ready for a new version of Disneyland, Walt made his move and purchased a ton of land in Central Florida.
This week I talk all about Walt Disney’s “Project X” or what would eventually be come to be known as the Walt Disney World Resort.
The Epcot Resort area holds some of the best resorts in all of Walt Disney World: The Swan & Dolphin, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn & Villas, and, the subject of this week’s Word of the Week, the Yacht and Beach Clubs. This week I’ll tell you all you need to know about the sister resorts in the Word of the Week – Yacht.
Are you on the fence on where to stay for your next Walt Disney World Trip? Maybe you’re thinking about making the move from a Value or a Moderate to a Deluxe resort? This week’s Word of the Week is perfect for you! I’ll tell you all about the Yacht and Beach Clubs and why you should seriously consider them for your next (or first) vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth!
As a former Walt Disney World cast member and someone who spends a lot of time in the parks each year, I have tried almost all of the character dining experiences. One dining spot I have avoided for years, however, was the Princess Storybook Dining at the Norway Pavilion’s Akershus restaurant. We remedied that recently and even recorded the experience for Episode 51: Live Review of Akershus Princess Dining.
I’m going to save our detailed reviews for the podcast but I want to just mention that this meal did not disappoint! If you have little ones who love the princesses, this character meal has it all: great food, FIVE princesses, music, fun, and more! And you can even try some Norwegian specialties along the way! I hope you enjoy this week’s episode and if you don’t, it was all my wife Amy’s idea!
A Walt Disney World vacation can be very overwhelming, especially if it’s not a trip you take often. You need to book it well in advance, make dining reservations, FastPass+ reservations and more, all while trying to figure out the best strategy for you and your family and friends. That is why on this episode of the podcast we will help take care of all of that for you. Check out Episode 49: Top Ways To Prepare for Your WDW Trip.
It’s best to go into a trip to WDW as prepared as possible. This week my guest Johnny Shortsleeve and I (2 WDW veterans) share our best tips on how to be completely ready for your next WDW trip.
Nathaniel’s Hope can be found my clicking HERE
For more from Johnny Shortsleeve, check out these episodes:
Episode 40: Top Things About Disney Springs
Episode 25: WDW Resort Roundup – Port Orleans Resort
I’ve known Lou Mongello for quite a while now. A couple of years, really. But I wanted to hold off on asking your favorite Disney Expert for an interview until I knew that I could ask him all of the most hard-hitting questions he’d ever get in a podcast interview. Actually, that’s not completely true. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be in over my head on this week’s show, Episode 50: A Conversation With Lou Mongello.
Lou Mongello is a Disney Expert, a public speaker, a podcaster, and one of the most well-known Disney celebrities around today (even though he’s never worked for the Disney Company.) He is a Disney fan first which makes him the real deal when it comes to talking all things Disney. This week I was so excited to get to talk a little bit of WDW with my friend and mentor, Lou Mongello.
You can find Lou and pretty much everything he does over at loumongello.com and wdwradio.com
To donate to Lou’s Dream Team Project that benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, click HERE.
You’ve waited a while for it. Yep, I talk about it all the time and letters and weeks have gone by and I had yet to introduce this one on the Word of the Week. Until now. Get ready…this week’s episode is all about your favorite Walt Disney World treat. The Dole Whip is what I’m talking about here in this week’s Word of the Week – Whip.
The Disney Dole Whip has become as synonymous with Walt Disney World and Disneyland as the Mickey Ice Cream Bar and Mickey Ears themselves, but it wasn’t always this way. In reality, the Dole Whip wasn’t even invented until 1986, 15 years after the Magic Kingdom opened in Walt Disney World and 31 years after Disneyland’s Opening Day.
This week I’ll give you a little bit of history on the Dole Whip and tell you exactly where it can be found in Walt Disney World and in it’s original Disney location, Disneyland.
These Word of the Week shows are supposed to run between eight and ten minutes. Sometimes they stretch out to twelve or fifteen minutes but I’ve never had one that went over twenty five minutes. That ends now! Check out the all new Word of the Week – Villains.
The Disney Villains are some of the best characters in the history of film. This week, I talk all about the villains from the long list of Disney’s feature-length animated films. Some villains you’ll easily recognize like Gaston, Ursula, and Maleficent. Others, like Madam Mim, Mr. Winky, and The Horned King are a little, well, lesser-known!
This was a really fun Word of the Week to get together so I hope you enjoy this week’s Word of the Week – Villains!
With the holidays here and the New Year fast approaching, it’s time to take a look back on the year that was, 2016. This week’s show is all about reflecting on what happened in Walt Disney World over the last year and what is to come in 2017. I’m very excited to bring you Episode 48: WDW Ear In Review.
2016 was a HUGE year for Walt Disney World, for my business, Ear To There Travel, and for myself personally as I started this podcast. This week’s episode is all about the last year and looking forward to even bigger and better things in 2017 and beyond.
Join me in reviewing the year that was in Walt Disney World. I’ll cover all of 2016’s big additions and take a look back at some of my favorite moments from the podcast!