AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to join us for a walk along Residential Street as we explore the history of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights! Jennings Osborne started decorating his Little Rock home in 1986, and soon drew the ire of his neighbors. Four 18-wheelers later and the Disney-MGM Studios had a most magical Christmas display. Learn how Jennings was approached by Disney, how the light changed over the years, and where you can still experience them today! This holiday season, 90s Disn...
Dec 01, 2022•42 min•Season 4Ep. 7
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to don your lanyard, unzip your binder, and display your finest Disney pins as we explore the history of Pin Trading at the Disney Parks. We learn about the cast members behind the scenes who brought this trend to life in the parks, the origins of traditional pin trading outside of Disney, and how one Disney park had to skip out on the pin trading craze because it was too successful! Official History of Disney Pin Trading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKvPEeXlew8...
Nov 01, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 6
AJ is joined by AJ (Grand-Scrutton), the CEO of Dlala Studios, to talk about their upcoming Nintendo Switch game, Disney Illusion Island. AJ talks about his history growing up with Disney, visits to Disneyland Paris as a kid, how he entered the games industry and created Dlala Studios, and how Mickey's earliest video games inspired their new co-op platformer starring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy.
Oct 21, 2022•44 min•Season 4Ep. 5
AJ, Mike, and Chris are ready to check out the future at Innoventions. This unique ”World’s Fair” style pavilion at Epcot held the promise of showcasing the latest technology, products, and yes, video games before consumers would ever get their hands on them. Smart homes, super computers, and the Sega 32X dominated these complex corridors until corporate interest waned and consumer technology moved to quickly to keep the area up to date. So grab a Beverly and some ice cream, and meet us under th...
Oct 01, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Armed with a park map of Epcot from 1994 and our memories as children, we give our totally and scientifically accurate ratings of every attraction in the park. Journey back to a time before Innoventions, Test Track, and Dr, Nigel Channing to experience Epcot as it was in the early 90s!
Sep 20, 2022•42 min•Season 4Ep. 4
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to dine with the stars at Planet Hollywood. This global phenomenon took the world by storm in the early to mid-nineties, and Walt Disney World was no exception. Learn how the idea to eat in a showbiz museum was born, how the concept became reality, and what caused it all to go so horribly wrong. Pass the Chicken Crunch, grab a Home Alone, and have a seat under Sylvester Stallone's frozen body as we enjoy this month's episode! The Rise and Fall of Planet Hollywood h...
Sep 01, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 4
AJ, Mike, and Chris discuss our favorite animatronics! From the life-like to the fantastical, we discuss the entire range of amazing creations found across the Disney parks. Did we miss your favorite? Be sure to let us know! Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !
Aug 18, 2022•36 min•Season 4Ep. 3
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to board an XP-37 Star Cruiser as you prepare to blast off to Planet Z. This month, we're talking all about Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin! Join us as we trace this modern classic's origin all the way back to 1972's If You Had Wings. Buzz's theme park debut proved so popular that a version of this attraction was created in every Disney resort around the world (until a tiny Avenger gave one of them the boot). Are you a Galactic Hero or a Star Cadet? We unlock th...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 3
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to journey aboard a short-lived attraction, the Discover River Boats. Is it a ride? Is it a mode of transportation? Is it any fun? We answer all of your questions that you definitely asked as we explore the legacy of this unique journey that gave us our best look at an Animal Kingdom that never was. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Adventurer’s Guide: Opening Day (1998) https://themousemuseum.com/2018/02/11/disneys-animal-kingdom-adventurers-guide-opening-day-1998/ Discover...
Jul 01, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Rounding out his trilogy of 90s Disney screenplays, Tab Murphy joins the show once again to discuss his work on the 1999 animated classic Tarzan. We learn how Tab drew inspiration from the original novels, how the film moved from direct-to-video to a feature release, and how the film evolved once he left the production to work on Atlantis: The Lost Empire. As a bonus, we dip into his work on the 2003 film Brother Bear. Tab talks about working on an original story, discusses the opening act's uni...
Jun 18, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 1
AJ, Mike, and Chris go deep into the jungle to explore Disney's Tarzan, arguably the last of its 2D renaissance films. We'll explore the Phil Collins music, the surprisingly dark moments, and all the tree-surfing action of the 1999 animated feature. We also dig into its adaptations in the theme parks, gaming, and even on broadway. An Oral History of You'll Be In Our Hearts www.forbes.com/sites...d02b74 D23's Seven Swinging Facts on Disney's Tarzan d23.com/seven-swinging-facts-disneys-tarzan Want...
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 1
AJ, Mike, and Chris gather around the fire pit to share some of their favorite Disney cocktails. Join us as we recreate some modern favorites, long-lost recipes, a listener-suggested concoction, and some surprises along the way! We'll share the recipe for each drink so you can play along at home if you so choose. Just remember. If you mess with Polynesia, the tiki gods will squeeze ya! Keep some cinnamon handy. Kungaloosh!
May 18, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 12
AJ, Mike, and Chris explore the origins of the Disney Vacation Club. Learn how this idea of vacation ownership originated in the 80s before coming to fruition in the Disney Decade. From the early days of what is now the Old Key West Resort to Chris’s experience as current member, you can learn all about the way points work, how the DVC has expanded over the years, and what perks come with membership. Just don’t call it a timeshare! Disney's Old Key West Turns 25 years old https://dvcinfo.com/for...
May 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 12
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to travel to the French countryside for the 30th anniversary of what was once known as Euro Disney. Learn about the alternative sites that almost became home to Disney’s European resort, the park’s initial failures, and its impact on the Disney Company for much of the 90s. As the only Minotti brother to have been to France, Mike tells us about his time spent at Disneyland Paris. We talk about what’s different, what’s the same, and what makes this one of Disney’s mo...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 11
AJ, Mike, and Chris indulge their sweet tooth with their favorite confections, baked goods, and frozen goodies from around Walt Disney World (and beyond). Join us as we snack our way across the theme parks, resorts, and more as we share fond memories of our favorites! Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !
Mar 18, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 10
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to journey 220 million years in the past along with Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy as we explore Ellen’s Energy Adventure. Find out how this 1996 revamp of the Universe of Energy evolved from the Epcot opening day original, what short lived 1.5 version of the attraction, and the victor in Ellen’s eternal battle against a dinosaur. Lost Epcot - Universe of Energy http://www.lostepcot.com/universeofenergy.html Ellen’s Energy Adventure - Multi-angle Full...
Mar 02, 2022•51 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Did you ever want to go on vacation to learn stuff? If you said yes, AJ, Mike, and Chris have the show for you! Join us as we take a look back at one of Disney's more interesting experiments, the Disney Institute. Learn how this hands-on education resort rose from the ashes of an abandoned residential community. What did Eisner see this time that prompted the development of a massive educational facility for Walt Disney World guests, and why did it fail so quickly? Join us as we teach you about ...
Feb 01, 2022•52 min•Season 3Ep. 9
AJ, Mike, and Chris stroll down memory lane as we discuss the attractions, restaurants, and experiences we missed the most from Walt Disney World. Join us as we talk about some childhood favorites that live on in our memories. Do you miss the days of floating above Fantasyland ina sky bucket? Do you want WDI to bring back Dreamfinder? This is the show for you! Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !...
Jan 23, 2022•47 min•Season 3Ep. 8
AJ, Mike, and Chris go from zero to hero to kick off the new year with a look at Disney’s Hercules. Join us as we discover how this film came to be from an early pitch involving the Trojan War to deal to one day get Treasure Planet green lit. Did Mike make up a Ricky Martin cover of Go the Distance in his head? There’s only one way to find out. Enjoy! Hercules - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(1997_film) Disney's Art of Animation: From Mickey Mouse, To Hercules | Art Book Flip ...
Jan 01, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 8
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to experience Disney's holiday classic, The Santa Clause, like never before. Join us as we discuss the creation of the first major starring role for Tim Allen as he becomes Santa Claus. Learn about animatronic reindeer, children's dentures, and the other actors that almost donned the fat suit. We hope you enjoy the show, but please be aware that pushing Mike off the roof and wearing his clothes is not a way to get on the podcast. 25 Secrets About The Santa Clause R...
Dec 01, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 7
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you back to the 1950s and the height of the drive-in as we visit the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Learn about the origins of this Hollywood Studios fan-favorite restaurant, how its famous 45-minute loop of movie trailers, intermission adverts, newsreels, and cartoons came to be, and what the menu looked like when the restaurant opened in 1991. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant - FULL LOOP (Walt Disney World) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W20luSRr3_4 Now Showing...
Nov 01, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 6
AJ, Mike, and Chris debate which monorail resort is the best. Who will win? Will it be the luxurious Grand Floridian, the exquisitely themed Polynesian, or the Contemporary, which has a monorail GO THROUGH THE BUILDING!? Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !
Oct 18, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 5
AJ, Mike, and Chris are very pleased to bring a special episode to you this month. To celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast, we are thrilled to welcome Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale to the show! Kirk and Gary co-directed this Academy Award-nominated film. They graciously agreed to sit down with AJ to discuss their personal experiences while working on this film. We put internet rumors to rest, discover how far one can launch a donut with surgical tubing, and discover how...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Season 3Ep. 5
AJ, Mike, and Chris talk about some of their favorite roller coasters. Not just a Disney parks, our journey takes us to Universal, Cedar Point, and more! Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !
Sep 20, 2021•48 min•Season 3Ep. 4
AJ, Mike, and Chris invite you to join us backstage at the hottest concert in town! This month we're talking all about Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith! We talk about the ride's history, the bands that almost got to headline the attraction, the technology behind the thrilling launch, and the completely different storyline the attraction has at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. Traffic bug you? Then step on it! Walk this way for some sweet emotion as we present a ride that Mike wil...
Sep 01, 2021•53 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Join us as we talk about our favorite Fantasylands and the Fantasylands we want to visit. Whether you like the old-school charm of Disneyland's Fantasyland, the expansive offerings of Walt Disney World's Fantasyland, or the high-tech thrills of Tokyo Disneyland's Fantasyland, you're sure to never get tired of hearing about (or reading the works) Fantasyland. Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !...
Aug 26, 2021•36 min•Season 3Ep. 3
AJ, Mike, and Chris journey to a blustery day in the Hundred Acre Wood to experience the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Walt Disney World. Join us as we explore the attraction’s origins as Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, the tumultuous transition between the two attractions, and the opening of this now beloved dark ride. We also examine how Pooh arrived to the other Disney parks, how the ride honors the legacy of Mr. Toad, and the secret best candy store in any Disney park. Bounce along with us, ju...
Aug 01, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Let's face it. Even though you've been to Disneyland or Walt Disney World countless times, there's still stuff you've never done. AJ, Mike, and Chris share some of the attractions, restaurants, and locations that they've yet to get to despite over 30 years of Disney vacations. Are any of ours on your list? Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !
Jul 19, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 2
AJ, Mike, and Chris travel to Saint Canard to explore the origins of the greatest crime stopper that ever was, Darkwing Duck! Join us as we discuss the show's origins from Bond spoof and a certain talking moose. We learn about the team at Disney responsible for creating the show's distict look and feel along with its incredible cast of characters. Not content to just stay on TV, Darkwing appeared across comics, video games, and theme parks, and he remains a popular and beloved character to this ...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 2
While Chris is at the beach, AJ and Mike decided to carry on the arcade theme from this month's Disney Quest episode as we talk about some of our favorite arcades around Walt Disney World in the 90s. Who could forget the massive Food and Fun Center at the Contemporary Resort or the simple charms of the Penny Arcade on Main Street USA? Share some fun, quarter-munching memories with us. Want to reach out? Email us at 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com !...
Jun 22, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1
