Today's podcast is a look at 4 fun things to do on the western part of what is now Disney Springs. Featured are a look at the AMC 24 theaters, Splittsville, DisneyQuest, and Cirque Du Soleil. Each has something special about it, and yet three of them are not Disney owned or operated. The cool thing is that they provide quality things to do. I encourage you to watch the videos and check them out on a future visit.
Apr 07, 2019•29 min
This week's show is another dose of Disney news. First, Downtown Disney's evolution into Disney Springs is coming together. Next, there was a groundbreaking for Avatarland. And finally, FastPass machines are gone from the Animal Kingdom, Studios, and Epcot…I talk about all of those, and a whole lot more!
Apr 07, 2019•27 min
Today's podcast is a primer of sorts - a Disney World 101. Over the last few weeks, I got a number of general questions about the resort. So, I thought I'd help set the stage for what's what at Disney World, and give a sort of 'lay of the land'…hopefully if you've never been to the Orlando resort, this answers those general questions you may have about what a "theme park" is, and what else you can do for free and what else is ticketed. If you have more questions, please let me know!...
Apr 07, 2019•24 min
Today's podcast is a movies review of... Saving Mr. Banks. Short version: I loved this film! I hope you did too. My lone problem with it was that it was a slightly Disney-ised and revised look at the history. It didn't quite work out this way, and I fill in the proverbial blanks on that. Still, it was great, and I can only imagine what it was like to work for the Walt Disney studios at that time. Now I do have a couple of other Disney movies that I mention on this podcast (I was busy catching up...
Apr 07, 2019•32 min
Today, I have still more information on MyMagic+. There's some new news, and a few updates….there is (as we expected) an active and passive RFID reader, and there isa requirement to have a biometric scan for park entrance. Meanwhile, old paper-based FastPass machines are being removed, and there are some increasing costs. Come on in and take a listen, and comment below.
Apr 07, 2019•27 min
Today's podcast is a look at the history of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, and how it works within Walt Disney World. Full disclosure: this is not an original work by me. I am reading from a work from the Florida State Law Review, MERGING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GOVERNANCE: HOW DISNEY’S REEDY CREEK IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT “RE-IMAGINED” THE TRADITIONAL DIVISION OF LOCAL REGULATORY POWERS by Chad Emerson. I present it for your consideration, but give full credit to Mr. Emerson for his work on the p...
Apr 07, 2019•46 min
Its a full dose of Disney news: Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland, a few MyMagic pieces, holiday "creep", movie news, and a whole lot more! Check out the candlelight processional video below.
Apr 07, 2019•32 min
Today I have a double podcast! I take a longer look at the Magic Bands, and MyMagic+, and consider why Disney is spending this kind of money on something that has a limited return on it from Disney's point of view. My approach was to look at in this way: what is mymagic? How does it work? Rollout, costs, and questions Patents driving it customer relationship management Pros and Cons My thoughts In the podcast, I quote from several articles. Including: At Disney Parks, a Bracelet Meant to Build L...
Apr 07, 2019•58 min
I have some audio left over from a recent trip. I talk about the monorail being unavailable during off-peak times, and ride the ferry boat to the magic kingdom. Plus, I tell a few stories as I wander around. Of course, the fun part is the history of who Admiral Fowler is. So take a listen and find out.
Apr 07, 2019•20 min
On this week's podcast, its a dose of Disney news. I've got some info on Cars Land, Star Wars Land, and Avatarland. And I talk about the changes to the Guest Assistance Card, some resort updates, and a whole lot more! I also mention Sam Genneway's book, The DisneyLand Story, which is off to print. You can "hear" the entire story in Episode #147 , where Sam and I discuss it. And you can pre-order (or order if its available when you read this) a copy of it " here "...
Apr 07, 2019•19 min
On today's show, I hop onto the monorail at WDW that is heading from the Transportation and Ticket Center (or TTC as they call it in Disney 'code') and head over to Epcot. Then, I make the return trip. Come along and take a listen, and enjoy the ride! Remember that Disney World has three monorail loops: the Epcot loop, the Resort Loop (which you can hear in my last podcast), and the Express Monorail (which everyone knows so well when they head into the Magic Kingdom, and then back to their car)....
Apr 07, 2019•32 min
Today's show is quite simply a ride on the monorail. Come along, close your eyes, and pretend you are there! A couple of thoughts: I don't really like the new narration. Its not as interesting and the host isn't as personable. He sounds almost mechanical in nature. And - I talk about the renovations that were recently unveiled at the Contemporary....at the time I recorded this, the new "Top of the World" as it used to be called was still under construction.
Apr 07, 2019•22 min
Today is my 150th podcast! So, to commemorate the moment, its sort of a double length show! I welcome Curt, Gary, and Doug to a roundtable discussion, where we talk about our favorite Disney vacations. Come and take a listen and see if you catch some themes that match with your experiences. We are all different ages, and have experienced Disney in our own ways - and yet there's a common thread about our experiences that keeps us coming back! Enjoy the show. On the podcast, I mention the Great Di...
Apr 07, 2019•1 hr
Want to save a few bucks and still have a memento from your trip? I've got you covered! Today's podcast is a look at some of free souvenirs you can find in the Walt Disney World Resort, and a few that have a nominal cost. You can find a lot of things around that have little or no cost that will help you make a memory.... I have 30 items on the list, that are under $20. I do them in descending price order, so it starts with the more expensive items, and ends with the free stuff. Disney's outlet s...
Apr 07, 2019•34 min
On today's podcast, Dave is off playing games in the park. I'm not talking frisbee or football here, but rather the Pirate League Adventure in the Magic Kingdom, and the Agent P experience in Epcot. Come join me as I try out the activities, and tell you what I think about them. I will tell you that the Pirate adventure was kind of like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom: cute and clever, but doesn't hook you in. ...and you can hear all about that activity back in Podcast #103 . The Agent P experienc...
Apr 07, 2019•26 min
Today's Podcast features Sam Gennawey, author of The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dreamto talk about Walt Disney's vision for DisneyLand, how it came to be, and how it shaped the future of the parks and the company. It was fun talking with Sam, since he has such a wealth of knowledge about the history of DisneyLand. I think you'll enjoy hearing it - and reading the book.
Apr 07, 2019•36 min
Come along with me as I head out on a 4-park adventure. That's right, I was recently at the WDW resort, and visited all 4 parks in a day. The twist this time is that I only used busses and my feet to get between the parks. Take a listen as I tell stories and wander in and out of the parks. The order of parks for me was Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and the Studios. The rationale was to catch Soarin' early in the day - and to end at the Studios for Hyperspace Hoopla (it was Star Wars Week...
Apr 07, 2019•33 min
I'm trying a different feature. Rather than news, instead I'm brining you the odd news related to Disney. I hope you enjoy!
Apr 07, 2019•20 min
In the third part of the look at the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, I head into Enchanted Tales with Belle. You do NOT want to miss the video of how the mirror opens! Then, I step out and walk over to the Tangled theme area - which amusingly is a bathroom.
Apr 07, 2019•19 min
On today's podcast, I move from the Little Mermaid themed area into the Beauty and the Beast area. I tell some stories, wander into Gaston's Tavern and hoist a Lefou's Brew, and eat lunch at Be Our Guest. And you get to come along and hear all about it!
Apr 07, 2019•23 min
On today's podcast, I am at the Magic Kingdom, and I am exploring the new FantasyLand. Most things are open now, except for the Fairy Tale Hall (Princess meet-and-greet) and the Dwarves' Mine Train. So, join me as I make my way around the StoryBook Circus and into the Little Mermaid area. There are stories to tell, and you can journey with me Under the Sea with the Little Mermaid.
Apr 07, 2019•30 min
Recently, I took a trip to Walt Disney World, and I got an RFID-enabled card. I talk about the card, the experience, and what I know about the technology and speculate on what they're doing with it....come along and listen in and please let me know if you have any additional thoughts on the matter. Is it reading your fingerprint, or isn't it? What does Disney do with this information anyway? What does the future hold? I certainly don't know, but I try and set a context for you....
Apr 07, 2019•23 min
On this episode, I share with you the top 10 souvenirs people purchase at Walt Disney World. I explain each, share some info about it - and I tell you where you will find it. Plus, I give some info about how to get some items cheaper than at the theme park. Disney's outlet stores: Disney’s Character Premiere store, located at Orlando Premium Outlets, Vineland Avenue Disney’s Character Warehouse store at Orlando Premium Outlets, International Drive (formerly known as Prime Outlets Orlando, origin...
Apr 07, 2019•22 min
Today's podcast takes a look at the changes in tickets over the years - both in price and uniqueness (and anti-counterfeiting)...I explore most aspects of the tickets, and talk about where I think it's headed. Ticket Prices: 1972 -- $5.75 for a packet, under $8 per day to see most everything 1982 -- $11 per day 1992 -- $33 per day 2002 -- $48 per day 2012 -- $85 per day For reference, Disney's operating income from Walt Disney World looks something like this: 1972 - $150 million 1982 - $110 mill...
Apr 07, 2019•35 min
Dave is back to answer your Disney questions: refillable mugs, advanced dining, tickets, water parks - and a whole lot more! Keep the questions coming: davesdisneyview@gmail.com
Apr 07, 2019•26 min
There are a number of updates in this podcast. Another 24 hour event, MyMagic and legislation, Disney Springs, closures at DisneyLand, the Festival of the Lion King, Tangled, Small World, and so much more! Its the latest and greatest news from around the World. Funny Business Radio interview with Ed Asner Autism Speaks: Tower of Terror 10-miler...
Apr 07, 2019•35 min
When the 20k ride closed at Disney World, there was a lot of discussion. Why did it close? Was it temporary? And then when it became permanent, the discussion turned to the question of what might become of this large plot of land, and the huge water tank that had been the most expensive element Disney built at Walt Disney World. Come and listen as I take you through what happened along the way.
Apr 07, 2019•28 min
Welcome to part 2 of the 20k Retrospective. Today, I talk about the ride, and just how it all came together, and how massive the project was. The subs were quite the pieces of work, and it was a remarkable feat to build them. And of course, I play the full ride audio for you. My thanks to 20kride.com for some of the information on this podcast.
Apr 07, 2019•27 min
Today's podcast is about 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - that is the Jules Verne novel...and the Disney movie. I talk about the history of the novel and its contents, then I talk about how it came to be a Disney movie. This is part of a multi-part podcast that will later talk about the attractions that it spawned.
Apr 07, 2019•23 min
Today's podcast is a further look at the Muppets, how they ultimately became a Disney property, and how actor Jason Segel revived them on the big screen. Now back in Episode #36 , I looked at the history of Henson and stopped around the time that Disney acquired them....here are some additional insights...
Apr 07, 2019•29 min
