The Walt Disney Company held it's quarterly call for the first quarter. We take an in-depth look at the announcements and references made for its theme parks and beyond. We look specifically at The Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and all parks globally. We not only share what was stated during the quarterly call, but what has been shared by leaders elsewhere. More importantly we give further insight to those announcements, and then talk about what hasn't been shared. It's a full podc...
Feb 13, 2021•49 min•Ep. 231
There is an architectural expression that "form follows function". But in our recent stay at Disney's Boardwalk & Villas, we found that the unique form that creates Boardwalk's turn-of-century charm can sometimes stand in the way or at least make one forget that function does really matter. We'll look at different elements of a stay, from arrival and check in, to rooms themselves. We'll explore restaurants, shopping and entertainment along the boardwalk. And we'll look at transportation issu...
Feb 11, 2021•39 min•Ep. 230
We are long overdue for an update at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and despite a little rain, it was a great time to be in the park. We check out what's happening in Pandora, and then passing through Africa, we talk of the good news and bad news of Festival of the Lion King returning this summer. What does it mean for all Walt Disney World shows? From there we try out what may be the best counter service cheeseburger in the Walt Disney World parks (Hint: It isn't a restaurant ran by Disney) and then ...
Feb 07, 2021•41 min•Ep. 229
We stroll the Magic Kingdom on a beautiful, sunny, but cool day. The crowds are soft but the park looks great. We check out all the lands of the park, and we look at not one, but three character cavalcades as they flow through the park. We talk about changes to the Jungle Cruise, and construction on Tron. We discuss rumors and headline bating around the PeopleMover and The Hall of Presidents. We also check out the menu at the Tomorrowland Terrance, to include an amazing Minnie Mouse chocolate la...
Jan 30, 2021•25 min•Ep. 228
Classic attractions at Disney like the World Famous Jungle Cruise are nothing to take for "granite" especially when others consider it to be sandstone. Disney has announced changes to the Jungle Cruise at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. These changes breathe new life into this venerable and popular attraction, while at the same time being thoughtful and respectful and more inclusive. We look at the announcements made, and the context behind all of it. We also throw in our thoughts as to w...
Jan 26, 2021•55 min•Ep. 227
Aye, Matey, Welcome Aboard! This be Disney at Plays and I'm your host, Captain Jeff Kober. We be sailing the Seven Seas today looking at Pirates of the Caribbean the world over. Only we're not just looking at the rides themselves, we are looking at the entire lands in which they are placed in. We're taking a look at theming, entertainment, dining, shopping, additional attractions and so much more. This is a Disney comparison podcast, and we are going to share with you insights from Pirates of th...
Jan 24, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 226
We have a big update from Epcot as the gates to the new section of France where the Ratatouille attraction will be has now opened. With the ride waiting to open shortly, we check out the path leading to this new corner of Epcot. We also find Elsa making outdoor meet 'n' greet experiences in Norway. Lots of discoveries are made as we visit the Epcot International Festival of the Arts to include testing out the kiosk at Japan. A new barge appears in World Showcase Lagoon for HarmoniUS, and we set ...
Jan 20, 2021•45 min•Ep. 225
We are promptly at Disney's Hollywood Studios at its official opening time of 9:00 am to check out the park. We usually suggest getting earlier, but we decide to see what the park is like right at opening. Our first hour we are able to do Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway as well as Rise of the Resistance. We check out the construction on the new Toy Story Barbecue Restaurant, and look at new merchandise in Mickey's of Hollywood. All this and much more in this Disney at Play podcast as we enjo...
Jan 16, 2021•20 min•Ep. 224
If there weren't enough major announcements coming out of Disney Parks this week, it has now been announced that Disneyland is ending its annual pass program. We'll study the announcement, study the response that has been made by Disneyland fans, look at the ramifications of this announcement as well as the solutions for moving forward. I'll also share my personal experience with Disneyland's annual pass and how it's been a part of my life since the 1980's.
Jan 15, 2021•38 min•Ep. 223
Walt Disney World made two major announcements that affect not only guests staying on property but also annual pass holders. It was announced that Disney's Magical Express providing complimentary airport transportation to and from The Walt Disney World Resort will be discontinued in 2022. Also announced was Early Theme Park Entry that will replace Extra Magic Hours that provided exclusive resort entry into the parks at designated times both before and after you enter the park. John and Lori Scal...
Jan 12, 2021•50 min•Ep. 222
Our family visits Epcot on a cold but sunny start to its annual International Festival of the Arts. We check out the new fountain outside Spaceship earth, plus construction on Innoventions West and Guardians of the Galaxy, which is taking over the Universe of Energy. Then its on to Epcot's Taste of International Festival of the Arts, where we check out activities, booths, food, entertainment and more. Plus we take a look at the new barge for HarmoniUS and its moving arm being tested for the firs...
Jan 09, 2021•36 min•Ep. 221
As we experience difficult and heavy news and current events, I think the timing of this podcast is really needed. Jacob and Jonah bring our fourth Kingdom for Kids podcast focusing on Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. These boys have done a wonderful job of articulating their love of this park, and their coverage is both fun and insightful. This podcast is a spoonful of sugar for swallowing the medicine of these hard times. Take a break and enjoy this podcast! It's a podcast by kids...
Jan 07, 2021•29 min•Ep. 220
Our previous podcast spoke of so many things happening in 2021 across Disney Parks globally, that we didn't have time to do justice to the Disney Cruise Line. While things are moving at a glacial pace compared to the reopening of the parks, they are moving notwithstanding. We look at a number of video presentations done to include new TV spots, a new announcement of the Cinderella statue on the Disney Wish, plus Port Canaveral explanations of what it will take to get ships in operation again. We...
Jan 05, 2021•43 min•Ep. 219
Despite all of the challenges that the pandemic is bringing on, Walt Disney Attractions is still moving forward with many projects and new attractions. We visit all of the possibilities for 2021 as we go through all of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Parks globally. We'll look at re-opening dates, resuming pre-covid attractions, entertainment & other offerings, new attractions and offerings, and of course, the advent of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary. Join David Zanolla and I...
Dec 31, 2020•51 min•Ep. 218
It's the first Monday between Christmas and New Years and we're off to the Magic Kingdom to check out the crowds. We'll visit each land of the park and check out all of the holiday happenings. We'll check on construction going on in the park to include Tron Lightcycle Coaster and a completed exterior to "it's a small world". We see some interesting ways that guests are being moved through other attraction and even restaurant spaces as they queue up in a socially distanced way for their favorite ...
Dec 29, 2020•32 min•Ep. 217
Disney is busy trying to do what it can do to address theme parks around the world re-opening during this Pandemic, while trying to open up the new attractions it previously announced. Yet a new challenge arises with DinoLand. Not only has the Primeval Whirl been shut down for good, but Universal's Islands of Adventure is about to put a new spin on all things Dinosaur with its new Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Dinoland needs a fix. A big one would be nice, but not necessarily feasible given the ...
Dec 26, 2020•36 min•Ep. 216
Crowds have gathered for this holiday time of year, and so during this week of Christmas, we thought we'd share with you what's going on at Disney's Hollywood Studios. From boarding groups to extended queues to restaurants that are re-opening. Plus some interesting merchandise popping up and selling out. We offer you all the happenings here at the Studios in Walt Disney World. Be sure to check out our podcasts throughout the holidays. We work while others play, so there are more podcasts to come...
Dec 23, 2020•33 min•Ep. 215
Part of what makes Disney posts and podcasts so much fun is that we get to play armchair quarterback. In that role, we all have our opinions strong and otherwise about movies, shows, characters and attractions found throughout Disney. But sometimes it's more than differing preferences. Sometimes it's an ongoing pessimistic rant of what is wrong with Disney. In that role they can sound not too unlike those critics who found Walt Disney himself to be crazy and foolish about ideas he tried to launc...
Dec 20, 2020•40 min•Ep. 214
We head to Epcot's Festival of the Holidays at Walt Disney World to check out all things at the park and to experience the Cookie Stroll. Along the way we not only sampled five different cookies, but had a chance to see the Jammitors, Joyful and The Voices of Liberty (we provide you their big music number at the very end of the podcast). We check out some construction going on, particularly the new statue/fountain up front and the new enormous barge for HarmoniUs. Moreover, we simply enjoy the b...
Dec 17, 2020•28 min•Ep. 213
As the holidays are upon us, it's a perfect time to celebrate Christmas at Disneyland. Even though the park will be closed for the first time in 65 years over this yuletide season, Jim Korkis joins us as we take the time to remember the traditions of the "Happiest Place on Earth". We talk about Babes in Toyland wooden soldiers, of the first Candlelight Processionals and of the Star on top of the Mighty Matterhorn. We find out about the parades, the carolers and the holiday decor. Join us as we c...
Dec 14, 2020•38 min•Ep. 212
Disney provided an Investor Day presentation and many announcements were made by the company during this time. We'll look at these announcements coming from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic and LucasFilm. Over 100 titles were announced, and we did our best to capture them. While many will go to theater, much of what was discussed is coming to Disney+. Still, Hulu, ESPN and Star were also showcased. Also, make sure you check out our new Patreon program where you can get access to exclus...
Dec 11, 2020•42 min•Ep. 211
We're here at Epcot to dive into the Festival of the Holidays. Last time we were at Epcot, we had a sneak peek at the decorations, here we go into many of the holiday offerings and entertainment. We also check out a number of construction activities going on at Guardians of the Galaxy, Play Pavilion and Space 220. We also check out the new Mobile Checkout program being tested at MouseGears. So join us for this festive look at the holidays around Epcot! Also, make sure you check out our new Patre...
Dec 09, 2020•33 min•Ep. 210
Breaking News! Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street restaurants at the Disneyland Resort will be re-closed due to the pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted nearly every operation at Disney with very few exceptions. With Disneyland Resort still not opening to the public, Hong Kong Disneyland & Disneyland Paris have again closed their doors due to the pandemic. The Disney Cruise Lines have pushed back their reopening dates in what will become a year since they closed. The studio operations at Disn...
Dec 06, 2020•28 min•Ep. 209
The week after Thanksgiving is one of the best weeks to be visiting Walt Disney World. It's a special week for my wife and I as we visited the Magic Kingdom 32 years ago this week! I reminisce about that as we check out all things at the park from the newly painted entrance sign, to the Ticket and Transporation Center, to the monorail and though all the lands of the Magic Kingdom. We check on Christmas Cavalcades, holiday foods, construction and Tron and so much more. From the Tomorrowland Terra...
Dec 04, 2020•38 min•Ep. 208
With layoffs at Disney announced last month, last week and today, we look at the reality that many former Disney Cast Members may have to look for work elsewhere. If you're an employer, that may mean good news for you, as we talk about the reasons why you should hire a former Disney Cast Member. With that, we share the kinds of discussions you should host with a former Disney Cast Member to assess their work experience and to see if they are truly a right-fit for your organization. And what if y...
Dec 02, 2020•24 min•Ep. 207
In the context of this pandemic and this holiday time of year, we are offering a new program where you have not only the opportunity to give to those in need, but to also receive. Join us as we introduce our new Patreon program, intended to give you new insights to all things Disney whether its work or play. In return, you have an opportunity to help benefit those in need during this time of year when many are facing uncertainty and difficulty. I am truly excited to share this new opportunity wi...
Nov 30, 2020•23 min•Ep. 206
Did we mention crowds? Wow! We were shocked by the hundreds and hundreds of guests all coming into Disney Springs via the parking lot structures. We look at all of it and what implications there were for safety and social distancing. It was the most crowded we have seen any Disney facility since re-opening. Added to that was plenty of holiday decor with a Christmas Tree Stroll staged throughout much of the area (but not all)! Plus street entertainment has returned to Disney Springs. It was almos...
Nov 29, 2020•26 min•Ep. 205
We explore all of Epcot as it is transformed for the holiday season. From the front of the park, to the Christmas tree in the center of the park and even in front of The American Adventure, we see the holidays ramping up as we visit the World Showcase pavilions like UK, France, and Germany. Even Figment has a new holiday sweater! We see new construction underway in Italy, and we discuss the status of Ratatouille in France as well as HarmoniUS, which will feature both daytime and nighttime displa...
Nov 26, 2020•28 min•Ep. 204
We visited Disney's Hollywood Studios three times over a two day period to give you a big update of all that is happening at this park during the holidays. We check out the decor both day and night and note some of the changes that have happened that accommodate the pandemic, or that are simply new. We especially take the time to visit Rise of the Resistance twice, where we check out the effectiveness of the new online boarding pass system, that permits you to get your pass at 7:00 am in the mor...
Nov 23, 2020•34 min•Ep. 203
Walt Disney World has announced that as a part of its phased reopening, they will bring back the Park Hopper option! Starting Jan. 1, 2021, guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of our ongoing focus on health and safety. We'll look at the details of this, and their implications for day guests, resort guests and for annual pass holders. We'll look at how this might impact congest...
Nov 20, 2020•24 min•Ep. 202
