Hurricane Ian has just come and gone from Central Florida. Being in the middle of it and so many others like it, perhaps it's time to share some of my experiences dealing with hurricanes, their cleanup and most of all, my experience with Disney during those times. But we want to cover more than hurricanes. There are tornados, earthquakes and even typhoons. And no, we're not talking Typhoon Lagoon. From Orlando Florida to Shanghai Disney, I share my own adventures of dealing with Disney and disas...
Sep 30, 2022•36 min•Ep. 381
After a break for all things D23 we return to our 50th anniversary series where we see the Magic Kingdom as brand new Disney Cast Members learned about it back in 1971. Again, Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to that experience. The only problem is that the park isn’t open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the...
Sep 20, 2022•34 min•Ep. 380
Disney Parks D23 Presentation has come and gone, and it's left a lot of uncertainty in its wake. Many podcasters and bloggers have already expressed their confusion. In truth, the crowd at D23 largely seemed like they were very pleased with the presentation. And if everything that was even mentioned was created or actually built, it would be fairly amazing. There was nothing presented that wasn't fairly cool. But it's really hard to believe that many of these "blue sky" ideas are ever being buil...
Sep 16, 2022•57 min•Ep. 379
Disney's official fan convention, D23 Expo, just concluded at the Anaheim Convention Center. It's where thousands and thousands of fans gather, and we are bringing you down through the expo floor to see it all. In this vlogcast, we'll showcase exhibits Disney has put together from the Disney Archives 100th anniversary to the Mickey One, Walt Disney's own personal plane. We'll look at the vendors and showcases put together from Disney, Pixar, LucasFilm, Avengers and more. If you have always wonde...
Sep 13, 2022•37 min•Ep. 378
Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth. We bring to you a walk through of Disneyland on the eve of D23. We start from the JW Marriott hotel where I am staying to show the spectacular views of the Disneyland Resort in the distance. We then move into the park to walk through the entire guest experience from Main Street, U.S.A. to Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Galaxy's Edge, Critter Country, New Orleans Square, Adventureland and Frontierland. It's a whirlwind tour designed to orient those who may not ...
Sep 09, 2022•37 min•Ep. 377
With D23 just days away many podcasts include ours have all called out the need for a new Tomorrowland--particularly at Disneyland, where it has idled poorly over the years. Since Disney desires new and revised attractions to be linked to intellectual properties they own, we first visit what those options are and their suitability for being in the parks. We also look at the overarching direction of the park--should it move in a manner suitable for animated light hearted fare or for adventure? Th...
Sep 06, 2022•39 min•Ep. 376
We bring you Part III of our series where it’s 1971 and Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to that experience. The only problem is that the park isn’t open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the University of Walt Disney World. In these printed materials, Cast Members were introduced to the setting in which they ...
Sep 02, 2022•30 min•Ep. 375
It's been three years since the last D23 and that means that it's time to really make some major announcements on what's happening in Disney Parks worldwide. While we don't have a lot of inside scoop on what's being announced, we do have some interesting notions. Moreover, we have a wish list that would keep the Blue Fairy busy for the next 5-7 years. We'll visit Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World and more to discov...
Aug 30, 2022•29 min•Ep. 374
Welcome to Part II of our series where it’s 1971 and Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to the park. The only problem is that the park isn’t open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the University of Walt Disney World. In a series of handbooks, Cast Members were introduced to the setting in which they would work. ...
Aug 26, 2022•30 min•Ep. 373
In late August 2019 Bob Chapek, then responsible for Disney Parks & Attractions, stood up in D23 and announced an enormous slate of new attractions coming not only across the globe, but specifically Walt Disney World. At the time our post showcased some 75 new attractions, restaurants, shops, entertainment, hotels and more. We'll go back in time to see what has happened, and what is still yet to happen. The list of previously announced additions not completed is noticeable. But so is the lis...
Aug 23, 2022•34 min•Ep. 372
It's 1971 and Walt Disney World is set to open. You have thousands of new Cast Members, most of whom have never seen a Disney theme park, and you need to orient them to the park. The only problem is that the park isn't open or ready yet either. So how do you give them that understanding? Enter a series of handbooks put out by the University of Walt Disney World. In a series of handbooks, Cast Members were introduced to the setting in which they would work. There is one for each of the lands of t...
Aug 23, 2022•37 min•Ep. 371
You would think that with the pandemic pretty much behind us that there everything is back to normal here at Walt Disney World. Well...not quite. We spend a fairly busy time between Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios discussing all of the attractions, entertainment stores, and restaurants and in all four parks and beyond. You may be fairly surprised buy what's happening and what has yet to come back. On the road we take a detour on the blue line of the TTA Peoplemover where a new spiel...
Aug 15, 2022•44 min•Ep. 370
This month the new MagicBand+ was released to guests visiting Walt Disney World. Is it worth it? Anyone who has heard enough of my podcasts probably knows where I'm going to side on this product. Still, it's a good time to take another look at this very popular product so many guests utilize during their stay at Walt Disney World. We'll look at the timeline that brought us to today. We'll then step into the parks to make a purchase, get it linked up to the MyDisneyExperience, and take her for a ...
Aug 08, 2022•41 min•Ep. 369
This last week there has been considerable press of a park in Pennsylvania that many people didn't know about before it hit the news. Sesame Place brings Sesame Street to life in a theme park setting especially tailored for children. Or at least it should. The controversy this week centered around a walk-around character named Rosita. A family visiting the park and others have claimed the character showed negative attention to a pair of young black girls, who were cousins and guests of the park....
Jul 24, 2022•31 min•Ep. 368
This summer marks the 50th year of the premiere of Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade. I saw it that first summer it came out and I've been spellbound ever since. With a timeline, we'll look at the entire history of this parade experience. The Main Street Electrical Parade is a technological pioneer and has created innovations we see in Disney parades today. We'll look at its predecessors and the other nighttime spectacular parades that have travelled the Disney theme parks the world ove...
Jul 13, 2022•40 min•Ep. 367
Many Disney fans were stunned last week when Disney's Board of Directors announced CEO Bob Chapek's contract had been extended. While insiders expected this, many are still puzzled as to why when they see prices going up in the parks, quality going down at the movies, and politics whirling everything around in between. I wasn't in "the room where it happened" but we can look at a number of factors that occurred when the board of directors met at Walt Disney World last week. We'll look at events ...
Jul 06, 2022•43 min•Ep. 366
Want to get a glimpse of the Disney Wish? We welcome you to this podcast, perhaps the first to look at The Disney Cruise Line's newest ship. David, Leah and their family had the good fortune of a special complimentary preview sailing across the Atlantic Ocean as the Disney Wish left Germany and headed to Port Canaveral in Florida. While many things were still being readied for the unveiling of this majestic liner, David and Leah share what they were able to experience and how it looks. From what...
Jun 30, 2022•40 min•Ep. 365
This July marks the 10th anniversary that a 2.0 Disney California Adventure was re-dedicated by Bob Iger. At the expense of some 1.1 billion dollars, this was at the time the most comprehensive park redo ever attempted. Still, in the first year of re-opening, park attendance went up some 23% and it became far more equal in terms of balancing out the number of guests visiting it and its sister park, Disneyland. We will look at the attractions, restaurants and experiences that became extinct as a ...
Jun 28, 2022•38 min•Ep. 364
During this 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney Resort, I would be amiss if I didn't pay homage to great attractions that have come and gone from the original park, Magic Kingdom. I celebrate my top 10 favorite and now forgotten attractions that I miss--and include in that number a few that I never had the chance to see. Are there attractions and rides that you miss? Compare your list to mine as we talk about retired attractions at the Magic Kingdom.
Jun 18, 2022•43 min•Ep. 363
Welcome to this Disneyland Paris trip report My wife and I had an incredible opportunity to spend time in London during the Queen's Jubilee, in far away places in England, and in Paris as well. But we also spent several days in Disneyland Paris and I can't wait to share! There were many fantastic moments along the way as well as some wonderful surprises at both the Disneyland Parc and the Walt Disney Studios Paris Parc. Between the two is the dining and shopping experience of Disney Village. I t...
Jun 13, 2022•48 min•Ep. 362
As May comes to a close and summer starts up in June, we're here to update you on all the greatest Disney happenings here and afar. We'll start at the Walt Disney World Resort, where the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has officially opened. We'll update you on the latest with that, and then merge those issues with new Genie+ changes that have come about in the last month. From there we'll head over to the "not so happiest place on Earth" where a number of problematic events have been...
Jun 01, 2022•42 min•Ep. 361
Not a rumor here, or even an attempt at click bait This is simply conjecture. But I believe and give evidence that the best thing Disney could do in the upcoming D23 conference in Anaheim is announce a new 5th theme park for Walt Disney World. We'll share with you why that makes sense--and even seems plausible. Of course, we can't discuss a potential theme park without supposing some lands for such an experience. Such attractions would have to stand on their own without sabatoging its existing p...
May 22, 2022•30 min•Ep. 360
In almost two weeks my wife and I will be heading to Europe. For my wife this is her first trip as we see the United Kingdom and France. For me it is a returning trip, but as it relates to visiting Disneyland Paris, it has been some 17 years since I last visited. I'm anticipating this trip and excited to not only take in all that is precious and beautiful about this park, but to be able to see things I haven't had a chance to see before. I'll walk through both the Disneyland Paris park and the W...
May 18, 2022•40 min•Ep. 359
I was fortunate to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind during previews at Epcot, and so I'm excited to share the entire experience with you. We'll go in depth on the entire layout of this attraction, and without really sharing too many details of the story, what you'll experience as you move throughout. This has an impressive queue, but nothing holds a light when it comes to the ride experience. We'll talk about why this is really a fantastic roller coaster experience. We'll compar...
May 09, 2022•49 min•Ep. 358
The press event for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was held this week. As part of that event, announcements were made about World Celebration & Discovery. Want to know what all that construction was about in the center of former Future World at Epcot? Well, despite ambiguous imagery, it appears we've been given a clearer view of what is coming to the heart of this Walt Disney World Resort. park We'll take a look at the details. As such, we'll look at what is the new festival center c...
May 06, 2022•40 min•Ep. 357
A centerpiece dining experience has been unveiled at Epcot this last week. Connections, located next to Creations (the gift shop), sits in what is ultimately to become World Celebration. This is the former Electric Umbrella, and before the Stargate Restaurant. But now it's much bigger, brighter, and fortunately tastier. It is two sided with one side dedicated to being a counter service restaurant, and the other side being a Starbucks cafe. I've had a chance during the last week to visit on three...
May 03, 2022•45 min•Ep. 356
Resort with his wife and child. What makes this Disneyland trip review interesting is that while Cameron grew up on in the shadows of Walt Disney World, it had been over 20 years since he went to Disneyland for the first and only time. It was only months after Disney California Adventure first opened. He shares his Walt Disney World experience, recalls his first memories of the Disneyland Resort, and then discusses what he loved about the California resort, and how it compares to his home turf a...
Apr 30, 2022•36 min•Ep. 355
In recent days and weeks the Florida state legislature led by Governor Ron DeSantis has sought to end the Reedy Creek Improvement District, an independent governing body that provides regulatory control and support to The Walt Disney World Resort. Currently, the elephant does not seem afraid of the mouse, and it's looking to stomp on it if possible. There are many people chiming in and various reports being filed as to what might happen should it be implemented next June. We bring to the table s...
Apr 27, 2022•28 min•Ep. 354
Diabetes is a real challenge for millions of people, and yet, how do you make it workable at the happiest places on earth? We are joined by David Zanolla who shares with us the challenges that Diabetics face when they are in the Disney Parks. We look at how he and others have taken that issue and made the experience not only workable, but as a place to enjoy. Where to go, what to eat, and how to monitor your energy level as you embrace a big day at the parks? Will cover that and much, much more....
Apr 24, 2022•39 min•Ep. 353
In 2014 I penned a post on Disney at Work about the 10 things I love about Disney's Hollywood Studios. At the time, the park was celebrating its 25th anniversary. I cover that original list and explain what I was feeling at that time during that major milestone event. But much has happened in the eight years since, and I'm here with a new list that has some old favorites and new delights. How do they compare? Number 2 on the new list may very well surprise you. Find out for yourself! Join us in ...
Apr 17, 2022•41 min•Ep. 352
