Join Marissa as she celebrates the holiday magic at Walt Disney World in this festive Micro Magic episode. From secret warehouses filled with over 50,000 holiday decorations to stunning gingerbread displays at the resorts, Marissa takes us behind the scenes to explore how Disney transforms for the season. Learn about the iconic holiday setups at the Grand Floridian and Beach Club resorts, and get ready to jingle all the way through Disney’s holiday cheer! Send us a text Support the show Don't fo...
Dec 16, 2024•6 min
Surprise! We're back with a holiday treat—a special off-season episode of Magic Makers ! Meet Becky Browne Allen, a Former Disney Imagineer and accomplished Interior Designer. From her start as a Disney College Program participant at Columbia Harbor House to her creative contributions at Walt Disney Imagineering, Becky shares her inspiring journey. Join us as we dive into her experiences, career highlights, and the magic behind her work. It's a story of creativity, passion, and Disney dreams com...
Dec 09, 2024•55 min
In this special Micro Magic episode of Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering , Kaity takes us back to 2002, when Disney's Animal Kingdom was struggling to find its footing. Explore how Imagineer Joe Rohde’s vision of a park beyond your average zoo faced challenges, and dive into the iconic marketing campaign that coined the phrase "Nahtazu!" Was it really enough to change public perception of the park? Kaity explores Disney’s efforts to reshape Animal Kingdom's identity, the roadblocks along the way, an...
Dec 02, 2024•7 min
In this Thanksgiving mini-episode , Stephen, Kaity, and Marissa take on a holiday twist with their Disney Parks Thanksgiving Roulette! Join in as they "invite" Disney Parks-exclusive characters—think Figment, Orange Bird, and José from The Tiki Room—to a fictional Thanksgiving feast. With a spinner wheel choosing the guests, each host builds their table and navigates the lively chaos their guests bring to the table. Send us a text Support the show Don't forget to check us out on Instagram !...
Nov 25, 2024•20 min
In this Micro Magic episode, Stephen explores Disney's “five-year rule”—the idea that unique attractions at each international park keep them distinct. He discusses how exclusivity agreements, like for Shanghai’s TRON Lightcycle Run and Paris’s Ratatouille, ensure each park has its own standout experiences before appearing elsewhere. Curious why Disney fans travel worldwide for these unique treasures? Tune in as Stephen breaks down the strategy behind Disney’s international exclusives! Send us a...
Nov 18, 2024•5 min
Ni hao! Stephen is back from China with fresh stories and insights from Shanghai Disney Resort! From iconic attractions and exclusive characters to Halloween festivities under a typhoon and memorable moments with family, Stephen shares the highlights and surprises of exploring Disney magic in a whole new setting. Kaity and Marissa join in to round out the adventure, and there’s so much to unpack (literally). Send us a text Support the show Don't forget to check us out on Instagram !...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min
In this special Micro Magic episode, Marissa takes listeners on a quirky journey back to 1972 for Disney’s whimsical “Pooh for President” campaign. Amidst the real-world political turmoil of the 1968 election, Disney decided to throw their most lovable candidate into the mix: Winnie the Pooh! Marissa digs into the campaign’s origins, how Pooh and his 100 Acre Wood friends ran a lighthearted "presidential" race, complete with buttons, posters, and even a parade. How did Disney manage to turn this...
Nov 04, 2024•6 min
In this spine-tingling Micro Magic episode, Stephen takes us on a chilling journey into one of Disney's most unsettling legends: the ghost of George at Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom. As a former cast member, Stephen shares eerie firsthand experiences of working the ride after hours, where animatronics seem to come alive in the silence, and a peculiar ritual of saying "goodnight to George" keeps the ghostly tale alive. But is George’s presence real or just a piece of Disney folklore? ...
Oct 28, 2024•6 min
We’re back with another spotlight on one of our favorite Idiots! This time, Marissa takes center stage to reveal her top 7 Disney picks and offers a behind-the-scenes peek into her world, both on and off the show! Tune in and stay connected as we roll out more exciting new content over the course of our off-season! Send us a text Support the show Don't forget to check us out on Instagram !...
Oct 21, 2024•7 min
In this episode of Micro Magic, Kaity explores the history and challenges of Disneyland Paris, Disney's fourth resort destination, and asks the big question: what went wrong? From cultural resistance and poor location choices to missed expectations and harsh weather, Disneyland Paris faced an uphill battle from the start. Was Disney’s approach to Europe flawed from the beginning? Is it possible that the world’s most magical company made a misstep? Tune in as we unravel the complex story behind o...
Oct 14, 2024•7 min
We're back with another exciting reintroduction of one of our favorite Idiots! Kaity is spilling the tea on her top 7 Disney picks and giving you an exclusive backstage pass into her world—both on the show and off. Trust us, you won't want to miss this! Tune in and stay connected as we roll out more exciting new content over the course of our off-season! Send us a text Support the show Don't forget to check us out on Instagram !...
Oct 07, 2024•8 min
In this short, but action-packed episode of Micro Magic , Stephen unravels the twists and turns of the Marvel theme park battle in Orlando. Ever wondered why Disney can’t use Spider-Man or the Avengers in Florida? Stephen unravels the tangled web of licensing agreements between Universal and Disney, exploring how each has navigated the Marvel rights saga. With stories of park deals, creative workarounds, and the future of Marvel in Orlando, this quick episode is filled with superhero-level intri...
Sep 30, 2024•6 min
We’re kicking off our first of many short off-season episodes to keep the magic alive while we prep for Season 3! Stephen is here to reintroduce himself Disney-style, sharing his top 7 Disney picks and giving you a glimpse into his Disney obsession that started as a child and led him to work at Walt Disney World. Tune in and stay connected as we roll out more bite-sized episodes featuring the rest of the team, plus some exciting new content on the horizon! Send us a text Support the show Don't f...
Sep 23, 2024•9 min
Welcome to the Season 2 Finale of Idiot’s Guide to Imagineering! The original Fab 5 Idiots are reunited for an epic showdown you won’t want to miss. We’re hosting a thrilling competition with three original Imagineering projects inspired by the latest D23 announcements. Marissa’s dreaming up a Walt Disney animatronic, Stephen’s designing a Spaceship Earth lounge, and Kaity’s creating an Encanto attraction for Animal Kingdom. With Amanda and Jenny as our judges, the stakes are high and the critiq...
Sep 16, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 25
This week, we're leaping into an exciting new attraction idea that brings the world of Big Hero 6 to life at Epcot! Join the Idiots as we explore the innovative San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, where technology and creativity collide in a thrilling new E-ticket experience. Kaity walks us through her vision for Quantum Leap , a cutting-edge ride that combines storytelling, high-tech thrills, and the beloved characters from Big Hero 6 . Discover how this new addition could transform Epcot’s ...
Sep 09, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Joe Lanzisero's remarkable 37-year career with Disney has solidified his legacy as a master of entertainment and storytelling. Starting in Disney animation, where he contributed to classics like Fox and the Hound , Joe later transitioned into Imagineering, where he played a key role in creating beloved attractions such as Mystic Manor and Toontown at Disneyland. Beyond his Disney achievements, Joe continues to inspire with his creative talents as both a storyteller and illustrator. His children'...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr
Grab your safari gear, because we are headed into the Pride Lands like never before! A few weeks back, we speculated about a Lion King attraction possibly making its way to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but alas, no official announcement came. But if you know the Idiots, you know we don’t let that stop us. We’re taking matters into our own hands and crafting a Lion King attraction that’s pure magic. We are bringing this beloved classic to life, with all the musical flair and wild adventure you’d expe...
Sep 03, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 23
The Idiots are splashing into a fresh reimagining of "Tiana’s Bayou Adventure" at Magic Kingdom and soon-to-open in Disneyland. Drawing inspiration from our own June trip down the bayou, we’re unveiling a reimagined storyline that sidesteps spoilers and avoids direct comparisons to the current ride. Stephen leads the discussion, proposing an alternative concept that digs a little deeper into the world of The Princess and the Frog , focusing on an untold chapter that bridges the gap between Tiana...
Aug 26, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 22
We’re jumping into an exciting new concept for Disney's All-Star Resorts. After a bit of creative exploration, we’ve come up with a unique vision for a new Disney Vacation Club section, inspired by the 1998 film The Parent Trap . We’re reimagining part of the All Star Resorts with a new area called Camp Walden, featuring 40 cabin-style villas situated around an hourglass-shaped lake. This new section will blend the fun and value of Disney’s resorts with a touch of DVC luxury. We’ll walk you thro...
Aug 19, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In this special episode, we're live from the D23 Fan Experience, and the announcements were incredible! We're recapping everything from top to bottom, sharing our thoughts and opinions on what each new development means for Disney fans. From new ride concepts to park expansions, we're breaking down all the details on what the future holds for Disney's parks and resorts. Join us for a comprehensive and enthusiastic rundown of all the big reveals from D23! Send us a text Support the show Don't for...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, we shake things up by diving into the latest Disney rumors ahead of the Disney Experiences Showcase at the 2024 D23 Fan Experience. We discuss potential announcements such as the long-awaited Tropical Americas, a new Moana attraction, a Lion King ride, and a possible nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom. We also speculate on various other exciting projects, including updates to Test Track, expansions beyond Big Thunder Mountain, and new experiences for Disney's international parks....
Aug 05, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Welcome to Part 3 of Building Port Disney, where we uncover the past of an abandoned project and reimagine what it could be today! We'll discuss what happened to the scrapped concepts from the canceled park along with what eventually got built on the site at Long Beach, Plus, get ready to explore Atlantis, Australia, and a mystical sea village as we reveal our final three lands of our park, alongside a dazzling nighttime spectacular designed to captivate everyone. Join us on Building Port Disney...
Jul 29, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Hollywood, 1940. The Hollywood Tower Hotel is reopening after a year-long closure following the tragic events of 1939—you know, the one where an elevator cab carrying five people was struck by lightning and never seen again? After taking the year off to “renovate,” the hotel is opening back up with its newest, exclusive lounge—The Twilight Zone. Management decided they needed a flashy hangout to attract back the Hollywood elite. However, something is not quite right with this place. While the re...
Jul 22, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 18
To celebrate the 69th Anniversary of Disneyland, we decided it was time to take on a project restoring the park to its former glory. Forget what you've heard about Disneyland Foward as we present: Disneyland Backward. Join the Idiots as we approach a controversial topic including an IP eviction and a brand new land. With a focus on innovation, we found a way to incorporate some original Disneyland plans that never came to life into a modernized version of a traditional theme park land. Step into...
Jul 15, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 17
After a recent visit to the Boardwalk at Walt Disney World, we realized it has so much untapped potential just waiting to be unlocked. What better way to revitalize it than by bringing the magic and excitement of the circus to town? Join us as Stephen unveils his exciting plans to introduce a state-of-the-art mini golf experience to the Boardwalk. This isn't just any mini golf course; it's a one-of-a-kind adventure featuring some of your favorite (and not so favorite) Disney friends. Picture tee...
Jul 08, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Royce Alcoser is a former Disney Imagineer known for his remarkable contributions to entertainment and storytelling. Beyond his Imagineering work, he is a talented painter, sculptor, and host of the YouTube channel "Imagine with Royce." His creative journey with Disney began at a young age, quickly making a mark bringing numerous animatronic figures to life in the parks. Royce's experience spans working on various projects, including classic opening day to modern day attractions. His process for...
Jul 03, 2024•36 min
For the first time on our show, we showed up to recording completely unprepared to pitch you a new project. But that’s on purpose. Today we are giving you a little bit of insight to what our planning process looks like live on the show! Welcome to the Crossover Creation Challenge. We spun two wheels. One full of existing Disney Parks attractions and the other? Non-Disney IP. The challenge is for the 3 of us to retheme that attraction with the new IP. Tune in now to find out what we created. It's...
Jul 01, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 15
The Idiots have conquered Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and we have a lot of thoughts! As avid fans of Tiana, one of our favorite princesses, we were thrilled to get a sneak peek at the attraction. Kaity and Stephen attended the D23 preview event, while Marissa experienced it during the Cast Member preview. We also have our resident New Orleans local, Jenny, to provide commentary on the authenticity of her city's portrayal. Overall, we really liked the new attraction and can't wait to share our pros ...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr
We're back with Part 2 of our Building Port Disney Mini-Series! Today, we're diving into the original plans for DisneySea, which was actually intended for California in the 1990s. Discover all the fascinating details about this first-of-its-kind park that never came to be. And of course, we put on our creative idiot caps to reimagine how this park could look if it were built today. From Coney Island to talking sausages, haunted ghost ships to Lizzie McGuire, we've got a lot to cover. So, sit bac...
Jun 24, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 14
It's time to play the music! It's time to light the lights! It's time to meet the Muppets on this episode tonight! Join Marissa and Kaity as they dive into another episode of "Canceled." This week, they explore the ill-fated Muppet Studios, a planned land at Disney parks that never saw the light of day. In the early 90s, The Muppets were wildly popular, and a merger between Disney and Jim Henson Studios was set to bring an entire Muppet-themed area to the parks. However, the unexpected death of ...
Jun 17, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 13
