Peek beyond the magic of Disney Parks to discover what's Behind the Attraction! The all-new Disney+ original series, From Executive Producers Dwayne Johnson (yes that Dwayne Johnson, and Yes we will be going behind the Jungle Cruise Attraction), along with producer Brian Volk-Weiss of (The Toys that made us, the movies that made us just to name a few), we get to explore how Imagineers filled the Haunted Mansion with 999 happy haunts, how the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ transformed into Guardi...
Jul 08, 2021•36 min
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular was a nighttime show at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios that debuted in 2016. Based on the Star Wars franchise, the spectacular featured fireworks, projection mapping, fire, lasers, fog effects, searchlights, and more. The Hollywood Studios Chinese theater is the background for the projections along with some surrounding buildings. As the show evolved and the Star Wars franchise grew, the show was quietly updated with scenes from Rogue One, the Last Jedi, ...
Jun 11, 2021•15 min•Ep. 187
Avengers Campus, an entirely new land dedicated to discovering, recruiting, and training the next generation of Super Heroes, will open June 4, 2021, at Disneyland Resort, inside Disney California Adventure Park. Guests who are lifelong fans of Super Heroes and those discovering them for the first time are invited to team up with the Avengers and their allies to live out their Super Hero dreams in this fully immersive land that mixes innovative technology and fun for all ages. “We are so excited...
Jun 02, 2021•8 min
Summer is here, and Walt Disney World continues to open additional dining experiences and attractions, including Character dining at Chef Mickey's, reintroduces the famous all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner starring the Fab Five. Over at the EPCOT Resort area, the Cape May Café at Disney's Beach Club Resort has reopened, and at Animal Kingdom, the Tusker House Restaurant is taking reservations Speaking of Animal Kingdom. The Festival of the Lion King is back at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. The ...
Jun 02, 2021•6 min
As you board the Star Cruiser along with all of the other passengers, you are stepping into the story; you have a front-row seat in this Star Wars Adventure. This isn't a hotel, this is a galactic cruise, and you are about to be immersed with your fellow travelers into the Star Wars universe We will be cruising aboard the Helicyon, a glamorous starcruiser, on a two-day, two-night voyage – boarding and depart with your fellow passengers – Just like a Disney Cruise Line voyage. It's a first-of-its...
May 30, 2021•9 min•Ep. 186
Spandellatori de sandselpocro | Epcots Italian Flag Throwing Troupe | 2015 | World Showcase https://youtu.be/HyIdShMDF5k[/embed
May 23, 2021•12 min•Ep. 185
An attraction based on Winnie the Pooh dates back to 1977 and the "Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" Animated feature. Imagineers made multiple attempts to bring pooh Bear to Disneyland – but Pooh Bear didn't make the cut for Disneyland's new fantasyland in 1983 or Mickey's Toon town in 1993. In fact, Roger Rabbit's cartoon spin was based on a "spinnable" honey pot designed for a Winnie the Pooh attraction that never happened. A resurgence in Pooh's popularity in the mid-1990s, and the New Adv...
May 22, 2021•14 min•Ep. 184
Disneyland Is OPEN!!! Avengers campus is set to open on June 4th. The highly anticipated addition to Disney California Adventure Park is a fully immersive land inviting you to team up with the Avengers and their allies and live out your superhero dreams Over a Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion has undergone some ghostly improvements while the park was quiet. Including A lavish landscape adorning the dearly departed pets outside. While inside, you may notice a new design along the portrait hallway....
May 03, 2021•7 min
Walt Disney World is full of unique dining options, and while Disney Hollywood Studios may not have as many sit-down locations as other Disney parks, it sure has some of the most unusual places. One of my favorites, the Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater. Be sure to check the latest menu, which includes some of the best burgers around, but the real treat here in the Hollywood Hills Drive-in Movie theater. Walt Disney World is full of unique dining options, and while Disney Hollywood Studios may not have as ...
May 01, 2021•50 min•Ep. 183
The Great Movie Ride. The opening day marquee attraction of the Disney MGM Studios, and when it closed 28 years later, that last remaining opening day attraction at the park. Located inside the park’s icon, “The Chinese Theater,” the Great movie ride showcased animatronic figures, practical sets, live actors, pyrotechnics, and projections to recreate iconic scenes from classic features throughout motion picture history. (At least throughout the Disney and MGM studios library) Did you know the ri...
Apr 26, 2021•23 min•Ep. 182
For just shy of 11 years, Mulch, Sweat & Shears ruled Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. The fan-favorite “atmosphere entertainment” created quite the cult following. The studios’ official “landscaping crew” doubled as a high-energy “rake and roll” show! If you visited Hollywood Studios from 2004-2015, you likely ran into them on the streets of America or at the end of Hollywood Boulevard right in from of the sorcerer mickey hat, remember that? Specializing in classic rock, the landscape...
Apr 18, 2021•23 min•Ep. 181
Form the Disneyland Resort’s Hotels, Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and the Downtown Disney District, Disneyland has a dining adventure for everyone. This Disneyland Resort Television special showcases every location from 2017. Form the Disneyland Resort’s Hotels, Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District, Disneyland has a dining adventure for everyone. This Disneyland Resort Television special showcases every location from 2017....
Apr 14, 2021•7 min•Ep. 180
Disneyland Today. Part of Disneyland in-room television, Disneyland today is a great way to start your day at the Disneyland Resort, getting the latest details and information on happenings thought out the day. Disneyland Today. Part of Disneyland in-room television, Disneyland today is a great way to start your day at the Disneyland Resort, getting the latest details and information on happenings thought out the day.
Apr 14, 2021•11 min•Ep. 179
With over 25 resorts, Walt Disney World has something for everyone. No matter what your price range, you’re sure to find theming and an immersive environment. Each resort has its own unique charm, and some have exclusive activities. When it comes to value resorts, Disney’s Pop Century is my favorite; it’s a nostalgic look at the unforgettable fads of the 1950s through the 1990s. The Disney Skyliner station connection the resort and Art of Animation to the Carriean Beach Station, continuing to Di...
Apr 07, 2021•40 min•Ep. 178
This time on SamsDisneyNews Disneyland is set to open, Make sure you have a valid park ticket, a park pass, and are a California resident. Get the latest at Disneyland.com/update Multi-Year Planning https://wp.me/p99IdZ-cm1 The first phase of Mobile magic has rolled out a Walt Disney World https://thedisneynerdspodcast.com/2021/03/30/disney-magicmobile-option-launches-on-apple-devices-how-to-get-started-for-contactless-walt-disney-world-park-entry/ Florida will be able to get a Walt Disney World...
Apr 05, 2021•8 min
The Mariachi Espectacular is a group of all-star mariachi musicians, made up of the best musicians from around the world. Members have also produced, composed, arranged, records for some of the most famous artists in the world. The group performed in the Plaza de la Familia at Disney California adventure to celebrate the release of the Disney Animation Coco, they have also performed during the Viva Navidad Holiday celebration at Disney California Adventure. The Mariachi Espectacular is a group o...
Mar 28, 2021•11 min•Ep. 177
The Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar opened at Disney California Adventure in 2009. It has served as a preview center for coming attractions at the park since, featuring sketches, painting, and 3D models providing a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney artists, architects and engineers bring the ideas to reality. In 2018 the exhibit focused on the design and reimagination of Pixar Pier, inspired by a classic seaside boardwalk in California. The Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar op...
Mar 27, 2021•13 min•Ep. 176
This Time on SamsDisneyNews (March 2021) Disney World 2021 Update Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary: The World’s Most Magical Celebration. Epcot transformation continues with Six flags flanking spaceship earth, each representing an original EPCOT icon. Disney World 50th World Showcase lagoon adds a six-story tall central ring structure, part of the new “Harmonious” nighttime speculator coming to Epcot in time for the anniversary The liberty bell made its way back to the Rivers of America. Ray...
Mar 08, 2021•7 min
Walt’s kiss goodnight, Fireworks. A perfect ending to a fantastic day at any Disney Park. Today it is so much more than the first Disneyland fireworks back in 1956. It’s hard to imagine that those simple fireworks, individually light by cast members, would have evolved into full-scale production, including Projections, synchronized music, and more explosives that Walt could have imagined. Happily, Ever After, premiered in 2017 creating the question, Should I be watching the sky for Fireworks or ...
Mar 07, 2021•32 min•Ep. 175
If there is a closer connection to Walt Disney in a Walt Disney World Attraction, I sure can’t think of it. Not only does the Carousel of Progress bear his name, but it’s also the only attraction in Florida with Walt in the preshow. I included the famous clip from Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair as the introduction. Then it’s a first-person trip on the rotating theater and audio-animatronic stage show attraction, as it appears in 2019 at Walt Disney World in Florida. The original attraction ...
Mar 04, 2021•27 min•Ep. 174
Once Upon a Time (Walt Disney World Cinderella Castle Projection Show) In 2011, The Magic, The Memories and You ushered in the age of projection mapping using Cinderella’s Castle as a canvas. The original show featured images of guests from throughout the day – It debuted in 2011 and was updated in 2012 with “Celebrate the Magic”, both previously featured on SamsDisneyDiary. The Current Projection Show “Once Upon a Time” made its debut in 2016. Based on a similar nighttime show at Tokyo Disneyla...
Mar 02, 2021•16 min•Ep. 173
The D23 Expo is the ultimate Disney Fan celebration, and no one celebrates Disney attractions like the D23 community. This session from the 2015 expo celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Disneyland Original, Jungle Cruise. Skippers from throughout the years reflect on their experiences at the Jungle Cruise, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary as one of Disneyland’s opening-day attractions. They will also discuss changes to the attraction over the years including recent holiday overlays a...
Mar 01, 2021•52 min•Ep. 172
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, part of Walt Disney World’s 100 Years of Magic celebration, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade debuted October 1, 2001. The parade took place daily until May 31, 2014 – making it at the time, the longest-running parade at Walt Disney World. The premise of the parade was a jungle safari expedition featuring your favorite Disney characters. The Disney Fab 5: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy each had a safari jeep escorted and followed by themed abstract animal i...
Feb 27, 2021•14 min•Ep. 170
The Golden Horseshoe Revue was an opening day attraction at Disneyland in 1955. Did you know, the first performance took place the day before Disneyland’s official opening, to celebrate Walt and Lillian’s 30th wedding anniversary. The Golden Horseshoe has a long history of entertainment, with the first original show running until October 1986. Other versions included a Variety Show, Billy Hill, and the Hillbilies, and Woody’s Round-up to celebrate the opening of Toy Story 2 in 1999. The video in...
Feb 27, 2021•16 min•Ep. 171
There is nothing better than a Disney attraction with ties to Walt Disney himself. First premiering at Disneyland in 1963, the Enchanted Tiki room was an opening day attraction at Walt Disney World in 1971. The Disneyland version was the first attraction to feature audio-animatronics, the foundation for the Disney 1964 World’s Fair attractions. The Walt Disney World version of the attraction was an identical show, with a different pre-show, the Tropical Serenade. There are over 150 talking, sing...
Feb 26, 2021•20 min•Ep. 169
If you visited Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios after the last Star Wars weekend (2016), and before the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge you may have stumbled into A Galaxy Far Far Away stage show. This 15-minute stage show covers the cinematic star wars universe, with some special guest appearances. And it’s this episode of SamsDisneyDiary.
Feb 25, 2021•15 min•Ep. 168
In its 5-year run; the Epcot Internal Festival of the Arts has created quite a following. The Visual Arts and Culinary Arts are obvious, but the icing on the cake had been the nightcap, featuring Disney on Broadway stars performing their Art, Disney Broadway musicals at The American Gardens Theater. For the Taste of Epcot Festival of the Arts in 2021, the Voices of Liberty graced the stage, but in the previous 4 years of the festival, Disney Broadway stars took the stage for a nightcap. In this ...
Feb 23, 2021•27 min•Ep. 167
“One Nation Under God”. That was the original idea for what would become Walt Disney World’s Hall of Presidents. The original concept would have been an addition to Disneyland’s Main Street USA. Library Street would have featured Edison Square and The Hall of Presidents, as seen on 1958 Disneyland park maps. The original concept was wax figures of all the US Presidents, which lead to the idea of animating the models. Those thoughts and beliefs lead to the first Audio-Animatronic figure in human ...
Feb 22, 2021•25 min•Ep. 166
The GFSO – The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, the source of the elegant melody you heard countless times walking through the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian, recently ended its 32-year engagement at Walt Disney World. The 6-piece orchestra delivered classic renditions of ragtime, Dixieland Jazz, Traditional jazz, and as well as Disney Classics, adding to the elegance of the Grand Floridian Resort. In August 2020. The Orchestra relocated to the Hollywood Studios Theater of the Stars with a ...
Feb 15, 2021•18 min•Ep. 165
There are lots of perks associated with being a Disney Vacation Club Member. Maybe one of the coolest is being able to attend DVC Moonlight Magic. It’s an after-hours in-park event, available to DVC members at no cost. Events have historically taken place in each Walt Disney World Park, including the water parks and Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim. Think of it as a hard ticketed event where the ticket is complimentary to DVC members, assuming you can get one. You’ll ne...
Feb 13, 2021•12 min•Ep. 164
