This month, the Progress City Radio Hour is setting sail for adventure with tales from the golden age of scientific romances, and the grand old man himself Jules Verne! We'll look at the making of the 1954 Disney classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and revisit how that film was first represented at Disneyland with a movie set tour. We'll also look at Verne's other brushes with Disney, from Tokyo's Mysterious Island to Paris's Discoveryland. And to top it off, we'll visit the greatest unbuilt l...
May 24, 2022•2 hr 17 min•Ep. 45
This month, the Progress City Radio Hour looks at some of the creative geniuses who have worked with the Disney studio over the years. From surrealist legend Salvador Dalí, who worked at Disney on the film Destino in 1946, to composer legends like Stravinsky and Prokofiev, many famous names sought to work with Walt in his heyday. We also look at notables of later years, such as Michael Eisner's stable of world-renowned architects and Ray Bradbury's influence on EPCOT Center! History, music, and ...
Mar 29, 2022•2 hr 29 min•Ep. 44
In this episode we welcome back veteran Imagineer Tim Delaney for part two of his town hall! We cover a lot of ground in this one, from EPCOT Center and The Living Seas to Discoveryland in Paris. There are also lots of personal stories about the boom days of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. Hydrolators prepare for descent, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 43
This month we're happy to bring you a two-part Progress City Town Hall with veteran Imagineer Tim Delaney! Tim began at Disney in the 1970s, and worked on everything from Epcot Center to Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and beyond. In this part of our talk we discuss how Tim was inspired by Walt's classic Tomorrowland television episodes, his early years at Imagineering, and some of the fascinating people he met along the way. Hop on the Moonliner and prepare for takeoff, it's the Progres...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 42
The Progress City Radio Hour turns forward the clock and jets into the new year with a visit to the great big beautiful Tomorrowland! We start off with a look at Walt's own Tomorrowland programs of the 1950s, and how they influenced the American space program. We'll also examine Walt's friendship with visionary architect Welton Beckett, tour the early entertainment offerings of the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, and look at abandoned plans for the EPCOT Future World Theme Center! History, music, ...
Feb 15, 2022•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 41
The Progress City Radio Hour spikes the eggnog and hoists the mistletoe for our second annual Christmas episode! This year our festive spectacular features visits from two of our Town Hall guests from 2021, legendary Walt Disney World performer Pat Terry, Jr. and renowned Disney horticulturalist Scott Girard. Author and historian Marcy Carriker Smothers also drops by to talk about her newest book about Walt Disney and Disneyland. History, music, and more - from all of us to all of you, it's the ...
Dec 20, 2021•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 40
In this episode we wrap up our trip back through time to celebrate Walt Disney World's fiftieth anniversary! The last installation of our multi-episode event examines the 1990s - a decade of many ups and downs for the resort and for Disney itself. Not for nothing was this period known as the Disney Decade - there's a lot to talk about and a lot of developments to cover, so buckle in! History, music, and more - everything announced today in this podcast will definitely be built, it's the Progress...
Nov 23, 2021•3 hr 11 min•Ep. 39
Join us as we continue our journey through fifty years of Walt Disney World history! For this momentous occasion we're embarking on a multi-episode event which will take us through the decades to revisit moments from the resort's past. For part three we look at the 1980s - a decade of much change at Disney and at Walt Disney World. And we welcome Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to the family! History, music, and more - hullo, I'm Michael Eisner, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Nov 02, 2021•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 38
Our Walt Disney World golden anniversary celebration continues! For this momentous occasion we're embarking on a multi-episode event which will take us through the decades to revisit moments from the resort's past. For part two we explore the years between the resort's opening in 1971 and the debut of Epcot Center in 1982. It's a decade of expansion and of much promise, as well as much silliness. History, music, and more - let us take you on a moonlit ride, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!...
Oct 19, 2021•2 hr 17 min•Ep. 37
It's finally here - the golden anniversary of Walt Disney World! For this momentous occasion we're embarking on a multi-episode event which will take us through the decades to revisit moments from the resort's past - some significant and some decidedly less so. For part one we explore the years between the announcement of the "Florida Project" in 1965 and its grand opening in 1971. We also talk to Ron Miziker, the entertainment impresario who helped pull off those fantastic opening celebrations....
Oct 05, 2021•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 36
To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Walt Disney World and the man who made it possible, Roy O. Disney, we're putting out a Progress City Extra featuring some memories of Roy by people who worked with him. Included are clips from our Progress City Town Halls with Frank Stanek and Scott Girard, featuring some elements that have not been previously broadcast. We hope you enjoy these reminisces, and join us next week for the first of our fiftieth anniversary celebration episodes!
Oct 01, 2021•31 min•Ep. 35
It's no secret we love Disney park music, so we're very excited to bring you our interview with long-time Walt Disney World banjoist and Disney Legacy Award winner Pat Terry, Jr. Pat started off at Disneyland before helping open Walt Disney World alongside his father, with whom he played for more than a decade before striking out on his own. Along the way he's had some fabulous experiences and got to meet some fascinating people. From the streets of New Orleans Square to the stage of Pioneer Hal...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 34
The Progress City Radio Hour catches a blue-flagged motor launch for a look at the Vacation Kingdom via the waterways of Bay Lake! We remember an eccentric occupant of the area before Disney arrived, dig into the origins of Fort Wilderness, and explore Bay Lake's entertainment offerings of the 1970s. We also check in with legendary Walt Disney World entertainer Pat Terry, Jr. for some memories about the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. History, music, and more - peel some shrimp and tune your banjo, ...
Sep 07, 2021•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 33
In this Progress City Town Hall we continue our discussion with veteran Disney landscaper and horticulturalist Scott Girard. Topics of discussion include Scott's influence on the landscapes of EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland, some of his projects outside Disney, and his time spent as head of Disney Horticulture in the 1990s. From the gardens of Canada to the forests of Japan - plant those tiddlywinks, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 32
Landscaping is a fundamental part of the Disney themed experience, so we're thrilled this month to bring you a two-part Progress City Town Hall with veteran Disney landscaper and horticulturalist Scott Girard. Scott started at Disneyland in 1964, and went on to become part of the team that helped create Walt Disney World. In this part of our talk we discuss those early experiences, including encounters with Walt and Roy Disney themselves. From the orange groves of Anaheim to the swamps of Florid...
Aug 10, 2021•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 31
The Progress City Radio Hour picks up our fife and drum for another celebration of the Fourth of July! In this patriotic episode we'll look back at how Disney parks celebrated the Bicentennial, and examine some very early concepts for Epcot's American Adventure. We'll also walk you through a lengthy televised spectacle of Americana from 1991. History, music, and more - strike up the band, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Jul 12, 2021•2 hr 46 min•Ep. 30
The Progress City Radio Hour sets sail down the mighty Mississippi for more wild west excitement in Frontierland! In part two of this month's episode we look at how Mark Twain influenced Walt Disney's youth. We'll also look at Frontierland dining options from Disneyland's past, hear a catchy ditty about Nature's Wonderland, and continue our retrospective tour of Walt Disney World's Frontierland! History, music, and more - send down another bag of golden corn, Klondike, it's the Progress City Rad...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 29
The Progress City Radio Hour hits the dusty trail in search of frontier adventure! In part one of our Frontierland episode we look at the musical legacy of some of Disney's western offerings and revisit the televised exploits of Texas John Slaughter. We also begin our trip back through time to Remember the Magic of Frontierland's past at Walt Disney World. History, music, and more - prepare for the wildest ride in the wilderness, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Jun 08, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 28
The Progress City Radio Hour wakes up the glee club and returns to the wilds of Adventureland! In part two of our Adventureland episode we examine the careers of two individuals who had a great influence on this land's history - Imagineer Harper Goff and horticulturalist Bill Evans. We'll also revisit the filming of the Disney classic The Swiss Family Robinson, and Jeff holds a Polynesian feast! History, music, and more - we're offering two heads for just one of yours, it's the Progress City Rad...
May 25, 2021•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 27
The Progress City Radio Hour starts the show rolling and embarks on a safari into Adventureland! In part one of our Adventureland episode we look at the True-Life Adventures which first inspired this exotic land and Remember the Magic™ of some of the area's past offerings. We also look at the history and lore of the Orange Bird, and examine Walt Disney World's citrus ties. History, music, and more - wave goodbye to the people at the dock, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
May 11, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 26
Here we return to our Progress City Town Hall two-part interview with Imagineer and historian Tom Morris. In part two of our talk we discuss a number of major projects that he worked on, most notably Disney Studios Paris, DisneyQuest, and Hong Kong Disneyland. We also discuss his huge new research project about the roots of Imagineering, and some of the important names you may never have heard about until now. History, music, and more - long live the theme park, it's the Progress City Radio Hour...
May 04, 2021•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 25
This month, the Progress City Town Hall brings you a two-part interview with Imagineer and historian Tom Morris. Tom not only worked on a wide range of projects from EPCOT to Hong Kong Disneyland and beyond, but he's embarked on a major research project about the roots of Imagineering. In this part of our talk we discuss several of his early projects including World of Motion, Journey into Imagination, and a slew of Disneyland experiences. From Splash Mountain to Star Wars - follow Figment to th...
Apr 27, 2021•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 24
The Progress City Radio Hour returns to Fantasyland in the second part of our 50th anniversary retrospective! This week we examine some unbuilt attractions from "The Fantasyland That Never Was" and continue to Remember the Magic™ of past Fantasyland offerings such as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and the Skyway. This month's special guest, historian and Imagineer Tom Morris, returns with more insight into the creation of the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. History, music, and ...
Apr 20, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 23
The Progress City Radio Hour sprinkles some pixie dust and heads straight into the happiest land of them all! In part one of our Fantasyland retrospective we look at the European adventures which inspired Walt's storybook tales and Remember the Magic™ of some of Fantasyland's past offerings. This month's special guest, historian and Imagineer Tom Morris, also drops in with some insight into the design of the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. History, music, and more - head for the second star to the ...
Apr 13, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 22
This month's Progress City Town Hall continues with part two of our interview with designer and former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto. Eddie started at Disney in 1986 and rose to be Senior Vice President, Concept Design. In this episode we discuss his memories of Michael Eisner, talk about why someone leaves Imagineering, and analyze some of the issues facing the industry today. From one Progress City to another - make room for Shrunken Ed, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Mar 30, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 21
This month's Progress City Town Hall features our interview with designer and former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto. Eddie started at Disney in 1986 and rose to be Senior Vice President, Concept Design. In our wide-ranging talk we discuss everything from the unique appeal of Knott's Berry Farm to what, exactly, he was cooking up in his Imagineering Concept Development Studio. From Six Flags Power Plant to Pooh's Hunny Hunt, from Herb Ryman to Tony Baxter - we have ignition, it's the Progress City ...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 20
The Progress City Radio Hour marches right down the middle of Main Street for a look at this area's influences and history! We'll examine what there is to see in Marceline, Missouri, take a trip with Walt to the 1948 Chicago Railroad Fair and Greenfield Village, listen to the soundscape of Main Street, and Remember the Magic™ of past Main Street offerings such as the Walt Disney Story and Penny Arcade. We even talk Main Street with this month's special guest, Eddie Sotto! History, music, and mor...
Mar 09, 2021•2 hr 12 min•Ep. 19
This month's Progress City Town Hall features our interview with former Disney Imagineer and executive, Bob Holland. Bob got his start during the construction of Epcot Center and retired after 26 years as the Vice President of Resort Development. He talks us through many of his projects from the built to the unbuilt, and tells tales of an array of architectural personalities as well as Disney icons such as Michael Eisner and Dick Nunis. From Epcot to the Mediterranean Resort, from the Grand Flor...
Feb 16, 2021•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 18
The Progress City Radio Hour hops aboard the monorail for a tour of Walt Disney World's Vacation Kingdom in the early 1970s! We'll look at how the Walt Disney World experiment began with Denver's Celebrity Sports Center, explore how the Seven Seas Lagoon was developed, examine some unbuilt resort hotels, and Remember the Magic™ of past offerings at the Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village Resort. History, music, and more - pour yourself a Monorail Pink and get your hula skirt ready, it's t...
Feb 02, 2021•2 hr 13 min•Ep. 17
The Progress City Radio Hour powders its wig for a look at Liberty Square and Disney's relationship to the presidency! We'll stroll the halls of history examining how Walt interacted with the presidents, look at how his Imagineers created the Hall of Presidents, recount important presidential moments at Walt Disney World, and Remember the Magic™ of Liberty Square's past. History, music, and more - buckle your breeches and summon the electors, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Jan 12, 2021•2 hr 39 min•Ep. 16
