Episode #197 - news for December, 2014

Overview: Today's podcast is a look at Disney happenings. I cover a lot of things that have been happening over the last few months - the Disney no fly zone, new development and environmental mitigation, some new things to see at Disney World including TCM presents the Great Movie Ride and removal of the Sorcerers hat. Plus there is some discussion about new movies.

Notes: For the First Time in Forever... I Did Not Enjoy My Vacation to Disney

Episodes #195 and #196 - a chat with Andrea (Onnie) about Disney World.

Overview: Onnie applied to be on the Disney Mom's Panel, and she's here to tell us all about her experience. Plus, we naturally talk about Disney World, trip planning, and some favorite attractions! Take a listen and see how she followed (and continues to follow) her dream.

Notes: Visit the Disney Mom's Panel to learn more and ask a question of one of the moms (and dads).

Gary Buchanan is the manager of social media for Disney Parks. You can find his blog entries here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/author/gbuchanan/
And here's a video of him in action:


Follow Onnie on Twitter and Instagram:
https://twitter.com/Onnie5000
http://instagram.com/Onnie5000/

Episodes #193 and #194 - First hand experience with MyMagic+ in the Magic Kingdom

Overview: Its a podcast so big that it spans two episodes! Today, I am in the Magic Kingdom trying out my MagicBand, FastPass+, and checking out some of the changes that have taken (or are taking!) place. Come and take a listen as I spend my day wandering around and telling stories...

Notes: I didn't like the feeling of the MagicBand on my arm, but overall, the system was working well enough. I found the experience enjoyable overall. The two pieces of music you hear are from the MainStreet Marching Band and Jim - the long-time pianist outside of Casey's Corner.

Episode #192 - Epcot's Food and Wine Festival

Overview: Near the end of the Food & wine Festival, I finally found a day to enjoy the event. I brought my recorder, and tell you all about my experience! I've got some thoughts about the dishes I tried, the app I created, and some of the fun things to see and do. Come in and take a listen to my day enjoying Epcot's Food & Wine Festival!

Notes: I am looking for feedback on the app, if anyone happened to use it. Feel free to send me an email if you think of anything. I know, for example, that having a way to plan things to try would be helpful. The guitarist heard in the podcast is Gerardo Manrique.

Episode #191 - The History of the Monorail -- and a trip to the Pacific Northwest

Overview: I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest over the summer, and I found some interesting things that tie back to Disney in some small ways. I also rode the monorail in Seattle, and its a cool trip down memory lane...so I spend some time talking about how it relates to Disney history.

Notes: The story of Puddles can be found in Episode #14 ... visit NPS.gov to learn about National Parks.

Episode #190 - FastPass+ Mayhem

Overview: Mayhem may not be quite the right word, but I do talk about Fastpass+ in general and how it works. And then I move on to some things that are happening around FastPass+. New "limited tests" with Toy Story Midway Mania, and with the Be Our Guest Restaurant. What does it all mean? And I talk about ApplePay and its connection to the MagicBands.

Notes: Much of this is speculative, but based on some facts, and I don't claim to have any amazing inside scoop. Its my best guess.

Episode #189 - Alien Encounter leads to ... Stitch's Great Escape

Overview: This podcast has some followup thoughts and comments about the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, from some of its original concepts, to one part of the show that left...and then I talk about its closure. Afterward, I talk about the show that replaced it, which is a truly terrible attraction - Stitch's Great Escape.

Notes: The movie review is from Jeremy Jahns (http://www.jeremyjahns.com/). I am amazed at how much history there is in this attraction.

Episodes #188 - The extraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

Overview: This podcast takes a look at what came after Mission to Mars closed in the Magic Kingdom. In short, it was a creative thrill ride that didn't provide physical thrills, but rather psychological ones. Seize the future with XS!

Notes: Michael Eisner asked for it to be more terrifying along the way. And the Imagineers had to work with the existing building, and most of the set designs in order to keep costs down. Arguably, this is one of the most non-Disney attractions ever put in to the Magic Kingdom.

Episode #187 - changes coming to the World

Its more Disney news, kind of.... I take a look at changes that have come and are coming to the world. In particular I look at Frozen taking over the Maelstrom.




Remember there's a social app to use as you experience the Food & Wine Fest at EPCOT. Its only for the iPhone (sorry other users, but I'm an apple developer)....

The basic premise is this: you show up at the F&W Fest and wonder where should I start? What's trending? What do people like? So you open the app, and search for food.

Its totally social, so as people try a dish, they can give it a thumbs up (or down), write a review, or rate it on a 5-star scale. And after you try it, you can too!

Plus you can tweet about it - and check the twitter feed to see what others have to say about #EpcotFoodAndWine.

Best of all, its free! Check it out here:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=909839806&mt=8
Or if you don't have an i-device visit the mobile site: http://disneypodcast.net/foodandwine/

ScootOrlando.com is a proud sponsor and provides Orlando Scooter Rentals.

Episode #186 - Some Disney News (Sept 2014)

Its a dose of Disney news. DeadMau5 takes on Disney. An update on the legal action with the old Guest Assistance Card. Information about Disney Springs. Frozen. Frozen. And more Frozen. And a few other updates from around the Parks. Enjoy!




In the podcast, I mention a social app for you to use as you experience the Food & Wine Fest at EPCOT. Its only for the iPhone (sorry other users, but I'm an apple developer)....

The basic premise is this: you show up at the F&W Fest and wonder where should I start? What's trending? What do people like? So you open the app, and search for food.

Its totally social, so as people try a dish, they can give it a thumbs up (or down), write a review, or rate it on a 5-star scale. And after you try it, you can too!

Plus you can tweet about it - and check the twitter feed to see what others have to say about #EpcotFoodAndWine.

Best of all, its free! Check it out here:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=909839806&mt=8
Or if you don't have an i-device visit the mobile site: http://disneypodcast.net/foodandwine/

ScootOrlando.com is a proud sponsor and provides Orlando Scooter Rentals.

Episode #185 - Food and Wine Festival overview and preview

This episode is an overview - or primer - of the Food and Wine Festival.

In it I mention a social app for you to use as you experience the Food & Wine Fest at EPCOT. Its only for the iPhone (sorry other users, but I'm an apple developer)....

The basic premise is this: you show up at the F&W Fest and wonder where should I start? What's trending? What do people like? So you open the app, and search for food.

Its totally social, so as people try a dish, they can give it a thumbs up (or down), write a review, or rate it on a 5-star scale. And after you try it, you can too!

Plus you can tweet about it - and check the twitter feed to see what others have to say about #EpcotFoodAndWine.

Best of all, its free! Check it out here:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=909839806&mt=8
Or if you don't have an i-device visit the mobile site: http://disneypodcast.net/foodandwine/

ScootOrlando.com is a proud sponsor and provides Orlando Scooter Rentals.

Episode #184 - a tribute to Robin Williams

We heard the sad news that Robin Williams has died of an apparent suicide. Robin had a long history with Disney, so I thought I would pay tribute by counting down the top 5 appearances in movies and the theme park. This podcast is over the usual time, but it seemed worthwhile given his wit - and contributions.

ScootOrlando.com is a proud sponsor and provides Orlando Scooter Rentals.

Episode #183 - Mission to Mars

After Flight to the Moon, Disney closed the attraction and re-opened it as Mission to Mars. Today, we pay tribute to that attraction.

ScootOrlando.com is a proud sponsor and provides Orlando Scooter Rentals.

Episode #182 - Flight to the Moon

I look back to original DisneyLand attraction: Flight to the Moon, which took guests on a rocket to the Moon and back.

ScootOrlando.com is a proud sponsor and provides Orlando Scooter Rentals.