Episode #305a - more thoughts about the Last Jedi

Overview: More thoughts (and spoilers) about Episode 8: the Last Jedi.  I watched a bunch of reviews, and they got me to thinking about the film.  So I wanted to share that...

Notes:  There are a lot of varying views about the movie.  Just take a a peek at youtube, and you can find good, bad an indifferent reviews.  But there's no denying the popularity of the film; its already exceeded $60 billion in tickets sales.

Episode #305 - Star Wars Episode 8 and 20th Century Fox

Overview: I went and saw Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi, and enjoyed it. I present a podcast that's part moview review - and part a look at Disney's acquisition of 20th Cenury Fox.

Notes:  Here are the videos from Bad Lip Reading and Weird Al, which I reference in the podcast

Episodes #303 & #304 - Holidays Around the World

Overview: Just in time for the holiday season, I present a look at what was formerly known as Holidays Around the World - now renamed to International Festival of the Holidays. I talk about what there is to see and do, and present some audio from each of the holiday storytellers.

Notes:  Check out videos from each pavilion, and other things to do and see.  Although I say in the podcast that I hadn't seen the new Hanukkah-themed exhibition, I did find a video.  Post any comments you have about the festival below!

Episodes #301 & #302 - My recent trip

Overview: I spent a few days up at the world recently, and I'm talking about it.  I did the food and wine festival, checked out progress on Star Wars land, and visited Pandora for the first time.  Of course, I have requisite observations and stories to tell.

Notes:  I had fun riding on Soarin' without shoes, weird as that is.

Episode #300 - things we miss at Walt Disney World

Overview: Gary Miceli joins me on today's podcast to talk about some of the shows, attractions, and experiences we miss in WDW.  Now there's a bit of a generational thing happening here, as Dave has some decidedly "old school" takes.  But it's a lot of fun to think back to things from the past, whether it's recent or if they are long gone...

Notes:  If you have some things you miss, post them below.  I'd be delighted to do another show on this topic in the future!

Episode #299 - More miscellanous news.

Overview: Today's podcast covers a few items that I left off my last podcast - miscellanous items that cover a wide range of topics.  From the family of the boy killed by the alligator, to espn-Disney-trump, to dessert parties, and mobile ordered, and a whole lote more!.  Enjoy!

Notes:  Link to articles I discuss on the podcast:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201709/5748/

Episode #298 - miscellany and updates

Overview: Today's podcast takes a look at Hurricane Irma, some fun stories from around the world, Yogi Berra and Disney (really!) and a good article about the magic bands.

Notes: As I mentioned, I took a little break, and may take another short one soon.  But I'll be back. Links to articles I discuss on the podcast:

• https://gizmodo.com/how-i-let-disney-track-my-every-move-1792875386
• http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2017/09/how_yogi_berra_turned_real_estate_swindling_into_d.html

Episodes #296 & #297- big changes are a comin'

Overview: Change is in the air! At D23, we heard about a number of new attractions, new experiences, changes, and other assorted announcements about the theme parks, movies, digital content and a whole lot more.  And now that I've had time to think about it, I talk about it!

Notes: There were some announcements made prior to D23, and a few made after - plus there are a few rumors that won't seem to go away...so I've got those here too!

At the end of the show, I tell you my big three I'm looking forward to, and three that I'm not so keen on.  What are yours?  Discuss below.

I didn't mention it in the podcast, but the one thing I will absolutely miss are the dinosaurs in the Energy attraction!

Episode #295 - Canada and Expo 67

 

That's me looking at the Niagara Falls version of the Backside of Water!

Overview:What did Dave do on his Summer Vacation?  He went to Canada! But here's the thing - I was amazed at how much I related Disney to things that I saw, and how various exhibits are influenced by Disney in some way...I also took some time to learn more about Expo67, and I share that with you.

Notes: You should check out my full post of thoughts, and link to the Musee McCord, which had an exhibit of Expo67.

Below is a composite of the St Laurent Hotel in Ottawa, and the Disney version of the hotel that appears in Epcot (which of course was inspired by the St Laurent)

 

See more about the trip and its connection to Disney, and a few pics here: http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/08/daves-summer-vacation.html

Episodes #293 & #294 - Carousel of Progress history part 3 - current show

Overview: In the third part of the series, I talk about how the attraction changed in the 80s, when they lost the GE sponsorship, and 90s, when they made it more like the original attraction, except for the last scene which became a look at the turn of the 21st century.  But they did restore the original theme song.

Notes: Jean Shepard took over as host in 1993. But the show is mostly the same today as it was back in 1964. Most of the props, set pieces, and the audio animatronics (with of course updates and maintenance) are the same ones used back then.

Episodes #291 & #292 - Carousel of Progress history part 2 - Disney World

Overview: On this podcast, I talk about the carousel of progress and it's move to Florida as a part of the expansion of tomorrowland at the magic kingdom. And a new song is introduced: it's the best time of your life, which evokes the idea of carpe diem.

 

Notes: the kitchen is the focal point in all the scenes because that's where family comes together, and perhaps more importantly, that's where you would be most likely to see many GE appliances in one place.

Episodes #289 & #290 - Carousel of Progress history part 1 - Progressland and Disneyland

Overview: On this episode, I start a retrospective of the carousel of progress. I first take a look at the general concept, then talk about its design, music, and it's installation at the worlds fair as Progressland.  Afterward, I talk about the move to Disneyland.

 

 

 

Notes: "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow" is said to be One of Walt Disneys favorites because it considers the possibility of tomorrow.  And the carousel of progress reflects a lot of good things - moments from the past, hope for the future, and family to name a few key themes.

Episode #288 - A Disney World Trip Report

Overview: I took a trip up to the world recently, so naturally I have to tell some stories about my trip.  In particular, I tell you about my adventure on the Behind the Steam Trains tour.

Notes: Many of the tours offered at Disney World are quite good  You should take some time to check them out on a future trip. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/

Episode #287 - a little Disney news

Overview: I take a look at some news from around Disney World.  Attraction changes - including Ellen's Energy Adventure, The Jungle Cruise, and of course the Hall of Presidents.  Also transportation changes, and a couple of pieces of odd news.

Notes: As I noted, the HoP was likely to undergo a change, regardless of who sits in the office.  It was time. Be sure and check out the history here-

DDV #74 - audio from the Hall of Presidents (show through 2016)

Episode #116 - Hall of Presidents history
Episode #117 - Hall of Presidents original show
Episode #125 - Hall of Presidents 1990s changes
Episode #126 - Hall of Presidents Clinton version

Episodes #251, #252, & #253 - Presidents at Disney...

Episode #286 - Pandora

Overview: Some friends of mine visited Disney World recently, and were lucky enough to be selected to get a preview of Pandora the World of Avatar.  They were more than happy to share their thoughts about the land (hint: they loved it), so come and hear all about the new land and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Notes: They also timed it well enough to see the end of Wishes and the start f the new nighttime show, so they tell us about that experience, too.  My thanks to Mike & John for sharing their experiences and their photos!

Photo tour:
http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/flight-of-banshee-12.html?view=sidebar
http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/flight-of-banshee-22.html?view=sidebar
http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/navii-river-journey-12.html?view=sidebar
http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/navii-river-journey-22.html?view=sidebar 
http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/pandora-13.html?view=sidebar
http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/pandora-23.html?view=sidebar
http://mydisneyworldblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/pandora-33.html?view=sidebar

Episode #285 - If You Had Wings

Overview: If You Had Wings was a hybrid of dark ride, creative effort, and advertisement.  I took a look back at how it came to be, what it was, and give you the ride audio. I also discuss the Omnimover ride technology.  Remember, you do have wings...

Notes: If You Had Wings was quite memorable in spite of its limited effects, and lack of an immersive storyline.  I suppose it was the music, the general fun of it all, and the fact that it was free in an era where you paid per ride.  People talk about the attraction with reverence.  Or at least I do.

Want to know more about the Omnimover? Check out Disney's Omnimover patent

Episode #283 & #284 - Norway pavillion

Overview: Today's podcast is a tribute to the Norway pavilion. I take a thorough look at the design, layout, and theming. Then, I spend some time talking about shopping and dining. This was the last new pavilion added to World Showcase, way back in 1988!

Notes: Norway is intriguing because it represents the area known as Scandinavia generally.  I am not a huge fan of what they did to get the fictional area of Arendale into the real country of Norway, even thought it was cute and clever.

I did enjoy putting together this retrospective on all 11 World Showcase pavilions.  I hope you enjoyed listening to it, and learning more about the history of Epcot.

Want to take a quick photo tour of Norway?  Check out my post here.

A reminder that the general overview of Epcot's World Showcase is in podcast #208

I explored the Japan pavilion in podcast #209

The Germany pavilion is in Podcast #216 

Mexico is in Podcast #233

Canada is in Podcast #240

China is in Podcast #245

The American Adventure is in Podcast #254

The UK pavilion is in Podcast #259

The France pavilion is in Podcast #261

The Italy pavilion is in Podcast #276

The podcast about other pavilions that were planned but never built is found in Podcast #277 

And the podcast about Morocco can be found in Podcast # 279

Episodes #281 & #282 - Urban Legends at Disney with Kristi Petersen Schoonover

Overview: I welcome back to the show Kristi Petersen Schoonover.  She's here to share a few not-so-well-known urban legends that include some ghost story-type elements.  Put on your headphones and have a listen!

Notes: Maybe it is just a trick of the light, but who knows?  The stories are fun, in any case.

Kristi Petersen Schoonover has been going to WDW since the 1970s, and her favorite ride of all time was If You Had Wings—but since that’s long gone, the Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, and the Peoplemover top her list. Her collection, Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole, is a collection of ghost stories set in Disney Parks. Her novel, Bad Apple, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in December 2012, and her fiction has appeared in many magazines and anthologies. She lives in the Connecticut woods with her husband, occult specialist Nathan Schoonover, and still sleeps with the lights on.

                                   www.kristipetersenschoonover.com

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Thrill Ride, by Bruce Kimmel: http://a.co/bdCwtlc

Escape from Tomorrow (all formats): http://a.co/gv2D4Yx

Dark Discussions podcast episodes on Escape from Tomorrow: 

            Part 1: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_144.html

            Part 2: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_145.html

Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole: Tales from Haunted Disney World: http://amzn.to/SkeletonsPrint

5 Disneyland Ghosts Caught on Video: 

Episode #280 - a little news and a movie review

Overview: Today's podcast is a mashup of a little news, a few questions, and a movie review.  The movie is Beauty and the Beast, and I also talk about Pandora, Memory Maker, and how I got my tag line.  Enjoy!

Notes: The movie was quite enjoyable,  If you want to know more about Horizons, check out the podcasts I did about it, starting in DDV #3 - An overview of the pavillion that was "Horizons"