181: Flops and Failures – 8 WDW Attractions That Underwhelmed

March 21, 2018dereklew

Not every idea is gold. On this week’s show we look back at eight specific ideas implemented at Walt Disney World that had less-than-stellar results. From attractions guests loathed to audio-animatronics that didn’t quite live up to what Disney promised, we discuss Walt Disney World’s biggest flops and bombs over the last four decades.

In a round of Armchair Imagineering, we present our ideas for what Disney might be planning in the former location of River Country, where some construction seems to be taking place. Plus, we introduce a new Disney hashtag (#DisneyfyAMovie) and discuss the latest price increases for WDW Resort hotel guests. Come join the conversation!

Are you on social media? We’d love for you to connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

180: Let’s Talk About World Showcase

March 14, 2018dereklew

With few characters, only two rides, and not a single show that requires you to arrive early, World Showcase is unlike any other area in Walt Disney World and remains an enigma to many vacationers. On this week’s show, we take a close look at the 11 pavilions that make up World Showcase and discuss what it is that makes this area worth a visit, from the hidden gems we love to the can’t-miss dining experiences to the smallest details you might have missed. Come with us on a deep dive into one of Walt Disney World’s most beautiful regions.

Also on episode 180: 11-Second Rants, a dinner review of Ale & Compass, the latest Pixar Pier updates, and more! Tune in now!

179: Dining at Disney’s BoardWalk and Yacht and Beach Club

March 7, 2018dereklew

This week our series on the table service restaurants at Walt Disney World takes us to the BoardWalk area, where we visit nine dining locations at three different Disney resort hotels, including Beaches & Cream, Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and the new Ale & Compass. Join us for another culinary tour as we read these menus and give our own takes.

In another Mad Chatter game, we try to guess the Disney movie based on the film’s dialogue at the 30-minute mark. Plus, we host another zany round of Chatter Jeopardy, in which we provide ridiculous questions to off-the-wall answers. Come join the fun!

178: Makin’ Melodies – 11 Times the Sherman Brothers Made Disney Magic

February 28, 2018dereklew

It’s A Small World (After All), Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Winnie the Pooh — Besides being some of the most iconic and recognizable Disney songs of all time, these tunes have something else in common: They were penned by the Sherman brothers! On this week’s episode we take a closer look at Robert and Richard Sherman, their rich history with The Walt Disney Company, and the most memorable songs that were produced by this incredible partnership. Join us for an extensive discussion about these Disney legends and the songs from their catalog that we love the most.

Also on episode 178, we read a few funny stories and respond to some questions we received from listeners. Tune in now!

177: Political Incorrectness and The Walt Disney Company

February 21, 2018dereklew

Remember that time Disney came under attack for something it had produced that was considered culturally insensitive? In truth, Disney has had to address this issue many, MANY times over the last several decades. When you’ve been around for as long as The Walt Disney Company has, it’s almost inevitable that you will run into these kinds of problems as times change and people evolve.

On this week’s episode, we look back at the instances when Disney addressed issues of political incorrectness by changing or removing elements in their properties, including films like Song of the South and Fantasia, as well as attractions at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. We also discuss examples of scenes in Disney movies and rides that are still considered by many to be insensitive, even though they remain unchanged to this day.

In another round of The Disney Fix, we chat about Black Panther, Disney scents in your home, and a BuzzFeed article about outrageous moments that have happened in a Disney park. Plus, in the segment “The Windows of Main Street, U.S.A.,” we take a closer look at Walt’s dad Elias. All that and more on episode 177. Tune in now!

176: Disney Storytelling – 9 Walt Disney World Attractions and Their Fictional Backstories

February 14, 2018dereklew

Did you know Big Thunder Mountain is located in the town of Tumbleweed and sits on Native American burial ground? Or that the steam train you board before riding Expedition Everest once transported tea for the Royal Anandapur Tea Company? Disney is all about storytelling. Sometimes understanding the story is easy, but other times it requires a bit of digging. Enter our latest episode…

On show 176 we highlight nine Walt Disney World attractions and share the fictional stories you become part of whenever you ride them. Rides discussed include Kali River Rapids, the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and more!

Plus, we play a round of “Where in WDW Am I?” and we do some Armchair Imagineering by giving Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster a brand new overlay. Come join the fun!

175: Top 5 Foods I Ate at Walt Disney World (Part 2)

February 7, 2018dereklew

What foods do you still dream about when you return home after a Walt Disney World vacation? What Disney treats make your mouth water the most when you think about them? That’s the very question we answer on this week’s show! Join us as we each count down the top five foods we’ve eaten at Walt Disney World. (We don’t recommend listening on an empty stomach.)

Also on our 175th episode, we share our picks for the good, bad, and ugly meet-and-greet experiences in the parks, from the most top-notch settings to the most pathetic. Plus, we have some romantic fun with the hashtag #DisneyValentines. Tune in now!

174: Pixar at the Parks

January 31, 2018dereklew

From 1995’s Toy Story to Pixar’s most recent release, Coco, we’re diving deep into Pixar’s catalog. On this week’s episode, we look more closely at the Pixar films by discussing the ways in which each one is represented at Walt Disney World. Join us as we scour the parks for signs of our favorite Pixar movies and characters, from rides to musicals to meet and greets and beyond, and give our take on what works and what doesn’t.

In the new segment “This Week in Disney History,” we look back at the theatrical release of The Three Caballeros by reading the original New York Times review that was published this week in 1945. Plus, we play another round of Chatter Jeopardy. Come join the fun!

173: Mad Q Party

January 24, 2018dereklew

Special guest Ben Lancaster (@WaltsFrzenHead on Twitter) joins us for another round of our favorite hypothetical extravaganza: a MAD Q PARTY! This week’s lineup of off-the-wall questions related to the Disney universe includes:

What’s an element from an extinct attraction you’d like to see return in some form?
Who is the next celebrity you want to see make a surprise appearance at an attraction he or she is attached to?

And much more! Come join the fun on episode 173! And be sure to follow along with Ben’s film, The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head, by visiting waltsfrozenhead.com.

Also on this episode, we go “Behind the Magic” by taking a closer look at one of our favorite areas: Sunset Boulevard. Plus, we peek into the future to see what Walt Disney World will be like “In the Year 2071.”

172: Talking Broadway and Festival of the Arts With Jenn Gambatese

January 18, 2018dereklew

This week we’re joined by special guest and Broadway star Jenn Gambatese, who just wrapped up a weekend of performances at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts as part of its “Disney on Broadway” concert series. We spoke to Jenn about her extensive Broadway career, her favorite roles (including Jane in Disney’s Tarzan), and what it was like filling in last minute at the Epcot festival.

Also on this week’s show, we take a closer look at the new restaurants that opened last week at Disney Springs, including Pizza Ponte and The Edison, and we take you inside the first weekend of the Festival of the Arts. Plus, in another Mad Chatter game, we play “Disney by the Numbers.” Come join the fun on episode 172!

If you want to add more Jenn Gambatese goodness to your life, be sure to check out her album Cockeyed Optimist: Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and follow her on Instagram (@jenngambatese) and Twitter (@jenngambatese).

Thanks for listening!

The Mad Chatters

Your very important date with the happenings at Walt Disney World and around the Disney universe

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