Click the episode notes you would like to see.
Episode 14: The Chatties
Episode 13: Mad Q Party
Episode 12: Christmas at the Parks
Episode 11: Reimagining The Great Movie Ride
Episode 10: The Music of Walt Disney World
Episode 9: Disney Bucket Lists
Episode 8: Rumors and Rumblings at Walt Disney World
Episode 7: Top 5 Live Shows
Episode 6: Mad Q Party
Episode 5: Five Things You Can’t Miss During Halloween Time at Walt Disney World
Episode 14: The Chatties
This week Matt reported on his visit to Downtown Disney, the home of future “Disney Springs.” Here are some photos from his visit, showing the construction that is going on there, including shots of the future location of The Boathouse, an upcoming restaurant.
And the Chatties go to . . .
Best Additions to Walt Disney World
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Marketplace Co-Op in Downtown Disney
Festival of Fantasy Parade
Worst Additions to Walt Disney World
The “Villains Unleashed” event in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Frozen Fun
Anna and Elsa in the Festival of Fantasy Parade
Biggest Surprises
The announcement of the Sorcerer’s Hat’s removal
Our actual excitement for Pandora coming to Animal Kingdom
The announcement of TCM’s sponsorship of The Great Movie Ride
The Reached-Its-Past-Due-Date Award
Miniature golf courses
Main Street Electrical Parade
Mission Space
In Memoriam
Maelstrom
Studio Backlot Tour
The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow
Off Kilter
Mo’Rockin
Fife and Drum Corps
The World Showcase Players
The American Idol Experience
Kouzzina
Push the Talking Trash Can
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
The Swan Boat Dock
The Polynesian Resort waterfall
Chicken on the ‘Ohana menu
Best Announcements
Rivers of Light (the nighttime show coming to Animal Kingdom)
The addition of a table service restaurant to Pizzafari
The announcements surrounding Hollywood Studios that we know are coming
Worst Announcements
Maelstrom’s being replaced by a Frozen attraction
A Sunglass Hut coming to Adventureland
Best Changes
The new Polynesian Village Resort sign
The new color scheme in Tomorrowland
Fountain View’s conversion into a Starbucks (Epcot)
Worst Changes
FastPass+ replacing the old FastPass system
The new Polynesian Village Resort lobby
The closing of Maelstrom to prepare it for a Frozen attraction
Episode 13: Mad Q Party
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Good
Derek: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Jeremy: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Matt: Sunset Ranch Market
The Bad
Derek, Jeremy, and Matt: Shopping (Specifically the waste of great facades on endless shops)
The Ugly
Derek: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster design
Jeremy and Matt: Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
Mad Q Party
If you could attend a special-event dinner on any attraction, where would you want it to be?
Derek: Dinosaur
Jeremy: Space Mountain (exit)
Matt: Pirates of the Caribbean
What is one Disney film that people would be surprised to know you haven’t seen?
Derek: Lady and the Tramp
Jeremy: The Love Bug
Matt: Pete’s Dragon
If you could add an interactive queue to an existing attraction, where would it go and what would it look like?
Derek and Jeremy: It’s A Small World
Matt: Jungle Cruise
If you could add an interactive element to an attraction, what would you do?
Derek: Add water guns, binoculars, lasers, and a choice of narrator to Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Jeremy: Add items to throw at Stitch in Stitch’s Great Escape
Matt: Add a sort of scavenger hunt to Jungle Cruise
What nation would you like to see added next to World Showcase?
Derek: Greece
Jeremy: Australia
Matt: Brazil
If Disney World was forced to remove a classic attraction, what would you be least sad to see go?
Derek: Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Jeremy and Matt: Country Bear Jamboree
What is the last piece of current Disney World merchandise you would ever buy for yourself?
Derek: A sweater in the Norway pavilion
Jeremy: A balloon
Matt: Vinylmation and yearly dated items
What face character, whether he’s currently in the parks or not, do you think you are most fit to play?
Derek: Emperor Kuzco
Jeremy: The Mad Hatter
Matt: Stromboli
What Disney quote, from a film, a park, or the man himself, would you want on your tombstone?
Derek: I had strings, but now I’m free. There are no strings on me.
Jeremy: If you can read this, thank the Phoenicians.
Matt: Too many people grow up.
What in your opinion is the most overrated experience or attraction at Walt Disney World?
Derek: Toy Story Midway Mania
Jeremy: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Matt: Festival of the Lion King
Episode 12: Christmas at the Parks
Here are some photos and videos Jeremy and Matt captured during their time in Epcot and Magic Kingdom last week, plus a video of Jeremy’s favorite part of Holidays Around the World: Father Christmas.
Episode 11: Reimagining The Great Movie Ride
In a trip report, Jeremy and Derek talked about their visit to The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. Here are some photos from that experience.

A bench from Griffith Park, where Walt dreamed up the idea of Disneyland while watching his daughters on the carousel

Nine cameras in a circle, used to film in Circle Vision 360 (a la O Canada! and Reflections of China in Epcot)
Episode 10: The Music of Walt Disney World
My Disney Experience
This week, Derek and special guest Teri shared a behind-the-scenes look at the now extinct American Idol Experience. Here are some photos from their “American Idol journeys.”
The Music of Walt Disney World
We mentioned a lot of music on this week’s podcast. Here is a rundown of the songs, scores, and loops we referenced, as well as a few clips of songs that weren’t played on the actual show.
1. Background Loops
Camp Minnie-Mickey
Main Street U.S.A.
Fantasyland/Pinocchio Village Haus Area
Flame Tree Barbecue
Innoventions Area
“Behind the Waterfall” (Future World, Epcot)
Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Illuminations Pre-show
Animal Kingdom Lodge
2. Attraction Scores
Space Mountain queue (“Star Tunnel”)
Soarin’
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
Ellen’s Energy Adventure
3. Attraction Songs
“Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)”
“It’s a Small World”
“There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”
“The Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room”
“Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey)”
“Promise”
“Golden Dream”
“One Little Spark”
4. Film Songs in the Parks
“You Can Fly” (Peter Pan’s Flight)
Princess medley (Fantasmic!)
“Casey Jr.” (Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station)
“Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” (Splash Mountain)
“When You Wish Upon a Star” (Wishes)
Titles from Up (Main Street U.S.A.)
5. Live Performances
“In the Big Blue World” (Finding Nemo: The Musical)
Voices of Liberty
Dapper Dans
Grand Floridian Society Orchestra
6. Parades/Fireworks
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth
7. Extinct
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
Mo’Rockin’
“Listen to the Land”
Horizons
“Makin’ Memories”
ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
Spectromagic Parade
8. Least Favorites
Coco (live performer at ‘Ohana)
“Destiny” (Mission Space)
The Land pavilion
Former Test Track queue
Country Bear Jamboree
“Two Brothers” (American Adventure)
Main Street Electrical Parade
Episode 9: Disney Bucket Lists
Eating Around the World: Liberty Tree Tavern
Here’s a shot of the three of us holding our Liberty Tree mugs, just $5 each!
It’s the Small Things After All
Matthew: Echo Lake and the manmade lake in Future World West
Jeremy: The Twinings tea tour at the UK pavilion in Epcot
Derek: The string lights in Animal Kingdom’s Asia, as shown below (Click on the photos to be linked to other great Disney World pictures from these photographers.)
Disney Bucket Lists
Matthew:
Eat at Yachtsman Steakhouse and Victoria & Albert’s
Rent a nice camper and stay at Fort Wilderness Resort
Stay at a Disney Vacation Club resort, specifically Disney’s Old Key West Resort or Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Resort hop
Book an Animal Kingdom Villa with friends
Rent the Grand 1 yacht for an evening
Jeremy:
Go on a “milkshake crawl”
Ride every ride at the four Disney World parks in one day
Meet characters from The Disney Afternoon
Attend the taping of the Christmas parade at Magic Kingdom
Go on the “Behind the Seeds” tour in the Land Pavilion at Epcot
Pop (and then pay for) an unsuspecting child’s balloon
Derek:
Try school bread, the PB&J burger at ESPN Club . . .
The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop . . .
And the 24-Layer Cake at Steakhouse 55 in Disneyland . . .
Taste every soda at Club Cool
Eat at Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table
Attend one of the occasionally offered “attraction dinners”
See the Cinderella Castle Suite
Watch the Candlelight Processional at Christmastime
Work at Magic Kingdom
Ride It’s a Small World in Disneyland with its holiday overlay
Be the last to leave a park
Participate in Dapper Day
Thanks for listening! Be sure to send your Disney bucket lists to comments@madchatters.net.
Episode 8: Rumors and Rumblings at Walt Disney World
At the top of this week’s show, we talked about some of the earliest Mickey Mouse merchandise and park characters. Here are some pictures taken at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. Mickey Mouse turned 86 years old on November 18.

Early Mickey Mouse plush toys
Listed below are the rumors we discussed on this week’s show, along with some websites you might want to check out for more gossip on these topics.
1. Is a new Jungle Cruise/Enchanted Tiki Room shop coming to Adventureland in Magic Kingdom?
http://wdwnt.com/blog/2014/10/rumor-is-a-jungle-cruise-store-coming-to-the-magic-kingdom/
2. Is a third Soarin’ theater under construction?
http://disneymagicwdw.weebly.com/news-and-blog/permit-filed-for-possible-3rd-soarin-theatre
http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/rumors/2014/07/26/new-soarin-video-and-3rd-theater-to-be-added
3. What is going on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Will we see a Pixar Place expansion? A Star Wars land? A replica of Cars Land? Will the park become “Disney’s Hollywood Adventure”?
4. With the announcement of seven new hotels coming to Flamingo Crossings, plus Disney’s recent $11.5 million purchase of 3000 acres, are we seeing the first hints of an upcoming fifth park/gate?
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-flamingo-crossing-hotels-20141016-story.html
Episode 7: Top 5 Live Shows
News
The stage show “A Frozen Holiday Wish” kicked off at the Magic Kingdom, featuring Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the lighting of the castle by Elsa herself.
Two new food items piqued our interest: (1) Barbecue Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwich at ESPN Club on Disney’s BoardWalk and (2) Pop-Tarts Breakfast Sandwich (eggs, bacon, and cheese on two frosted strawberry Pop-Tarts) at the Pop Century Resort
Eating Around the World
Cookes of Dublin in Downtown Disney
Resort Roundup
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Here’s a great shot of the boat that takes guests to Downtown Disney, along with some of the Magnolia Bend mansions in the background.
Top 5 Live Shows
Matt’s List:
- Dream Along With Mickey
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- Finding Nemo – The Musical
- Voyage of The Little Mermaid
- Fantasmic!
Derek’s List:
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
- Festival of the Lion King
- Voices of Liberty
- Fantasmic!
Jeremy’s List:
- Citizens of Hollywood
- Voyage of The Little Mermaid
- Finding Nemo – The Musical
- Festival of the Lion King
- Fantasmic!
Let us leave you with this treat . . .
Episode 6: Mad Q Party
On episode 6, we discussed the ten questions listed below. Here is a summary of our answers. Be sure to shoot us an email with some of your answers as well! Send them to comments@madchatters.net. We just might share them on our show.
What Disney World attraction would you like to see get a holiday overlay? What would it look like?
Jeremy: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Christmas)
Matt: Jungle Cruise (Halloween)
Derek: Rock ‘n’ Polar Coaster
In what fictional world, based on a Disney film, would you want to live?
Jeremy: The world of Wreck-It Ralph
Matt: Neverland (Peter Pan)
Derek: Todayland (Meet the Robinsons)
What Disney snack/dessert would you eat every day, if you could?
Jeremy: School Bread
Matt: Dole Whip Float
Derek: ‘Ohana bread pudding
What scene would you add to the end of Spaceship Earth to continue the story of communication?
Jeremy and Derek: Smartphones or Internet
Matt: Communications with people in space
If you could experience anything at Walt Disney World entirely by yourself, with no one around, what would you do?
Jeremy: Wishes from the Seven Seas Lagoon
Matt: Pirates of the Caribbean
Derek: Wishes from Main Street U.S.A.
What celebrity would you add to an attraction?
Jeremy: Current-day Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye (Ellen’s Energy Adventure)
Matt: Jim Parsons (Journey Into Imagination)
Derek: Marion Cotillard (Impressions de France) or the cast of The Big Bang Theory (Journey Into Imagination)
What Disney World splurge is at the top of your bucket list?
Jeremy: A spa treatment at the Grand Floridian Resort
Matt: A week’s stay at Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Derek: Prix fixe dinner at the Chef’s Table in Victoria & Albert’s
Describe a piece of merchandise you would love to see in Disney parks.
Jeremy: The final three plush toys in this World Showcase collection:
Matt: The smells of Walt Disney World
Derek: Parade, fireworks, and background music on CD
If you were a Cast Member, what attraction would you want to work for eight hours a day?
Jeremy: Kilimanjaro Safaris
Matt: Pirates of the Caribbean
Derek: The Great Movie Ride
If you were a Cast Member, what is the last attraction you would want to work for eight hours a day?
Jeremy: Soarin’
Matt: It’s A Small World
Derek: Flights of Wonder
As promised, here is the radio music featured on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Animal Kingdom’s Asia
We love the nods in Asia to the fictional land of Anandapur, including these portraits of the royal family of Anandapur:
Episode 5: Five Things You Can’t Miss During Halloween Time at Walt Disney World
On this week’s show, we mentioned the Twitterstorm that occurred over the announcement that the Sorcerer’s Hat would be removed from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here were some of our favorite tweets:
I actually don’t hate the sorcerer’s hat, I just prefer the view without it. (@TurkeyLegJeff)
*maintains a hope that ridership of Great Movie Ride skyrockets after Hat removal and Disney actually puts some money into the attraction* (@EPCOTExplorer)
I love how reaction to this sorcerer’s hat news totally shoots down the argument that Disney fans just “complain when anything changes.” (@HrznsRsrrctd)
So today we learned that DHS is losing the Legend of Jack Sparrow and the big Hat – The park is getting better just by elimination (@JamboEveryone)
It occurred to me today that Hollywood Studios has had the Sorcerer Hat longer than it hasn’t. No wonder many people are attached to it… (@InsideTheMagic)
If you want to know more about the upcoming renovations at Swan and Dolphin, check out the official press release here.
We also mentioned the impressive Headless Horseman that kicks off Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade. Here is what it’s supposed to look like. Here is what unfortunately happens on occasion.
On his blog, Kenny the Pirate shared this great photo of the Winnie the Pooh characters in their Halloween costumes, which Jeremy praised.
Here’s a recap of the five things you can’t miss during Halloween time at Walt Disney World:
5. Merchandise
4. Treats
3. Attractions
2. Decorations
1. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Thanks for listening!