270: Disney Legends Draft

September 6, 2022dereklew

Now that the most recent class of Disney Legends has been named and inducted, we’re taking this opportunity to discuss the Disney Legends whose projects and contributions to The Walt Disney Company have meant the most to us personally. Guest Guy Selga joins us for a Disney Legends Fantasy Draft, in which we each compile a team of ten Disney Legends we want to pay special tribute to. Help us celebrate these outstanding men and women as we discuss the impact they’ve had on the Disney community and Disney history.

Also on this episode, we go “Behind the Magic” of one of our favorite characters, Sonny Eclipse, whose voice actor sadly passed away last month. Plus, we bring back Disney Taglines with a special Hocus Pocus edition, in which we must assign classic quotes from the film to something in the Disney universe.

Be sure to find our guests and their Disney projects online. Let them know you enjoyed hearing them on the show!

Hocus Pocus in Focus by Aaron Wallace

Guy Selga: Twitter / Touring Plans

If you want to interact with us online, 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!

245: Two Disney Parks That Never Were: Riverfront Square and Disney’s America

June 29, 2020dereklew

This week we look back at two fully-realized theme park projects that ultimately never came to be: one developed by Walt and his Imagineers around the time of the 1964 World’s Fair, just before Walt Disney World began construction in Florida, and the other dreamed up by Michael Eisner and company during the Disney Renaissance of the early 1990s. Join us and guest Courtney Guth as we talk about the Riverfront Square project in St. Louis and Disney’s America theme park in Washington, D.C., the attractions and experiences that were to be included at these locations, and why they ultimately failed.

Plus, we travel back to the summer of 2010 to talk about what guests might have experienced during the Summer Nightastic limited-time celebration. We also go “Behind the Magic” of the Norway Pavilion in Epcot by talking about our favorite details and things to see at this World Showcase nation on its 32 anniversary. Buckle up, history nerds. This time-hopping episode is for you!

Be sure to find Courtney online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show: Podcast: Book of the Mouse Club | Twitter: @Courtney_Guth | Instagram: @greatguthsby

If you’d like to see concept art for Disney’s America, you can find a high-resolution brochure HERE.

239: Director Ron Clements Chats ‘Mermaid’ Memories, ‘Treasure Planet’ Woes, and More

March 4, 2020dereklew

We’re joined by seven-time director Ron Clements as he shares stories from his time at Walt Disney Animation Studios creating films like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Moana, and more. Tune in to hear Ron recount the highs and lows of working at the studios in the 80s and 90s, the pressures of creating the first African-American Disney Princess, the joys of working with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and much more!

Also on this week’s show, we discuss Disney’s CEO shakeup and take a closer look at one of the names etched on a Main Street window: Donn Tatum, the first Disney CEO who was not part of the Disney family. Plus, we go “Behind the Magic” by chatting all things Jungle Cruise. Lots of fun awaits. Tune in now!

232: Let’s Talk About Disney Springs

November 1, 2019dereklew

The restaurants, the live entertainment, the immersive experiences, the nightlife, the pretty atmosphere — Disney Springs is much more than a glorified outlet mall. On this week’s show we take a closer look at what this unique complex at Walt Disney World has to offer, from our favorite dining spots to our top reasons to spend a few hours there. Plus, we look back at the many former iterations of Disney Springs/Downtown Disney, share our must-do’s, and more!

In another edition of Behind the Magic, we shine a spotlight on the many gingerbread constructions on Walt Disney World property. Plus, we pen some Love Letters to Disney.

219: Park News, Dining Reviews, and Other Chatter

April 17, 2019dereklew

This week we’re bringing you some of the latest updates from Walt Disney World and around the Disney universe in a hodge-podge series of short segments. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the new on-ride photo on Haunted Mansion, the latest updates on Disney’s upcoming streaming service, an in-depth look at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, dining reviews of The Hollywood Brown Derby and Rose & Crown, and more!

207: Mickey Mouse Mad Q Party

November 7, 2018dereklew

A very special mouse is celebrating a very special birthday, and we’re getting in on the festivities! On this week’s show, guest Kristen Nowicki (cohost of the Disneyland podcast “Mousetalgia”) joins us for a special Mad Q Party centered on the mouse who started it all. This week’s all-Mickey edition of the Disney questionnaire includes discussions about Mickey merchandise we’d like to see, Mickey keepsakes we especially treasure, ideas for Mickey-themed restaurants at the parks, and much more!

Also on episode 207, guest Matt Parrish of The 3028 Podcast joins us for a closer look at the many iterations of costumed Mickeys that have appeared at Walt Disney World since the resort’s earliest days. Join us as we trace the mouse’s look from the weird-looking Ice Capades Mickey to the upcoming white-suited Mickey and Minnie that will debut in 2019. Plus, Matt and Derek go head to head in a game that tests their attention to detail regarding various aspects of Walt Disney World. Play along and join the Mickey celebrations on show 207 now!

Be sure to find our guests online, check out their podcasts, and let them know you enjoyed hearing them on the show!

MATT – Podcast: The 3028 | Twitter: @Thirty20Eight

KRISTEN – Podcast: Mousetalgia | Twitter: @mousetalgiakris | Facebook: @mousetalgia

196: News, Rumors, and Coming Attractions

July 4, 2018dereklew

Now that 2018 is halfway over, we want to take a step back and look at where the Disney parks are and where they are headed. In this week’s show, we discuss some of the latest new offerings at Disney parks, including Toy Story Land and Pixar Pier, and we dive in to the latest news and rumors regarding upcoming attractions.

In honor of America’s Independence Day, we go “Behind the Magic” of one of the best patriotic attractions at Walt Disney World: The American Adventure in Epcot. Plus, we address a few questions from listeners concerning our favorite Disney sources and our recommendations for what to do at WDW when you’re flying solo. It’s all happening now on show 196!

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!

189: Fun Facts and Easter Eggs at Walt Disney World

May 16, 2018dereklew

“Did you know?” Those three words, when overheard at Walt Disney World, always pull us in. We either want to learn something new, or we want to be able to debunk whatever kind of nonsense we’re about to hear. While many Disney fans have heard just about every “fun fact” there is to know about the Vacation Kingdom of the World, some facts and hidden Easter eggs really are “fun,” especially when you discover them for the first time. For this week’s show, we’ve each compiled a list of our favorite facts and tidbits we’ve heard over the years about Walt Disney World, including details to look for, backstories of attractions, and much more.

In the segment “Behind the Magic,” we put the spotlight on the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Plus, Derek reviews his dinner at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante in Disney Springs, we discuss some tough losses for WDW fans, and much more. Tune in!

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.”

161: Top 5 Villain Representations at the Disney Parks

October 25, 2017dereklew

It’s Halloween(loween), everybody! And on this week’s show the Disney villains are coming out to say BOO (to you and you and you and you), as we take a look at the best in-park representations of those dastardly men, women, and creatures we love to hate. Join us as we count down our top five incorporations of the Disney villains into the Disney parks, from audio-animatronics to show scenes and beyond.

In the segment Behind the Magic, we take a closer look at the history, details, and hidden gems of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Plus, we play our favorite game of 20 questions: Where in Walt Disney World Am I? Whip up a pumpkin spice latte, grab the closest black flame candle, and come join the spooky fun!

The Mad Chatters

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

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