Countdown to Parkstinction

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247: Top 10 Film Tie-Ins at Walt Disney World

The Disney theme parks have always been a place where guests can see their favorite films come to life. While not every in-park treatment of a film is wildly inventive or thematically appropriate, every once in a while a Disney park or resort gives life to a film in a way that wows and immerses guests, fits its surroundings perfectly, and does the movie justice. On this week’s episode we’re counting down the Top 10 Film Tie-Ins at Walt Disney World that, for us, do just that. From small props to full-blown stage productions, we have fun talking about our favorite ways in which movies were given new life at WDW. Come hear our picks!

Plus, we go on another trip inside our Time Rovers, this time traveling back to the ABC Super Soap Weekends of the late 90s and early 2000s. Join us as we check out what soap opera fans could experience at these popular events at Disney-MGM Studios.

Our guest this week is our friend and soap-opera expert Albert Gutierrez. Be sure to find him online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! Twitter: @Escapay | Instagram: @captainescapay | Blog: Alby Seeing You

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!

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

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.

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!

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135: Countdown to Parkstinction – Disney-MGM Studios 1994

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is turning 28 years old this week! While the park might not be its best self right now, the future is bright. And so is the past . . .

In honor of the park’s anniversary, special guest Jeff DePaoli joins us this week as we go back in time and take a virtual tour of Disney-MGM Studios as it existed in 1994, just months after Sunset Boulevard debuted to the public. We look back fondly on extinct attractions like the Backstage Studio Tour and the Magic of Disney Animation, and we discover what the park was like before Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Star Wars made their grand entrances.

Plus, Jeff gives us the scoop on Aulani, Disney’s Hawaiian resort and spa, and shares all about the unforgettable trip he took there. Then, in the segment “Did That Just Happen?” we each share odd, funny stories from the parks.

Be sure to check out Jeff’s podcast Dizney Coast to Coast (iTunes: DCTC) and follow him on Twitter (@JeffDePaoli)!

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!

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105: Countdown to Parkstinction – WDW’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

With Walt Disney World turning 45 years old this weekend, we thought it would be fun to go back in time and take a look at one of Magic Kingdom’s biggest birthday celebrations of the past. As we discuss the park’s 25th anniversary, we take a closer look at the Remember the Magic Parade, Illuminations 25, and the infamous, love-it-or-hate-it Cakestle.

But first, we do a bit of Armchair Imagineering as we create our own ideas for how Walt Disney World and its guests should celebrate 45 years. Plus, we pen Love Letters to Disney. Strap in and hang on tight: this Time Rover is ready for departure!

If you’d like to connect with us online, come find us on Instagram (@madchatters), Twitter (@MadChatters), and Facebook (@madchatterspodcast). Or you can email us at comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

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86: Countdown to Parkstinction – Millennium Celebration (1999-2001)

This week we board our Time Rovers once again to travel back to the past, and this time our destination is the Millennium Celebration that overtook Epcot from October 1, 1999 to January 1, 2001. We reminisce about the Mickey wand on Spaceship Earth, the construction of Leave a Legacy, the World Showcase parade “Tapestry of Nations,” Millennium Village, and much more.

In the latest round of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” we discuss the best and worst restrooms at Walt Disney World. Plus, the segment Take Five returns as we use just five words to describe categories such as the future Hall of Presidents and the arrival of FastPass+ in Disneyland. It’s all happening now on episode 86 of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

Come join the conversation online! You can find us on Twitter (@MadChatters), Instagram (@madchatters), and Facebook (/madchatterspodcast). We welcome your emails at comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

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71: Countdown to Parkstinction – Disney(‘s) California Adventure: 2001

This week we once again hop in our Time Rovers and take a trip back to the past. This time our destination is 2001, when Disney California Adventure first opened to the public. Joining us for our virtual tour of one of Disney’s most scrutinized parks is Guy Selga (@GuySelga) of Touring Plans. Together we walk the streets of DCA 1.0 and discuss extinct attractions and locations like the Sun Icon, Disney’s Eureka! A California Parade, and the infamous Superstar Limo.

Hot topics on this week’s show include one family’s suit against Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s nine Oscar nominations, and a Guardian article about the “problem” with Disney princesses. Plus, we share our ideas for the hashtag #EdibleDisneySongs. Come join the puns… Or rather, come join the fun on another episode of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

Have you connected with us online? Follow us on Twitter (@MadChatters) and Facebook (/madchatterspodcast) or send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

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42: Countdown to Parkstinction – Disneyland: 1955

The 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration is in full swing at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, so this week we take a break from our regularly scheduled Walt Disney World programming to bring you the latest news from the original Disney park. First we discuss the many exciting things Disneyland has planned for its birthday celebration, including a bedazzled castle, updated attractions, sparkly merchandise, sweepstakes, animated windows on Main Street, U.S.A., and more!

Then, we hop once again into our Time Rovers and journey to the past, this time ending up at Disneyland in its opening year: 1955. Tour the park with us as we check out opening-day attractions like Space Station X-1, Canal Boats of the World, and the pack mules in Frontierland.

Plus, in a Mad Chatter game, we celebrate another Disney anniversary: the opening of Splash Mountain! Play along and test your knowledge of this classic Disney attraction.

To connect with us, follow us on Twitter (@MadChatters) and Facebook (/madchatterspodcast). Send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

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30: Countdown to Parkstinction – Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 1998

Once again we hop in our Time Rovers and go back to the past, this time ending up at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in its opening year. Topics of discussion include Countdown to Extinction, Discovery River Boats, and the never-realized Beastly Kingdom. Join us for our virtual tour of the newest Disney World park as it existed 17 years ago.

Also this week, Jeremy hosts an Animal Kingdom-themed game, we dissect the latest Star Wars trailer, and more. Hear episode 30 now!

For more of the Chatters, connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast) and Twitter (@MadChatters). Send your comments and questions to comments@madchatters.net

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19: Countdown to Parkstinction – Magic Kingdom in 1971

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This week we hop aboard our Time Rover and travel back to 1971 and the opening days of Walt Disney World. Join us for a virtual tour of Magic Kingdom and the surrounding area as we take in the sights, smells, and entertainment, as experienced by the park’s very first guests.

Also on this week’s episode, we discuss more hidden gems in another round of “It’s the Small Things After All,” and we play a new game, “Take Five,” in which we use just five words to describe various aspects of the parks.

This week it’s equal parts history and fun on The Mad Chatters Podcast!

For more of The Mad Chatters, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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