Dining

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125: Meeting Characters 101

You can hardly take ten steps in a Disney park without coming across a costumed character (or at least a queue of people waiting to meet one). For some, meeting characters is as much a part of a Walt Disney World vacation as seeing Cinderella Castle for the first time or riding It’s a Small World. So, what’s all the fuss about? And what do you need to know before you dive into the world of character meet and greets?

We’ve got you covered on this week’s episode, as we list the pros and cons of meeting characters, discuss our picks for the best and worst meet and greets in Walt Disney World, and even share a few of our favorite personal experiences meeting characters.

In the news, Disney has announced several opening dates of upcoming experiences. We share our thoughts on coming attractions such as Rivers of Light, Pandora, and the brand new nighttime spectacular “Happily Ever After.” Plus, Matt and Derek review two Disney Springs restaurants (Paddlefish and Boathouse), and in a Mad Chatter game, we test our knowledge of voice actors in Disney animated films. Come play along now!

Have you connected with us online? Come chat 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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123: Dining at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios + A Chat With Broadway Star Kerry Butler

Continuing our series on table service restaurants throughout Walt Disney World, this week our culinary tour takes us to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where we read the menus and give our reviews of eateries such as Yak & Yeti, Tiffins, 50’s Prime Time Cafe, and more.

Over in Epcot, Broadway star Kerry Butler is currently performing at the inaugural Festival of the Arts, and on this week’s show she joins us to talk about the festival, her past Broadway roles – including Belle (Beauty and the Beast) and Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors) – and her love of all things Disney.

Plus, in another edition of The Mad Chatters Playlist, we each share three picks for Disney tunes that fit the category “Feel-Good Songs.” It all goes down on the latest episode of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

If you’ll be in Walt Disney World February 3-6, be sure to check out Kerry and actor Kevin Massey at Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. Or, follow along with Kerry from wherever you are on Twitter (@KerryButlerNyc) and Instagram (@kerrybutler1).

To connect with us online, reach out on Twitter (@MadChatters), Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), or Instagram (@madchatters) or via email: comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

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122: What the What? – Ten “What Were They Thinking?” Moments at WDW

Not every idea is a winner – not even at Disney. Unfortunately, some of those bad ideas still made it out of the drawing room and into Walt Disney World. From bad overlays to questionable themes to impractical designs, this week we count down the top ten moments that left us asking, “What were they thinking?!”

But first, we get sentimental as we pen some “Love Letters to Disney.” Plus, Matt and Derek review breakfast and dinner at Captain’s Grille in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Come join the fun on another episode of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

Have you connected with us online? Come chat 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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116: The Best and Worst WDW Trends of 2016

As another year comes to an end, we take a look back at seven of Walt Disney World’s biggest trends over the last 12 months. As we focus on topics like hard-ticket events, unique dining, and the Muppets, we give our take on which of these trends have outstayed their welcome and which ones we’d love to see continue into the new year.

In another Mad Chatter game, Matt and Jeremy try to guess the animated film based on a quote pulled from Roger Ebert’s review. Plus, we sit down with choral director Mitch to talk about Candlelight Processional and what it’s like taking a high school choir to Orlando to participate. All that and more awaits you on our latest episode. Tune in now!

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

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108: Hotels 101

What makes a deluxe resort deluxe? How do I possibly choose the right hotel for my family when there are so many options? What does beehive hair have to do with Walt Disney World? These are some of the questions we (attempt to) answer as we chat about all things hotels. We break down the three levels of WDW resort hotels, talk about our personal preferences, and weigh the benefits of staying either on property or off.

In the news this week, we share more details about Hollywood Studios’ brand new nighttime show for the holidays, the return of the Muppet Mobile Lab in Epcot, and more. Plus, we review dinner at Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge and get into some friendly Disney debates.

We’d love for you 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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102: Quick Service at Deluxe Resorts

In our ongoing series highlighting the quick service restaurants at Walt Disney World, we head to the deluxe resorts to check out eateries like Contempo Cafe, The Mara, and Roaring Fork. We cover every menu item and offer our own reviews and thoughts.

In “Take Five,” we use just five words to share our feelings on topics like Geir Ness and what exactly Sonny Eclipse does during his breaks. Plus, in “The Disney Fix” we discuss Universal Studios’ ticket prices, LEGO Cinderella Castle, and Pete’s Dragon. All that and more awaits you on the latest episode of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

Thanks so much for listening to our little podcast, whether you’ve been tuning in since the beginning or you’re brand new to the show. We’d love for you to connect with us online! Find us on Instagram (@madchatters), Twitter (@MadChatters), and Facebook (@madchatterspodcast). Or you can email us at comments@madchatters.net.

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96: Quick-Service Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

In our efforts to highlight every quick-service menu at Walt Disney World, this week our adventure takes us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and such eateries as Backlot Express, Starring Rolls Cafe, and ABC Commissary. We discuss featured items like the Carrot Cake Cookie and the Butterfinger Cupcake, and we share a few personal reviews as well.

In the 20 Questions-style game “Where in WDW Am I?” we try to stump our fellow Chatters by “hiding” somewhere in Walt Disney World and asking them to guess where we are. Plus, we introduce a new Disney Hashtag: #RuinADisneyQuote. All that and more awaits on episode 96 of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

Have you reviewed us on iTunes? If not, we’d love if you would rate us and let others know about our show. It’s an easy way you can help out. We also want you to connect with us online! 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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91: 10 Ways to Enjoy a WDW Vacation Outside the Parks

Did you know you can parasail in Walt Disney World? Or golf? Or sing along with Chip and Dale around a campfire? On this week’s show, we list ten ways you can enjoy Walt Disney World without even stepping foot in a theme park or water park. Our list takes us from the gorgeous resorts to the miniature golf courses and beyond.

Plus, in “The Disney Fix,” we chat about the Duck Tales soundtrack, a new partnership between Netflix and Disney, and Disney Channel Original Movies. Then, we share some of our favorite hidden gems in Walt Disney World.

If you want to connect with us online, check out our Twitter (@MadChatters), Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), and Instagram pages (@madchatters). Send emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

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