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272: The Wonderful World of Disney: Class of 1997

Twenty-five years ago, over a span of just two months, Disney and ABC gave us original films such as Tower of Terror, Toothless, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. On this week’s episode, we take a closer look at these films, as well as the Elijah Wood-starring version of Oliver Twist, and we break down what we love about them, what elements do and do not hold up in 2022, our biggest nitpicks and grievances, and much more!

Plus, in another edition of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” we share our picks for the best and worst Halloween costumes donned by characters at the Disney Parks. Come join the fun!

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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271: A ‘Disney Wish’ Come True

Come sail away with us on the brand new Disney Wish, on which we spent four days dining with Elsa and the Avengers, sipping cocktails in a galaxy far, far away, celebrating Halloween with Mickey and the gang, and rediscovering the joys of a relaxing and worry-free vacation. Join us for this special trip report as we discuss everything the newest Disney ship has to offer, as well as reminisce about our favorite memories from our first ever cruise. Plus, we touch on some of the new (and new-to-us) experiences at Walt Disney World, including the newly revamped Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!

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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270: Disney Legends Draft

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!

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266: Mad Q Party + A runDisney Deep Dive With Brooke McDonald

Our favorite Disney questionnaire is BACK! This week, special guest Brooke McDonald joins us to answer ten random questions on topics such as Epcot food booths, WDW Christmas decorations we wish we could take home, ideas for future “Olaf Presents” shorts, and more!

Plus, Brooke gives us the lowdown on the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend that took place earlier this month. As Derek prepares for his first runDisney event in 2022, Brooke shares tips, stories, and exciting details of what to expect from a runDisney race. If you’re a runDisney connoisseur, if you’ve ever considered participating in a runDisney event, or even if you’ve never heard of runDisney before now, this runDisney deep dive is for you!

A huge thank you to Brooke for joining us this week! Be sure to find her online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show: Twitter: @BrookeGMcDonald | Instagram: @brookegmcdonald

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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265: 50 Years, 50 Milestones – Part 2 (1996-2020)

Last week, to honor The World’s Most Magical Celebration, we highlighted 25 of the biggest moments that brought the vacation kingdom to where it is today, one for each year from 1971-1995. This week we are BACK to wrap up the list and pay tribute to one major milestone from each of Walt Disney World’s most recent 25 years, 1996-2020, and discuss why the impact of each moment is still felt today.

Also on this week’s show, guest Jennifer Lapsker helps us honor the Harmony Barber Shop on its 50th anniversary. We discuss the location’s history, and Jen shares about her personal experience taking her son for his first haircut at the Main Street, U.S.A. location.

In another edition of Armchair Imagineering, we share our ideas for “Fab 50” gold statues that would have directly honored Walt Disney World, rather than characters from the films. See which iconic attractions, characters, and landmarks we think should have made the cut, as well as ones that we know Disney would NEVER make.

Be sure to find Jennifer online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show! Twitter: @JLap64 | Instagram: @jlap64

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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264: 50 Years, 50 Milestones

Now that The World’s Most Magical Celebration has officially kicked off, we’re taking time to pay tribute to Walt Disney World in our own way: by celebrating the biggest moments that brought the vacation kingdom to where it is today. Join us as we highlight one major milestone from each of Walt Disney World’s 50 years and discuss why the impact of that moment is still felt today.

Also on this episode, friend and Disney Buzz cohost J.T. Landry helps us report on all of the celebrations, new fireworks, and biggest happenings that took place at the Walt Disney World Resort the week of October 1, where the three of us were on the scene. Plus, we continue our Countdown to the 50th by showcasing one of WDW’s opening-day hotels, Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Here’s how you can find J.T. online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show:

Podcast: The Disney Buzz | Instagram: @jtishere | @disbuzz

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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263: Disney Game Night V

Sixteen players… Six Disney games… Immeasurable fun… Our fifth GAME NIGHT episode is here! Grab a snack, put on your thinking hat, and play along as Jeremy, Derek, and a ton of special guests compete in Disney-themed games like Password, Match Game, “Which Disney Character Said It?”, Before & After, and more!

Our “Game Night” episodes would not be possible without our INCREDIBLE guests. Here is where you can find each of them online. Go check out the awesome projects they are part of and let them know you enjoyed hearing them on the show!

Jonathan Harvill: Twitter: @jonathanharvill | Letterboxd: @jonathanharvill

David Alpert: Podcast: E-Ticket to Broadway | Twitter: @directfromdavid

Courtney Guth: Podcast: Book of the Mouse Club | Twitter: @Courtney_Guth | Instagram: @greatguthsby

Emily McDermott: Podcast: Book of the Mouse Club | Instagram: @emily_mickde | Twitter: @emily_mickde

J.T. Landry: Podcast: The Disney BuzzInstagram: @jtishere 

Melanie McBurney: Podcast: The Disney BuzzInstagram: @mrs.melanie23 | @disbuzz

Aaron Wallace: Website: aaronwallaceonline.com | Latest Book: The Thinking Fan’s Guide to Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom 2020 | Twitter: @aaronwallace | Instagram: @aaronhwallace

Reuben Gutierrez: LEGO Instagram: @wibblywobblylegowego | Amorette’s Patisserie chef

Blake Taylor: Disney Podcast: Park People | Disney Instagram: @parkpeoplepod | Twitter: @blake_242

Teri Deel: Twitter: @terideel

Jeff DePaoli: Podcast: Dizney Coast to Coast | Online Podcasting Course: YouCanPodcastNow.net | Twitter: @JeffDePaoli (personal) @DizneyCTC (podcast) | Instagram: @disneyctc

Marshal Knight: Instagram: @marshalknight | Twitter: @Marshal_Knight | Podcast/Blog: Um, Sure?

Guy Selga: Book: Unofficial Guide to Disneyland | Twitter: @guyselga

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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262: 5 Things We Love at Universal Studios That You Can’t Get at Walt Disney World

Halloween Horror Nights, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar — Some of Orlando’s best theme park offerings are actually found outside the boundaries of Walt Disney World and instead are part of Universal Orlando Resort. On this week’s show, we discuss some of our favorite attractions, restaurants, procedures, and other elements of Universal Studios that don’t have an equivalent at a Disney park. Should Disney bring these ideas to its parks? If so, how could Disney take these ideas and make them better? These are just some of the questions we try to answer on this episode (56:38).

In our continuing Countdown to the 50th, we highlight the Orange Bird, a beloved character who was part of Magic Kingdom on opening day, disappeared for a few decades, and then made a grand return, bringing endless opportunities for merchandise with him (01:04). Plus, in a round of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly we talk about the best and worst spots in Walt Disney World to visit after dark (24:15). Come join the fun!

Be sure to find our guest Jonathan Harvill on Twitter and on Letterboxd: @jonathanharvill

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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261: The Future of Disney Vacations

Will Walt Disney World ever see a nighttime parade again? Will Disney Genie+ be embraced by guests as a worthy replacement for FastPass? How much longer will we have to wait for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?

On this episode we take a broader look at Walt Disney World to talk about which areas of the parks have not yet gone back to the way they were before the resort closed in 2020—and whether or not we think they ever will. Tune in as we share our thoughts on Genie+, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the future of daytime entertainment, and more (33:01)!

As we continue to count down to the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, we shine a spotlight on the opening-day attraction The Hall of Presidents and share a list of ten facts about the classic show (2:44). Plus, we put on our poets’ hats with another edition of MADsterpiece Theater (30:28). Come join the fun!

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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260: Dreaming Up Future World Showcase Pavilions by Studying Disney’s Past

In Epcot’s nearly 40 years of existence, there have been countless rumors and speculations about additional nations being introduced to World Showcase. But in reality, we haven’t seen a new country join the loop since Norway was completed in 1988.

Enter the Mad Chatters. On this week’s episode, guest Courtney Guth helps us dig through The Walt Disney Company’s rich past and its deep ties to other nations of the world as we search for candidates for the next World Showcase pavilion. In the end, we present a list of more than ten nations to which Disney already has a connection, whether that’s because Walt himself visited and fell in love with the country, or it’s because more than one Disney film is set in the country, or it’s because that nation was already conceived as an Epcot pavilion before Imagineers scrapped the idea. Tune in to hear us make a case for each of these countries and present our own ideas for what the pavilion could look like and what rides and/or restaurants could go there.

In another edition of Armchair Imagineering, we shine a spotlight on The Muppets and present our own ideas for who should play Jim Henson in the upcoming biopic, as well as what Disney theme park attraction The Muppets should parody next, after this fall’s highly anticipated special “Muppets Haunted Mansion.”

Plus, we bring back the segment “The Windows of Main Street, U.S.A.” in order to showcase the career of Chuck Boyajian, the very first Manager of Custodial Operations at Disneyland.

Be sure to find Courtney online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show!

Podcast: Book of the Mouse ClubTwitter: @Courtney_GuthInstagram: @greatguthsby

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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