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

October 21, 2021dereklew

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!

251: Visiting Walt Disney World in 2020

October 19, 2020dereklew

Last week we got to spend a few days in the parks—and we have thoughts! On this mini episode we give our take on the current state of the parks, what it’s like experiencing the parks with so many precautions in place, what to know and how to prepare before visiting, why a Disney trip might or might not be best for your family right now, and much more!

We had a lot of listeners reach out with questions about what it’s like navigating the parks right now. If we didn’t answer a question of yours, feel free to connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

246: Splash Mountain – The Good, the Bad, and the Satisfactual

July 14, 2020dereklew

For a certain log flume attraction in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, it’s time to be movin’ along. Help us say goodbye to Brer Rabbit and his briar patch as we look back at 31 years of Splash Mountain, its earliest conception, its controversial source material, its status as a Disney icon, and its future as a Princess and the Frog ride.

Also on this week’s episode, Jeremy shares about his experience with the new procedures and practices at Walt Disney World during his visit to Animal Kingdom on its Cast Member Preview day. Plus, in a game called “Disney Springs or Dis-Not Sprung” we try to determine if various stores can or cannot be found at Disney Springs.

Our guest this week is historian and author Andrew Kiste. Check out his books on Amazon or follow him online: @HistTourWdw on Twitter.

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.

191: Quick-Service Dining at Disney Springs

May 30, 2018dereklew

In this week’s culinary tour of Walt Disney World we turn our attention to the counter service restaurants in Disney Springs. We browse the menus at places like The Daily Poutine and Earl of Sandwich, and we share our own thoughts on the offerings at D-Luxe Burger, Cookes of Dublin, and much more!

In another round of “Where in WDW Am I?” we are given 20 questions to help us find where our fellow chatters are “hiding” in Walt Disney World. Plus, we discuss the cast member positions we’d most like to have for a day. Come join the discussion!

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!

172: Talking Broadway and Festival of the Arts With Jenn Gambatese

January 18, 2018dereklew

This week we’re joined by special guest and Broadway star Jenn Gambatese, who just wrapped up a weekend of performances at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts as part of its “Disney on Broadway” concert series. We spoke to Jenn about her extensive Broadway career, her favorite roles (including Jane in Disney’s Tarzan), and what it was like filling in last minute at the Epcot festival.

Also on this week’s show, we take a closer look at the new restaurants that opened last week at Disney Springs, including Pizza Ponte and The Edison, and we take you inside the first weekend of the Festival of the Arts. Plus, in another Mad Chatter game, we play “Disney by the Numbers.” Come join the fun on episode 172!

If you want to add more Jenn Gambatese goodness to your life, be sure to check out her album Cockeyed Optimist: Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and follow her on Instagram (@jenngambatese) and Twitter (@jenngambatese).

Thanks for listening!

168: The Mad Chatters Visit Walt Disney World!

December 20, 2017dereklew

After 3+ years of podcasting, the three of us finally visited a Disney park TOGETHER! On this week’s show we give a full report of the things we saw, ate, and experienced on our trip to Walt Disney World, including the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail, two different viewings of Candlelight Processional, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, and much more! Come join us as we reminisce, swap stories, and laugh about our favorite moments of the past week.

Also on episode 168, we discuss the latest Disney news, including the buyout of 21st Century Fox, the end of Flights of Wonder, and The Last Jedi’s big box-office haul. Tune in now!

165: Dining in Disney Springs – The Landing and Town Center

November 22, 2017dereklew

For our latest episode, come hungry and come often. This week we’re eating our way through The Landing and Town Center, two of the newest areas at Disney Springs. Join us as we read the menus and provide short reviews of new restaurants such as STK, The BOATHOUSE, and Frontera Cocina, as well as classics like Raglan Road.

Also on this week’s show, we play “Once Upon a Line,” in which we try to guess the film based on its opening line of dialogue. Plus, we pen a few Love Letters to Disney, discuss the latest Star Wars news, and more!

162: Christmastime at Walt Disney World

November 1, 2017dereklew

Goodbye, Halloween, Hello, Christmas! Whether you’re ready for it or not, the holiday season is about to be in full swing at Walt Disney World. On this week’s show, we give a preview of the holiday offerings you can expect to find at the four parks so you can be sure not to miss a thing if you happen to be planning a trip in November or December.

In a holiday edition of Armchair Imagineering, we provide ideas for holiday overlays we think should come to Walt Disney World attractions. Plus, we play some Disney trivia and discuss the latest news coming out of the Disney parks. Tune in now!

125: Meeting Characters 101

February 15, 2017dereklew

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!

The Mad Chatters

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

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