272: The Wonderful World of Disney: Class of 1997

October 27, 2022dereklew

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!

267: The 2021 Chatties

January 3, 2022dereklew

It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to raise the curtain on our annual awards night. We proudly present: The 2021 Chatties!

As we celebrate the dawn of a new year, we also want to take a moment to look back at the year that just concluded and highlight the best and worst moments throughout The Walt Disney Company during 2021. Tune in to find out what events, attractions, and moments will take home the biggest awards, including Best Addition to Walt Disney World, Biggest Disappointment, Entertainer of the Year, and much more. Pop some bubbly and tune in!

258: Sitcoms at the Disney Parks – Part 2

March 28, 2021dereklew

The show must go on, as they say. And that is why we are BACK this week to close out our two-part series on the ABC sitcoms that filmed episodes at the Disney Parks. This week we kick things off with the 1998 episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch that coincided with the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we make our way all the way to 2019, when The Goldbergs spoofed National Lampoon’s Vacation with an episode that followed the family on their cross-country trip to Disneyland in the late 80s. Join us as we talk about the best hidden gems, the most magical moments, and the most laughable, that-would-never-happen goofs from shows like Modern Family, Black-ish, and more!

Also on this episode, guest Blake Taylor joins us for the game “Before and After,” in which he and Jeremy compete to see who can guess the Disney-related mashup first. Plus, as part of our continuing countdown to Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, we play a round of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” in which we share our picks for the best and worst elements of Magic Kingdom on its opening day. It’s all happening now on The Mad Chatters Podcast. Tune in!

Be sure to find Blake online and follow his Disney projects!

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

254: 20 Years of Disney California Adventure – 10 Ways It Changed the Game for Theme Parks

February 1, 2021dereklew

On February 8, 2001, Disney’s California Adventure opened to the public as Disneyland Resort’s long-awaited second gate . . . and fell flat. However, after some initial misfires and long-lasting growing pains, the park was able to turn things around and bring us some truly original and inspired experiences. This week, on the park’s 20th anniversary, guest Guy Selga helps us count down ten ways in which Disney California Adventure changed the game for Disney theme parks. Join us as we look at ten attractions and experiences we might not have if DCA had not done them first.

Also on this week’s show, we create a Mad Chatters Playlist full of Disney songs not currently at the parks that we think would fit well in a certain area of Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Plus, we continue our Countdown to the 50th by looking at another item Walt Disney World introduced to the world when it opened in 1971, and this week we are highlighting the Transportation and Ticket Center, sharing ten facts about this parking lot that is so much more than a parking lot.

Be sure to find Guy on Twitter (@guyselga) and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! Also, check out The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland for your Disneyland travel needs.

253: Mad Q Party

January 18, 2021dereklew

What better way to ring in the new year than with a party?

After a long hiatus (sorry!), we are back this week with one of our favorite segments: the wacky, hypothetical Disney questionnaire we call a Mad Q Party. Join us and special guest Aaron Wallace as we pose and then answer ten questions on topics ranging from Muppet remakes of Disney films, to LEGO sets we’d like to see Disney release, to Disneyland attractions we’re going to view differently once the pandemic has ended.

Also on this week’s show, we kick off a new segment called “Countdown to the 50th,” in which we will take a closer look at groundbreaking elements of Walt Disney World that opened with the resort 50 years ago. This week we highlight Cinderella Castle by sharing ten facts about this iconic structure. Plus, Aaron joins us for a game called “The Resort Report.” Come play along and join the fun now!

Be sure to check out everything Aaron is up to and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the podcast! Website: aaronwallaceonline.com | Latest Book: The Thinking Fan’s Guide to Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom 2020 | Twitter: @aaronwallace | Instagram: @aaronhwallace

249: Encore! A Tour of Stage Shows Past and Present at the Disney Parks

August 20, 2020dereklew

On this week’s episode we are joined by David Alpert, host of E-Ticket to Broadway, as we take a closer look at seven live musical productions that have at one time or another graced a stage at a Disney theme park. Join us for this virtual tour of seven different live venues in Disneyland and Walt Disney World and the musical productions that once performed (or still perform) there. For this episode we have chosen one show from each theater to highlight, review, share our memories of, marvel at, and, in some cases, laugh at. The seven featured shows include:

Dick Tracy Starring in Diamond Double-Cross
Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure
Animazement – A Musical
Tarzan Rocks
Storytelling at Royal Theatre: Tangled
Frozen – Live at the Hyperion

In keeping with the theme of musical theater, we also host a miniature Broadway-themed Mad Q Party, in which we talk about the Broadway shows we’d like to see Disney bring to the big screen, the entertainment roles we’d like to have in the parks, and more. Plus, we bring back our Disney Hashtags segment with the hashtag #BroadwayButMakeItDisney. Come join the fun now!

Be sure to check out David’s podcast E-Ticket to Broadway, on which he interviews Broadway stars about their love of the Disney theme parks. You also can find him on Instagram or on his website, where you can let him know how much you enjoyed hearing him on The Mad Chatters!

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.

Bonus Episode: Let’s Play “How May I Yelp? – Disneyland Edition”

April 29, 2020dereklew

We’re back with another BONUS Mad Chatter game! On this episode, we bring back one of our favorite quizzes called “How May I Yelp?” in which players must guess the Disney attraction or restaurant that is being described in various one-star Yelp reviews. For this special Disneyland edition, we’re joined by guests Jeff, Dave, Kristen, and Julia from the Mousetalgia and the Mousetalgia Minute podcasts. Come play along!

Be sure to find our guests online and follow their Disney projects!

iTunes: Mousetalgia and Mousetalgia Minute

Website: mousetalgia.com

242: 12 Quotes We Love About the Disney Parks

April 22, 2020dereklew

What makes the Disney Parks so special? What’s the reason so many of us are longing for the day when the parks can safely reopen? On this week’s show we set out to answer those questions, but instead of expressing ourselves using our own words, we take a look at 12 quotes we love from men and women throughout history who also appreciated the magic of the Disney Parks. Come get sappy with us as we read what Walt and others had to say about the most magical places on earth and then look at those words through the lens of 2020.

Also on this week’s show, we think about the animals that still call Walt Disney World home, and we share our picks for the good, bad, and ugly animal encounters. Plus, we bring back the segment “It’s the Small Things After All,” in which we each list the small details and experiences at WDW we’d LOVE to have in our lives right now. Tune in for one of our most sentimental episodes ever!

Be sure to find Jonathan online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! Twitter: @jonathanharvill

240: Disney Boat Rides – Then and Now

March 18, 2020dereklew

Ahoy, mateys! Welcome to the happiest podcast that ever sailed, where everything is satisfactual and all the elephants have their trunks on. On this week’s show, guest Guy Selga helps us look back at 65 years of Disney boat rides, from the most classic of Disney rides to short-lived attractions that are all but forgotten. Join us as we discuss the history of these rides and discuss what makes or made each one unique.

Also on show 240, we bring back Mad Chatter Jeopardy, our own wacky version of the classic game show where we provide the answers AND the questions.

Be sure to find Guy on Twitter (@guyselga) and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! Also, check out The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland for your Disneyland travel needs.

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

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