167: Glimmering, Shimmering, Carouselling – 46 Years of Magic Kingdom Parades

December 6, 2017dereklew

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls – The Mad Chatters proudly present our spectacular(ish) deep dive into Magic Kingdom’s many festival pageants of magic and imagination over the last 46 years. On this week’s show, special guest Aaron Wallace of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod joins us for a detailed look at the parades, street parties, and cavalcades that have traveled down Main Street, U.S.A. since Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, from the grand opening parade to the most current spectacle, Festival of Fantasy. Come with us on a trip down memory lane as we discuss our favorite parade moments, floats, and soundtracks of the last 4-plus decades.

Also on episode 167, we share our picks for the good, bad, and ugly attraction loading areas at Walt Disney World. Plus, we each share one of our favorite hidden gems in the segment “It’s the Small Things, After All.” Tune in now!

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!

163: The Art of the Queue

November 8, 2017dereklew

Two things for which Walt Disney World is known worldwide are (A) long lines and (B) excellent storytelling. On this week’s show we highlight the one area in which these two elements come together: themed queues. Even while you’re waiting in line at Disney theme parks, you are seeing a story unfold. On this episode we list the qualities that we think all of the best queues share, from immersiveness to simply looking sharp.

In another round of Disney debates, we go head-to-head in heated discussions about opening-day attractions, Disney stars of the 90s, and the best World Showcase pavilion. Plus, we discuss the latest Disney news and reveal some Disney confessions. Tune in now!

150: Disney Game Night

August 9, 2017dereklew

Let the games begin! For our 150th episode we invited tons of special guests to join us for an epic game night, and as we suspected, they all came ready to compete (and entertain). Now it’s your turn to play along! Test your Disney knowledge in games like “What Year Is It?” and Disney Buzzword. Try to beat our contestants to the punch in a round of Disney Password. Then, finish it off by listening to the hilarity ensue in a super-sized round of Match Game. It’s nothing but games this week, so come join the Disney fun now!

We especially want to thank the incredible guests who came out to play this week. If you aren’t already, go follow these terrific ladies and gentlemen online and be a part of the awesome work they do. (Tell them The Mad Chatters sent you.)

Jeff Birou – Twitter: @jetsetter_Jeff / Instagram: @jetsetterjeff

Tom Bricker – Disney reviews and blog posts: Disney Tourist Blog / Twitter: @Tom_Bricker / Instagram: @tom_bricker / Travel blog (Disney and non-Disney): Travel Caffeine

Teri Deel – Twitter: @terideel

Jeff DePaoli – Podcast: Dizney Coast to Coast (and on iTunes) / Twitter: @JeffDePaoli and @DizneyCTC / Instagram: @dizneyctc / Daily Disney Decision on Periscope

Stephen Lim – Instagram: @thedailydisney

Guy Selga – Twitter: @guyselga / Instagram: @guyselga / Touring Plans (writer) / Book: The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland (co-author)

Aaron Wallace – Twitter: @aaronwallace / Instagram: @awallnotawol / Podcast: Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod / Books: Hocus Pocus in Focus, The Thinking Fan’s Guide to WDW: Magic Kingdom, The Thinking Fan’s Guide to WDW: Epcot / Website: aaronwallaceonline.com

Mark Willard – Instagram: @markwillardphotography / Website: markwillardphotography.com

And you can always find us online as well. 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!

149: Disney’s Skyways and Highways in the Sky

August 2, 2017dereklew

Please stand clear of the doors – The Mad Chatters Podcast will depart momentarily. On this week’s show we’re highlighting three modes of transportation that have strong ties to Disney parks: the skyway, the monorail, and the peoplemover. Not only do all three of these transportation methods offer an above-ground alternative to cars and boats, but they also were all very new to the U.S. when The Walt Disney Company brought them to the parks. On our latest show we look back at the history of these transports, how they revolutionized the Disney parks, and why they mean so much to Disney fans today.

In our latest edition of “The Windows of Main Street,” we honor the life of Disney Legend Marty Sklar, who sadly passed away last week. Plus, we share some of our favorite WDW hidden gems in the segment “It’s the Small Things, After All.” Come join the conversation! (For the comfort of others, no smoking please.)

We’d love for you to connect with us online! Find us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

148: Fantasmic! Celebrating 25 Years of Mysteries, Magic, and Visions Fantastic

July 26, 2017dereklew

Dreams are make believe . . . But could they all come true? To discover the answer to that question, we’re going deep inside Mickey’s imagination, where we’ll encounter princesses, a fire-breathing dragon, and all the forces of evil, all while searching for the true reason Fantasmic has been such a popular show since it debuted in Disneyland 25 years ago. Celebrate this epic nighttime spectacular with us as we dive deep into the show’s history, its changes over the years, and what the future might hold.

Also on this week’s show, we look more closely at some of D23 Expo’s biggest announcements and toss in our own ideas for how to plus them. Plus, in another round of the Mad Chatter Top Ten, we present the Top Ten Uses for the Great Movie Ride Audio-Animatronics After the Ride Has Closed.

We now invite you to join Mickey and experience Fantasmic!—a journey beyond your wildest imagination.

147: D23 Expo’s Biggest Disney Announcements

July 19, 2017dereklew

An official name for Star Wars Land! A Mickey Mouse attraction! A restaurant set in space! We wanted big news, and the D23 Expo delivered! On this week’s show we break down the biggest announcements that were made at the 2017 D23 Expo in Anaheim, including big changes for Epcot, a TRON coaster in Magic Kingdom, and much more.

In another round of Chatter Jeopardy, we put a Disney spin on the classic game show by responding to off-the-wall answers in the form of questions. Plus, Matt and Derek review their recent dinner at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen in Disney Springs. Come join the conversation now!

146: Magic Kingdom and Disneyland – What’s the Difference?

July 12, 2017dereklew

Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, It’s A Small World – Many of the classic attractions for which Disney parks are known can be found on both U.S. coasts. The assumption, therefore, is that Magic Kingdom is simply a replica of Disneyland. In reality, though, the two parks are different in many ways. On this week’s show, special guest Jeff Birou (@jetsetterjeff) helps us take a closer look at these two parks and highlight the attractions, food, and landscapes that make each of them unique.

Also on this week’s show, we look ahead to the D23 Expo and discuss the panels that sound most interesting to us. Plus, we play the 20 Questions-style game “Where in WDW Am I?” Play along and join the fun now!

132: 10 Times Disney Made Us Fall in Love With Polynesia

April 5, 2017dereklew

Aloha! Welcome to our tropical hideaway. We invite you to join us as we look back at Disney’s vibrant history with the Polynesian culture. From 1937’s “Hawaiian Holiday” to last year’s “Moana” (and every Dole Whip in between), we span the decades in order to present our list of ten Polynesian inspirations The Walt Disney Company has brought us.

An episode about Polynesia would not be complete without a closer look at one of Walt Disney World’s most popular restaurants: ‘Ohana. In this week’s “Eating Around the World,” we give a full review of our favorite restaurant on property. Plus, we discuss the big security changes at Magic Kingdom, present the Munch Madness champion, and more!

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!

129: Pirates of the Caribbean – Celebrating 50 Years

March 15, 2017dereklew

On March 18, 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean opened in Disneyland and instantly changed the game for theme park attractions, forever affecting how all future attractions would be measured. This week we honor the legendary ride’s 50th anniversary by diving deep into its conception by Walt and a team of trusted Imagineers, the attraction’s transformation throughout the years, our favorite scenes and characters, and the legacy the ride has built over the last five decades. Join us for a virtual ride-through and a passionate discussion about what makes Pirates of the Caribbean so iconic and magical, 50 years after its debut.

As our Munch Madness tournament reaches its halfway point, this week we reveal which restaurants made the Edible Eight. Once you’ve listened, be sure to vote for your favorites on our Munch Madness page, and then tune in next week to see which eateries will move on to the Flavorful Four.

Also on this week’s show, we let off steam in a round of 11-Second Rants. Plus, we try to guess where the other Chatters are hiding in the game, “Where in WDW Am I?” There’s plenty of fun (and a bit of treachery) on this week’s show, so listen up, me ‘earties. Yo ho!

Want to connect with us? Find us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

121: Putting the “Magic” in Magic Kingdom

January 18, 2017dereklew

What makes Magic Kingdom worthy of its name? Is it the rides? The smells? The Cast Members? The music? Is it a mixture of all of the above? Or is it different for every person?

On this week’s show we open up (read: gush) about what makes Magic Kingdom so “magical” to us. From single moments to breathtaking views to the smallest of details, we talk about what puts the “magic” in our favorite park.

In the latest news, we discuss the opening weekend of Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts, two new hard-ticket Star Wars events, and the brand new MaxPass at Disneyland. Plus, we put on our creative hats for another round of Armchair Imagineering, and we try to stump each other in the game “Where in WDW Am I?” All that and so much more awaits on this week’s episode!

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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