Epcot

211: The Unsung Heroes of WDW: 15 Attractions and Experiences That Don’t Get the Attention They Deserve

Just about every attraction, restaurant, show, and snack at Walt Disney World has made a Top Ten list at some point, whether it’s the best rides to experience at night, the best ways to use a snack credit, the worst places to take your kids, or something else. But what about the experiences that don’t get talked about at all? What about the offerings that aren’t anyone’s favorite or least favorite but are still worth experiencing? Enter episode 211.

On this week’s show, guest Aaron Wallace joins us as we share 15 Walt Disney World experiences that are almost never talked about but are worth checking out if you take the time to notice them. Hear why offerings like Trivia Night at Port Orleans or Main Street Philharmonic just might give your Disney vacation the extra burst of magic it needs.

Also on show 211, we look ahead to what’s coming in 2019 around the Disney universe, including blockbuster films, new attractions, and more. Plus, we play the game “Which Came First?” in which we try to remember when certain WDW attractions opened. Come play along now!

Be sure to find Aaron on his website or on social media (Twitter: @aaronwallace | Instagram: @awallnotawol) and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show!

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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210: The 5th Annual Chatties

A new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a flammable parade float, two Marvel box-office juggernauts, a handful of monorail mishaps — 2018 brought them all! On this week’s show we look back at the biggest, the best, and the worst things 2018 gave us. Tune in to find out which events and attractions are going home with Chatties for Best Addition to WDW, Worst Change at WDW, Weirdest Moment, and much more! Plus, hear our picks for a Disney playlist devoted to all things 2018.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who has tuned in to The Mad Chatters Podcast during 2018. We love our listeners and cannot adequately express how much it means to us to have you along for the ride. Here’s to a magical 2019!

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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209: Magic in the Air: Celebrating the Holidays at Walt Disney World

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — to be at Walt Disney World! (Or at least we think it is.) Last week we packed in as many of WDW’s Christmas offerings as we could in four days, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, the gorgeous decorations at the deluxe resorts, and much more! On this week’s show, guest Teri Deel helps us break down all of the limited-time experiences the parks and resorts have to offer this time of year, from the so-so to the cant-misses. Tune in for this on-the-scene report of what it’s like to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World! Warning: Not suitable for those averse to Christmas cheer.

Also on show 209, we do some Armchair Imagineering by coming up with our own ideas for limited-time holiday overlays, new floats for the Christmas parade, and more. Plus, we play a festive holiday edition of Mad Chatter Jeopardy. Come join the fun now!

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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206: The Art of the Disney Parks – Featuring Jerrod Maruyama and Greg Maletic

More than just thrilling attractions, delicious food, and magical experiences, the Disney Parks are home to some incredible works of art, many of them “hidden in plain view,” meaning they often go overlooked despite being an essential element of theming and atmosphere.

On this week’s show, we highlight some of our favorite artists and artistic elements that help bring the parks to life. In a chat with Greg Maletic, we discuss the many attraction posters he has designed for Disney parks throughout the world, and we talk about why these classic pieces of art are so beloved by fans.

Then, we sit down with Jerrod Maruyama to chat about Hipster Mickey as well as his other fantastic creations based on Disney rides and movies, including the brand new collection of Happiest Cruise vinyl figures he created in the style of It’s A Small World.

But that’s not all! Acting as cohost this week, Jennifer Lapsker helps us count down our Top 5 Works of Wall Art at Walt Disney World, from murals to mosaics to hand-painted ice cream carts. Plus, in a round of Armchair Imagineering we each share our own ideas for how our favorite artistic elements at the parks can be turned into merchandise for guests to take home and enjoy. It’s a jam-packed episode full of art and full of heart. Tune in now!

Be sure to find our guests online and let them know how much you enjoyed hearing them on the show!

Jennifer: @JLap64 on Twitter

Greg: @gregmaletic on Twitter | Blog: gregmaletic.wordpress.com

Jerrod: @jmaruyama on Twitter and Instagram | Portfolio: jmaruyama.com

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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204: Voicing Disney Attractions: An Interview With Mike Brassell

If this week’s guest sounds familiar, it might be because you’ve ridden one or both of the Walt Disney World attractions he currently narrates! Joining us is voice actor Mike Brassell, who lends his voice to both the PeopleMover in the Magic Kingdom and Living With the Land in Epcot. We spoke to Mike about the events that led to these roles, what it’s like hearing his own voice when riding these attractions, and the other Disney projects he’s been part of.

Also on episode 204, we’re joined once again by Mad Chatter Matt! Our OG cohost joins us for a deep dive into the many news items coming out of The Walt Disney Company. Plus, we share our own ideas for what kind of show should replace IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, and in another Mad Chatter game, we listen to one-star Yelp reviews and then try to guess the attraction, hotel, or restaurant for which each review was given. Come play along!

Be sure to find Mike online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show: https://twitter.com/mikebrassell

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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200: Walt Disney World Superlatives

If Walt Disney World had a yearbook, which attractions, characters, hotels, etc. would appear on the Superlatives page? Allow us to suggest some nominees! On this week’s show we present our picks for Walt Disney World’s Best Dressed, Biggest Overachiever, Class Clown, Most Likely to Succeed, and much more!

Plus, special guests Steve and Lisa Griswold of MouseChat join us for a round of Disney Password. Play along as we try to guess Disney-related answers based on one-word clues. And be sure to check out the MouseChat website to learn more about our guests!

And to celebrate 200 episodes, we reflect on our first five shows and chat about how far we’ve come and what some of our favorite memories are.

To all of you who have followed along, whether you’ve heard one episode or all 200, we can’t thank you enough for your support. If you’re 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!

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196: News, Rumors, and Coming Attractions

Now that 2018 is halfway over, we want to take a step back and look at where the Disney parks are and where they are headed. In this week’s show, we discuss some of the latest new offerings at Disney parks, including Toy Story Land and Pixar Pier, and we dive in to the latest news and rumors regarding upcoming attractions.

In honor of America’s Independence Day, we go “Behind the Magic” of one of the best patriotic attractions at Walt Disney World: The American Adventure in Epcot. Plus, we address a few questions from listeners concerning our favorite Disney sources and our recommendations for what to do at WDW when you’re flying solo. It’s all happening now on show 196!

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!

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192: The Walt Disney World That Never Was – 12 Projects Disney Abandoned

Oh, what could have been! This week we dig through Imagineering history to discover more details about 12 projects that were discussed for Walt Disney World but ultimately were never built. We mourn the loss of Beastly Kingdom, chat about what a thrill Western River Expedition would have been, and look more closely at the other fascinating concepts Disney abandoned.

In another edition of The Windows of Main Street, U.S.A., we highlight the life and achievements of Frank Wells, former COO of The Walt Disney Company. Plus, we create another Mad Chatter Playlist featuring our favorite film scores and instrumentals. Come join the madness!

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!

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189: Fun Facts and Easter Eggs at Walt Disney World

“Did you know?” Those three words, when overheard at Walt Disney World, always pull us in. We either want to learn something new, or we want to be able to debunk whatever kind of nonsense we’re about to hear. While many Disney fans have heard just about every “fun fact” there is to know about the Vacation Kingdom of the World, some facts and hidden Easter eggs really are “fun,” especially when you discover them for the first time. For this week’s show, we’ve each compiled a list of our favorite facts and tidbits we’ve heard over the years about Walt Disney World, including details to look for, backstories of attractions, and much more.

In the segment “Behind the Magic,” we put the spotlight on the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Plus, Derek reviews his dinner at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante in Disney Springs, we discuss some tough losses for WDW fans, and much more. Tune in!

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!

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181: Flops and Failures – 8 WDW Attractions That Underwhelmed

Not every idea is gold. On this week’s show we look back at eight specific ideas implemented at Walt Disney World that had less-than-stellar results. From attractions guests loathed to audio-animatronics that didn’t quite live up to what Disney promised, we discuss Walt Disney World’s biggest flops and bombs over the last four decades.

In a round of Armchair Imagineering, we present our ideas for what Disney might be planning in the former location of River Country, where some construction seems to be taking place. Plus, we introduce a new Disney hashtag (#DisneyfyAMovie) and discuss the latest price increases for WDW Resort hotel guests. Come join the conversation!

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!

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