180: Let’s Talk About World Showcase

March 14, 2018dereklew

With few characters, only two rides, and not a single show that requires you to arrive early, World Showcase is unlike any other area in Walt Disney World and remains an enigma to many vacationers. On this week’s show, we take a close look at the 11 pavilions that make up World Showcase and discuss what it is that makes this area worth a visit, from the hidden gems we love to the can’t-miss dining experiences to the smallest details you might have missed. Come with us on a deep dive into one of Walt Disney World’s most beautiful regions.

Also on episode 180: 11-Second Rants, a dinner review of Ale & Compass, the latest Pixar Pier updates, and more! 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!

174: Pixar at the Parks

January 31, 2018dereklew

From 1995’s Toy Story to Pixar’s most recent release, Coco, we’re diving deep into Pixar’s catalog. On this week’s episode, we look more closely at the Pixar films by discussing the ways in which each one is represented at Walt Disney World. Join us as we scour the parks for signs of our favorite Pixar movies and characters, from rides to musicals to meet and greets and beyond, and give our take on what works and what doesn’t.

In the new segment “This Week in Disney History,” we look back at the theatrical release of The Three Caballeros by reading the original New York Times review that was published this week in 1945. Plus, we play another round of Chatter Jeopardy. Come join the fun!

173: Mad Q Party

January 24, 2018dereklew

Special guest Ben Lancaster (@WaltsFrzenHead on Twitter) joins us for another round of our favorite hypothetical extravaganza: a MAD Q PARTY! This week’s lineup of off-the-wall questions related to the Disney universe includes:

What’s an element from an extinct attraction you’d like to see return in some form?
Who is the next celebrity you want to see make a surprise appearance at an attraction he or she is attached to?

And much more! Come join the fun on episode 173! And be sure to follow along with Ben’s film, The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head, by visiting waltsfrozenhead.com.

Also on this episode, we go “Behind the Magic” by taking a closer look at one of our favorite areas: Sunset Boulevard. Plus, we peek into the future to see what Walt Disney World will be like “In the Year 2071.”

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!

171: IllumiNations: Reflections on 30 Years

January 9, 2018dereklew

We’ve gathered here tonight around the fire, as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us, to share the light and to share a story — the story of how one nighttime show is turning 30 years old this month!

Join us as we look back at three decades of IllumiNations, the fireworks/laser/fire spectacular that takes place every night on World Showcase Lagoon. On this week’s episode, we reflect on what this show has meant to Disney fans and why the current show, Reflections of Earth, is significant. Plus, we discuss where nighttime entertainment at Epcot should go from here.

Also on show 171, we answer a few listener emails, share our Disney resolutions for 2018, and review our recent lunch at Restaurant Marrakesh. Come join the fun!

169: The 4th Annual Chatties

December 27, 2017dereklew

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. It’s time for the Chatties!

As we always do whenever another year comes to an end, on this week’s episode we highlight the best and worst moments throughout The Walt Disney Company in the year 2017. Tune in to find out what events, attractions, and announcements will take home the biggest awards, including Best Addition to Walt Disney World, Worst Announcement for the Future, and much more.

Plus, we look back at the biggest news items that had the Disney community all abuzz this past year, and we reveal whether or not we kept our Disney resolutions for 2017. Join us now for the final episode of the year!

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!

166: The Music of Epcot

November 29, 2017dereklew 1 Comment

Join us for a musical tour of Epcot! On this week’s show we take a virtual walk-through of Future World and World Showcase, stopping along the way to discuss the background music and original songs you’ll hear in each area. From the classically Epcot loops at The Land Pavilion and Innoventions to the soaring patriotic anthems “Golden Dream” and “Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey),” we highlight the sounds that make Epcot the park it is.

Also in the category of music, it’s time for another Mad Chatters Playlist. In this week’s edition, we each provide three Disney-related songs we like to listen to at Christmas, including tunes from The Muppet Christmas Carol and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Plus, we review Coco, chat about the latest Pixar scandal, and much more. Tune in now!

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!

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!

The Mad Chatters

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

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