123: Dining at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios + A Chat With Broadway Star Kerry Butler

February 1, 2017dereklew

Continuing our series on table service restaurants throughout Walt Disney World, this week our culinary tour takes us to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where we read the menus and give our reviews of eateries such as Yak & Yeti, Tiffins, 50’s Prime Time Cafe, and more.

Over in Epcot, Broadway star Kerry Butler is currently performing at the inaugural Festival of the Arts, and on this week’s show she joins us to talk about the festival, her past Broadway roles – including Belle (Beauty and the Beast) and Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors) – and her love of all things Disney.

Plus, in another edition of The Mad Chatters Playlist, we each share three picks for Disney tunes that fit the category “Feel-Good Songs.” It all goes down on the latest episode of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

If you’ll be in Walt Disney World February 3-6, be sure to check out Kerry and actor Kevin Massey at Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. Or, follow along with Kerry from wherever you are on Twitter (@KerryButlerNyc) and Instagram (@kerrybutler1).

To connect with us online, reach out on Twitter (@MadChatters), Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), or Instagram (@madchatters) or via email: comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

122: What the What? – Ten “What Were They Thinking?” Moments at WDW

January 25, 2017dereklew

Not every idea is a winner – not even at Disney. Unfortunately, some of those bad ideas still made it out of the drawing room and into Walt Disney World. From bad overlays to questionable themes to impractical designs, this week we count down the top ten moments that left us asking, “What were they thinking?!”

But first, we get sentimental as we pen some “Love Letters to Disney.” Plus, Matt and Derek review breakfast and dinner at Captain’s Grille in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Come join the fun on another episode of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

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!

114: Fantasy Draft – Attraction Wait Times

November 30, 2016dereklew

If on any given Saturday you had to guess which attractions would have the longest wait times, which rides or meet-and-greets would you list? That’s our challenge this week as we each “draft” ten picks and create our teams of attractions, hoping to have the highest combined wait time based on actual numbers this past Saturday, November 26. Play along! You just might be surprised who comes away the victor.

Also on this week’s show, Derek gives a brief review of Moana and shares about his Walt Disney World audition experience, Jeremy breaks down “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” on ABC, and we go a few rounds of 11-Second Rants. All that and more awaits you on our latest episode!

To connect with us, find us on Instagram (@madchatters), Twitter (@MadChatters), and Facebook (/madchatterspodcast). Send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

108: Hotels 101

October 19, 2016dereklew

What makes a deluxe resort deluxe? How do I possibly choose the right hotel for my family when there are so many options? What does beehive hair have to do with Walt Disney World? These are some of the questions we (attempt to) answer as we chat about all things hotels. We break down the three levels of WDW resort hotels, talk about our personal preferences, and weigh the benefits of staying either on property or off.

In the news this week, we share more details about Hollywood Studios’ brand new nighttime show for the holidays, the return of the Muppet Mobile Lab in Epcot, and more. Plus, we review dinner at Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge and get into some friendly Disney debates.

We’d love for you to connect with us online. Come find us on Instagram (@madchatters), Twitter (@MadChatters), and Facebook (@madchatterspodcast). Or you can email us at comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

99: Mad Q Party

August 17, 2016dereklew

Put on your party hats and pop the bubbly – It’s time for another Mad Q Party! This recurring segment is just a fun way for us to dream big and be silly as we discuss all things Disney. This week’s hypothetical Disney questions hit on topics such as nighttime parades, an all-Disney Great Movie Ride, themed bathrooms, and the ultimate Disney medley.

In another Mad Chatter game, you’re invited to play along as Matthew and Derek go head to head in Disney Scattergories. (Make sure you have a pen and paper handy!) Plus, we discuss the big news surrounding Main Street Electrical Parade, Epcot dining, and more. It all awaits you on episode 99 of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

Have you reviewed us on iTunes? If not, we’d love if you would rate us and let others know about our show. It’s an easy way you can help out. We also invite you to connect with us online! Find us on Instagram (@madchatters), Twitter (@MadChatters), and Facebook (@madchatterspodcast). Or you can email us at comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

97: Touring Walt Disney World Solo

August 3, 2016dereklew

Party of one? No problem! On this week’s show, we break down the pros and cons of touring the Disney parks on your own. Being the frequent solo travelers we are, we also provide tips for how to get past the awkwardness, use your time wisely, and make the most of your one-man or one-woman vacation.

In this week’s Resort Roundup, we turn our attention to the three All-Star Resorts. Plus, we let off some steam in 11-Second Rants and dish on the latest Disney news, including new attractions for Guardians of the Galaxy and the Muppets. All that and more awaits you on episode 97 of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

Have you reviewed us on iTunes? If not, we’d love if you would rate us and let others know about our show. It’s an easy way you can help out. We also want you to connect with us online! Find us on Instagram (@madchatters), Twitter (@MadChatters), and Facebook (@madchatterspodcast). Or you can email us at comments@madchatters.net.

Thanks for listening!

96: Quick-Service Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

July 27, 2016dereklew

In our efforts to highlight every quick-service menu at Walt Disney World, this week our adventure takes us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and such eateries as Backlot Express, Starring Rolls Cafe, and ABC Commissary. We discuss featured items like the Carrot Cake Cookie and the Butterfinger Cupcake, and we share a few personal reviews as well.

In the 20 Questions-style game “Where in WDW Am I?” we try to stump our fellow Chatters by “hiding” somewhere in Walt Disney World and asking them to guess where we are. Plus, we introduce a new Disney Hashtag: #RuinADisneyQuote. All that and more awaits on episode 96 of The Mad Chatters Podcast!

95: Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening – On the Scene!

July 20, 2016dereklew

This week we’re joined by Captain America enthusiast and photographer extraordinaire Mark Willard of markwillardphotography.com as he takes us on a virtual tour of Shanghai Disneyland during its grand opening celebration. We hear stories from the park’s very first days, as well as Mark’s take on attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure and TRON Lightcycle Power Run.

In the game “Disney in Six Seconds,” Matt, Jeremy, and Mark go head to head to see who is quickest on his toes. Their mission? In six seconds or less, name three Disney experiences that fall in specific categories. Plus, in another round of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” we share our picks for the best and worst celebrity cameos at Walt Disney World. Come join the conversation now!

If you’re not following Mark on social media, what are you waiting for? Go find his incredible photography on Twitter (@MWillardPhotos), Facebook (/markwillardphotography), and Instagram (@markwillardphotography). You can find us online too. Come connect with us on Instagram and Twitter (@madchatters), or send your emails to comments@madchatters.net.

Thanks for listening!

92: What’s New at WDW or (Soarin’ Around the Galactic Frozen Friendship Spectacular)

June 29, 2016dereklew

Stage shows, nighttime spectaculars, dark rides, restaurants… All sorts of new experiences have just debuted at Walt Disney World, and on this week’s show we break it all down. Derek and guest Aaron Wallace (@aaronspod | aaronwallaceonline.com) were on the scene to see attractions like Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, Soarin’ Around the World, and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular premiere, and they report on what opening day was like and what they thought of these new experiences. Other new offerings such as D-Luxe Burger, Amorette’s Patisserie, and Animal Kingdom after dark also take the spotlight.

In a round of Armchair Imagineering, we present our ideas for summer-long events at Walt Disney World. Plus, Matt and Derek review lunch at Via Napoli in the segment “Eating Around the World.” Come for the reviews, stay for Jeremy’s Christoph Waltz impression. Episode 92 is online now!

If you want to connect with us online, check out our Twitter (@MadChatters), Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), and Instagram pages (@madchatters). Send emails to comments@madchatters.net. We appreciate those iTunes reviews, so keep them coming if you don’t mind taking a minute or so. Thanks for listening!

88: Disney News and Rumors

June 1, 2016dereklew

Frozen Ever After, the return of Mary Poppins, a new Star Wars fireworks spectacular, Aristocrepes . . .

With so much happening at Walt Disney World and around the Disney universe, we thought we’d take some time to focus on the biggest Disney news and process our thoughts on what’s new and what’s coming. We catch up on the latest announcements regarding live-action films, eateries at Disney Springs, nighttime entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and more.

In this week’s lineup of recurring segments, we do some Disney debating, share our ideas for the hashtag #SadDisneyAttractions, and try to stump one another in the 20 Questions-style game “Where in WDW Am I?” Come join the fun now!

We really appreciate those iTunes reviews, so keep them coming! Join us on Twitter (@MadChatters), Instagram (@madchatters), and Facebook (/madchatterspodcast). 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

Menu

Widgets

Search

Hollywood Studios