176: Disney Storytelling – 9 Walt Disney World Attractions and Their Fictional Backstories

February 14, 2018dereklew

Did you know Big Thunder Mountain is located in the town of Tumbleweed and sits on Native American burial ground? Or that the steam train you board before riding Expedition Everest once transported tea for the Royal Anandapur Tea Company? Disney is all about storytelling. Sometimes understanding the story is easy, but other times it requires a bit of digging. Enter our latest episode…

On show 176 we highlight nine Walt Disney World attractions and share the fictional stories you become part of whenever you ride them. Rides discussed include Kali River Rapids, the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and more!

Plus, we play a round of “Where in WDW Am I?” and we do some Armchair Imagineering by giving Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster a brand new overlay. Come join the fun!

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.”

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!

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!

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!

159: Do This, Not That – WDW’s Best and Worst Bathrooms

October 11, 2017dereklew

When you gotta go, you gotta go. That’s true. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be educated about WHERE to go when you gotta go! Enter Episode 159…

On this week’s show we go park by park in order to highlight our favorite restrooms to use in Walt Disney World, based on criteria including size, design, crowds, space, and more. We also pick out a few restrooms we recommend avoiding if you can help it.

In our latest edition of Eating Around the World, we provide quick reviews of three restaurants we recently dined at: Kona Cafe, Les Chefs de France, and Nine Dragons. Plus, we play another round of Mad Chatter Jeopardy, in which we provide ridiculous questions to even more ridiculous answers. Come join the fun!

154: Trip Report – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and More!

September 6, 2017dereklew

Even though it’s only the first week of September, Halloween Time and the fall season are in full swing at Walt Disney World. On this week’s show, Matt and Derek give a full report of their visits to the Disney parks last week, including a neat VIP experience at Festival of the Lion King, a ride on the revamped Mission: SPACE, and a spooky good time at the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2017.

In another round of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” we share our picks for the best and worst Pixar representations at Walt Disney World. Plus, we go Behind the Magic as we take a closer look at the design and hidden gems of Frontierland. Come join the fun on episode 154 NOW!

The Mad Chatters

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

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