260: Dreaming Up Future World Showcase Pavilions by Studying Disney’s Past

May 12, 2021dereklew

In Epcot’s nearly 40 years of existence, there have been countless rumors and speculations about additional nations being introduced to World Showcase. But in reality, we haven’t seen a new country join the loop since Norway was completed in 1988.

Enter the Mad Chatters. On this week’s episode, guest Courtney Guth helps us dig through The Walt Disney Company’s rich past and its deep ties to other nations of the world as we search for candidates for the next World Showcase pavilion. In the end, we present a list of more than ten nations to which Disney already has a connection, whether that’s because Walt himself visited and fell in love with the country, or it’s because more than one Disney film is set in the country, or it’s because that nation was already conceived as an Epcot pavilion before Imagineers scrapped the idea. Tune in to hear us make a case for each of these countries and present our own ideas for what the pavilion could look like and what rides and/or restaurants could go there.

In another edition of Armchair Imagineering, we shine a spotlight on The Muppets and present our own ideas for who should play Jim Henson in the upcoming biopic, as well as what Disney theme park attraction The Muppets should parody next, after this fall’s highly anticipated special “Muppets Haunted Mansion.”

Plus, we bring back the segment “The Windows of Main Street, U.S.A.” in order to showcase the career of Chuck Boyajian, the very first Manager of Custodial Operations at Disneyland.

Be sure to find Courtney online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show!

Podcast: Book of the Mouse Club | Twitter: @Courtney_Guth | Instagram: @greatguthsby

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!

256: It’s Time for an Upgrade – 10 WDW Experiences We’d Love to See Updated or Enhanced

March 2, 2021dereklew

In light of the recent news that Jungle Cruise is about to be enhanced, we thought we’d take this opportunity to highlight other attractions and experiences at Walt Disney World that we think could use some TLC. From stale rides to dated resorts to embarrassing uses of technology, we each talk about ten areas we’d most love to see get updates and enhancements (1:02:33).

In this week’s Countdown to the 50th, we share ten facts about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, one of three resort hotels that opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971 (0:00:50). Plus, we test our Muppets and Disney Channel knowledge in a new game (0:30:10), AND we bring back the segment Mad Chatter Jeopardy, in which we respond to dumb answers by providing even dumber questions (0:57:18). Come join the fun!

253: Mad Q Party

January 18, 2021dereklew

What better way to ring in the new year than with a party?

After a long hiatus (sorry!), we are back this week with one of our favorite segments: the wacky, hypothetical Disney questionnaire we call a Mad Q Party. Join us and special guest Aaron Wallace as we pose and then answer ten questions on topics ranging from Muppet remakes of Disney films, to LEGO sets we’d like to see Disney release, to Disneyland attractions we’re going to view differently once the pandemic has ended.

Also on this week’s show, we kick off a new segment called “Countdown to the 50th,” in which we will take a closer look at groundbreaking elements of Walt Disney World that opened with the resort 50 years ago. This week we highlight Cinderella Castle by sharing ten facts about this iconic structure. Plus, Aaron joins us for a game called “The Resort Report.” Come play along and join the fun now!

Be sure to check out everything Aaron is up to and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the podcast! Website: aaronwallaceonline.com | Latest Book: The Thinking Fan’s Guide to Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom 2020 | Twitter: @aaronwallace | Instagram: @aaronhwallace

243: 10 Muppetational Moments at Walt Disney World + A Chat With ‘Jim Henson’ Biographer Brian Jay Jones

May 13, 2020dereklew

It’s time to play the music, light the lights, and raise the curtain on our most celebrational, Muppetational episode ever! Join us and guest Jeff DePaoli as we look back at ten big moments the Muppets have had at Walt Disney World, from extinct attractions to long-lived shows to restaurants and more. And here’s a special bonus: This episode is one half of the very first Mad Chatters/Dizney Coast to Coast crossover event! Currently on Jeff’s podcast you can hear Jeff and Jeremy discuss in depth the TV special “The Muppets at Walt Disney World,” which aired on NBC on May 6, 1990, and which kicks off our list of 10 Muppetational Moments.

The Muppet fun doesn’t stop there. Also joining us on this week’s show is biographer Brian Jay Jones, who shares highlights from his book “Jim Henson: The Biography” and talks to us about what it was like researching Jim’s life, reading his journals, and speaking to his family and friends. As we honor the 30th anniversary of Jim’s passing and celebrate the 65th birthday of Kermit the Frog, come soak in all the Muppety goodness now!

Brian Jay Jones Interview: 16:45

10 Muppetational Moments at WDW: 58:52

Be sure to find Jeff and Brian online and follow their projects:

Jeff DePaoli: Podcast: Dizney Coast to Coast | Attractions Magazine Column: DePaoli on DeParks | Twitter: @JeffDePaoli (personal) @DizneyCTC (podcast) | Instagram: @disneyctc

Brian Jay Jones: Twitter: @brianjayjones | Website: brianjayjones.com

187: Top 5 Quotes From Walt Disney World Attractions

May 2, 2018dereklew

In every Haunted Mansion stretching room there is at least one person who decides to quote the script along with the Ghost Host. And while that might be, frankly, annoying for the other people in the room, the fact is there are countless lines of dialogue from Disney rides that are fun to say because they are clever and memorable and they are attached to some of our favorite attractions. On this week’s show, we each count down our top five favorite quotes from Walt Disney World attractions, from witty banter in preshows to magical words that make our hearts go pitter-patter.

In another edition of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, we turn our attention to the interior decor inside table service restaurants. Plus, we play another round of “Higher or Lower,” in which we try to guess closest to the correct Disney-related number. Play along 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!

155: Disney Happenings – Matt’s Disneyland Paris Trip, Jeremy’s Marceline Visit, and Other Current Events

September 13, 2017dereklew

We’ve always claimed to be your very important date with the happenings at Walt Disney World and around the Disney universe, and on this week’s show we truly are taking you “around the Disney universe,” from Marceline, Missouri to Paris, France. On show 155, Jeremy reports on his recent visit to the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, while Matt fills us in on his trip to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, both of which are part of the Disneyland Paris resort.

This week we also take a closer look at what’s going on within The Walt Disney Company, from Walt Disney World updates to Star Wars shake-ups to Hurricane Irma aftermath and beyond. Plus, in “The Disney Fix,” we each share the Disney topics we’ve had on our minds lately. This week it’s all about current events and hot topics, so come join the discussion!

116: The Best and Worst WDW Trends of 2016

December 14, 2016dereklew

As another year comes to an end, we take a look back at seven of Walt Disney World’s biggest trends over the last 12 months. As we focus on topics like hard-ticket events, unique dining, and the Muppets, we give our take on which of these trends have outstayed their welcome and which ones we’d love to see continue into the new year.

In another Mad Chatter game, Matt and Jeremy try to guess the animated film based on a quote pulled from Roger Ebert’s review. Plus, we sit down with choral director Mitch to talk about Candlelight Processional and what it’s like taking a high school choir to Orlando to participate. All that and more awaits you on our latest episode. Tune in now!

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). 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!

107: From Celebrations to Cyclones (And Hocus Pocus Too!)

October 12, 2016dereklew

Walt Disney World had quite a week! Just days after celebrating its 45th anniversary, the resort closed to guests for only the fourth time ever due to Hurricane Matthew. And the Mad Chatters were on the scene for all of it!

To help us report on all of the craziness, we brought in a few special guests. First, our friends David and Katie fill us in on what it was like to be trapped at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel as Hurricane Matthew made its way along the coast. They give us the scoop on how Disney handled the situation as well as share the highs and lows of being in Walt Disney World while the parks were closed.

Then, guest Aaron Wallace (@aaronspod), host of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod and author of the brand new book Hocus Pocus in Focus, joins Derek to break down all of the celebrations and offerings that took place on Magic Kingdom’s 45th birthday. They also report on the new show “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.”

Also on this episode you’ll hear a brief report of Derek’s trip with two first-timers, plus a special Halloween edition of the Mad Chatters Playlist. All that and more awaits on show 107. Tune in now!

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!

The Mad Chatters

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

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