157: Epcot 35 – From Walt’s “Community of Tomorrow” to EPCOT Center and Beyond

September 27, 2017dereklew

This week we’re celebrating Epcot’s 35th birthday by looking back at how this unique park came to be. From Walt’s original concept for the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” to 1982’s “EPCOT Center” and even into the future, we’re doing a deep dive into Epcot’s legacy and what there is to love about it.

Also on this week’s show, we discuss the “Munchies and Merch” at Walt Disney World that have caught our eye. Plus, we look back at three years of The Mad Chatters Podcast. Join us!

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!

156: Dining at Walt Disney World’s Monorail Resorts

September 20, 2017dereklew

All aboard the Walt Disney World monorail, your highway in the sky and your direct access to the ten delicious table-service restaurants at the three deluxe resorts near Magic Kingdom. On this week’s show, we take a grand circle tour around the Seven Seas Lagoon in order to highlight the sit-down offerings at Disney’s Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and Grand Floridian Resorts, including Chef Mickey’s, Kona Cafe, Citricos, and Victoria & Albert’s. Join us as we read the menus and take a closer look at what these dining locations have to offer.

In another Mad Chatter game, we try to guess the Disney Legend based on one-word clues. Plus, we do some Armchair Imagineering by providing our own ideas for how the Walt Disney World parks can emulate Cars Land’s Haul-O-Ween takeover and get into the Halloween spirit. Come hungry and come often!

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!

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!

153: Top 5 Favorite Ways to Take It Easy at WDW + An Inside Look at The Walt Disney Birthplace

August 30, 2017dereklew

This week we’re celebrating Labor Day by sharing our picks for the five best ways to take a break, relax, and rejuvenate at Walt Disney World. From our favorite people-watching spots to the attractions that do the best job of refreshing our bodies and minds, we highlight our favorite ways to take a vacation from your vacation.

Also on this week’s show, we sit down with Brent Young and Dina Benadon, owners and co-founders of The Walt Disney Birthplace project. We chat with them about their efforts to restore Walt’s childhood home, what they hope to achieve with the project, and what visitors can expect to get out of the experience when the project is finished. To find out how you can get involved in this noble effort, be sure to check out thewaltdisneybirthplace.org!

This episode also includes another round of Disney Taglines, Hollywood Studios rumors, and more. Tune in now!

152: FastPass+, MyMagic+, and Other WDW Tips

August 23, 2017dereklew

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and you haven’t been in the last five years, your vacation experience will look a lot different now that Disney has rolled out MyMagic+. On this week’s show we highlight the main features of the My Disney Experience app and give our personal tips for how to make the most of FastPass+, Mobile Ordering, and other MyMagic+ features during your Disney vacation.

In Disney news, we discuss more changes at Hollywood Studios, a stand-alone Star Wars film, and more. Plus, we play another round of Chatter Jeopardy and provide our own ideas for the upcoming Star Wars resort. All that and much more awaits you on Episode 152!

151: Universe of Energy and The Great Movie Ride – A Tribute

August 16, 2017dereklew

On August 13, Disney fans said goodbye to two classic Walt Disney World attractions: Ellen’s Energy Adventure (aka Universe of Energy) and The Great Movie Ride. On this week’s show we honor these two rides by looking back at their origins, discussing our favorite elements of the attractions, and talking about what their closings mean for the futures of their respective parks.

Also on this week’s episode, we answer one listener’s question about the Disney collections we own and we create another Mad Chatters Playlist by sharing three picks for “Songs That Make Us Dance.” Plus, we discuss the latest news regarding Mission: SPACE, DuckTales (woo-oo!), and more. Tune in now!

149: Disney’s Skyways and Highways in the Sky

August 2, 2017dereklew

Please stand clear of the doors – The Mad Chatters Podcast will depart momentarily. On this week’s show we’re highlighting three modes of transportation that have strong ties to Disney parks: the skyway, the monorail, and the peoplemover. Not only do all three of these transportation methods offer an above-ground alternative to cars and boats, but they also were all very new to the U.S. when The Walt Disney Company brought them to the parks. On our latest show we look back at the history of these transports, how they revolutionized the Disney parks, and why they mean so much to Disney fans today.

In our latest edition of “The Windows of Main Street,” we honor the life of Disney Legend Marty Sklar, who sadly passed away last week. Plus, we share some of our favorite WDW hidden gems in the segment “It’s the Small Things, After All.” Come join the conversation! (For the comfort of others, no smoking please.)

We’d love for you to connect with us online! Find us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to comments@madchatters.net. Thanks for listening!

148: Fantasmic! Celebrating 25 Years of Mysteries, Magic, and Visions Fantastic

July 26, 2017dereklew

Dreams are make believe . . . But could they all come true? To discover the answer to that question, we’re going deep inside Mickey’s imagination, where we’ll encounter princesses, a fire-breathing dragon, and all the forces of evil, all while searching for the true reason Fantasmic has been such a popular show since it debuted in Disneyland 25 years ago. Celebrate this epic nighttime spectacular with us as we dive deep into the show’s history, its changes over the years, and what the future might hold.

Also on this week’s show, we look more closely at some of D23 Expo’s biggest announcements and toss in our own ideas for how to plus them. Plus, in another round of the Mad Chatter Top Ten, we present the Top Ten Uses for the Great Movie Ride Audio-Animatronics After the Ride Has Closed.

We now invite you to join Mickey and experience Fantasmic!—a journey beyond your wildest imagination.

147: D23 Expo’s Biggest Disney Announcements

July 19, 2017dereklew

An official name for Star Wars Land! A Mickey Mouse attraction! A restaurant set in space! We wanted big news, and the D23 Expo delivered! On this week’s show we break down the biggest announcements that were made at the 2017 D23 Expo in Anaheim, including big changes for Epcot, a TRON coaster in Magic Kingdom, and much more.

In another round of Chatter Jeopardy, we put a Disney spin on the classic game show by responding to off-the-wall answers in the form of questions. Plus, Matt and Derek review their recent dinner at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen in Disney Springs. Come join the conversation now!

The Mad Chatters

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

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