273: The Oscars and Disney

January 30, 2023dereklew

As awards season gets underway in Hollywood, we roll out the red carpet for special guest Aaron Wallace, who joins us on this episode to look back at the many times The Walt Disney Company has been celebrated or honored at the Academy Awards during the ceremony’s 95-year history. First, we discuss our favorite Disney moments from the televised ceremonies, including song performances, acceptance speeches, wacky shticks, and more (0:42:00). Then, we take a closer look at the categories in which Disney has performed the best in the past, and we talk about our favorite winners and nominees, plus any Disney projects we think were snubbed (1:23:56).

Also on this episode, Jeremy and Derek report on the 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend—the highs and lows of running a Disney marathon, their favorite memories on the course, and more (0:01:20).

Here’s where you can find more content from Aaron: Website: aaronwallaceonline.com | Latest Book: The Thinking Fan’s Guide to Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom 2020 | Twitter: @aaronwallace | Instagram: @aaronhwallace

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!

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

245: Two Disney Parks That Never Were: Riverfront Square and Disney’s America

June 29, 2020dereklew

This week we look back at two fully-realized theme park projects that ultimately never came to be: one developed by Walt and his Imagineers around the time of the 1964 World’s Fair, just before Walt Disney World began construction in Florida, and the other dreamed up by Michael Eisner and company during the Disney Renaissance of the early 1990s. Join us and guest Courtney Guth as we talk about the Riverfront Square project in St. Louis and Disney’s America theme park in Washington, D.C., the attractions and experiences that were to be included at these locations, and why they ultimately failed.

Plus, we travel back to the summer of 2010 to talk about what guests might have experienced during the Summer Nightastic limited-time celebration. We also go “Behind the Magic” of the Norway Pavilion in Epcot by talking about our favorite details and things to see at this World Showcase nation on its 32 anniversary. Buckle up, history nerds. This time-hopping episode is for you!

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’d like to see concept art for Disney’s America, you can find a high-resolution brochure HERE.

242: 12 Quotes We Love About the Disney Parks

April 22, 2020dereklew

What makes the Disney Parks so special? What’s the reason so many of us are longing for the day when the parks can safely reopen? On this week’s show we set out to answer those questions, but instead of expressing ourselves using our own words, we take a look at 12 quotes we love from men and women throughout history who also appreciated the magic of the Disney Parks. Come get sappy with us as we read what Walt and others had to say about the most magical places on earth and then look at those words through the lens of 2020.

Also on this week’s show, we think about the animals that still call Walt Disney World home, and we share our picks for the good, bad, and ugly animal encounters. Plus, we bring back the segment “It’s the Small Things After All,” in which we each list the small details and experiences at WDW we’d LOVE to have in our lives right now. Tune in for one of our most sentimental episodes ever!

Be sure to find Jonathan online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! Twitter: @jonathanharvill

227: The Signs of Epcot

August 7, 2019dereklew

Join us for a virtual stroll around Epcot as we take a closer look at the many signs throughout the park. Attraction signs, restaurant signs, directional signs—they’re all up for grabs as guest Marshal Knight helps us break down the best and worst signage in Future World and World Showcase, from our favorite fonts to the best designs to the most questionable shape choices.

In another Mad Chatter Top Ten, we celebrate the Haunted Mansion’s 50th anniversary by listing ten facts we love about the classic attraction. Plus, we preview the D23 Expo and we share some Disney Confessions. Come join the fun!

Be sure to find Marshal on Twitter and Instagram and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show!

226: Space Travel and The Walt Disney Company

July 24, 2019dereklew

50 years ago a manned space shuttle touched down on the moon for the first time. But 15 years before that giant leap for mankind, Walt Disney was already working with scientists and engineers in order to communicate to the general public that space travel was not just science fiction; it was a possible reality. On this week’s episode we trace The Walt Disney Company’s connections with space travel, beginning with three documentary shorts produced by the company in the 50s, and ending with a closer look at the many space-themed attractions that have made their way to the Disney parks over the years. Plus, in a round of Armchair Imagineering we share our own ideas for how space can play a role at the parks moving forward.

In another edition of The Windows of Main Street, U.S.A., we look at the contributions of John Hench, who designed a lot of opening-day Tomorrowland at Disneyland. We also share a few bizarre stories from our adventures in WDW in the segment “Did That Just Happen?” Tune in now!

208: Live-Action Films, Documentaries, and the Disney Parks

November 21, 2018dereklew

Did you know Disney released 16 live-action films between One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and The Sword in the Stone (1963)? You’ve probably never met anyone whose favorite Disney film is Greyfriars Bobby, but the fact is these films hold a special place in many people’s hearts, and they make up a huge portion of the Disney film catalog.

On this week’s show, Jeff DePaoli of Dizney Coast to Coast joins us for a deep dive into Disney’s live-action films, from 1950’s Treasure Island to the upcoming live-action remake of Dumbo. We discuss the history of Walt’s interest in live action, our favorite films from this category, where these films show up in Walt Disney World, and much more! Plus, Jeremy walks us through ten Disney documentaries he especially recommends Disney fans watch.

In another round of Take 5, we use just five words to respond to categories such as “The Current Condition of WDW Monorails” and “Song Titles in Frozen 2.” Plus, we discuss the big news that was announced at this year’s Destination D. Come join the discussion now!

Be sure to check out Jeff’s podcast and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on our show: Dizney Coast to Coast.

199: The Magic of Audio-Animatronics: From the Dancing Man to the Shaman

July 25, 2018dereklew

Audio-animatronics have been a staple of Disney parks for over five decades. But what many guests might not realize is that “Audio-Animatronics” is a registered trademark because Walt Disney and his team of Imagineers were actually responsible for inventing the technology! On this week’s show we trace the history of audio-animatronics, stopping along the way to discuss some of the biggest milestones and our personal favorite audio-animatronics, including Abraham Lincoln, the Tiki Room birds, Hopper, and much more.

Also on this week’s episode, Jeremy and Matt discuss their recent adventures in Walt Disney World and share their thoughts on the World of Disney’s new look, Toy Story Land, and more. Plus, we play another round of Take 5 by sharing our thoughts on various Disney topics using only five words. 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!

178: Makin’ Melodies – 11 Times the Sherman Brothers Made Disney Magic

February 28, 2018dereklew

It’s A Small World (After All), Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Winnie the Pooh — Besides being some of the most iconic and recognizable Disney songs of all time, these tunes have something else in common: They were penned by the Sherman brothers! On this week’s episode we take a closer look at Robert and Richard Sherman, their rich history with The Walt Disney Company, and the most memorable songs that were produced by this incredible partnership. Join us for an extensive discussion about these Disney legends and the songs from their catalog that we love the most.

Also on episode 178, we read a few funny stories and respond to some questions we received from listeners. Tune in now!

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!

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