It is time:  it's reopening week! We've got the scoop on what's open, what's modified, and where all the Plexiglass is in the parks.  Ride queues seem to currently be on hiatus, while gift shops are getting virtual wait lists.  Rise of the Resistance is going back to a virtual queue, and Splash Mountain merchandise is selling out by the bag full.   PLUS: Character cavalcades, 2020 tickets, and more!

Earful: A Disney World Podcast

Cast Member & Annual Passholder Previews

All eyes are on Disney World's re-opening on July 9th, but our stomachs are growling for park food!  This week, we're sharing links to Whispering Canyon's apple pie recipe, along with Gaston's Cinnamon Rolls, Ohana bread pudding, and blue/green milk from Galaxy's Edge! A small glitch left Annual Passholders overcharged, transportation options for re-opening were revealed, and Actor's Equity continued to hold out for COVID-19 testing options.  But, Cinderella's Castle is nearly repainted, we got more Loungefly x Disney collaborations, and Baby Yoda is getting his own cereal! PLUS: NBA update, Halloween Horror Nights news, and more!

Gaston's Cinnamon Rolls

Just a normal, quiet week in the Disney World universe...right?  Right?!? The announcement of a Princess and the Frog renovation to fan favorite Splash Mountain sent us all reeling, but so did the debut of the Disney Park Pass reservation system on My Disney Experience.  Annual Passholders also tried to reserve park days, but 5 hour wait times and system glitches left many frustrated. Disneyland announced a delay in reopening, leaving many to wonder if Disney World would follow suit.  Several NBA players tested positive for COVID-19, but the league is still set to open on July 30th. PLUS: Baby Yoda Loungefly bags Disney Bussing Procedures A new look at character dining at Topolino's And more! 

Splash Mountain Overhaul

We didn't plan to rap through the Disney restaurants re-opening in July, but that's what happened in Episode 31! We've got a plethora of new details about the re-opening, including restaurant mobile check-in and an end to resort/park hopping.  Buffets are going family style, Magic Bands will no longer be complimentary, and characters are going to be appearing in "cavalcades.  Disney Springs is getting a sweet new bakery, Homecomin' has a new patio, and Spaceship Earth is here to stay for the time being.  PLUS: New Loungefly Wall-E bags The return of Mariachi Cobre and the Jammitors AP/Cast Member preview days 

Restaurant Rap

I miss Disney!  Anyone else? Good, because we've got two new segments for you in Episode 30:  a segment on keeping the Disney spirit alive at home and another portion dedicated to the reopening of the parks. Disney wines are now available at home, soccer is coming to the Wide World of Sports, and Cinderella's Castle is getting a new paint job.  Splash Mountain finds itself in some hot water, stirring a fan petition to re-theme the ride after "The Princess and the Frog." PLUS: more Disney Springs reopenings, enhanced cleaning procedures at the resorts, and another Haunted Mansion Funko Pop!

Splash Mountain Controversy & Enhanced Cleaning

As this episode releases on May 11th, Shanghai Disney Resort will reopen to the public! In Episode 29, we review some of the safety measures the resort is undertaking and analyze when the other parks may reopen as well.   Disney Springs will also embark on a small reopening on May 20th, including such restaurants as STK and Wine Bar George. Loungefly has released a new Marvel line of bags and wallets, while Build-A-Bear is now offering a Stitch doll for online purchase. PLUS: A Funko Haunted Mansion board game, Kate's bad Stitch impression, and the status of the Florida Aquarium.

Shanghai & Disney Springs Reopening

After a three-month hiatus, we're back and discussing potential rumors around the re-opening of Disney properties. Hong Kong & Shanghai resorts have been testing opening procedures, while Florida prepares to enter Phase One out of quarantine.  ShopDisney released face masks sets, while Pixar debuted "Cooking with Pixar" on their YouTube channel. José Andres raised money for essential workers, but most importantly: Bob Disney stops by to discuss his own soft opening ideas!

Opening Rumors & At Home Recipes

Happy 2020! We're kicking of the new year with two special guests, Emily and TJ! Emily is here to discuss her recent trip to Disney World during "wartime," a.k.a. "the holidays."  She shares her experiences at the Wilderness Lodge, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot's Candlelight Processional, boarding/unloading/re-boarding Rise of the Resistance, and what it's like to navigate a scooter at Disney. PLUS:  Off-Season changes Rise of the Resistance issues The quartet gets into a game of Word Association with "white powder alert," "E-Stop," "good night kiss," and "protein spill." 

Christmas Redux

Disney's most anticipated ride opening since Flight of Passage has come and gone: Rise of the Resistance is finally open!  Tune in to Episode 26 to hear about the revival of boarding groups, opening day crowd control, ride breakdowns, and more! We'll discuss a few of the ride's tech specs,  requirements to board, and how it stacks up against other Orlando attractions.  PLUS: A report from Cap'n Jim! A bizarre onstage incident at Carousel of Progress A holiday visit from Bob Disney This will be our last episode of 2019.  We look forward to bringing you new episodes of Earful in 2020!  Happy holidays!

Rise of the Resistance Opening

The holidays are in full swing at Disney World and Santa Claus has stopped by for an extended stay in the Town Square Courtyard.  Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar debuted a new festive overlay, along with several merry beverages and appetizers. We've got new merchandise from the Epcot Festival of the Holidays and there's also a new Cinderella-themed Magic Band that would work great as a stocking stuff.  PLUS: John Williams gets a Grammy nomination for Galaxy's Edge Universal Studios launches their first running event Final preparations for Rise of the Resistance opening 

Santa! I Know Him!

Christmas has come to the parks, along with a flurry of Frozen II updates! Catch up on the new additions to Norway, like new outfits for Anna & Elsa and a delicious new buttercream cupcake! We'll also speculate on the opening of Rise of Resistance, now only two weeks away from its first ride. There are new beignets at French Quarter, a bejeweled spirit jersey, and a brand new wrapped bus.  PLUS: Stainless steel refillable mugs Gaston gets a new costume The Christmas Village returns to the Yacht Club 

Frozen II Updates & Rise of Resistance Buzz

"What's your favorite attraction?" is a popular Disney World question, but let's get down to brass tacks:  what's your LEAST favorite attraction?  This week's episode deals with some of Kate & Patrick's least beloved rides and experiences, including Test Track and -- GASP -- Illuminations! PLUS: our friends from the Disney Discussions Podcast share their least favorite rides and explain why you need to keep a strong hold on your pants!

Least Favorite Attractions

Bright suns, traveler! Let's head to the Spire and brush up our Aurabesh, because we're discussing our recent trip to Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios!  In Episode 22, we'll recount our rainy day in Batuu, with stops at the Marketplace, Ronto's Roasters, Docking Bay 7, and Oga's Cantina.  We drank blue milk, engineered the Milennium Falcon, and even encountered a First Order commander and a blue-haired Rebel spy! PLUS: Patrick gets a Star Wars character's name VERY wrong Kate not-so-discretely speaks her mind We follow a scruffy nerfherder around Hollywood Studios 

Trip Report: Galaxy's Edge

You're getting a bonus episode this week, and there’s been a major theft from Disney World, resulting in $20,000 of missing ride props.  Plus, those wonderful little shampoo and conditioner bottles you get at Disney resorts may soon become a thing of the past.  There’s a new Dole Whip slushie, an attraction-based TV series on Disney+, and a brand new stuntshow at Universal Studios…here’s episode 21! We're legal! Woooo!

Minnie-Sode: Week of October 13th

This month, Coral Reef is set to debut a special menu based on The Little Mermaid, so you can bet Patrick was 100% inappropriate with his ideas for the new cuisine in this episode.  We get an official Disney response to the Skyliner incident, Spooky Mickey & Friends plush dolls, an Olaf Dole Whip Slushie, and even an appearance from Bob Disney! PLUS: Question of the Week: What topics should we cover on future episodes? Fantasyland Magic Band The REAL use of the Mickey Shorts Theatre 

Surf & Turf

For die-hard Disney World fans, learning about the latest updates, refurbishments, and rumors surrounding the parks and resorts is a serious hobby! Each Tuesday, join Kate, a certified Disney travel agent, and Patrick, her husband, as they sift through the hottest news clips swirling around the “most magical place on Earth.” Need tips for your return trip? Going for the first time and need a plan of attack? Then, this is the podcast for you!

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Earful: A Disney World Podcast

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