Join Chris and Glenn on our 100th episode magical celebration! There are no pink castles, but we have two (!) trip reports, including a combined report from the Magic Kingdom! Don't miss it! Chris' trip Glenn's trip First times Kali River Rapids Skyliner Oga's Cantina Rose and Crown Gideons Everglaze Blaze Pizza Chris' next big adventure 

Starport75 - A Disney Podcast

The 100th Episode Magical Celebration!

 Released on 6/26/21 News Contemporary redecorating https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/06/first-look-inside-a-reimagined-guest-room-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/ https://blogmickey.com/2021/03/incredibles-room-retheme-confirmed-for-disneys-contemporary-resort/ Chris' trip report for DHS visit Park Reservations Virtual Queue system The day didn't start off great even if it did start early Ah....weather and crowds Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Train (isn't it Goofy's runaway train?!) Reflections on GMR Thoughts on MMRT OH: "How come they have fastpasses and we don't!?" Galaxy's Edge Nothing to do but I love it. Should be 3x Smuggler's Run broken too (60m) Why is it so difficult to get to Pixarland? Alien Saucers (30m) Midway Mania (40m...really 30) Woody's Lunchbox The Disney App - Do people like it? And finally.... $2.50 for a single banana?!? Given all that my score for the day (out of 10) was....... What does it mean for our trips in July 

Father's Day at Disney's Hollywood Studios

 Released on 6/5/21 Coke Corner is no more Things are changing in the world thanks to the Covid vaccine Eliminated the 6-foot distancing rule Remove mask mandate outdoors; still required inside Rabbit Holes: Color of sidewalks in Disney Parks. What's myth and what's fact? Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe - the moving stage Glenn has a WDW trip panned for July Making dining reservations Challenges getting a park reservation Via Napoli in Italy Chris' Disney Adventures Magic Kingdom visit on Mother's Day PhotoPass challenges FastPass+ Dole Whips Stayed around 3-4 hours Lines are long, but they move fast Annual Passes back on sale on August 16??? PSA about hats in the parks When will the WDW Railroad open? Chris is pro-no fly zones over WDW 

The Adventures of Planning a Disney World Trip

 Recorded on 3/25/21 Released on 3/26/21 Chris visits Animal Kingdom Three hours Entrance Asia Animal encounter Tea - Joffrey's Kid adventure passport Africa - Harambe Gorilla Falls Didn't get to see Pandora Exit Beastly Kingdom 

Jambo! from Nahtazu AKA a Visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom

 Released 3/21/21 Coke Corner Disney News Disneyland will open on April 30 Remy's Ratatouille Adventure will open on October 1 Harmonious barges installed in World Showcase Lagoon Epcot Entrance finished New Points of Light are being installed on Spaceship Earth EARidescent Turrets are being repainted back to blue on Cinderella Castle New spotlights bring "premier night" every night to Chinese Theater at DHS FastPass signs, and our thoughts on the future of FP Chris will be visiting Animal Kingdom! 

Disneyland Reopening, Points of Light and Other Disney News and Rumors

 Special Guest: Casey Liss Co-host of Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP) and Analog(ue) Creator of the Peek-a-View iPhone app which is a read-only photo browser which was inspired by a trip to Disney World ? History and Genesis of the Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom The first new land Walt wanted to add to Disneyland was an area devoted to America's founding principles. Plans for the land go back to 1956. It was to be called "Liberty Street" and was going to be located off of Town Square on Main Street The main attraction was going to be called "One Nation Under God" with its finale to be a Hall of Presidents with an animated, life sized figure of each President with Abraham Lincoln being the focus. President Lincoln was one of Walt's childhood heroes The technology wasn't advanced enough in 1956, and audio animatronics weren't developed by WED Enterprises (Imagineering) until 1961, and not used in an attraction until 1963 in the Enchanted Tiki Room. Walt was approached to create attractions for the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair Walt’s sponsors at the Fair funded the development of major technical advancements such as Audio-Animatronics technology and the PeopleMover system that he could implement at Disneyland And they helped demonstrate to Walt that there was an east coast audience for his brand of themed entertainment When Walt invited the head of the Fair (Robert Moses) to tour the studio, he was so impressed by the One Nation Under God concept, he insisted on including it in the Fair Walt knew that he would not be able to complete the entire show within the given timeframe, and a show based on Lincoln was created for the State of Illinois pavilion. During the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" show, a seated Abraham Lincoln stands, gives a speech—made of excerpts of different Lincoln speeches—and sits back down. The show was a hit. So much so, that Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln opened at Disneyland on July 18, 1965, and was running on both coasts during 1965 When Walt Disney World was being designed, the Imagineers brought back the idea for Liberty Street and the Hall of Presidents. The Hall of Presidents was an opening day attraction on October 1, 1971 and opened with audio animatronics of all 36 presidents The show starts with a film presentation of the history of the US, then the screen lifts up and the Presidents are shown and introduced, with each giving a nod or wave. Lincoln then stands from his chair and gives his speech from Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. As new presidents were elected, a new audio animatronic figure was added to the show. During Bill Clinton's term, the show was changed to include a speech by Clinton, and the narration was changed slightly. Each president that followed (Bush, Obama, Trump) were given a speaking role as well. The show is currently closed and the official word from the Walt Disney Company is that they are going to install President Biden into the attraction Future status and rumors Article: Hall of Presidents: We're Done Here Muppets? Hamilton? Something else? Status Quo? Other Disney discussion Annual Passes for both WDW and Disneyland FastPasses "Death" of the Disney Influencers Haunted Mansion Boundless Realm: Deep Explorations Inside Disney's Haunted Mansion by Foxx Nolte Technology Connections: The Not-So-Secret Secret Elevators of the Haunted Mansion Columbia Harbour House The pathway room on the second floor of the restaurant Friar's Nook 

Hall of Presidents: Past, Present, and Future with special guest Casey Liss

 Released 12/11/20 Getting ready to record the episode Episode 033 - Books about Walt Disney World and Glenn taking photos on his trip to WDW What's happening with Disney? Disneyland is still not open California Adventure's Buena Vista Street is open for shopping and is part of Downtown Disney Restaurants have closed again this week Could Disney start using robots for meet and greets? - Inside the Magic article Spider-Man swinging animatronic: https://youtu.be/INFm7gYjF60 https://la.disneyresearch.com/ No New Year's Eve celebrations in the theme parks Heavy crowds at the parks over Thanksgiving When do we think that the mask restriction will be lifted at WDW? Park Hopping returns in January Martin's Videos http://www.martinsvids.net/ Candlelight Processional is on YouTube https://youtu.be/u499fuB0OGI Episode 012 - Candlelight Processional narrated by Roger Rabbit 

Disney is Going to Use Robots for Meet and Greets? Is This Crazy or Genius?

 Disney designed the Ford pavilion at the ’64 World’s Fair Needed to propel a stream of vehicles along a track It was achieved by vertically mounted rubber wheels spun by electric motors which pushed against a flat plate on the underside of the vehicles That system was refined and used for Disneyland’s PeopleMover Debuted in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland on July 2, 1967 PeopleMover was always planned and planned to go through Space Port, and the station would be inside Space Port The track was originally planned to be much longer and go over the Grand Prix Raceway The upper concourse path was built but left empty during the building of the Magic Kingdom for the 1971 opening When Space Port became Space Mountain, it moved to outside the berm, so the track layout was scaled back and changed to the track today, and the station moved from Space Mountain to it’s own station in the middle of Tomorrowland and the StarJets would be placed on top, similar to Disneyland Space Mountain holds the garaging track and a maintenance spur The Orlando version would use something different Non moving, solid state linear induction motors, which have an unlimited life expectancy There are 630 Linear Induction Motors on the track, 10 feet apart, ensuring that 4 motors are always under each 5 car train Each motor has a proximity sensor to tell the motor when to power on and a speed sensor to indicate how much power the motor produces When a train approaches the motor turns on and pulls the steel plate under the car towards it To stop the cars, the magnetic field is reversed in the motor to push against the steel plate, and why a stopping car can go backwards Up to 30 5-car trains can carry 3,600 guests per hour along 4,600 feet of track Each car has minimal moving parts, so they are high reliability. There are four main wheels and 8 smaller guide wheels per car. Since all drive and braking propulsion is supplied by the linear motor, there is no traction requirement between the wheels and the track. Consequently, heat, dust, wind, and moisture have no effect on the system’s operation. The system can have up to 50% LIM failure at random positions and still function Speeds are between 1.8 to 6.8 mph Progress City model With the move of the Carousel of Progress to WDW, the model of Progress City would be moved to the PeopleMover track that was designed to hold a diorama It would be cut down to fit the size of the diorama opening Construction began in early 1973 The Grand Prix Raceway track was closed and modified to accommodate Space Mountain. During the closure, the PeopleMover track was built over the raceway It cost $10 million to build The Star Jets opened 11/28/74 The PeopleMover opened 7/1/75 and dedicated in April 1976 It opened as the WEDWay PeopleMover and was an “E” Ticket attraction, but was changed to a “D” Ticket in Fall 1976 It was originally sponsored by the Edison Electrical Institute The original ride was narrated by Jack Wagner and ran from 1975 - 1985 and the Edison Electrical Institute sponsorship also ended He is famous for the various announcements over the park PA, for parades, special events, etc. He also did voice work for the Walt Disney World Resort, and for the attractions themselves, including instructions, emergency precautions, and safety spiels. Because of the prevalence of his voice over the park, his nickname was "The Voice of Disneyland". "Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas." Jack Wagner co-arranged the updated soundtrack for the Main Street Electrical Parade, used in various iterations of the parade from 1977 to 2009. Wagner was inducted as a Disney Legend posthumously in 2005. The narration was changed in 1985 and ran until 1994 It was narrated by ORAC-1, the commuter computer The narration was changed with the retheming of Tomorrowland in June 1994. It was narrated by Peter Renaday. The name was changed to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and it was the MetroLiner Blue Line The narration was changed once again in October 2, 2009 to the current spiel by Mike Brassell, which harkens back to the ORAC-1 spiel and tone The lighting system was also changed to color changing LEDs August 5, 2010, the name changed to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover In 2013, the Progress City model was refurbished, the first time since 1975 In February 1974, WED created the Community Transport Services division to promote the WedWay in real world situations The first proposal was in 1976 for the then new WDW Village A new enclosed car design would be able to travel inclines It would offer on demand cars to a specified destination The route would service the shopping village, the hotel plaza, and a proposed office park A monorail from the Epcot area would meet an aerial station straddling Buena Vista Drive The monorail would run down the central median with the WedWay crossing at a lower level The multi level station would have escalator, elevator and stair access From the station, the WedWay would form a continuous loop line around the WDW Village Another change was this system had spur station tracks so moving cars could pass other cars parked at stops The SunTrust Bank was the only part of the office plaza built and the project quietly died. The original plans of Epcot had WedWay in 1975 and 1976 Communicore was built to take an elevated Wedway track; that’s why it’s two stories tall In July 1979, the Houston Airport agreed to purchase a WedWay system to link the terminals and hotel It opened in September, 1981 The Community Transport Services division was sold to Bombardier Bombardier installed a WedWay system that links the US Capitol to the Dirksen and Hart buildings in 1993 

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover - WEDWay

 Released 10/15/20 Contactless Security at the Disney Parks PeopleMover refurbishment extended again Disneyland is still closed Disney has laid off 28,000 cast members Chapek says that WDW parks capacity is at 25% Construction continues at Epcot Electric Umbrella stories  Wolfgang Puck Express closes permanently at Disney Springs All four Disney Cruise Line ships are in the same port for the first time ever in France https://insidethemagic.net/2020/10/france-disney-cruise-line-fleet-rwb1/ Glenn’s Pick of the Week "Boundless Realm: Deep Explorations Inside Disney's Haunted Mansion" by Foxx Nolte https://amzn.to/3j2GH5M Passport to Dreams Old and New http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/ 

What Is Going On at Disney? Layoffs, Park Crowds, Disneyland Still Closed. Is It Still Fun?

 Released on 10/4/20 Glenn’s Trip to WDW DHS Parking Toll booth Rise of the Resistance boarding group Lunch at Ronto Roasters ($12.95/roaster, $4/coke) $72 RotR Mickey’s Runaway Railway Blue milk vs green milk ($34) Slinky Dog Dash Also: Star Tours, RnRC, ToT MK Castle color Cavalcades Boo to you Villains Princesses Nightmare Before Christmas Cadaver Dans SM, Buzz, HM, Splash, Tiki, Pecos Bills ($63), BTMRR, CBJ, Dole Whip ($22) Emporium, Peter Pan, Mad Tea, Carousel of Progress, SM Cost: Two day tickets with no park hopping: $1004 Hotel: $320 + $97 = $415 for three nights Parking = $50 Souvenirs = $289 Disney meals = $191 Other Meals = $80 Trip total = $2029 

DizWiz's trip to WDW! Rise of the Resistance! Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway! Magic Kingdom! Bye, bye, Money!

 Released on 8/20/20 School is starting! Cherry Coke Energy drink Coke + Coffee drink coming out Will Club Cool be replaced at Epcot? Epcot A new Monorail Mark X attraction in the new Play Pavilion??? New Monorail book is being released: "The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky" https://amzn.to/32cHvyl Imaginerding’s review: http://www.imaginerding.com/2020/08/12/disney-monorail-book-preview/ Tom Bricker’s post: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-news-monorail-attraction-plummeting-numbers-dining-changes/ Installation of new Pylons at the Epcot main entrance! Chris started watching “Hamilton”…and hasn’t finished watching it yet. He’s exhausted from watching Act I. Show recommendations: "High Score" on Netflix “The Speed Cubers” also on Netflix “Mr. Robot” - excellent show, but Glenn didn’t like the ending. Somebody please explain it to him... Why does Disney keep the Pixar brand? Why not fold it into WD Animation? Chris has a surprise history topic to cover…Magic Shops at Disney Parks! Original Magic Shop Disneyland opening day Merlin’s Magic Shop in Fantasyland Taylor & Hume Merv Taylor  worked with cutting edge materials and had an interest in Magic Opened a shop in Hollywood Merv Taylor was asked by Walt Disney Steve Martin worked in the shop for 3 years http://www.charactercentral.net/L996_DisneyCharacters_DisneylandResort_Disneyland_MainStreetMagicShop.aspx# Moved to Main Street - Main Street Magic Shop 1957 Original stayed open until Merlin’s closed in 1983 Where the confectionary is at WDW. Same cast member demonstrations. The July 28, 1977 issue of the Disneyland Line employee newsletter described the “quaint, cozy specialty shop” where “Shelf upon mysterious shelf filled with such oddities as joy buzzers, garlic taffy, dribble glasses and rubber masks attract the wandering eyes of visitors to the shop 2009 takeover by Houdini’s Magic Shop (private operator) Chain Vegas WDW - House of Magic 1971 As its Disneyland precursor had, the House of Magic sold cards, hand tricks, masks, puzzles, and “gags.” Cast members bantered as they performed various hand magic and demonstrated products for sale. Closed 1995. 2017 returned to original facade. Tokyo Part of World Bazaar Disneyland Paris https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-us/shops/disneyland-park/merlin-l-enchanteur/?CMP=ILC-DPFY20Q1wo1107190053A is Merlin l’Enchanteur Tucked away in Sleeping Beauty Castle Magic themed but not magic tricks. Hong Kong Similar to DLP “Merlin’s Treasures” 

The Episode of Magic

 Released on 7/9/20 New Cinderella Castle color Disney World started Cast Member previews on 7/7 Starting to see photos and videos of what it’s going to be like at the parks Resuming 2020 ticket and resort sales on 7/9 Some changes: need reservation to enter park with ticket, no park hopping, no FastPass+, no dining plans No more manual bag check; will be done by walking through a new AI security screening system https://blogmickey.com/2020/07/massive-changes-coming-to-disney-world-theme-park-bag-check-experience/ College Program has been suspended indefinitely NBA and MLS will play remainder of seasons at Disney World How will the other sports fare this fall? Baseball and Football Auto racing is back! Off Disney: talking about school for kids this fall https://nyti.ms/3ggPKir Thoughts about Disney World opening right now Watch “Hamilton!” ?  

Disney World is Reopening!

 Released on 6/20/20 A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow? WDW’s 25th Anniversary A little personal history from each of us related to the 1996-1997 timeline 25th Anniversary Celebration on 10/1/96 Including Michael Eisner, Roy E Disney, and First Lady Hillary Clinton — Coke Corner interlude — Brought to you by Coke Energy…with caffeine, B-vitamins and the most guarana ever! Castle cake Disney Magazine Fall 1996 description Remember the Magic parade 1st disney parade that stopped and had guests join the dancing Illuminations 25 25th Anniversary Banners Disney’s Music from the Park Books How the World Began Imagineers WDW Explorer CD What will 50th Celebration be like? Thoughts on the logo Per Chris, MK was open until Midnight every night during the 25th Anniversary Per the 1997 Official Guide to WDW, “The Magic Kingdom keeps later hours through the end of 1997 to honor Walt Disney World’s 25th anniversary.” - myth confirmed! The poor paint jobs on Cinderella Castle https://attractionsmagazine.com/cinderella-castle-rose-gold-update-nearly-complete-magic-kingdom/ Ticket price comparison between 1996 and today 

Remembering Disney World's 25th Anniversary and the Castle Cake

 Recorded on 5/27/20 Chris’ office organization Coke Energy WDW Opening July 11 - MK and AK July 15 - EP and DHS I Hanker for a Hunka Cheese commercial https://youtu.be/4xRv9ZQOCPo Chuck Wagon commercial https://youtu.be/TTx_fwP1-pw 

Disney World is Opening in July! Too Early? Too Late? Time to Discuss...

 Recorded on 5/1/20 Special Guest Casey Liss Co-host of Accidental Tech Podcast https://atp.fm/ Co-host of Analog(ue) https://www.relay.fm/analogue/ iOS App Developer of Vignette https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vignette-update-contact-pics/id1455924925 Website https://www.caseyliss.com/ Casey joins us to speculate about when Walt Disney World might open Stories referenced during the discussion: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/wdw-reopening-update-orange-county-defers-to-disney-florida-announces-phase-1/ - a good summary of the current situation https://wdwnt.com/2020/04/orange-county-task-force-establishes-initial-guidelines-for-walt-disney-world-reopening-guest-spacing-wiping-vehicles-etc-mayor-believes-june-reopening-realistic/ - a little more detail of orange county's guidelines https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2020/04/28/southwest-airlines-ceo-travel-wont-resume-until-country-reopens/3038342001/ - comments from Southwest Airlines CEO https://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-is-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-analyst-warns-parks-may-not-open-until-january-2020-04-20 - UBS analyst John Hodulik's prediction that the parks won't open until 2021 https://thedisneyblog.com/2020/04/30/new-opinion-poll-spells-trouble-for-disneys-business-model/?platform=hootsuite - poll on the public's willingness to get back out in public before a vaccine is available. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-world-disneyland-reopening-outlook-pandemic-trnd/index.html What will reopened parks look like? https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-disney-focus/long-lines-lots-of-kids-and-plenty-to-touch-how-does-disney-reopen-its-parks-idUSKBN22D53X - more on the reopening projection https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/houston-billionaire-rockets-fertitta-coronavirus-15235646.php - Interview with Landry's Restaurants CEO about opening up with just a fraction of the customers. https://people.com/health/air-conditioning-coronavirus-spreader-9-people-infected-at-restaurant/ - air conditioner spreading Coronavirus Questions for Casey: If you had an hour to spend in the park right now, what would you do? Coke or Pepsi? Casey’s questions for Glenn and Chris What is the most overrated restaurant in WDW? https://threekidsthreecatsandahusband.com/best-restaurants-disney-world/  

When will Walt Disney World reopen? Special guest Casey Liss joins us to discuss

A podcast (mostly) about Disney, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland but honestly, we nerd out on anything--tech, photography, cars, books, music, etc. Have a listen.

hubhopper

Starport75 - A Disney Podcast

hubhopper