The Wdw Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. Thank you for tuning in once again. This is Show #42 for the week of November 25, 2007. This week, I will once again look at the news from Walt Disney World, as well as visit the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, with updates on FASTPASS, Spaceship Earth and the Wonders of Life pavilion. In my continuing efforts to help you plan and make the most out of your Walt Disney World vacation, I want to introduce you to a new product and service that can help you do just that. John VanMeter, the owner of OwnersLocker.com, joins me to talk about his new service, and how it can help you and your family on upcoming visits. In honor of Mickey's recent 79th birthday, Jeff Pepper and I take a trip aboard my Walt Disney World Wayback Machine to visit none other than the appropriately-titled "Mickey’s Birthdayland" in the Magic Kingdom. I'll answer more of your emails, including questions about the Dining Plan, holiday decorations at the resorts, the

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #41 for the week of November 18, 2007. Happy birthday, Mickey Mouse! News from Walt Disney World this week includes information about a new character meal that just opened, as well as a new Princess at the Disney-MGM Studios. Speaking of dining, I'm joined by a listener who was able to experience the opening day of the Yak & Yeti Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom as we get a full, first-hand review of the venue, including discussions of the décor, story, menu, service, shopping and more. Join me as we take another trip aboard my Walt Disney World Wayback Machine to 1982, where we look at an attraction that had the whole town cookin'. Prepare to start singing "Veggie Veggie, Fruit Fruit", as Jeff and I take a detailed look at The Land’s extinct attraction, Kitchen Kabaret. We announce the winner of contest #9 of the Walt Disney World Marathon Challenge Contest, and Iron Mike Scopa joins Eric Hollister in present

Welcome to The WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #40 for the week of November 11, 2007. I'm back from an abbreviated trip aboard the Disney Magic with not only some news and rumors from Walt Disney World, but some fun, exclusive audio from the trip. I had the chance to interview Captain Tom Forberg, Captain of the Disney Magic, to find out what it’s like to command the flagship of the Disney Cruise Line Fleet, learn more about the two new ships being built for the DCL. The group that I put together was also given a private tour of the bridge with the Captain, where I recorded some of the questions and answers about this fascinating ship. The Captain's assistant also spoke with me about her position at the Captain's side, and what life is like aboard the Magic. Jonathan Dichter is back with another Voices Behind the Magic segment, and of course, I'll answer more of your emails. So as always, sit back, relax and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #39 for the week of November 4, 2007. This week, we have a slightly shorter show, as circumstances have prevented me from being able to cover the news and rumors this week. But that's OK, as this week I have a few segments that I think you'll enjoy: First, Steve Barrett, our resident Hidden Mickeys expert, joins me once again to talk about what's new and notable in the world of Hidden Mickeys, and asks you to vote on some questionable ones. In my Legends of Disney interview series, I am pleased to welcome Bill "Sully" Sullivan to the show, as he and I sit down to talk about his fairy tale beginnings with the Disney Company, to his rise in the organization and various roles in Walt Disney World. He reminisces about working for and with Walt Disney, and shares some memorable stories about his amazing experiences through his 38 year career. Eric Hollister and I also have our 8th winner in the WDW Half Marathon Challenge C

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #38 for the week of October 28, 2007. We're going to have a lot of fun this week with some segments to help celebrate the Halloween season, all backed with some fun Disney sounds effects, audio clips and music. First, well, the news from Walt Disney World may not be spooky, but we'll talk about Disney's efforts to help the victims of the Southern California wildfires, the new look coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios, and more. And maybe our trip to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill isn't all that scary, either, but there are some interesting developments to cover. Things get a little creepier as Tim Foster and I take a fun-filled look at the Top 10 Spookiest Moments in Walt Disney World. And then, just when you thought Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party wouldn't be scary, we look at a character connection to examine a man whose face is legendary - because it isn't there - The Headless Horseman. Jeff and I look at his

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #37 for the week of October 21, 2007. This week's show is going to begin as always with News from around Walt Disney World before we head on over to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, where there are a lot of very interesting and major rumors to discuss, including updates on Spaceship Earth, Space Mountain, Imagination, the FASTPASS system, two Future World pavilions, and rumored new attractions based on the Little Mermaid and Cars. We take another trip aboard my Walt Disney World Wayback Machine, as Jeff and I explore another extinct attraction from the Magic Kingdom. This week, it's all about flying, because we explore the history, trivia, and complete journey aboard If You Had Wings. We'll also look at its replacements, including Delta’s Dreamflight and more. It’s a lot of fun and will likely bring back some old memories. The next Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenge contest starts this week, and the questions an

Welcome to The WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #36 for the week of October 14, 2007. I have just a few pieces of news from Walt Disney World before we take a look at the next of the 7 Wonders of Walt Disney World. Once again, it’s something you really can't see or touch, but is something that definitely belongs on this list. We will announce the winner of our latest Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenge contest, and then I will answer a number of your vacation planning-related emails, this time with the help of Pam Forrester, our travel expert and co-owner of The Magic For Less Travel. I'll also play more of your voicemails at the end of the show, so as always, please sit back, relax enjoy this week’s episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #35 for the week of October 7, 2007. I am back from WDW and what undoubtedly one of my most memorable experiences ever at the resort. The celebration of Epcot’s 25th Anniversary was even better than expected and this week, I’m going to share some of those experiences with you through a recap with Jeff Pepper, as well as through some exclusive, private interviews. Some of my very special guests include Disney Legends Marty Sklar, Dave Smith and Charles Ridgway, as well as Epcot’s Vice President Jim MacPhee, and Michael and Lowell, two of Disney’s official Ambassadors. Other guests will include a former Disney Imagineer who helped build EPCOT Center; Adam Roth and the other co-founders of the Celebration 25 fan event, Deb Wills, and a number of other authors, podcasters and fans who felt it was important to be present on this historic day. Each share their own personal insights and stories about working to help create Epco

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #34 for the week of September 30, 2007. This is a very special edition of the WDW Radio Show for a number of reasons. First, the content of this week's show will be a little different, as there won’t be any news or rumors this week, partially 25th anniversary of Epcot, and I am going down to participate in Celebration 25, the two-day event special guest. I am thrilled to be able to share with you my exclusive one-on-one interview with Jim MacPhee, Vice President of Epcot, and person who obviously has played an incredibly important part in the events, as well as recent changes to Epcot. I will announce the winner of the last Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenge and give you the clues for the next challenge, which of course, will be all about EPCOT Center. In recent episodes of the show we took a very detailed look at the Journey Into Imagination pavilion and attraction, and former Disney Imagineer Steve Kirk joined

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #33 for the week of September 23, 2007. There isn't a lot of Walt Disney World News this week, but we'll talk about the upcoming Epcot Rededication ceremony and what Disney has planned, as well as a new place to meet Captain Jack Sparrow, as well as some dining venue news. Jeff Pepper will join me as we get ready to celebrate Epcot's 25th Anniversary and this week, instead of a detailed look at a single attraction or pavilion, we are going to look at some of Epcot's best - specifically "Epcot's 25 Best of the Best" showcasing some of the very best Epcot has (and had) to offer. We'll look at another of Walt Disney World’s Hidden Treasures this week, which can also be found in Epcot. Gary Chambers from the MouseLounge podcast will come along for this fun freebie for kids and adults alike. I still have a lot of your emails that I'll get to and will play more of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax en

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #32 for the week of September 16, 2007. Not a lot of Walt Disney World News this week, but we have a lot of listeners who called in from the Magic Kingdom to give us their first-hand impressions of the Haunted Mansion, which opened up after a length refurbishment this week. We'll also have some updated information about the Leave a Legacy tiles in Epcot, and just a couple of rumors in the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, as it's been a very quiet week on the news and rumors front. Adam Roth, co-founder of the Celebration 25 event honoring Epcot's 25th anniversary next month will join me as we reveal the schedule of events for the Sunday and Monday, and details about what else is taking place as we join Disney at this historic event. It's something that I will be attending and sponsoring, and am really excited about. Jeff Pepper will join me as always continue with our Epcot Retrospective / DSI: Disney Scene Investigation s

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #31 for the week of September 9, 2007. In Walt Disney World News this week, we'll look at some exciting new things happening with pin trading, some interesting new patent applications filed by Disney that just may be bringing about some changes to the FASTPASS system, some Playhouse Disney concerts and more. In the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, we'll see what’s going on over at the Haunted Mansion as more details emerge, stop by Tomorrowland and see what may be coming to Space Mountain and the rumored new E-Ticket attraction, talk about Disney and Apple and lots more. This week, Jeff Pepper and I are going to do a very different kind of DSI: Disney Scene Investigation, as we take a look at the story and details not behind an attraction or pavilion, but a resort hotel. We will not only review the hotel, its amenities, dining options and rooms, but look at the details and hidden treasures that make it an attraction in and

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #30 for the week of September 2, 2007. There is a lot of Walt Disney World News this week, including updates on the O, Canada! show, Disney's Pin Celebration 2007, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, changes to the reservations system and more. And if you enjoy some of the news, you’re going to love this week’s visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, as it is packed with some very interesting tidbits, including what’s going on backstage at the Wonders of Life pavilion, what’s going on onstage at the ABC Theater, High School Musical and it’s connection to the Hunchback of Notre Dame, surprises in store at the Imagination pavilion, what to expect when Spaceship Earth reopens, the possibility of a new E-Ticket attraction and so much more. Lots of breaking rumors here with some interesting facts to back much of them up, so be sure to listen in! Last week as part of our EPCOT Retrospective series we profiled the Imagination pav

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #28 for the week of August 19, 2007. I have just a few items to cover in the News and Views from Walt Disney World, before we take a quick visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill. Join me and Disney artist Jason Zucker as we visit a true Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World. Then, Eric Hollister announces the winner of this week's WDW Half Marathon Challenge Contest and gives you the clues to the next challenge with the help of Mike Scopa, who also provides some marathon training advice. We'll conduct another DSI: Disney Scene Investigation as Jeff Pepper and I take a look at the Echo Lake area of the Disney-MGM Studios, and we discuss the real reasons why the Sorcerer's Hat won’t be going anywhere soon. I will answer a number of your emails and play some of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call t

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #28 for the week of August 19, 2007. I have just a few items to cover in the News and Views from Walt Disney World, before we take a quick visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill. Join me and Disney artist Jason Zucker as we visit a true Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World. Then, Eric Hollister announces the winner of this week's WDW Half Marathon Challenge Contest and gives you the clues to the next challenge with the help of Mike Scopa, who also provides some marathon training advice. We'll conduct another DSI: Disney Scene Investigation as Jeff Pepper and I take a look at the Echo Lake area of the Disney-MGM Studios, and we discuss the real reasons why the Sorcerer's Hat won’t be going anywhere soon. I will answer a number of your emails and play some of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call t

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #27 for the week of August 12, 2007. Let's start off as always with News and Views from Walt Disney World, including of course the big change coming to the Studios. Our visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill will include some possible extra extra magic hours and an old favorite in Epcot possibly reopening later this year. I am also going to introduce the first in a recurring series entitled, Legends of Disney Imagineering. My first guest certainly qualifies to bear that title and introduction. He is George McGinnis, who played a large part in the creation of the Mark VI monorail, Space Mountain, Horizons, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and countless other attractions and vehicles in Walt Disney World. In this exclusive, one-on-one interview, Mr. McGinnis shares stories of being personally hired by Walt Disney, the triumphs and challenges in creating such attractions as the WEDWay PeopleMover, Space Mountain, Communicore

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #26 for the week of August 5, 2007. Thank you for tuning in once again. We'll start off this week as always with a ton of News and Views from Walt Disney World, including changes to ticket prices, Food and Wine, holiday special events, closures and rehabs, Haunted Mansion news, new watercraft now available, as well as breaking news on changes to packages coming in 2008. Our trip to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, includes rumored new events coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Disney-MGM Studios, as well as some rumors about River Country. This week's show also includes something a bit different, and I think a little extra special. I'm going to announce the next of the 7 Wonders of Walt Disney World, but this time, will discuss it with the help of some very special guests. We will have a roundtable discussion about what many of us believe is one of the most important of the 7 Wonders, and that is the music of Walt Disney World. I think this is something you

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #25 for the week of July 29, 2007. Thank you for tuning in once again. We'll start off this week as always with a lot News and Views from Walt Disney World, as well as our trip to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, which includes some rumored details about the Haunted Mansion refurb and upgrade. Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys series of books joins me on what will be a recurring segment on the show, where we talk about some new and interesting Hidden Mickeys, and ask for your help with some questionable ones as well. It's time to fire up the old Walt Disney World Wayback Machine once again, and this time Jeff and I visit an opening day extinct attraction that so many of us still miss and have fond memories of, and that is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Eric Hollister from GeoMouse.com will announce the winner to this week's Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenge, and Eric and Dan from MouseGuest.com join me as we talk about another of Walt Disney World's Hi

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show Disney podcast. This is Show #24 for the week of July 22, 2007. Thank you for tuning in once again. We'll start off this week with some News and Views from Walt Disney World, as well as a quick trip to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill. Next, Fred Block, founder of MagicMeets will join me as we recap the MagicMeets 2007 event. Grab your gear, as we’re going to do another Disney Scene Investigation, this time, into the deepest, darkest and dangerous of all of the queues in Walt Disney World - The Jungle Cruise. We'll look at the details, jokes, and wonderful references to characters, films and Imagineers that are subtly hidden throughout. And for this one, you'll need to use your ears as well as your eyes. I'll look at another Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World, and even a "treasure within a treasure", as I’m joined by Jason Zucker, Cast Member and Disney Artist as we introduce you to a true gem at the Disney-MGM Studios. I have been remiss in answering your emails only due

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #23 for the week of July 15, 2007, and thank you for tuning in once again. This week's show will be just a bit different, due to this weekend's MagicMeet, so there won't be any news or email due to when I had to record and get the show up, but I promise to make up for it next week as I already have a whole lot of news to cover, and tons of your emails to get through. My apologies again for the delay in getting them read on the air. But unlike last week's show with one detailed segment, there's a whole bunch of great topics to cover with plenty of special guests, including "Walt Disney World: Fact or Fiction?" with Cody Pepper, who proves the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and Hidden Treasures with Gary Chambers. This week's visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill is full of exciting and interesting rumors about the Disney-MGM Studios, Spaceship Earth, Space Mountain and more. In our Character Connection segment, Jeff Pepper and I talk about the Duck beh