The Wdw Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station

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

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #22 for the week of July 8, 2007. I'm your host Lou Mongello, and I want to thank you for tuning in once again. This week's News and Views from Walt Disney World segment starts off with confirmation of a long-standing rumor about Epcot, Animal Kingdom Villas, July 4th ceremonies, concerts, room rates and more. The Walt Disney World Rumor Mill is full of exciting news about Jedis, more character enhancements, new shows and a whole lot more. In honor of America's Independence Day, and the recent update to the pavilion, Jeff Pepper and I will conduct a very detailed Disney Scene Investigation of the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. We will cover the history of the pavilion, the show, story, technology backstage and onstage, the recent updates to the show, and the intangible qualities that make it one of the most moving experiences in any of Disney's theme parks worldwide. This segment will also include exclusive interviews with some of the peopl

Welcome to Show #21 of the WDW Radio Show for the week of July, 2007, and thanks for tuning in once again. I'm your host Lou Mongello, and I have a lot of fun segments planned for you this week. My visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill includes discussion and audio evidencing some possible big changes and improvements to the resort and ADR reservation systems, plenty of rumors from the Disney-MGM Studios, an abandoned venue, as well as a possible new addition to Cinderella Castle, and the Canada pavilion in World Showcase. Eric Hollister and I introduce the first of our Walt Disney World Marathon Contest challenges, and I announce the winner of our first "Where in the World Have You Seen This?" Contest. I announce the next in our 7 Wonders of Walt Disney World series - the Walt Disney World monorail, and discuss with Jeff Pepper its origins, technology, fun facts and intangible qualities that make it a true wonder. Fred Block's Magic Meet event is coming up soon, and once again he was kind enough to a

Welcome back and thanks for tuning in once again to the WDW Radio show. I'm your host Lou Mongello, and this is Show #20 for the week of June 24, 2007. News and Views from Walt Disney World includes additional information about the computers at the Contemporary Resort, the queue for Soarin', and a few updates. The Walt Disney World Rumor Mill covers topics such as Disney Dollars, the Wonders of Life pavilion and more. Jeff Pepper and I take a trip aboard my Walt Disney World Wayback Machine as we continue in our Epcot Retrospective series. This week, we journey back to 1982 and take a detailed look in and around Communicore. Tim Sampson joins me for another Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World, and for this one, we'll stay on Main Street, USA. I announce a new, interactive, and ongoing contest with the help of Eric Hollister that I think you'll enjoy, and one that will benefit the DisneyWorldTrivia.com Dream Team Project. Be sure to stay to the end for your voicemails, so sit back, relax and enjoy this w

Welcome back to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World information Station, hosted by Lou Mongello. Thanks for tuning in once again. This is Show #19 for the week of June 17, 2007. Our News and Views from Walt Disney World segment includes talk about the first change to the Haunted Mansion, and new handheld devices available in the parks. Our visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill includes a rumor about a possible corporate partnership and new retail location in Walt Disney World, and some nearly-news about the Contemporary Resort and BIG changes coming to resorts property-wide. This week's show will include some guests who will join me for some segments. First, Jeff Pepper and I conduct a detailed Disney Scene Investigation in Disney’s Animal Kingdom; and Gary Chambers from the MouseLounge podcast joins me to look at a Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World on Main Street, USA. I'll also take a quick look at the Year of a Million Dreams promotion, and update you on some of the statistics and fun fact

Welcome back to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World information Station, hosted by Lou Mongello. Thanks for tuning in once again. This is Show #18 for the week of June 10, 2007. We'll start off as always with some News and Views from Walt Disney World, where I talk about FASTPASS and Western Way. The Walt Disney World Rumor Mill is full of rumors from the Disney-MGM Studios which includes Star Tours, Halloween and more. I also have BREAKING rumors about changes to room rates and policies in 2008, changes at the Contemporary Resort, including more rumors about what the new tower building will be, and news about the Legendary Years at Pop Century. Jonathan Dichter has another Voices Behind the Magic segment, and Jeff Pepper sent in a solo Disney Scene Investigation of some creepy old crypts. Mike Scopa and I cover another Best of the Best at Walt Disney World. Once again, it revolves around food, and this time, it's the best "Bang for the Buck" meal on property, and it might not be where you’re think

Welcome back to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World information Station, hosted by Lou Mongello. Thanks for tuning in once again. This is Show #16 for the week of May 27, 2007. I'm back from Walt Disney World with my trip report and some wonderful information including some attraction and restaurant reviews, Cast Member stories, news and rumors, and some true "insider information" about something new coming to one of Walt Disney World's theme parks early next year. As this trip afforded me the chance to meet Jeff Pepper, whom you've heard on a number of segments with me, he will join me to talk about the trip and some of the experiences we shared along the way. There's a lot more to this report than just a summary of our trip, as we include our review of the Gran Fiesta Tour, a suggestion about how to possibly improve the ADR (Advanced Dining Reservations) system, some dining reviews, and introduce the first of a new "Hidden Treasures" segment, where we discuss the experience of an Illuminations Crui