Episoder
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by looking at the “Dark Universe” concept art that the Universal Orlando Resort just revealed. Then they wrap up their history of fireworks displays at Disneyland
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Who was Disney’s partner when it came to developing a compressed air-based launch system for its fireworks displays
When is work supposed to get underway on the refurbishment of WDW’s version of Big Thunder Mountain
Why do golf enthusiasts love the 18-hole putting green over at the Palm & Magnolia course
Where had the Imagineers originally wanted to build an Ursula-themed spinner at Disney California Adventure
What was the computer-controlled fireworks firing system that Harold “Mickey” Aronson designed for the Disney Parks called
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the operational issues that “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” continues to have during its preview period.
They also share listeners' theories about why WDW sit-down restaurants have seemed so empty lately
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
What changes have been made to the on-board narration for Disneyland’s Mark Twain
When will the revamped version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be opening at the Magic Kingdom in Florida
Who personally supervised the fireworks display over Seven Seas Lagoon back on October 23, 1971
What’s happening with WDW’s old “Pirates Leagues” facility
Why were the fast food restaurants & motels built around Disneyland back in the Late 1950s / early 1960s all clustered around the corner of Harbor & Katella
Show Notes
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Manglende episoder?
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the technical issues “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” has been facing during its Cast Member preview period.
They also take a look at the room décor for WDW Island Tower (i.e., that new DVC which will be opening right next to WDW’s Polynesian Village Resort on December 17th)
In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why would Owen & Dolly Pope always tour the corrals at Disneyland’s Circle D Ranch the mornings after fireworks had been shot off at Walt’s family fun park
When will Jollywood Nights be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year
How far back can the Disneyland tradition of a rope drop at the opening of the park be traced
Where did Disneyland management turn when it needed to recruit additional security officers to help man that theme park
Which Tomorrowland attraction back in the 1960s was able to handle 4000 Guests an hour
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the opening weekend of performances of “Disney Dreams That Soar.”
They then look back at how fireworks got started at Disneyland Park in the late 1950s
In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why Universal Orlando decided to change the name of Epic Universe’s racing coaster
When will work begin on the retheming of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Which musical acts is Universal Creative reportedly considering using as the jumping-off point for a maze at a future Halloween Horror Night
Why are dining reservations suddenly far easier to get at WDW’s sit-down restaurants
Where will road improvements soon begin on Disney World property
Show Notes
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Len Testa shares what it was like to watch Disney Springs’ new nighttime show from Saratoga Springs. Jim Hill then finishes his history of the miniature golf courses at the WDW Resort
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why do Disney execs really need to pay attention to what Jenny Nicolson shared throughout her four-hour-long “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” video
What makes the Bacchus hole at “Fantasia Gardens” so difficult for golfers
How long after the theme for “Winter Summerland” was selected did this miniature golf course open up right next door to Blizzard Beach
What did Tiger Woods have to say about “Fantasia Fairways”
Which buildings at Disney’s Saratoga Springs should offer the very best views of “Disney Dreams That Soar” (EDITOR’S NOTE: on the side facing Disney Springs Lake)
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing who gets to experience “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” when as part of that WDW attraction’s month-long grand opening event.
They then take a look at the interior of the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
What does Disney’s Hollywood Studios do when the IT system at the WDW Resort crashes
When might we see a second Taylor Swift concert film show up on Disney+
How did Jack Wrather deal with Disneyland being closed on Mondays & Tuesdays during that theme park’s off-season starting back in the late 1950s
What does the future hold for Magic Bands
Why is it very appropriate that the road directly behind the Disneyland Hotel is called Walnut Street
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about what happens next with Disneyland Forward now that the Anaheim City Council has officially approved this project. They also discuss what Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed at the Company’s most recent earnings call.
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How long will the WDW version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad be down for rehab
What’s interesting about Disney’s decision to extend the permit it had with the South Florida Water Management District for the area between Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge for another 5 years
Which moderate resort at WDW will be having its guest room refurbished now through November
What did Michael Eisner want to originally call the water thrill park that the Company first announced for Florida back in December of 1985
Who did Disney initially hire to write the screenplay for that Studio’s “Typhoon Lagoon” movie
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest news coming out about the Epic Universe project. They also talk about why Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a year-long refurbishment in the not-so-distant future
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which crime figure from the 1930s inspired Ma Beagle & the Beagle Boys
How is Fort Wilderness’ remote location reportedly impacting DVC sales for the cabins there
How many animated series featuring Disney’s “Stitch” character have been produced to date
How could the Beyond Big Thunder project potentially impact the Rivers of America at WDW’s Magic Kingdom
Which two living character initiative shows plowed the road for “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration”
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by congratulating Israel Perez & the team at WDW’s Victoria & Albert’s for the Michelin star they were just awarded.
They then welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a discussion of WDSP’s upcoming “Alice & the Red Queen: Back in Wonderland” show
For this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why – when WDW Cast Members finally get to preview “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” – they may come at this revamped flume ride from backstage
How far along is the “Disneyland Forward” project when it comes to Anaheim’s approval process
What’s interesting about that construction permit that just got pulled for Epcot’s “Journey into Imagination” pavilion
The “Frozen” star recently got the opportunity to try his hand at conducting on the Disneyland Railroad
Why – when it comes to updating and/or making significant changes to the African side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the Imagineers have very limited choices
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park project
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this year
What’s the name of the bay that the “World of Frozen” is built alongside at the theme park formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris
What price range is Universal reportedly considering when it comes to admission to its new kid-friendly park currently under construction in Bliss, TX
Why are the popcorn buckets sold at the Disney Parks in Anaheim & Tokyo so much nicer than the ones that are sold at the WDW Resort
How were the elephants dressed at the groundbreaking ceremony for Circus World back in April of 1973
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by deep-diving into the changes the Disney Parks are about to make to their DAS policy.
They also continue their look back at WDW’s Tomorrowland
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” has Ice-T appeared in to date
What were Disney Legend John Hench’s concerns about the version of World Showcase that was almost built next to WDW’s TTC
How long did it take the team at WDW’s Food Labs to create that translucent fruit that was served aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser”
When was Phase One of “Project Florida” originally supposed to end construction
How tall was Thunder Mesa (i.e., the table-top mountain that was supposed to house WDW’s “Western River Expedition” ride) supposed to be
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how the Shooting Gallery at WDW’s Magic Kingdom will soon close to become a DVC lounge. They also take a look back at Tomorrowland in this same theme park circa late 1971 / early 1972.
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which then-husband & wife team were originally supposed to play the leads in Disney’s never-produced “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” sequel
When does it appear that the Magic Kingdom will be opening its version of “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure”
Which “Avatar” film is the new experience that Bob Iger recently revealed was in the works for Disneyland in Anaheim supposed to be based on
What significant eco-friendly change is supposedly in the works for Florida’s version of Autopia
According to John Hench, which proposed WDW resorts were deliberately designed in such a way that they could then be seen from inside of the Magic
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the truce-of-sorts that’s recently been brokered between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District & Disney.
They also talk about the drone show that will debut at Disney Springs on May 24th
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which annual event – which is held over in Tampa – made the Imagineers hesitant to bring Disneyland’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride to Florida
Why is much of Epcot’s Morocco pavilion currently hidden behind construction fences
When did Walt Disney make his very last visit to the Studios that he & his brother Roy built in Burbank
What is Tiana asking Guests to help out with when they set sail on her “Bayou Adventure”
How did WDI upset the turkey vultures who frequent the WDW Resort
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the construction permits that just got filed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They then discuss the “Encanto” -themed show that will be presented in front of CommuniCore Plaza later this Summe
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What’s the difference between a Milky Way bar and Three Musketeers
Which Dinoland U.S.A. structures are supposed to survive this side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom being transformed into an “Encanto” -themed area
What toy line did Disney Consumer Products launch in the mid-2000s with the hope that it would then become a “Disney Princesses” -like success with little boys
Which “Clueless” star did Disney originally cast as Tinker Bell’s speaking voice
How did Tom Staggs alter Jay Rasulo’s original plans for the Fantasyland expansion that was first announced back in September of 2009
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Disney World’s latest ticket offer for Florida residents.
They’re then joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull who shares some behind-the-scenes stories
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What’s significant about the dates that WDW’s latest ticket offer is available for
Where is the control booth for DCA’s “Grizzly River Run” attraction located
Why are Universal Orlando officials so interested in learning where people plan on starting their next Florida vacation
Where was the NYC version of David Copperfield’s Magic Underground restaurant supposed to be located
What happens when you make the Cast Members who drive the monorail nervous
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who talks up the very best eats to be found at the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Len & Jim then take a closer look at Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea
On this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which attraction in Dreamworks Land will key off of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
Why are stores at the Disney theme parks still stocking “Monsters University” merch, more than a decade after this Pixar film was first released to theaters
Which hit Fox TV series from the 1990s is The Walt Disney Company reportedly considering reviving
When do young girls supposedly age out of being fans of the Disney Princess franchise
How soon after the first “Frozen” film first opened in theaters did the Oriental Land Company announce that it would be adding a land keying off of that Academy Award-winning animated feature to Tokyo DisneySea
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the WDW Resort revealed its hotel rates for 2025 months ahead of schedule. They then wrap up their series about the construction of Tomorrowland at Disneyland
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Where the math actually maths for WDW’s free-entry-into-the-water-parks-on-arrival-day offer
What’s different about the newly updated Tequila Experience at Epcot’s La Cava
Where did hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop for a bite as they’re flying back to Canada
When did the very first “Tomorrowland” -themed episode of the “Disneyland” TV show air during the first season of this ABC series
Which Disney animator handled the ID monster in MGM’s “Forbidden Planet”
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia”
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic World” movie
Why did the Imagineers insert all of those CG animals into “Soarin’ Around the World”
What was originally supposed to transport Disneyland visitors from the Hub all the way to the very back of that theme park’s “World of Tomorrow”
Where in World Celebration Gardens should you go if you want to do some people watching
When did Disneyland’s Junior Autopia get renamed the Fantasyland Autopia
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical Dreams
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time
Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney Cruise Line – you should always take the GYT
How close does the Ultidor system at the Magic Kingdom get to that theme park’s Tomorrowland Speedway
What was the difference between the construction materials that were used to build Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim back in 1955 versus the materials that were used to build a second version of this iconic structure at Hong Kong Disneyland
Why did LegCo turn down the opportunity to have a “Star Tours” attraction added to Hong Kong Disneyland in the 2010s
Show Notes
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations”
SHOW BREAKDOWN:
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” show
Which characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
What did the most recent earnings call reveal about attendance level & hotel room occupancy rates at the WDW Resort
How will Disney, taking a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, potentially impact the Company’s rivals in the themed entertainment business
Why would it have been a mistake to view the world premiere of “Illuminations” from the Norway pavilion back in late January 1988
Show Notes
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