Had a Magical Day

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Co-hosts Scott and Andrea share their favorite memories of Disney theme parks by tackling a single area of the park experience each episode, like "Favorite Rides" or "Best Festivals". Come gain valuable insights and tips into making great memories in the parks by listening to them share their experiences.

Scott Oddo


    • Feb 4, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 47 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Had a Magical Day

    Episode 43 - Deep Dive - Monorail

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2024 29:04


    In this episode we do a deep dive into the Disney Monorails. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about the monorails - how they were created, the design changes and lots of fun facts.

    Episode 42: ParkNews January 19, 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 16:58


    The latest Disney Parks News as of January 19, 2024. Get the latest on After Hour Events, upcoming ride closures and the Festival of the Arts.

    Episode 41: All the Rides in Magic Kingdom in 1 Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 21:54


    Scott describes how he did all the rides in one day at Magic Kingdom and gives tips on how you can maximize your ride fun at Magic Kingdom or any Disney park without running around like crazy. Also, realized I made a mistake in the podcast. The magic hours are now just 30 minutes before the park opens not one hour.

    Episode 40: Park News December 21, 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 12:56


    The latest Disney Parks news as of December 21, 2023. Which rides are shutting down for renovations? The latest in changes to the reservation system and park hoppers and more.

    Episode 39: Christmas 2023 with Annemarie

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2023 26:01


    We welcome back Annemarie Gang from Vacations with Character to tell us about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas and other holiday happenings right now (2023) at Disney World in Florida.

    Episode 38: Disney Travel Agent Annmarie

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 26:15


    Our friend and Disney Travel Agent Annmarie tells what a Disney Travel agent does, how much they cost (spoiler alert - they're free!) and gives us an update on the latest park happenings.

    travel agents disney travel disney travel agent
    Episode 37: How to plan your Disney trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2022 52:42


    We share our experiences at WDW and the Polynesian in August 2022 and give lots of tips on how to plan your Disney trip to get the most out of your vacation. Also, we review some events and restaurants, including Victoria & Albert's.

    Episode 36: Hotels With Magic Hours

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 32:19


    We do a side by side comparison of all hotels off property that qualify for Magic Hours. We also do a quick review of on property hotels and take a look at some cheap off property options with no Magic Hours.

    Episode 35: Deep Dive - Carousel of Progress

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 29:54


    In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Carousel of Progress - how the idea evolved, how the technology works and why it is an important part of Disney history.

    Episode 34: Disneyland History with Dave DeCaro

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 48:44


    We had a fun chat with artist and Disney historian Dave DeCaro talking about the early days of Disneyland, his favorite rides and some forgotten attractions like the Viewliner, Rocket to the Moon and the Circle Vision Theater, among others.

    Episode 33: Saving Money on a Disney Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2022 33:49


    On this episode Scott discusses ways to save money on a trip to Disney and covers several Disney specific programs - Annual Passes, Disney Vacation Club, D23 Fan Club and Disney Rewards Card.

    Episode 32: Deep Dive - Pirates of the Caribbean

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2022 23:35


    In this episode we discuss the creation of the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Everything you wanted to know about the ride, plus the latest news from Disney parks.

    Episode 31: Claude Coats - Walt Disney's Imagineer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 53:21


    Disney animator and author David Bossert joins us to discuss his new book about imagineer Claude Coats - the man responsible for iconic rides like Peter Pan, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.

    Episode30: Disney Trips with a Large Family or Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 28:40


    Our friend Bob joins us to talk about traveling to Disney with a large family. He shares some fun memories and good tips to make the most of your trip with a large family or group.

    Episode 29: Behind the Scenes - VIP Tours

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 52:00


    This week our guest David Marquez tells us about the years he spent doing VIP tours at Disneyland for celebrities like Anna Nicole Smith and Nicolas Cage. Get the inside scoop on Club 33 and the life of a VIP tour guide at Disneyland.

    Episode 28: Deep Dive - The Haunted Mansion

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2022 30:22


    What makes the Haunted Mansion one of the most beloved rides at Disney World and Disneyland? Find out everything you wanted to know about the Haunted Mansion in this episode.

    Episode 27 - Disney World Tours and Events

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2022 35:15


    Looking for ideas to make a trip to Disney World extra special? Then give this episode a listen. Scott and Andrea discuss tours and events at Walt Disney World - Wild Africa Trek, Keys to the Kingdom, Fireworks Dessert Parties and many others.

    Episode 26: Disney's California Adventure

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 32:12


    Boston comedian Dan Crohn joins us to talk about a recent trip to Disney's California Adventure and his lifelong love of Disney Parks.

    Episode 25: Disney Halloween

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 35:16


    In this episode, our friends Etrane and ChiChi tells us about their experience celebrating Halloween at Disney World.

    Episode 24: A Disney Wedding

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 24:03


    What's it like to get married at Disney World? Our friend Marily tells us about the most magical day of all at Disney World - a Disney wedding!

    Episode 23: DestinationD23 - Celebrating WDW's 50th

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 27:24


    Scott reports live from Destination D23 at the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World. Get the latest scoop on park updates around the world and get Scott's impression of the Destination D23 event and his experience using the new Genie+ fast pass system.

    Episode 22: 1964 World's Fair and the birth of Disney World

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 48:15


    Our friend Gary Sohmers rejoins us to discuss the 1964 World's Fair in NY and how Disney used it to test out ideas that made Disney World a huge success in 1971, 50 years ago.​

    Episode 21: Disney Special Needs

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 33:03


    What is it like to visit Disney when you have a family member with special needs? Our friend Lakis tells us how to get the most out of Disney disability access and how to work with Disney guest services to ensure that everyone in your party has a magical day.

    disney special needs disney special
    Episode 20: A Modern Family's First Disney Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2021 31:43


    Our friend Brian tells us what it was like to go to Disney World with his ex and their child. It was the first trip to Disney for his son and his ex. He has great travel advice for couples of any kind. And of all our guests Brian does the best job of capturing the joy of a Disney vacation.

    Episode 19: CedarPoint

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 24:58


    In this episode Andrea tells us about her family's trip to Cedar Point this summer. Cedar Point is famous for its roller coasters. Find out what Andrea liked and didn't like about it and how it compares to Disney.

    Episode 18: Working at Innovations

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 39:27


    Ever wonder what it would be like to work at an attraction as a cast member? In this episode, our friend Mike tells us what it was like to work at Innovations in Epcot as part of their college intern program. He loved it there and has some great stories to to tell.

    Episode 17: Hotels Outside Disney

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 27:11


    We previously did an episode about hotels on Disney property and now Scott and Andrea are back to tell you about some less expensive options for hotels just outside of Disney World. They cover something for every budget.

    Episode 16: Disney Parades

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 42:24


    Who doesn't love a parade? This week we are joined by Ken Reid of the TV Guidance Counselor podcast to talk about Disney parades on TV and in the parks.

    tv disney parades ken reid tv guidance counselor
    Episode 15: Behind the Scenes - Disney Finance

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 43:58


    Ever wonder what it would be like to work behind the scenes at Disney? What are the perks? What are the challenges? In this episode, we talk to our friend Michael who worked in finance for Disney Resorts. Find out what it was like and how Michael helped developed one of the most popular events at the Grand Floridian.

    Episode 14: All Rides in One Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 30:31


    Is it possible to go on all the rides in all 4 Disney World parks in one day? People have claimed to have done it. Scott says "No way!" but Andrea thinks it can be done. Find out if it can be done and learn some tips if you decide to try it yourself.

    Episode 13: LostRides

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2021 36:21


    In this episode, Andrea and Scott discuss popular park rides that were retired and no longer exist in the parks. Hear about the rides that have gone to the great theme park in the sky and how their spirit lives on in existing rides and subtle tributes.

    Episode 12: Engaged at Disney

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 37:05


    What's it like getting engaged at Disney World? Find out as we talk to Crystal who tells us how her husband proposed to her at Disney World.

    Episode 11: Disney Hotels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021 32:34


    In this episode, Scott and Andrea discuss hotels on Disney World property that they have stayed at. Which ones are the best? What are some of the differences between the hotels? Find out which hotel is right for you before your next trip.

    Episode 10: Gary SohmersPt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 32:13


    Part 2 of our interview with Gary Sohmers of Antiques Roadshow. We talk about Disney Parks memorabilia and Gary's role in the creation of the pin collection craze.

    Episode 9: Parks Memorabilia w Gary Sohmers Pt1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2021 31:39


    Gary Sohmers from Antiques Roadshow joins us to talk about Disney Parks memorabilia and the history of Disney merchandising. He also has an incredible story about the original prospectus for Disneyland

    Episode 8: Disney Cruise

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 28:12


    This week Andrea tells us about her trip on the Disney Cruise with her daughter. Hear about their adventures on the high seas - the food, the entertainment and being a pirate for a day. A Disney Cruise has something for everyone.

    Episode 7: Anti-Disney

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 28:47


    For most of us, Disney Parks are the happiest place on earth. But there are some people who hate all things Disney, like our friend Julie who has been to the park a few times and still doesn't like it. What is it about Disney Parks that she doesn't like? Will we be able to convert her to a Disney Park fan? Will we charge her $200 for analyzing her problems? Find out in our latest episode.

    Episode 6: Universal vs Disney Parks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 37:59


    This week we compare Universal Studios theme parks to Disney theme parks. Obviously, you know which one we like best but we try to be fair. Find out what we like about Universal and how it stacks up to Disney and where we feel it falls short.

    Episode 5: Disneyland vs Disney World

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 29:33


    Disneyland vs Disney World - what are the similarities, what are the differences. Disney World is bigger but does that mean it's better? Listen to Andrea and Scott talk about what they like about each park and what makes each park special.

    Episode 4: Families vs Singles

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2021 18:21


    Are Disney Parks meant to be only for families and single people are ruining the family experience? Or is it just as much for singles but families are clogging up the works with all their strollers? This was a hot topic on twitter a few weeks back but unlike social media maybe Andrea and Scott will find a sensible middle ground

    Episode 3b: Food and Wine Festival

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 24:48


    This is a bonus episode from the archives where we talk about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Listen to the mouth watering descriptions of dishes from a past festival to get a taste of what it is like to attend without ruining any of the surprise at this year's festival. Warning: this episode may cause drooling

    Episode 3: Disneyland Paris

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2021 29:41


    In this episode, Andrea tells us about a magical time she and her family had at Disneyland Paris during Christmas.

    Episode 2i: DisneySea

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 22:24


    In this episode we talked to our friend Jere about his trip to Tokyo and his visit to the Disney Sea theme park. Every Disney theme park is little different but Disney Sea may be the most unique. Find out what it is like from Jere.

    tokyo disneysea every disney
    Episode 2: Pandemic Disney

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 30:52


    In this episode Andrea and Scott discuss what it was like to visit Walt Disney World during the Pandemic

    Episode 1i: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 22:43


    Randy Williams tells us about a magical day he had with his wife and son at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. If you've ever thought about going to this event listen to this episode and find out what makes it so special. And if you've already gone, relive your memories by listening to Randy's story.

    Episode 1b: Scott's Magical Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 13:51


    Scott describes a magical day when he had the Magic Kingdom all to himself for one hour, along with some other memories. He also describes the original intent of the podcast. The episodes now alternate between people describing a magical day they had at the parks and Scott and Andrea tackling one topic of interest related to the parks.

    Episode 1: Favorite Rides

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 28:49


    Andrea and Scott and guests share their favorite Disney Park memories. It's like taking a mini-vacation in the middle of your day. And it might give you ideas for your next trip. In this episode, Andrea and Scott talk about their favorite rides.

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