Storybook Radio

This week, Mike joins me to have a cathartic conversation about my decision to cancel my Walt Disney World vacation due to Hurricane Dorian.  PSA - Mild language used in this episode.

Scott joins me again on Storybook Radio, and we discuss where you can find baseball at Walt Disney World, and in the wider Disney universe. We also just talk a lot about baseball, revving up for the new baseball season!

On Thursday night, Mike and I attended a speaking engagement by Disney Legend Bob Gurr! It was an awesome event, and we dissect it in this episode. 

Back in the saddle again after a long layoff! Thanks for sticking with us. This week, Mike joins me, and we talk about the attractions that we're thinking will still be around 50 years from now! Also, we can't come up with a better title for a fifth gate than Dwayne Johnson Park. Happy Canada Day and Fourth of July!

This week, I'm joined by another of the hosts of Three Sheets to the Mouse, Trenton. We discuss his favourite drinks and watering holes at Walt Disney World... and chat a little hockey, too.

For Episode 92, I'm joined by Scott Fahrney from the Three Sheets to the Mouse Podcast! Scott describes the Marvel Master Licensing Agreement, and how it applies to both Universal Studios Orlando and Walt Disney World – and just how Walt Disney World might be getting a little passive-aggressive about it. We also delve into what the Disney takeover of Fox means for the Disney Parks! Is Dana Scully a Disney Princess? Find out! Follow me on Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com. Join the conversation on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/groups/storybookradio.

For Episode 91, Kevin Kessler joins me and we dive into ride refurbishments and the attractions to which we said goodbye in 2017. We also talk about rides we'd love and hate to be stuck on! Follow me on Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com. Join the conversation on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/groups/storybookradio.

Storybook Radio closes out 2017 with a year-in-review episode, as I'm joined by Mike to talk about Disney, Star Wars (spoiler-free), and the Disney Parks. Happy New Year! Follow me on Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com. We also have a new Facebook Group! Head over to www.facebook.com/groups/storybookradio to see more content from this week's episode!

This week, I'm joined by Len Testa - the co-author of the Unofficial Guides to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, British Theme Parks and Las Vegas, as well as co-host of the WDW Today Podcast and The Disney Dish with Jim Hill, and President/Lead Researcher of TouringPlans.com. We go in-depth on what is to come at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, and we also talk a little about Walt Disney World's top-rated bars and entertainment options for adults. Follow me on Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com. We also have a new Facebook Group! Head over to www.facebook.com/groups/storybookradio to see more content from this week's episode!

In Episode 88, I look at the relationship between Pixar and Disney, how Pixar came to have such a strong presence in the theme parks, and where they go from here. Make sure you check me out on Facebook @storybookradio; Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com.

In Episode 87, I go into the history of Epcot to celebrate its 35th birthday, from its original concepts as a futuristic city where people would actually live and work, to its eventual birth as a theme park.

This week, back from the grave after a long hiatus, Mike and I delve into the goofier side of Halloween and Walt Disney World - where to hole up at Walt Disney World in the event of a zombie attack, a ghost attack, and an audio-animatronic attack!

This week, I delve into the history and tour of the Great Movie Ride, on the day that the iconic attraction comes to a close. Make sure you check me out on Facebook @storybookradio; Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com.

For Episode 84, Mike and I are back again, this time looking back at this weekend's D23 Parks and Resorts announcements. Not only do we discuss the announcements, we also discuss what wasn't announced, and what still might come to Walt Disney World!

For Episode 83, Mike and I discuss our favorite representations of the United State of America on Walt Disney World property!

This week, I pivot off of one of Storybook Radio's very first episodes, and go back in-depth on the Canada Pavilion at Epcot, providing much more of Canada's rich history as context for the design of the pavilion - all in honour of Canada's 150th birthday!

This week, I talk about the "fathers" of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well as my own personal thoughts on fatherhood at the Disney Parks.

Mike and I discuss his most recent trip, including a walk-through Pandora: World of Avatar during a soft-open, as well as visiting all four parks in one day.

This week, I'm joined by the author of "The Walt Disney World That Never Was", Christopher E. Smith. We delve into topics like Walt Disney's original vision for Epcot, and the grand plans for Disney's Animal Kingdom that never came to fruition. Chris can be found on Twitter @disneykidagain Make sure you check me out on Facebook @storybookradio; Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com. Answers for this week's trivia question should be sent to wdwstorybook@gmail.com (type your answer into the subject line!)

This week, I'm joined by White Dragon Podcast Network Grand Poobah Kevin Kessler (also, host of 2 Men and the Mouse, and author of the "Rosinanti" series), where we discuss his trip into Pandora: World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom! We also play some "Would You Rather?", and Kevin talks about the upcoming release of his second novel! Make sure you check me out on Facebook @storybookradio; Twitter @wdwstorybook, YouTube @storybookradio, and at www.storybookradio.com. Kevin's books can be found on amazon.com and amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kevin+kessler https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kevin+kessler

For want of other things to discuss, Mike and I talk about a bit of everything and anything this week, right up until my computer crashed and cut us off about 60 seconds away from the end of the episode! My apologies for the abrupt final seconds, but that's the way things go sometimes.

For Episode 76, I take a trip through various Walt Disney World and Universal Studios vacations to figure out just how much those vacations have permeated my day-to-day life! From taste and smell associations to being into the Disney spirit, I truly nerd out in this episode. As a bonus, I also chat about my experiences with the Free Dining promotion.

This week, Dino Institute intern Wally takes us on a historical tour of Dinoland USA.

A year ago, I did 3 episodes on a variety of Animal Kingdom topics - Imagineer Joe Rohde, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Disney Conservation Fund, and the histories of the fictional lands of Anandapur and Harambe. For this special "best of" episode, I combine all of those previous recordings into one episode for your enjoyment.  

I'm joined this week by Mike Rahlmann of the Be Our Guest Podcast, and together we look at RunDisney (with a bit of hockey and baseball talk naturally, too!)

In Episode 73, I look at the history of Beauty and the Beast, from its origins as a fairy tale designed to prepare French girls for arranged marriages, to its present day incarnation as a mammoth and beloved Disney franchise!

For Episode 72, it's all about the history of the Walt Disney World Railroad - from a dusty train graveyard in the Yucatan, to the train tracks around the Magic Kingdom! Also, I talk for way too long about the #trypod campaign - podcasts are an awesome medium for entertainment, and should be supported. 

This week, we walk the entire park (virtually, of course), and I give a few historic details of the Magic Kingdom.

This week, I talk my Top 64 WDW experiences and Sweet 16 Universal Orlando experiences in anticipation of March Madness!

This week, my friend of 20+ years, Jason, joins me on the podcast to tell me all about his stop last fall in Disneyland Paris as part of a larger trip to the French capital. 

This week, inspired by the Superbowl last week which featured one of the greatest comebacks of all time, I talk great Disney comebacks!

This week, I'm joined by Seth Kubersky from Touring Plans, Orlando Weekly, and the Unofficial Guide to Universal Studios. We delve into Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - what's there, what's coming, and just how awesome these two parks really are! Seth gives out lots of great tips for enjoying the parks too, so you won't want to miss this episode!

This week, Mike and I take a bit of a break from the Disney Parks (our feet were tired), and instead ponder what a far far away galaxy of Star Wars spin-offs might look like. We make some preposterous suggestions obviously, but most could be legit!

This week, I'm joined by Len Testa (co-author of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and host of the Disney Dish Podcast). Len and I chat about Touring Plans surveys and what we can look forward to in 2017. Lots of talk about food in this episode!

This week, Mike joins me, and we look to the past and to the future to shape our 2017!

Happy New Year, everyone! For the first episode of 2017, I look back on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney's death, December 15, 2016, and discuss the legacy of Walt Disney and who I believe him to be.

This week, with only 13 days left in 2016, I look ahead to 2017! I couldn't think of a better person to discuss the next year in Orlando theme parks with than my special guest this week, Jim Hill of the Disney Dish Podcast, jimhillmedia.com and the Unofficial Guide series. We go into a variety of topics, including Epcot, Rivers of Light and Avatar, Tomorrowland, Harry Potter and its extended universe, Star Wars, Muppets, Nintendo, and much, MUCH more!

This week, Mike joins me on Storybook Radio and we delve into the lesser known side of the Disney Parks - its hidden gems. 

This week, I talk about a bunch of rumours I've heard recently regarding the Disney Parks and Universal Studios, and add a little historical context to them! I also discuss the Master Licensing Agreement that Universal/MCA has with Marvel Comics.

This week, I talk a little news from D23, and discuss all the things for which I'm thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!

This week (a little late), I look at the history of The Hall of Presidents.

This week, Mike and I talk about some "what-ifs" when it comes to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios! We also received a little bit of help from the Storybook Radio listeners.

This week, Mike and I explore the underrated parts of a Walt Disney World vacation, and even delve into the dangerous side of overrated aspects as well...

This week, in anticipation of Halloween, I delve into the spooky side of Walt Disney World (and Disneyland!) I tell some ghost stories, urban legends, and some "strange but true" tales from the Disney Parks! The second half of the episode is something I am very excited about - a Haunted Mansion short story/dramatic reading, written by me (with some help from the Disney Parks attraction scripts, of course). Lots of music and effects - you won't want to miss it! Just a quick note - aspects of this week's episode might be a little on the graphic/scary side for kids. Language is still clean of course, but some of the subject matter is a bit on the mature side at times. 

This week, we go into the history and legacy of the Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter and Universal Studios Orlando!

This week, we look at how hurricanes have affected Walt Disney World over the years, and how the Reedy Creek Improvement District keeps guests safe. We will also look at some of the other tragedies that have befallen Walt Disney World, including 9/11.

This week, Mike and I riff about Magic Kingdom's past, present and future. (Please note, due to Stitch getting into my computer and creating all kinds of technical mayhem, I was  unable to edit this episode, so there is no music and doesn't sound as crisp as other episodes usually do... please accept my apologies on that front. But hey, an episode at 80% quality is better than no episode at all, right?)

This week, we delve into the history of Winnie the Pooh, and this sweet bear came to the Disney Company, and to Walt Disney World.

Today, the long-awaited Part 2 of our favourite Walt Disney World music and soundtracks! Today, it's all about the Magic Kingdom.

In Episode 49, Mike and I take a journey through imagination three of the parks - Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot, to discuss the use of music and soundtracks within the parks as well as the attractions. This episode has LOTS of music! And, we DID talk about Magic Kingdom, but that discussion will come in Part 2 of this episode, to be presented (most likely) as Episode 51, in two weeks time.

In our concluding look at The Disney Decade, we'll look at the "after" part - after the 90s. Eisner's reign as CEO has a messy end, and Bob Iger must take over a brand once again in need of repair. What is the legacy of the Disney Decade?