The Progress City Radio Hour

In this episode of the Radio Hour we turn back time fifty years to the debut of Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland expansion of 1975! We take a look at the development of its three signature attractions - Space Mountain, the WEDway PeopleMover, and the Carousel of Progress. We also revisit a rather unusual television special meant to promote the arrival of Florida's First Mountain™. Now is the time, now is the best time, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour roasts the chestnuts and figgies the pudding for our 2024 Christmas episode! This year we're hosting two special guests to talk about their new books - former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis, and artist/director Steve Anderson! We delve into their fascinating projects, discussing Weis's long Imagineering career and Anderson's history of the Disney studio from 1966-86. History, music, and more - from all of us to all of you, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

It's autumn, one of our favorite seasons here in Progress City, and that means it's time to break out a number of festive traditions! In this episode we look at Disney's intersections with a number of fall favorites, including football and the state fair. We also take a trip to Sleepy Hollow for some autumnal spookiness with Ichabod Crane. From pigskin to pig races, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

In this town hall we're thrilled to welcome historians and authors Didier Ghez, J.B. Kaufman, and Ted Thomas. They join us to discuss their newest monograph, Walt Disney & El Grupo in Latin America, and the groundbreaking 1941 Disney voyage which inspired it. We examine the importance of Walt's many travels, and also take a look at what's next for the Hyperion Historical Alliance and its busy authors. Time to buy a new bookshelf - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Saludos amigos! In this episode the Radio Hour heads south of the border to look at Disney's connections to Mexico. We discuss Walt's ties to the country, early Mexican representation at Disneyland and in Disney films, examine the mighty churro, and explore EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion. History, music, and more - uts talahá ané exte Mexico yanchaħ uuchich, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

In this Town Hall we're thrilled to speak with Derric Johnson, founder and long-time leader of the Voices of Liberty at EPCOT's American Adventure pavilion. Learn about his early Disney experiences in the 1970s, special moments over the years with the Voices of Liberty, and his time directing the annual Walt Disney World Candlelight Ceremony. History, music, and more - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

To honor the recent passing of Disney Legend Richard Sherman, this special episode of the Radio Hour is a tribute to the iconic and unforgettable Sherman Brothers. We'll take a look at some of their lesser-known work, from their time before Disney to projects such as Tinpanorama and Summer Magic, to, yes, even SMASH FLOPS! History, music, and more - bring your tuppence, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Ahoy! We continue our nautical theme with the return of former Imagineering and Disney Development Company exec Bob Holland! Bob joins us to talk about the early days of the Disney Cruise Line, from the shipyards of Italy to Castaway Cay. Set sail for new magic - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour sets sail for a nautical exploration of one of Disney's best features - its boats! Our salty tales include the life of Disney Legend Admiral Joe Fowler, the origin of Disney boat attractions at Arrow Development, a glimpse of life aboard a FriendShip launch, the creation of Disneyland's Submarine Voyage, and a tribute to Miss Tilly! History, music, and more - cast off the bow line and gun it Mr. Baxter, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour returns to the slopes for more snowbound adventure! We have a wintry mix of tales including a trip to Switzerland with Walt to film on the slopes of the Matterhorn, a look at Disney's involvement in the 1960 Winter Olympics, and a conversation with Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer about their book, Disneyland On The Mountain, about the never-built resort at Mineral King. History, music, and more - fire up the fondue and grab that tow rope, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour mulls the wine and sets out the relish tray for our 2023 Christmas episode! This year we're hosting two very special historians and authors, Steven Vagnini and Foxx Nolte! We talk about their past, current, and future book projects, and take a look ahead at 2024. History, music, and more - from all of us to all of you, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Former Imagineering Show Writer Scott Hennesy returns in this month's Progress City Town Hall! In this episode Scott answers some lingering questions from last time before taking us to Tokyo to discuss his adventures there. From Juicy Lucy to Chandu, there's a lot to talk about. Pack your duffle - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month on the Progress City Town Hall we welcome former Imagineering Show Writer Scott Hennesy! Scott comes from a long Disney lineage, and in his time at Imagineering worked on such classic attractions as Kitchen Kabaret, Journey into Imagination, Cranium Command, and more. In this interview we talk about his history, his early Imagineering experiences, and some of his projects for Tokyo Disneyland. Cha-cha-cha, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Let's return to EPCOT Center for a patriotic extravaganza like no other! Join us for a look at the creation of the groundbreaking attraction The American Adventure, and the history of Americana-themed spectacles that preceded it in the 19th and 20th centuries. Then take your seat for a history of the beloved singing group Voices of Liberty! Grab those rose-colored bifocals and spare a dime -  it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Our 40th anniversary retrospective of EPCOT Center gathers one little spark of inspiration to make some memories! Follow Figment to the Dreamport as we explore the development of the classic attraction Journey into Imagination, and find out about previous Kodak promotions both at Disneyland and at the World's Fairs. And fire up the filmstrip because we're remembering the EPCOT Educational Media Company! Just an ordinary day, but all at once we're on our way -  it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

We're riding on sunshine as we continue our 40th anniversary retrospective of EPCOT Center with a look at a few of the faces of energy! Cross the bridge future bound as we explore the development of the classic attraction Universe of Energy, and find out about previous energy exhibits both at Disneyland and at the World's Fairs. And take an off-topic side trip to The Chummery for the dulcet tones of the Saltwater Express! Feel the flow cause here we go, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

In this Progress City Town Hall we welcome back animator and Audio-Animatronics programmer Davy Feiten for part two of our epic interview! This time we go into detail about the Country Bear Jamboree and its seasonal shows, plus more of Davy's work on attractions such as Visionarium. Put some pants on that bear, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month on the Progress City Town Hall we're thrilled to welcome audio-animatronics wizard Davy Feiten! Davy started his career as an animator before coming to Imagineering to work on EPCOT Center, where he programmed American Adventure, World of Motion, Universe of Energy, and more. In this interview we discuss those experiences, as well as his work on Splash Mountain and on attractions for Disneyland Paris. Watch out for those tapdancing dinosaurs, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

It's fun to be free as we continue our 40th anniversary retrospective of EPCOT Center with a celebration of the fifth freedom - mobility! Heed the call of the open road as we talk about the development of the classic attraction World of Motion. Find out about sponsor General Motors, and their previous brushes with Disney and World's Fairs. And take a listen to the silliest souvenir video ever made. Free in mind, free in spirit, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

For this month's Progress City Town Hall we're pleased to introduce you to director, producer, and writer Bob Garner! A showbiz veteran, Bob was responsible for documenting Imagineering's work leading up to the opening of EPCOT Center. Among his many credits are the EPCOT preview center film, The Living Seas, the Captain EO preshow film, and much more. Tie down Mickey because Bob is in town, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

We continue our 40th anniversary celebration of EPCOT Center with a look at the pavilion which today most holds true to its original intent - The Land! We'll look back at how the pavilion came to be, and some of the concepts which were abandoned along the way. We'll also talk about original sponsor Kraft, and how they had a presence at World's Fairs and with Disney long before EPCOT. We'll look at the pavilion's research under consultant Carl Hodges, and we'll revisit EPCOT musical muse Bob Moline. History, music, and more - make believe you're a tiny little seed and mayo up that salad loaf, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

In this episode we conclude our two-part Progress City Town Hall featuring veteran Imagineer and Disney Legend Doris Hardoon! In her long career, Doris worked on projects ranging from EPCOT to Shanghai and beyond. In part two of our talk we discuss her work on EPCOT galleries, the Autry museum, Port Disney, WESTCOT, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland and more - whew! Pack your bags for a round-the-world journey, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month we're happy to bring you a two-part Progress City Town Hall featuring veteran Imagineer and Disney Legend Doris Hardoon! In her long career, Doris worked on projects ranging from EPCOT to Shanghai and beyond. In part one of our talk we discuss her early life as a pop singer and model in Hong Kong, her early career in themed entertainment, and her work with Rolly Crump and others on EPCOT's The Land. Vacuum the wall carpet and I'll meet you at the potato stand, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

We begin our 40th anniversary celebration of EPCOT Center with a look at the theme of its signature pavilion, communications! We'll look back in time to see the history of the Bell System's past offerings at World's Fairs and Disneyland itself, and talk with Imagineer Peggie Fariss about the level of research that went into the creation of EPCOT's Spaceship Earth. To top it off, we'll examine how Spaceship Earth developed from the "Future World Theme Show" to the attraction we know and love today. History, music, and more - hug a Phoenician and beware the electronic babble, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This is it, folks - our fiftieth episode! Can you believe it? To mark the occasion we're looking back at two fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the past, 1973's 50th anniversary of Walt Disney Productions and 1978's 50th anniversary of Mickey Mouse. History, music, and more - nifty at fifty, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This episode we're bringing you part two of our Progress City Town Hall with veteran Imagineer Peggie Fariss! Peggie started at Disneyland in 1965 as an attractions hostess, and in her amazing fifty-year career she worked on any number of fascinating projects. In part two of our talk we discuss more of her role in putting together EPCOT's planning conferences, her work helping create the Disney Gallery, the art of dealing with corporate participants, and her time at Disneyland Paris! Head for Ice Station Cool, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month we're very excited to bring you a two-part Progress City Town Hall with veteran Imagineer Peggie Fariss! Peggie started at Disneyland in 1965 as an attractions hostess, and in her amazing fifty-year career she worked on any number of fascinating projects. In part one of our talk we discuss the origins of Peggy's Disney career, her time in Florida previewing Walt Disney World in 1969, her role there as the resort opened in 1971, and her work helping develop EPCOT programming in the 1970s. Meet you at the Sunshine State Exhibitorium, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

We're on the rails again as we continue our exploration of the production of the 1956 Disney feature The Great Locomotive Chase. Join us, Walt, and Fess in the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina for a look at the locals Walt recruited to take part in the film, some of whom he tried to bring back to California with him! We also look back at the film's multiple premiere events, and Jeff speaks to Bill Kurtz III, whose grandfather was technical advisor for the film and who himself made an actual appearance on the Disneyland television show! History, music, and more - pop open a Coca Cola, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month we're doing something a little different on the Radio Hour, and taking a deep dive into the production of the 1956 feature The Great Locomotive Chase. This film was a passion project for Walt, who spent two weeks playing with trains on location in the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina. Join us and our third co-host Fess Parker for a look back at the production, the locomotives, and life on set along the Tallulah Falls Railroad -  and for an in-depth assessment of just how handsome is Jeffrey Hunter anyway? History, music, and more - eat our dust Johnny Reb, it's the Progress City Radio Hour! 

It's time to hit the road for summer vacation, Disney style! We'll look at roadside Disney classics from Florida's welcome centers to Walt Disney World's preview center itself. We'll also hitch up our RVs at Disneyland's long-lost Vacationland campground. We revisit the Country Bear Jamboree Vacation Hoedown, and speak to artists Jason Grandt and Scott Tilley about their Little Golden Book about Disney's Orange Bird. History, music, and more - gas up the Airstream and grab all the brochures you can carry, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month, the Progress City Radio Hour is setting sail for adventure with tales from the golden age of scientific romances, and the grand old man himself Jules Verne! We'll look at the making of the 1954 Disney classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and revisit how that film was first represented at Disneyland with a movie set tour. We'll also look at Verne's other brushes with Disney, from Tokyo's Mysterious Island to Paris's Discoveryland. And to top it off, we'll visit the greatest unbuilt land of them all, the fabled Discovery Bay. History, music, and more - cast off the bowline Mr. Baxter, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month, the Progress City Radio Hour looks at some of the creative geniuses who have worked with the Disney studio over the years. From surrealist legend Salvador Dalí, who worked at Disney on the film Destino in 1946, to composer legends like Stravinsky and Prokofiev, many famous names sought to work with Walt in his heyday. We also look at notables of later years, such as Michael Eisner's stable of world-renowned architects and Ray Bradbury's influence on EPCOT Center! History, music, and more - prepare to step into the Schweitzer centrifuge, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

In this episode we welcome back veteran Imagineer Tim Delaney for part two of his town hall! We cover a lot of ground in this one, from EPCOT Center and The Living Seas to Discoveryland in Paris. There are also lots of personal stories about the boom days of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. Hydrolators prepare for descent, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

This month we're happy to bring you a two-part Progress City Town Hall with veteran Imagineer Tim Delaney! Tim began at Disney in the 1970s, and worked on everything from Epcot Center to Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and beyond. In this part of our talk we discuss how Tim was inspired by Walt's classic Tomorrowland television episodes, his early years at Imagineering, and some of the fascinating people he met along the way. Hop on the Moonliner and prepare for takeoff, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour turns forward the clock and jets into the new year with a visit to the great big beautiful Tomorrowland! We start off with a look at Walt's own Tomorrowland programs of the 1950s, and how they influenced the American space program. We'll also examine Walt's friendship with visionary architect Welton Beckett, tour the early entertainment offerings of the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, and look at abandoned plans for the EPCOT Future World Theme Center! History, music, and more - without this faceplate our blood would literally boil, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour spikes the eggnog and hoists the mistletoe for our second annual Christmas episode! This year our festive spectacular features visits from two of our Town Hall guests from 2021, legendary Walt Disney World performer Pat Terry, Jr. and renowned Disney horticulturalist Scott Girard. Author and historian Marcy Carriker Smothers also drops by to talk about her newest book about Walt Disney and Disneyland. History, music, and more - from all of us to all of you, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

In this episode we wrap up our trip back through time to celebrate Walt Disney World's fiftieth anniversary! The last installation of our multi-episode event examines the 1990s - a decade of many ups and downs for the resort and for Disney itself.  Not for nothing was this period known as the Disney Decade - there's a lot to talk about and a lot of developments to cover, so buckle in! History, music, and more - everything announced today in this podcast will definitely be built, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Join us as we continue our journey through fifty years of Walt Disney World history! For this momentous occasion we're embarking on a multi-episode event which will take us through the decades to revisit moments from the resort's past. For part three we look at the 1980s - a decade of much change at Disney and at Walt Disney World. And we welcome Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to the family! History, music, and more - hullo, I'm Michael Eisner, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Our Walt Disney World golden anniversary celebration continues! For this momentous occasion we're embarking on a multi-episode event which will take us through the decades to revisit moments from the resort's past. For part two we explore the years between the resort's opening in 1971 and the debut of Epcot Center in 1982. It's a decade of expansion and of much promise, as well as much silliness. History, music, and more - let us take you on a moonlit ride, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

It's finally here - the golden anniversary of Walt Disney World! For this momentous occasion we're embarking on a multi-episode event which will take us through the decades to revisit moments from the resort's past - some significant and some decidedly less so. For part one we explore the years between the announcement of the "Florida Project" in 1965 and its grand opening in 1971. We also talk to Ron Miziker, the entertainment impresario who helped pull off those fantastic opening celebrations. History, music, and more - tune up the 1,076 trombones and prep the festoonery, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Walt Disney World and the man who made it possible, Roy O. Disney, we're putting out a Progress City Extra featuring some memories of Roy by people who worked with him. Included are clips from our Progress City Town Halls with Frank Stanek and Scott Girard, featuring some elements that have not been previously broadcast. We hope you enjoy these reminisces, and join us next week for the first of our fiftieth anniversary celebration episodes!

It's no secret we love Disney park music, so we're very excited to bring you our interview with long-time Walt Disney World banjoist and Disney Legacy Award winner Pat Terry, Jr. Pat started off at Disneyland before helping open Walt Disney World alongside his father, with whom he played for more than a decade before striking out on his own. Along the way he's had some fabulous experiences and got to meet some fascinating people. From the streets of New Orleans Square to the stage of Pioneer Hall - tune up folks, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour catches a blue-flagged motor launch for a look at the Vacation Kingdom via the waterways of Bay Lake! We remember an eccentric occupant of the area before Disney arrived, dig into the origins of Fort Wilderness, and explore Bay Lake's entertainment offerings of the 1970s. We also check in with legendary Walt Disney World entertainer Pat Terry, Jr. for some memories about the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. History, music, and more - peel some shrimp and tune your banjo, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

In this Progress City Town Hall we continue our discussion with veteran Disney landscaper and horticulturalist Scott Girard. Topics of discussion include Scott's influence on the landscapes of EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland, some of his projects outside Disney, and his time spent as head of Disney Horticulture in the 1990s. From the gardens of Canada to the forests of Japan - plant those tiddlywinks, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Landscaping is a fundamental part of the Disney themed experience, so we're thrilled this month to bring you a two-part Progress City Town Hall with veteran Disney landscaper and horticulturalist Scott Girard. Scott started at Disneyland in 1964, and went on to become part of the team that helped create Walt Disney World. In this part of our talk we discuss those early experiences, including encounters with Walt and Roy Disney themselves. From the orange groves of Anaheim to the swamps of Florida - stay off those topiaries, kids, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour picks up our fife and drum for another celebration of the Fourth of July! In this patriotic episode we'll look back at how Disney parks celebrated the Bicentennial, and examine some very early concepts for Epcot's American Adventure. We'll also walk you through a lengthy televised spectacle of Americana from 1991. History, music, and more - strike up the band, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour sets sail down the mighty Mississippi for more wild west excitement in Frontierland! In part two of this month's episode we look at how Mark Twain influenced Walt Disney's youth. We'll also look at Frontierland dining options from Disneyland's past, hear a catchy ditty about Nature's Wonderland, and continue our retrospective tour of Walt Disney World's Frontierland! History, music, and more - send down another bag of golden corn, Klondike, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour hits the dusty trail in search of frontier adventure! In part one of our Frontierland episode we look at the musical legacy of some of Disney's western offerings and revisit the televised exploits of Texas John Slaughter. We also begin our trip back through time to Remember the Magic of Frontierland's past at Walt Disney World. History, music, and more - prepare for the wildest ride in the wilderness, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour wakes up the glee club and returns to the wilds of Adventureland! In part two of our Adventureland episode we examine the careers of two individuals who had a great influence on this land's history - Imagineer Harper Goff and horticulturalist Bill Evans. We'll also revisit the filming of the Disney classic The Swiss Family Robinson, and Jeff holds a Polynesian feast! History, music, and more - we're offering two heads for just one of yours, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

The Progress City Radio Hour starts the show rolling and embarks on a safari into Adventureland! In part one of our Adventureland episode we look at the True-Life Adventures which first inspired this exotic land and Remember the Magic™ of some of the area's past offerings. We also look at the history and lore of the Orange Bird, and examine Walt Disney World's citrus ties. History, music, and more - wave goodbye to the people at the dock, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!

Here we return to our Progress City Town Hall two-part interview with Imagineer and historian Tom Morris. In part two of our talk we discuss a number of major projects that he worked on, most notably Disney Studios Paris, DisneyQuest, and Hong Kong Disneyland. We also discuss his huge new research project about the roots of Imagineering, and some of the important names you may never have heard about until now. History, music, and more - long live the theme park, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!