Podcasts about CityWalk

Jim and Eric dig into a busy week of Universal news, from unexpected trouble with the King Kong animatronic at Islands of Adventure to fresh signs of expansion behind Dark Universe at Epic Universe. They also check out Universal Monsters collectibles at Sonic, a new CityWalk hot dog destination, and The Traitors taking over part of Universal's Great Movie Escape. Then Jim continues the story of Abbott and Costello, revealing how Lou Costello's push to change the comedy team's financial arrangement helped set the stage for serious tensions behind the scenes. NEWS • The King Kong animatronic at Skull Island: Reign of Kong is damaged during maintenance, leaving questions about when the attraction will fully return. • New construction behind Dark Universe fuels speculation about Epic Universe's first major post-opening expansion. • Fat One's Hot Dogs and Italian Ice prepares to open at Universal CityWalk with Joey Fatone on hand for the festivities. • The Traitors brings themed décor to Universal's Great Movie Escape as NBCUniversal promotes the series across CityWalk. • Sonic celebrates Halloween with a Universal Monsters Wacky Pack collection featuring Frankenstein, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more. FEATURE • Jim explains why Universal eventually honored Abbott and Costello with their own building on the studio lot. • Lou Costello pushes to change the team's traditional salary split after their films become enormous hits for Universal. • Abbott and Costello tour the country selling more than $85 million in war bonds during World War II. • A devastating 1943 phone call sets the stage for the troubled final chapter of the comedy team's story. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next Universal getaway? Be Our Guest Vacations can help you choose the right hotel, tickets, and extras, whether you're visiting Epic Universe in Orlando or heading west to Universal Studios Hollywood. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com and mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pull up a chair at EPCOT's Germany pavilion because we're taking you along for a live dining review of Biergarten Restaurant and the Eat to the Beat Dining Package before seeing Hanson!We explore the Bavarian village atmosphere, explain how the dining package works, and taste our way through the buffet. From beer cheese soup, pretzel rolls, German potato salad, sausage salad, bratwurst, sauerkraut, pork schnitzel, meatballs, roasted potatoes, and chicken schnitzel to mac and cheese, apple strudel, Baumkuchen trifle, and salted caramel cheesecake, we share our honest reactions. We also reveal which dishes we would go back for, which ones we would skip, and the delicious creation built at the table: a chicken schnitzel, beer cheese, and pretzel roll slider.Of course, this was not an ordinary meal. Right in the middle of Biergarten's live entertainment, the fire alarm sounded and the entire restaurant had to evacuate. We take you outside with us as guests and Cast Members wait for the all clear, then return to our table to finish the buffet after an interruption neither of us had experienced during hundreds of Disney meals.Along the way, we talk about the atmosphere, the musicians and dancing, the service, the value of using Biergarten for a concert dining package, and whether the restaurant deserves a place in your EPCOT rotation. At $69 per person, did the combination of an all-you-care-to-enjoy German buffet and reserved seating for Hanson make this package worth the price?Join us for food, laughs, questionable German pronunciations, one runaway bratwurst, an unexpected evacuation, and our final verdict on Biergarten Restaurant at EPCOT. Whether you are planning an Eat to the Beat concert night or considering this unique World Showcase dining experience, this episode will help you decide if it belongs on your Disney dining list.

图们江边的一家交通旅社里，挂着一条双语横幅：「牲畜越境，请勿擅自处理。」在地图上，国界通常被画成一条清晰的线，而牲畜不懂国界，只认水草丰美的方向；可人呢？一个非此即彼、排他性的边界，真的存在吗？ 图们江作为边界已延续数百年，河流没有改变，人们认识边界的方式却不断变化。清朝与朝鲜都曾严禁越境，但当晚清面对俄罗斯扩张威胁时，清朝又开始将渡江垦荒的朝鲜人纳入「我民」。进入现代国家体系后，国籍、户籍和证件进一步明确了人的归属，却也把原本交错生活的人群划入不同的国家、民族与身份类别。而如巴以、印巴和卢旺达等地区，殖民时期划定的疆界或族群分类在解殖后仍然延续，至今仍是理解当地分治、对立与冲突不可绕开的历史背景。边界从来不只是一条静止的线，它会随着政治经济结构变化不断被解释和重划。 这一期节目，我们邀请到清华大学人文与社会科学高等研究所教授宋念申，从中朝边境的历史和普通人的生活选择出发，聊聊边界如何在流动的现实中不断被划定和跨越，帝国主义、资本主义与殖民主义，又是如何让这条线越变越坚硬。 本期人物 宋念申，清华大学人文与社会科学高等研究所教授 徐涛，声动活泼联合创始人 主要话题 [00:33]和宋老师一起Citywalk：西塔的边界在哪里？ [08:50]五百年，图们江没变，但我们认识边界的方式变了 [17:00]封禁江岸、严惩越境：清朝与朝鲜边界管控背后的内政考量 [25:42]晚清的边界转向：越境垦荒的朝鲜人为何从「夷」变成「我民」 [30:27]边境故事：是边界跨过人，也是人跨过边界 [43:11]现代性的「铁三角」：帝国主义、资本主义与殖民主义让边界变硬 [59:02]被继承的边界：解殖为何没有终结殖民秩序？ [1:06:01]种族之外：政治经济结构与资本扩张如何制造新的边界 [1:12:45]学科也在划界：真问题推动知识生产跨越边界 延伸阅读 西塔:一个东北街区中的空间、国家与日常 劃界：在圖們江製造現代東亞（1881-1919） 也可以在小红书账号「徐涛-声东击西」看到更多相关内容和幕后 给声东击西投稿 「声东击西」一直在寻找来自不同社会和群体的真实声音。我们曾经采访过为特朗普竞选生产 MAGA 帽子的中国制造商、记录过七位在美国大选中经历起伏的华人个体，也讲述了委内瑞拉青年的故事。 如果你也有一些特别的经历、观察或想法，不论是亲身体验的故事，还是你在某个行业、社区中的所见所闻，都欢迎你向我们投稿。 你的声音可能出现在未来的节目当中，我们非常期待你的分享！ 投稿入口 加入我们 声动活泼团队目前正在招聘内容监制、商业运营经理、商业发展经理和实习生，如果你也对播客行业的内容制作和商务运营感兴趣，欢迎投递！ 详情点击招聘入口：加入声动活泼（在招职位速览） 幕后制作 后期：赛德 运营：George 设计：饭团 实习编辑：翔宇、怡然 商务合作 声动活泼商业化小队，点击链接可直达商务会客厅，也可发送邮件至 business@shengfm.cn 联系我们。 关于声动活泼 「用声音碰撞世界」，声动活泼致力于为人们提供源源不断的思考养料。 我们还有这些播客：声东击西、What's Next｜科技早知道、商业WHY酱、跳进兔子洞&跳进兔子洞第三季、吃喝玩乐了不起、不止金钱、泡腾 VC、反潮流俱乐部 欢迎在即刻、微博等社交媒体上与我们互动，搜索声动活泼即可找到我们。 也欢迎你写邮件和我们联系，邮箱地址是：ting@sheng.fm 获取更多和声动活泼有关的讯息，你也可以扫码添加声小音，在节目之外和我们保持联系！ Special Guest: 宋念申.

We're setting sail, checking in, and admitting we got one wrong! We share our private Happily Ever After fireworks cruise experience, from a scenic ride around Bay Lake and an up-close look at the Electrical Water Pageant to watching Magic Kingdom's fireworks with synchronized audio onboard. We break down the experience, the cost of splitting a boat with friends, and whether this Disney extra deserves a spot on your vacation wish list.Then, we check into Disney's Riviera Resort for our first overnight stay, and discover that visiting a resort and calling it home are two very different experiences. We cover our spacious one-bedroom villa, pool time, the resort's relaxed atmosphere, and the bathroom layout that left us wishing for a little more privacy. Plus, we revisit Riviera's Resort Wars matchup against Saratoga Springs and officially change our winner!Of course, there's plenty of food along the way, including Primo Piatto, Bar Riva, Le Petit Café, and a memorable dinner at Topolino's Terrace. From duck confit gnocchi and standout tiger shrimp to affogatos, decadent desserts, and rooftop views of Luminous, this trip gave us plenty to talk about—and a few things we're already craving again.

Do you eat alone? We play smarter than your hood? Do you watch any of the Emmy Shows? It's I.T Professionals Day! What are your tricks to snap out of a bad mood? We talk to our friend Joey Fatone about opening Fat Ones at CityWalk! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us at our table as we taste The Plaza's limited-time Halloween offerings, starting with the delightfully creepy Skull Meatloaf. This thick, skull-shaped meatloaf is served over creamy red-skin mashed potatoes with seasonal green beans, crispy onions, and a Caribbean-style glaze. It may look a little frightening when it arrives, but does the flavor bring it back from the dead? We discuss the portion size, seasoning, crispy edges, and why serving the sauce around the plate may be the secret to making this meatloaf work.Next up is the Devilish Crispy Chicken Sandwich, featuring a generously sized piece of fried chicken topped with ghoulish spiced mayonnaise, red cabbage, and Fresno peppers, all served on a wonderfully soft black kaiser roll. The heat starts gently, but it doesn't stay that way! We talk about the sandwich's slow-building spice, super-crispy chicken, tangy cabbage, and whether this Halloween creation crosses the line from “Disney spicy” into genuinely spicy territory.Of course, no Halloween meal is complete without dessert. We finish our lunch with the limited-time caramel pecan cheesecake, a layered treat with a chocolate cookie crust, vanilla cheesecake, caramel pecan cheesecake, chopped pecans, and plenty of caramel and chocolate on the plate. Even a diner who normally wouldn't choose a pecan dessert finds this one dangerously close to plate-licking territory.Along the way, we discuss The Plaza's reliably good food and service, where it ranks among Magic Kingdom's table-service restaurants, and whether the chicken sandwich or skull meatloaf would be our first choice on a return visit. We also break down the final bill, marvel at the surprisingly reasonable cheesecake price, question the wisdom of paying $4.99 for a Sprite, and perform a little classic Disney math.Are these Halloween offerings worth adding to your Magic Kingdom plans? Pull up a chair and find out in this lively, honest, and occasionally noisy restaurant review recorded right from the heart of the park!

We're back at the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival with more bites, sips, surprises, and completely unfiltered reactions in Part 2 of our live review.This time, we try an elevated brisket Sloppy Joe from Hops & Barley, spicy tuna and Wagyu beef hand rolls in Japan, a chicken gyro from Greece, flavorful hummus bowls at Tangierine Café, plant-based mushroom chili, beef bourguignon, Brazilian shrimp, a cookie butter Belgian waffle, Korean-inspired poutine, and plenty of festival desserts.Along the way, we discover some unexpected favorites, debate which items are worth their price, and finish tasting all the festival's new dishes before sharing our biggest hits and misses.This episode features audio edited down from our full video reviews. To watch every review and see the food and reactions for yourself, visit WonderlandCrew.com. You can join the Wonderland Crew for full access or purchase individual videos.

We're eating our way around the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and sharing our completely unfiltered reactions as each dish hits the table, or more accurately, the nearest Disney trash can. In Part 1 of our two-part live review, we try everything from basil pesto chicken dumplings and Buffalo dill pickle wings to tempura shrimp tacos, Norwegian caramel cream bread, a Dubai-style chocolate pistachio cookie, pumpkin pie funnel cake, and plenty more. Some dishes absolutely wow us, while others leave us wondering how they escaped the kitchen. Our friend and fellow food reporter Jon Self joins the fun as we discuss festival favorites, disappointing bites, value, portion sizes, and whether Italy may finally be turning things around. These reactions were captured live while filming our festival videos, so you're hearing our honest opinions before we've had time to reconsider—or recover from eating quite so much. This episode features edited audio from our original video reviews. To watch the complete videos and see all the dishes and reactions for yourself, visit WonderlandCrew.com. You can join the Wonderland Crew for full access or purchase the individual videos you'd like to watch.

Noriko Fukushima established Melbourne City Walk during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide opportunities for exercise and socialising, helping people support their physical and mental health. - コロナ禍で外に出る機会や、人と会う機会が著しく減っていた2020年。Melbourne CityWalkは、グループで歩くことで人と人が繋がり、お喋りを楽しみながら体を動かすために始まったサークルです。Listen to SBS Japanese Audio on Tue, Thu and Fri from 1pm on SBS 3.Replays from 10pm on Tue, Thu and Sat on SBS1. Listen to past stories from our podcast. Download the free SBS Audio App and don't forget to visit SBS Japanese Facebook and Instagram page! - SBSの日本語放送は火木金の午後１時からSBS3で生放送！火木土の夜10時からはおやすみ前にSBS1で再放送が聞けます。SBS日本語放送ポッドキャストから過去のストーリーを聞くこともできます。無料でダウンロードできるSBS Audio Appもどうぞ。SBS 日本語放送のFacebookとInstagramもお忘れなく。

Nine hundred episodes. That's a whole lot of Disney opinions, vacation planning, restaurant debates, resort stays, questionable decisions, and unforgettable moments—and somehow, we've made it this far without completely losing control. Until now. For this very special milestone episode, Sean from But Mostly Disney takes over the host's chair and puts us through five rounds of questions, games, debates, and a few mildly uncomfortable moments. With Sean running the show, neither of us knows exactly what is coming next—and that is where the fun begins. We start with a rapid-fire game of “Finish the Sentence,” covering everything from the most unnecessarily stressful parts of a Disney vacation to overrated attractions, misunderstood Disney foods, and the little things we do that drive each other crazy. We also answer the same questions separately to see how closely our answers match after 900 episodes together. Next, Sean tests how well we really know one another in the Main Street Magic Newlywed Game. Can Jeremy identify Rhonda's ideal Walt Disney World resort? Does Rhonda know Jeremy's most predictable Disney food order? If one of us disappeared inside a Disney park for several hours, would the other know where to start looking? We're about to find out. Then it is time for “Keep It, Fix It, Kill It.” Sean gives us 20 Disney attractions, restaurants, resorts, experiences, and Disney Cruise Line offerings, and we must decide whether each one should remain exactly as it is, receive a much-needed update, or disappear forever. From Tomorrowland Speedway and Journey Into Imagination with Figment to the Disney Dining Plan, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Pirate Night, and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, no Disney favorite is safe. The conversation gets a little more personal during the 900th Episode Hot Seat as Sean asks us questions we do not hear every day. We reflect on what each of us brings to Main Street Magic, what we have learned from one another, how this incredible community has changed us, and what we never want the podcast to become. Finally, Sean closes with one question that brings our entire 900-episode journey into focus: When someone eventually listens to their final episode of Main Street Magic, what do we hope they gained from the time they spent with us? This episode is funny, honest, occasionally chaotic, and filled with the kind of friendly Disney disagreements you would expect when we hand control of the show to Sean.

「北方以北」是午夜飞行一次新的关于「行走与发现」的声音探索。这次我们从哈尔滨出发，穿过松嫩平原，抵达齐齐哈尔、昂昂溪和富拉尔基。沿着中东铁路的旧日轨迹，寻找那些被主流叙事忽略的角落。每一座城市都值得被重新发现，这一次我们去往更远的北方。第一站，我们重新发现哈尔滨。当然，本期节目也完全可以成为你在哈尔滨完成一场最特别的CityWalk的声音指南。这一次我们想要拨开「俄式风情」这个模糊又过于笼统的标签，在中央大街周边发现多元化的文化痕迹，去深入探访曾经的犹太社区、鞑靼清真寺、今天的独立书店和咖啡馆，看老房子、发掘历史中被遗忘的老故事，也收集这座城市的新故事和流动的新东西！我们的探访路线：红专街25-1号院 → 红专街43号 → 通江街犹太老会堂 → 雪山书集 → 鞑靼清真寺 → 老会堂夜晚音乐会本期节目你将听到：03:31 当然要去中央大街，但这次要仔细看看那些写着「哈尔滨犹太人活动旧址群」的牌子08:26 红专街25-1号院里的犹太人老房子，和今天的戈雅咖啡馆14:14 戈雅咖啡馆的来历和她对老物件的迷恋22:00 旧时哈尔滨的文化、侨民留下的影响和戈雅的「脱轨」生活25:54 多元流动的哈尔滨拥有无穷生命力27:27 探访红专街43号：犹太医院旧址28:17 德籍犹太人罗森达里医生和他背后的犹太人社区29:09 1920年代前后抵达哈尔滨的白俄与犹太人：有人在怀念旧日辉煌，有人在商业里打拼34:01 白俄与犹太人的历史恩怨，马迭尔宾馆绑架案38:07 通江街：犹太老会堂的历史39:34 在通江街附近，你可以发现一整片犹太人的社区遗存40:38 为什么哈尔滨留下了众多犹太人建筑？47:12 我们来聊聊很少被提及的沙俄「栅栏区」：叶卡捷琳娜二世的计划52:39 「栅栏区」里的犹太人创造了什么：从塔木德学院到《屋顶上的提琴手》56:21 哈尔滨犹太移民社群的形成59:07 哈尔滨最喜欢的独立书店雪山书集01:03:19 同一个院子里，奇妙的鞑靼清真寺01:06:18 哈尔滨鞑靼清真寺的百年变迁01:08:35 哈尔滨早期的两座清真寺01:14:06 傍晚去老会堂听音乐！01:17:33 哈尔滨最独特的地方在于「容纳多元边界」[图片]▲ 中央大街两边的建筑上那些很少被关注的文保牌子[图片]▲ 曾经的犹太人老房子，今天的戈雅咖啡馆[图片]▲ 犹太私人医院旧址和今天的鹿鱼咖啡[图片]▲ 犹太老会堂音乐厅[图片]▲ 雪山书集[图片]▲ 鞑靼清真寺[图片]▲ 犹太新会堂[图片]▲ 犹太免费食堂和犹太养老院旧址，今天哈尔滨市税务局[图片]▲ 傍晚回到老会堂看一场音乐会，也看美丽花窗外的蓝调时刻※哈尔滨犹太人活动旧址群共包括 14 处单体建筑：1. 哈尔滨犹太总会堂：通江街82号2. 犹太新会堂：经纬街（旧称斜纹大街）162号，是犹太教哈西德教派会堂3. 犹太中学：通江街86号4. 犹太医院：西五道街36号5. 犹太国民银行：中央大街57号（哈尔滨中央大街与西十一道街交口的东南角）6. 「戈洛布斯」犹太电影院：道里中央大街与西五道街交角处7. 秋林洋行道里分行：中央大街187号，是最早到中央大街落户的百货商店之一8. 梅耶洛维奇大楼：南岗区东大直街，红博广场东侧，现在的哈尔滨少年宫9. 穆棱煤矿公司：南岗区阿什河街，现为中共黑龙江省委幼儿园10. 斯基德尔斯基故居：南岗区颐园街3号，黑龙江省老干部活动中心旁边11. 远东银行：中央大街109-115号12. 协和银行：中央大街73号13. 米尼阿久餐厅：中央大街85号14. 犹太商人索斯金故居：经纬四道街30号【参考书籍】1. 《城与人：哈尔滨故事》2. 《哈尔滨；俄罗斯人心中的理想城市> [俄]克拉金3. 《哈尔滨档案》[澳] 玛拉·穆斯塔芬，李尧、郇忠（译）4. 《哈尔滨俄侨史》石方，高凌，刘爽5. 《哈尔滨犹太人》曲伟（编）6. 《揭开哈尔滨犹太人历史之谜哈尔滨犹太人社区考察研究》 张铁江7. 《犹太人在哈尔滨·增订本》 曲伟、李述笑主编【节目制作】主播/制作：VC ( 微博：@VividCrystal / 小红书：@午夜飞行VC )运营：Amber视觉：李马克【节目互动】微博：@午夜飞行Official 公众号：午夜飞行【商务合作】添加微信：hellomarcast或联系邮箱：hello@marcastmedia.com【欢迎加入听友群】入群方式 A：微信添加小助手 Amber (ID: hellomarcast)，拉你入群入群方式 B：关注公众号「午夜飞行」 ，回复「听友群」三个字，即可获取入群通道【本集音乐】Music credits:- Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 58 I. Allegro assai vivace - Coenraad Bloemendal - dark snowy night - Daniel.mp3 - Finding Parking - Joey Pecoraro - Prince IgorPolovtsian Dances (Remastered) No. 17a, Polovtsian Dance. Introduzione. Andantino - Leonard Bernstein,New York Philharmonic - Afternoon Stroll - Luke Pickman - Star Sailing - Mondo Loops,softy - El Bimbo - Pepe Jaramillo - If I Were a Rich Man - Various Artists - Заезжий музыкант - Песни нашего века 【封面图片】Photos by VC【节目出品】由播客厂牌 Marcast® 制作出品，也欢迎你订阅收听 Marcast 旗下的其他播客节目。你可以通过以下方式找到我们：- 小红书：@Marcast - 公众号：Marcast - 微博：@Marcast - 进听友群请添加微信：hellomarcast- 一键订阅 Marcast 制作出品的节目：https://www.xiaoyuzhoufm.com/collection/podcast/69e8996f7c9a3ea695fec9e8- 一键选购 Marcast 厂牌原创商品：https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5e53be6400000000010003bb- 欢迎订阅「Beads 英文播客洞察」：每周为你从国外优质播客中提取、总结、延伸那些 90% 的人听不到的、隐藏在声音里的一手信息、经验、知识、工具、趣味和审美，和你一起拓展认知视野。订阅地址：https://wx.zsxq.com/group/48885158452488© 2026 Marcast Media

Hello Travelers! This week, for the first time we travel a few miles out of "the Disney bubble" through the not-so-magical i-4 traffic to bring you a two-part episode recorded at Universal Studios Orlando and Universal's Islands of Adventure (don't tell the Mouse..)! Join host Producer Josh as he takes you on a whirlwind walkabout tour starting at Universal Studios for part one. After beginning your walkabout in the massive parking structure, you'll head through Citywalk and enter the "other" Studios for a grand circle tour of the park featuring some musical entertainment and a full ridethrough of the E.T. Adventure! Don't forget to come back for the next episode when a special guest joins the walkabout at Islands of Adventure! We are listener supported - contribute to the Dole Whip Fund via Google or Apple Pay. Thanks!   Walkabout the World is now on TikTok! Come follow our visual companion to the audio podcast at Walkabout.the.world.pod on TikTok   And of course, visit us on Instagram and at walkabouttheworld.com - find links to all the things - attraction episodes, Insta accounts of all the hosts, and even how to buy your own Walkabout shirt!   Walkabout The World is a weekly Disney podcast, always recorded on property at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort with the simple goal of making you feel like you are in the middle of the magic.

The news sent a shockwave through Los Angeles: Universal Hollywood moved its security checkpoints. People were pissed. You now have to walk through metal detectors even if you're just going to a CityWalk store or the movie theater.Does PTR and returning parking garage pundit Nick Wiger (Doughboys, Get Played) agree with the angry online mob? Find out!"Marvin Sease (Scott's Birthday Shot) " Recap episode is up at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/PodcastTheRide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlson's Improv Show on 9/11: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/improv-land-tickets-1998116971650FOLLOW PODCAST: THE RIDE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/PodcastTheRide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/podcasttheride⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BUY PODCAST: THE RIDE MERCH:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.teepublic.com/stores/podcast-the-ride⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PODCAST THE RIDE IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/podcast-the-ride⁠See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Resort Wars: Showdown rolls on, and this time two very different Deluxe Villa resorts are stepping into the ring as Disney's Riviera Resort takes on Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa! We're putting these two resorts head-to-head across seven rounds, comparing them in theming and atmosphere, rooms and comfort, dining and drinks, transportation and location, recreation and amenities, value for money, and of course, listener intel. Riviera brings an upscale European-inspired atmosphere, a compact and easy-to-navigate layout, one of the strongest resort dining lineups at Walt Disney World, and the huge transportation advantage of the Disney Skyliner. But is all of that enough to justify the premium price? Saratoga Springs counters with a completely different experience. It's sprawling, peaceful, packed with recreation, offers everything from Deluxe Studios to the unique Treehouse Villas, and puts Disney Springs within walking or boating distance. It may not have the same polished feel as Riviera, but does its space, versatility, location, and value make it the better overall resort? We'll debate each category, award a point round by round, bring in your listener votes and comments, and make our final arguments before crowning a winner. Only one can advance in Resort Wars: Showdown. Will it be Riviera or Saratoga Springs?

We're putting our Disney planning opinions, habits, strategies, and questionable decisions to the test with a brand-new round of Truth or Dare! We're taking turns choosing between Truth or Dare and randomly pulling from a collection of questions and challenges covering Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and general vacation planning. But which ones did we actually pull? You'll have to listen to find out. The possible Truths could have us confessing our biggest Disney planning mistakes, admitting which advice we don't always follow ourselves, revealing what guests spend way too much time worrying about, deciding which experiences aren't worth rearranging an entire day for, or exposing the planning decisions where we are most likely to disagree. And then there are the possible Dares. We could be forced to choose between giving up park hopping or Lightning Lane, pick one Walt Disney World resort to stay at for our next five trips, visit only two parks on our next vacation, choose between three nights at a Deluxe resort or seven nights at a Value, or plan a trip with some of our favorite options completely taken away. Disney Cruise Line could bring tough decisions involving staterooms, itineraries, excursions, dining, and onboard experiences. Disneyland could force us to rethink how we plan a completely different kind of Disney vacation. And the general vacation questions might reveal just how much control we're actually willing to surrender when somebody else is involved in the planning. Those are just some of the Truths and Dares waiting in the pile. Which ones did we draw? Which choices caused the biggest arguments? And what did we reveal that we probably would have preferred to keep to ourselves? There's only one way to find out. It's Disney Planning Truth or Dare!

We're heading outside the Disney bubble for a full Universal Orlando trip report! On this episode, we're recapping our recent stay and everything we experienced across Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, including 18 attractions, plenty of snacks, some seriously wet water rides, and one of the biggest questions we had going into the trip: just how valuable is Universal Express Pass? We worked our way through nine attractions at each park, from The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Jurassic World VelociCoaster to Revenge of the Mummy, E.T. Adventure, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Along the way, we tracked the posted standby wait for every attraction and compared it with how long we actually waited using Express. And the results were pretty eye-opening. We also talk about our stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, transportation, park entry, and some of the food and snacks we tried along the way, including Butterbeer, a Honeydukes pumpkin pastry, and the wonderfully strange Pizza Dog. Then we wrap everything up by looking at the actual cost of Unlimited Express during our visit and answering if would we pay for it separately? Does staying at a Signature Universal resort where Express is included completely change the value equation? And beyond simply saving time, did Express make the entire Universal experience better?

We're coming to you live from Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar at Disney Springs with our good friends Jon and Susan to try almost the entire new Halloween seasonal menu—and as usual, Jock Lindsey's absolutely brings it when it comes to presentation. We work our way through five of the seasonal offerings, skipping only the returning Alien Invader Sliders. On the table are the Candelabra Eggs, topped with crispy fried chicken and sweet charred pepper sauce; the Dark Forest Dip, featuring creamy hummus and a seriously impressive black cat presentation; the Skull of the Dead Dip, loaded with barbacoa, cheese, fried onions, and plantain chips; the Bone Kabobs, featuring pork and beef served on some of the coolest skewers we've seen; and the Midnight Mayhem Popcorn Chicken, complete with buffalo sauce, candied bacon, nuts, and plenty of Halloween flair. We also try the very sweet, very colorful Viper's Nest non-alcoholic drink and spend probably way too much time trying to figure out where Jock Lindsey's finds all of these incredible Halloween serving pieces. But underneath all the skulls, coffins, bones, cats, and spooky presentation, how does the food actually taste? Along with Jon and Susan, we break down which dishes impressed us most, which were simply solid bar food, whether the plantain chips were the right choice, why “creamy tomato sauce” may be playing a little fast and loose with the word creamy, and whether these small plates justify Disney Springs prices. Plus, we talk about what makes Jock Lindsey's such a fun seasonal stop, why you probably shouldn't order five appetizers at once on one tiny table, and whether this Halloween lineup is worth adding to your next Disney Springs visit. Grab a seat at the table—it's time for a spooky live dining review!

We're kicking off Resort Wars: Showdown, a brand-new phase of our popular series where previous Resort Wars winners return to face each other head-to-head. From here, the winners keep advancing until only one Walt Disney World resort is left standing as the ultimate Resort Wars champion. Our first Showdown features two fan-favorite Moderate Resorts with very different personalities: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort vs. Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. We put these former champions through our familiar Resort Wars categories, comparing them on theming and atmosphere, rooms and comfort, dining and drinks, transportation and location, recreation and amenities, and overall value. Coronado Springs brings Gran Destino Tower, an impressive dining and lounge lineup, beautiful grounds, and amenities that can sometimes make it feel more Deluxe than Moderate. Riverside counters with peaceful Southern charm, gorgeous landscaping along the Sassagoula River, boat transportation to Disney Springs, classic Disney atmosphere, and one of the most relaxing resort experiences on property. Plus, we bring in the listener vote to see which resort the Main Street Magic community thinks deserves to advance. Two Resort Wars winners enter the Showdown. Only one moves on. Which resort survives the first battle?

It's time for another round of Disney Truth or Dare, and this time we're diving into one of our favorite topics—Disney food! In this episode, we're putting each other on the spot with a stack of Truth and Dare cards filled with honest opinions, impossible choices, and plenty of opportunities for some spirited debate about the best eats around Walt Disney World. Will we have to choose between Dole Whip and the Mickey Premium Bar? Eliminate an iconic Disney snack forever? Reveal our biggest Disney food hot take? Or defend which restaurant we'd recommend if someone only had one table-service meal during their entire vacation? Those are just a few of the questions that could come up—but with every card drawn at random, we never know what's coming next. From snacks and quick service to signature dining, festival booths, Disney Springs favorites, and resort restaurants, no corner of Walt Disney World's food scene is off limits. Once a card is drawn, there's no backing out, no changing the question, and definitely no saying, “It depends!” Whether you're planning your next Disney dining adventure or simply love hearing passionate Disney food debates, this episode is packed with fun, laughs, and plenty of opinions that may have you cheering us on… or yelling at your speakers. Grab your favorite Disney snack and play along to see how your answers compare to ours!

We're serving up a weekend roundup packed with delicious bites and exciting updates from Walt Disney World and beyond! We kick things off at Disney Springs with a look at the latest limited-time offerings from D-Luxe Burger, including the new Cheddar Biscuit Burger loaded with pimento cheese, fried green tomato, bacon, and jalapeño jam. Then we grab a scoop from Salt & Straw as we break down this month's creative pie-inspired flavors—from Wild-Foraged Berry Slab Pie to the surprisingly intriguing Gruyère & Tomato Custard Tart. Next, we head over to Beak and Barrel to discuss the newest details released, including menu updates and extra seating. Finally, we recap our weekend at House of Mouse Expo 2026, sharing some of our favorite moments, the incredible Disney community, and what made this year's event such a memorable experience. Whether you're planning your next Disney Springs foodie day, curious about the latest Disney news, or just looking to hang out with fellow Disney fans, this episode has a little something for everyone.

We're answering another fantastic batch of questions from the Main Street Magic Community, covering everything from Disney dining and EPCOT festivals to blue-sky Imagineering ideas and even one very unexpected bird discussion. We kick things off by talking about one of our favorite Disney treats and whether Animal Kingdom's famous Anandapur Ice Cream Truck has any worthy rivals across Walt Disney World. Then we revisit one of Disney's most debated vacation planning topics—the Disney Dining Plan—and discuss whether it's still worth purchasing. We also answer the impossible question of which single Disney park we'd choose to podcast about forever and dream up our own perfect EPCOT festival, complete with food booths, entertainment, and a scavenger hunt. From there, we share ideas for keeping the magic alive after multiple Disney vacations, react to a creative concept for indoor “Minni Disney” destinations around the country, and imagine how we'd completely redesign some of Disney's most disappointing quick-service and table-service restaurants. We also compare Disney's attraction technology with what Universal has accomplished at Epic Universe, debate which after-hours or holiday party offers the best value today, and help a family visiting Walt Disney World for just one day decide which park should make that unforgettable first impression before setting sail on a Disney Cruise. Whether you're planning your next vacation, looking for fresh Disney ideas, or just enjoy hearing us tackle fun “what if” scenarios, this episode is packed with laughs, opinions, and plenty of Disney magic.

We're tackling a wide variety of questions submitted by the Main Street Magic Community, covering everything from trip planning and resort decisions to Disney debates and even a little Universal Orlando. We discuss one of the most awkward situations you'll encounter in the parks—line cutting—and share our thoughts on where we draw the line (literally). Then we help a couple planning a Christmas vacation choose the perfect breakfast and dinner, including a character dining experience. We also look ahead to the future of Walt Disney World and debate whether 2027 or 2028 offers the better opportunity for a return visit based on upcoming attractions. Of course, no Q&A would be complete without some hot takes, so we're sharing the Disney hills we're willing to die on, from parks to movies and beyond. We also help a family decide between Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights, discuss whether Deluxe Resorts are really worth the extra cost, and compare All-Star Music Family Suites versus the Art of Animation Family Suites and the value of having Skyliner access. Finally, for all the Disney fans venturing over to Universal Orlando for the first time, especially self-proclaimed ride chickens, we offer tips to help make that first visit fun, stress-free, and unforgettable. Whether you're planning your next vacation or just love talking Disney, this episode has something for everyone!

We're ranking our top burger spots from across the parks, resorts, Disney Springs, and beyond, discussing what makes each one stand out and whether it's worth going out of your way to try. From the iconic Stack Burger at Steakhouse 71 and the island-inspired Wayfinder Burger at Wailulu Bar & Grill to the legendary Bison Cheeseburger at Geyser Point and the fan-favorite creations at D-Luxe Burger, we'll break down the flavors, toppings, atmosphere, and overall experience at each location. Along the way, we'll also highlight a few underrated burgers that deserve more attention, including favorites at Three Bridges Bar & Grill, Yak & Yeti Restaurant, Victoria Falls Lounge, Beaches & Cream, and more. As a bonus, we're taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the best burgers ever served during EPCOT's festivals, including one of our most beloved Food & Wine Festival burger offerings of all time. If you're planning your next Disney vacation and want to know where to find the juiciest, most flavorful burgers on property—or you're just looking for an excuse to talk Disney food—this episode is for you. Grab some fries, maybe a milkshake, and join us as we crown the best burgers at Walt Disney World!

We're putting each other on the spot with a mix of honest confessions, impossible choices, and hot takes covering everything from ships and staterooms to dining, entertainment, private islands, and more. Is Castaway Cay still the ultimate private island, or is Lookout Cay making a serious case? Which onboard restaurant would we bring to land, and what Disney Cruise tradition do we think gets a little too much hype? Once a card is drawn, there's no backing out—we have to give a clear answer and defend it, even if it sparks a debate. While we've personally sailed the Disney Magic, Disney Wish and the Disney Destiny, this episode celebrates the entire Disney Cruise Line fleet. Whether you've sailed once, sailed them all, or are dreaming about your very first Disney cruise, you'll find plenty of fun conversations, surprising opinions, and maybe even a few ideas for planning your next adventure at sea. So grab your favorite tropical drink, settle into your deck chair, and play along with us. Would your answers match ours, or would you make completely different choices? There's only one way to find out!

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover the latest Universal Orlando Resort news before digging into a surprisingly rich piece of Universal Studios Hollywood history: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe briefly taking over the upper lot during the 1985 holiday season. They start with Fourth of July offerings at Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, CityWalk, and Bar 17 Bistro, then look at Illumination's box-office track record, Epic Universe guest surveys, and how Universal is comparing itself against Disney. The featured story traces He-Man's Conan-inspired roots, Mattel's toy-driven rise, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade connection, and why Masters of the Universe has never quite found a permanent theme park home. NEWS • Universal Orlando's Fourth of July plans included patriotic stilt walkers, fireworks at Epic Universe, lagoon entertainment at Universal Studios Florida, and family-friendly festivities at CityWalk. • Jim highlights Bar 17 Bistro at Aventura Hotel as one of the best rooftop spots for seeing fireworks across Central Florida. • Minions and Monsters opens the discussion of Illumination's reliable box-office machine and the studio's next wave of films, including Sing 3, The Secret Life of Pets 3, and Not Alone. • Eric shares new Epic Universe survey questions about park hours, nighttime entertainment, guest satisfaction, and whether visitors leave for other Orlando-area options. • Jim and Eric discuss why How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk has become a new themed entertainment benchmark, and how Disney's upcoming Villains Land may be compared against it. FEATURE • The feature begins with old photos of He-Man, Skeletor, Orko, She-Ra, and other Masters of the Universe characters appearing at Universal Studios Hollywood. • Jim and Eric trace the sword-and-sorcery path from Robert E. Howard's Conan stories to Universal's Conan the Barbarian films and the long-running Adventures of Conan stage show. • Eric explains how Mattel's abandoned Conan toy plans helped lead to He-Man, Castle Grayskull, and the Masters of the Universe toy line. • The episode revisits the Filmation cartoon, the toy-and-TV boom of the 1980s, and the way He-Man became a playground staple for a generation. • Jim and Eric connect the 1985 Universal Studios Hollywood He-Man meet-and-greet to the Masters of the Universe Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float. • The conversation looks back at Gary Goddard's 1987 Masters of the Universe movie, starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella, and why it struggled despite the franchise's popularity. • Eric explains why He-Man is unlikely to become a major Universal attraction, even as Masters of the Universe merchandise appears in Universal parks. • The discussion closes with Mattel Adventure Park's proposed He-Man vs. Skeletor laser tag experience and what a future Castle Grayskull attraction might look like. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Thanks to UnlockedMagic.com, where Epic Universal Podcast listeners can save on theme park tickets for Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The field has been narrowed from eleven pavilions to just four, and now it's time to crown a champion in the final episode of the Main Street Magic EPCOT World Showcase Cup! After surviving the play-in round and quarterfinals, the remaining pavilions enter the Final Four with everything on the line. We'll once again compare each matchup across food, drinks, attractions, immersion, shopping, hangout factor, hidden details, festival presence, and overall experience—but at this stage, every decision feels tougher than ever. The two semifinal winners will advance to the championship match, where we'll take one final look at what makes each pavilion special and decide which one truly deserves to lift the Cup.  Then, after three episodes, multiple upsets, and plenty of tough calls, only one pavilion remains standing. Which pavilion survives the Final Four? Who reaches the championship match? And which World Showcase country is crowned the first-ever Main Street Magic EPCOT World Showcase Cup champion? Grab your bracket at https://www.patreon.com/wonderlandcrew/posts/main-street-cup-163717533, see whether your picks are still alive, and join us as we finish the tournament and crown the ultimate EPCOT pavilion!

Welcome to the Main Street Magic EPCOT World Showcase Cup! In this special tournament series, we're putting all 11 World Showcase pavilions head-to-head in a single-elimination bracket to determine, once and for all, which pavilion deserves to be crowned the ultimate EPCOT champion. Before the competition begins, we explain exactly how the tournament was created. Using AI analysis, rankings and opinions from some of the most trusted Disney fan sites, and our own experiences after countless visits to EPCOT, we seeded each pavilion into the bracket based on six major categories: Food, Drinks, Attractions, Immersion, Shopping, and Hangout Factor. But once the tournament starts, the seeds no longer matter—every matchup is decided one category at a time, with the winner advancing and the loser going home. After introducing the rules and revealing the full bracket, it's time for the opening play-in round. Three exciting matchups kick off the tournament as lower-seeded pavilions battle for the chance to face the top contenders waiting later in the bracket. Every debate is filled with tough decisions, surprising opinions, and plenty of Disney discussion as we compare everything from signature restaurants and iconic snacks to rides, entertainment, architecture, hidden details, and festival offerings. Who earns the first victories? Which pavilion pulls off an upset? And which favorites are waiting for their chance to enter the tournament? Welcome to the Main Street Magic EPCOT World Showcase Cup!

We're wrapping up an unforgettable Fourth of July weekend at Walt Disney World with plenty of food, fireworks, resort updates, and a few surprises along the way. We kick things off by giving shoutouts to some amazing members of the Main Street Magic community we had the chance to meet before diving into the latest changes around Disney's Polynesian Village Resort—including an update to Wailulu Bar & Grill's menu and the unexpected reason Disney has eliminated zero-proof cocktails across its owned restaurants. From there, we eat our way through the weekend with breakfast at Steakhouse 71, featuring Walt's Prime Rib Hash, seasonal pancakes, a build-your-own omelet, and some must-order sides before heading poolside to Barefoot Pool Bar for refreshing drinks and spicy honey pork wings. We also stop by Trader Sam's Grog Grotto to sample several appetizers and then chat about finishing the trip at Tambu Lounge with a couple of classic favorites. Along the way, we share our thoughts on the new Disney Springs bus procedures, recap what it's like spending Independence Day at Disney's Polynesian Resort, and discuss everything from fireworks to crowd levels to whether this holiday weekend is worth experiencing for yourself. Whether you're planning your next Walt Disney World vacation, looking for honest Disney dining reviews, or just want to spend some time hanging out with us, this episode is packed with food, fun, Disney updates, and plenty of holiday magic.

We're recapping another food-filled weekend at Walt Disney World and beyond as we take you through every meal, snack, and dining experience from our latest trip. Over the course of just 48 hours, we visited seven different dining locations, ranging from Disney quick service favorites and signature dining to a brand-new off-property brunch spot that completely impressed us. We kick things off with lunch at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge before heading to Disney Springs for dinner at House of Blues. We make a stop at Golden Oak Outpost to try the new Banana Caramel Beignets, revisit Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, and enjoy dinner at Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood atop Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. We also venture outside the Disney bubble to experience brunch at Harlow Grove in Winter Park, a beautiful new restaurant that quickly earned a spot on our list of must-visit dining destinations. As always, we're sharing exactly what we ordered, our honest thoughts on each dish, what surprised us the most, what we'd definitely order again, and whether each location is worth adding to your next Walt Disney World vacation itinerary.  Whether you're planning your next Disney vacation, looking for new restaurants to try, or simply enjoy hearing honest Disney dining reviews, this episode is packed with plenty of delicious conversation, helpful recommendations, and a few unexpected favorites that might just inspire your next meal. Grab a snack and join us as we break down one of our tastiest weekends yet!

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a very Oz-heavy opening, from new Wicked-adjacent publishing news to the limited reopening dates for North Carolina's Land of Oz. Then they unpack the latest Halloween Horror Nights announcements, Universal Studios Hollywood's new security setup, and the early reactions to Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. The episode wraps with a fond farewell to CityWalk Orlando's Hot Dog Hall of Fame and a deep dive into Steven Schussler, the Rainforest Cafe creator whose themed-dining imagination helped shape restaurants at Disney, Universal, and beyond. NEWS • Land of Oz tickets go on sale as the park prepares for its limited 2026 September operating dates. • Halloween Horror Nights adds the original house Madlands: Caged Cannibals to the Orlando lineup. • H.R. Bloodengutz returns with a new Halloween-focused haunted house and plenty of old-school HHN lore. • Universal Studios Hollywood shifts security screening to new perimeter hubs around CityWalk. • Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas faces early online criticism ahead of its July 1 opening. FEATURE • Eric shares his last visit to Hot Dog Hall of Fame before the CityWalk favorite closes in July. • Jim looks back at Steven Schussler's path from Rainforest Cafe to T-Rex, Yak & Yeti, The Boathouse, and Hot Dog Hall of Fame. • The hosts explain how themed dining, oversized ambition, and a house full of animatronic animals helped reshape restaurants at Disney and Universal. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save on theme park tickets and select after-hours event tickets. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would the ultimate Walt Disney World resort look like if we could mix and match the best features from every Disney resort? In this episode, we're taking on the ultimate Disney Resort Draft Challenge to find out. Using a snake draft format, we each build our dream resort by selecting from categories including location, overall theme, lobby, standard room, pool, quick service restaurant, table service restaurant, lounge, transportation, and recreation. But there are plenty of twists along the way. We each receive a one-time Steal Card that can completely change the outcome of the draft, while a randomly assigned Forced Pick means every resort—even Value and Moderate resorts—has a chance to shine. To keep things balanced, we're also required to include at least one Value Resort selection and one Moderate Resort selection in our final resort. Throughout the draft, we explain the reasoning behind every pick, debate what makes each resort element special, and do our best to convince each other—and you—that our choices create the ultimate Disney vacation destination. Whether you're dreaming about your next stay, planning a future trip, or simply love talking Disney resorts, this episode is packed with strategy, friendly competition, Disney debates, and plenty of opportunities to play along and decide whose resort you'd book first.

We recap an incredibly food-focused weekend at Walt Disney World, where we made our way through Disney Springs, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Port Orleans Riverside, and several resort dining locations in search of some of the newest and most talked-about menu items. We share our thoughts on everything from Italian favorites at Terralina Crafted Italian and massive cookies from Gideon's Bakehouse to specialty pizzas at Pizza Ponte, unique ice cream flavors at Salt & Straw, and the limited-time Pepperoni Pizza Burger from D-Luxe Burger. Along the way, we also sample Fourth of July-themed treats, Annual Passholder-exclusive Joffrey's beverages, and several seasonal desserts that are perfect for summer. The food tour continues with stops at Regal Eagle Smokehouse in EPCOT, Satu'li Canteen and Pizzafari in Animal Kingdom, Scat Cat's Club at Port Orleans Riverside, Hurricane Hanna's at Disney's Beach Club Resort, and more. We break down what was worth the money, what surprised us most, and which items we'd happily order again. To wrap things up, we hand out our Foodie Superlatives, including things like Best Overall Item, Best Sweet Treat, Best Savory Item, and the one item we'd skip next time. Whether you're planning your next Disney vacation or just looking for your next must-try snack, this episode is packed with plenty of Disney food recommendations and honest reviews.

Jeremy sits down with Scott and Michele Atwood, founders of The Main Street Mouse and creators of House of Mouse Expo, for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most beloved Disney fan events in the country. With House of Mouse Expo returning July 31 through August 2, 2026, there's no better time to explore how it all began, how it has grown over the years, and what continues to make it such a special experience for Disney fans. The conversation begins with Scott and Michele's journey from Michigan to Central Florida and how their passion for Disney led them to launch The Main Street Mouse, a community that has connected Disney fans for more than a decade. From there, Jeremy dives into the origins of House of Mouse Expo, discussing the inspiration behind the event, the challenges of getting it off the ground, and how it evolved into a gathering that brings together Disney fans, creators, vendors, and special guests from around the country. Along the way, Scott and Michele share stories from behind the scenes, including the planning, logistics, unexpected obstacles, and memorable moments that attendees rarely get to see. They also discuss the friendships and connections that have formed through the expo and why creating a welcoming, family-like atmosphere has always been at the heart of HOME. The episode also includes a fun dream guest draft, expo superlatives, and a look ahead at what's next for House of Mouse Expo. Whether listeners are longtime attendees, considering their first visit, or simply curious about what goes into creating a successful Disney fan event, this conversation offers a unique look at the passion, dedication, and community that continue to make House of Mouse Expo feel like HOME. Connect with Scott & Michele Atwood

We continue our Resort Wars series with a showdown between two EPCOT-area favorites: Disney's BoardWalk Inn and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Both resorts offer incredible access to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, but they deliver completely different vacation experiences. BoardWalk Inn immerses guests in the charm and nostalgia of a turn-of-the-century Atlantic City boardwalk, complete with lively entertainment, unique dining, and one of the most iconic atmospheres at Walt Disney World. Meanwhile, Swan Reserve offers a more modern and luxurious approach, featuring some of the newest rooms on property, spacious family suites, and access to the extensive amenities, pools, and dining options of the Swan and Dolphin resorts. Throughout the episode, we compare the two resorts across seven categories, including theming and atmosphere, rooms and comfort, dining and drinks, transportation and location, recreation and amenities, value for money, and listener feedback. We discuss everything from the magic of strolling the BoardWalk at night and grabbing a drink at AbracadaBar to the benefits of staying in a sleek, contemporary room just steps from EPCOT. Will Disney's immersive storytelling and unmatched atmosphere help BoardWalk Inn secure the victory? Or will Swan Reserve's modern accommodations, impressive amenities, and strong value proposition prove too much to overcome? Whether you're planning your next Walt Disney World vacation or trying to decide where to stay for an upcoming trip, this episode will help you determine which of these popular Crescent Lake resorts is the better fit for your travel style.

We're pairing up our favorite attractions, restaurants, lounges, and experiences from across Walt Disney World to create the ultimate theme park duos. These are the combinations that just belong together—whether it's because of their theme, location, storytelling, or simply the way they complete one another. We travel through all four parks, matching iconic attractions with the dining and experiences that elevate them even further. From grabbing a drink at Beak and Barrel after sailing through Pirates of the Caribbean, to enjoying Garden Grill before a relaxing ride through Living with the Land, we discuss the pairings that have become must-dos for us over the years. Along the way, we share why Jungle Cruise and Skipper Canteen are the perfect Adventureland combo, why Expedition Everest and Yak & Yeti feel like they were made for each other, and how attractions like Rise of the Resistance, Frozen Ever After, Flight of Passage, and Kilimanjaro Safaris become even better when paired with the right food, drink, or experience nearby. We also debate some underrated combinations, revisit a few classic favorites, and ultimately rank our Top 5 Theme Park Duos from the entire list. Will Pirates and Beak and Barrel take the crown? Can Garden Grill and Living with the Land claim the top spot? Or will an Animal Kingdom favorite climb to the top of the rankings? If you're planning your next Walt Disney World vacation or just looking for new ways to experience the parks, this episode is packed with ideas to help you create your own perfect Disney pairings.

On this weeks episode of The Theme Park Podcast, World Cup fever has taken over CityWalk, Animal Kingdom gets a kangaroo experience and are you ready to celebrate H.U.M.A.N. Day in Monstropolis? Follow The Show:FacebookInstagramYouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We put each other on the spot with a series of Truths and Dares centered around Walt Disney World's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. But don't worry—these aren't your typical Truth or Dare questions. The Truths are all about honest takes, unpopular opinions, favorite experiences, and a few hot takes that might ruffle some feathers among Disney fans. The Dares? They're packed with impossible choices that force us to pick between beloved restaurants, favorite shops, and Disney Springs experiences we never want to lose. Would we rather give up Gideon's or Everglazed? Which restaurant would we choose if we could only eat at one Disney Springs location forever? Is Marketplace better than the West Side? And what Disney Springs attraction, restaurant, or store deserves a little more love? Along the way, we share personal favorites, surprising answers, plenty of laughs, and a few decisions that were much harder than we expected. Whether you're a Disney Springs regular, a foodie planning your next Walt Disney World vacation, or just love hearing Disney debates, this episode is a fun way to test your own opinions and see where you agree—or disagree—with ours. Play along as you listen and let us know your answers to these Disney Springs Truths and Dares!

Jeremy sits down with acclaimed theme park journalist, Disney food expert, and author Carly Caramanna for a fascinating conversation about Disney food history, nostalgia, storytelling, and her upcoming book, The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook. Carly shares her journey from growing up in a Disney-loving family in New Jersey to becoming one of the most recognized voices covering theme parks and travel, with work appearing in outlets including USA Today, CNN, BBC, NPR, and more. Along the way, she reveals how a late-night discovery of a 1981 Walt Disney World cast member restaurant manual eventually sparked the idea for a cookbook dedicated not just to recipes, but to preserving the stories behind Disney's most beloved dining experiences. Together, Jeremy and Carly explore the evolution of Disney food over the decades, discussing everything from the earliest days of Disneyland to the Michael Eisner era, Pleasure Island, Disney-MGM Studios, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, and beyond. Carly shares behind-the-scenes details about researching long-forgotten restaurants, tracking down former cast members, recreating extinct recipes, and adapting vintage dishes for modern kitchens. The conversation also dives into the ongoing debate surrounding Disney adults, why theme parks should be viewed as living art, and how Disney's culinary scene has helped elevate Central Florida into a nationally recognized food destination. Along the way, Carly offers plenty of hot takes, including her picks for the most underrated and overrated restaurants at Walt Disney World, her favorite Disneyland snacks, why Narcoossee's deserves far more attention, and what excites her most about the future of Disney dining. From hot dog egg rolls and carrot cake cookies to blue shrimp, monorail cocktails, and nostalgic Disney memories, this episode is packed with food, history, humor, and plenty of Disney magic.Connect with Carly Caramanna  Website: Adventures by Carly  Instagram: @adventuresbycarlyPreorder the Book  The Unofficial Disney Parks Retro Cookbook is available now for preorder!

We're recapping a packed Disney trip that took us from Blizzard Beach to EPCOT, from a one-night resort stay to Banana Ball, and finally to Disney's Animal Kingdom for breakfast, snacks, shopping, and Disney's new Bluey experience. We kick things off at Blizzard Beach, where we cool down with some water park fun, try a couple of sweet treats including the S'mores Churro, and even run into a listener along the way. From there, we head to EPCOT to check out the limited-time Annual Passholder Lounge inside Restaurant Marrakesh and share whether this summer perk is worth making time for. Next, we check into the Meliá Orlando Celebration for a one-night stay before heading to ESPN Wide World of Sports to experience Banana Ball. We'll discuss the atmosphere, entertainment, and whether this unique event lives up to the hype. On Saturday, we make our way to Disney's Animal Kingdom for breakfast at Satu'li Canteen, check out some new merchandise, sample snacks from Isle of Java and Pizzafari, and join the virtual queue for Disney's newest Bluey experience.  Along the way, we highlight our favorite moments, biggest surprises, best values, and the experiences we'd most recommend. Whether you're planning a Walt Disney World vacation or just love hearing about what's new around the parks, this episode is packed with reviews, tips, and plenty of Disney fun.

We're putting two of Walt Disney World's most beloved Deluxe Resorts head-to-head as Disney's Yacht Club Resort takes on Disney's Beach Club Resort. These sister resorts may share Stormalong Bay and a prime Crescent Lake location, but they offer two very different vacation vibes — and we're breaking it all down to decide which one comes out on top. We compare Yacht Club's refined nautical elegance and quieter, more adult-leaning atmosphere against Beach Club's bright, beachy energy and family-friendly charm. From theming and room comfort to dining, transportation, recreation, and overall value, each resort battles it out round by round in classic Resort Wars fashion. We also discuss fan-favorite dining locations like Yachtsman Steakhouse, Ale & Compass, Cape May Cafe, and Beaches & Cream, plus the unbeatable walkability to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios that makes this resort area one of the best on property. If you're trying to decide which resort is best for your next Walt Disney World vacation — whether you're planning an adults-only getaway, family trip, festival weekend, or pool-focused staycation — this episode should help you decide which side of Crescent Lake deserves your vote.

After 18 visits to Paris for Kat and 4 for Chris, it's safe to say we know a lot of about the best tours of Paris! So in this episode, we're diving into the best tours to take in Paris. From food tours in Paris to visiting Mona Lisa at her most peaceful time in the Louvre, this is what to book for your trip! *Thank you to Walks Tours for sponsoring this episode! Check out the best tours in Europe with Walks Tours: https://www.takewalks.com/   Relevant Links (may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission-at no additional cost to you!): -Want more France travel? Check out our blog: https://francevoyager.com -Closing Time at the Louvre: Mona Lisa at Her Most Peaceful: https://fas.st/t/yFqTgUPe -Ultimate Paris Food Tour: https://fas.st/t/eoqHqPjz -Montmartre Like a Local: Paris Food Tour: https://fas.st/t/EGUuhjsf -Paris Pastry and Chocolate Tour: https://fas.st/t/zSjAKc4F -Skip-the-Line Paris Catacombs Tour with Special Access: https://fas.st/t/mwvKhayY -Meet the Impressionists: Musée d'Orsay Skip-the-Line Fully Guided Tour: https://fas.st/t/6XGv2MXf -Notre Dame Tour: Inside the Cathedral & Small Group Île de la Cité Walk: https://fas.st/t/oF36MAkz -Paris in a Day Tour with Louvre, City Walk, Eiffel Tower & River Cruise: https://fas.st/t/HhBidqUc -A Day at the Palace: Small Group Paris to Versailles Day Trip with Garden Stroll: https://fas.st/t/rZqijdMA -Haunted Pere Lachaise Tour: https://getyourguide.stay22.com/worldwidehoneymoon/pd4gy-h3Bu -Saint-Chapelle Guided Tour: https://getyourguide.stay22.com/worldwidehoneymoon/skhhGtKb9R -Emily in Paris Tour: https://getyourguide.stay22.com/worldwidehoneymoon/mqQdZYJ-nQ   Want to support our work? You can buy us a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/worldwidehoneymoon    Need help planning your trip to France? Check out my trip consulting page: https://francevoyager.com/france-travel-consulting-custom-itineraries/    Traveling to France? Check out our Facebook Group called France Travel Tips to ask/answer questions and learn more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/francevoyager/   Don't forget to follow along! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwidehoneymoon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwidehoneymoon TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwidehoneymoon World Wide Honeymoon Blog: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com France Voyager Blog: https://francevoyager.com Subscribe to the World Wide Honeymoon blog here for monthly updates and tips + get our FREE trip planning guide: https://www.subscribepage.com/o4e5c2

We're recapping a wild Walt Disney World weekend that included car camping at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, trying out Lightning Lane Multi Pass over two full park days, eating our way around property, and finally getting to experience newly reopened attractions like Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster, Smuggler's Run, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Ranger Spin, and Soarin. We'll talk about the realities of Disney car camping, including setup, comfort, requesting the perfect campsite near the comfort station, nighttime campground vibes, and whether we'd actually do it again. Along the way, we packed in a ton of attractions across Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios, including Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, TRON, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and more. Of course, there's also plenty of food discussion, including breakfast at Steakhouse 71, drinks and snacks at The Beak and Barrel, flatbreads at Baseline Tap House, dinner at Trail's End Restaurant, and an impromptu brunch stop at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' before heading home. We'll break down what worked, what didn't, and whether this entire Disney weekend adventure was truly worth it. Watch our car camping "room" tour here! 

We break down our lunch buffet experience, from the atmosphere and character interactions to the food quality, variety, desserts, service, and overall value at Hollywood and Vine inside Disney's Hollywood Studios. We'll talk about what stood out, what fell flat, and whether Hollywood & Vine deserves its often mixed reputation among Walt Disney World fans. We also discuss the current pricing, which comes in at $64 per adult and $44 per child (ages 3–9), plus tax and gratuity, and whether we think it's worth paying full price. Luckily, we were able to take advantage of the current 40% off Annual Passholder dining discount, which definitely impacted the overall value conversation. If you've been debating whether Hollywood & Vine is worth booking for your next trip, especially with character dining prices continuing to rise, this episode should help you decide if this buffet is a hidden gem, a one-and-done experience, or somewhere in between.

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey unpack the surprising behind-the-scenes fallout that pushed Steven Spielberg away from Disney and deeper into Universal's orbit, while also covering major changes coming to Universal Orlando. Plus, the duo explores the lost Casper dark ride that almost became Universal's answer to Haunted Mansion. NEWS • Universal may finally be testing Epic Universe's long-rumored “open hub” concept for convention guests visiting Celestial Park • Mythos Restaurant at Islands of Adventure is officially set to close in 2027 as Lost Continent transformation plans move forward • Rumors intensify that the Mystic Fountain may soon disappear from Islands of Adventure • Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk is reportedly closing, with Joey Fatone's restaurant concept expected to take over the space • Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show delivers an emotional final performance before its temporary closure and refresh • Universal and UCF launch a new themed entertainment leadership program focused on training the next generation of park creatives • New details emerge about Shrek's role inside Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas as Shrek 5 merchandise plans begin surfacing FEATURE • The untold story of how Steven Spielberg's relationship with Disney soured after Roger Rabbit and Dick Tracy • Why Universal's early theme park struggles pushed Spielberg to become more deeply involved with Universal Studios Florida • The fascinating history of the canceled Casper dark ride that nearly became Universal's version of Haunted Mansion • How Men in Black: Alien Attack ultimately replaced the planned Casper attraction HOSTS • Jim Hill X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia Instagram: @JimHillMedia Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey X/Twitter: @erichersey Instagram: @erichersey Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR UnlockedMagic.com If you're planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World, be sure to visit Unlocked Magic and save today: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=epicjhm If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between graduation week, home renovations, audio issues, nonstop schedules, and Facebook accounts getting hacked — which also impacted parts of the Main Street Magic community — life has officially gotten VERY lifey around here. In this honest and unfiltered update, we share what's been going on behind the scenes, why we're temporarily pausing episodes, what happened with the Facebook hack, and what's next for Main Street Magic moving forward. We also talk about the importance of building community outside of social media, why we're asking everyone to join our email list at MainStMagic.com, and some exciting Disney plans we still have coming up including camping at Fort Wilderness, Hollywood & Vine, Muppets taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Big Thunder Mountain reopening, new food reviews, and more. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that sometimes life piles up all at once — and sometimes you just have to take the “next play” and keep moving forward. Thank you all for the support, patience, messages, and kindness over the past few days. We appreciate this community more than you know.

We're checking into a brand-new game of Disney Truth or Dare: Resort Edition—where the hot takes are strong, the choices are painful, and absolutely no Walt Disney World hotel is safe. After tackling the parks, it was time to turn our attention to the resorts—and things got surprisingly intense. From impossible monorail resort eliminations and brutally honest opinions about overrated hotels, to debates over the best lobby smell, transportation system, pool, and nighttime atmosphere, we put each other on the spot with random Truth or Dare questions pulled straight from the hats. The rules are simple: pick Truth or Dare, draw a random prompt, and answer honestly. No skipping, no changing your answer halfway through, and no hiding behind “well, it depends.” That means some strong opinions were shared… and some may upset even the most loyal Disney resort fans. Over the course of the episode, we each answered 10 randomly selected questions, and along the way, there were plenty of laughs, a few moments of genuine shock, and at least a couple answers that immediately sparked debate. Whether you're loyal to the monorail loop, obsessed with Crescent Lake, love the Skyliner resorts, or proudly defend Port Orleans French Quarter with your whole heart, this episode is packed with fun Disney resort discussions that every Walt Disney World fan can jump into. So grab your favorite lobby scent, settle into your favorite resort chair, and play along with us as Disney Truth or Dare heads to the hotels!

We're diving deep into all the entertainment aboard the brand-new Disney Destiny — from Broadway-style stage spectaculars and immersive themed lounges to trivia, game shows, deck parties, live music, and everything in between. If you're wondering what's actually worth your time onboard, this is the episode for you. We break down Disney Cruise Line's newest entertainment offerings, including our full thoughts on Hercules, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, and Seas the Adventure, discussing everything from the live vocals and special effects and emotional moments that make Disney cruise entertainment so unique.  Beyond the theater, we explore the ship's bars and lounges including De Vil's Piano Lounge, the mysterious Sanctum Lounge, the Haunted Mansion Parlor, and the pirate-inspired Cask and Cannon. We talk atmosphere, theming, crowd vibe, hidden details, late-night energy, and even some of the surprisingly impressive zero-proof cocktail offerings onboard. Of course, Disney cruises are about more than stage shows and lounges, so we also cover Pirate Night, Sail Away celebrations, trivia, Match Your Mate, live music, character encounters, Funnel Vision movies, and all the little entertainment moments that help bring the ship to life throughout the sailing. And finally, we head ashore to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point to discuss the beaches, food, entertainment, cultural influences, layout, and how it compares to Castaway Cay, and our thoughts may surprise you! Whether you're sailing on the Disney Destiny soon or just love hearing about all things Disney Cruise Line, this episode is packed with honest opinions, laughs, tips, and plenty of Disney magic.

From smoky barbecue on the pool deck to elegant multi-course meals in one of the most upscale restaurant Disney Cruise Line has ever created, we're breaking down every single dining experience aboard the brand-new Disney Destiny. On this episode, we cover it all — the hits, the surprises, the snacks, the desserts, the late-night bites, and yes… even the meals that didn't quite live up to the hype. We dive deep into the rotational dining experiences including Worlds of Marvel, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, and 1923, sharing our favorite dishes, standout desserts, and zero-proof drinks, and which restaurants truly delivered the full Disney magic. Along the way, we talk quick service favorites at Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods, the buffet offerings at Marceline Market, coffee shops and sweet treats around the ship, room service, and more. And then there's Enchanté. Going into this sailing, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement was one of the experiences we were most excited for. With its luxurious Beauty and the Beast-inspired atmosphere and premium price point, expectations were sky high. But did it actually deliver? Let's just say… we had thoughts. Honest ones. Some dishes impressed us, others left us the opposite of impressed, and the overall experience sparked one of the most candid conversations we've ever had on the podcast. This episode is packed with detailed food reviews, plenty of laughs, unexpected opinions, and the kind of honest conversation that we think helps listeners know what's truly worth their time and money aboard the Disney Destiny. Whether you're sailing soon or just dreaming about your next cruise, come hungry for this one.

We're sharing our must-know tips to help you get the most out of your Disney Cruise—from planning before you sail to making the most of every moment once you're onboard. Whether it's your first cruise or your tenth, these practical tips will help you avoid common mistakes, maximize your time, and truly enjoy the experience without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. We'll cover everything from choosing the right stateroom and checking in early to making smart dining decisions, taking advantage of included perks like room service, and knowing what to prioritize once you step onboard. Plus, we're talking about how to pace yourself, stay flexible, and create a cruise experience that actually feels like a vacation. We also take a look at the beautiful Disney Destiny and share our first impressions of the ship—from its layout and atmosphere to what makes it stand out. If you've been curious about Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, this is a great place to start. This episode is packed with simple, actionable tips and real-world advice to help you sail smarter, stress less, and make the most of your time at sea.

This is a quick bonus update episode to keep you in the loop—and let you know why there's no regular episode today. We originally planned to record a full Disney Cruise tips and tricks episode while onboard the Disney Destiny… but once we got there, we made a different call. Instead of recording, we chose to step back, be present, and fully enjoy the experience—something we're always encouraging you to do on your own trips. But don't worry—we've got a ton of amazing content coming your way. We're breaking our Disney Destiny experience into three full episodes: Episode 868 (May 1): Tips, tricks, and everything you need to know about the Disney Destiny Episode 869 (May 5): A full deep dive into all the food—from Worlds of Marvel and Pride Lands to 1923, Festival of Foods, Marceline Market, plus Palo and Enchanté Episode 870 (May 8): Entertainment, including what might be our new favorite show ever on a Disney ship… and also Hercules And that's just the beginning. We've got more fun episodes on the way, including the return of Truth or Dare, a brand-new Resort Wars (winners vs. winners), and a recap of our upcoming camping adventure. Plus, we're revamping MainStreetShirts.com with new designs and monthly drops, developing a Disney Roulette Card Game, and bringing back Wonderland Crew on June 1st—with exclusive content, live shows, meetups, and more. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss any of it!