Podcasts about Pleasure Island

We are excited to have Rebecca from Ontario back on the show with us today to share her trip to Walt Disney World with us! We hear about her experiences on the International College Program back in the day, and how this was a thread during this trip with her family! We discuss her stay at Disney's Pop Century Resort with her husband and daughter (who had never been to Walt Disney World), time in all four theme parks, a day at Typhoon Lagoon, great meals at places like Cinderella's Royal Table, Yak & Yeti, Ohana, and more! We also talk some Pleasure Island, Downtown Disney, and other stuff from days gone by! We hope you can continue the conversation with us this week in the Be Our Guest Podcast Clubhouse at www.beourguestpodcast.com/clubhouse! Thank you so much for your support of our podcast! Become a Patron of the show at www.Patreon.com/BeOurGuestPodcast.  Also, please follow the show on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beourguestpodcast.   Thanks to our friends at The Magic For Less Travel for sponsoring today's podcast!

With 2026 just around the corner, now is the perfect time to discover all of the ways Walt Disney World rings in the New Year! Although some of Walt Disney World's most charming New Year traditions are in its past (R.I.P. Pleasure Island!), there are still a variety of enchanting ways to kick a new year off in style across the resort. Whether you've considered braving the crowds at Magic Kingdom or dancing the night away at EPCOT, you'll want to hear all about the magical celebrations hosted at the parks and even at some WDW resorts.Listen along and join the Dis-cussion on social media @neverlandnavco

Kungaloosh everybody! And by Kungaloosh I mean, welcome to another episode of Mickey Marvel and More! What does Kungaloosh mean and where does it come from? That's what this episodes family chat is all about. Laura and I are going to sit down around the virtual table and talk all about Pleasure Island. What was it, what happened, and what's left? Join us for the family chat to hear all about Pleasure Island and our memories of it. We'll have all that, and of course, some news from in and around the Disneyverse!News Stories:Darth Vader Lightsaber Sells For Record $3.6Mhttps://deadline.com/2025/09/darth-vader-lightsaber-sells-record-auction-1236508813/Disneyland Candy Canes 2025https://disneylanddaily.com/candy-canes-at-disneyland/Cairo Spiny Mouse has Retiredhttps://tinyurl.com/4vbye84cAbout Us:My family and I have been enjoying the Disney theme parks and cruises for over 30 years and have been DVC members since 2013. Not trying to carbon date us, but we have also been around since the creation of the Star Wars universe and the Marvel one as well. What I am saying is that we have been lifelong fans of all things Disney, and we spend a lot of time around our family's table discussing a lot of these topics. Basically, the purpose of this podcast is to continue those discussions here and maybe bring you along for the ride.Email: mickeymarvelandmore@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556208721543Instagram @mickeymarvelandmore: https://www.instagram.com/mickeymarvelandmore/X: https://x.com/Marvel_and_MoreSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4wPOwNwUqOmQOtNiuni6gMApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mickey-marvel-and-more/id1728888080Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e52f614e-2485-47b4-b463-8acaa3c6eadf/mickey-marvel-and-moreiHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-mickey-marvel-and-more-147327185/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickeyMarvelAndMoreCastbox: https://castbox.fm/ch/6015785RSS Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/f19475a4/podcast/rss

Acclaimed international Jazz vocalist Lori Williams has a most impressive resume as a performing artist, veteran music educator, songwriter, producer, musical theater actress, radio host, business owner/founder (PositiveMusicPM.org), and artist-in-residence with over 30 years of experience. Her annual vocal jazz tour and performance at music festivals have taken her to Europe (Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, and Ukraine), Japan,  The Caribbean (including Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, et. al), Mexico, and across the United States (performing at venues and festivals like The Atlanta Jazz Festivals, Berks Jazz Festival, The Birchmere, Birdland - Hamburg, Blues Alley, Blue Note Hawaii, Capital Jazz Fest/Cruise, City Winery, Disney's Pleasure Island, Gulf Coast Summer Jazz Festival, JazzFestBRNO, JazzHRAM, Jazzkeller - Esslingen, Jazzland - Vienna, The Kennedy Center, Keystone Korner, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival, Rams Head Live, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Scullers Jazz, Spivey Hall, Trieste Loves Jazz, and more). Her vocal jazz artist residencies have allowed her to work with and mentor students on college campuses in the USA and abroad. As a veteran vocal music educator and private vocal coach, Lori's received many honors for her contributions to the arts, including The 2025 South Arts Jazz Road Award, The Atlanta Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association's 2023 Excellence in Arts and Entertainment Award, Outstanding Music Teacher in the October 2000 issue of Teaching Music, the 2007 Superintendent's Arts Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year. Lori was nominated for a 2014 Helen Hayes Award as an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical for her role as Ella Fitzgerald. Lori has received letters of recognition for her performances by President Joseph Biden (wherein he wrote that Lori Williams has "the voice of an angel…absolutely amazing"), Speaker of the House John Boehner, and Senator C. Anthony Muse.  Immersed in traditional jazz from an early age (earning a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University, attending the Jazz Studies Program at The University of the District of Columbia, and currently working on her Master's degree in Music - Jazz Studies at Georgia State University), Lori Williams hosts a weekly radio program on JazzRadioWETF.org -  "Collector's Choice With Lori Williams". Her weekly broadcast highlights women in jazz, the international scene and young performers dedicated to the roots and traditions of the music. Lori is also the producer and host of Sunday Jazz Lounge at St. James Live! jazz club in Atlanta, Georgia (stjamesliveatl.com). For over three decades, Lori Williams has had the honor of working with many notable artists as lead / background / studio session / guest vocalist including Oleta Adams, Marcus Adams, Yolanda Adams, Nikita Agafonov, David Archuleta, Marcos Ariel, Rob Bargad, Regina Belle, Eric Benet, The Blackbyrds, Michael Bowie, Willie Bradley, Karen Briggs, Norman Brown, Tom Browne, Peabo Bryson, Chuck Brown, Wayne Bruce, Jerry Butler, Jonathan Butler, Paul Carr, Terri Lyne Carrington, TC Carson, Gene Chandler, Renato Chicco, Stanley Clarke, Nick Colionne, Collaboration, Michael Colyar, Adrian Crutchfield, John Davis, John Di Martino, Will Downing, Joris Dudli, George Duke, Nathan East, Rodney M. Edge, Troy Sol Edler, Kevon Edmonds (After 7), Herb Fame, Jorel "JFLY" Flynn (HBIYD), Derrick Gardner, James Genus, Jazmin Ghent,  Tres Gilbert, Savion Glover, Chelsey Green, Slide Hampton, Winard Harper, Christian Havel, Walter Hawkins, Norbert Heger, Howard Hewett, Dr. W. Weldon Hill, Tony Hightower, Corcoran Holt, William Hubbard, Daryl Hunt, Yoron Israel, Jessy J, Al Johnson and The A-Team, Allyn Johnson (Divine Order), Marcus Johnson, Stanley Jordan, Jackiem Joyner, Michael Keul, Kindred the Family Soul, Ben E. King, James King, Anatoliy Kirnichnyy, Antoine Knight, Yishai Knoll, Saltman Knowles Group, Ignat Kravtsov, Rayshun LaMarr, Lavahi, Evgeny Lebedev, Alex Malheiros (Azymuth), Jimmy Masters, Maysa, Daniel McClain (After 7), Frank McComb, Marion Meadows, Najee, Jimmy Masters, Nathan Mitchell, Ed Neumeister, Marat Nikolaev, Milan Nikolic, Julia Nixon, Daniel Nösig, Antonio Parker, Phil Perry, Robert E. Person, Anne Phillips, Benjie Porecki, Lloyd Price, Chuck Redd, Robert Redd, Althea Rene, Anton Revnyuk, Lenny Robinson, Gino Rosaria, Ellie Saitoh and The Love Tambourines, Erwin Schmidt, Sylver Logan Sharp, Avery Sharpe, Art Sherrod, Oli Silk, Brian Simpson, Dick Smith, John Toomey, Tony Terry, Unit 3 Deep, Gerald Veasley, Chris Walker, Kevin Walker, Kim Waters, Doug Weiss, Anthony Wellington, Matthew Whitaker, Roz White, Bernhard Wiesinger (Poysdorf All-Stars), Vesta Williams, Larry M. Wilson,  Angela Winbush, Sherry Winston, David Ylvisaker, Frederic Yonnet, et.al.  Lori Williams is the proud mother of two exceptionally talented and compassionate remarkable young adults — Lauren V. Highsmith (LAVAHI.me) and Yusef Khalil Chisholm - who inspire her daily with their creativity, passion, and accomplishments. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and the Recording Academy.

Jim wraps up the story of Raglan Road and explains how one Irish pub helped inspire the full transformation of Pleasure Island into today's Disney Springs. Along the way, Len kicks off No Negative November and the crew answers listener trip-planning questions with their best “only happy thoughts” energy. The origins of Raglan Road and how authentic Irish design found a home at Walt Disney World Why its immediate success made Disney rethink the entire Pleasure Island plan How that rethink led from Hyperion Wharf to the Disney Springs we know today EPCOT strategy debate: one-day visit vs. After Hours event Jollywood Nights character advice and what to prioritize Updates on Disney and Universal ticket options and offerings A classic Disney story that starts in a pub and ends with a whole new district. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim wraps up the story of Raglan Road and explains how one Irish pub helped inspire the full transformation of Pleasure Island into today's Disney Springs. Along the way, Len kicks off No Negative November and the crew answers listener trip-planning questions with their best “only happy thoughts” energy. The origins of Raglan Road and how authentic Irish design found a home at Walt Disney World Why its immediate success made Disney rethink the entire Pleasure Island plan How that rethink led from Hyperion Wharf to the Disney Springs we know today EPCOT strategy debate: one-day visit vs. After Hours event Jollywood Nights character advice and what to prioritize Updates on Disney and Universal ticket options and offerings A classic Disney story that starts in a pub and ends with a whole new district. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfesso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors are turning theme parks into teaching tools. Plus, Jim continues his history of Disney Springs with the rise and fall of Pleasure Island's West Side expansion and what that meant for future Disney retail and dining districts. How professors are using Disney films, parks, and history to teach everything from religion to marketing The balance of “magic and strategy” that makes Disney both creative and calculated Surprising college courses inspired by Disney, from theme park architecture to environmental storytelling Why Epcot's Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is removing 3D effects and what it could mean for other attractions New Universal Orlando test for single attraction Express Passes and how guests are reacting Universal Kids Park in Texas reveals themed lands for Shrek, Trolls, and SpongeBob The forgotten Hyperion Wharf project that led to Disney Springs' modern design From academia to Pleasure Island, this episode connects the art of learning with the business of magic. Whether you're a Disney scholar, park historian, or just love a good origin story, this one's packed with imagination and insight. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfesso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors are turning theme parks into teaching tools. Plus, Jim continues his history of Disney Springs with the rise and fall of Pleasure Island's West Side expansion and what that meant for future Disney retail and dining districts. How professors are using Disney films, parks, and history to teach everything from religion to marketing The balance of “magic and strategy” that makes Disney both creative and calculated Surprising college courses inspired by Disney, from theme park architecture to environmental storytelling Why Epcot's Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is removing 3D effects and what it could mean for other attractions New Universal Orlando test for single attraction Express Passes and how guests are reacting Universal Kids Park in Texas reveals themed lands for Shrek, Trolls, and SpongeBob The forgotten Hyperion Wharf project that led to Disney Springs' modern design From academia to Pleasure Island, this episode connects the art of learning with the business of magic. Whether you're a Disney scholar, park historian, or just love a good origin story, this one's packed with imagination and insight. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney's latest round of price increases, Universal's updated safety policies, and a listener's perfect park-free resort itinerary. Disney's latest ticket and Lightning Lane price hikes and how far above inflation they've gone The long-awaited opening details for Zootopia: Better Zoo Gether at Animal Kingdom Universal's new accessibility rules following a tragic ride incident Planning the ultimate resort-only day at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge The untold history of Pleasure Island's Jazz Company and how it paved the way for Raglan Road From gated nightclubs to Guinness on tap, this week's show traces the evolution of Disney nightlife and how Raglan Road set the stage for everything that came after. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney's latest round of price increases, Universal's updated safety policies, and a listener's perfect park-free resort itinerary. Disney's latest ticket and Lightning Lane price hikes and how far above inflation they've gone The long-awaited opening details for Zootopia: Better Zoo Gether at Animal Kingdom Universal's new accessibility rules following a tragic ride incident Planning the ultimate resort-only day at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge The untold history of Pleasure Island's Jazz Company and how it paved the way for Raglan Road From gated nightclubs to Guinness on tap, this week's show traces the evolution of Disney nightlife and how Raglan Road set the stage for everything that came after. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The whole crew is back together—Remy, Jen, Mike, and Nicole—for another lively round of theme park conversations, history, food, and Disney fun.The show kicks off with a fun **vacation planning challenge** where Remy gave Jen, Mike, and Nicole several Disney vacation tiers to choose from: Budget, Moderate, Deluxe, and of course, the ultimate VIP experience. Each host weighed in on what their trip would look like for a 5-day Disney getaway, breaking down what you'd spend depending on the level of luxury you want out of your visit. From value-minded travelers to those who dream of five-star perks, the team compared what's realistic and what's over the top when it comes to planning a Disney trip.Next up, Remy guided everyone through **The Latest Theme Park Updates.** Among the highlights: Loungefly backpacks have officially climbed to $90, sparking the crew's reactions on whether these stylish park essentials are still worth the splurge. Plus, Jen shared which upcoming Florida seasonal event she's most excited to check out this year, giving listeners ideas for fun outings outside of the parks.In **This Week in Disney History**, the Roundtable paused to celebrate two of the most important anniversaries in Walt Disney World history: the grand openings of both **Magic Kingdom** and **EPCOT.** The team reflected on what these parks have meant to generations of visitors and how they continue to define Disney magic today.For this week's **Ride of the Week**, Remy dove deep into the history of **Disney's Pleasure Island**, the nighttime entertainment district that became a legend among Disney fans. Not only did he cover fascinating facts about its clubs and atmosphere, but he also shared his personal connection—memories of performing live at the iconic Jazz Club with his dad and his band, Groove Logic. It's a nostalgic trip back to when Pleasure Island was the place to be after the parks closed.Hungry? You'll want to tune in for **Mike's Munchies**, where the Foodie King himself took us to **The Boathouse at Disney Springs.** Mike walked through the menu highlights, from appetizers to entrées, drinks, and desserts, while also giving a taste of the waterfront dining experience that makes The Boathouse a must-visit for Disney Springs guests. And as always, Remy calculated the grand total for one person to give listeners a real-world look at what dining there will cost you.Finally, the episode wraps up with **Getting Nerdy with Nicole,** where our resident science geek breaks down the fascinating world of **theme park ride restraints.** Nicole explained how these safety systems are engineered to keep guests secure while still allowing for the thrills and excitement of modern attractions. From lap bars to over-the-shoulder harnesses, she explained why different rides employ different types of restraints and how these designs are crucial to the overall ride experience.From budgeting a dream Disney trip to delving into park history, exploring Disney Springs dining, and uncovering the science behind making rides possible, this episode is a jam-packed mix of knowledge, fun, nostalgia, and laughs. It's all here, and it's all part of **Remy's Roundtable: The Florida Theme Park Podcast**—your go-to show for everything Florida theme parks.

Tuesday – Comedian Sean Finnerty in studio about the Just Call Moe Comedy Jam. The crew from Sunset Walk is in with a bunch of chili for our Best of challenge. We review a video about the history of Pleasure Island for WYDTN. We review our picks in the Froggers Football Follow-up. It's Only Money with Scott Brown with Edgewater Family Wealth on the Million-dollar myth, and fears on investing. Plus, JCS News, JCS Trivia & You Heard it Here First.

Tuesday – Comedian Sean Finnerty in studio about the Just Call Moe Comedy Jam. The crew from Sunset Walk is in with a bunch of chili for our Best of challenge. We review a video about the history of Pleasure Island for WYDTN. We review our picks in the Froggers Football Follow-up. It's Only Money with Scott Brown with Edgewater Family Wealth on the Million-dollar myth, and fears on investing. Plus, JCS News, JCS Trivia & You Heard it Here First. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head to LumiGummies.com and use promo code FYA for 30% off your order of consistent, relaxing, and delicious edibles! The Guys escape the clutches of Pleasure Island, get Eaten by a Whale, and discuss Pinocchio's Daring Journey! Consider supporting us on our FourthWall for Bonus Episodes, Merch, and More! www.fyapod.com CREATED & HOSTED BY Ryan Bergara & Byron Marin EDITOR Byron Marin EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Ryan Bergara Byron Marin Social: http://www.instagram.com/fyapod http://www.instagram.com/ryanbergara http://www.instagram.com/byronamarin FYA Logo by Arthur Kierce (@theonekierce) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Head to LumiGummies.com and use promo code FYA for 30% off your order of consistent, relaxing, and delicious edibles! The Guys escape the clutches of Pleasure Island, get Eaten by a Whale, and discuss Pinocchio's Daring Journey! Consider supporting us on our FourthWall for Bonus Episodes, Merch, and More! www.fyapod.com CREATED & HOSTED BY Ryan Bergara & Byron Marin EDITOR Byron Marin EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Ryan Bergara Byron Marin Social: http://www.instagram.com/fyapod http://www.instagram.com/ryanbergara http://www.instagram.com/byronamarin FYA Logo by Arthur Kierce (@theonekierce) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For this edition of Whatd'ya Do That's New, we review Deborah's choice, which is Episode 1 of 'Adolescence,' a British television psychological crime drama series on Netflix. Next week, we will talk about Jack's pick, which is 33-minute video on YouTube, 'The Rise & Fall of Disney's Pleasure Island.'

For this edition of Whatd'ya Do That's New, we review Deborah's choice, which is Episode 1 of 'Adolescence,' a British television psychological crime drama series on Netflix. Next week, we will talk about Jack's pick, which is 33-minute video on YouTube, 'The Rise & Fall of Disney's Pleasure Island.'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 22nd installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid continue their look at C.V. Wood (the original president of Disneyland). In particular, what happened when Wood decided to enter direct competition with Disney and subsequently established his own theme park design company?  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Why was Pleasure Island called “The Disneyland of the Northeast”  What became of that theme park's mechanical Moby Dick Which city in Arizona did C.W. Wood help develop What were the Six Flags Over Texas upon the opening of that theme park? What are they now? What was the first runaway mine train coaster? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we see if we have what it takes to become real boys in the Disney Classic Pinocchio. We discuss the Blue Fairy's cruel gauntlet, the horrifying rogues gallery that fill this village, and restarting your life in the belly of a whale. This Messed Up movie seemed like a trip to Pleasure Island but scarred our child brains for all time. Synopsis: A living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy. Starring: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Mel Blanc Directors: Norman Ferguson, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson Help us make our first feature length Messed Up Movie: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mr-creamjean-s-hidey-hole-horror-comedy-movie/x/225635#/ Support the show on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/messedupmoviespod Watch our newest short film Sugar Tits Now! https://youtu.be/Sz7leFqqo4g?si=KEWGefP4Bc6C-DSB  

Pleasure Island or Reality? Your Choice | Proverbs 9 by Osterville Baptist Church

Pleasure Island Big Boy by 102.9 The Hog

Vance spent 10 years working for the mouse at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. He started his career at Disney on the Opening Team of the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and progressed through the management ranks as a Night Club Manager at Pleasure Island, Service Trainer aboard the Empress Lily, and on the revitalization team of the Contemporary Resort in the mid-90's. It was at the Contemporary that Vance got his crowning achievement, Designing, Opening and Operating Chef Mickey's, Disney's flagship Character Dining Experience. After leaving Disney, (yes people do leave) he utilized his skills to rescue or improve many of America's companies and government agencies. His clients included Legal Seafoods, Tyson, NASA, Rain Forest Café, Compass Group, The Executive Office of the President of the United States, The Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Tiring of corporate life, Vance opened his own Bricks & Mortar Business in 2007.  After meteoric growth of his service business, other entrepreneurs began to seek him out for advice and counsel. This spawned his next business, Deliver Service Now!, consulting and coaching other companies on how to create and implement Disney style service and then apply Direct Response   Marketing to profit from it. Vance Morris has shared the stage with many of the premier marketers and service professional in the world; Dan Kennedy, Joe Polish, Bob Brown, Lou Ferrigno, Dean Jackson, Charles Henning, Lee Cockerell, and Meg Crofton. http://wow52ways.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Join AJ, Mike, and Chris as they dive deep into the legendary Adventurer's Club at Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island and explore how it inspired and connects to the global lore of Disney's Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.)!In this episode:The history of the Adventurer's Club, its immersive theater roots, iconic characters, and quirky traditions like the famous “Kungaloosh!”What made the Club's interactive shows, rooms, and animatronic moments so beloved and unforgettableThe fan movement that tried to save it and where you can spot Easter eggs todayHow S.E.A. started in Tokyo DisneySea, key members like Harrison Hightower III, Lord Henry Mystic, and Mary Oceaneer, and how Disney has expanded the lore worldwideDetails on the rumored Disney+ series and the planned S.E.A. feature filmFun drink recipes to recreate the spirit of the old Club at home00:00 Introduction and Hosts01:16 Podcast Milestones and Listener Appreciation02:35 The Adventurous Club and Society of Explorers and Adventurers02:44 Old Kungaloosh Cocktail Recipe03:46 Disney in the Late 80s and Early 90s04:29 Pleasure Island and Adventurous Club Overview05:14 Inside the Adventurous Club16:58 Characters of the Adventurous Club22:32 Rooms and Shows of the Adventurous Club30:09 Closure and Legacy of the Adventurous Club32:39 The Decline of Disney's Adventurers Club34:19 The Emotional Farewell of the Adventurers Club35:49 The Birth of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.)37:42 S.E.A. Expands Across Disney Parks39:16 S.E.A.'s Influence in Disney Attractions and Media47:44 The Future of S.E.A. in Disney Media52:41 Personal Memories and ReflectionsFollow and connect with us:Email: 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.comBlue Sky: bsky.app/profile/90sdisney.comTwitter/X: x.com/90sDisneyPodFacebook: facebook.com/90sdisneyThreads: threads.net/@90sdisneypodcastInstagram: instagram.com/90sdisneypodcast

In this mini-episode (or is it an infomercial?), we discuss our upcoming RetroMagic 2025 event, coming to the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World the weekend of September 26-28, 2025. Tickets are available at https://retromagic.net How much would you pay to see Imagineer Tony Baxter? $700?! $900?! How about $185!!! BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!! How about the creative and technical leads responsible for The Living Seas pavilion, Tim Delaney and Kym Murphy? BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!! ·  A charming feature of Main Street USA, we'll take a deep dive into Walt Disney World's Penny Arcade. Arcade expert Todd Tuckey of TNT Amusements will join a panel transporting you to the cool, dark haven of novelty games of yesteryear with rare photographs of the arcade, a look at some of the vintage games that resided in the space and where some of them live on today · Historian Hastin Zylstra will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the Lake Buena Vista townhomes and their California origins including their connection to Disneyland. This oddball slice of Walt Disney World history is one you won't want to miss. · Author and historian Foxx Nolte will revisit Lake Buena Vista shopping village. Before Disney Springs, Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island this quaint shopping and dining oasis was a charming beacon for locals and tourists alike.  You'll learn about its diverse offerings and its real-life counterpart its design was based on. ·        Disney Legend Tom Nabbe will reunite with members of the opening day monorail crew from October 1971. You'll hear tales and travails of the early years of the Highway In The Sky. Panelists to be announced. · A panel of “opening crew” and executives for Walt Disney World in 1971 and EPCOT Center in 1982 will join us to reveal behind-the-scenes stories from their storied careers. Steve Baker, whose 23 year career with Disney began opening the parking lots and bus transportation in October 1971 and concluded as EPCOT Center's Development Director will join us. Jim McCaskill was on the opening day crew in 1971 and his final role saw him overseeing relationships with corporate sponsors like MetLife and Siemens. Steve and Jim are confirmed guests for this event. More panelists to come. · It's Time To Get Things Started: The Muppets at Walt Disney World. Some of the men and women behind Muppetvision 3D and the Here Comes The Muppets stage show at Disney-MGM Studios will join us to remember the early Muppets-Disney partnership in Florida. Guest panelists to be announced. · Showtime! – From the LBVHistory Archives: We've been putting aside photographic, film and video clips that left us so gobsmacked they had to be saved to share with a live audience. Historians will join us as we look at some lesser remembered bits of Walt Disney World completely forgotten or never before seen on film. · The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village returns for guests to peruse our archive of artifacts, set pieces, souvenirs and memorabilia from Walt Disney World's past.  Authors, artists, historians and VIP's will meet and greet attendees during the scheduled breaks · More panels, guests and experiences to be announced.   DON'T DELAY, ORDER TODAY!!! OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY!!!  

The events of how Robert, the father of David and James, was murdered are detailed in a flashback, in which Robert learns what happened to James after he ran away from King George. With help from Rumple, he tracks him to Pleasure Island, but their reunion is cut short by King George, who orders Robert’s […]

Ever heard of the Disney theme park for adults called “Pleasure Island”? No? Well now you have - sorry! Disney has always been understood as a company for children. But Pleasure Island closed in 2003, and people are having babies later and later (if ever at all), and so now the Disney theme parks have become a veritable playground for a whole new group of fans: grown ups. In this episode, Hannah and Maia talk about Disney adults - their malignment by the general public, their strange religiosity, and their unabashed love of a conglomerate that routinely tramples on the rights of its workers. But, after all, Disney was designed to be a a nostalgic teet from which lost adult souls may suck. So why is it that when adults like Disney, we hate them for it? Tangents include: Hannah's dm correspondence with Deux Moi, and Maia's millennial rights advocacy.  Get a whole month of great cinema FREE: mubi.com/rehash Support us on Patreon and get juicy bonus content: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rehashpodcast⁠ Intro and outro song by our talented friend Ian Mills: ⁠https://linktr.ee/ianmillsmusic SOURCES: Johnny Oleksinski, “Sorry, childless millennials going to Disney World is weird.” The New York Post. Zach Gass, “Pleasure Island: The Origins of Disney's Nightlife” Inside The Magic. Michael Sorkin, “See You in Disneyland” Design Quarterly  (1992). Sarah Marshall, “The Magic Kingdom: The dark side of the Disney dream” The Baffler (2019). Xavier Guillaume Singh, “Becoming A ‘Disney Adult' Might Be Cringe, But It Saved My Life” Huffington Post (2023). EJ Dickson, “How ‘Disney Adults' Became The Most Hated Group On The Internet” Rolling Stone (2022). Jodi Eichler-Levine, “Don't judge Disney adults. Try to understand them.” NBC (2022). Hannah Sampson, “Childless millennials are passionately defending their Disney fandom” The Washington Post (2019). K.J. Yossman, “Confessions of Disney Adults: Mouse House Superhans Talk Splurging on Merch, Keeping Execs in Check” Variety  (2023). Todd Martens, “In defense of Disney adults” Los Angeles Times  (2024). Amelia Tate, “The ‘Disney adult' industrial complex” The New Statesman  (2024). Lia Picard, “It's Not Enough to Love Disney. They Want to Live Disney” The New York Times  (2023). Savannah Martin, “We interviewed the genius girl behind DisneyBound - and she's just as magical as you'd expect” Hello Giggles (2015).

Today Mike & Pam are getting your long weekend started by thinking about how we can experience attractions that might not be "long for this world" one more time and get some closure in the next year or so. We also share our stories of final experiences with places like Pleasure Island, the last IllumiNations, World of Motion, Universe of Energy, The Great Movie Ride, Rivers of Light, and more! How do you say "goodbye" to an experience that you loved for years and years? Please share your thoughts over on the Discord channel at www.beourguestpodcast.com/clubhouse. We hope you enjoy today's podcast!  Please visit our website at www.beourguestpodcast.com.  Thank you so much for your support of our podcast! Become a Patron of the show at www.Patreon.com/BeOurGuestPodcast.  Also, please follow the show on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beourguestpodcast.   Thanks to our friends at The Magic For Less Travel for sponsoring today's podcast!

As a wine educator hosting tastings, I often get asked “what got you into wine?”I realized I hadn't shared this story of my AH HA wine and lightbulb moment with my listeners yet and I thought whether a first time listener or loyal Sip Fan (I see you!), that you'd like to know what brought your gal, Nikki, to wine Country, which eventually led to this very podcast becoming a reality So this week I'm Sharing:My first intro into wine… at Pleasure Island???The wine that shut me up (Literally)Why I got banned from ordering the wine on the Disney CruiseMy first impression when visiting the Napa ValleyA tip for you if you have a passion bubbling under the surface Splurge on this weeks Sip Spotlights available on my partner website:The Ah-Ha wine:Antinori TignanelloAnother super rare WOW wine for me:Montes Purple Angel Other Resources and Ways to stay connected:If you'd like to Support the Podcast, I'll give you a shout out!Check out Nikki's boutique wine brand Sollevato!Please consider Rating, Reviewing and Following Us on Apple Podcasts! Click Here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with Stars and select "write a review" and let us know what you loved most about this episode! And If you haven't already, Be Sure to Follow the podcast!Looking to better at understanding wine? Download my Free Wine Tips Cheat Sheet here Follow Nikki on Instagram Questions, suggestions and guest requests? nikki@sipwithnikki.com

MAGICAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCEDoes creating a magical customer experience sound like a bunch of marketing pie in the sky?Well, today's Summer Classic guest is a Disney management alum, and he says that you don't need a roller coaster or nightly fireworks to create a magical customer experience. What You'll Discover About the Magical Customer Experience:* How to adopt the magical customer experience for your business* How small gifts create a magical customer experience and increase revenue* How to get ideas for making your own magical customer experience* How Disney's Law of Unlimited Abundance fits into the magical customer experience* How to keep new hires from ruining the magic* Salvaging the magical customer experience when things go wrong* 2 ways businesses diminish the magical customer experience* And MUCH more. Guest: Vance MorrisVance spent 10 years working for the mouse at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. He started his career at Disney on the Opening Team of the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and progressed through the management ranks as a Night Club Manager at Pleasure Island, Service Trainer aboard the Empress Lily, and on the revitalization team of the Contemporary Resort in the mid-90's. It was at the Contemporary that Vance got his crowning achievement, Designing, Opening and Operating Chef Mickey's, Disney's flagship Character Dining Experience.After leaving Disney, (yes people do leave) he utilized his skills to rescue or improve many of America's companies and government agencies. His clients included Legal Seafoods, Tyson, NASA, Rain Forest Café, Compass Group, The Executive Office of the President of the United States, The Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.Tiring of corporate life, Vance opened his own Bricks & Mortar Business in 2007. After meteoric growth of his service business, other entrepreneurs began to seek him out for advice and counsel. This spawned his next business, Deliver Service Now!, consulting and coaching other companies on how to create and implement Disney style service and then apply Direct Response Marketing to profit from it.Vance Morris has shared the stage with many of the premier marketers and service professional in the world; Dan Kennedy, Joe Polish, Bob Brown, Lou Ferrigno, Dean Jackson, Charles Henning, Lee Cockerell, and Meg Crofton.2015-2019 Longest Reigning Marketer of the Year, GKIC & Dan Kennedy Award WinnerRelated Resources:If you liked this interview, you might also enjoy our other Customer Satisfaction episodes.Contact Vance and connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.Join, Rate and Review:Rating and reviewing the show helps us grow our audience and allows us to bring you more of the rich information you need to succeed from our high powered guests. Leave a review at Lovethepodcast.com/BusinessConfidential.Joining the Business Confidential Now family is easy and lets you have instant access to the latest tactics, strategies and tips to make your business more successful.Follow on your...

World renown entrepreneur Art Levitt will be joining Frank and Billy on A Mick A Mook and A Mic podcast this summer.Levitt was the founding CEO of Fandango, Inc., the premier online movie ticketing and entertainment business. Art launched Fandango in July 2000, and led the company to growth and profitability, establishing the company as a nationally recognized brand known for its creativity, operational excellence, and premium service experience.From 1996 to 2000, Levitt also served as President of Disney Regional Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Company focused on launching Disney-branded entertainment concepts for expansion in markets throughout the U.S. Levitt was responsible for such businesses as the ESPNZone, a sports, dining, and entertainment complex, DisneyQuest, an indoor interactive theme park, and Club Disney an interactive children's play center.Art's current focus is working with environmental nonprofits, where he is able to leverage his executive experience and pursue his passion for making a difference in the health of the planet.  He serves on the boards of The Aquarium of the Pacific, Reef Check Foundation, and Channel Islands Restoration..Levitt has been involved in the Philanthropy and conservation world, serving as Chief of Staff of the Dalio Foundation, where his responsibilities included managing initiatives in Global Oceanographic work and Marine Conservation.Before Disney Regional Entertainment, Levitt served as President and CEO of Hard Rock Café, International from 1993 to 1996, where he managed the company's global business, including global expansion, repositioning the brand for worldwide growth, business extensions, and increased revenues and profitability.Preceding Hard Rock Café, Levitt was vice president of resorts and special projects for The Walt Disney Company, where he oversaw the operation of the Walt Disney World Resort's nightlife and entertainment complex, Pleasure Island, as well as The Disney Village Marketplace, and the resort hotels Disney Village Resort and Disney Vacation Club.Levitt completed the Program for Management Development (P.M.D.) at Harvard University and graduated from Southampton College with a B.A. in Biology with a focus on Marine Science.Be sure to join Billy and Frank for this fascinating interview with the iconic entrepreneur.

Like Disney-MGM Studios, Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World opened up 35 years ago. Also like Disney's Hollywood Studios, it morphed over time. Unlike the studios however, it's gone--with only a few remnants reminding us of that strangely unusual "outside the brand" creation. We consider each of the clubs, plus restaurants, stores and more. We look at how it got started, and how it met its demise. And I share my own personal stories of interacting with this unique entertainment offering and its incredibly talented Cast, all the while staying sober. Join us as we find insights from Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island. __________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights is available! Now available on Amazon! Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. ________________________________________________________ More Disney Insights can be found below! Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe. DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts. Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others. The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! ________________________________________________________ Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation! David & Leah Zanolla ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469 ________________________________________________________ Performance Journeys This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level. Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench. Need Consulting? I've worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.  Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement. Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

Pinocchio (1940) Category: Revenge 5: The Revenge of Puppet's Revenge/ New Moon 2/3 Bones puppeteers the most puppet pick ever for a puppet category. The Dirty Dudes go old school with this Disney classic as Kron let's it be known that his strings are pretty tangled up about the pick. The guys chat about what a terrible father Geppetto is, getting sued by Disney and how Vegas is just the Pleasure Island of today. Bones also shows off those pipes.  -Crash & Burn  JOIN THE DISCORD https://discord.com/invite/3zP2SXKtfq QUESTIONS? EMAIL US AT 5dayrentalspodcast@gmail.com Theme by Dkrefft https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yxWXpxlqLE4tjoivvU6XL

In addition to a handful of name changes, Disney Springs has seen a LOT of change over the years. We're here to break it down and discuss some truly UNIQUE shops that were featured here. We also dive into the history of Pleasure Island, one of Disney's most "ambitious" projects. And we finish up with our recommended shops as well as those submitted by our IG followers. Ad-Free & Weekly Exclusive Bonus Episodes of our Podcast are available at  our Patreon page.   Visit our Amazon Storefront to see what our must-haves are for the parks (Affiliate Link)   Follow us on IG Podcast Account: @ThatParkLifePodcast Beth: @TheRealBethMcDonald Greg: @TheDisneyGreg

Pool Sceners   We are back from our break to send you to a place called Coconut Pete's "Pleasure Island." No need to stop and think EXCEPT that Machete Phil is running around taking out the staff. How will you get your Mai Tai's down in Pinacolaburg?? Join the troop from Broken Lizard and the great Bill Paxton in this cult classic from 2004.   Come on down and have a drink! Salute.   SPREAD THE WORD POOL SCENERS! JOIN THE POOL SCENERS GROUP ON FACEBOOK FOR EXCLUSIVE AND INCLUSIVE CONTENT! LIKE. COMMENT. SUBSCRIBE. RATE AND FOLLOW... APPLE. SPOTIFY. PODBEAN. PODBAY and EVERYWHERE PODCASTS ARE FOUND! LEAVE A 5 STAR REVIEW. WE READ IT ON THE AIR. YOU WIN A PRIZE!!! HAVE AN IDEA FOR AN EPISODE OR A POOL CHECK...SEND US AN EMAIL OR MESSAGE US AT ONE OF THE LINKS BELOW. CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW ON LINKTREE!! WE GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!! Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/poolscenepodcast Email: PoolScenePodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoolScenePodacst Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PoolScenePodcast Discord: poolscenepodcast Threads: https://www.threads.com/poolscenepodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thepoolscenepodcast Twitch: https://twitch.tv/poolscenepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/PoolScenePodcast

For our second episode in this series we're diving into the history of Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World. This adult-oriented entertainment district was the brainchild of Michael Eisner, who, as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, sought to broaden Disney's appeal beyond traditional family-focused attractions. Although the district ultimately closed in 2008, Pleasure Island remains a significant part of Disney's history, representing a period of innovation and expansion under Eisner's leadership. Let's take a closer look at the creation, evolution, and legacy of Pleasure Island. Music: “Moochi - Amnesia" is under a Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) license. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright on YouTube.

This May and June Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and Disney's Pleasure Island will be 35 years old. The only way this would have occurred is if there were employees to make that happen. By this time the market for available front line employees was tight as Universal was preparing to open its first theme park, and other competitors and hoteliers in the area were needing people as well. The answer was to intentionally create a place for people to go to get a job as a Walt Disney World cast member. The design of this unique facility offers many insights as to how to attract potential hires. This work may be more virtual these days with a wide range of online tools, but the messages from this facility and its unique hiring processes still stick. Join us for hiring lessons from 35 years of the Disney Casting Center. _________________________________________________________ My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights is available! Now available on Amazon! Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. __________________________________________________________ More Disney Insights can be found below! Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe. DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts. Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others. The Wayfinder Society--Disney Insights Patreon Page--More Disney Insights to interact with, while supporting the podcast. Here we bring the best in Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic! __________________________________________________________ Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation! David & Leah Zanolla ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469 __________________________________________________________ Performance Journeys This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level. Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench. Need Consulting? I've worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.  Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement. Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

For the main topic this month, we head back to Pleasure Island for more fun and excitement. This is Part IV and if you haven't enjoyed Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3, we highly recommend you take a listen back as these were recorded years ago!  How gives us a little recap of how each episode went in the past. The story on this episode though is changes. How gets us into each club and how they changed after a few years, including themes and names. These include Cage, The Wildhorse Saloon, 8-Trax, Planet Hollywood, Motion, Fulton's Crab House, BET Club and more. We go through our memories of each of the various iterations and also what we thought of them over the years. The interesting aspect we get into here with Pleasure Island is that it evolved frequently and for the most part, was done to keep people attending and trying to find that club that hit. This episode also has us reflecting on fads of the era from Wine Coolers, The Chicken Dance, Zima, Planet Hollywood, and line dancing. Even though this area has come and gone, we discuss where it went and how it went out. Many of us have memories of the big changes in the end and we even discuss the unused concept of Hyperion Wharf. Pleasure Island was a fun concept that worked in many areas and did not work in others. How has promised us a Part V episode about Pleasure Island, so make sure you message him if you are interested in hearing even more history on ‘PI'. Thanks for listening!

Jake and Morgan cover the rise and fall of Disney World's former entertainment district, Pleasure Island. Want to learn how to greet a member of the Adventurer's Club? Ever wondered what happened to the dance clubs at Downtown Disney? Listen along and join the Dis-course on social media!

Join The Summoning Boys this week as they become Pinocchio's conscience and make even more bad decisions for him. So come with us as we join the circus, go to Pleasure Island and all become asses as we ask the important question on How Would You Handle Being Jiminy Cricket? Join The Summoning Boys : On our Podbean website - https://hownottosummonapodcast.podbean.com On our Facebook page- www.facebook.com/HowNotToSummon On Discord - https://discord.gg/MsaH4b5jb6 On Twitter- www.twitter.com/HowNotToSummon

Van Log Episode 13: Stories about my time driving the van through Texas. Snow Storm in Austin. Camping at an abandoned campsite on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Passing through Pleasure Island. Moving on to the Southern States of America. Leave a question behind!

What a treat this episode was to make! We were joined by Jeremiah Good of LaughingPlace.com, actor Robbie Pigott, and former Walt Disney Imagineer C. McNair Wilson to discuss one of Disney's first real immersive entertainment experiences - Adventurers Club!For those who aren't aware, Disney launched several nightclubs in Pleasure Island, part of what is now Disney Springs. One of these was Adventurers Club, a wild place where visitors were brought back to the 1930's and regaled by an evening of songs, stories and improvisational theater. The club was open from 1989 to 2008 and is still beloved to this day.McNair Wilson was involved in the creation of Adventurers Club. Robbie played a number of roles in the show. Jeremiah was a fan and gave us a great perspective of what being an audience member was like.Adventurers Club page on Disney WikiSupport the showHeroes of the Halcyon on InstagramTheme Music ("Digital Discourse") by Yellow BarrelSend your email to heroesofthehalcyon@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you about your journeys, episode suggestions, or just to say hi!

Last week we heard from the apostle Paul as he explained the effects of God's grace in our lives. Some erroneously believed that because God forgives, they can just go on wilfully sinning. In fact, some made the argument that if we sin more, then God has to give us more grace and when God gives grace that just makes him look better. So we should sin more, therefore revealing God to be good. Paul answers with a resounding, “No!" You don't understand grace.  A proper understanding of grace should lead you away from sin, not towards it. Maybe you've heard this excuse before. It's actually been used by prominent Pastors who have had moral failures and then say something like this, “I know it's wrong. I am God's child and I am under grace and He will forgive me.” The error here is in thinking that one's freedom is unshackled and it minimizes the fact that sin is extremely powerful and will pull you deeper and enslave you further.  This thinking is deadly. To be enslaved is to be controlled. Now here's the thing…we are all slaves to something or someone including ourselves. That is to say, we are slaves to our own flesh. The apostle Paul was keenly aware of this and that's why he begins his letter to the Romans describing himself in this way… "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” Romans 1:1 The Greek word for servant is doulos and it literally means to be owned by someone for a lifetime. Paul understood that everybody serves someone. He also knew what it meant to live a life serving unrighteousness. It leads to death.  Let's understand how deceitful a master sin is. It will make you think you are free when in fact you are in the hands of a destroyer. Remember the story of Pinocchio, Geppetto's wooden puppet who longs to be a “real boy”? One night, his wish was granted, but on his way to school, he was lured by the wily fox, Honest John, who promises Pinocchio stardom as a “live puppet without strings.” Sadly however, Pinocchio finds himself locked up and enslaved by the fox. He is freed by his friend but shortly thereafter he's lured again to Pleasure Island where he can live as he wants. There he learns that his new life of freedom will quickly turn him into a donkey. In one very pointed scene you can see the terrified look on the little boy's face as he's trying to run away but it's too late. Pinoccian is being transformed into an animal. It's creepy, sad and profound. The theme of the fairy tale is that we must be on guard for ways that look like freedom but actually lead to enslavement and death. This story isn't just for children. It is a creative illustration of sin's enticement leading to bondage and a diminishment of one's humanity. Obedience to Jesus is the key to our liberation and true freedom.

Larry Meregillano has been performing on the trumpet professionally since he was 15 years old.In that time, he has performed all over the world, performing in the background, in the foreground, and everywhere in between.As you can imagine, he needed to develop a great deal of endurance in order to meet the demands of his profession, playing lead in the Disneyland Band, leading cruise ship bands, and much more.His experience and knowledge led to him creating the The Compression Training System (CTS), a tool that is taking the brass world by storm, and changing the way thousands of players approach their craft and improving their range and endurance.I wanted to get Larry on the show to discuss the CTS, its founding origins, how it works, how it benefits any type of player. And while this might sound like an infomercial, I humbly suggest the info shared in this episode favors the "info" more than the "mercial".Enjoy the episode!What you'll hear in this episode:-Larry shares some of his travel and performing adventures!...01:45-Why major stars wear a "mask" when among the public vs. their private selves...04:15-The trumpet has somehow managed to remain relevant in pop culture over time...06:15-The greats don't need to mimic or compare themselves to other great players...09:45-Fear of success, and why we're terrified of creating something truly unique...11:55-The basic science behind the The Compression Training System (CTS)...16:45-Compression described as it relates to playing trumpet...20:30-What's going on inside the mouth is the "missing link" when it comes to trumpet pedagogy...26:40-How the CTS enables trumpeters to utilize "progressive overload training" as incorporated by professional weight lifters...31:00-How the CTS works in improving ranger, power and endurance...36:20-Plus whatever your discerning ears deem worthy of your time and interest...Episode sponsor:Odd-Meter Technical Exercises by Michael Hengst: Original exercises and adaptations of your favorite exercises, all in 5/8 and 7/8 time.Resources mentioned:The Compression Training System (CTS)About the Guest:Larry Meregillano is a Eclipse artist/clinician. He started his professional career playing in big bands in San Diego in the early 1970's. In 1976, he was hired to play in Tom Ranier's Show band at Disneyland.A year later, Mr. Meregillano joined the gospel group Truth and soon after went on to perform and tour with The Bill Gaither Trio. While traveling and recording with The Bill Gaither Trio, he also recorded with Sandi Patti, David T, Clydsdale, Ron Huff, Don Marsh and many others.In 1980, Larry returned to California and became the lead trumpet player for the world-famous Disneyland Band. In the late 1980's, Larry was hired to play in the PTL Television Orchestra with Jim and Tammy Faye Baker. From there he joined Princess Cruise lines as Musical Director.After many years, Mr. Meregillano moved to Orlando, Florida, where he performed with many bands at Walt Disney World, MGM Studios, Epcot Center, Universal Studios and Pleasure Island. He has also been the Musical Director and performer for many cruise lines including the world-famous Queen Elizabeth 2.Larry has toured with the Temptations and The Four Tops, and has been a sideman for Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Jack Jones, Bob...

Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orglance@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow notes:Chino Valley Unified teachers file employment complaint against districtColumn: An unlikely solution to the problems with Harris and FeinsteinGovernor Newsom's right to safety resolution calling for a Constitutional Amendment introduced in California LegislatureGavin Newsom, activists hold crosstown debate over book bans and transgender student policyWashington can't get a climate pact. Gavin Newsom just cut another one.Closure of 3 Southern California power plants likely to be postponed, state energy officials decideRon DeSantis said California is ‘hemorrhaging wealth.' That's just not true, report saysA Secret History of Mormons in the California Founding:The Mormon BattalionWilliam B. Ide, California founderJefferson HuntSamuel Brannan

Today my guest is pastor Kyle Zimmerman from Orange Friends Church, who recently gave a Sunday message that I feel applies to parenting struggling teens.Whether you believe there's a God or follow Christianity or not, you're going to get some good wisdom out of his insight about boundaries, parenting, and the definition of real love.Pastor Kyle used an illustration from the story of Pinocchio in his message and related it to the ideas of God's caring nature, the Gospel, and what healthy, mature love can look like.First, we dive into the topic of Pinocchio's unwise decisions in the storyline, and how Geppetto showed wisdom and patience, along with healthy boundaries, as he pursued his wayward child. Geppetto had created the wooden boy with great care and intentionality and desired a loving family relationship. But when Pinocchio went to school and experienced rejection and alienation, he was vulnerable to the deceptive appeal of “Pleasure Island,” where everything is supposedly free and oriented towards instant gratification. This can be viewed as an allegory to a troubled teen falling into addiction or other self-destructive behaviors, often without the necessary awareness of the dangers.This of course puts Geppetto in a tough predicament, where he finds himself asking: What am I willing to sacrifice to try and save Pinocchio? And, where is the line between the efforts I should make to retrieve him, and losing myself? Geppetto does pursue Pinocchio, and sells his valuable clocks to do so, but demonstrates boundaries in his decision to not enter into Pleasure Island himself, and resisting resentment against the boy.When teens struggle, some parents sacrifice everything, some sacrifice nothing, and many seek to find the right line in between. Every case is different, and Kyle suggests that God will lead parents slightly differently in each family scenario. When considering whether to make a sacrifice for a teen, one question parents can ask themselves is: Will it hurt any other important relationships in my life? This can include relationships with other children, spouses, God, or others. You also don't give something that is going to take away from your identity, or that will creep into the realm of enabling. It's also important to make sure any sacrifices you make are not harming future security for yourself or others you're responsible for.We talk about letting our children go through things and experience the natural consequences of life. Instead of trying to eliminate consequences for a child, focus your efforts on guiding them through the experience. Geppetto couldn't take away the pain that Pinocchio was experiencing in life, but he didn't add to or exacerbate it.We also discuss the difference between loving your child - which most people do - and loving ON your children in effecting ways that are actually going to get internalized by them as loving.I know you'll enjoy this engaging episode as we explore what love can look like and where it should be rooted.

Off Topic Podcast Fan questions answered Would we survive a plane crashMost annoying songsFound Toys?Pleasure Island conspiracy!

Larry Meregillano is a Eclipse artist/clinician. He started his professional career playing in big bands in San Diego in the early 1970's. In 1976, he was hired to play in Tom Ranier's Show band at Disneyland. A year later, Mr. Meregillano joined the gospel group Truth and soon after went on to perform and tour with The Bill Gaither Trio. While traveling and recording with The Bill Gaither Trio, he also recorded with Sandi Patti, David T, Clydsdale, Ron Huff, Don Marsh and many others. In 1980, Larry returned to California and became the lead trumpet player for the world-famous Disneyland Band. In the late 1980's, Larry was hired to play in the PTL Television Orchestra with Jim and Tammy Faye Baker. From there he joined Princess Cruise lines as Musical Director. After many years, Mr. Meregillano moved to Orlando, Florida, where he performed with many bands at Walt Disney World, MGM Studios, Epcot Center, Universal Studios and Pleasure Island. He has also been the Musical Director and performer for many cruise lines including the world-famous Queen Elizabeth 2. Larry has toured with the Temptations and The Four Tops, and has been a sideman for Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Jack Jones, Bob Hope, Celia Cruz, Frankie Avalon and many, many others. Mr. Meregillano has recorded with many artists including Hubert Laws, Latoya Jackson, and Rick Dees. Mr. Meregillano is a busy freelance musician playing recording dates, theater, and stage shows in the Los Angeles area and around the country.

It's the most wonderful time of the year again, and the RetroWDW crew is here with another festive holiday episode. Brian takes up back to the Walt Disney World in the early 1990s when the seasonal festivities shifted their focus from the Magic Kingdom to EPCOT Center. He tells us about Epcot's much beloved “Lights of Winter” musical light show and its European origins, as well as other early holiday offerings at the park. Then we make a stop at each of the monorail resorts and finally the Disney Marketplace and Pleasure Island. From chestnuts roasting on an open fire to electrical boat shows, the 1990s made WDW visitors' seasons bright. 

Zach, Amin and Mayes are headed to Pleasure Island for a hedonistic vacation with Coconut Pete and his staff to do the Sun Salute, play real life Pac Man, drink from an ice luge and waste away in Piña Coladaburg Subscribe to Cinephobe! Then Rate 5 Stars on Apple or Spotify.   Follow Cinephobe on Twitter & Instagram:   Zach Harper @talkhoops IG: @talkhoops   Amin Elhassan @darthamin IG: @darthamin   Anthony Mayes @cornpuzzle IG: @cornpuzzle The show page Amin recently excavated @CinephobePod   Email: cinephobepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach, Amin and Mayes are headed to Pleasure Island for a hedonistic vacation with Coconut Pete and his staff to do the Sun Salute, play real life Pac Man, drink from an ice luge and waste away in Piña Coladaburg Subscribe to Cinephobe! Then Rate 5 Stars on Apple or Spotify.   Follow Cinephobe on Twitter & Instagram:   Zach Harper @talkhoops IG: @talkhoops   Amin Elhassan @darthamin IG: @darthamin   Anthony Mayes @cornpuzzle IG: @cornpuzzle The show page Amin recently excavated @CinephobePod   Email: cinephobepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices