WDW Radio: Your Guide to the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise and More Disney Magic!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #57 for the week of March 9, 2008. I am your host Lou Mongello, and I want to thank you for tuning in again this week. To all of my new listeners, I want to welcome you to the show as well. I think you’ll find it a positive, fun, feel-good look at Walt Disney World that will inform, educate and entertain you. This weekend, I’m heading to Disneyland in California to compare and contrast the two parks… OK, so I’m going to Disneyland to enjoy the parks for a few days, so unfortunately this week, I’m once again recording early and won’t have the ability to cover news and rumors due to when I’m recording. Of course, I’ll be back next week with all of the WDW news and visit to the Rumor Mill. Next month, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary, and following the success of Celebration 25, Adam Roth and his team have put together WDWCelebrations.com and have organized “A Wild Decade,” a gathering to commemorate this occasion. I’m joined by Adam and another member of the team, Jason Diffendal, to discuss the event and how you can get involved. Tim Forster, from Guide to the Magic, is back for another Top 10 with Tim, as we reveal our individual top 10 snacks to enjoy in World Showcase. Any discussion of food in Walt Disney World is fun, and in the process, we hope to introduce you to some snacks that you just may have overlooked, or never thought to try. It’s a fat-free trip around the promenade, guaranteed to leave you hungry at the end. I often get questions about some recommended reading and books that I enjoy about Walt Disney World, Disney history, etc., so this week, I bring in another guest, George Taylor from the Imaginerding blog to examine and discuss the 5 books that every Disney geek needs in their library. I won’t have time to answer any of your emails this week, but listen for some voicemails at the end of the show, so as always, please sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at wdwradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #56 for the week of March 2, 2008. I just returned from Walt Disney World, and in addition to getting some work done for the next CD and new features I’m going to be adding to the site, I also came back with some great information for both the Walt Disney World News section, as well as the Rumor Mill. In fact, there is SO much to cover this week that I invite Jeff Pepper to come in and discuss with me the variety of topics this week. In the News, we’ll talk about some changes coming to Extra Magic Hours, The Kingdom Tower, how to enjoy the resorts right at home, a new meet and greet, an exclusive look at the new Disney Parks television specials coming to the Travel Channel, and more. The Rumor Mill is full this week, as we talk about some big changes coming to the Magic Kingdom turnstiles and FASTPASS systems, is Illuminations really leaving, and a super-sneak peek at new Star Wars Weekends merchandise. We’ll also talk about Star Tours 2 point NO?, Indiana Jones at the Studios, and so so much more. Celebrating its 5th anniversary, MagicMeets is returning this summer for another fan gathering in Camp Hill, PA. Founder Fred Block joins me to discuss the event, some of the featured speakers, and how you can be a part of it. We have a lot to cover this week, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at wdwradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #55 for the week of February 24, 2008. This week, I once again have to record and produce the show early, so it may be a little shorter and a little different than usual. I’ll start off as always with some Walt Disney World News, where I’ll discuss an exciting new promotion for Annual Passholders. In my trip aboard the Walt Disney World Wayback Machine, I’m going to grab my swimming trunks, pick up Jeff Pepper, and head on over to the Ole Swimmin’ Hole at River Country, Walt Disney World first water park, and a place that conjures up great memories of water slides, sand beaches, picnics and some great times spent with family. Now closed, it’s a fun look back at the history, attractions and demise of this very unique destination. I’ll also have time to answer some more of your emails this week, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at wdwradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #54 for the week of February 17, 2008. In this week’s Walt Disney World News, I’ll look at a dining change in World Showcase, updates on the Backlot Theater in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, new special events coming to Pleasure Island, and a very special event that is the first of its kind at Walt Disney World that will offer a truly unique experience in many ways. For the next in my Legends of Disney Imagineering interview series, I thought that with the recent name change of the Disney-MGM Studios to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and new direction it is taking in its entertainment offerings, I wanted to have someone come on the show who could speak authoritatively as to the genesis and growth of the park. So I decided that who better to come on the show and talk about this than the man who literally put pen to paper and designed the original concept drawing for the Disney-MGM Studios. He is former Walt Disney Imagineering designer; artist; show creator and so much more, Tim Kirk. He will join me to discuss the history of the Studios, his work on helping form not only the original concept for the park, but his work on some of its premier attractions such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, The Great Movie Ride, MuppetVision 3D, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and countless others. It is a unique, first-hand look at the creation of the theme park and its signature attractions. I’ll also have time to answer some more of your emails this week, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at wdwradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #53 for the week of February 10, 2008. I’m your host Lou Mongello, and I want to thank you for tuning in again this week we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the WDW Radio Show. Although I’ve been podcasting since 2005, this past week marked the first anniversary of this show, and I want to take a moment to thank all of you for your support and for listening over the past year. It’s been an incredible, amazing journey, and I believe that things will only continue to get bigger and better. In fact, I have to tell you that I am more excited about this week’s show than I may have ever been, in large part due to my very special guest. Joining me this week in an exclusive interview is Samantha Brown, host of a number of popular series on the Travel Channel, including a number of specials all about Walt Disney World. She has explored some of the finest resorts on property, as well as the incredible experiences that Guests can enjoy during one of the most magical of seasons. My conversation with Samantha will talk about her work on the Disney park and resorts specials, including the most recent Holidays at Walt Disney World, and she reveals what’s next for her and the Travel Channel as she continues to entertain us with her travels to and exploration of the Disney resorts. Being a long time fan of her work, this interview was not only fun and exciting to do, but one that I think you’re really going to enjoy. In this week’s Walt Disney World News, we’ll cover some of the latest news, including announcing the Star Wars weekend dates for 2008, and I reveal the new live, interactive and high-energy attraction that’s coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Let’s just say that if you ever wanted to be a star and were looking for your big break, here’s your chance! The Walt Disney World Rumor Mill for this week has a number of big stories, including an Epcot pavilion possibly losing a sponsor, a rumored new attraction based on a Disney film that just might surprise you, and a very big, semi-confirmed rumor about not just demolition, but more importantly new construction at one of Walt Disney World’s resorts. This one could be big, so stay tuned. With the recent re-opening of the attraction, I’ll also have a full review of the updated Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, courtesy of a listener. Speaking of new things coming to Walt Disney World, I’ll also speak with another listener who gives a first-hand, detailed review of Disney’s Magical Connection, the handheld device currently being tested in the Magic Kingdom. You can learn not only about what the device does and how it works, but hear from a Guest just what they think of the device and technology. And as part of this anniversary show, I will also announce the new project I’ve been working on and alluding to for some time now. It’s going to be released soon, and I wanted to give you the first glimpse at what I have planned. It’s something I’m really excited about, and hope that you’ll enjoy. I won't have time for your emails this week, but as always, stay tuned for the end of the show, where I play a number of your voicemails. So sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at wdwradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #52 for the week of February 3, 2008. I want to thank you for tuning in again this week. I visit the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill this week and talk about recent permits filed by Disney about the Imagination pavilion, and a survey about Guest experiences at Walt Disney World with some very interesting questions. In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year, Jeff and I do another DSI: Disney Scene Investigation, and this week, we explore the beauty, mystery and symbolism of the China pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. I'll answer more of your emails and stay tuned for the end of the show, where I play a number of your voicemails. So sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at wdwradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #51 for the week of January 27, 2008. Unexpected circumstances have prevented me from producing a regular show this week with a variety of segments. However, this is a great opportunity to answer many of your listener emails that cover a broad range of topics, so Jeff Pepper will join me as we answer your questions together. Next week’s show will return to its regular format, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at wdwradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #50 for the week of January 20, 2008. Thank you for tuning in again this week. With not a lot of Walt Disney World News to report this week, we'll jump right in to a visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, where we'll talk about what’s going on (and up) at Disney's Contemporary Resort, more updates on the rumor of handheld devices in the parks, possible changes going on throughout the resort property-wide and more. After that, it's all about the recent Walt Disney World Half Marathon, as I invite Mike Scopa and Bryan Ripper to join me in a roundtable recap of the weekend's events. It’s a fun look back at an exciting weekend for both runners and spectators alike, and offers some great tips for people who may be considering running next year. Afterwards, Eric Hollister joins me as we not only announce the winner of the 13th and final mile marker challenge, but the Grand Prize and winner as well. We also look back at what was a fun contest that gave back to the community and touched the lives of many people in a number of different ways. We'll have time to play a few of your voicemails, and will answer many more of your emails next week. So sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at WDWradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #49 for the week of January 13, 2008. I’m your host Lou Mongello and by the time you hear this episode, I will have run, and hopefully completed my first - and possibly last - Walt Disney World Half Marathon. Since I have to record and produce the show early this week, there won’t be any news or rumors, but I do have a few segments that I think you’re going to enjoy. First, we take a detailed look at, and review one of Walt Disney World’s premier restaurants and prove that food in the parks is more than just burgers and fries, as Glenn Whelan and I take a trip to Canada in Epcot’s World Showcase and visit Le Cellier Steakhouse. Next, young Cody Pepper joins me once again for a fun game of Walt Disney World - Fact or Fiction? Then Steve Barrett and I will talk about new Hidden Mickeys, some other hidden characters, hunting at the resorts, and then he asks for your help in determining whether some questionable ones fit the bill. So lace up your sneakers, get ready, get set, and GO! enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. So as always, sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at WDWradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show - your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #48 for the week of January 6, 2008. I’m your host Lou Mongello and I want to thank you for tuning in once again, and wish you all a very happy new year. We’re going to start off 2008 just as we did in 2007, with Walt Disney World news, and a wild visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill. In addition to talking about some updated rumors, I’m going to take this opportunity to kick off the New Year with some of the very wild rumors I've been hearing about. Will they all come true? Probably not. But it will be fun to talk about them and speculate as to what the future may hold. In my continuing effort to introduce you to not only some of WDW’s hidden treasures, history, trivia, reviews and vacation planning advice, I also want to open your eyes to some of its overlooked experiences. This week, I have something special for you, as my special guest, Dr. Anne Savage from Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Wildlife Tracking Center joins me to talk about the amazing work that is taking place onstage and backstage, and how you can get involved at the park and when you get home. It’s a fascinating look at the amazing conservation and research efforts that Disney undertakes each and every day. I will also answer a number of your emails in our Listener Feedback section this week, and play some of your voicemails at the end of the show. So as always, sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Visit the web site at WDWradio.com. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!