Imagination Skyway

Walt Disney World is unveiling new Audio-Animatronics updates across multiple attractions. Guests can meet a brand-new Benjamin Clawhauser figure in Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, enjoy upgraded Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff figures in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT, and zoom into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets with the first-ever Muppets Audio-Animatronics, including Scooter and more surprises. Enjoy more Imagination Skyway News episodes like this one: https://www.patreon.com/collection/373926   To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

The Beak & Barrel Pirates of the Caribbean tavern is the latest lounge to open at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. This immersive dining location (for all ages) brings guests into the world of Pirates of the Caribbean (the ride and the film franchise). Complete with a rowdy pirate crew, an affable parrot first mate (Rummy), story-driven details, and savory food and drink, The Beak & Barrel is an experience that will leave the whole family wanting to set sail like a true pirate of the Caribbean.   In this episode, I chat with CJ from WDW Magazine about our experience at a media preview for The Beak & Barrel. The episode is light on spoilers but will give you a good idea of what to expect and what to look out for on your next visit.   To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

The Cake Bake Shop and GEO-82 are two new dining experiences in the EPCOT Resort Area, both opening in 2025. The Cake Bake Shop is a family-owned small business run by Gwendolyn Rogers at Disney's BoardWalk, featuring breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner at the main restaurant and baked goods at the adjacent bakery. GEO-82 is the newest adult-exclusive lounge at EPCOT (all guests must be 21 or older to enter this venue) located in the Spaceship Earth pavilion, serving cocktails and small plates immersing guests in the flavors, views, and legacy that shape modern-day EPCOT.   In this episode, I share my honest reviews of both The Cake Bake Shop and GEO-82 after my first time dining at each location in Walt Disney World. These episodes were formerly posted on Patreon as a subscriber-exclusive. Get this kind of bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

Disney Destiny, the newest member of the Disney Cruise Line fleet as part of the Disney Wish class of ships (along with the Disney Treasure), sets sail on November 20, 2025. With a heroes and villains theme, the Disney Destiny will feature Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters who will spring to life as guests enjoy legendary dining, iconic entertainment, daring adult escapes, family friendly attractions, and of course spacious staterooms and suites.   In this episode, I chat with Steph and Danny from WDW Magazine about their experiences visiting the Disney Destiny under construction at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg Germany and experiencing a rehearsal of the new Broadway-style stage show, Hercules.   To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

Destination D23 2025 took place at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World. This year's theme marked "A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney" and featured several panels, including a Walt Disney Studios Showcase, a Disney Villains presentation, a chat with Roy P. Disney (grandson of Roy O. Disney), Three Caballeros panels, an exploration of the life and career of X Atencio, a Disney 80s/90s Concert, a panel of Disney Channel celebrities (past and present), Disney Archives footage, Disney on Broadway fun, and so much more.   In this episode, I'm joined by Jack Kendall from DSNY Newscast to recap Destination D23 2025. While this podcast won't cover every panel and event, we'll highlight our key takeaways and analysis of the weekend.   Thank you to D23 and Disney Parks for this special opportunity and for inviting me to attend this event as media.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Create your own Disney travel memories with our sponsor KMV Travel.   Subscribe to WDW Magazine and receive 15% off with code SKYWAY when visiting https://www.wdw-magazine.com/shop/?ref=SKYWAY   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

The Swan and Dolphin are Marriott Bonvoy properties that have been at Walt Disney World since 1990 (their sister Marriott property, Swan Reserve, opened in 2021), and they hosted my family for a two-night stay at the Swan on a recent trip to Central Florida. As a good neighbor hotel officially with Disney Deluxe Resort benefits, the Swan is located in the EPCOT Crescent Lake resort area with easy walking distance (or Friendship boat) access to EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's BoardWalk, and Disney's Yacht & Beach Club resorts, plus bus service to Magic Kingdom (via Transportation and Ticket Center), Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. With comfortable rooms, world-class service, and a wide range of dining and recreation, the Swan is a hotel you should definitely consider for your next Walt Disney World vacation. You can learn more at https://swandolphin.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/swandolphin.   In this episode, we discuss everything you need to know about staying at the Swan, reveal details that make this property noteworthy, share reasons why you might want to stay here, and offer suggestions about how to make the most of your stay.   To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

Disneyland Hotel was the first hotel or resort to feature the Disney name. Opened by Jack Wrather in partnership with Walt Disney, the Disneyland Hotel was not officially owned by The Walt Disney Company until Michael Eisner's Disney tenure, but it has been delighting Disneyland guests with Disney-themed spaces since October 1955. Today, the Disneyland Hotel includes four towers (Adventure Tower, Discovery Tower, Fantasy Tower, and Frontier Tower), six dining spaces (Goofy's Kitchen, Tangaroa Terrace, Trader Sam's and more), a monorail-themed E-Ticket pool, Disney shopping, and walking-distance proximity to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney.   In this episode, we discuss everything you need to know about staying at the Disneyland Hotel, reveal Imagineering details that make this property noteworthy, share reasons why you might want to stay here, and offer suggestions about how to make the most of your stay.   To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

Disney Adults have an affinity for Disney Parks, Disney Animation, Disney Consumer Products, and other Disney Experiences. They make frequent visits to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, or any other Disney Destination. They prioritize Disney movies and watch Disney shows. They decorate their home with Disney designs, and they yearn for more Disney experiences.   In this episode, I chat with AJ Wolfe of Disney Food Blog about this very topic, exploring what it means to be a Disney Adult and discussing AJ's new book: Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture, available on August 5.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Create your own Disney travel memories with our sponsor KMV Travel.   Subscribe to WDW Magazine and receive 15% off with code SKYWAY when visiting https://www.wdw-magazine.com/shop/?ref=SKYWAY   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!

Discover the magic behind Walt Disney Imagineering with a firsthand tour of their Glendale headquarters. Experience the thrill of handling a retractable lightsaber and testing interactive BDX droids. Marvel at detailed models from iconic rides like the Lion King and Pirates of the Caribbean. Hear insights from Imagineer Dave Crawford on the evolution of animatronics and the impressive technology used in attractions. Join a journey through creativity, craftsmanship, and the legacy of storytelling that continues to captivate audiences.

Walt Disney—A Magical Life opened at Disneyland on July 17, 2025 (the 70th anniversary of Disneyland) in the Main Street Opera House (to be rotated with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln). With Walt Disney One Man's Dream as the opening sequence, this new attraction features the first-ever Audio-Animatronic figure to depict Walt Disney. On July 15, I had the honor of attending a special media preview of this brand new show with the opportunity to view the show twice plus hear from the Imagineers (Tom Fitzgerald and Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz) and Walt Disney Family Museum representatives (Kristen Komoroske) who worked on this new experience.   In this episode, I'm joined by Jack Kendall from DSNY Newscast to discuss this new attraction, including plenty of honest and detailed analysis about the new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic and some discussion about the lobby experience (led by Imagineer Kim Irvine) and film sequence.   Thank you to Disneyland for this very special opportunity and for inviting me to attend this media event.   Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway.   Create your own Disney travel memories with our sponsor KMV Travel.   Subscribe to WDW Magazine and receive 15% off with code SKYWAY when visiting https://www.wdw-magazine.com/shop/?ref=SKYWAY   Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com  How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!