The Mad Chatters Podcast | Walt Disney World and Around the Disney Universe
Your very important date with the happenings at Walt Disney World and around the Disney universe. This weekly podcast features roundtable discussions, helpful tips, dining reviews, honest opinions, and silly segments related to the Disney parks, all provided by three passionate and fun-loving Disney fans.
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273: The Oscars and Disney
01/30/2023
273: The Oscars and Disney
As awards season gets underway in Hollywood, we roll out the red carpet for special guest Aaron Wallace, who joins us on this episode to look back at the many times The Walt Disney Company has been celebrated or honored at the Academy Awards during the ceremony’s 95-year history. First, we discuss our favorite Disney moments from the televised ceremonies, including song performances, acceptance speeches, wacky shticks, and more (0:42:00). Then, we take a closer look at the categories in which Disney has performed the best in the past, and we talk about our favorite winners and nominees, plus any Disney projects we think were snubbed (1:23:56). Also on this episode, Jeremy and Derek report on the 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend—the highs and lows of running a Disney marathon, their favorite memories on the course, and more (0:01:20). Here's where you can find more content from Aaron: | Latest Book: | | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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272: The Wonderful World of Disney: Class of 1997
10/27/2022
272: The Wonderful World of Disney: Class of 1997
Twenty-five years ago, over a span of just two months, Disney and ABC gave us original films such as Tower of Terror, Toothless, and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. On this week's episode, we take a closer look at these films, as well as the Elijah Wood-starring version of Oliver Twist, and we break down what we love about them, what elements do and do not hold up in 2022, our biggest nitpicks and grievances, our memories of tuning in to The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights, and much more! Plus, in another edition of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," we share our picks for the best and worst Halloween costumes donned by characters at the Disney Parks. Come join the fun! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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271: A 'Disney Wish' Come True
10/04/2022
271: A 'Disney Wish' Come True
Come sail away with us on the brand new Disney Wish, on which we spent four days dining with Elsa and the Avengers, sipping cocktails in a galaxy far, far away, celebrating Halloween with Mickey and the gang, and rediscovering the joys of a relaxing and worry-free vacation. Join us for this special trip report as we discuss everything the newest Disney ship has to offer, as well as reminisce about our favorite memories from our first ever cruise. Plus, we touch on some of the new (and new-to-us) experiences at Walt Disney World, including the newly revamped Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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270: Disney Legends Draft
09/03/2022
270: Disney Legends Draft
Now that the most recent class of Disney Legends has been named and inducted, we're taking this opportunity to discuss the Disney Legends whose projects and contributions to The Walt Disney Company have meant the most to us personally. Guest Guy Selga joins us for a Disney Legends Draft, in which we each compile a team of ten Disney Legends we want to pay special tribute to. Help us celebrate these outstanding men and women as we discuss the impact they've had on the Disney community and Disney history. Also on this episode, we go "Behind the Magic" of one of our favorite characters, Sonny Eclipse, whose voice actor sadly passed away last month. Plus, we bring back Disney Taglines with a special Hocus Pocus edition, in which we must assign classic quotes from the film to something in the Disney universe. Be sure to find our guests and their Disney projects online. Let them know you enjoyed hearing them on the show! Guy Selga: / If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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269: Mad Chatters Potpourri
08/08/2022
269: Mad Chatters Potpourri
The Mad Chatters are back this week to do some mad chatting in the form of some of our favorite segments. Join us for a grab bag of games, segments, and silliness, including: Alternate Titles (For this game, we took the names of various Walt Disney World experiences and replaced every word with a synonym for that word. Can you guess the attraction?) Madsterpiece Theater The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (We share our picks for the best and worst walk-up windows in WDW.) 11-Second Rants And MORE! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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BONUS EPISODE: The Evolution of Cruella de Vil (from Dizney Coast to Coast)
01/26/2022
BONUS EPISODE: The Evolution of Cruella de Vil (from Dizney Coast to Coast)
Over on the Dizney Coast to Coast podcast, our friend Jeff DePaoli (whose show is currently on hiatus) has been spotlighting other Disney podcasts, including our own. To return the favor, we're bringing you one of our favorite episodes of his show, which he recorded with fellow friend and podcaster Courtney Guth. On this episode, Jeff and Courtney take a look at the evolution of Cruella de Vil, from her first appearance in the original book "The Hundred and One Dalmatians," to Walt Disney's portrayal of her in the animated classic "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," Glenn Close's live-action interpretation in "101 Dalmatians," and, of course, the latest prequel "Cruella." Get ready for some Disney villain goodness and so much more on this episode! To check out more of what Jeff has cooked up on Dizney Coast to Coast, visit .
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268: Our Pitch for “The Amazing Race: Walt Disney World Edition”
01/19/2022
268: Our Pitch for “The Amazing Race: Walt Disney World Edition”
With the recent return of The Amazing Race, which is currently airing its 33rd season on CBS, we thought it would be fun to dream up a season of the show that took place entirely on Walt Disney World property. We asked Dan Heaton, host of podcast and fellow fan of the CBS reality show, to help us come up with ideas for challenges teams would have to complete if The Amazing Race were to have a Walt Disney World-themed season. Come join the fun as we share the wacky tasks, challenging obstacles, and Disney-themed escapades we’d love to see teams face throughout the parks and resorts (48:56). (Listener discretion advised. The discussion might cause a desire to binge old seasons of the now 20-year-old reality show.) Also on this episode, Dan and Derek compete in a game of Something Rotten, in which they must guess which of two Disney films has a lower score on Rotten Tomatoes (29:25). Plus, Derek gives a full report on his experience running the 10K and the half marathon during this year’s Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (01:00). On your marks. Get set. Let’s race! Be sure to and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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267: The 2021 Chatties
01/02/2022
267: The 2021 Chatties
It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to raise the curtain on our annual awards night. We proudly present: The 2021 Chatties! As we celebrate the dawn of a new year, we also want to take a moment to look back at the year that just concluded and highlight the best and worst moments throughout The Walt Disney Company during 2021. Tune in to find out what events, attractions, and moments will take home the biggest awards, including Best Addition to Walt Disney World, Biggest Disappointment, Entertainer of the Year, and much more. Pop some bubbly and tune in! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to commen[email protected] Thanks for listening!
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266: Mad Q Party + A runDisney Deep Dive With Brooke McDonald
11/27/2021
266: Mad Q Party + A runDisney Deep Dive With Brooke McDonald
Our favorite Disney questionnaire is BACK! This week, special guest Brooke McDonald joins us to answer ten random questions on topics such as Epcot food booths, WDW Christmas decorations we wish we could take home, ideas for future "Olaf Presents" shorts, and more! Plus, Brooke gives us the lowdown on the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend that took place earlier this month. As Derek prepares for his first runDisney event in 2022, Brooke shares tips, stories, and exciting details of what to expect from a runDisney race. If you're a runDisney connoisseur, if you've ever considered participating in a runDisney event, or even if you've never heard of runDisney before now, this runDisney deep dive is for you! A huge thank you to Brooke for joining us this week! Be sure to find her online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show: | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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265: 50 Years, 50 Milestones - Part 2 (1996-2020)
10/21/2021
265: 50 Years, 50 Milestones - Part 2 (1996-2020)
Last week, to honor The World’s Most Magical Celebration, we highlighted 25 of the biggest moments that brought the vacation kingdom to where it is today, one for each year from 1971-1995. This week we are BACK to wrap up the list and pay tribute to one major milestone from each of Walt Disney World’s most recent 25 years, 1996-2020, and discuss why the impact of each moment is still felt today. Also on this week's show, guest Jennifer Lapsker helps us honor the Harmony Barber Shop on its 50th anniversary. We discuss the location's history, and Jen shares about her personal experience taking her son for his first haircut at the Main Street, U.S.A. location. In another edition of Armchair Imagineering, we share our ideas for "Fab 50" gold statues that would have directly honored Walt Disney World, rather than characters from the films. See which iconic attractions, characters, and landmarks we think should have made the cut, as well as ones that we know Disney would NEVER make. Be sure to find Jennifer online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show! | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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264: 50 Years, 50 Milestones
10/12/2021
264: 50 Years, 50 Milestones
Now that The World’s Most Magical Celebration has officially kicked off, we’re taking time to pay tribute to Walt Disney World in our own way: by celebrating the biggest moments that brought the vacation kingdom to where it is today. Join us as we highlight one major milestone from each of Walt Disney World’s 50 years and discuss why the impact of that moment is still felt today. Also on this episode, friend and Disney Buzz cohost J.T. Landry helps us report on all of the celebrations, new fireworks, and biggest happenings that took place at the Walt Disney World Resort the week of October 1, where the three of us were on the scene. Plus, we continue our Countdown to the 50th by showcasing one of WDW’s opening-day hotels, Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Here's how you can find J.T. online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show: | | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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263: Disney Game Night V
09/27/2021
263: Disney Game Night V
Sixteen players... Six Disney games... Immeasurable fun... Our fifth GAME NIGHT episode is here! Grab a snack, put on your thinking hat, and play along as Jeremy, Derek, and a ton of special guests compete in Disney-themed games like Password, Match Game, "Which Disney Character Said It?", Before & After, and more! Our "Game Night" episodes would not be possible without our INCREDIBLE guests. Here is where you can find each of them online. Go check out the awesome projects they are part of and let them know you enjoyed hearing them on the show! Jonathan Harvill: | David Alpert: | Courtney Guth: | | Emily McDermott: | | J.T. Landry: | Melanie McBurney: | | Aaron Wallace: | Latest Book: | | Reuben Gutierrez: | Amorette's Patisserie chef Blake Taylor: | | Teri Deel: Jeff DePaoli: | | (personal) (podcast) | Marshal Knight: | | Guy Selga: | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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262: 5 Things We Love at Universal Studios That You Can't Get at Walt Disney World
09/06/2021
262: 5 Things We Love at Universal Studios That You Can't Get at Walt Disney World
Halloween Horror Nights, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar — Some of Orlando's best theme park offerings are actually found outside the boundaries of Walt Disney World and instead are part of Universal Orlando Resort. On this week's show, we discuss some of our favorite attractions, restaurants, procedures, and other elements of Universal Studios that don't have an equivalent at a Disney park. Should Disney bring these ideas to its parks? If so, how could Disney take these ideas and make them better? These are just some of the questions we try to answer on this episode (56:38). In our continuing Countdown to the 50th, we highlight the Orange Bird, a beloved character who was part of Magic Kingdom on opening day, disappeared for a few decades, and then made a grand return, bringing endless opportunities for merchandise with him (01:04). Plus, in a round of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly we talk about the best and worst spots in Walt Disney World to visit after dark (24:15). Come join the fun! Be sure to find our guest Jonathan Harvill on Twitter and on Letterboxd: @jonathanharvill If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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261: The Future of Disney Vacations
08/25/2021
261: The Future of Disney Vacations
Will Walt Disney World ever see a nighttime parade again? Will Disney Genie+ be embraced by guests as a worthy replacement for FastPass? How much longer will we have to wait for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? On this episode we take a broader look at Walt Disney World to talk about which areas of the parks have not yet gone back to the way they were before the resort closed in 2020—and whether or not we think they ever will. Tune in as we share our thoughts on Genie+, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the future of daytime entertainment, and more (33:01)! As we continue to count down to the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, we shine a spotlight on the opening-day attraction The Hall of Presidents and share a list of ten facts about the classic show (2:44). Plus, we put on our poets’ hats with another edition of MADsterpiece Theater (30:28). Come join the fun! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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260: Dreaming Up Future World Showcase Pavilions by Studying Disney’s Past
05/12/2021
260: Dreaming Up Future World Showcase Pavilions by Studying Disney’s Past
In Epcot’s nearly 40 years of existence, there have been countless rumors and speculations about additional nations being introduced to World Showcase. But in reality, we haven’t seen a new country join the loop since Norway was completed in 1988. Enter the Mad Chatters. On this week’s episode, guest Courtney Guth helps us dig through The Walt Disney Company’s rich past and its deep ties to other nations of the world as we search for candidates for the next World Showcase pavilion. In the end, we present a list of more than ten nations to which Disney already has a connection, whether that’s because Walt himself visited and fell in love with the country, or it’s because more than one Disney film is set in the country, or it’s because that nation was already conceived as an Epcot pavilion before Imagineers scrapped the idea. Tune in to hear us make a case for each of these countries and present our own ideas for what the pavilion could look like and what rides and/or restaurants could go there. In another edition of Armchair Imagineering, we shine a spotlight on The Muppets and present our own ideas for who should play Jim Henson in the upcoming biopic, as well as what Disney theme park attraction The Muppets should parody next, after this fall’s highly anticipated special “Muppets Haunted Mansion.” Plus, we bring back the segment “The Windows of Main Street, U.S.A.” in order to showcase the career of Chuck Boyajian, the very first Manager of Custodial Operations at Disneyland. Be sure to find Courtney online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show! | | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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259: Objects in Disney Movies That We Wish Were Real
04/13/2021
259: Objects in Disney Movies That We Wish Were Real
If you've ever wanted a bottomless carpetbag like Mary Poppins or dreamed of rubbing a magic lamp and having three wishes of your own, have we got the episode for you! Tune in as guest Jeff DePaoli helps us list fantastical objects, magical places, and just plain practical items from Disney movies that we wish existed in real life. Also in this episode, we play a virtual game of hide and seek with a round of "Where in Walt Disney World Am I?" Plus, in our continuing countdown to WDW's 50th anniversary, we shine a spotlight on the Electrical Water Pageant, an underrated but always delightful hidden gem. Be sure to find Jeff online and follow his Disney projects: | | (personal) (podcast) | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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258: Sitcoms at the Disney Parks – Part 2
03/28/2021
258: Sitcoms at the Disney Parks – Part 2
The show must go on, as they say. And that is why we are BACK this week to close out our two-part series on the ABC sitcoms that filmed episodes at the Disney Parks. This week we kick things off with the 1998 episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch that coincided with the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we make our way all the way to 2019, when The Goldbergs spoofed National Lampoon’s Vacation with an episode that followed the family on their cross-country trip to Disneyland in the late 80s. Join us as we talk about the best hidden gems, the most magical moments, and the most laughable, that-would-never-happen goofs from shows like Modern Family, Black-ish, and more! Also on this episode, guest Blake Taylor joins us for the game “Before and After,” in which he and Jeremy compete to see who can guess the Disney-related mashup first. Plus, as part of our continuing countdown to Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, we play a round of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” in which we share our picks for the best and worst elements of Magic Kingdom on its opening day. It’s all happening now on The Mad Chatters Podcast. Tune in! Be sure to find Blake online and follow his Disney projects! | | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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257: 90s Sitcoms at the Disney Parks
03/16/2021
257: 90s Sitcoms at the Disney Parks
Has there ever been a more magical example of corporate synergy than when our favorite ABC sitcoms filmed episodes at the Disney Parks? On this week's episode we travel back to the 90s—before DVR and streaming were part of everyone's vocabulary—and we talk about six episodes of classic 90s sitcoms that take place in Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Join us and our guest Teri Deel as we catch up with Cory and Topanga at The Living Seas, check out Steve Urkel's latest gadget at Innoventions, watch Danny Tanner get spit on during Aladdin's Royal Caravan, and much more (0:31:48)! In this week's edition of our Countdown to the 50th, we showcase Liberty Square, a land that is unique to Magic Kingdom and that opened just five years before America's Bicentennial (0:01:50). Plus, we show off our poetry skills in the new segment Madsterpiece Theater (0:29:00)! If you would like to find and stream the six television episodes we discuss on this show, here is a handy list: Blossom – "The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men" – Season 3, Episode 19 Full House – "The House Meets the Mouse" – Season 6, Episodes 23-24 Family Matters – "We’re Going to Disney World" – Season 6, Episodes 22-23 Roseanne – "We’re Going to Disney World"/"Disney World War II" – Season 8, Episodes 17-18 Step by Step – "We’re Going to Disney World": Parts 1 & 2 – Season 5, Episodes 22-23 Boy Meets World – "The Happiest Show on Earth" – Season 3, Episode 21 If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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256: It’s Time for an Upgrade – 10 WDW Experiences We’d Love to See Updated or Enhanced
03/02/2021
256: It’s Time for an Upgrade – 10 WDW Experiences We’d Love to See Updated or Enhanced
In light of the recent news that Jungle Cruise is about to be enhanced, we thought we'd take this opportunity to highlight other attractions and experiences at Walt Disney World that we think could use some TLC. From stale rides to dated resorts to embarrassing uses of technology, we each talk about ten areas we'd most love to see get updates and enhancements (1:02:33). In this week's Countdown to the 50th, we share ten facts about Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, one of three resort hotels that opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971 (0:00:50). Plus, we test our Muppets and Disney Channel knowledge in a new game (0:30:10), AND we bring back the segment Mad Chatter Jeopardy, in which we respond to dumb answers by providing even dumber questions (0:57:18). Come join the fun! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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255: The Music of Disney's Hollywood Studios
02/14/2021
255: The Music of Disney's Hollywood Studios
Join us for a musical tour of the Hollywood that never was and always will be: Disney's Hollywood Studios! Years ago, we launched a series in which we discussed the background music and the original songs that play in each Walt Disney World park. At the time, Disney's Hollywood Studios was mostly a construction zone, but now that the park has completed its glow-up, we figured it was high time we close out that series and talk about the background loops and original songs in areas like Sunset Boulevard, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and more! If you missed our other "The Music of..." episodes, you can find them here: Also on this week's show, Jonathan Harvill joins us for a round of Disney Hashtags, in which we access our most juvenile, immature inner selves with the hashtag #MiddleSchoolDisney. Plus, in our Countdown to the 50th, we highlight the WDW opening-day attraction Country Bear Jamboree. Be sure to find Jonathan online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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254: 20 Years of Disney California Adventure – 10 Ways It Changed the Game for Theme Parks
02/01/2021
254: 20 Years of Disney California Adventure – 10 Ways It Changed the Game for Theme Parks
On February 8, 2001, Disney's California Adventure opened to the public as Disneyland Resort's long-awaited second gate . . . and fell flat. However, after some initial misfires and long-lasting growing pains, the park was able to turn things around and bring us some truly original and inspired experiences. This week, on the park's 20th anniversary, guest Guy Selga helps us count down ten ways in which Disney California Adventure changed the game for Disney theme parks. Join us as we look at ten attractions and experiences we might not have if DCA had not done them first. Also on this week's show, we create a Mad Chatters Playlist full of Disney songs not currently at the parks that we think would fit well in a certain area of Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Plus, we continue our Countdown to the 50th by looking at another item Walt Disney World introduced to the world when it opened in 1971, and this week we are highlighting the Transportation and Ticket Center, sharing ten facts about this parking lot that is so much more than a parking lot. Be sure to find Guy on and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! Also, check out for your Disneyland travel needs. If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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253: Mad Q Party
01/18/2021
253: Mad Q Party
What better way to ring in the new year than with a party? After a long hiatus (sorry!), we are back this week with one of our favorite segments: the wacky, hypothetical Disney questionnaire we call a Mad Q Party. Join us and special guest Aaron Wallace as we pose and then answer ten questions on topics ranging from Muppet remakes of Disney films, to LEGO sets we'd like to see Disney release, to Disneyland attractions we're going to view differently once the pandemic has ended. Also on this week's show, we kick off a new segment called "Countdown to the 50th," in which we will take a closer look at groundbreaking elements of Walt Disney World that opened with the resort when it debuted to the public 50 years ago. This week we highlight Cinderella Castle by sharing ten facts about this iconic structure. Plus, Aaron joins us for a game called "The Resort Report." Come play along and join the fun now! Be sure to check out everything Aaron is up to and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the podcast! | Latest Book: | | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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252: It's Good to Be Bad – The Best Disney Villains Onscreen and at Walt Disney World
10/26/2020
252: It's Good to Be Bad – The Best Disney Villains Onscreen and at Walt Disney World
They're rascals and scoundrels. They're villains and knaves. They're devils and black sheep. They're really bad eggs. They're the infamous crew of misfits and evildoers known as the DISNEY VILLAINS! On this week's show, guest Marshal Knight helps us take a closer look at the deep well of villains in Disney's catalog, from the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the can-you-believe-they're-actually-the-villains of so many of the Disney films of the 2010s. On this episode we discuss what makes a great Disney villain, how the Disney villain has evolved over time, which Disney villains get the best representation at Walt Disney World, and which villainous moments at Walt Disney World are our favorites. Plus, Marshal and Derek compete in a villain-themed game, and in another edition of "The Windows of Main Street, U.S.A." we put the spotlight on Imagineer Yale Gracey, who contributed special effects to both Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. Come join the villainous fun now! Be sure to find Marshal on and and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! And if you want more Marshal material, check out his blog, and its affiliated . If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on Facebook (/madchatterspodcast), Instagram (@madchatters), and Twitter (@MadChatters). Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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251: Visiting Walt Disney World in 2020
10/18/2020
251: Visiting Walt Disney World in 2020
Last week we got to spend a few days in the parks—and we have thoughts! On this mini episode we give our take on the current state of the parks, what it's like experiencing the parks with so many precautions in place, what to know and how to prepare before visiting, why a Disney trip might or might not be best for your family right now, and much more! We had a lot of listeners reach out with questions about what it's like navigating the parks right now. If we didn't answer a question of yours, feel free to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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250: 15 Classic Theme Park Foods and Where to Get Them at Walt Disney World
09/16/2020
250: 15 Classic Theme Park Foods and Where to Get Them at Walt Disney World
This week we are joined by friend of the show Reuben Gutierrez (pastry chef at Amorette’s Patisserie and all-around expert on WDW food) as we discuss 15 of the most iconic theme park treats and look at them through the lens of Walt Disney World. Join us as we hop around the parks and resorts in search of classic items like hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn, funnel cakes, and more! Want to know if and where you can find these foods at Walt Disney World (and where you should avoid them)? We've got the "scoop"! In another Mad Chatter game, we try to guess the Disney experience based on its alternate title, made up of synonyms for the real words in its title. Plus, we chat about the Presidents Hall of Fame in Clermont, Florida, The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, and more. Tune in now! Be sure to find Reuben online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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249: Encore! A Tour of Stage Shows Past and Present at the Disney Parks
08/20/2020
249: Encore! A Tour of Stage Shows Past and Present at the Disney Parks
On this week’s episode we are joined by , host of , as we take a closer look at seven live musical productions that have at one time or another graced a stage at a Disney theme park. Join us for this virtual tour of seven different live venues in Disneyland and Walt Disney World and the musical productions that once performed (or still perform) there. For this episode we have chosen one show from each theater to highlight, review, share our memories of, marvel at, and, in some cases, laugh at. The seven featured shows include: Dick Tracy Starring in Diamond Double-Cross Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure Animazement – A Musical Tarzan Rocks Storytelling at Royal Theatre: Tangled Frozen – Live at the Hyperion In keeping with the theme of musical theater, we also host a miniature Broadway-themed Mad Q Party, in which we talk about the Broadway shows we’d like to see Disney bring to the big screen, the entertainment roles we’d like to have in the parks, and more. Plus, we bring back our Disney Hashtags segment with the hashtag #BroadwayButMakeItDisney. Come join the fun now! Be sure to check out David’s podcast E-Ticket to Broadway, on which he interviews Broadway stars about their love of the Disney theme parks. You also can find him on or on his website, where you can let him know how much you enjoyed hearing him on The Mad Chatters! If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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248: Top 10 Worst Film Tie-Ins at Walt Disney World
08/07/2020
248: Top 10 Worst Film Tie-Ins at Walt Disney World
On our last episode we gushed about the best, most creative, and most magical movie tie-ins at Walt Disney World. It seemed only fitting that we follow up that show by sharing our picks for the WORST movie tie-ins at WDW—those times when Disney tried to shoehorn a film into the parks and the end result felt lazy and uninspired or completely missed what the movie and its beloved characters are all about. Join us and our friends J.T. and Melanie from The Disney Buzz as we count down the biggest fails in Disney’s rich history of incorporating movies into Walt Disney World. But that’s not all! As a nod to The Disney Buzz and its tradition of drinking while podcasting, we also discuss our favorite drinks and places to drink at the Walt Disney World Resort. Plus, we play a game called “Drunk on Disney,” in which players must guess the Disney film based on a beverage-themed line of dialogue. Come play along! Our guests this week are our friends J.T. and Melanie, cohosts of The Disney Buzz. Be sure to find them online, check out their podcast, and let them know you enjoyed hearing them on the show! | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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247: Top 10 Film Tie-Ins at Walt Disney World
07/31/2020
247: Top 10 Film Tie-Ins at Walt Disney World
The Disney theme parks have always been a place where guests can see their favorite films come to life. While not every in-park treatment of a film is wildly inventive or thematically appropriate, every once in a while a Disney park or resort gives life to a film in a way that wows and immerses guests, fits its surroundings perfectly, and does the movie justice. On this week’s episode we’re counting down the Top 10 Film Tie-Ins at Walt Disney World that, for us, do just that. From small props to full-blown stage productions, we have fun talking about our favorite ways in which movies were given new life at WDW. Come hear our picks! Plus, we go on another trip inside our Time Rovers, this time traveling back to the ABC Super Soap Weekends of the late 90s and early 2000s. Join us as we check out what soap opera fans could experience at these popular events at Disney-MGM Studios. Our guest this week is our friend and soap-opera expert Albert Gutierrez. Be sure to find him online and let him know you enjoyed hearing him on the show! | | If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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246: Splash Mountain – The Good, the Bad, and the Satisfactual
07/14/2020
246: Splash Mountain – The Good, the Bad, and the Satisfactual
For a certain log flume attraction in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, it’s time to be movin’ along. Help us say goodbye to Brer Rabbit and his briar patch as we look back at 31 years of Splash Mountain, its earliest conception, its controversial source material, its status as a Disney icon, and its future as a Princess and the Frog ride. Also on this week’s episode, Jeremy shares about his experience with the new procedures and practices at Walt Disney World during his visit to Animal Kingdom on its Cast Member Preview day. Plus, in a game called “Disney Springs or Dis-Not Sprung” we try to determine if various stores can or cannot be found at Disney Springs. Our guest this week is historian and author Andrew Kiste. Check out or follow him online: . If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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245: Two Disney Parks That Never Were: Riverfront Square and Disney’s America
06/29/2020
245: Two Disney Parks That Never Were: Riverfront Square and Disney’s America
This week we look back at two fully-realized theme park projects that ultimately never came to be: one developed by Walt and his Imagineers around the time of the 1964 World’s Fair, just before Walt Disney World began construction in Florida, and the other dreamed up by Michael Eisner and company during the Disney Renaissance of the early 1990s. Join us and guest Courtney Guth as we talk about the Riverfront Square project in St. Louis and Disney’s America theme park in Washington, D.C., the attractions and experiences that were to be included at these locations, and why they ultimately failed. Plus, we travel back to the summer of 2010 to talk about what guests might have experienced during the Summer Nightastic limited-time celebration. We also go “Behind the Magic” of the Norway Pavilion in Epcot by talking about our favorite details and things to see at this World Showcase nation on its 32 anniversary. Buckle up, history nerds. This time-hopping episode is for you! Be sure to find Courtney online and let her know you enjoyed hearing her on the show: | | If you'd like to see concept art for Disney's America, you can find a high-resolution brochure . If you want to interact with us online, we’d love for you to connect with us on , , and . Or, send your emails to [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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