Turkey Leg Talk (Phil Gramlich)

There are some phenomenal attractions and shows in Walt Disney World that you can experience without a FastPass. That’s what this week’s show is all about. This is Episode 109: Attractions You Shouldn’t Get FastPasses For.

I’m asked all the time: “Which attractions should I get FastPasses for?” Consider this episode your FastPass+ cheat sheet!

Walt Disney World’s attractions have no shortage of famous quotes. From “Dead men tell no tales” to “Let It Go,” you’ll always walk away from a Disney attraction with some line stuck in your head.

This week I welcome back Chuck Rodriguez to talk all about quotes that stay with you LONG after you’re home from your Walt Disney World vacation. We both do our best attempts at imitating the famous Disney voice actors who say these lines on the attractions, sometimes with not so great results!

When Walt Disney first opened Disneyland, 5 lands made up his theme park: Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Frontierland. This week’s show is all about Walt’s Frontierland that featured cowboys, pioneers, riverboats and more! Check out the Word of the Week – Frontierland.

Was Frontierland a concept actually conceived by Walt Disney or did he get his ideas elsewhere? Let me shed some light on Frontierland’s history!

Walt Disney World is constantly changing and evolving. With every attraction or restaurant that is taken away, a new one is added. But Disney never asks us, the Disney fans, what we would like to build in the theme parks and resorts. That’s why this week, my guest Chuck Rodriguez and I give our Imaginary Imagineering opinions on what we would like to see build in Walt Disney World. I hope you enjoy Episode 29: Imaginary Imagineering.

If you liked the cut of Chuck’s jib, he can also be heard on the following episodes of the podcast:

Episode 7: Best Disney Movies You’ve Never Seen

Episode 9: Best Smells in Walt Disney World

Episode 12: Best On-Ride Moments in the Disney Parks

Episode 17:Best WDW Attraction Music

Episode 22: Best Walt Disney World Attraction Quotes

Episode 26: Best Ways to Beat the Heat in WDW

*Also listen to why this will most likely be Chuck’s last guest appearance on the show!

The attractions in the Disney theme parks don’t start once the ride vehicles start to move. Actually, the attraction’s story begins long before any guests set foot anywhere near the load area of any attraction. That is why the queues for the attractions are so important. This week we’ll talk all about the queues on Episode 63: Best Queues in Walt Disney World.

The queues in Disney’s theme parks aren’t only where we, the guests, wait in line. They are the first step in a complete storytelling adventure and the Disney Imagineers are master storytellers. So this week, put the smart phones in your pockets as we take a look at WDW’s best queues!

This week’s Walt Disney World Word of the Week is brought to you by the Letter B, for Barbecue! Listen in as I tell you all of the fantastic restaurants where you can try barbecued food items all across the Walt Disney World Resort! I hope you enjoy this week’s episode and the Word of the Week – Barbecue.

Whether it’s in the theme parks, in the resorts, or at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World has no shortage of places to get this American staple. This week I’ll tell you all about my favorites and give you a few tips along the way!

Do you remember Mickey’s Birthdayland? I never had the opportunity to check it out in person, but still remember a lot of what was left in Mickey’s Toontown Fair when I finally got there. I’ll tell you all about it on this weeks’ Word of the Week – Birthdayland.

If you don’t remember Mickey’s Birthdayland in Magic Kingdom, you’re not alone! Take a trip back in time with me as I tell you all about it!

I talk about this topic all of the time on this podcast but I feel like I just have to repeat it again: Walt Disney World’s restaurants are not all cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers. Contrary to popular belief, WDW has become a culinary destination over the last decade or two, and some of the best dishes around are the sandwiches that populate the menus all over the theme parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Let’s take a look at our favorites on Episode 73: Top 10 Walt Disney World Sandwiches.

Name your favorite type of sandwich. Go ahead! I can guarantee Walt Disney World has a place where you can get a fantastic version! Let’s take a look at the Top 10 WDW Sandwiches!

So, you’ve booked your family’s vacation to Walt Disney World. Now what? Well, this episode will help you avoid those rookie mistakes that so many guests make on their Walt Disney World vacations! I hope you enjoy this Bonus Episode: Biggest WDW Rookie Mistakes!

We know the rookie mistakes because we’ve made the rookie mistakes! On this episode we’ll help you avoid them, save money, and maximize your time in the parks!

The Disney theme parks are home to some of the most iconic attractions of all time. Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, & Space Mountain are just a few examples of hit attractions that have been around for generations. But not all Disney attractions are created equal. This week I’ll take a look at those attractions that didn’t stick around on the Word of the Week – Shortest.

What were the shortest-lived attractions in all of the Disney parks? Let’s take a look at some not-so-iconic attractions!

Lee Cockerell is the former VP of Operations for the entire Walt Disney World Resort. This week I had the chance to catch up with Lee and have a conversation about Disney’s world-class guest service, extinct attractions, his hopes for the future of the company and much more! Check out Episode 35: A Conversation With Lee Cockerell!

In his career with the Disney Company, Lee Cockerell opened EuroDisney (now known as Disneyland Paris), created the Disney Great Leader Strategies (which trained and developed over 7,000 leaders in Walt Disney World), and oversaw more than 40,000 cast members who worked at the Walt Disney World Resort. In the years after his retirement, Lee has written four books, he’s become a prolific public speaker, and he has a weekly podcast dedicated to helping those in the guest service industry.

Lee’s books can be found on Amazon.com by clicking HERE

For his podcast and much more head over to LeeCockerell.com

The D23 Expo in Anaheim, California is one of the most anticipated events on almost every Disney fan’s calendar. This year one of the most anticipated presentations at that most anticipated event was all about what was coming to our favorite Disney theme parks in the next several years. Check out Episode 79: D23 Expo Parks & Resorts Recap.

By now you’ve probably heard the announcements that came out of the D23 Expo. We’ll analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly on this special D23 episode of the show!

Walt Disney World is famous for a lot of things, but one thing people don’t always talk about is the food!

In this episode of the Ear To There Podcast, guest Chris Yansick and I talk about our top restaurants in the resort hotels in Walt Disney World. We’ll give you our favorite casual, character, and signature restaurants.

Thank you so much for listening! I hope you enjoy the first “real” episode of the Ear To There Podcast!

On it’s a food world, we mostly focus on the food, obviously. But some restaurants in Walt Disney World offer so much more than dining options. 50’s Prime Time Cafe mixes a fantastic and fun dining experience along with some great menu options. I hope you enjoy it’s a food world – 50’s Prime Time Cafe.

Fantastic meatloaf & fried chicken? Check! Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake? Check! Fun, hilarious service from a relative straight out of the 1950’s? Check! A visit to 50’s Prime Time is a blast!

When Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, things were very different than they are today. The Most Magical Place On Earth opened with 1 theme park and 3 resorts, a far cry from what makes up WDW today. We’ll talk about how far WDW’s come in Episode 71: Walt Disney World Then & Now.

October 1, 1971: WDW opens with 1 theme park and 3 resorts. May, 2017: WDW consists of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and more than 25 resorts. Let’s talk about it!

I pride myself on always doing my research and knowing Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line inside and out. That’s why this week was an important episode for me to do. I done messed up more than once! Check out Episode 141: Two BIG Mistakes I’ve Made.

I’m human. I make mistakes. One place I shouldn’t make mistakes, though, is when planning Disney vacations. Listen in to the 2 BIGGEST mistakes I’ve made!

Whether it’s your first ever trip to Walt Disney World or your twentieth, let us help you avoid making those mistakes on your vacation that we’ve already made for you! Check out Episode 42: Biggest WDW Rookie Mistakes!

Want to know just how you should handle your Hotel Reservations, FastPasses, Dining Reservations, and more? This week my guest Herb Leibacher and I will tell you exactly how you SHOULD NOT handle all of these when planning your trip to Walt Disney World. We also go into detail about strollers, over-planning, under-planning, and much more! This episode will be very helpful to those who are about to plan or are in the middle of planning their next Walt Disney World vacation.

To hear more from Herb Leibacher or to listen to his podcast, head on over to the World of Walt at worldofwalt.com.

Not every idea that Disney’s Imagineers come up with gets built somewhere. Some great ideas and concepts that Disney’s legendary design team has come up with over the years have been canceled for one reason or another. I’ll take a look at some of those on the Word of the Week – Never Built Walt Disney World.

Wouldn’t you love to take a bullet train ride across Japan, explore the mystical homes of beautiful unicorns, or cruise down the Rhine River? You were supposed to do all of that in WDW!

Which Value, Moderate, Deluxe, & Deluxe Villas would be the best fit for your family? We'll help you decide!

When Pleasure Island opened in 1989, it was impossible to tell just how big of an effect the Adventurer's Club would have on the future of the Disney company's parks and resorts. This week I will tell you how that little club went on to inspire an entire society. I hope you enjoy this Word of the Week - S.E.A.

The Society of Explorers and Adventurers has infiltrated many of our favorite Disney attractions and locales, changing the stories and lore. So, who's behind this secret society?

Walt Disney World opened in October of 1971. Since the World began, many attractions have become iconic and have stuck around for the long haul. Others…have not. This week’s show is all about those others on the Word of the Week – Gone (And Almost Forgotten).

Remember the Plaza Swan Boats in Magic Kingdom? How about the Pocahontas show in Hollywood Studios? Hop in the DeLorean with me for a ride back!

I didn’t have to do a whole lot of research for this week’s Walt Disney World Word of the Week – Free. I’m plenty experienced in knowing where to go to experience all of the free things that the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer!

When you are paying as much as most people do to take a vacation to Walt Disney World, it is very important to know where all of the free things are. From Club Cool to Campfires, this week I’ll help you find all of the WDW experiences that won’t cost you a cent!

A cool chill is starting to appear in the night air, the leaves are falling, and pumpkin spice is everywhere…yes, it’s October in Walt Disney World. What makes Disney’s iconic attraction, the Haunted Mansion, so special? We’ll tell you on Episode 144: Top Ten Things We Love about the Haunted Mansion.

If you can’t hear the words “safety bar” without thinking “I will lower it for you,” then this episode is for you! Join us…if you dare!

Did you ever ride the Mike Fink Keel Boats in the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland? This week, I take a look back at a beloved extinct attraction in Disney’s theme parks with the Word of the Week – Keel.

The Mike Fink Keel Boats were attractions in Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for decades, beginning in 1955 in Disneyland and finally closing in the Magic Kingdom in 2001. On this week’s Word of the Week, I talk all about the attraction’s history and it’s ultimate closure in the North American theme parks. I’ll also tell you where you can find pieces of the attractions that still survive today.

Since the 1964-1965 World’s Fair in New York, Disney has been synonymous with dark rides. From “it’s a small world” to Na’vi River Journey, these attractions have been entertaining guests for generations. This week my guest and I talk about our favorites on Episode 122: Favorite Disney Dark Rides.

How does a Disney super fan choose his or her FAVORITE dark rides? I have to tell you, this was a tough list for me to come up with! 

By popular demand, I’m going back to older episodes that are hard to find on some podcast providers and re-releasing them each week. This was originally Episode 15 of the Ear To There Disney Podcast. I hope you enjoy this Bonus Episode: A Chat With Yehaa Bob Jackson!

Bob Jackson’s action-packed, family-friendly show plays to a full house four nights each week and if you’ve ever seen him live, you know that no one has more fun than him!

Walt Disney World will never be the same! Last week the Ear To There Podcast Pod People took over a couple of ballrooms in Disney’s Contemporary Resort for food, fun, and friends. We even had a special, cheese-loving guest stop by. Enjoy Episode 183, the Pod People Invasion and Trivia!

Want to know what it’s like to spend some quality time with members of the podcast team, Vacationeers, and podcast listeners? Listen along and play some trivia with us this week!

He is probably the most recognizable character the modern world has ever seen. This week was my easiest ever choice for Word of the Week – Mickey Mouse.

Since his debut in 1928, Mickey Mouse has been a symbol of happiness, playfulness, and laughter throughout the world. This week I wanted to take a quick look into the history of Walt Disney’s legendary character while also giving you, the listener, a look at where Mickey can be found all over Walt Disney World in the year 2016 and beyond.

Over the summer I released a three part series of episodes titled “Back to the Speedway.” If you didn’t get a chance to listen to those, this episode puts all three together into one, mega episode. Oh, and I threw a contest just for fun where you can win a Disney Gift Card! Check out this Bonus Episode & Contest!

With the holidays almost here, I wanted to hold a contest while also re-releasing a few favorite episodes. Good luck and Happy Holidays!

It never fails…we find ourselves in Walt Disney World without tickets to one of the Walt Disney World theme parks. So, what do we do? That’s what we’ll answer this week on Episode 111: Best Non-Park WDW Activities.

I know you’ve been to the parks. But have you rented a boat, watched a movie, bowled, golfed, or flown in a hot air balloon?

Which character jumps into your mind when someone says the words "Disney villain"? Chances are, the character you just thought of isn't mentioned on this week's show! I hope you enjoy Episode 203: Most Underrated Disney Villains.

This week's show is all about those sneaky but evil Disney Villains who we won't allow to sneak under the radar any longer!

Recently a handful of journalists were invited to visit Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. I was not one of them. But I did do a lot of reading and I’ll tell you all about it on the Word of the Week – Preview!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to revolutionize how we look at theme park entertainment. Recently a group of journalists were invited to visit the land in Disneyland. I’ll tell you what they saw!

It’s no secret that Trader Sam’s is my favorite bar in both Disneyland and in Walt Disney World. When the Disneyland version debuted in 2011, it was so popular that Disney’s higher ups had no choice but to bring a version out to the East Coast. This week I wanted to tell you all about my two favorite watering holes in the Word of the Week – Trader Sam’s.

I LOVE both versions of Trader Sam’s so much that I am building a mini version of the bar in a room in my home. That’s 100% true! I’ll tell you what makes them so special on this show!

I recently saw an article online where the author ranked all of the attractions in Walt Disney World. She was way off! Here are the real rankings!

On this episode I fly solo and rank all fifty-six attractions (no shows with live performers) in all of Walt Disney World. My goal is to save you time and help you avoid riding attractions that you might've skipped otherwise. The only problem is, I love almost all of them!

When Splash Mountain opened in Disneyland in 1988, Disney knew they had a big success on their hands! I hope you enjoy the latest Word of the Week - Splash!

Did you know that if Michael Eisner had his way, there would be a mermaid somewhere on Splash Mountain? Enjoy that and other facts on this show!

With Father’s Day less than a week away, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the things in Walt Disney World that we might want to experience with our fathers or grandfathers. I hope you enjoy Episode 172: Tom Ten Things to do with Your Dad in WDW!

From Dad Jokes to Dad-Sized Steaks, these are ten things we’re sure your dad will love in Walt Disney World!

This week’s Walt Disney World Word of the Week is all about one of Disney’s best thrill rides, Expedition Everest. Are your children tall enough to ride? What can you expect on this attraction? Do you really come face to face with the Yeti? All of these questions and more will be answered on this episode of the Word of the Week – Everest.

When Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened in 1998, the closest thing it had to a true thrill ride was Countdown to Extinction (later renamed Dinosaur). In 2006, Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain took Walt Disney World by storm. On this episode of the Word of the Week, I’ll tell you all about the attraction’s history, a few secrets, and more!

As Disney fans, we’ve all heard the story of Walt Disney, watching his daughters on the Merry Go Round while sitting alone on a Griffith Park bench. What you might not have heard is the history of that carousel and the other carousels in the American Disney theme parks. I’ll tell you all about it on this week’s Word of the Week – Carrousel.

I hope we never lose sight of one thing…that it was all started by a Carousel. Okay, that’s not the right quote, but these stories behind Disney’s carrousels need to be heard!

You’ve waited a while for it. Yep, I talk about it all the time and letters and weeks have gone by and I had yet to introduce this one on the Word of the Week. Until now. Get ready…this week’s episode is all about your favorite Walt Disney World treat. The Dole Whip is what I’m talking about here in this week’s Word of the Week – Whip.

The Disney Dole Whip has become as synonymous with Walt Disney World and Disneyland as the Mickey Ice Cream Bar and Mickey Ears themselves, but it wasn’t always this way. In reality, the Dole Whip wasn’t even invented until 1986, 15 years after the Magic Kingdom opened in Walt Disney World and 31 years after Disneyland’s Opening Day.

This week I’ll give you a little bit of history on the Dole Whip and tell you exactly where it can be found in Walt Disney World and in it’s original Disney location, Disneyland.

Wait, what? Right now you’re saying, “Hey, Phil, you stopped doing Word of the Week shows several weeks ago, didn’t you!?” Well, hold onto your hats and glasses, because it’s time for the Word of the Week – Audio Animatronics!

The return of the Word of the Week show features the history of one of the most beloved parts of the Disney theme parks, the Audio Animatronics!

Part 2 of 2.

There’s nothing quite like visiting Walt Disney World over the holidays, especially around Christmas. The parks and resorts are completely different at this time of year and are totally ready for the amazing festivities that will take place. This week, my guest Johnny Shortsleeve and I dig down deep into Christmas in Walt Disney World in Episode 32: Top Reasons to Visit WDW at Christmas.

From the decorations in the resort hotels to the special events happening all over Walt Disney World, you can’t beat visiting Walt Disney World during the holiday season. This is the first of a two episode show talking all about what makes Walt Disney World special during the Christmas season.

Listen to Part 1 of the podcast here: Episode 32

It’s been said that you can’t do it all on a trip to Walt Disney World and with newer lands like Toy Story Land and Pandora: The World of Avatar, plus Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coming this summer, that’s never been more true! So which attractions could you afford to miss on your WDW vacation? We’ll tell you on this Bonus Episode: Skip These WDW Attractions!

Have you struggled with choosing which attractions to skip on your WDW vacations? Well, struggle no more! I’m here to help!

When Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room opened in Disneyland in 1963, it was absolutely groundbreaking. This was the first ever attraction that featured audio-animatronics, the first ever fully air-conditioned attraction (due to all of the computers running to make the attraction work), and it played to full houses every single day. That was the original attraction, however. Not what this week’s episode is about. I hope you enjoy the Word of the Week – Tiki (Room Under New Management).

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is a Disney classic and a true theme park treasure. What was in Magic Kingdom between 1998 & 2011 was, umm, not.

Okay, so I’m kind of cheating right off the bat here. eBay is not a Disney company. They actually honestly have no real ties to Disney whatsoever. But to me, they go hand in hand! I have built up almost my entire Disney memorabilia collection thanks to eBay and a few other sites. That’s why this week I carefully chose my Word of the Week – eBay.

Do a simple search for the words “Disney” and “Prop” on eBay and you’ll get hundreds of results. From actual items that were used on attractions to attraction vehicles to signs and so much more, eBay is the place to find everything you’re looking for to build your Disney collection at home. This week I took a look at some authentic Disney items you can find on eBay and discuss how far they might set you back!

A Disney Vacation should be a trip that absolutely anyone can take. Sometimes, though, it might take a little bit of extra planning and effort to make sure everyone has the same, magical Disney experience. We try to help with this week’s show, Episode 118: Disney Vacations with Special Needs.

Having just experienced a vacation to WDW & aboard a DCL ship where we needed some extra help, my wife & have new perspectives on this topic!

Sometimes you just need to be in your favorite place in the world! I hope you enjoy the Word of the Week – Disneyland!

Take a little escape from your day today and join me as I walk around Disneyland! If you close your eyes and concentrate on the sounds and music you might even smell the churros!

Walt Disney knew that Disneyland needed a fine dining restaurant when his theme park opened. Queue The Red Wagon Inn. For the first decade of Disneyland, the location of the future Plaza Inn hosted movie stars, dignitaries, and presidents.

Currently the home of the best fried chicken on Planet Earth, take a ride with me through the history of Disneyland's historic restaurant, the Plaza Inn, on Main Street USA.

Did you know that Disney's Animal Kingdom is many things, but it's definitely "Nahtazu"! 

Okay, actually, Walt Disney World's fourth and largest theme park actually doubles as a zoo. It's also a world class theme park with amazing attractions, sensational shows, and fantastic food! There are also many things you might not know about the park including history, never built attractions, and tributes hidden in plain sight! I hope you enjoy this week's Word of the Week - Nahtazu!

Walt Disney World is synonymous with magic. Once you step inside the theme park gates anything can happen and your wildest dreams can come true. We’ll talk about some our all time most magical experiences on this week’s show, Most Magical Disney World Moments.

Sometimes, moments in Walt Disney World can catch you by surprise and take your breath away. This week’s show is all about those unbelievably magical moments.

In the latest bonus episode of the Ear To There Disney Podcast, I hope you enjoy my chat with the original Disney Podcaster on this Bonus Episode: Chat with WDW Radio’s Lou Mongello.

When you’re talking about Disney and Podcasting, there’s one name that probably comes to mind. I hope you enjoy my chat with the OG of Disney Podcasting, Lou Mongello.

Which queues should you not skip with Disney Genie+? We've got you covered!

What is there to do in Walt Disney World for tweens? Today my friend Griffin and I talk all about it on this Stuck Home Show: WDW for Tweens.

WDW isn’t just for little kids these days. There’s plenty for older kids and tweens to do, and my guest on this episode will tell you all about it!

There is no shortage of heroes in the Disney universe. Princes, Princesses, Kings, Queens, Gods...they're all represented. But who are our favorites? 

Since Walt Disney released his company’s first ever full-length feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, the name “Disney” has become synonymous with high-quality family entertainment. You’ve heard of Aladdin, The Lion King, & Mary Poppins, but what about those Disney movies that weren’t huge hits? On this episode of the podcast, my guest Chuck Rodriguez and I talk about those movies that fell through the cracks and are the Best Disney Movies You’ve Never Seen!

Links:

The Rocketeer Trailer: Click Here
Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Watch It Here

Everyone knows the name Walt Disney. He accomplished incredible things during his time on the planet including Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, and posthumously Walt Disney World. But what do you know about Walt before all of that? I’ll tackle that on this week’s Word of the Week – Origin Story.

Every hero has a great origin story. Not unlike Wolverine who began life as James Howlett from Canada, experiences along the way helped turn a young, poor kid from Chicago into an American icon. Here’s Walt’s Origin Story.

Disney Legend and Imagineer Herb Ryman is the subject of this week’s show. You might remember that I have already done a Word of the Week about him, but these two stories also need to be told! I hope you enjoy this week’s Word of the Week – Ryman.

Herb Ryman’s influence over Disneyland is much deeper than the weekend he spent with Walt at the studio and his original Disneyland sketch. This week I’ll tell two stories you may have never heard about the late Disney Legend.

Star War’s: Galaxy’s Edge is a dream come true for true “Star Wars” fans like me. From the Stormtroopers walking around to the blue milk to the life-sized Millennium Falcon, it’s like waking up in the middle of a fanboy’s dream. But what about those of us who didn’t grow up loving “Star Wars”? Check out Episode 179: Galaxy’s Edge for Non Star Wars Fans!

My wife, Amy, was nervous. I had spent weeks talking about Galaxy’s Edge and she was about to walk inside. The problem was, she isn’t a Star Wars fan.

The Disney theme parks are full of attractions that everyone wants to ride. But what about those attractions that we don’t ride?! This episode is about those! Let’s talk all about Disney Attractions We Won’t Ride!

Heights. Darkness. Speed. Drops. What types of things keep us off Disney theme park attractions? We’ll tell you all about those issues and give you some tips this week!

I get a lot of questions about the VIP Tour Guide cast members that guests see escorting groups around Walt Disney World. Who are they? How can I sign up? How much does it cost? I’ll answer all of that and more on this week’s Word of the Week – VIP.

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the VIP Tours & more is coming your way this week! Also, Bob Gurr stops by to answer a question about a Disney Mystery Man!

On April 22, 1998, Walt Disney World’s fourth theme park opened to the public. This week it’s all about a theme park gone wild as we discuss the best and worst of it all in Episode 120: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Turns Twenty.

From dragons to droppings, on the park’s 20th birthday, we talk all about the best and the worst of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s first twenty years!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has changed more than any other Disney theme park. It started as a working movie studio, added many properties that weren’t Disney related or owned, and is now about to become something totally different with the additions of Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We’ve lost a lot over the years and that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about on Episode 138: Top Ten Things We Miss in Hollywood Studios.

From Lights, Camera, Action, to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, listen in as we talk about all of the things we miss in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Netflix-like streaming service is going to be up and running in 2019. We already know it will stream Disney’s animated classic films, Disney television shows, and much, much more. This week we talk about what else we’re expecting to be available on Episode 134: What We Want from Disney’s Streaming Service.

The future is almost here! In 2019 we’ll be able to stream tons of Disney content straight from the vault and onto our devices. This week we discuss some favorites we’d like to see on the platform!

Okay, so right off the bat you’re probably wondering what in the world Fritos have to do with Disney. I get that. But there is actually a fun, long story about Fritos and the Frito-Lay company that holds a firm place in the history of the Disney Company. I’ll tell you all about it in this week’s Word of the Week – Fritos.

After listening to this episode of the Word of the Week, I’ll only have one question for you to answer: Which Disney park food would you ultimately like to be buried with?

In this bonus episode I am bringing back my interview from Episode 11 with Disney Legend Rolly Crump. Rolly was hired by Walt Disney in the 1960’s and worked on some of the most influential Disney attractions of all time. Enjoy this Bonus Episode: A Conversation with Disney Legend Rolly Crump!

What was it like working with Walt Disney and designing iconic attractions like “it’s a small world” and The Enchanted Tiki Room? Rolly Crump will tell you himself!

When Walt Disney saw a cowboy walking through Tomorrowland in his famous Disneyland Park, he made up his mind. If he were to ever open another theme park, he would figure out a system where costumed cast members would not have to walk through lands that were unrelated to their themes in order to get to their posts. From Walt’s revelation comes this week’s Word of the Week – Utilidors.

Underneath the Magic Kingdom lies a series of tunnels that are crucial to the everyday operation of the theme park. Very few non-cast members get to see these tunnels, but this week I’ll give you a sneak peek into what makes them so special and unique!

There was a time when almost every family show on television visited either the Walt Disney World resort or Disneyland. Today we’re going to go back to those fun times on this week’s show, 90s TV Visits Walt Disney World.

Which TV characters had the best ever Disney episode? Roseanne & family? The Tanners? The Pritchetts? Urkel?? Let’s get into it!

Walt Disney World has had a colorful history full of larger than life heroes, villains, and stories. Are the characters in this story heroes or villains? You'll have to listen in and find out on this week's Word of the Week - Skeleton!

What does a skeleton from Pirates of the Caribbean have to do with a time capsule buried inside Cinderella Castle? Listen in & I'll tell you!

One thing Walt Disney ALWAYS wanted in his theme parks was a train. From his earliest days in Marceline, Missouri, to taking the train from NYC to Los Angeles after Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was taken from him, Walt always had a fascination with railroads. This week I’ll take a closer look at that fascination with the Word of the Week – Railroad.

From the train that brought the Disney family to Marceline, MO to the WDW Railroad, take a trip with me as I explore the history of railroads in the life and times of Walter Elias Disney.

I get lots of questions. Like, hundreds each week. So we decided to answer a few of them on this week’s podcast. I hope you enjoy Episode 182: Listener Questions – October 2019.

Origin stories, favorite attractions, the fear of ferris wheels & more! We cover a lot on this week’s Listener Questions!

Back by popular demand this week is a three part podcast series all rolled into one episode. Back to the Speedway the Complete Series is a first person story set in Walt Disney World in both the present and the past. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback on these episodes and combining them into one full show is a great way for new listeners to listen and for listeners who’ve been around for a while to relive the adventure!

What happens when Disney Legend Bob Gurr tells me about time travel technology that not only exists in the world, but was hidden in plain view in a WDW theme park? Listen in and find out!

With the world being on pause at the moment, my family and I are missing the Disney theme parks more than ever. This week we will help bring Disney into your home on Episode 197: Put A Little Disney In Your Day!

How can you experience a little bit of the fun and magic of the Disney Parks in your home during this tough time? We have ideas!

We’ve all had those moments in the Walt Disney World theme parks: you’re walking through a land or riding an attraction and all of a sudden, BAM, you feel like you’re in the movie! That’s what made us think of Episode 115: WDW Attractions That Make You Feel Like You’re In A Movie!

Have you ever gotten lost in the moment in WDW? You’re on an attraction and forget that you’re not actually there, in the movie? That’s what this show is all about!

Most weeks, the Word of the Week is an actual word. This week, well, at least I think it is! Check out this week’s Word of the Week – Instagrammable!

What are the most Instagrammable spots (or even walls) in the Disney theme parks? This week I do my best to give you directions (and hashtags) for each one!

2019 has been a big year for the Walt Disney Company. With numerous additions to the theme parks, film, television and more, there are so many things to be thankful for. We’ll tell you what our favorites are on this week’s show, What We’re Thankful For: Disney Edition.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year, especially when it comes to Disney! Grab an egg nog, grab a turkey leg, and hit play!

Ron Defore stops by this week to talk all about what it was like “growing up” in Disneyland in the late 1950’s & 1960’s. Ron’s father, Hollywood actor (with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame) Don DeFore was a close friend of Walt Disney’s and to this day is the only “real life” person to ever have a restaurant named after him in Disneyland, Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue!

Ron talks all about his father’s history with Walt Disney & what it was like to be there in the heyday of Disneyland when Walt still roamed the park!

For more on the DeFore family and Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue, stop by defore.net, the Official Fan Club of Don DeFore!

Disney has brought us some very famous dogs in movies and television over the years. We've been inundated with Goofy, Pluto, 101 Dalmatians, and many more. But what about those dogs that are in the Disney theme parks that no one ever talks about? Those dogs that have been in the background of our favorite attractions for years, just waiting to be thanked! That's why this week's show is all about those under appreciated pups! I hope you enjoy this week's Word of the Week - Dogs!

Goofy & Pluto aren't the only dogs who should be appreciated in Walt Disney World and Disneyland!

Our first ever Disney+ Deep Dive focuses on a classic comedy from the 80's that still stands up well into the 21st Century, "Adventures In Babysitting".

This week we will break down this Elisabeth Shue blockbuster and give out our own awards including The Sleeping Beauty Award for the character that does the most with the fewest lines, the Hayden Christiansen Award for Wooden Acting that Almost Ruined a Movie, & the Julie Andrews Award for Acting that's Practically Perfect in Every Way!

2017 gave us announcements of the Star Wars Hotel, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Ratatouille, Guardians of the Galaxy and much more! So what are we planning on doing more of in 2018? Listen in this week as we talk about it on Episode 105: 2018 Disney World Resolutions!

What is your 2018 Disney World Resolution? What do you plan to do more of in WDW this year? We answer those questions this week!

In 2021 the Disney Company has given its fans new attractions, restaurants, shows, movies, & much more! Listen into find out what Disney Things We're Thankful for in 2021!

While it's easy to want to put everything we love about Disney on our lists, my guest this week and I really took a good look at the Disney things that really made us happy and thankful this year. Please listen with a family member or a friend and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Walt Disney World’s theme parks are full of tributes to past attractions, Imagineers, those who helped build the company, and Walt Disney himself. I’ll tell you about some of my favorites this week on Word of the Week – Tributes. 

Walt Disney World is full of tributes and nods to it’s past including Imagineers, attractions, and Walt Disney himself. This week I’ll tell you about a few to be on the lookout for!

I talk a big game these days. I’m a former cast member, I’ve been to WDW countless times, and I have done so much research it would make NASA scientists jealous. But there was a day when I was a new, first-time visitor to Walt Disney World and I knew absolutely nothing. That’s who this episode is meant for. Hopefully Episode 92: First WDW Trip Must-Do’s can really help out some first timers!

I’ve heard the question an awful lot: What do I NEED to do on my first trip to Walt Disney World? This week we try to narrow it down for the first-timers with things you can’t miss on your first WDW trip.

Summer just got here in a hurry! I feel like last week I was putting on a sweatshirt to go outside and this week I can’t be outside for more than 2 minutes without needing to cool off. That got me thinking about what attractions can cool you down in WDW, which eventually led me to this week’s show topic, our Favorite WDW Water Attractions.

Whether on boats or flying over the ocean, Walt Disney World has a ton of water attractions in the parks. This week we’ll share our favorites!

For someone like me who grew up watching Cheers, was in their 20’s when Pixar exploded, and now watches every new animated film with their kids, John Ratzenberger is one of the biggest names in a generation of entertainment. His brand new Pixar film, Toy Story 4, opens next month. I hope you enjoy Episode 168: A Conversation with John Ratzenberger.

This week, TV & Movie Icon John Ratzenberger drops in to talk Toy Story 4 (in theaters on June 21), the magic of Disney & Pixar, and much more! 

Fire up your Disney+ and get your iPhone ready, it's time to watch Mr. Boogedy with me!

I first heard about Mr. Boogedy around last Halloween. The Disney cult classic was first aired in 1985 but somehow I missed it over the years. Maybe it was too scary and my parents kept it off the TV or maybe we just didn't have the right channel back then. Either way, this year I decided to finally watch it and ask you, the listener, to watch it with me!

I take pride in trying to bring new information that you may have never heard before on each episode of the Word of the Week. I hope you enjoy this week's Word of the Week - Lantern!

What do Roy O. Disney, a Japanese Emperor, Mickey Mouse, the Polynesian, and World Showcase have in common? Grab a drink and a snack and I'll tell you!

Once in a while I have the chance to talk to someone who has done some pretty amazing work with the Disney Company. This week was one of those weeks. I was lucky enough to have a chat with Disney Historian Jeff Kurtti!

Jeff Kurtti has done it all, from Imagineering, to writing more than 20 books about Disney, to opening the Walt Disney Family Museum. Get ready for a fascinating guy with a fascinating story!

November 12, 2019 has finally come and gone and Disney+ is here. Want to know my thoughts on the all-new streaming platform? I will tell you on this week’s Word of the Week – Disney+ (With Spoilers).

Grab a drink, grab a snack, and get set to join me for my spoiler-filled review of all the new stuff on Disney+.

For years, Walt Disney World was billed as the Vacation Capital of the World. WDW is a true place where the young and young at heart could go to enjoy being a kid. This week we wanted to help those who are feeling a little older feel young again with Episode 83: How To Feel Like A Kid Again in WDW.

“That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up. They forget. They don’t remember what it’s like to be 12 years old.” We’ll help you remember!

The Disney Decade is an era of the Walt Disney Company that was headed by former CEO Michael Eisner. It’s fondly looked back upon as one of the greatest decades in the company’s history since the passing of Walt Disney. The last decade, however, gives it a run for its money! This week we’ll talk all about the Last Disney Decade!

In the last decade the Walt Disney Company has seen amazing growth all across the board. We do our best to sum up what’s happened in WDW this week!

Epcot has no shortage of restaurants and other places to eat. With a table service restaurant in every country’s pavilion (besides American Adventure), you could eat a different meal in the park every night for months and never have the same thing twice. This week, however, it’s all about American cuisine on it’s a food world – Liberty Inn.

Liberty Inn might be in the perfect location for lunch or dinner. Located directly in the middle of World Showcase, it boasts good food, an updated menu, & a Frozen Coke w/ Bourbon!

You’re at home, I’m at home. We are all facing unprecedented restrictions in not only the United States of America, but across the world. That’s why I decided to do my best to inject a little bit of Disney into our everyday lives. I hope you enjoy the first episode of Stuck Home, Stuck Home With Lex.

Making the best of being home by bringing you a little bit of Magic into your life each day. Let’s take our minds off of the craziness & have fun!

Booking a trip to Disneyland is TOTALLY different than booking a trip to Walt Disney World. I’ve known this for quite a while but it really hit home when I started talking to a friend about it after she had booked her trip to the West Coast recently. We’ll talk about just how different the trips can be on Episode 37: Trip Planning: Disneyland vs. WDW.

From dining reservations to FastPasses, from Extra Magic Hours to Magic Mornings, and from The Happiest Place on Earth to the Most Magical Place on Earth, so many things are similar yet really, really different when it comes to the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort. On this episode of the podcast, my guest Lauren Gaggioli and I try to sort all of that out for you and explain the differences between planning trips to both North American Disney destinations.

If you want to hear more from Lauren Gaggioli or if you know someone that would benefit from her expertise in college test prep, please stop by higherscorestestprep.com or laurengaggioli.com.

For more episodes featuring Lauren, click on one of these guys:

Episode 12: Best On Ride Moments in the Disney Parks

Episode 3: Staying Healthy on a Trip to the Disney Parks

It's almost time! Walt Disney World's parks and resorts will be opening too guests in less than one month. Find out all you need to know about it on this week's episode, Reopening Walt Disney World!

With Walt Disney World reopening there is a TON of information out there. I'll guide you through at all and we'll have some laughs along the way!

Three words: Return. To. Oz. And that nightmare fuel is just the tip of the scary iceberg this week!

Over the years, Disney has given its fans many intentionally scary things. From the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror to Space Mountain to Mr. Boogedy, Disney's had it's fair share of real scares. Then there are the scary things in the parks, movies, and TV that aren't scary on purpose...they're just, scary! I hope you enjoy Episode 213: Unintentionally Scary Disney!

I have to admit, I wasn’t all that excited when the concept of Disney Springs was announced by the Disney Company. Since the closure of Pleasure Island and the announcement of the never-built “Hyperion Wharf,” it seemed like WDW was spinning it’s wheels on what to do with the area. Oh…how wrong I was! We talk all about the new and improved Disney Springs in Episode 40: Top Things About Disney Springs.

This week, my guest Johnny Shortsleeve and I go into a lot of detail (and a lot of stories) about why we love Disney Springs. From the world-class restaurants to the amazing shopping where you could buy almost anything you’d ever need, Disney Springs has almost become that 5th theme park we’ve all been waiting for!

Check out what my friend Johnny is up to here: www.facebook.com/johnnyshortsleeve

If you’ve listened and you’re now a Johnny Shortsleeve fan (and really, who isn’t?!) you can find more of his guest appearances here:

Episode 33: Top Reasons to Visit WDW at Christmas Part 2

Episode 32: Top Reasons to Visit WDW at Christmas Part 1

Episode 30: Top Splurges in WDW

Episode 25: WDW Resort Roundup – Port Orleans Resort

Episode 13: Best Beer Stops in Walt Disney World

My New Years Resolution for 2016 was to start a podcast. Right after the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, I went onto Amazon and purchased a microphone. A few days later I sat down and started recording. Little did I know that that decision would change my life forever. I hope you enjoy this week's show, Celebrating 200 Episodes!

Let's take a fun look back at the last 200 episodes with favorite co-hosts, guests, and moments of the show! Thank you for listening!

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is one of the true classic attractions in Disneyland and in Magic Kingdom. This week I’ll look at the history and stories behind it on the Word of the Week – Tiki.

Do you know why Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room is the park’s only attraction with built-in restrooms? Find out why this week!

If you’d like to hear my conversation with Disney Legend Rolly Crump where we go into even more stories about Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and what it was like working with Walt Disney, click HERE.

Walt Disney World is often referred to as the number one family vacation destination in the world. From infants to retirees and everyone in between, there is something for everyone on Walt Disney World property. But you don’t need a large party or family to have a blast on a WDW vacation. This week, I wanted to take a look at my Top 7 Tips for a Solo Trip to WDW.

A solo trip to Walt Disney World might seem overwhelming or maybe even a little bit lonely. But take it from someone who has taken several of these jaunts, it’s anything but! If I can’t convince you to take a solo trip to WDW with these 7 tips, I’ll buy you a Dole Whip! (Free Dole Whips are not guaranteed!)

I love learning about the history of Walt Disney World. That’s why when I had the chance to spend an evening hanging out with Disney Legend Bob Gurr, I jumped at the opportunity. We sat, ate pizza, talked about Walt Disney, then talked about time travel. I can start to fill you in on Episode 135: A Sound of Thunder Mountain, which is the first of a 3 part series this week.

Before you get too far down into this rabbit hole with me, this all happened after a chat with a certain Disney Legend one night. What you’re about to hear is true. (Part 1 of 3)