The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #34 for the week of September 30, 2007. This is a very special edition of the WDW Radio Show for a number of reasons. First, the content of this week's show will be a little different, as there won’t be any news or rumors this week, partially because I needed to record and produce this show early in the week, as I was leaving for Walt Disney World. Which leads me to another reason why this week, and this show, is very special. As you know, October 1 marks the 25th anniversary of Epcot, and I am going down to participate in Celebration 25, the two-day event celebrating the occasion. But more importantly, I'm going down to be there for the official Disney rededication ceremony, as I believe this is an historic occasion that I felt I needed to witness. And it is that rededication ceremony, and everything else that will take place that day, which leads me to my first segment, and very special guest. I am thrilled to be able to share with you my exclusive one-on-one interview with Jim MacPhee, Vice President of Epcot, and person who obviously has played an incredibly important part in the events, as well as recent changes to Epcot. I will announce the winner of the last Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenge and give you the clues for the next challenge, which of course, will be all about EPCOT Center. In recent episodes of the show we took a very detailed look at the Journey Into Imagination pavilion and attraction, and former Disney Imagineer Steve Kirk joined me to talk at great lengths about two of his creations, and hosts of the pavilion - Dreamfinder and Figment. Many of you wrote and called in and let me know how much you enjoyed those segments, and how they brought back such fond memories, and in fact, they even sparked the imagination of Ron Schneider, the man who not only gave the Dreamfinder his voice in part of the attraction, but was the very first walk around character in EPCOT Center. He will join me to talk about his memories of Dreamfinder, share stories about his creation, share some secrets and so much more. Of course, I'll have plenty of reports coming to you next week from the NFFC convention, rededication ceremony and Celebration 25, as well as many more of my regular segments, so sit back, relax enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #33 for the week of September 23, 2007. There isn't a lot of Walt Disney World News this week, but we'll talk about the upcoming Epcot Rededication ceremony and what Disney has planned, as well as a new place to meet Captain Jack Sparrow, as well as some dining venue news.. Jeff Pepper will join me as we get ready to celebrate Epcot's 25th Anniversary and this week, instead of a detailed look at a single attraction or pavilion, we are going to look at some of Epcot's best - specifically "Epcot's 25 Best of the Best" showcasing some of the very best Epcot has (and had) to offer. We'll look at another of Walt Disney World’s Hidden Treasures this week, which can also be found in Epcot. Gary Chambers from the MouseLounge podcast will come along for this fun freebie for kids and adults alike. I still have a lot of your emails that I'll get to and will play more of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax enjoy this week’s episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #32 for the week of September 16, 2007. Not a lot of Walt Disney World News this week, but we have a lot of listeners who called in from the Magic Kingdom to give us their first-hand impressions of the Haunted Mansion, which opened up after a length refurbishment this week. We'll also have some updated information about the Leave a Legacy tiles in Epcot, and just a couple of rumors in the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, as it's been a very quiet week on the news and rumors front. Adam Roth, co-founder of the Celebration 25 event honoring Epcot's 25th anniversary next month will join me as we reveal the schedule of events for the Sunday and Monday, and details about what else is taking place as we join Disney at this historic event. It's something that I will be attending and sponsoring, and am really excited about. Jeff Pepper will join me as always continue with our Epcot Retrospective / DSI: Disney Scene Investigation series this time with a close look at one of World Showcase's original and still most beautiful pavilions, Japan. Jeff stays on a little while longer, as we are joined by Eric Hollister for the next in our Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenge Contests. This week, Jeff provides the clues, and tests your inner Disney geek, and Eric will also announce the winner of the previous contest. I have a ton of your voicemails to play this week, so be sure and stay tuned to the end of the show for those, and I'll also answer a few more of your emails, so sit back, relax enjoy this week’s episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #31 for the week of September 9, 2007. In Walt Disney World News this week, we'll look at some exciting new things happening with pin trading, some interesting new patent applications filed by Disney that just may be bringing about some changes to the FASTPASS system, some Playhouse Disney concerts and more. In the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, we'll see what’s going on over at the Haunted Mansion as more details emerge, stop by Tomorrowland and see what may be coming to Space Mountain and the rumored new E-Ticket attraction, talk about Disney and Apple and lots more. This week, Jeff Pepper and I are going to do a very different kind of DSI: Disney Scene Investigation, as we take a look at the story and details not behind an attraction or pavilion, but a resort hotel. We will not only review the hotel, its amenities, dining options and rooms, but look at the details and hidden treasures that make it an attraction in and of itself. It's one of our favorites, and one of the best themed hotels on property - Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort. We'll look at another of Walt Disney World’s Hidden Treasures this week with the help of Dan and Eric from MouseGuest, who share in my love for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and explain why they believe it truly is one of WDW’s overlooked experiences. I'll get through some more of your emails and voicemails as well, so sit back, relax enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #30 for the week of September 2, 2007. There is a lot of Walt Disney World News this week, including updates on the O, Canada! show, Disney's Pin Celebration 2007, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, changes to the reservations system and more. And if you enjoy some of the news, you're going to love this week's visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, as it is packed with some very interesting tidbits, including what's going on backstage at the Wonders of Life pavilion, what’s going on onstage at the ABC Theater, High School Musical and it’s connection to the Hunchback of Notre Dame, surprises in store at the Imagination pavilion, what to expect when Spaceship Earth reopens, the possibility of a new E-Ticket attraction and so much more. Lots of breaking rumors here with some interesting facts to back much of them up, so be sure to listen in! Last week as part of our EPCOT Retrospective series we profiled the Imagination pavilion, and many of you wrote or called in and said that it was your favorite pavilion, and were still fans of Figment. Well this week I have a special treat for you. As part of my Legends of Disney Imagineering feature, I have an exclusive interview with former Imagineer Steve Kirk, who came up with the initial concepts for Figment and the Dreamfinder, as well as the Journey Into Imagination attraction. He also helped develop some of Disney’s most memorable characters, attractions, pavilions, and even complete theme parks. And for more than a decade, he served as the creative leader of Tokyo DisneySea in his role as Senior Vice President. We also talk about Epcot, the Studios and so much more, and I think you’re really going to enjoy this. I'll take a trip aboard the Walt Disney World Wayback Machine with Jeff Pepper as we explore another lovable character and his companion. This time, it's the little Orange Bird from the Sunshine Pavilion in Adventureland. We'll talk about who this little bird was and where he came from, his on again off again relationship with Anita Bryant, why he flew the coop, and a surprising place you can find him now. We'll announce the winner of our recent WDW Half Marathon Challenge Contest, and announce the latest contest with the help of Eric Hollister from GeoMouse.com and Matt "Cretaceous" Hochberg from MGMStudios.org. I'll get through some more of your emails and voicemails as well, so sit back, relax enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #29 for the week of August 26, 2007. Because I was away for the past few days, I don't have any new or rumors for you this week, but promise to cover all that’s new and notable next week. Instead, I have a number of segments I think you'll enjoy. We'll start off first with an interview with Tim Foster, author of a number of wonderful Walt Disney World books, including his all new Guide to the Magic. With Epcot's 25th anniversary coming up on October 1, I wanted to tell you about Celebration 25, a fan-created event in the park honoring the occasion, and one that I'll be attending and sponsoring. And to discuss it further, I've brought on the event’s co-founder, Adam Roth. There's still time to register and join us, so be sure to listen to not only some of the great things Adam has planned, but how Disney has gotten behind the event. And speaking of Epcot's 25th, it's time for another segment in our Epcot Retrospective series. This time, Jeff and I explore one of Epcot’s most unique pavilions in concept and design, as well as some of the most beloved characters ever created by Disney. Of course, this is our own "Journey Into Imagination" with Dreamfinder and Figment. We'll talk about the attraction’s history, revisit it scene-by-scene, discuss the changes over the years and more. I'll get back to more of your emails and voicemails next week, so sit back, relax enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW (4939). Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #28 for the week of August 19, 2007. I have just a few items to cover in the News and Views from Walt Disney World, before we take a quick visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill. Join me and Disney artist Jason Zucker as we visit a true Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World. Then, Eric Hollister announces the winner of this week's WDW Half Marathon Challenge Contest and gives you the clues to the next challenge with the help of Mike Scopa, who also provides some marathon training advice. We'll conduct another DSI: Disney Scene Investigation as Jeff Pepper and I take a look at the Echo Lake area of the Disney-MGM Studios, and we discuss the real reasons why the Sorcerer's Hat won’t be going anywhere soon. I will answer a number of your emails and play some of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show, your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is Show #27 for the week of August 12, 2007. Let's start off as always with News and Views from Walt Disney World, including of course the big change coming to the Studios. Our visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill will include some possible extra extra magic hours and an old favorite in Epcot possibly reopening later this year. I am also going to introduce the first in a recurring series entitled, Legends of Disney Imagineering. My first guest certainly qualifies to bear that title and introduction. He is George McGinnis, who played a large part in the creation of the Mark VI monorail, Space Mountain, Horizons, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and countless other attractions and vehicles in Walt Disney World. In this exclusive, one-on-one interview, Mr. McGinnis shares stories of being personally hired by Walt Disney, the triumphs and challenges in creating such attractions as the WEDWay PeopleMover, Space Mountain, Communicore and countless others. He reminisces about working with not only Walt Disney, but a who’s who of Disney legends, including Dick Nunis, Marty Sklar, John Hench, Bob Gurr, Roger Broggie, Claude Coates, and so many others. It is truly something special that I think you’re going to enjoy and was a personal privilege for me to do. And listen very carefully, as he also shares a secret about a change that is likely coming soon to one of his Walt Disney World attractions Jana Smith from the Let’s talk About Disney Podcast joins me for another, unique take on the Hidden Treasures of Walt Disney World I will answer a few more of your emails and play some of your voicemails, so sit back, relax and I hope you enjoy You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #26 for the week of August 5, 2007. Thank you for tuning in once again. We'll start off this week as always with a ton of News and Views from Walt Disney World, including changes to ticket prices, Food and Wine, holiday special events, closures and rehabs, Haunted Mansion news, new watercraft now available, as well as breaking news on changes to packages coming in 2008. Our trip to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, includes rumored new events coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Disney-MGM Studios, as well as some rumors about River Country. This week's show also includes something a bit different, and I think a little extra special. I'm going to announce the next of the 7 Wonders of Walt Disney World, but this time, will discuss it with the help of some very special guests. We will have a roundtable discussion about what many of us believe is one of the most important of the 7 Wonders, and that is the music of Walt Disney World. I think this is something you are really going to enjoy. Eric Hollister from GeoMouse.com will announce the next of our Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenges, where you can play to win some great prizes, name the 3rd mile marker, and have a chance to win our grand prize at the end of the challenges. Finally, I'll announce this year’s official DisneyWorldTrivia.com and WDW Radio Show meets and events for MouseFest 2007, including a new meet this year that I think you'll enjoy. I still have a ton of emails to answer, and will get through as many as we can this week, as well as play some of your voicemails, so sit back, relax and hope you enjoy this week’s episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #25 for the week of July 29, 2007. Thank you for tuning in once again. We'll start off this week as always with a lot News and Views from Walt Disney World, as well as our trip to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, which includes some rumored details about the Haunted Mansion refurb and upgrade. Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys series of books joins me on what will be a recurring segment on the show, where we talk about some new and interesting Hidden Mickeys, and ask for your help with some questionable ones as well. It's time to fire up the old Walt Disney World Wayback Machine once again, and this time Jeff and I visit an opening day extinct attraction that so many of us still miss and have fond memories of, and that is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Eric Hollister from GeoMouse.com will announce the winner to this week's Walt Disney World Half Marathon Challenge, and Eric and Dan from MouseGuest.com join me as we talk about another of Walt Disney World's Hidden Treasures Because so much of "Why We Do What We Do" is about helping others, I'll also introduce you to another friend of the show, Byron Hall, the PhatDisneyGeek, who will tell you about something he is doing to help make some magic for those that really need it. I'll also answer more of your emails on the air, and also make an announcement about the show, so sit back, relax and hope you enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #24 for the week of July 22, 2007. Thank you for tuning in once again. We'll start off this week with some News and Views from Walt Disney World, as well as a quick trip to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill. Next, Fred Block, founder of MagicMeets will join me as we recap the MagicMeets 2007 event. Grab your gear, as we’re going to do another Disney Scene Investigation, this time, into the deepest, darkest and dangerous of all of the queues in Walt Disney World - The Jungle Cruise. We'll look at the details, jokes, and wonderful references to characters, films and Imagineers that are subtly hidden throughout. And for this one, you'll need to use your ears as well as your eyes. I'll look at another Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World, and even a "treasure within a treasure", as I’m joined by Jason Zucker, Cast Member and Disney Artist as we introduce you to a true gem at the Disney-MGM Studios. I have been remiss in answering your emails only due to time, but I promise to get to a ton of them this week, as well as your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax and hope you enjoy this week's episode of The WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #23 for the week of July 15, 2007, and thank you for tuning in once again. This week's show will be just a bit different, due to this weekend's MagicMeet, so there won't be any news or email due to when I had to record and get the show up, but I promise to make up for it next week as I already have a whole lot of news to cover, and tons of your emails to get through. My apologies again for the delay in getting them read on the air. But unlike last week's show with one detailed segment, there's a whole bunch of great topics to cover with plenty of special guests, including "Walt Disney World: Fact or Fiction?" with Cody Pepper, who proves the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and Hidden Treasures with Gary Chambers. This week's visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill is full of exciting and interesting rumors about the Disney-MGM Studios, Spaceship Earth, Space Mountain and more. In our Character Connection segment, Jeff Pepper and I talk about the Duck behind the Magic of Mickey's Toontown Fair, Cornelius Coot. Jonathan Dichter's Voices Behind the Magic covers the talented Angela Lansbury and Mike Scopa joins me for another Best of the Best - this time, it's the Best General Rule for Touring the Parks. We will also announce the winner of our first WDW 1/2 Marathon Challenge contest, and introduce our second Challenge, where you can play for a chance to win great prizes and entry to win our Grand Prize at the end of the contest. Thanks to Eric Hollister from GeoMouse.com, this contest will help make a child's wish come true, through his donations to the DisneyWorldTrivia.com Dream Team Project. Sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to the WDW Radio Show. This is Show #22 for the week of July 8, 2007. I'm your host Lou Mongello, and I want to thank you for tuning in once again. This week's News and Views from Walt Disney World segment starts off with confirmation of a long-standing rumor about Epcot, Animal Kingdom Villas, July 4th ceremonies, concerts, room rates and more. The Walt Disney World Rumor Mill is full of exciting news about Jedis, more character enhancements, new shows and a whole lot more. In honor of America's Independence Day, and the recent update to the pavilion, Jeff Pepper and I will conduct a very detailed Disney Scene Investigation of the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. We will cover the history of the pavilion, the show, story, technology backstage and onstage, the recent updates to the show, and the intangible qualities that make it one of the most moving experiences in any of Disney's theme parks worldwide. This segment will also include exclusive interviews with some of the people that make the pavilion truly exceptional, including a long-time American Adventure Cast Member that shares some of his secrets and details, as well as with the Voices of Liberty, part of the pavilion's pre-show that is a true wonder in an of itself. Of course, it's a salute to all nations, but mostly America. Of course, I have more of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome to Show #21 of the WDW Radio Show for the week of July, 2007, and thanks for tuning in once again. I'm your host Lou Mongello, and I have a lot of fun segments planned for you this week. My visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill includes discussion and audio evidencing some possible big changes and improvements to the resort and ADR reservation systems, plenty of rumors from the Disney-MGM Studios, an abandoned venue, as well as a possible new addition to Cinderella Castle, and the Canada pavilion in World Showcase. Eric Hollister and I introduce the first of our Walt Disney World Marathon Contest challenges, and I announce the winner of our first "Where in the World Have You Seen This?" Contest. I announce the next in our 7 Wonders of Walt Disney World series - the Walt Disney World monorail, and discuss with Jeff Pepper its origins, technology, fun facts and intangible qualities that make it a true wonder. Fred Block's Magic Meet event is coming up soon, and once again he was kind enough to allow us to hold our DisneyWorldTrivia.com Dream Team Project charity auction to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation of America. Pat Whitson joins me to talk about the auction, some of the amazing items and experiences which are included, as well as how the generosity of so many Disney fans will once again help make a seriously-ill child’s wish come true to visit Walt Disney World. Gary Chambers joins me for another Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World, this time in Epcot. This week's email segment talks about handheld technology in the parks, July 4 fireworks in WDW, Adventureland then and now, Seasonal vs. Annual passes and so much more. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Welcome back and thanks for tuning in once again to the WDW Radio show. I'm your host Lou Mongello, and this is Show #20 for the week of June 24, 2007. News and Views from Walt Disney World includes additional information about the computers at the Contemporary Resort, the queue for Soarin', and a few updates. The Walt Disney World Rumor Mill covers topics such as Disney Dollars, the Wonders of Life pavilion and more. Jeff Pepper and I take a trip aboard my Walt Disney World Wayback Machine as we continue in our Epcot Retrospective series. This week, we journey back to 1982 and take a detailed journey in and around Communicore. Tim Sampson joins me for another Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World, and for this one, we'll stay on Main Street, USA. I announce a new, interactive, and ongoing contest with the help of Eric Hollister that I think you'll enjoy, and one that will benefit the DisneyWorldTrivia.com Dream Team Project. Be sure to stay to the end for your voicemails, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail at 206-202-4WDW. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com.Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!