Imagination Skyway

Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opened on June 28, 2024 at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and is scheduled to open later in 2024 at Disneyland. Replacing Splash Mountain, Tiana's Bayou Adventure offers the same ride layout and system with an entirely reimagined storyline. Complete with incredible details from The Princess and the Frog, New Orleans culture, and the story of Leah Chase (t...

Shiki-Sai opened at the EPCOT Japan pavilion in 2023 as a replacement to the former Walt Disney World dining experience, Tokyo Dining. Offering fine dining, sushi, and an authentic izakaya experience, Shiki-Sai is a culinary and cultural experience. In this episode, we review this restaurant live on location. Plus, we offer some insightful travel tips for those wanting to visit Japan.   Get bonus...

D23 The Official Disney Fan Club is the first official club of its kind, helping bring Disney fans closer to the magic since 2009, offering members one-of-a-kind experiences, quarterly publications, special events, unique merchandise offerings, and exclusive online content. As part of D23's biannual tentpole event, this year's D23 The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California will prove to...

The Disney College Program internship hosts thousands of Cast Members each year at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as the students participating gain experience as they progress toward a college degree. I had the privilege of being a part of the Disney College Program in 2007, working at Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom.   In this episode, I reflect on 17 years since starting the Di...

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offers Walt Disney World guests the enchantment of an African reserve lodge in Central Florida, with sweeping savanna views where over 30 species of African animals roam, table-service African cuisine (Sanaa, Boma, and Jiko) and quick-service offerings (The Mara), shopping, and some of the best pools on Disney property. Jambo House and Kidani Village also include Disn...

1900 Park Fare recently reopened at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and I returned with my family to enjoy the new experience. While some elements of this Walt Disney World restaurant remain the same (Big Bertha as a centerpiece and the return of the famous strawberry soup), the venue takes on a new theme of "wish fulfillment" and some new characters to help guests cast their wishes, in...

EPCOT is just about to complete a multiyear transformation, concluding on June 10 as the final walls of World Celebration come down to reveal CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza. With the addition of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, Connections Cafe, Connections Eatery, Creations Shop, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, the Walt Disney "Walt The Dreamer" st...

Disney's Hollywood Studios turns 35 at Walt Disney World this May, opening as Disney-MGM Studios in 1989. Over its 35-year history, the park has undergone a large evolution, so extensive that its five opening day attractions (including the Great Movie Ride and Backlot Studio Tour) are all no longer a part of the park. Nevertheless, this is a park that Disney fans of all ages adore, and it's full o...

This listener question-and-answer (Q&A) episode tackles the following many Disney-related questions, including but not limited to: Do you think the Avengers E-Ticket at Disneyland could be a roller coaster instead of a dark ride? I’m going on a solo trip in October… any tips to not feeling weird about it? What’s one restaurant recommendation you would give for each park? Do you have a favorite...

The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival blooms at Walt Disney World every spring, and this year's festival includes many fresh new offerings. With over 20 outdoor kitchens featuring hundreds of food and drink options, dozens of character topiaries and gardens, two scavenger hunts, limited-time merchandise, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series, there's a lot to discover at this annual fes...

Disneyland is not only the first Disney Park created around the world. It's also the only Disney Park that Walt Disney personally visited. Walt Disney helped to develop so many specific elements of Disneyland, many of which are still visible today, and there are countless stories that describe how Walt helped to create and transform "the happiest place on earth."   In this two-part episode, I chat...

Disneyland is not only the first Disney Park created around the world. It's also the only Disney Park that Walt Disney personally visited. Walt Disney helped to develop so many specific elements of Disneyland, many of which are still visible today, and there are countless stories that describe how Walt helped to create and transform "the happiest place on earth."   In this two-part episode, I chat...

Walt Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot was recently inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the first Imagineer and the second person at Disney to ever receive this distinction (the first was Walt Disney). With over 25 years as a Disney Research Fellow and Walt Disney Imagineer, Lanny Smoot has filed over 106 patents (74 for Disney), including the technology that makes it possible for Madame...

Disney Cruise Line takes the magic of a Disney vacation out to sea, providing Disney fans with the opportunity to literally travel the world while being immersed in the worlds of Disney. Disney Cruise Line offers some incredible experiences not just in port but also out at sea. With rotational dining, entertainment, on-board activities, kids clubs, pools, spas, characters, and add-on experiences,...

Disney Cruise Line takes the magic of a Disney vacation out to sea, providing Disney fans with the opportunity to literally travel the world while being immersed in the worlds of Disney. Unlike a Disney Parks vacation, a trip aboard Disney Cruise Line includes some additional steps in the planning process, but it can also be a more relaxing vacation overall. In this episode, we'll discuss everythi...

Pixar's early years are defined by some iconic films, each telling a unique story in a way that made Disney-Pixar productions famous. The first 10 films in particular helped pave the way for Pixar's success and influenced Disney to acquire the studio. In addition to the stories, characters and animation that made these movies famous, the music helped amplify these films' popularity and created a d...

Pixar's early years are defined by some iconic films, each telling a unique story in a way that made Disney-Pixar productions famous. The first 10 films in particular helped pave the way for Pixar's success and influenced Disney to acquire the studio. In addition to the stories, characters and animation that made these movies famous, the music helped amplify these films' popularity and created a d...

Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland transforms the Haunted Mansion every Halloween and Christmas season into a Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Town wonderland. Complete with iconic characters from the 1993 Tim Burton film (Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie and more), memorable songs, and a unique narrative, Haunted Mansion Holiday brings the joy of the holiday season to Disneyland guest...

Performing as Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Waldorf, Beauregard, and countless other Muppets for over 50 years, Dave Goelz has been working on this franchise since the beginning. He's one of two Muppet performers to have worked on all 8 Muppet theatrical releases, and his experience includes time with working other Muppets legends like Frank Oz and of course Jim Henson. Dave recently becam...

Disney Jollywood Nights debuted November 11, 2023 at Walt Disney World, and I was there (on a paid ticket, not by invitation) to experience the event for myself. With two live stage show performances (Disney Holidays In Hollywood and What's This? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along), live street performances (Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club and Holiday Fiesta En La Calle), J...

Perhaps the most iconic ride of all time, "it's a small world" opened at the 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York at the UNICEF pavilion sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and was later moved to Disneyland, opening there in May 1966. Imagineers Mary Blair, Rolly Crump, Blaine Gibson, Marc Davis, Alice Davis, Harriet Burns and Claude Coats worked closely alongside Walt Disney to bring this attraction to life, a...

In this episode, we recap our experience at Oogie Boogie Bash at the Disneyland Resort, which takes place in September and October at Disney California Adventure. We discuss the villain treat trails (especially Ernesto de la Cruz, Judge Doom, and Agatha Harkness), the character meet-and-greets, the parade, the crowds, dining options and beyond. Oogie Boogie Bash is a wonderful way to celebrate the...

Answering questions from listeners, this episode covers a wide range of topics, including Disney Vacation Club strategy (how many points to purchase and deciding on a home resort), suggestions for a honeymoon to Disney, annual passes, Muppets, Disneyland attractions, and more. Be sure to participate in future Instagram Live Q&A sessions by following Imagination Skyway on the Instagram app.   W...

Destination D23 took place at Walt Disney World September 8-10, 2023. At the event, we learned more information about what Disney fans can expect from the Disney Parks (announcements and updates were shared for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line), Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel, Star Wars, and b...

Roundup Rodeo BBQ opened in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 23, 2023. This Walt Disney World restaurant combines casual bbq dining with Toy Story fun, turning guests into their very own cowboy toy set. While you dine, Cast Members and restaurant entertainment make you feel like a toy in Andy's room (you'll even have to watch out for Sid). It's fun for the whole family, and th...