Main and Magic Podcast

Disneyland is the OG Disney theme park and has ascended to the level of a pilgrimage site for many ultra Disney and theme park fans. In this episode Katie joins me to discuss her summer 2023 trip to Disneyland Resort, which included a stay at Disney’s Grand Californian.   Start planning your next magical vacation with Katie! picturesandpostcardstravel.com Visit us at  mainandmagic.com Expanded sho...

Disney tries to elicit emotions utilizing all of our senses, and in this episode we discuss Disney smells. We share all the scents that stand out to us from the whimsically sweet to the delightfully weird. We ponder how nostalgia plays a roll in the smells we most associate with Disney and the story they tell in place making.   Start planning your next magical vacation with Katie! picturesandpostc...

In this episode I talk with director and producer of After the Fair: The Legacy of the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, Ryan Ritchey about Epcot's 40 year history. We discuss the effect of worlds fairs on Epcot's design, Epcot purism, if Epcot had a golden age, and more.   Watch After The Fair: The Legacy of the 1964-65 NY World's Fair   THEME PARK TRIVIA SHOW Website:  www.themeparktriviashow.com S...

In this episode we discuss our top 5 most evil Disney animated villains AND we both share our pick for the MOST villainous. We also reflect on how their evil deeds are mirrored in our own world and what we might learn from them.   Start planning your next magical vacation with Katie! picturesandpostcardstravel.com Visit us at  mainandmagic.com Expanded show notes for this episode are available at:...

Katie joins me to talk about split stays at Walt Disney World. We break down what they are, why you might want to do one and how to do one. Plus we share the pros and cons, and tips for getting the most out of your stays.    Start planning your next magical vacation with Katie! picturesandpostcardstravel.com Visit us at  mainandmagic.com Expanded show notes for this episode are available at: https...

Katie joins me for a detailed report on her Adventures by Disney trip to Costa Rica. We discuss her pre-trip planning including preparing documents and special items she purchase for the trip. We also cover her day by day itinerary from a real life jungle cruise to white water rafting, and she shares some post trip reflections on memories and friendships made.   Start planning your next magical va...

In this episode I'm joined by Katie and returning guest, my Dad! to celebrate our 50th episode with a look back at the consequential moments in Walt Disney World's 50 year history. We each choose one event from each decade, from the 1970s to present day, that we feel made a remarkable impact on the Walt Disney World Resort.   Start planning your next magical vacation with Katie! picturesandpostcar...

Katie and I chat with Ryan Ritchey, host of the theme park trivia show. We learn about the origins and inspiration for the show, how he comes up with the super fun categories and where he finds the trivia questions. We also spend some time discussing the current state of the Disney Parks and get insight on his love for the now extinct Horizons attraction.    THEME PARK TRIVIA SHOW Website: www.the...

In this episode Katie and I discuss recent Disney news from around the world including returning favorites at Walt Disney World, closings and travel deals for Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line's new ship and more. In the second half of the episode we spill tea and opinions on the Bob Chapek issue and a Disney College Program issue that still has our minds racing.   Start planning your next magical va...

In this episode Katie and I discuss the top 5 Disney roles we'd like to follow for a day. If you could follow someone from any profession under the Disney umbrella, what would you pick and what would you want to know about that role? With so many career options spanning the company, we share our picks and our reasoning behind our choices.   Visit us at  mainandmagic.com Expanded show notes for thi...

In this episode Katie and I continue our deep dive into the Walt Disney Animation feature film Lilo and Stitch. We dig into how the film deals with grief head on and Katie shares a Cobra Bubbles conspiracy theory. We also discuss the major scene that had to be reanimated after the 9/11 attacks, the attention to detail in animating the hula sequence and how Walt Disney World tourists ended up in th...

In this episode Katie and I travel to quadrant 17, sector 005, area 51 to a planet called E-arth to do a deep dive into the Walt Disney Animation feature film Lilo and Stitch. We discuss the history of the film from initial idea to the exact location at Walt Disney World where it was given the green light over, of all things, sushi. We dig into the unique art style that was used and who the backgr...

In this episode Katie and our friend Ric from the Monorail Tales Podcast compete in a virtual scavenger hunt around Walt Disney World using clues from the Main Street 16 Challenge event weekend. It's a faceoff of epic proportions, and a few long silences, and at least one supposed hot take. Download game sheets at https://www.mainandmagic.com/podcast-episodes/44-walt-disney-world-virtual-scavenger...

Katie and I sit down with Jeremy Stein and Gary Fernando to talk about their experience organizing the Main Street 16 Challenge, a 16 attraction race through Walt Disney World that helped raise over $11,000 for Give Kids the World. We talk about how the event came to be and how the weekend unfolded AND we announce the dates for the next challenge happening in 2023! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MAIN STREET...

Mother's Day is here! And we wanted to share some ideas for ways to surprise, delight, pamper, excite, adventure and gift the mom figures in your life while vacationing at a Disney property. We share ideas that cover all kinds of personalities whether you mom figure is a foodie, gardening hobbyist, animal lover, queen of posh and pamper, adventure seeker, artist and beyond.   Start planning your n...

Grab your Imagineering hardhats and join us as we re-imagine a neglected corner of Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animation Courtyard. We philosophize about the direction we each take to bring new life to this area before taking a deep dive on our plans for new attractions, restaurants and shops.   Expanded show notes for this episode are available at https://www.mainandmagic.com/podcast-episodes/41-...

In this episode I continue my conversation with author and WDW Opinion podcaster Conor Brown. We discuss his book Yacht Club to Diamond Mine: My Journey to Working at one of Walt Disney World's Most Popular Attractions and the process he used to write it. We chat about a hard lesson he included, plus how he got started in podcasting. This is part 2 of a two part episode. FIND CONOR AT THESE LINKS...

I sit down with Disney College Program alumni, author and WDW Opinion podcast host Conor Brown to talk about his two distinctly different Disney College Program roles and what, or rather who, inspired him to work for the Walt Disney Company. We talk guest stories, how he ended up on a backstage tour of the Haunted Mansion, and his best advice to anyone preparing for their own college program. This...

In this episode we get an epic trip report from Katie's 11 night stay at Walt Disney World. She shares her experience of a triple split stay and navigating crowds with Genie+. We also talk about her first dining experience at Space 220, how she got to touch a rhino at Disney's Animal Kingdom and a unique way to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. It was a trip filled with many firsts and big surpri...

In this episode I share news, and insert commentary, about whats coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the Walt Disney Company's latest investors call, and highlights from an international park.   Visit us at  mainandmagic.com Expanded show notes for this episode are available at: https://www.mainandmagic.com/podcast-episodes/37-disney-news-rant   VISIT OUR SHOPS Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/...

In this episode we venture out past the reef to do a deep dive into the Walt Disney Studios Production film Moana ! We discuss how the creators conducted research for the film and how the history and mythologies of the South Pacific play into the storyline. We also analyze some of our favorite characters, songs and artistic details AND we dig into some compelling fan theories that suggest Moana mi...

In this episode Katie and I discuss Disney Parks and Resort challenges. Many of the Disney theme parks and resorts have official scavenger hunts or games they offer to guests. But Disney fans are a creative bunch and over the years some fan created challenges have become a popular part of the theme park enthusiast lexicon. The fun thing is, a lot of these challenges apply to any Disney park worldw...

In this episode Katie and I discuss one of the most asked questions about Walt Disney World trip planning...when is the best time to go? We talk about all the factors you'll need to consider to choose the time that'll work best for the trip you're planning. We've even included a downloadable worksheet to help you get started. And of course, we answer the question ourselves and our answers might su...

In this episode Katie and I test each other's knowledge about the most magical place on earth. It's a Walt Disney World trivia episode and we invite you to play along! You can head to our show notes for a game sheet to play along with us or later with friends. Be sure to grab the answer sheet to see how many you got correct and to save for your later adventures at WDW!   Start planning your next m...

In this episode Katie and I share some Disney Plus recommendations to keep your entire family entertained over Christmas vacation. From series both animated and live action to some old classics that will take you back to the 80's. Grab your popcorn and hot cocoa and join us!   Please join us in supporting Give Kids the World https://give.gktw.org/mainandmagic   Visit us at  mainandmagic.com Expand...