Make it Magical: A Disney-centric Podcast

Our year has come to an end…our Disney year that is. We were incredibly lucky to be able to go to Disneyland 3 times in the last 12 months and today we discuss our new favorite and least favorite things in the parks. New food, drinks, lands and traditions were added to our Disneyland experience and we wanted to share them. While overall the experiences have generally been positive, we do have some...

This year's D23 Expo has come and gone and we have a glimpse on what is coming for both the Disney Parks, as well as Disney Movies/TV. We cover the updates and give our thoughts on what excites and what disappoints us. A lot of content is slated for our viewing pleasure including new Pixar movies/TV shows, and updates were given for already announced Disney/Marvel/Star Wars movies and TV show...

If you could imagineer your own Great Movie Ride, what movies would make the cut? We took some inspiration from the original plan to have a Great Movie Ride in most other parks and discuss how we might update the original ride as well as come up with some potential versions that could see the light of day in other Disney parks. If you want to learn more about the history of The Great Movie Ride, w...

Join us for our perfect day in Disneyland with our Disney pals, Chris and Emily from the Happiest Hour on Earth Podcast! After going on their show last week to discuss our favorite refreshments, entertainment, photos and traditions in California Adventure, they come on our show to do the same as we travel around the lands of Disneyland. With so many things to do, what makes the cut for our perfect...

We had the pleasure of being joined by a very special guest for this episode! Stephanie is a huge Disney fan and just came back from her Walt Disney World Trip. She acts as our intrepid field reporter and gives us the inside scoop on her experience of a split stay on property at moderate/deluxe resorts, food, festivals, Genie+, and riding the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for the firs...

Make sure those lap bars are securely fastened cause today’s episode is a wild one! After covering the history of FastPass last week we step into the ring and try to keep ourselves positive, if at least for the first part to give some tips and tricks to use Genie+ on both coasts. But when we get to the elephant boneyard, we discuss in depth our many issues with the service. It’s a long one so make...

Welcome to another surprise bonus Minnie-sode! These episodes give me a chance to let you, the listeners, have YOUR moment to shine. I've got 3 listener stories to share with you today! Be aware that these stories contain more emotional and heavy content than what you may be used to in previous episodes. Trust me, these are ones you don't want to miss hearing! If you'd like your sto...

Join us today as we try to skip the lines…as we go over the history of Fastpass. We try to keep the Genie+ takes light in this one before entering the ring with it next week. How did the idea for FastPass come about? Why was it such a good deal for park guests and Disney operations? We cover it all, setting the stage for what has come into its place now. Email any comments/questions/Disney-related...

In the second part of our Splash Mountain series, we look into what is unique amongst each version of Splash across the many parks and how Imagineers were able to blend it into two separate lands. Of course, we cannot talk about Splash without talking about the future retheme coming its way and we discuss some of the most common pros/cons that we have seen for it. This wouldn’t be complete without...

After covering Song of the South, we begin to examine the history of Splash Mountain from concept to finished ride. What led to its creation? Why is it tied to Song of the South? What does it have to do with the movie Splash starring Tom Hanks? All this and more we cover in the first of our two part series celebrating Splash Mountain. Email any comments/questions/Disney-related stories to makeitma...

With news that Splash Mountain will be rethemed based off of Princess and the Frog, Clayton and I wanted to go over the history of Splash Mountain from inception to its final closure to celebrate its 30+ year run as a crowd favorite. We wanted to start this history by appropriately covering the history of Song of the South, to get a better understanding of what is driving the retheming. Song of th...

We kick off this episode with a big announcement of my co-ghost host's involvement on the show. Then, Clayton and I discuss everything you could ever want to know about The Walt Disney Family Museum! We dive into the history behind its creation, our very recent visit, our favorite aspects of the museum, and the new Jungle Book exhibit! If you love Disney history, then this is an episode you w...

SURPRISE!! Welcome to the first-ever bonus Minnie-sode where I’ll be sharing stories from the listeners! That’s right, in this episode YOU are the star. Hope you enjoy and if you like these types of episodes please make sure to send in more of your stories! You can email or reach me on my socials! Looking forward to hearing from more of you soon!  Email any comments/questions/Disney-related storie...

For this week’s episode, Clayton and I discuss all of our highly classified Disney park trip hacks. We have kept these secret until now… for all of you listeners to enjoy! Hope these can help make your next Disney trips more enjoyable! If YOU have any special trip hacks you want us to share with fellow listeners, please email or reach out on my socials (listed below).  Email any comments/questions...

Big episode this week! Two treasured Disney animated films enter, but only one will remain victorious! That’s right, this is a showdown between which is the better movie…. Tangled or Frozen?!? Follow along as we (myself and Clayton) break down each movie into several key categories. Share your thoughts on whether you agree or disagree with us on my socials or shoot me an email! Be sure to let me k...

Now that the original hype for the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (otherwise referred to as the Star Wars Hotel) has died down, figure this is the best time to dedicate an entire episode to it! Clayton and I discuss everything from the drama/controversy behind its opening, what’s included, strengths and weaknesses, whether we’re interested in this kind of experience, and finally we put on our Ima...

For this week’s episode, I’ll continue this intro into the world of Disney park secrets! My focus will shift towards secrets more specific to each coast. I’m getting much more in-depth than last week with 4 Disneyland secrets and 3 Walt Disney World secrets. Stick around until the very end to hear some exciting news about my Patreon exclusive bonus content!  Email any comments/questions/Disney-rel...

There’s so much to unpack with secrets behind the Disney parks, so I had to break this up into 2 episodes! For part 1, I cover more general secrets applicable to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This is the perfect introduction to park secrets for anyone or even the biggest of Disney fans! Look out for next week’s episode where I’ll discuss further secrets that are specific to each coast.  E...

Extra, extra! Listen all about it! For today’s episode, my co-ghost host and I discuss which rides we consider to be overrated and underrated in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Expect lots of laughs, some disagreements, and several hot takes! This episode’s one wild ride! Let me know if you agree or disagree with any of our choices!  Email any comments/questions/Disney-related stories to ma...

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of being joined by Taylor Lewis from the Not So Rare Podcast. As a fellow Disney fanatic, Taylor shares her perspective of how living with a rare disease impacts her Disney parks trips. Join us as we discuss her most recent Walt Disney World trip experience utilizing Disney’s Disability Access Service program, seeing Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival for th...

For today’s episode, I am once again joined by my co-ghost host husband as we discuss 10 mistakes we’ve made in both Disneyland and Disney World over the years. These are simply our opinions and may not apply to everyone. We are constantly adjusting and learning new ways to improve our trips. Hope that by sharing our experiences it’ll help make your trips even more magical! I’d love to hear about...

Today’s episode will pick up where I left off in Part 1. I’ll conclude Mickey Mouse’s history with topics including how his design/personality/voice have evolved over the years, his influence on the Disney parks, and Oswald’s reintroduction back into the Disney Company.   Email any comments/questions/Disney-related stories to: makeitmagicalpod@gmail.com Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagra...

If the title didn’t already give it away, today’s episode is all about the history of the one that started it all, Mickey Mouse! OH BOY! I’ll cover everything from Mr. Mouse’s creation to his rise in fame. This is a story that every Disney fan should hear and I guarantee you’ll learn something new! Let me know which Mickey fact(s) you found most interesting in today’s episode on my socials or thro...

My recurring co-ghost host husband, Clayton, makes his debut in today's episode! You'll learn his Disney story before we jump into our first experience visiting CA Adventure's Food and Wine Festival. What's included in the festival? What was our favorite snack? Would we go again? Which version of Soarin' is better?!? We'll answer all of these questions and more! Email...

This episode is all about the movies! Join me as I reveal my top 10 Disney animated films. There are some obvious choices, but there's also a few that will be more surprising to make it into that coveted top 10 position. I have of course saved my all time favorite movie for last! Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to Disney movies, so please share your favorites with me on my soci...