See WDW! Near & Far

7/9/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast, we take a break from our series profiling changes over the last 20 years at each of the Disney parks to talk Mike's trip report. He drove the 1000 miles south to stay at Disney's Pop Century for the first week and Universal's Endless Summer Dockside the second. Of course they visited theme parks and restaurants on their stay and we discuss the...

7/2/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast, we continue our series profiling changes over the last 20 years at each of the Disney parks. In this series, we will highlight some of these changes and express our opinion on whether they were net benefits or disappointments. After each discussion, we tally up a score to determine if these changes were worth it. This week's profile is EPCOT....

6/11/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast, we continue our series profiling changes over the last 20 years at each of the Disney parks. In this series, we will highlight some of these changes and express our opinion on whether they were net benefits or disappointments. After each discussion, we tally up a score to determine if these changes were worth it. This week's profile is Disney...

6/4/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast John reviews his experiences in the parks for the week. He didn't get out to the parks as much due to a vacation and the park pass availability but fills us in on what he did get to do. Our discussion continues our series profiling changes over the last 20 years at each of the Disney parks. In this series, we will highlight some of these change...

5/28/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast John reviews his experiences in the parks for the week. He was able to make a few visits before going on a mini vacation out of state including after the partial mask mandate rules were lifted. He gives us some insight into what things were like in this time period. Our discussion starts a series profiling changes over the last 20 years at eac...

5/22/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast John reviews his experiences in the parks for the week. He managed to make it into a wide variety of them so there is plenty to go over. Our discussion centers on whether EPCOT is now a half day park for families. It is well known that EPCOT has become the drinking park geared more toward young adults. But how long should families expect to be...

5/14/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast John got to ride Velocicoaster on the first day of pass holder previews! He gives us a review of the experience! You will not want to miss this! We also discuss the progressive health check roll backs as we continue to emerge from the Covid pandemic. We close out the show with a discussion centered around John's social media channels and how t...

5/7/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast John talks about his week in the parks. He spent a few days in the parks and gives us a window into what he experienced on those visits.  For our discussion, this week, we talk about the Walt Disney World marathon experience. Johnhas ran in a number of the marathons over the years. He gives us insight into what it is like for a normal person to...

4/30/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast John talks about his week in the parks. He managed to score a few reservations the parks and reports in on his experiences. For our discussion, this week, we talk about DVC. John, as a former owner, gives insight and details on what he experienced as an buyer, owner, and seller of the Disney's timeshare system. He also answers some common ques...

4/23/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast John talks about his week in the parks. It is a longer segment, this week, because pass holders were no longer blacked out. John visited the parks and reports in on his experiences. We have an extensive discussion on the new policies for cast members and how that effects the park culture. John was in a park the first day the new policies were...

4/16/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we discuss reasons introverts can, and mostly do, have a good time at Walt Disney World. Join us on this fascinating and fairly unique discussion.  Thanks for tuning in. We will be back soon with another episode!  You can send comments and questions to see.wdwnearandfar@gmail.com     Who we are - John, the founder of See WDW and See UO lives i...

4/08/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we get a local update from John. Local because pass holders were mostly blocked out from the parks the week before we recorded. He did get to spend some time at The Boardwalk and gives us some good tips for quick service dining in that location. This weeks discussion topic involves crowd levels. We talk about historic crowd levels, where they...

4/02/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we get a parks update from John that evolves and merges into our discussion topic. There were so many announcements from Disney in relation to the parks, recently. We discuss these announcements in relation to what is going on with Disney World. To finish up, we get a social media update from John. What is trending on the SeeWDW social media c...

3/27/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we get a parks update from John. How are the Spring crowds?  Our topic of the week is all about Disney seemingly erasing classic Disney World. Disney is constantly in a state of change for many reasons. But, does the company have a tendency to replace or close classic rides, even if popular or appealing to affinity groups, rather than mor...

3/19/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we get a parks update from John. How are the crowds with Spring break as a factor?  Our topic of the week is part 2 of our newb's guide to Universal Orlando. John details a classic touring route around Islands of Adventure and discusses the lands and rides within the park. Finally, we get a social media update from John. What is trending on th...

3/12/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we get a parks update from John. What did he see and do living the local life, this past week?  Our topic of the week is, basically, a newb's guide to Universal Orlando. This is part one in a series covering what first time UOA visitors should expect. What should you do on your first visit? Which direction should you go in after entering the p...

3/5/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we get a parks update from John. Not only do we get to hear all the latest from his park experiences, we also get a Mama Melrose review. The Disney Hollywood Studios Italian restaurant is one that isn't often covered. John was there and lets us know what the experience was like.  Our discussion topic, for the week, covers Pop Century. From the...

2/26/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we get a parks update from John. Next, discuss weird Epcot. What is weird Epcot? Why was it so? Is it still weird? Can we keep it weird? Join us for this weird discussion! Finally, we get a social media update from John. What is trending on the SeeWDW social media channels and what isn't. What are you loving on Disney social media? Let us know...

2/19/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we learn what John did and saw at the parks. Next, we peel back the curtain on content creators, a bit. Did you ever wonder what goes on at the media events? We discuss it this week. We also talk a bit about our favorite Disney vloggers and creators. John has met a number of them on his theme park adventures and we discuss those interactions....

2/11/21 - This week on the SeeWDW near and Far podcast we learn what John did and saw at the parks. Next, we discuss one of our favorite places to stay, The Animal Kingdom Lodge. What makes this resort so special for both of us and why should you try and land a night or two, there. Finally, we get a social media update from John. What is trending on the SeeWDW social media channels and what isn't....

1/27/21 - After an extended break, SeeWDW near and Far podcast is back. We are changing things up a bit. Each week, there will be 3 segments. Segment one features a discussion covering John's visits to the parks for the week. Segment two is the weekly topic. For this week, we discuss the recent policies involving cost cutting from Disney. Are they using the Covid pandemic as cover to reduce costs?...

12/11/20 - We are back with episode 30 of See WDW! Near and Far podcast. This week, we talk about what you may find at the WDW resorts for the holidays. Whether value, moderate, or deluxe we discuss them in this one. Not all of the resorts are created equal and the holidays are no different. However, what could be better than spending a portion of the season on property?  You can send comment...

12/11/20 - We are back with episode 29 of See WDW! Near and Far podcast. This week, we talk about the night time spectaculars at all the WDW parks. Not all of these shows are created equal. We wax a bit nostalgic over Illuminations. Was Rivers of Light that bad? Which DHS show do we prefer? What about Happily Ever After? We discuss all of them on this one. You can send comments and questions to se...

12/4/20 - We are back with episode 28 of See WDW! Near and Far podcast. This week, we take a deep dive into EPCOT. This discussion takes us from where it was to where it is going. Do we trust what Disney is doing there? How will the pandemic affect things? Join us on this trip into the great unknown and confusion that is, EPCOT! You can send comments and questions to see.wdwnearandfar@gmail.com Wh...

11/26/20 - We are back with episode 27 of See WDW! Near and Far podcast. This week, We discuss all things Fastpass. From its humble Fastpass has become a staple of the Disney World experience. It is particualrly important for those that like to plan their vacations. Where is the service going, in the future? Nobody knows for sure. Join us for the conversation.  You can send comments and quest...