Turkey Leg Talk

Most Disney fans know the story of the early years of Walt Disney's life. He grew up on a farm in Marceline, Missouri, joined the Red Cross underage, and moved to Los Angeles in his early 20's to pursue his passion of animation. But do you know the story of the guy behind Walt Disney who was just as instrumental in the success of the Disney company in many ways? This week I'll tell you all about t...

Walt Disney World is the ultimate family vacation destination. With world class theme parks, amazing resorts, phenomenal dining, & so much more, there is no better time to take a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth than right now! If you've been putting off that family vacation because you have toddlers or babies, I'll tell you why you shouldn't on Episode 74: What Can My Toddler or Baby Do in...

It's no secret that Trader Sam's is my favorite bar in both Disneyland and in Walt Disney World. When the Disneyland version debuted in 2011, it was so popular that Disney's higher ups had no choice but to bring a version out to the East Coast. This week I wanted to tell you all about my two favorite watering holes in the Word of the Week – Trader Sam's. I LOVE both versions of Trader Sam's so muc...

I talk about this topic all of the time on this podcast but I feel like I just have to repeat it again: Walt Disney World's restaurants are not all cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers. Contrary to popular belief, WDW has become a culinary destination over the last decade or two, and some of the best dishes around are the sandwiches that populate the menus all over the theme parks, resorts...

Long before there were any plans for a Star Wars Land in Disneyland or Walt Disney World, an agreement was made between the Walt Disney Company and the leader of the Star Wars Universe, George Lucas. They had first collaborated on the 3D film  Captain EO,  and now Disney was trying to hop aboard the popularity of the Star Wars franchise and create all new experience. The week I'll take a look at a...

Disney's Animal Kingdom has held a special place in my heart since 1998. This park marked the first location where I'd ever wear a name tag as a proud cast member in Walt Disney World and to this day I still think of it as my "home park." I wanted to wait until Pandora: The World of Avatar opened to talk about my official attraction ranking list, and that day has finally arrived. Check out Episode...

One thing Walt Disney ALWAYS wanted in his theme parks was a train. From his earliest days in Marceline, Missouri, to taking the train from NYC to Los Angeles after Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was taken from him, Walt always had a fascination with railroads. This week I'll take a closer look at that fascination with the Word of the Week – Railroad. From the train that brought the Disney family to Marc...

When Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, things were very different than they are today. The Most Magical Place On Earth opened with 1 theme park and 3 resorts, a far cry from what makes up WDW today. We'll talk about how far WDW's come in Episode 71: Walt Disney World Then & Now. October 1, 1971: WDW opens with 1 theme park and 3 resorts. May, 2017: WDW consists of 4 theme parks, 2 water...

Walt Disney World is the most popular family vacation destination in the world. From world class theme parks to amazing resorts and incredible shopping and dining experiences, there is truly something for everyone. But what do you do when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of The Most Magical Place On Earth? You look for a quiet little spot, of course! That's what I'm focusing on on t...

Disney's Animal Kingdom needed something new. The park hadn't gotten new, big-time attractions since the debut of Expedition Everest and that now goes back more than a decade. So when Pandora: The World of Avatar was announced and called the biggest expansion in the history of Disney's Animal Kingdom, people were skeptical but excited. This week, my friend Johnny Shortsleeve and I take a look at t...

Over the last several years, Walt Disney World has significantly upped their food game. From signature dining locations to fun, interactive restaurants and over the top menus, WDW certainly doesn't offer only "amusement park food." This week I wanted to take a closer look at something Walt Disney World has never really gotten right until recently. Take a listen to this week's Word of the Week – Pi...

Walt Disney World is often referred to as the number one family vacation destination in the world. From infants to retirees and everyone in between, there is something for everyone on Walt Disney World property. But you don't need a large party or family to have a blast on a WDW vacation. This week, I wanted to take a look at my Top 7 Tips for a Solo Trip to WDW. A solo trip to Walt Disney World m...

Walt Disney Imagineering has come up with some pretty remarkable inventions over the last six decades. Disney Imagineers created the first ever tubular steel roller coaster and the first ever audio-animatronic animals and human figures. But one invention that sometimes goes unnoticed and under appreciated is the creation of the omnimover ride system that changed the theme park industry in the late...

Walt Disney World's counter service locations aren't all hamburgers and hot dogs these days! A guest's dining options are pretty unlimited at locations in the theme parks, Disney Springs, and the resorts. On this week's episode, we take a look at our favorite dining locations in Episode 68: Favorite WDW Counter Service Restaurants. Burgers? Chicken Nuggets? Sure, you can still get them in WDW. But...

Arguably one of the best attractions Walt Disney World has ever had was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It was a massive submarine attraction that placed guests in the middle of the action and under the sea years before  The Little Mermaid  ever would. The attraction's ride vehicle may have even been more popular than the attraction itself. This week we'll take the submarine for one more spin in Wor...

In another episode of the Resort Roundup Series, this week we take a look at exactly why you should stay at two Deluxe Walt Disney World Resorts, Disney's Yacht and Beach Clubs. From the best pool on property to amazing dining and much more, Episode 67: Resort Roundup – Yacht & Beach Club will make you want to book your WDW stay tomorrow! Want to walk to Epcot? How about Hollywood Studios? Need im...

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was one of the Opening Day attractions for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The attractions were the same in name, but quite different on the inside. This week, I take a look at one of the most beloved attractions of all time on Word of the Week – Mister (Toad's Wild Ride).   Jump in my DeLorean with me and let's go back in time to October of 1971 when Mr. Toad's Wild Ri...

From Broadway to Hollywood, from England to Los Angeles, is there a bigger showbiz icon than Dame Julie Andrews? She's won a Tony, a Grammy, and an Academy Award. She and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have written over 30 books together. Now the pair have teamed up with The Jim Henson Company for the new Netflix hit,  Julie's Greenroom.  Check out my interview with this amazing mother-daught...

Cinderella Castle can be disassembled and packed away during a hurricane. Walt Disney's face is one one of the singing busts in The Haunted Mansion. Dole Whips are delicious. Two of the previous three statements are lies. This week, I'll help you separate fact from fiction on the Word of the Week – Lies. Have you ever heard a stranger reciting facts on a WDW bus and you think to yourself, "That's...

What is the best attraction in each Disney park in the United States? This week we discuss (well, we nicely argue) about the top attractions and a whole lot more on Episode 65: Top That Disney Attraction. Hollywood, 1989. A movie was made that was so bad it was an instant classic. This week we channel our inner  Teen Witch  and play "Top That Disney Attraction."

This week I take a deeper look at Kilimanjaro Safaris, Disney's Animal Kingdom's flagship attraction. I talk animals, conservation, science, and more on this week's Word of the Week – Kilimanjaro. How many species of animal can you see on your African safari? Who was Warden Wilson Matua? Whatever happened to Big Red and Little Red? I answer these questions and much, much more this week!

It's not every day that I have the chance to talk to true Disney voice acting royalty. Recently I had the awesome opportunity to talk to Mr. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too. Check out Episode 64: Interview With Jim Cummings. What do Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, Hondo Ohnaka, & The Tasmanian Devil all have in common? The same man is behind all of their voices! Jim talks all about how he g...

I do my best to steer clear of any controversy on this podcast. Actually, that's not true. I will talk about Dole Whips vs. Citrus Swirls sometimes, but that's about as far as I go. That's why this week's Word of the Week is very, very interesting for me! Let's talk about the Word(s) of the Week – Journey Into Imagination. You may notice the title isn't "Journey Into YOUR Imagination" or "Journey...

The attractions in the Disney theme parks don't start once the ride vehicles start to move. Actually, the attraction's story begins long before any guests set foot anywhere near the load area of any attraction. That is why the queues for the attractions are so important. This week we'll talk all about the queues on Episode 63: Best Queues in Walt Disney World. The queues in Disney's theme parks ar...

Epcot's World Showcase pavilions are loaded with great food, awesome entertainment, and some excellent attractions. This week I wanted to take a closer look at one of those pavilions in the Word of the Week – Italy. What pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase offers delicious desserts, excellent entertainment, and the best pizza in all of Central Florida? Italy, of course! In ten minutes I'll have you...