Turkey Leg Talk

You've waited a while for it. Yep, I talk about it all the time and letters and weeks have gone by and I had yet to introduce this one on the Word of the Week. Until now. Get ready…this week's episode is all about your favorite Walt Disney World treat. The Dole Whip is what I'm talking about here in this week's Word of the Week – Whip. The Disney Dole Whip has become as synonymous with Walt Disney...

These Word of the Week shows are supposed to run between eight and ten minutes. Sometimes they stretch out to twelve or fifteen minutes but I've never had one that went over twenty five minutes. That ends now! Check out the all new Word of the Week – Villains. The Disney Villains are some of the best characters in the history of film. This week, I talk all about the villains from the long list of...

With the holidays here and the New Year fast approaching, it's time to take a look back on the year that was, 2016. This week's show is all about reflecting on what happened in Walt Disney World over the last year and what is to come in 2017. I'm very excited to bring you Episode 48: WDW Ear In Review. 2016 was a HUGE year for Walt Disney World, for my business, Ear To There Travel, and for myself...

When Walt Disney saw a cowboy walking through Tomorrowland in his famous Disneyland Park, he made up his mind. If he were to ever open another theme park, he would figure out a system where costumed cast members would not have to walk through lands that were unrelated to their themes in order to get to their posts. From Walt's revelation comes this week's Word of the Week – Utilidors. Underneath t...

When Walt Disney World opened on October 1st, 1971, it opened with 3 resort hotels. The three opening day WDW resorts were The Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, The Contemporary Resort, and The Polynesian Village Resort. Over the years the original WDW resorts have only gotten better and that is why this week I wanted to talk all about one of the originals in Episode 47: WDW Resort Roundup – Po...

When Tomorrowland opened in Disneyland in 1955 it, unfortunately, was unfinished. In Walt Disney World, when Tomorrowland opened in 1971, coincidentally, it was also unfinished. Even though it may seem like it's an under-appreciated land in Walt Disney World, Tomorrowland has had housed some of the greatest attractions in the history of the Disney Parks. Check out this week's Word of the Week – To...

From the earliest days when he was still animating the characters on the page, Walt Disney was the driving force and creative genius behind the Disney company. It was Walt who took all of the risks and, rightfully so, received all of the accolades. That is why it was such a pivotal time in the company when Walt Disney passed away in 1966. This week I wanted to do something a little different in Ep...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs  was one of the most successful films of all time. During its production, however, Walt Disney was ridiculed by much of the press and Hollywood insiders of the time. They thought no one would ever watch a full-length animated film. I'll tell you why they were wrong and more on this week's Word of the Week – Snow. Walt Disney was a visionary who didn't need anyone to...

Imagine this: I just hired you as the newest Disney Imagineer and it's your job to come up with an idea for the next great Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. Sound too good to be true? Well, it is! But that doesn't mean it's not a lot of fun to dream! This week, my guest Chuck Rodriguez and I talk about the resort hotels we would build in WDW on Episode 45: Imaginary Imagineering – Resort Edition! If...

Did you know that Walt Disney envisioned a Mississippi-style riverboat in the first plans for his "Mickey Mouse" amusement park back in the early 1950's? Yes, Walt always wanted a working riverboat in his park, no matter where it was going to be located. This week, we take a look at the unique riverboats in the North American Disney Parks, with this week's Word of the Week – Riverboat. The Liberty...

On Episode 43 of the show, my guest Johnny Shortsleeve tand I talked all about our favorite places to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of Walt Disney World. If you haven't yet listened to that episode, you can listen by clicking here:  Part 1 Of course, we went on WAY too long so we had to break the episode up into two parts. Check out the exciting conclusion in this week's show, Episode...

For the last 15 weeks, I've been coming up with these Word of the Week Podcast ideas by myself. This week I decided that the letter Q offered the perfect opportunity to answer some questions from Disney fans and listeners to the podcast. That's why settling on the idea for this week's Word of the Week – Questions, was an easy decision to make. From the best activities outside the parks to Disney l...

Big shocker here: I LOVE Walt Disney World. It is my favorite vacation destination in the world and that is why I do what I do for a living. But that doesn't mean I always love the crowds, heat, and overall hustle and bustle of the parks and resorts. Sometimes you just have to step out of the crowds and take a break from it all in Walt Disney World. That is how we came up with Episode 43: Best Pla...

Pirates Of The Caribbean has been delighting Walt Disney World guests ever since it premiered in the earlier days of the Magic Kingdom. But, did you know that Pirates wasn't an original, opening day, Magic Kingdom attraction? This week I'll tell you all about the history of this iconic attraction in the Word of the Week – Pirates. Originally, Walt Disney's Imagineers had no intentions of bringing...

Whether it's your first ever trip to Walt Disney World or your twentieth, let us help you avoid making those mistakes on your vacation that we've already made for you! Check out Episode 42: Biggest WDW Rookie Mistakes! Want to know just how you should handle your Hotel Reservations, FastPasses, Dining Reservations, and more? This week my guest Herb Leibacher and I will tell you exactly how you SHO...

Walt Disney World, just outside Orlando, Florida, is one of the most highly visited tourist destinations in the entire world. It holds 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping and entertainment district, golf courses, more than 20 resort hotels, and much, much more. This week, I take a look at why it's all there, in the middle of Florida, in the Word of the Week – Orlando. Many locations were cons...

What do you think is the BEST attraction at Epcot? This week, I do my best to answer that question as I give you my Ultimate Ranking of Epcot Attractions. It's a little surprising to read that Epcot currently has 23 attractions for guests to experience. That does not include walking through and experiencing all of the pavilions in World Showcase or taking in the live entertainment that is constant...

Even though it wasn't one of the original pavilions in EPCOT Center's World Showcase, Norway has had a special place in Disney fans' hearts for decades. With it's beautiful architecture, wonderful and friendly Norwegian cast members, and fantastic attractions, the Norway pavilion is one that many guests look forward to immensely on their trips to Epcot. That's why I'm taking a closer look at the p...

I just let you borrow my time machine. Where in Walt Disney World's history would you go back to so you could experience the magic in person? Would it be Opening Day on October 1, 1971? Would you stop by the 25th Anniversary Celebration? Episode 36 is all about the Top Times to Visit WDW in a Time Machine! Join my guest Herb Leibacher from the  World of Walt   and I as we talk all about our favori...

I have to admit, I wasn't all that excited when the concept of Disney Springs was announced by the Disney Company. Since the closure of Pleasure Island and the announcement of the never-built "Hyperion Wharf," it seemed like WDW was spinning it's wheels on what to do with the area. Oh…how wrong I was! We talk all about the new and improved Disney Springs in Episode 40: Top Things About Disney Spri...

He is probably the most recognizable character the modern world has ever seen. This week was my easiest ever choice for Word of the Week – Mickey Mouse. Since his debut in 1928, Mickey Mouse has been a symbol of happiness, playfulness, and laughter throughout the world. This week I wanted to take a quick look into the history of Walt Disney's legendary character while also giving you, the listener...

We always remember the big, huge special effects in Walt Disney World's theme parks. The Ballroom Scene in the Haunted Mansion, the drop in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the Yeti in Expedition Everest. That's why this week, we take a look at the more subtle, sometimes overlooked, special effects. Here's Episode 39: Top Projection Effects in Walt Disney World. Disney's Imagineers are wonderful...

The smallest land in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is loaded with fantastic attractions, rich detail, and an amazing sense of history. This week, I take a look at one of the original lands in the original Walt Disney World Theme Park in the Word(s) of the Week – Liberty Square. If you trace the history of the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square, you will find yourself all the way back to Disneyland...

What is WDW's most controversial decision of all time? The removal of Horizons, Maelstrom, or Body Wars? The introduction of the Disney Dining Plans? We explore all of that and much more on Episode 38: Most Controversial WDW Decisions. Over the years, Walt Disney World's management have made several decisions that split the Disney fan base right down the middle. From the addition of more thrill ri...

Did you ever ride the Mike Fink Keel Boats in the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland? This week, I take a look back at a beloved extinct attraction in Disney's theme parks with the Word of the Week – Keel. The Mike Fink Keel Boats were attractions in Disneyland and Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom for decades, beginning in 1955 in Disneyland and finally closing in the Magic Kingdom in 2001. On this week...