WDW Radio: Your Guide to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise and More Disney Magic!

833 · The Boy Who Became Tom Sawyer – Disney Legend Tom Nabbe - From the Archives He was just 12 years old when he pitched himself to Walt Disney to become Tom Sawyer… and Walt said, “I’ll think about it.” In this From the Archives episode of WDW Radio, I sit down with Disney Legend Tom Nabbe , the boy who went from selling newspapers outside Disneyland on opening day to becoming the real-life Tom...

832 · Adventures by Disney Japan Recap: Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Tokyo & Kintsugi - Part 2 Every step through Japan tells a story - and this week, I want to share ours. From centuries-old villages to hidden antique shops, we went looking for adventure... and found something even more meaningful.  Japan continues to unfold its magic in Part 2 of our Adventures by Disney to Japan recap,...

831 · Disneyland at 70: Walt’s Vision, Origins, Secrets, and Stories from the Park - From the Archives Celebrate 70 years of Disneyland with a deep dive into hidden stories, surprising history, and unforgettable secrets from Walt’s original park. In this special WDW Radio Archive episode, I'm joined by the late, great Jim Korkis as we explore the surprising origins of Doritos and churros, the stor...

830 · Adventures by Disney Japan Recap: Stories & Highlights - Part 1 Japan is truly unlike anywhere else in the world. And this week, I want to take you there - not with a guidebook, but through the memories, moments, and magic we experienced together on our recent WDW Radio Adventures by Disney Journey to Japan group trip. Join me and some of the friends (who are really more like family) from ou...

829 · Celebrate Happy: A Complete Guide to Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Something special is happening at Disneyland … It’s turning 70, and the year-long Celebrate Happy party is packed with magic, surprises, returning favorites, and history in the making. Join me and theme park journalist Carlye Wisel as we unlock what’s new, what’s back, and why you need to visit - from "Paint the Night" a...

828 · Disney’s Abu Dhabi Theme Park: A Whole New World Unveiled Disney just announced a bold new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi – and it could change everything . In this episode, we explore the Disney Abu Dhabi theme park announcement from every angle – cultural, creative, and corporate. We also have a thoughtful conversation about some of the questions and concerns this move has raised. Disc...

827 · Build Your Star Wars Movie Memorabilia Museum The ultimate Star Wars collector’s wish list - no budget, no limits, just dreams! This week, in honor of May the 4th, we’re heading to a galaxy far, far away… and diving into a fun, nerdy, and personal conversation, as we explore a galaxy of imagination and nostalgia and build our "Star Wars Movie Memorabilia Museum." We’re not talking about toys...

826 · How Disney Brings Star Wars to Life: Reveals and Stories from Star Wars Celebration Japan Have you ever dreamed of living your own Star Wars story? This week, I take you inside Star Wars Celebration Japan for a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney Parks and Lucasfilm are transforming the way we experience Star Wars - and reveal new stories, secrets, and adventures you need to know about. Joi...

825 · The Top Ten Things We Love About the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT - From the Archives Konnichiwa, my friend! As this episode is released, I’m on my way to Tokyo to host a panel at Star Wars Celebration about Living Your Star Wars Story in the Disney Parks! So, in the spirit of sushi, samurai, sake, and Star Wars, we're reaching back into the WDW Radio archives for a listener favorite: The To...

824 · My 5 Favorite Outdoor Queues in Walt Disney World (That Are Worth the Wait) This week, we’re stepping into the sunshine - and into the story - as I share my 5 favorite outdoor queues in Walt Disney World. These aren’t just lines… they’re immersive experiences filled with storytelling, hidden details, and atmosphere that make the wait part of the magic. Whether you’ve walked them a hundred ti...

823 · The Savory 16: A Bracket-Style Showdown for the 2025 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival This week, we’re doing something fun, fresh… and flavorful, as we taste and debate 16 of the newest savory dishes from this year’s EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. It’s a bracket-style showdown we’re calling: The Savory 16! We taste-tested everything, made our notes, and brought our appetites and opinions as...

822 · Top Ten Details and Tributes Hiding in Plain Sight at Walt Disney World What makes Walt Disney World truly special isn’t just the attractions or even the food - it’s the details. The ones that tell stories, spark smiles, and honor the people and moments that built the magic. This week, we count down our Top Ten Details and Tributes in Walt Disney World Hiding in Plain Sight - little nods, Ea...

821 · The Cake Bake Shop: Tour, Tasting, & Talk with Owner Gwendolyn Rogers & Special Guest Ashley Eckstein Join me for a deliciously special episode of WDW Radio as we explore Disney's most enchanting destination, The Cake Bake Shop on Disney's Boardwalk. I'm joined by founder Gwendolyn Rogers and Ashley Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars and the founder of Her Universe) fo...

820 · "In or Out?" Disney Parks, Movies, and Cruise Line Debates! Are you In or Out? This week, we’re diving into some of Disney’s most fun, fascinating, and sometimes even controversial topics - from the parks to the movies, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond! Join us as we talk about the Disney Treasure; IP in the parks; who can, will, or did save Marvel; the most exciting Walt Disney Worl...

819 · Designing Disney with Former Imagineer Jason Surrell Imagine starting as a Jungle Cruise skipper and ending up helping to shape some of Disney’s most legendary attractions! Join me as I sits down with former Disney Imagineer and master storyteller Jason Surrell, whose creative work spans Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, New Fantasyland, and much, much more...

818 · Marvel at Disney: Bringing the Comic Universe to Life in the Parks and at Sea - Megacon Panel Join us this week for an in-depth exploration of Marvel's presence in Disney Parks worldwide. This week's episode was recorded LIVE at Megacon Orlando , as I hosted a panel which will take you on a journey through Disney's complex relationship with Marvel characters - from Universal Studios' Marvel...

817 · Music of Disney's Animal Kingdom    Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a soundtrack unlike any other park - one that immerses us in nature, culture, and adventure. From the peaceful Oasis entrance music to the high-energy beats of Harambe, the ethereal sounds of Pandora, and even the kitschy rock vibes of DinoLand, USA, every note plays a role in the park’s storytelling. This week, I take...

816 · Debates, Dates, Romance, Resorts... and Carousel of Progress Change? Listener Email   Have you ever had a burning Disney question, a magical memory to share, or just needed advice on planning the perfect trip? This week, I open the overflowing mailbag of listener emails to dive into your questions about how to convince your family to visit Disney more often, which resort to pick and why...

815 · EPCOT Festival of the Arts: Behind the Curtain Step behind the scenes of EPCOT's International Festival of the Arts as we dive into the magic that makes this one of Disney's most creative celebrations. Join me for exclusive interviews with Adrian Sarple, Associate Director from Disney Theatrical, who curate the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, and Aaron Babcock, Merchandise Manager with Di...

814 · My Five Things in Disney I'm Looking Forward to in 2025 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year, filled with exciting experiences, milestones, and magic on the horizon, from the Disney Parks, experiences, Disney Cruise Line, movies, Disney+, and more! This week, I’m sharing My Five Things in Disney I’m Most Looking Forward to in 2025, including some new things on the horizon I've been wo...

813 · History and Evolution of Christmas at Walt Disney World: From Candlelight to Dancing Lights - From the Archives 🎄 The holiday season at Walt Disney World is unlike any other , with traditions, decorations, and magic that have been cherished for decades. This week, we’re opening the WDW Radio Archives to revisit a very special show from 2016, originally aired on show # 467. Join me and my de...

WDW Radio # 812 - Disney Treasure Review and Guide I invite you join us as we dive deep into Disney Cruise Line’s latest ship, the Disney Treasure! We will uncover the magic, surprises, and innovations that set the Treasure apart - not just from her sister ship, the Disney Wish, but from the entire cruise industry. From immersive dining experiences to jaw-dropping spaces like the Haunted Mansion P...

WDW Radio # 811 - Muppets, Monsters, and Lakeshore Lodge... LIVE! This week, we delve into some big news: the bittersweet closure of Muppet Vision 3D, the exciting arrival of Monstropolis at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and details about the new Lakeshore Lodge Resort coming to Walt Disney World. We also speculate on the future of the Muppets in the park, some of the details in the Monstropolis con...

WDW Radio # 810 - The Future of Disney Cruise Line with Disney Signature Experiences President Thomas Mazloum This week, I'm excited to welcome Thomas Mazloum, President of Disney Signature Experiences, for a conversation about the future of Disney Cruise Line. We dive into the storytelling and design behind the Disney Treasure, Destiny, and Adventure, explore the bold vision for Disney’s global f...

WDW Radio # 809 - 5 FREE Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World Do you want to discover how to experience the magic of the holidays at Walt Disney World without spending a dime? Join me as I unwrap (more than!) five completely FREE ways to celebrate the season, from festive live entertainment to dazzling displays, free souvenirs and overlooked experiences that are sure to bring extra...