Wedway Radio - Walt Disney World And Disneyland Examined With Some Disney History

Thanks for joining for Wedway Now for October 12, 2011 where we look at the news of Disney.  This week we discuss several items including CEO Bob Igers plan to step down in 2015 The recent fire in WDW The plan to open the Art of Animation Resort in May of 2012 The podcast awards Enjoy!

Thanks for joining us for WEDWay Radio - A Show about Disney history, Disney parks and touring. This is episode #91 and this week Matt and Nate begin an exciting new series called 'Disney In Space' where we look at Disney's influence on SPACE, ranging from attractions to the Disneyland TV show, to important people in the space field.  On this episode we highlight one of three opening day attractions in Disneyland's Tomorrowland: Space Station X1. Thank you for downloading the show and thank you for nominating WEDWay Radio for Best Travel Podcast Check out show notes at wedwayradio.com  Follow us at twitter.com/wedwayradio Like our Facebook page facebook.com/wedwayradio Enjoy!

This week Matt and Nate tackle the news of the Disney Company including The new Blue Sky Cellar at DCA The Avatar announcement The 40 Year Anniversry at WDW The death of Steve Jobs

Thanks for joining us for WEDWay Radio - A show about Disney history, Disney parks and touring.  On this weeks episode of WEDWay Radio the Matt and Nate are joined by Henry Work of Touringplans.com to talk about a type of touring that is becoming more and more common, the Touring Habits of the Seasoned Veteran.  Henry, who visits the parks pretty regularly talks baout how his touring strategy and activities have changed over the past few years. Show Notes for this episode and every episode of WEDWay Radio can be found at http://wedwayradio.com Follow us Twitter twitter.com/wedwayradio Like our Facebook facebook.com/wedwayradio You can email us at podcast@wedwayradio.com

This week on WEDway Radio Matt and Nate compete our 40 Years of Magic series by discussing the 21st century.  We believe one of the most prevalent themes of the past 12 years at Walt Disney World is 'Celebrations,' and we discuss some of the more memorable celebrations; The Millennium Celebration, 100 Years of Magic, The Happiest Celebration on Earth and The Year(s) of a Million Dreams.    Disney also created a different type of "experiential" resort with The Animal Kingdom Lodge.  In addition to celebrations there were also technological advancements to attractions as with Toy Story Mania. Finally, we discuss some attractions and how we lost some of our favorite rides and attractions (Journey into Imagination) and some refurbishments that we liked (Haunted Mansion).0 We are both happy and sad to present this episode as it ends out 40 Years of Magic celebration. We hope you've enjoyed it as much we have enjoyed making it. You can nominate us for the Best Travel Podcast for the podcast awards at podcastawards.

In this episode of WEDway Radio Matt and Nate are once again joined by Jeff Pepper to discuss some Disney history.  This week we are going deep in the realm of Disney history to discover the story of Walt Disney in Kansas City.  In looking at this chapter the focus is really not just the Laugh O Gram Studio or the beginnings of Walt as an animator, but really the beginning of a career where Walt learned how to run a studio.  He had several jobs, starting as an artist at Pesmin-Rubin Commercial art Studio and working for a long time at the Kansas City Slide Company, but he also ventured out on his own a few times to start different businesses including The Iwerks-Disney Studio, Kaycee Studios and then finally the Laugh O Gram Studio.  We discuss all of these endevours, and many of the artists that got their start with Disney as well.  Check out the Show Notes to this and every episode of WEDway Radio. You can email the show at podcast@wedwayradio.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/wedwayradio Join our Faceb

Thanks for joining us for WEDway Radio - A show about Disney history, theme parks and touring.  Matt and Nate  This is show #87.  In this episode Matt and Nate take a look at an area that is often overlooked when evaluating Disney history: The Disney Studio.  The Studio was built in 1940 and in 1941 the studio released a film to showcase its new studio and answer the many questions surrounding the production of its animated features and shorts.  We take a brief look at the film, but moreover examine the areas that Disney attempts to feature within the film. Then, keeping with the subject we take a look at another, yet shorter, attempt that Disney takes in featuring the Disney Studio.  This time its the 1961 episode of The Wonderful World of Color 'Backstage Party' where the viewer is taken on a very different tour of the studio, exploring the sound stages and backlot streets for live production.  The differences are pretty striking. Enjoy!

In this episode of WEDway Radio Matt and Nate look at a common type of attraction in Disney theme parks, the 3D film.  Not only do we go through the evolution of films that extend beyond the flat second dimension, but we also go all WEDway on it and talk about how Disney's forays into 3D films mirrored the national phenomenon.  However, decades later Disney returned to creating 3D films to provide a different experience for guests in the theme parks.  The episode comes full circle as we look at the recent surge in 3D films in theaters today.   Check out the show notes at http://wedwayradio.com Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/wedwayradio Like our Facebook page http://facebook.com Or you can email us at podcast@wedwayradio.com  Enjoy!

This week on WEDway Radio; Matt and Nate discuss the news from the D23 Expo including all of the announcements related to feature film releases from Disney Animation, Pixar and Marvel.  One of our favorite panels surrounded the design and features being created for Disney California Adventure's Buena Vista Street.  We take a look at the limited information about Shanghai Disneyland.  Some more information was announced about the Magic Kingdom Fantasyland expansion as well. Check out the show notes including some videos over at http://wedwayradio.com Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/wedwayradio Join our Facebook page http://facebook.com/wedwayradio You can email the show at podcast@wedwayradio.com Enter the contest at contest@wedwayradio.com

This week on WEDway Radio Matt and Nate continue their 40 Years of Magic series leading up to Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary with the fourth installment in the series, looking at WDW in the 1990's.  Dubbed 'The Disney Decade' by then CEO Michael Eisner, this decade saw an explosion in the number of resort hotels and created two new category of resorts; the Value Resorts and Disney Vacation Club Resorts.  This created new opportunities for you spend even more time at Walt Disney World. In addition to the new resorts we also saw new additions/refurbishments at different theme parks including: Tomorrowland 1994 at the Magic Kingdom, Sunset Boulevard at the Studios, A Remodel of Future World.   The 1990's saw the addition of the 4th WDW theme park, Animal Kingdom.  On the show, Nate explains why there arent more Animal Kingdom shows on WEDway Radio. Enjoy!

In this episode of WEDway Radio Matt and Nate discuss a Disney Hollywood Studios Touring Plan for the whole family (probably why its called the Happy Family Touring Plan).  Beci Mahnken of MEI & Mousefan Travel also joins us to talk about some exclusive deals happening at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and you'll need to act fast in order to take advantage of some of them.

In this episode of WEDway Radio Nate and Matt take a look at the Disney California Adventure refurbishment/expansion project and its progress from 2010 - 2011.   When we originally looked at the project in 2009 construction walls were going up, and most of the project was either breaking ground or still on the drawing board.  Some of the thematic changes were complete by 2010, like rethemeing the shops ofParadise Pier, changing the Sunwheel to Mickeys Funwheel, and retheming the Orange Stinger to the Silly Symphony Swings and the nighttime World of Color water show opened. Between 2010 and 2011, there were a few more additions and changes.  Paradise Pier was completed, Goofy's Sky School opened as the rethemed Mulholland Madness nd the new entrance gates opened. On the show we discuss many of the changes for 2012 including the shops of Buena Vista Street, the Red Car Trolley, Carthay Circle Theater and the new Carsland themed area are scheduled to open. Check out the Show Notes at http://wedwayradio.com You c

In this episodes of WEDway Radio Matt and Nate continue the 40 Years of Magic Series Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World by looking at the events that shaped the most active decade in WDW history, the 1980's.  The decade began by opening a second theme park with EPCOT Center and ended by opening a third with the Disney-MGM Studios.  In addition the property expanded by opening Pleasure Island and Typhoon Lagoon to enhance guest experience.  Be sure to check out the show notes on http://wedwayradio.com, Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/wedwayradio, Like us on Facebook http://facebook.com/wedwayradio and you can email the show at podcast@wedwayradio.com.  This epsiode also features a contest WITH PRIZES. Enjoy!

Nate and Matt discuss Walt Disney and Mark Twain; but not the Mark Twain, rather the man Mark Twain.  Walt and Samuel Langhorn Clemens (Mark Twain) led strikingly paralell lives in what influenced their creativity.  Both grew up in northern MIssouri and both went on to create innovative and methods of storytelling.  Theres a lot to this story an even more to Twains influence on Disney attractions.  Enjoy!

In this episode Matt and Nate discuss the Alice in Wonderland and how this film has more attractions in Disneyland than any other Disney film, and the reasons for this interesting situation.

In this episode of WEDway Radio Nate and Matt celebrate Disneylands birthday with again this year by taking a look at an important event in the history of Disneyland, the International Press Preview on July 17, 1955 and the opening day TV special that aired to national audience of 90 million people. The TV show was hosted by Art Linkletter, Ronald Reagan and Bob Cummings.  Probably the most recognizeable part of the show is the dedication speech by Walt Disney, but few probably know that the dedication was really in three parts with Walt having the shortest part.  The show introduced each of the five lands on opening day with Adventureland's introduction being less than a minute. The opening day date has been a subject of debate for Disney fans.  Is the press preview the opening day or the day the general public was admitted the opening day?  In 1967 Disney sent out a press release declaring that July 17th was Dedication Day and that July 18th was Opening Day.  Either way, its 56 years old this week. Check ou

This week Nate and Matt present a show that we think you're really going to like.  We take a trip across the sea to one of the Disney parks that few in the US Disney community have ever visited, but after looking closely its amazing how close the theming, attractions and restaurants are to the parks American counterpoints. To help us with this endevour, Michael Crawford of ProgressCityUSA.com joins Nate to discuss the park.  Check out the Show Notes at http://wedwayradio.com Email the Show podcast@wedwayradio.com Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/wedwayradio Join our Facebook Page http://facebook.com/wedwayradio Thanks for spreading the word about our podcast and letting people know about it.   Enjoy!

In this episode Matt and Nate continue their celebration of the Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary with the second installment of WEDway Radio's 40 Years of Magic, by looking at the 1970's.  Instead of doing an almanac style show where we run down the changes to the resort by year we decided to focus in on what made the 1970's different than other decades.  The 1970's were clearly different in that the offerings outside the Magic Kingdom park were used as much in drawing visitors to the resort as the attractions within the park itself.  The areas that we focus on in this episode made up the "Vacation Kingdom" of the world. Show Notes available at http://wedwayradio.com Email the show at podcast@wedwayradio.com Follow us Twitter twitter.com/wedwayradio Join our Facebook Page facebook.com/wedwayradio

In this episode of WEDway Radio Matt and Nate take a look at the relationship between Disney, the Disney parks and The Tiki Culture / Craze of 1950's and 60's.  First we delve into the Tiki Culture in America; discussing its origins and some of the more popular Polynesian style restaurants of the time.  Then, we look at Walt Disney and his trips to Hawaii on the 1930's, 40's and 60's that shaped his view of Polynesian culture. Finally, tying it into today, we look at the attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland that are Tiki / Polynesian themed. Show Notes available at wedwayradio.com Email us at podcast@wedwayradio.com Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/wedwayradio Join our Facebook page at facebook.com/wedwayradio Enjoy

In this episode Matt and Nate take a look at a story of the Disney Studio that spans the highs and lows of their feature animation from the first film, Snow White, through the release of Peter Pan.  What makes this such an interesting story is the road that Peter Pan took from the beginning of the relationship between Disney and JM Barrie in 1935 until the films release in 1953.  This is one of the many stories that could be told about Disneys Peter Pan, and why its such an important film in Disney history. Oh yeah, and we got Jeff Pepper to come on as well. Show Notes available at http://wedwayradio.com Email the show podcast@wedwayradio.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/wedwayradio Join our Facebook page Facebook.com/wedwayradio Enjoy!