Sams Disney Diary: The Podcast

New for 2016 “Starbright Holiday” features 300 drones, flying pixels, illuminating the night sky. The show takes place over Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World, Disney Springs. Best viewing is from the Disney Springs West Side. Anywhere from the West Side Boat Dock, near House of Blues, along the lake front to Starbucks. Thanks for watching and listening to SamsDisneyDiary.  Be sure to check out all 12 days of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas playlist.  Subscribe to the YouTube channel and be sure to check out Sams Disney Diary the Podcast! 

It’s time to ring in the season, and there is no better way then with a Disney Christmas parade. A long list of Disney characters join Santa for a merry musical celebration that’s headed down main street USA. With prancing reindeer, marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread bookies and more, It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Disneyland Park. Thanks for watching and listening to SamsDisneyDiary.  Be sure to check out all 12 days of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas playlist.  Subscribe to the YouTube channel and be sure to check out Sams Disney Diary the Podcast! 

On the 6th day of Christmas SamsDisneyDiary gave to me… from Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Christmas Day is almost here, but Jolly Old Saint Nick is nowhere to be found. Luckily, Wayne and Lanny, the stars of ABCs prep & Landing, are on the job, and they won’t rest until the Big Guy’s back at the North Pole. Tracking down Santa leads them to Halloween Town from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare before Christmas for a holiday rescue… can they save the day? Featuring traditional holiday tunes, state-of-the-art projections from Disney Animation classics, special effects, fireworks and even a little snow, it’s a spectacular evening celebration you won’t soon forget! Jingle Bell Jingle Bam, new for 2016, takes place at Disney Hollywood studios Center Stage – right in front of the Chinese theater. In reality it’s a spin on the Star Wars Galactic Celebration fireworks. Meaning – the infrastructure in place can be easily adopted to just about anything, the possibilities are limitless and

On the fifth day of Christmas, Sam’s Disney Diary gave to me. Disney California Adventure World of Color – Season of Light! Classic Holiday music, dancing fountains and dazzling lights shine in the all-new sparking winter fantasy. Experience the spectacular celebration featuring Disney Pixar characters in a treasury of heartwarming scenes as it illuminates the joyful spirit of peace and good will to all. Thanks for watching and listening to SamsDisneyDiary.  Be sure to check out all 12 days of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas playlist.  Subscribe to the YouTube channel and be sure to check out Sams Disney Diary the Podcast!

Like Disneyland’s main street USA, there is something magical about a walk down Main Street. While different than Disneyland, Walt Disney world Main Street has a charm all its own… it starts with the daily welcome show. The welcome sow is extended onto Main Street with the Main Street Trolley Show. Several times each morning, the citizens of Main Street perform a song a dance routine at various locations along Main Street. While the shows take place daily, there are special sessional performances including a Holiday Show. Sometimes timing is everything, and there is nothing better than strolling down Main Street and hearing the trolley show music. A perfect opportunity to take a few minutes and enjoy exactly where you are: Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom right in the middle of Main Street USA. On the fourth day of Christmas, Sam’s Diary gave to me.. Magic Kingdoms Holiday Trolley Show!

Several times each day, a high-energy street party takes over Disney California adventure Paradise Garden. Led by the “Three Caballeros” – Donald Duck, Panchito and Jose, the infectious mix of Mariachi and Samba musicians, Mexican folk music along with carnaval dancers a12-foot-tall masquerade puppets and those ambassadors of holiday cheer, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and in a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus abd the crowed is sure to get going along with the celebration “¡Viva Navidad!”

Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party featuring a new stage show for 2016: Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration. What I like most about the stage show, is the use of the castle projection technology, enhancing the show and following in the footsteps of the No So Scary Halloween party. According to Disney: Its a few days before Christmas and mickey can’t wait, he knows the only way to make the season more special is to share it with friends. Minnie, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto drop by to help set the stage… Daisy sends Donald a text, even though he isn’t all that technical… Peter Pan, Alice, The White Rabbit, Woody, Jessie, Pinocchio and the Disney princesses join in the fun.  

Welcome to Sams Disney Diary 12 Days of Christmas 2016!  Day #1 – Disneyland’s Dapper Dans.  Get all the videos at www.youtube.com/Samsdisneydiary and be sure to check out the 12 Days of Christmas playlist During the holidays, the Dapper Dans take on a whole new level of entertainment and charm.  There is something magical about Disneyland itself during the holidays.  Disneyland Town Square is in the center of that charm.   A horse drawn trolley approaching via Main Street USA, the lighting of the Christmas tree, or maybe knowing that you’re standing in the shadow of Walt’s apartment just above the Disneyland Fire Station.

The Muppets are coming, the Muppets are coming…  This past October (2016) saw the debut of “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. The show takes place daily at the Magic Kingdom in Liberty Square, near the Hall of Presidents. The approximately 10 minute long live show has multiple versions, currently “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” and “The Signing of the Declaration of Independence”. Multiple versions of the show provide some re-watchability and provide room for additional versions of the show. These shows rotate with multiple show times daily. Show times typically start at 9:30am and are scheduled multiple times with the last around 1:50. The 1:50 show is typically the last before the Festival of Fantasy Parade which starts at 3:00. Check your times guide, there may be one last show after the parade. Be sure to check out the full video at www.samsdisneydiary.com and in the bonus section of the app,

With only a few hours to run amuck at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Winifred, Mary and Sarah decide to use their magic to host a decidedly wicked fun fest. Enlisting the help of the Disney villains, the 3 sisters mix sinister shadows, terrifying nightmares and use the nefarious powers of their frightening colleagues to conjure the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion—and cast a spell on everyone in Magic Kingdom park! Look for appearances from Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent. Combine them and other great Disney villains with amazing dancers, wild visual projections and otherworldly special effects to make Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular a not-to-be-missed Halloween treat! Be sure to checkout the full blog at www.samsdisneydiary.com and the video in the bonus section of the app and at wwww.youtube.com/samsdisneydiary  

In the middle of Disney’s California Adventure Paradise Pier, along the bustling boardwalk, you can’t miss Mickey’s Fun Wheel.  From a distance, the harmless Ferris wheel looks like a perfect relaxing way to catch some beautiful views of California Adventure.  But don’t be fooled; this is no ordinary Ferris wheel.  It’s an eccentric wheel, or sliding wheel that’s much different than a traditional Ferris wheel. I know this video doesn't translate to audio well, so go and checkout the video. Be sure to check out the video at www.samdisneydiary.com or www.youtube.com/samsdisneydiary for all of the latest and if your using the app, check the bonus section.

While the voices of liberty typically perform inside the American Adventure building, sort of a pre-show to the American Adventure, for special occasions the Voice of Liberty are the spotlight performance.   As was the case on this Fourth of July 2016, when they performed a special Fourth of July set in the American Gardens Theater.  The Voices of Liberty where joined my Mickey, Donald and Goofy in there Fife and drum attire.   That’s something you don’t see every day, and the subject for this episode of SamsDisneyDiary, hope you enjoy! Be sure to catch the video in the bonus section of the app or at www.samsdisneydiary.com or www.youtube.com/samsdisneydiary  

While the Star Wars Experience currently under construction at Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios will no doubt be incredible, it puts Disney in an interesting transition phase.  With a new Star Wars movie being released every year, fan interest at an all-time high, and Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios under major renovation, including the addition of a 14 acre Star Wars land (that’s at least 18 months away) how do you keep guests coming back? The answer is temporary Star Wars Experiences that are available every day, not just on the weekends.  Of course Star Tours, including new Episode VIII footage and Jedi Training Academy have always been available, add Star Wars Launch Bay – the Star Wars reimagined Animation Building along with a “First Order March” led by Captain Phasma, a stage show/photo opportunity, “A Galaxy Far, Far Away” and a nightly fireworks “Symphony in the Stars”.  This episode of Sams Disney Diary features footage from April 2016, including the stage show, Captain Phasma processional an

It’s that time of year again; to me, the most wonderful time of the year.  The snow is finally leaving the northern states, the sun is making some appearances, the local baseball teams are headed to Florida for spring training, and the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is ready to kickoff.  This year the Festival is bigger than ever and has been expanded two additional weeks from 75 days to 90 days, from March 2 to May 30th 2016.  The Festival transforms Epcot into a vibrant spectacle of spring time beauty, featuring special events and activities sure to keep the entire family happy. With over 30 million blooms, 700 gardens, 200 floating flower beds, flower towers, 70 Disney themed topiaries, event theaters, horticulture exhibits, hands-on presentations, event playgrounds, butterfly gardens, Garden Rocks concerts, The Harmony Garden Musical Playground, outdoor kitchens….  WOW – Welcome to spring!   This is my favorite time to visit Epcot!  I couldn’t think of any other way to kick off spring!  It’s an annual f

It’s easier that you think to get “Frozen” around Epcot's World Showcase… From Mexico's Fiesta Margarita to an Italian Margarita… The options are wonderful. This episode of SamsDisneyDiary I take a stroll around World Showcase can point out my favorite. You can find the full blog over at www.samsdisneydiary.com for more details on each frozen specialty, and be sure to check out the video..

Club Disney premiered at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios on December 4th, 2015.  The Disney character inspired, kids themed dance club was the first event hosted daily in the brand new “Sunset Showplace” building.  Sunset Showcase is the new “Multi-Purpose” building located behind the Rock and Roller Coaster, next to the Tower of Terror, where there had been a cast member parking lot. Today February 6th 2016 is the Last Day for Club Disney... Only 2 Short Months after Opening!!! I was able to visit Club Disney, and I have to say, it was a welcome break to the Florida heat and a great spot to let the kids release some energy.  It was also a great spot to charge up some devices while the kids danced and played.  It was one of the only places I know of that you could dance with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy at the same time!  Who knows, with all of the changes happening at Hollywood Studios, Club Disney could be back at any time… so be sure to check that times guide!  Things are going to get interesting.

What’s that I hear from Walt Disney World's Adventure Land?  Jingle Cruise, Jingle Cruise, Jingle all the way!   Changing a ”U” to an “I” along with some well-placed holiday decorations and holiday themed narration is all it took to change the “Jungle Cruise” into the “Jingle Cruise”.   I’m sure you’ve heard the story… The Skippers got a little homesick this holiday season, scavenged what they could, along with some items from home to decorate the Jungle Cruise for the holidays. The boats have all been renamed and re-themed for the holidays.  There was Icicle Irma, Mistletoe Millie and Poinsettia Sal, to name a few.   The queue is lined with Christmas trees and holiday decorations, providing a nice touch in an area that had typically seen little to no holiday decorations in the past.  The updated narration provides the same type of humor you’re accustomed to on the Jungle Cruise:  “Watch out for the Hum-Bugs” & “Looks like someone is getting a tree with a boa on top”.  And like the Jungle Cruise, the Jing

The holiday season at Walt Disney World is a magical time; with so much to see and do, it’s difficult to keep track of everything.  One of the most magical experiences of the holiday season is the lighting of “Holiday Dream Lights”.   The Castle Lighting itself has changed over the years, originally and until 2014 “Cinderella’s Holiday Wish” castle stage show featured Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Cinderella.  In 2014, and returning for 2015 the “Cinderella Holiday Wish” was replaced by “A Frozen Holiday With”.  In the new ceremony Elsa, Anna, Kristof and Olaf, visiting from Arendelle convince Elsa to use her powers to turn Cinderella Castle into an icy, glittering palace.  The new “Frozen Holiday Wish” also uses technology from ‘Celebrate the Magic” to magically transform the castle into a Holiday masterpiece.  Even the Frozen show has evolved from 2014 to 2015 added a new Olaf with a moving mouth, think Talking Mickey.   I couldn’t decide which version to feature for this episode of SamsDisneyDia