Last week’s common theme, as most of you guessed correctly, included all pictures of readers located within the Magic Kingdom. Thanks to everyone who commented!

We love seeing all of your self-shots, so please keep sending them to Lou@wdwradio.com. Self-shot photos can be any self-taken picture snapped anywhere on Disney property. Be sure to check back on the blog each Tuesday to see if your picture will be featured.

Here is this week’s set of your self-shot photos.

Do you notice what they have in common? Post your response in the comments below. And keep your pictures coming, we love to see them!

The post Self-Shot Tuesdays appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

As you approach Tony’s, take notice of the façade of the building which was inspired by the Hotel Saratoga in New York. There is a sprawling porch which offers pretty fantastic views of the parades. Since this is such a prime viewing location, be sure to scope out a spot on the porch at least an hour before the beginning of the parade to ensure that you have a viewing spot. In addition to a parade viewing spot, the porch is also a wonderful place to take a break during the day and do some people watching in the Magic Kingdom.

In addition to Tony, there are some other familiar faces scattered throughout the restaurant. Of course, I’m talking about Lady and the Tramp. Outside the entrance to the restaurant, look for paw prints in a heart embedded in the cement standing as a tribute to the dogs’ love.  Just inside the door is also a statue of the beloved pups which is a great photo opportunity. In the very back of the restaurant be sure to look for a stained glass window which offers you a glimpse into the back alley where Lady and the Tramp are about to share their famous spaghetti kiss. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for a Hidden Mickey created by some strategically placed bread rolls.

Tony’s is open throughout the day serving both lunch and dinner, and offers classic Italian fare with highlights such as Calamari, Seasonal Melon with Prosciutto, Margherita Pizza, Spaghetti, Shrimp Scampi, and Chicken Parmesan. But most importantly, let’s talk dessert. Tony’s features some delectable classic Italian desserts such as Tiramisu, Spumoni, and Gelato. Make sure you leave enough room!

While lunch and dinner at Tony’s are fantastic, I was once lucky enough to be able to experience breakfast there. Yes, you used to be able to have breakfast at Tony’s, but only if you were part of a Magical Gathering Celebration which required that you traveled with at least ten guests in your party. I was able to be a part of this experience with my family when we traveled as a Magical Gathering in the summer of 2010. The breakfast was family style, and featured visits to each table from Mickey and his friends. To make the meal even sweeter, Tony himself made an appearance and crooned “Bella Note” to us guests while inviting those celebrating anniversaries to get up and dance through the center of the restaurant. At the end of the meal, we also received an exclusive pin commemorating the Magical Gathering. That breakfast is easily one of my favorite memories from any family vacation to Disney World. But, perhaps my favorite perk of the whole meal was being able to enter into the Magic Kingdom before official opening and having the opportunity to have our picture taken on a completely empty Main Street! That was such a wonderful moment which really left us with a fantastic souvenir picture of our Magical Gathering experience.

Overall, Tony’s Town Square Restaurant offers some fantastic Italian food, great parade viewing spots, and of course that touch of Disney magic in the details. I would recommend at least stopping by and checking out the ambiance at Tony’s, but you should try and eat here at some point. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed! Now bon appétit!

Do you love Tony’s Town Square? In the past were you ever able to participate in the breakfast there as part of a Magical Gathering? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty-Something: Tony’s Town Square appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Last week’s common theme, as most of you guessed correctly, included all pictures of readers posing with some characters. Thanks to everyone who commented!

We love seeing all of your self-shots, so please keep sending them to Lou@wdwradio.com. Self-shot photos can be any self-taken picture snapped anywhere on Disney property. Be sure to check back on the blog each Tuesday to see if your picture will be featured.

Here is this week’s set of your self-shot photos.

Do you notice what they have in common? Post your response in the comments below. And keep your pictures coming, we love to see them!

The post Self-Shot Tuesdays appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Magic Kingdom Event Party Music CD-  This CD pretty much doesn’t leave the stereo in my car as it features the music from my absolute favorite event in the Magic Kingdom: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Kicking off with HalloWishes, you are treated to the fully narrated Halloween version of the fireworks show followed by the entirety of the Boo To You Parade’s soundtrack. There are also tracks from the Pirate and Princess Party, Music, Magic, and Mayhem, and Dream Along With Mickey. This CD is perfect listening for the fall (or whenever) to get you into both the Disney and Halloween spirit!

Four Parks – One World CD- Another CD that is constantly playing in my car, this features classic Disney music from all over the World. Ranging from background music to prominent features on attractions, this is the CD to go for if you are craving a taste of the parks. Highlights for me are “One Little Spark,” “All Aboard the Mine Train” (from Big Thunder Mountain’s queue), and “Hooray for Hollywood” (Hollywood Boulevard’s background music).

SpectroMagic CD- As a huge SpectroMagic fan, I was pretty bummed when it ended its run in 2010 to make way for the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade. Since I can’t see the parade in person at the parks anymore, I get to live vicariously through this entire rendition of the parade from start to finish.

Disney’s Electrical Parade CD- Even though I was sad to see SpectroMagic go, I still greatly enjoy the Main Street Electrical Parade as it brings back so many childhood memories. This CD features the entire parade, including Elliot the dragon “talking” to the audience (my favorite part!).

The Official Album CD- This album features some of the same music as Four Parks – One World, but includes music from Disneyland as well making it worth the purchase in my opinion. You get to listen to additional tracks such as “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” and “Fantasy In The Sky” direct from Disneyland. My favorite track on the entire CD is “Fantasyland Castle Medley” as it beautifully blends with “When You Wish Upon A Star” and immediately makes me feel as though I am standing in Cinderella Castle about to emerge into Fantasyland.

Epcot – Illuminations: Reflections of Earth & Tapestry of Dreams CD- Featuring music from both the current fireworks/pyrotechnics/laser show and the retired parade, this CD makes me feel as though I am standing around World Showcase Lagoon every time I turn it on. Plus, it allows me to remember Tapestry of Dreams any day!

Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams CD- This is perhaps my favorite CD of the entire collection. Featuring both the music and narration from the nighttime fireworks show of the Magic Kingdom, the Wishes CD can take any old day and make you feel as though you are ending your night staring at Cinderella Castle and watching the sky light up with color. This one is definitely a must have!

Lou’s Walt Disney World Audio Tour CDs- What WDW Radio fan’s Disney music collection is complete without Lou’s audio guides? Covering every land in the Magic Kingdom (except for Tomorrowland which has not come out yet) Lou shares facts, trivia, and history of each area with wonderful background music to boot. These guides are must haves for any Disney fan who is interested in the Disney detail behind each land! You can find them in the shop on wdwradio.com!

Mouseworldradio.com – This website allows you to listen to any of its six channels for free and offers a quick fix to any Disney withdrawal. These channels feature everything from the most common Disney parks music to themes from extinct attraction and obscure background music. I find that while I am writing or working on my computer, inevitably one of those channels ends up playing in the background.

So there you have my Disney music fixes to get me through those in between vacation periods. You can’t go wrong with any form of Disney parks music, no matter whether you choose to listen to the soundtrack to a parade, fireworks show, or a theme from an attraction. So go ahead and get listening!

Do you have a favorite piece of Disney parks music? Did I leave something off of my list? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty-Something: Music From The Parks appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Last week’s common theme, as most of you guessed correctly, included all pictures of readers wearing some silly Disney inspired headgear. Thanks to everyone who commented!

We love seeing all of your self-shots, so please keep sending them to Lou@wdwradio.com. Self-shot photos can be any self-taken picture snapped anywhere on Disney property. Be sure to check back on the blog each Tuesday to see if your picture will be featured.

Here is this week’s set of your self-shot photos.

Do you notice what they have in common? Post your response in the comments below. And keep your pictures coming, we love to see them!

The post Self-Shot Tuesdays appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Disney Sing Along Songs: Disneyland Fun – To me, this was the best thing in the world. Sing Along Songs was a VHS (ahh, the old days!) series which featured Disney characters hosting a sing along to your favorite Disney music. I had a whole collection of Ariel Sing Along tapes, but this Disneyland Fun one was my prized possession. From those opening notes, to following the leader with Donald through Adventureland, to Makin’ Memories I could watch this video for days on end! The all time best part of it is the Haunted Mansion scene featuring those spooky dancing trees and a whole bunch of villains. I loved this tape so much that I actually ordered it on DVD for my nieces (okay, also partially for myself) and get to watch it when babysitting. For those of you who haven’t seen it, go check it out! Here is a Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHwrNRIVP-o

The Disney Channel – I’m not talking Hannah Montana here, I’m talking classic Disney animated shows like Tale Spin, Darkwing Duck, Chip & Dale’s Rescue Rangers, and Duck Tales. Television in the 90s really didn’t get any better than those shows! Luckily, Costco has recently started selling these Disney series for around $10 a season, so fans can still get their fix!

The Official Album of Disneyland and Walt Disney World – I had this tape on constant repeat in the car growing up. Featuring all of the classic songs from the parks, it was a way to feel as though we were in Disney even though we were probably stuck in traffic somewhere here at home in New York. I can clearly remember listening to Magic Journeys on this tape and still sometimes get it stuck in my head!

Stuffed Animals – Every kid loves their stuffed animals, so of course I had a few plush Disney characters. Some of my favorites included Figaro, Pegasus from Hercules, Timothy Mouse, and of course my stuffed Figment!

Disney Figurines – Currently, they still manufacture small Disney figurines as toys but when I was growing up throughout Disney World there used to be baskets full of small painted rubber figures of every Disney character you could think of, but unfortunately I haven’t seen them in years. These figures were the crown jewels of my Disney collection, and I had every character I could get my hands on. Thankfully I held onto all of them and my favorites include Mickey and Minnie in their silver spacesuits from the early days of Epcot and a full set of Figments dressed in traditional outfits from each country in World Showcase. These figurines were awesome, and I can guarantee that if you were a kid in the 90s in a Disney park, you probably had one at some point!

So there you have some of my favorite Disney centered memories from growing up in the nineties. I would love to hear some of your favorite Disney memories, toys, etc from growing up! I bet a lot of us here loved a bunch of the same things growing up!

What was your favorite growing up Disney memory? Did you have a favorite toy or song? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty Something: Growing Up Disney appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Last week’s common theme, as most of you guessed correctly, included all pictures of readers all wearing lanyards and pins. Thanks to everyone who commented!

We love seeing all of your self-shots, so please keep sending them to Lou@wdwradio.com. Self-shot photos can be any self-taken picture snapped anywhere on Disney property. Be sure to check back on the blog each Tuesday to see if your picture will be featured.

Here is this week’s set of your self-shot photos.

Do you notice what they have in common? Post your response in the comments below. And keep your pictures coming, we love to see them!

The post Self-Shot Tuesdays! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

When the ride originally opened on July 1, 1975 it was called the WEDWay PeopleMover with WED standing for Walter Elias Disney. In 1994 the name was changed to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and in 2010 the original PeopleMover title was reinstated dubbing the attraction with the name we refer to it with today. Aside from the name, the attraction itself is unique in how it operates. With a continuous rotation of cars each looping 4,574 feet over ten minutes you could argue that the TTA uses a lot of energy. You would be right, but did you know that the attraction is completely emission free? That’s right; it’s powered entirely by magnets! The track uses linear induction which utilizes 533 electromagnets embedded in the track which alternately push and pull the cars to propel them along the attraction’s route. The linear induction system is so efficient that in 1981 a similar system was added in the Houston Intercontinental Airport.

The TTA not only is relaxing, but it offers you great views of Tomorrowland and plenty of sneak peeks into surrounding area attractions. When you board the attraction, you are right underneath the Astro Orbiter in Rocket Tower Plaza. One of the first things you encounter once moving is an inspiration model of Progress City which helped to create the inspiration of Epcot. Soon after you arrive at a window where you can look down into Mickey’s Star Traders, the biggest merchandise shop in all of Tomorrowland. Suddenly you can smell gas and are offered a pretty awesome view of the Tomorrowland Speedway complete with cars coming around every bend. Perhaps my favorite part of the TTA is when you enter into Space Mountain and are offered glimpses into the initial ascent hill complete with astronauts defying gravity. You get a second glimpse into the mountain where in the near dark you can just make out cars whizzing by amid the stars. Don’t bother trying to take a picture to see what the structure of Space Mountain looks like, there is a Plexiglas window separating you from the ride which reflects your flash preventing you from seeing anything. However, if Space Mountain is broken down and you ride the TTA you are given a glimpse of the monstrous mountain with all of its lights on. It’s pretty cool, but if you don’t want to ruin the magic make sure that Space Mountain is up and running before boarding the TTA.

Next up on your tour of Tomorrowland is a loop past the Carousel of Progress followed by a glimpse at a woman getting her hair done in quite the futuristic way. Check out the woman’s belt, you just might find a Hidden Mickey! Also be on the lookout for a view down into Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. You can get a great view of the volcano room, and be sure to look for the TTA cars moving past above while you are riding Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin as well! In addition to the Tomorrowland attractions that you can see from the TTA, you also are able to take in the sights of the hub, Cinderella Castle, the Contemporary Resort, and even the WDW Railroad if you have good timing.

There is one more detail that is literally my favorite thing about the TTA, and it’s one some people might not pick up on. Listen during your ride for a page directed at a very special individual- “Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow.” Many people may just assume that this announcement is a play on the word tomorrow as you are in Tomorrowland, but it actually is paying homage to an extinct Tomorrowland attraction. Flight to the Moon previously existed where Stitch’s Great Escape is now and Tom Morrow was the Director of Operations in Mission Control in that attraction. It is great little details like this that add such dimension to WDW and make it so special.

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is one of my favorite attractions in all of WDW and is definitely the one that I visit the most throughout my vacations. While I love experiencing it at any time of the day, riding at night is really a beautiful thing as the lights and ambiance of Tomorrowland make it a whole different experience. So be sure to visit the TTA, whether to take in the sights, glimpse some attractions, or to simply relax. Trust me, it’s worth the ride.

Do you love the TTA? What is your favorite thing to have a bird’s eye view of in Tomorrowland? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty-Something: The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Last week’s common theme, as most of you guessed correctly, included all pictures of readers all wearing 3D glasses in WDW. Thanks to everyone who commented!

We love seeing all of your self-shots, so please keep sending them to Lou@wdwradio.com. Self-shot photos can be any self-taken picture snapped anywhere on Disney property. Be sure to check back on the blog each Tuesday to see if your picture will be featured.

Here is this week’s set of your self-shot photos.

Do you notice what they have in common? Post your response in the comments below. And keep your pictures coming, we love to see them!

The post Self-Shot Tuesdays! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

When The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened in July 1994, the view from Sunset Boulevard took a turn for the ominous as the 199 foot structure dominated the skies. Why 199 feet and not an even 200? Imagineers purposely left it just under 200 as to avoid having to place the required blinking red air safety lights on the top, thus taking away from the theme and time scheme of the tower. Since the building is so tall, you can actually see the back of it from the right angle in World Showcase over in nearby Epcot. From that vantage point, it looks like a far off building behind the Morocco pavilion. So Imagineers made the back of the tower have a slightly Moroccan design to it, leading it to blend in both with the front of the building and the Moroccan pavilion. See if you can spy some of the differences between each side of the tower and also spot it from World Showcase. The building also forewarns you that something greatly damaged it, marring the front with a big black spot. While the tower definitely bears the mark of being struck by lightning, in reality during construction it actually was!

As you enter through the gardens, your senses are overcome with the clouds of mist, the almost mournful wails of jazz, the wild and uncared for gardens, and the ever present screams from above. Immediately you get the sense that something not right has happened there, as you get closer and closer to the building and start seeing more damage from that fateful Halloween night. As you round a corner about to enter into the lobby, be sure to check out the cornerstone of the Hollywood Tower Hotel which gives you a sense of the era in which something happened there.

Once you step into the lobby, the theme of this attraction really shines through as there are fantastic details throughout the room. Immediately you can sense that people here were from a different time and left in a hurry. You can spot something new as you pass through here each time you ride, so be sure to keep a sharp eye and look all around you. Try to find several clocks, all stopped at 8:05…seems like something must have happened then. Look for the AAA 13 Diamond Award plaque, a fun and foreshadowing play on the actual 5 Diamond Award. Some of my favorite details include the Mahjong game left mid-play, the mail for guests still waiting in their room slots, and a pair of broken glasses. These broken glasses are actually a reference to Time Enough At Last, an episode of The Twilight Zone in which the main character survives a nuclear war and is left with all the time in the world to read his favorite books…until he accidentally breaks his glasses and is left blind without them. The glasses are only one of many props that pay homage to certain episodes of the show, so be sure to look around you and see what you can find. Also in the lobby you will notice the broken down elevator, complete with askew doors. You know you are going up, but now you are left to wonder how. Perhaps my favorite little detail in the lobby is featured on the directory board near the broken elevator. You’ll notice there are letters that have fallen from the announcements, spelling out a particularly sinister warning at the bottom of the case. Sometimes this detail gets moved around and won’t be there, but be sure to check — it’s worth a look!

Once you are in the library, you are introduced to your host and told the story of what happened that fateful Halloween night in 1939. The Rod Serling you see throughout the short film is actually the actor himself. His voice is a mix of clips taken from his introductory speeches in various episodes of the television show as well as a few gaps filled in with a voice impersonator. Fans of the show will also note that his cigarette, a trademark when the show was airing, has been digitally edited out. Serling tells you that you are about to embark onto the service elevator to find out what happened to those five people and head directly into…oh you know!

You then make your way through the boiler room and onto one of the service elevators which seem to be departing full of people and dropping back in empty…can’t be a good sign! Once you are on board, you are at the mercy of the tower. You have a close encounter with those five people lost that Halloween night and find yourself and the elevator moving…forward? This symbolically represents your moving into the Twilight Zone where you encounter sights, sounds, and some pretty ominous music. Suddenly, it’s pitch black and you know that drop is coming! As I said, you are at the mercy of the tower as the drop sequence is now computer randomized ensuring a different ride each time. As you are falling, you are actually being pulled down, making the drop faster than gravity and leaving your belongings floating in air before you.

If you make it back out alive, count yourself lucky. Just don’t be surprised if for the rest of the day you think you hear a little girl behind you singing “it’s raining, it’s pouring…”

What is your favorite detail about The Tower of Terror? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty-Something: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.