by Don Myers

The Springtime thaw is on the horizon, and with it comes news and happenings from the Vacation Kingdom of the World. So let’s get to it, time for the latest edition of the WDW Radio Newswire…..

We begin this edition of the Newswire inside Magic Kingdom, as there’s some exciting news to report on one of the park’s most iconic attractions: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Back in the October 3rd edition of the Newswire, I detailed plans for a series of new interactive elements coming soon to Big Thunder Mountain’s queue. Well, it looks like the residents of the tiny town of Tumbleweed are nearly ready to delve into the interactive era, as several new props have begun to spring up around the mountain. The tarps have all been removed to reveal a series of new elements, including wooden crates, mining equipment, and other large pieces of machinery. In addition, several new signs are now in place throughout the queue to tie these new interactive elements in with the attraction’s existing storyline. The interactive additions are not functional as of the writing of this article, but all indications seem to hint that things may be getting quite “explosive” at the mountain in the very near future! There’s no official word on when the interactive elements will be operational, but with the vast majority of the props now in place it shouldn’t be too long before the preview stages begin.

For more news out of Magic Kingdom, it’s time to shift our focus over to exterior refurbs, as a pair of buildings have recently been covered in decorative tarps. Let’s start things on Main Street USA, where the exterior of the Hall of Champions is now undergoing a cosmetic facelift. Following the hub over to Liberty Square, we also find the exterior of Sleepy Hollow Refreshments under construction. In both cases it’s still business as usual inside, as the two locations will remain open to Guests throughout the duration of the refurbs.

Time to park-hop over to Hollywood Studios now, as there’s a pair of newsbits to address. Let’s begin with The Great Movie Ride, which has just received some new film props inside the queue. Guests waiting in line can now catch a glimpse of the chess table used by R2-D2 and Chewbacca in Star Wars Episode IV, as well as the infamous striped sweater worn by Freddy Kruger in the second installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

For our second Studios newsbit, we make our way over to Animation Courtyard for an update on Disney Junior- Live on Stage. The show has been on hiatus for about a month now, but the attraction is scheduled to resume operations later this week. Cast member previews have already taken place, and the attraction is currently in a state of “Soft Open.” The official re-opening date is set for Friday February 15th, at which time Guests will be able to get a look at the revamped cast of characters which now includes Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins. Unfortunately these additions lead to a few subtractions, as the duo will serve as replacements for the characters Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins.

For our final stop on today’s Newswire, we head out of the parks and venture over to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Major League Baseball is nearly ready to begin its 2013 Spring Training schedule, which means its time once again to welcome in the Atlanta Braves! Champion Stadium has been the Spring Training home field for the Braves since 1998, with the 16th season set to get underway on Friday February 22nd at 1:05 pm against the defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers. Atlanta’s home schedule features 18 games at Wide World of Sports in total, with the Braves taking on rivals such as the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies. Here’s a look at the complete schedule:

Fri Feb 22nd    Detroit Tigers     1:05pm

Sat Feb 23rd    N.Y. Yankees    1:05pm

Mon Feb 25th  Miami Marlins    1:05pm

Tue Feb 26th   Washington       1:05pm

Fri Mar 1st       Washington       6:05pm

Sun Mar 3rd    Detroit Tigers     1:05pm

Thu Mar 7th    Detroit Tigers     6:05pm

Fri Mar 8th  Toronto Blue Jays  1:05pm

Sun Mar 10th  Miami Marlins    1:05pm

Tue Mar 12th     St. Louis         1:05pm

Fri Mar 15th      N.Y. Mets        1:05pm

Sat Mar 16th  N.Y. Yankees     5:05pm

Mon Mar 18th  Philadelphia     1:05pm

Wed Mar 20th   Pittsburgh       1:05pm

Thu Mar 21st   Washington      6:05pm

Sat Mar 23rd  Houston Astros  1:05pm

Mon Mar 25th    N.Y. Mets       1:05pm

Thu Mar 28th  Houston Astros 1:05pm

Well, that’s gonna do it for today’s update. But before we call it a wrap, let’s take a look at the results of our last poll. The question was:

What is your favorite decade at WDW?

. 1970′s

. 1980′s

. 1990′s

. 2000′s

. 2010′s

And the winner is……

The 1990′s with 43% of the total vote! Second place was a tie, as the 2000′s and 2010′s, finished deadlocked at 22%. The 1980′s followed with 11%, and the 1970′s brought up the rear with just 2%. Once again, a big thank you to everyone that took the time to vote! Okay, now it’s time for this week’s question:

The post WDW Radio Newswire: Big Thunder Mountain Nearly Ready To Get “Interactive” And Great Movie Ride POLL appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

- Big Thunder Mountain TV Show
- Doofenslurper
- Tony Baxter
- D23 Fanniversary
- And more!

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post WDW Radio LIVE – Big Thunder Mountain TV Show, Doofenslurper, Tony Baxter, D23 Fanniversary – Feb, 6, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Topics in this week’s Disney news include:

- Limited Time Magic
- Pirates of the Caribbean – Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas Interactive Game
- Wilderness Explorers interactive game
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad interactive queue
- Habit Heroes at Innoventions in Epcot
- Le Cellier menu
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
- LIVE! With Kelly and Michael in Walt Disney World
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Ten-Miler
- And more!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – What do you think of the trend towards more interactive and personalized experiences in the Disney parks? Comment below!

Thanks for watching! See you next week!

The post Video: WDW NewsCast – Pirates, Wilderness Explorer, Big Thunder Mountain, Habit Heroes & More – Jan. 23, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

‘Sup bloggers, Jonah H. here. First off, congrats to Justin for being the first to answer my last trivia question. The sorcerer Yensid is Disney spelled backwards.

Disney has roller coasters for all ages and all thrills. Starting with the Magic Kingdom, there is Splash Mountain. It’s really a water coaster but I’ll include it anyway. This ride has numerous drops and turns. It ends with a bang and a big drop! I see this ride being ridden by all ages. Next up is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This coaster is mainly built to introduce you to the Disney coasters. It’s thrilling and fun. I recommend this ride for ages six and up. After that is Space Mountain. It does go fast, but it’s in the dark so you don’t know what to expect, giving it the element of surprise! In this ride, whenever you go left it’s most likely you’ll go right at the next turn. There is one additional coaster at the Magic Kingdom for the kiddies. It’s now called the Great Goofini, named after Goofy himself. This sixty second gentle ride used to be called the Barnstormer. It is a great introduction to Disney coasters for younger kids.

Heading over to the Animal Kingdom is Expedition Everest. This intense ride stars the Yeti. This mythological creature is known to inhabit the Himalayas. Somehow, the mountains ended up in Orlando. No one knows how … it just did. This ride has a smooth intro but kicks it into overdrive inside the mountain (if this ride had wheels, it would burn rubber!). In this ride, you see the Yeti’s footprints and the creature’s shadow, but few have ever seen it with their own eyes. This coaster has many twists and turns and it even goes backwards, but it does not have a loop. However, it is on my top three favorite coasters.

Finally, over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. This wicked coaster goes from zero to fifty-seven miles per hour in 2.8 seconds! It may seem scary at first, but it has that affect on everyone. It has constant loops and turns and even a corkscrew. The best part is that it plays music by Aerosmith during the entire ride! I recommend this ride to more experienced coaster fans, although I did see a kid ride this so remember what I’m saying is more of a guideline. By the time you’re done, you’re going to ask yourself “why was I ever scared of this in the first place?” This is what I thought after riding it.

Now for my trivia question. In Space Mountain, there’s a section where some of the tracks go up and some of the tracks go down, what goes straight? (this might sound confusing, but don’t give up).=

Jonah lives in Virginia, and considers himself the biggest Disney “maniac” in his family.  He has been going to Walt Disney World since he was 8 months old, and he still loves it to this day.  He is 11 years old and in 5^th grade.

The post Disney’s Best Roller Coasters: From a Kid’s Point of View appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Topics in this week’s Disney news include:

- New Fantasyland characters
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad story, character and mystery
- The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Agent P World Showcase Adventure
- Christmas at Walt Disney World
- Santa’s Favorite Resort
- And more!

Question of the Week: What is your favorite place or way to celebrate the holiday season at Walt Disney World? Leave your answer in the Comments below!

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Join us every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at http://WDWRadioLIVE.com for a LIVE interactive video news show covering Walt Disney World. Be a part of the broadcast and discussion and discuss the news real-time in the chat room.

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

The post Video: WDW Radio LIVE – Nov. 28, 2012 – New Fantasyland Characters, Big Thunder Mountain Mystery, Captain Jack, Disney World Christmas appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Topics in this week’s Disney news include:

- Starbucks coming to Magic Kindgom and Epcot at Walt Disney World
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2012
- NextGen
- New Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa
- Big Thunder Mountain TV show
- And more!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – What Walt Disney World attractions would make a good TV series?

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post Video: WDW Radio LIVE for Nov. 14, 2012 – Starbucks, Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2012, NextGen and more appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

by Don Myers

We’re well into the Fall Season now, as September has now shifted to October. The weather may still be hot in central Florida, but there’s a slight chill in the air now, as this is the month where the Villains take center stage. It’s a time when nightly rides for The Headless Horseman are commonplace. A time when Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is in full swing. A time when the weather doesn’t have to be crisp and cool for it to feel like Autumn at the Vacation Kingdom of the World. So let’s waste no further time, and jump right into the latest edition of the WDW Radio Newswire……

We begin this edition of the Newswire inside Magic Kingdom, where there’s some major news to report out of Frontierland. It looks as if Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be the next attraction to have its queue embark into the “Interactive Era,” as it was announced last week Big Thunder will soon be receiving some interactive enhancements to its queue. No information was given as to when we can expect to see these new additions completed, nor was there any mention of exactly what these interactive elements will entail. However we should have a better idea once construction begins and things start to take shape. I’ll be sure to update the Newswire as progress develops.  Look here at the official announcement.

There’s more news to report out of Magic Kingdom, so let’s jump on the Walt Disney World Railroad and make our way over to Storybook Circus. The final piece to the Storybook Circus puzzle was finally completed on Sunday September 30th, as Big Top Souvenirs officially made its grand debut. Big Top Souvenirs is your one-stop shop for merchandise inside Storybook Circus, and there’s also an open-stage kitchen that specializes in cupcakes and other delicious goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth. In addition, the third and final Circus Tent also opened up to the public on Sunday September 30th. This tent contains a nice amount of seating, and is filled with a vast array of themed food and beverage carts as well. It’s also here where you’ll find the FASTPASS distribution kiosks for both Dumbo the Flying Elephant and The Barnstormer featuring The Great Goofini.

Before we leave Magic Kingdom, let’s quickly stop by Main Street USA for brief newsbit on a new Character meet and greet. In the September 19th edition of the Newswire, I talked about a new meet and greet structure currently under construction at EPCOT’s France pavilion. At the time, we weren’t sure what this meant for the four Characters that appear at the pavilion. But today it appears as if the question has been answered as far as one of those Characters is concerned, as Marie from The Aristocats is now making appearances in front of the Flag Pole on Main Street. This means that Marie will no longer be a part of the meet and greets over at the France pavilion once the permanent structure is built.

For more meet and greet news, time to Park Hop over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios now, where a brand-new Character experience is set to debut in November. Coinciding with the November 2nd opening of the newest Disney film Wreck-It Ralph, the meet and greet will feature the Characters of both Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz. The Wreck-It Ralph experience will be housed inside The Magic of Disney Animation, which can be found within the confines of Animation Courtyard.

For our final bit of news, let’s venture over to the tranquil islands of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. With all the hoopla of Epcot Center’s 30th and Magic Kingdom’s 41st, Caribbean Beach got helplessly lost in the shuffle. This tends to be the case for the Resort, as it shares its birthday with some pretty heavy hitters. Nonetheless, Caribbean Beach celebrated its special day on Monday October 1st…Happy 24th Birthday Caribbean Beach Resort!

Well, that’s gonna do it for today’s update. But before we call it a wrap, let’s take a look back at the results of our previous poll. The question was:

What do you miss most about the “Early Years” of EPCOT?

. World of Motion (1982-1996)

. Horizons (1983-1999)

. CommuniCore (1982-1994)

. Kitchen Kabaret (1982-1994)

. Original Journey Into Imagination attraction with Dreamfinder (1983-1998)

And the winner is…..

Original Journey Into Imagination Attraction with Dreamfinder with 43% of the total vote! Horizons finished a very close second, bringing home 36% of the votes, and Kitchen Kabaret rounded out the Top 3 with 11% of the total vote. World of Motion came in fourth, CommuniCore brought up the rear in fifth…and we even received a write-in vote for the original Living Seas pavilion! Once again, a big thank you to everyone that took the time to vote. And now on to this week’s poll question:

Don Myers covers news and recent events in Walt Disney World.  He has been enamored with the World of Disney since his first trip to WDW in 1986. As they say, the rest is history!  Don also has been a contributing writer for Celebrations magazine since 2009.

The post WDW Radio Newswire: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Ready To Get Interactive and New Queue Poll appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

One of the first things that most people picture when thinking of Disney World is the Magic Kingdom attractions. Classic Disney down to every last detail, the park is a place where most kids (and kids at heart) dream of being every day. Opened in October 1971, the park was based on Disney’s original Disneyland in Anaheim California. While the Magic Kingdom greatly reflects Disneyland, it definitely holds its own in charm, detail, and fun. Over the years, the Magic Kingdom has evolved greatly into the spectacular place it is today. Whether you are looking for fantasy, futuristic gadgets, or adventure on the high seas, look no further than the Magic Kingdom!

While there are over thirty attractions in the Magic Kingdom, I have broken them down into several categories which may interest you depending on your preferred style of attraction: thrill, classic, and must see.

If you are looking for thrills, there is only one word you should think about in the Magic Kingdom: mountains! The “mountain range” of thrills consists of Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain, and they offer the biggest adrenaline rushes in the park.

Splash Mountain in Frontierland takes riders on a trip through the world of Br’er Rabbit, a guy just looking for more adventure in life- and he definitely finds it with you along for the ride! A log flume based ride, you are definitely going to get wet. Be careful of those pesky water cannons when the ride first begins! With multiple drops, the last measuring five stories into the Briar Patch, Splash Mountain is sure to get your blood pumping! Not feeling brave enough to ride, but still wanting to get a little splash? Be sure to stand on the bridge in front of the attraction where splashes occur occasionally as logs plummet down to the Briar Patch.

Planning on stopping by Big Thunder Mountain? Well hold onto your hats and glasses, ‘cause this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness! Located right next to Splash Mountain in Frontierland, it’s easy to end up spending a lot of time in this corner of the park riding these two attractions over and over! A runaway train that zips you through an old fashioned mining town, Big Thunder offers thrills around every bend and curve.  With gorgeous scenery based on Monument Valley, you’ll want to (try to) keep your eyes open to observe every prop and view.

The final mountain in the range is Space Mountain, a high speed attraction through outer space. Located in Tomorrowland, Space Mountain is situated on the opposite side of the park as the other two mountains. Taking place almost entirely in the dark, riders truly feel as though they have been launched into space on a super fast tour of the galaxy! There are also two separate tracks (Alpha and Omega) which each offer unique ride experiences, so make sure to experience both.

Now that you’ve conquered the mountains of the Magic Kingdom, there is one more thrill attraction that offers wall to wall creeps and hot and cold running chills…welcome, foolish mortals to the Haunted Mansion. Located in Liberty Square, the Haunted Mansion has been scaring riders ever since opening. Within the mansion, you will experience the 999 happy haunts which call the place home, and will even be offered a position to be the 1000^th resident. Any volunteers? With both scary and comical elements, the attraction offers a thrilling and unique experience that is a must see while in the Magic Kingdom. And don’t worry, once you get on there’s no turning back now…

Once you have survived the Haunted Mansion, there are several other attractions throughout the Magic Kingdom which I consider to be classics for various reasons. I recommend experiencing these attractions as they offer unique and fun experiences that the Magic Kingdom is so well known for.

On top of the classic attractions list is Pirates of the Caribbean. One of the most well-known and beloved attractions in the Magic Kingdom, you can experience sailing the high seas and looting towns for treasure right alongside the pirates. For those who are fans of the recent Pirates of the Caribbean film series, audio-animatronic figures of Captain Jack Sparrow have been added throughout the ride. (I’ll admit I love this attraction just a little more based on its red head love…We wants the red head!!) No visit to the Magic Kingdom is complete without a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean.

Another classic Magic Kingdom attraction is the Jungle Cruise. Located in Adventureland right next door to Pirates of the Caribbean, the Jungle Cruise is where you can experience almost every major river in the world, terribly corny jokes, and the backside of water- all in one day! Experience head hunters and animals galore on this wonderful classic attraction. While the Jungle Cruise is a more slow paced experience, it is definitely a must see and a Magic Kingdom classic.

Finally moving to Fantasyland, there are two beloved classic attractions that most people always associate with the Magic Kingdom: Peter Pan’s Flight and “it’s a small world.” Peter Pan’s Flight has been capturing the hearts of many Disney fans since opening through its flight over the nighttime streets of London and eventually through Neverland. Alongside Peter himself, you will face Captain Hook and experience your own dousing of pixie dust as you fly.

“it’s a small world” was one of the results of Disney’s attractions built specifically for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Becoming a Disney icon ever since, the attraction takes you on a boat ride around the world allowing you to experience many different cultures and countries while reminding us that “it’s a small world, after all.” This attraction is one of the most loved in all of Disney World, and while riding be sure to note the unique styling done by Imagineer Mary Blair.

In addition to the thrills and classic attractions in the Magic Kingdom, there are several other attractions that I think fall into the “must see” category. The first is Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland. A live animated and interactive show, corny jokes are abundant and audience members are even offered the opportunity to text in their own jokes before the show starts (just keep it PG). This attraction is a must do as it always generates a laugh and is a different experience each time. Just try not to be that guy.

Also in Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is an attraction where you are provided with your own laser to help shoot targets and defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg. As this experience is based upon points, it’s where the competitive side of most people comes out. Boys become men…that kind of thing. Don’t be surprised to hear the trash talking start before riding, and to have to ride again and again to see who can get the highest score and claim bragging rights as the ultimate space ranger!

I think that every twenty-something should also experience Mad Tea Party, an Alice in Wonderland themed spinning tea cups attraction. While the tea cups spin on their own floor tracks around the attraction, riders can control the speed their tea cups spins, creating either a laid back or seriously dizzying experience! For those looking for an extra bit of thrill and speed, definitely see how fast you can spin on this exciting attraction.

Finally, I would suggest going to watch Mickey’s PhilharMagic. The attraction is a 3D experience of songs from numerous classic Disney films, all on one of the largest screens ever created for 3D. For every twenty-something that grew up on The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast, this show is a must see to revisit memories from your past in stunning 3D. Be sure to keep a nose out for the unique smells of pastries in the Beauty and the Beast scene!

While I have mentioned a lot of attractions here, there are still plenty more to be explored and experienced in the Magic Kingdom. If you have the time, I think that you should definitely use it to try and experience every other attraction and really get the full experience that the park has to offer.

What is your favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom and why? Think I left something off of my list? Leave it 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: Magic Kingdom Attractions appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #289 for the week of August 26, 2012.

This week, I’m excited to share an interview with one of Disney’s legendary Imagineers, Tony Baxter. Currently the Senior Vice President of Creative Development for Walt Disney Imagineering. We had a chance to meet and chat recently, as we talk about his career at Disney, his mentors and inspirations, attractions he helped create such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Splash Mountain and many others. Tony shares wonderful stories about his personal experiences going from Disney fan to Disney Imagineer. We also discuss the current state of the Disney Parks and what the future may hold.

Answer the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for your chance to win a Disney prize package and be sure to stay for other announcements, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Information and Links from This Week’s Show:

Question for YOU: If you could ask Tony Baxter to “re-Imagineer” one Walt Disney World attraction, which would it be? Leave your answer in the comments section below

• Listen to this week’s episode for the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for a chance to win a Disney prize package!
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The post Show # 289 – August 26, 2012 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.