Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #314 for the week of March 3, 2013.

I’m here to help you have the best possible Disney vacation experience, and bring you some Disney magic to to wherever you by talking about the things that make us happy about Walt Disney World on this podcast, as well as my videos, blog, live broadcasts, events, trivia books, CDs and more. You can find it all at WDWRadio.com.

This week, I want to try and enhance your Walt Disney World experience and visit by telling you to not ride the attractions, see the shows, or run to grab your next FASTPASS. Instead, I’m going to try and help you appreciate the parks for some of the true joys hiding in plain sight as we share with you our Top Ten Places to Stop and Smell the Roses in Walt Disney World. From hidden pathways to quiet places, from simple pleasures to charming vistas, we’re going to help you see the Disney parks and resorts possibly as a whole new world.

I’ll have the answer to our last Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new challenge for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

Stay tuned for more WDW Radio event and meet information before playing some of your voicemails at the end of the show. 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!

- Lou Mongello

Information and Links from This Week’s Show

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Where is YOUR favorite place to stop and smell the roses in Walt Disney World?? 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!
• Disney Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• For more videos, subscribe to our WDW Radio channel on YouTube or the show in iTunes
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store

The post WDW Radio Show # 314 – Top Ten Places to Stop and Smell the Roses in Walt Disney World 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 #310 for the week of January 27, 2013.

I’m here to help you have the best possible Disney vacation experience, and bring you some Disney magic to to wherever you by talking about the things that make us happy about Walt Disney World on this podcast, as well as my videos, blog, live broadcasts, events, trivia books, CDs and more. You can find it all at WDWRadio.com.

This week, I want to help you enjoy and appreciate more of Walt Disney World’s “Hidden Treasures” not just in the parks, but the resorts as well, as each of replete with story, details, overlooked experiences and fascinating history, often both real and Imagineered. Join me as we virtually tour and explore the lobby and lounge of Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. You’ll lean about the inspiration for the resort, and the significance behind some of the wonderful props, replicas and real antiques that are found throughout the hotel. Jim Korkis joins me on a journey that will take us to the boardwalks of Atlantic City and Coney Island from many years ago, to the one that is recreated at one of our favorite Disney resorts.

I’ll have the answer to our last Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new challenge for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

I’ll then have some announcements at the end of the show, including details about our 6 Year Anniversary Show, and our WDW Radio On the Road events including our group trip to Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii and cruise on the Disney Fantasy! 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!

- Lou Mongello

Information and Links from This Week’s Show

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Have you ever explored the lobby and details at Disney’s Boardwalk? if so, what’s your favorite? 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!
• Disney Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• For more videos, subscribe to our WDW Radio channel on YouTube or the show in iTunes
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store

The post Show # 310 – Hidden Treasures of Disney’s Boardwalk Resort 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 #296 for the week of October 14, 2012.

I’m here to help you have the best possible Disney vacation experience, and bring you some Disney magic to to wherever you are with this podcast, videos, blog, live broadcasts, events, trivia books, CDs and more. You can find it all at WDWRadio.com

I want to introduce you to what may be a new type of dining experience for you in Walt Disney World. While we traditionally think of breakfast, lunch and dinner in the parks, resorts and other dining locations, this week we’re going to do a live restaurant review – not in a restaurant. One of my favorite ways and locations to dine in is late-night at the lounges across Walt Disney World property. Did you know that most of the lounges have a great appetizer menu with items you normally can’t find anywhere else? Well this week, I’m going to share one of those experiences with you as we recorded live from the Territory Lounge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. We’ll sample the menu (all of it), and talk about how and why this is a great way to enjoy the food, and the company, in Walt Disney World.

See how well you did on last week’s challenge and then answer the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

I’ll then have some announcements at the end of the show, including information about a new contest, upcoming events and live video broadcasts. 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 OF THE WEEK: Where is your favorite late-night dining location in Walt Disney World? 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!
• Disney Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• For more videos, subscribe to our WDW Radio channel on YouTube or the show in iTunes
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store
• Check out the Disney Food Blog e-book: The DFB Mini-Guide to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! – Use code WDWRADIO to save 20%!

Follow Lou on Twitter and

The post Show # 296 – October 14, 2012 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 #276 for the week of May 27, 2012. For those listening in the United States, this Monday is Memorial Day where we honor those who have served, and I ask that today and always we remember the fallen, the heroes, the sacrifices and the families.

On this week’s show, we’re going to take a unique tour around World Showcase in Epcot, as we encourage you to put down the guide map and take some time to explore, learn, discover and enjoy some of the many wonderful Nooks and Crannies of World Showcase. From tucked away corners, to little details, hidden treasures, educational opportunities, places to just get away and other opportunities to discover and learn, World Showcase has many experiences that you won’t necessarily find on a park map. I’ll also ask you to share your favorite out of the way spot or nook as well.

I’ll have the answer and winner for last week’s Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new one for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

Stay for a few quick announcements, before I play some more of your voicemails at the end of the show. 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: Where is your favorite “nook and crannie” in World Showcase?

Show # 202 - Exploring the UK Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase – Fantasy or Reality?

Show # 236- Virtual Tour of the Norway Pavilion in Epcot

• Chuck Lionberger’s Disney Daddy blog
• 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!
• Private Tours of Walt Disney World with Lou Mongello
• Disney Fan Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store

The post Show # 276 – May 27, 2012 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 #231 for the week of July 17, 2011.

Walt Disney World is a multi-sensory environment, on which we as guests are not merely passive viewers, but active participants on a three dimensional stage. As part of the environmental experience, Disney has created details that help set that stage, and not all of them are meant to be seen. Instead, many are meant to be heard, and throughout the parks there are numerous hidden treasures in the form of audio tidbits. This week, we’ll look at, and help you discover, many of those overlooked audio treasures that create such an immersive, detailed atmosphere.

I’ll have a few announcements before playing some of your voicemails at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening!

Information and Links from This Week’s Show:

Chuck Lionberger’s Disney Daddy blog

Question for YOU: What’s your favorite, hidden audio “treasure” in Walt Disney World? Tell us in the Comments below

Walt Disney World Audio Tour – Frontierland Now Available
Download or Pre-Order the CD from the WDW Radio store!

• Private Tours of Walt Disney World
  • Visit LouMongello.com for more information
• WDW Radio Disney Book Club – TheDisneyBookClub.com
• Disney Fan Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World
  • Get dates and locations at DisneyMeets.com
    
• Lou Mongello’s Audio Guides to Walt Disney World – Available NOW as an instant download or on CD! Click Here to learn more or order!
  
• WDW Radio iPhone Apps: Get WDW Radio and Walt Disney World Trivia on your iPhone!
  • Get the FREE WDW Radio iPhone app
  • Walt Disney World Trivia on your iPhone! More 770 questions & Did You Knows!
• WDWNewsCast – Watch & chat during our LIVE NewsCast
  Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET – Be part of the broadcast & discuss live in the chat room at http://WDWNewsCast.com
• WDW Radio on YouTube – Watch past episodes, subscribe to the show and comment on the WDWRadio YouTube Channel

The post Show # 231 – July 17, 2011 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Welcome back to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World information Station, hosted by Lou Mongello. Thanks for tuning in once again. This is Show #19 for the week of June 17, 2007.

Our News and Views from Walt Disney World segment includes talk about the first change to the Haunted Mansion, and new handheld devices available in the parks. Our visit to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill includes a rumor about a possible corporate partnership and new retail location in Walt Disney World, and some nearly-news about the Contemporary Resort and BIG changes coming to resorts property-wide.

This week’s show will include some guests who will join me for some segments. First, Jeff Pepper and I conduct a detailed Disney Scene Investigation in Disney’s Animal Kingdom; and Gary Chambers from the MouseLounge podcast joins me to look at a Hidden Treasure of Walt Disney World on Main Street, USA. I’ll also take a quick look at the Year of a Million Dreams promotion, and update you on some of the statistics and fun facts. Jeff comes back to talk about one of Disney’s forgotten character’s connection to Walt Disney World.

The topics in this week’s email segment include Cirque du Soleil La Nouba, technology in the theme parks, the Backlot Theater, E-Ride Nights, young children in Walt Disney World and more!

Stay tuned for a special announcement from Jonathan Dichter at the end of the show, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or

call our voicemail at 206-202-4WDW.

Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the

WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com

Thank you for your reviews on iTunes and for

clicking the Digg button for each episode

This week’s “Where in the World Have You SEEN This?” Contest clues can be found in the WDW Radio Show section of the DisneyWorldTrivia.com Forums

Send your answers via email to lou@wdwradio.com

Answers are due by Sunday, June 24 at 11:59 p.m.

View photos from Dinoland, USA in our Photo Gallery HERE

 

Year of a Million Dream Update and Fun Facts

Copyright (c) Disney

During “The Year of a Million Dreams,” more than one million very special dreams are being awarded to guests at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida as part of the Disney Dreams Giveaway.

Since the Oct. 1, 2006, launch of “The Year of a Million Dreams,” dreams have been awarded to theme park guests visiting from as far away as Glenrothes, Scotland, or as close as Mickey Mouse’s “backyards” of Central Florida and Southern California. Dreams are awarded every day at Disney Parks and Downtown Disney locations in the U.S.

Presented in random, surprise fashion by Disney’s Dream Squad, Disney Dreams have come in all shapes and sizes so far, including a night in the Cinderella Castle Suite, Dreams FASTPASS badges, admission to special sold-out Disney Parks events, 14-night sailings aboard Disney Cruise Line, $500 Disney Parks shopping sprees and more.

Following are a few fun facts (* refers to prizes valued at $25 or more):

* Total number of Dreams given away: 618,915 and counting!

*Most-awarded prizes (valued at more than $25): Overnight stays in the Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland and Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom

*Dreams winner from farthest away: Steven Brannican from Glenrothes, Scotland, won Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets at Magic Kingdom

*State with the most overall Dreams winners: California

*U.S. cities with the most overall Dreams winners: Las Vegas, NV; Mesa, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; San Jose, CA (tied at four each)

*Cities (outside the U.S.) with the most overall Dreams winners: Calgary, British Columbia; Coquitlam, British Columbia (tied at three each)

*Country (outside the U.S.) with the most overall Dreams winners: Canada

* State with the most Cinderella Castle Suite winners: Florida

* Country (outside the U.S.) with the most Cinderella Castle Suite winners: Canada

* Total number of Cinderella Castle Suite overnight guests: 470

* State with the most Mickey Mouse Penthouse winners: California

* Country (outside the U.S.) with the most Mickey Mouse Penthouse winners: Canada

*Most common first name of winners: David

* Biggest single group to win a Dreams giveaway: 100 (Dreams FASTPASSES; multiple giveaways)

* Total number of Dreams mouse ears given away: 124,125

* Total number of Dreams FASTPASS badges given away: 248,476

* Total number of Dreams pin and lanyard sets given away: 208,576

* Current number of Walt Disney World Dream Squad members: approximately 80

* Total number of Walt Disney World Dream Squad members to date: approximately 120

And there’s plenty more dreaming still left for eligible guests and mail-in participants selected through a random process as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway. Whether it’s a Dreams FASTPASS badge, Disney Vacation Club membership, magical journeys to Italy and Costa Rica courtesy of Adventures by Disney, or becoming grand marshal for parades at every Disney theme park around the globe (a 14-day, whirlwind dream journey valued at more than $45,000), hundreds of thousands of additional dreams will be awarded by the Disney Dream Squad throughout the year.

The post Show #19 – June 17, 2007 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Welcome back to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World information Station, hosted by Lou Mongello. Thanks for tuning in once again. This is Show #18 for the week of June 10, 2007.

We’ll start off as always with some News and Views from Walt Disney World, where I talk about FASTPASS and Western Way. The Walt Disney World Rumor Mill is full of rumors from the Disney-MGM Studios which includes Star Tours, Halloween and more. I also have BREAKING rumors about changes to room rates and policies in 2008, changes at the Contemporary Resort, including more rumors about what the new tower building will be, and news about the Legendary Years at Pop Century.

Jonathan Dichter has another Voices Behind the Magic segment, and Jeff Pepper sent in a solo Disney Scene Investigation of some creepy old crypts.

Mike Scopa and I cover another Best of the Best at Walt Disney World. Once again, it revolves around food, and this time, it’s the best “Bang for the Buck” meal on property, and it might not be where you’re thinking!

One of Walt Disney World’s Hidden Treasures can be found in Liberty Square, and has not only historical signifigance, but it’s own interesting history and story behind it.

This week’s email segment has questions about the Treehouse Villas, Pop Century’s Legendary Years, medical care at WDW, leaving the kids at home while you play in Disney, a very special tree near Disney’s Animal Kingdom and more.

I also introduce a new contest this week, where you have to use your eyes instead of your ears!

Be sure to stay to the end for the outro and your voicemails, so sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show!

You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or

call our voicemail at 206-202-4WDW.

Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the

WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com

Thank you for your reviews on iTunes and for

clicking the Digg button for each episode

Best “Bang for the Buck” Meal - Trail’s End Buffet, Ft. Wilderness – Official Web site – Walt Disney World Resort – Trail’s End Restaurant

Tips from Disney: After your meal, sit back, relax and “people watch” on the wood-plank sidewalk outside the restaurant.

This week’s “Where in the World Have You SEEN This?” Contest clues can be found in the WDW Radio Show section of the DisneyWorldTrivia.com Forums

What do YOU think Disney will do or SHOULD do with the new FASTPASS tickets and machines? Talk about it HERE on the DisneyWorldTrivia.com forums.

Example of a cell tower disguised to look like a real tree, similar to what can be seen near Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Pop Century’s Legendary Years building

Walt Disney World Resort – Passholder Web Site

Visit to register for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K Event

Exclusive photos of the NEW Breathless II!!

Thanks to Mike the Illuminations Driver

The post Show #18 – June 10, 2007 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.