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Today’s episode centers around a largely abandoned pavilion at Epcot known as the Wonders of Life Pavilion. This Pavilion was part of the original plans for Epcot center but didn’t find a sponsor until the mid-1980’s. The Wonders of Life housed Epcot’s first thrill attraction with Body Wars. We detail this and other attractions that were part of this pavilion over the years. We also discuss the current state of the building and speculate as to what the future holds for the Wonders of Life.

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  • Guests at Caribbean Beach resort are getting a complimentary Skyliner Pin
  • Reopening date set for Tomorrowland Speedway in 2019
  • Mystery structure being built in front of Tatooine Traders at Hollywood Studios
  • Is the expanded early morning magic at Magic Kingdom worth the price?
  • Animal Kingdom just had it’s first After Hours event
  • Cirque du soleil gives a small hint into the new Disney Springs show
  • Satu’li Canteen has seen some recent menu changes
  • Path between Barnstormer and Space Mountain closed for Tron Construction
  • Walt Disney World Railroad Limited Edition Magic Band now available
  • Disneyland Paris adding Solar energy and name change for Disney Studios Park?
  • Friendship Boat service to Epcot still available but on a limited schedule this month
  • Phantom Manor refurbishment at Disneyland Paris delayed yet again

 

 

 

 

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On this episode of Traveling with The Mouse Jon and I take a trip down memory lane and discuss some of the things from Walt Disney World that either have changed since we were kids or the rare things that haven’t really changed much over the years. We discuss everything from a promotional sign for Tower of Terror to extinct attractions at Epcot. We also talk about our home resort as kids, The Polynesian and how much it has changed as well as the restaurants that we frequented when we were young. We even cover things that we wished we had known more about back in the day like Beastly Kingdom plans at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We hope you enjoy this somewhat open discussion/walk down memory lane.

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Today’s news topics:

  • Disney caught up in theme park lawsuit against 20th century fox
  • It’s rumored that Winnie the Pooh may be replaced at Shanghai Disneyland
  • Renderings of new tower rooms at Coronado Springs resort
  • Estimated ride times on the Disney Skyliner
  • Walt Disney World Railroad will close December 3rd
  • New Trailer for live action Lion King released
  • Ralph breaks the box office this weekend
  • Keanu Reeves will be in Toy Story 4
  • Rumor, Disney hasn’t ordered new monorails?

 

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Have you ever thought about what attractions you would put in the ultimate Magic Kingdom Park? Jon and I get really geeky about this discussion and we look at all of the Magic Kingdom or Disney Castle parks worldwide and decide which versions of attractions that we would include in our ultimate Magic Kingdom Park. We go land by land and decide which attractions should be included. I think we include at least one attraction from every Disney Kingdom park in the world in our Ultimate Park…Which attractions would you choose?

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Today we are thankful that you have joined us for this Thanksgiving day news episode of Traveling With The Mouse! We discuss the latest news that came out of the Destination D (D23) event that happened over this past weekend at Walt Disney World. We got updated information on the new attractions at Star Wars Galaxy’s edge, The Ratatouille attraction, and new concept art for upcoming attractions.

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This episode details my recent Walt Disney World trip to catch the end of Food & Wine Festival as well as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for this year. This also marks my first stay and a Disney Value resort. I stayed in the Little Mermaid section of Disney’s Art of Animation. Overall I had a good experience but I look forward to checking out other Value resorts that have the newly refurbished rooms! I give my opinion on this year’s Christmas Party and list my favorite treat locations. I also have 2 new restaurant recommendations…I had exceptional meals at Enzo’s Hideaway at Disney Springs and Sebastian’s Bistro at Caribbean Beach resort. I will go out of my way to eat at these locations again!

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Better late then never! Today we are a day later than our normal schedule in getting the news out to you. Jon was a little under the weather and I just returned from Walt Disney World so the recording schedule was a little tough this week. Plus this is a special Birthday weekend for our own Jon Martin who is 50 years younger than Mickey Mouse who also has a birthday this weekend! Happy Birthday to you both!

Here are the news stories for this week:

  • Mickey’s Birthday means that special treats will be available this weekend only
  • Construction update on Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster at Epcot
  • Opening time frame revealed for Disney Skyliner
  • Woman Arrested aver dragging child inside Epcot Bathroom
  • Toy Story 4 Teaser released
  • First look at the new type of ride car for the Guardians coaster
  • The Legendary Stan Lee passes away at 95
  • New Details on Star Wars Hotel
  • New Goofy Passholder magnet available for the Holidays
  • New exit for space mountain opens
  • Disney Plus, Disney’s new streaming service will debut next fall
  • Door falls off of monorail Lime after being struck by motorized scooter

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Today we are revisiting our Disney Timeline series! This is a series that we started a few weeks ago where we pick a year at random from Walt Disney World history and we discuss the major highlights (or lowlights) from that year. This episode we randomly picked the following years, 1990, 2002, 1973 and 1996. We discuss short-lived attractions like the Fort Wilderness railroad and Mickey’s Birthdayland. Today’s timeline also includes the opening of several resorts like the Swan & Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Club, Disney’s Boardwalk and Pop Century. There were also several plans that never came to fruition that were announced in 1990. Let us know how you like the random format or if you would prefer chronological order in the future!

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Today’s news topics:

  • Christmas is in full swing at Disney Parks
  • New air body dryers at grizzly River Run feature Humphrey the Bear From Classic Disney Cartoons
  • Tom Hanks Says Emotional Toy Story 4 Ending Will Be ‘A Moment In History’
  • Your Google Home Mini Can Be Turned Into A Google Home Mickey
  • Disney Releases five new magic band colors
  • Woman leaves newborn baby with another guest at Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Construction to begin soon on the new hotel tower near Swan & Dolphin
  • Disney After Hours events now offered at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom
  • Full line-ups for the candle light processional
  • Schedule for the ABC Christmas specials has been released
  • Construction walls have come down in front of the Chinese theater at Hollywood Studios

 

 

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Today we take a closer look at Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress! We discuss the importance of this attraction in Disney history and why it is such a special part of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. This attraction has seen its share of changes over the years but the spirit of the attraction remains the same, progress. There are several hidden gems in this attraction and some aspects of this attraction are included in other Walt Disney World attractions. The songs that have been used for this attraction are both iconic and we reveal which one is our favorite. Finally we discuss the changes that we would like to see for this attraction in the future. I hope that you will give this attraction a look next time you are in Magic Kingdom.

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Here are the news topics discussed today…

  • Additional cast members have been stationed at resorts in order to better collect parking fees
  • The main entrance to Hollywood Studios is moving to Osceola Parkway
  • Johnny Depp will no longer be part of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise
  • New Pins/Merchandise release for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
  • Star Wars Path of the Jedi is now on seasonal status at Hollywood Studios
  • Minnie Van services now offered to Port Canaveral
  • Tony’s Town Square has an expensive add-on for the Christmas Party
  • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is coming to Disneyland?

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6237669224_9cc605f55a_bIn honor of Halloween this week, we are discussing the scariest attractions at the Disney Parks. We start by going through the scariest attractions that are still currently in operation. These attractions are not limited to Walt Disney World but also include Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris all made the list of scary attractions. After we discuss current attractions we go through the attractions that are not longer in operation but definitely deserved a spot on this list! Can you guess what we picked as the scariest attraction of all time? Hint, It is not a current attraction.

 

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Today’s news topics include:

  • Disney confirms a New 900 room Nature-Themed Resort
  • Will Pirates of the Caribbean movie series get a reboot?
  • Friendship Boat Service to Epcot Suspended in November-December
  • Filming Schedule released for Disney’s Christmas day special
  • Jungle Cruise Movie Release Date Moved To Summer 2020
  • Disney Patents New Rotating Car Technology for Guardians Coaster
  • Bahamas Government Approves Disney’s Proposal to Purchase Second Private Port

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062513_walt-epcot-film-1-750Today’s show starts a new series where we present a Disney film or TV special that we believe had an impact on the Disney Parks in some way. I couldn’t think of a better one to start with than the Epcot film from 1966. This is Walt Disney’s last on camera appearance before his death just 7 weeks later. In the 24 minute film he outlines the plans for Disney World and specifically for Epcot which at that time was actually going to be a living breathing city of the future! This is one of my favorite films to watch on a regular basis because it is full of hidden gems and it is also fun to imagine what Epcot would have been like if Walt’s vision has been fulfilled the way he really wanted it. We break down the film into 3 parts and talk about each one. The first part focuses on Disneyland in California and presents the superior design and function of the Disneyland Park. The next few minutes Walt introduces the overall plans for Disney World. He shows a map of the magic kingdom and resort area which looks very different from what we know today. Then Walt talks about his vision for Epcot and goes into the initial planning for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Here is the link to the full video so that you can follow along with us.

Other Links: Adam The Woo shows the STOL port at Walt Disney World

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Today’s News stories are:

  • Hollywood Studios has begun putting out Christmas decorations
  • Preview of Toy Story Land Christmas overlay
  • First job posting now up for the Disney Skyliner system
  • Southbound overpass is now open on World Drive
  • Opening date announced for Disney Junior Dance Party
  • DVC members received a survey that may have revealed the name of a new resort
  • More price increases for Annual passes, theme park parking and magic bands
  • Operating hours for Animal Kingdom have been reduced for the rest of 2018
  • Epcot construction update, Ratatouille, Guardians, and Mission Space Restaurant
  •  Spaceship Earth could close for 2 years for massive refurbishment

 

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Yacht_Club_ViewOn Today’s episode we continue our tour of the Walt Disney World resort hotels with Disney’s Yacht club resort. We discuss the rooms, restaurants, pool and other resort amenities. Jon and I have both stayed at the Yacht club and we talk about our experiences there and how we feel about the resort when compared to the other Epcot area resorts.  The rooms have recently been renovated and have a lot more storage. This resort ranks very high on both of our lists and it is definitely worth a visit!

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Today’s news topics are:

  • Peter Pan’s Flight will close in January for a month long refurbishment
  • More details about the Millennium Falcon attraction released
  • First look at Jon Favreau’s new Star Wars live action series
  • 2 Month refurbishment of Tom Sawyer Island will begin soon
  • Construction photos leaked from former Great Movie Ride
  • Anaheim Living Wage Measure Would Not Apply to Disneyland
  • Constructions walls come down at Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Sebastian’s Bistro menu is now available
  • Jack Sparrow meet and greet is now daily at Magic Kingdom
  • Animal Kingdom has limited time photo pass magic shots

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Today on the show we are continuing a series that we started earlier this year where we randomly select an attraction, dinning location, or resort and list the pros and cons of them. We also give our overall opinions on each one that is selected. Here are some of the topics that came up during our discussion. Coronado Springs resort, Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s Tough To Be a Bug, Planet Hollywood, Coral Reef, and The Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Review.

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Today’s news topics are:

  • Walt Disney World Raises Snack Item Prices
  • the Former Disney Junior Live is will soon be the Disney Junior Dance Party at Hollywood Studios
  • PizzeRizzo is going to seasonal operation
  • Sebastian’s Bistro is now taking reservations at Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Stitch’s Great Escape officially closed for good
  • Earl of Sandwich re-opens and Disneyland’s Downtown Disney
  • New Southbound Flyover ramp on World Drive will open soon
  • Jake meet and greet is ending at Hollywood Studios
  • Rafiki’s Planet Watch will not be closed forever but will re-open in 2019
  • New Details Released for the Millennium Falcon Ride..Will it have low capacity?
  • First look at newly remodeled rooms at All Star Movies resort