Disney Parks Podcast Show #608 – An Interview With Jeff Barnes
In today’s show we interview one of our favorite guests, author, speaker, and ice cream aficionado Jeff Barnes!
All the Disney Parks in One Podcast
Disney Parks Podcast Show #608 – An Interview With Jeff Barnes
In today’s show we interview one of our favorite guests, author, speaker, and ice cream aficionado Jeff Barnes!
We have a GREAT show for you this week as Tony and John interview author Jeff Barnes about his new book, The Wisdom of Walt.
About Jeff
Jeff Barnes is an author, professional keynote speaker, higher education administrator, university professor, and leadership/success coach. He has more than thirty-five years of professional speaking experience and nearly twenty years experience leading teams in higher education and teaching more than twenty different college courses in both the traditional classroom and online–including The History of Disneyland at California Baptist University.
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What: Private tours and rare behind the scenes looks at many of the most iconic Disney locations in Southern California via Adventures by Disney – but this exclusive experience will be made even more unforgettable with the special addition of a special dinner with Disney Legends and professionals
Who: Join Disney Legend Bob Gurr, Disney Legend Garner Holt, Disney Historian Jeff Barnes, Film Director Tony Cortese* for dinner at Steakhouse 55 in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
When: August 2-7, 2020
Where: Southern California – Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Imagineering
Why: If you’re fascinated by Disney history, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the hit Disney+ documentary series The Imagineering Story
Cost: Single Occupancy – $4,809; Double/Triple/Quad Adult – $3,439; Child – $3,269
*Special guests subject to change.
By Edward Freda
A couple summers ago I was fortunate enough to go to Europe for three weeks. While most would be excited to go see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Colosseum, I wanted to see Port Aventura, Europa Park and the Disneyland Paris Resort. With my first DLP day spent almost exclusively in Disneyland, the next day was almost completely dedicated to Walt Disney Studios. For those who haven’t been to these two parks, Disneyland Paris is like Disneyland lite and Walt Disney Studios is like Hollywood Studios lite. I was pleasantly surprised by Space Mountain Mission 2, Phantom Manor, Rock n’ Rollercoaster, Crushes Coaster and Cinemagique (tied for best show I’ve ever seen). I won’t go into my feelings on Indiana Jones or Ratatouille, but what I will get into is Toy Story Land.
Toy Story Land in WDS has three flat rides: A launch tower, a Caterpillar and a shuttle coaster. If you’ve been to your local fair, you’ve been on all three of these. All of them are located outside, so inclement weather makes them inoperable. The capacity of these rides is a tick over zero, and since you’re in a Disney park, you’ll have to wait in very long lines for (basically) nothing. There’s no food option and good luck with getting TS merch. With Ratatouille taking the cake as the worst attraction (compared to the hype), Toy Story Land was the most disappointing use of IP I’ve ever seen in a Disney park. When the announcement came out that they were doing away with Pixar Place (although not explicitly stated) and instead focusing on building another Toy Story Land; I was crushed.
I envisioned Imagineering brokering a back alley deal with Ticket Taker Tom for his used carny rides. WDI would add some nuts and bolts, slather some paint on and rubber stamp the attractions for ops. More and more it’s as if the R&D money has gone out of attraction development and into other things like outdoor theming (the one positive of WDS’s Toy Story Land). All the while, the time table balloons out of control. Instead of a mess, we got a boutique land that was just what the doctor ordered!
First off, everyone’s a fan. While I’ve never seen Frozen and I don’t like the Lion King, I love Toy Story. To this day, I get into arguments on why Mulan is one of Disney’s best movies; but I’ve never had to make a case for Toy Story. People might disagree on how good the sequels were, but no one has ever said that Toy Story 1 was a “bad movie”.
It’s a franchise. While Walt Disney World is late green lighting this IP, Toy Story is a three movie franchise. The brand global, making 1.97 BILLION dollars in the box office. DVD, digital, apparel and merch numbers? I won’t bore you with that because the 2 billion dollars speaks for itself.
The characters are iconic. Buzz or Woody? This was a popular question when the movie first debuted. The EVIL Emperor Zurg is great villain, and dare I say, more enjoyable to watch than Darth Vader (on whom he’s based). Sales of Mr. Potato Head increased over eight-hundred percent after Toy Story came out and the manufacturer of Slinky Dog had been out of business ten years before Toy Story resurrected Slinky Dog from the dead.
It was the first, feature length, computer animated film. This is HOLLYWOOD studios after-all (for right now); the park that celebrates music, television and film. While Disney’s not going to make a show for the first 3D film (The Power of Love), a ride for the only silent film to win best picture (Wings) or a land for the first PG-13 film (Red Dawn); they made a land for a paragon of a movie. Although, they could always move Snow White and the Seven Dwarf’s coaster to the studios (the first animated feature film).
For those who aren’t athletic millennials, you probably wouldn’t know about the resurgence in games like dodgeball and kickball. In almost every town you can find a league for one, if not both, of these nostalgic sports from our childhood. The comebacks that are easier for all ages to recognize are shows like Rosanne, Stranger things, half the movies in Hollywood and all of the song beats. While I’m a huge fan of originality, Nostalgia is what sells, so that’s what’s making a comeback.
Toy Story Land is nostalgia at its finest! Babybel Cheese sponsors the restaurant. Animal crackers and oreos are built into the design. Rubix Cubes, Yo-Yo’s, Tinker Toy’s, used popsicle sticks, bendy straws; the list goes on and on. While Disney doesn’t want to build a nine figure land on a fad, WDI did a great job of incorporating the current pulse in a timeless way.
Like Pandora, you haven’t really seen this land if you haven’t been here at night. Beyond the Christmas lights strung over the walkway, the attractions are taken to a different level. The feel of Alien Swirling Saucers changes from the bland Tea Cups to a late night, kinetic disco (albeit in some strange alternate dimension). The track of Slinky Dog Dash lights up dynamically, with the coaster being the main draw. When you’re on the ride, it starts simply enough; green lights pressing you forward, objects illuminated. The real magic is at the second launch point, with lights and sounds pairing together seamlessly. Even Wheezy the Penguin gets the spotlight!
Before this expansion, these were the rides at DHS:
You could include The Great Movie ride if you like, but even then, only 1 ride in the park was for the little ones. Depending on the age, the kid would likely enjoy pulling the string more than playing the game. Couple this with the Star Wars expansion and Disney is missing a chunk of their market. Even with rumors coming out daily about Galaxy’s Edge, there are zero rumors about a children’s ride. I’d have to guess that the attractions will be on the Young Adult-Adult side because Toy Story Land is all about the family.
Midway Mania was already the only ride that the little ones could enjoy. Alien’s Swirling Saucers (I really wanna abbreviate this one) is the only true blue kid’s ride in the park. And since I absolutely love step-ups in theme parks, Slinky Dog is astonishing. In the same fashion that a child could go from the Great Goofini to Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train to Big Thunder Railroad; a kid could also grow to get comfortable with SDD, before braving RnRC. The true genius lies in the launch. SDD has not one, but two launches; the second one feeling faster than the first. They’re both magnetic launches which is a smoother, slower accelerating launch versus other launches. RnRC is a catapult launch; likely the fastest accelerating launch out there (I’m no engineer, but it feels harder than all other tire launchers).
The Imagineers didn’t just do their homework, they turned it in, and got an A!
This, I’d garner, is the million dollar question. Taking a look at the overhead, if they wreck the Cast Member parking garage and admin offices [you can see both in the picture], they could build north. Unfortunately, I don’t think Toy Story Land will be at the “Harry Potter” level of success needed for a land grab like that. However, one thing I think TSL will have, is longevity. It’s going to be that slow and steady that gets families to return again and again (granted the wait times stay reasonable).
Why would I talk about expansion?
Hollywood Studios is going through a much needed overhaul from the barely boutique park Eisner opened. Even with the added attractions (including Mickey’s Runaway Railway and SW:GE), the park will only have a sliver of the ride capacity of Magic Kingdom. The park could see twenty mil through the gate, but they can only do it with more to keep guests occupied. Beyond the lacking throughput, Woody’s Lunchbox is a bit of a mess. It’s amazing food (don’t get me wrong), but they underestimated its popularity. I think Disney culinary is crushing it with all of the new stuff, so they should expect more guests at the windows than they can handle. Right now, at Woody’s LB, it’s not possible; but with an expansion, we could have an array of options that keep Disney’s stock flying high. They also need a real retail option if the want to both capitalize on Toy Story, as well as nostalgia.
The truth is, Toy Story Land is amazing for what it is; but it isn’t perfect. However, it could become the best land in Walt Disney World (you hear that Galaxy’s Edge, I’m talking to YOU) with a little help. Right now, the land has:
If you look at the land in these terms, it’s got more than:
Oh, and a little land named WORLD SHOWCASE!
If you’re following along:
I think you need both of the dining areas to be indoor; one table service and one counter service. Woody’s Lunch Box is great when it’s not raining, but when it is, there’s nowhere to hide in Toy Story Land. I feel like the table service needs to be a real deal, true blue, Pizza Planet. This could also be a counter service like before, but with the money it’ll take to recreate the arcade games, there’ll need to be a higher check average. Also, if the games are on free play for restaurant guests (somehow tied to a magic band timer for the duration of your meal or an hour), Disney can charge all kinds of money for it! If it starts getting a little slow inside, throw in some exclusive games and watch the reservations fill.
As for the counter service restaurant, I’d say a classic diner that plays episodes of Woody’s Roundup. The problem is that there’s already a diner inside of Hollywood Studios and you’d have to pay to produce a T.V. show that’ll never been see outside of one restaurant. I guess Disney could also put it on its streaming service, but if the show goes mainstream, the entire restaurant concept will go up in smoke.
As for retail, Al’s Toy Barn is the only option (pretty cut and dry here). If you look at the picture from Shanghai, you can see how the theming of Al’s fits the theming in Orlando. Dollar signs are on the wall. Bring the cranes back!
Knowing what I know about Star Wars, the Runaway Railway and potential door’s coaster, I think we need to throw the kid’s stuff in here. I’d like to see a Toy Story omnimover or something like Mike and Sully to the Rescue (a guilty pleasure ride of mine). If not this, then a Toy Story water ride fashioned like a slip and slide. Without this, Hollywood Studios will be without a water ride for the next ten years (minimum).
The second thing that would be brilliant is a covered show. One in which we’re invited into Andy’s “room” and get to watch him play with his Toys. Think about the opening of the first Toy Story, but in live form. They could do 2-4 different shows a day on the same stage (since they won’t need stunt actors). With two crews, and the load/unload time of a big theater, they could run it (pretty much) continuous. For those who haven’t got the visual, watch THIS for a couple seconds and tell me you aren’t entertained!
Agree? Disagree? Don’t care? Pick your poison before writing a comment below. Also, feel free to follow the photo album from my adventures at vsco.com/albertawol
It may still be on the warm side here in Central Florida, but it’s never too early to be thinking about the holidays! So when you make your seasonal to-do list, check it twice. And make sure a horse-drawn holiday sleigh ride at Disney’s Fort Wilderness & Campground is on it.
The sleighs—festively festooned with lights, garland and bows, and brimming with cheerful holiday music—take you on a 25-minute trek that glides you through the woodsy landscape and past the campsites of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground all decked out in their holiday finery. Well, you don’t exactly “glide,” as Jay Sanderson, Assistant Animal Operations Manager, Tri-Circle-D Ranch, explains. But that doesn’t make it any less magical.
“Our sleighs are different from our horse-drawn carriages. They are specifically designed to cut through the thick layers of ice and snow that hit Central Florida in December. Okay, scratch the ice and snow part. But they are indeed sleighs that are retrofitted with wheels for our guests’ and horses’ comfort and convenience.”
Brought to you by the same folks who provide the horse-drawn carriage rides the rest of the year, these memorable outings are perfect for a snuggle-up-close romantic rendezvous or an adventure for the whole family. Each sleigh fits four adults or two adults and three children. Larger parties can book more than one sleigh. This fun, distinctive experience replaces carriage rides at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for the month of December.
According to Jay, it’s not at all unusual to hear, “Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh … Hey! Jingle bells! Jingle bells!” coming from the sleighs as they wind their way through Mother Nature’s own holiday green. These rides have become a popular annual tradition for couples and families alike.
And you’ll be presented with a special limited-edition pin created specifically for this event at the conclusion of your ride. Then you can stroll through the barn to check out where the horses live and get up close and personal with these gentle giants that can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Discover what they eat, how they travel from place to place throughout Walt Disney World Resort and other fun facts. Just keep in mind that the sleighs do go out in a light rain, but your ride may be canceled during inclement weather.
So why not make it a season of joy and memories with a horse-drawn holiday sleigh ride? These magical encounters tend to sell out quickly, so an early reservation is highly recommended.
Holiday sleigh rides run from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and are open to all (in other words, you don’t have to be a registered guest of a Disney Resort hotel), with no minimum age requirement. Call 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529) to book today.
We have a GREAT show for you this week as Tony and Krista as we discuss Disney News for the Week of 9-8-14, This Weeks Infotainment – Things you did not know you could do at WDW
7pm on the 28th
Meetup Carolwood &pm Villas lobby
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Whether you are traveling to any Disney Parks destination, Disney Cruise, Adventures by Disney, Aulani or any non-disney destination – Mary can give you gold star concierge vacation planning services at absolutely no cost to you. Visit facebook.com/MaryMoralesDisney Travel our thanks to the sponsor of this episode Mary Morales of mad hatter adventures!
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Some pretty fun and exciting Disneyland Resort news this week!
Let’s start with the food. I reported a couple of months ago on the monthly special gourmet apples being offered at the Disneyland Resort. Well, September’s apple has been announced and is now available. I don’t know if there’s an official name for it (besides “September’s gourmet apple”), but I can tell you that it looks and sounds amazing! It’s a gourmet caramel apple enrobed in sweet milk chocolate and covered in a mixture of crunchy, buttery, toffee pieces and roasted almonds, covered with a milk chocolate drizzle.
Other special treats for Halloween Time this year, beginning September 12, will include the Minnie Witch Apple, Pumpkin Seed Brittle, Pumpkin Fudge, and festive cake pops themed to creepy crawlers (spiders) and Mummy Mickey. There will also be some treats making their debut, but we don’t know yet what they are.
Speaking of Halloween, Disney’s Happiest Haunts Guided Tour returns to the Disneyland Resort with new stories and experiences! This year, the tour’s focus is on Disneyland park, where guests will learn about historical Halloween traditions, and even trick-or-treat for special goodies along Main Street, U.S.A. Throughout the park, the tour stops to experience popular Disneyland park attractions as well as the two special Halloween Time attractions, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.
The tour is offered each night from September 12 through October 31 and is approximately 2 ½ hours long. Theme park admission for Disneyland park is required to attend the tour. Tour offerings are subject to availability and may change without notice. For pricing and booking information (and to find out about a special discount for Disney Rewards Visa and AAA card holders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disneyland Resort Annual Passport holders) call 714-781-TOUR (8687). Also, be sure to check out the other Disneyland Resort Guided Tours at Disneyland.com/Tours.
And finally, the news I’m most excited about—I’ve been waiting for this for at least 2 years! Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, one of Walt Disney’s earliest cartoon stars, has had a presence at Disney California Adventure park for the past couple of years, from rabbit ear hats to the Oswald ice cream sundaes at Clarabelle’s, to Oswald’s Service Station, a merchandise location at the entrance to Buena Vista Street. Now, Oswald himself is set to come home to Disneyland Resort! Starting September 14, guests will finally be able to meet Oswald on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park! I can’t wait to see him!
Epcot® Food & Wine Late Nights LIVE!
Prepare for delicious nibbles and drinks as dancing in the street keeps the party going into the night.
Each party includes:
6 food and beverage items from select marketplaces
Musical performances
Entertainment
A live DJ
Bringing together the love of food with the love of music, it’s the perfect destination for a tasty final bite!
Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Late Nights LIVE!
Between the United Kingdom Pavilion and World Showcase Plaza
Thursdays
[9:45] PM to [1:00] AM
$79 per person
Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk recently implemented a cover charge but Disney Vacation Club members and their guests are eligible for free admission.
A $5 cover charge applies for admission to the nightly dance parties…but not for DVC owners.
With a Disney Vacation Club member ID and photo ID, owners plus up to three guests receive free admission to the dance club.
Atlantic Dance Hall is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9pm to 1:30am. Admission is limited to guests over the age of 21 only.
On select Thursdays in the coming weeks, one Disney Vacation Club resort will host a special event for wine lovers.
The Martha’s Vineyard Lounge at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is home to a series of wine tasting events into the fall of 2014.
The events are open to DVC members and their guests. Each will feature three unique wines presented by a guest speaker.
Scheduled dates include September 4 & 25 and October 2 & 30, 2014 from 3:15pm – 4:00pm.
For pricing information, reservations and availability of additional dates call 407-934-3833.
From Trish @DreamSweetsLove
I was listening to your latest podcast and while TDR events do not get extended it may return next year with some changes which sometimes happens. Popular or not the TDR entertainment team is always planning something new so there is always something new to look forward to!
Ok so time for some belated TDR news:
This week we saw the end of The Legend of Mythica at Tokyo DisneySea. It debuted for Tokyo DisneySea’s 5th anniversary on July 14, 2006. This show was incredible with many dancers huge intricate floats with large moving animatronics and fire and water effects, one float even bungee cords allowing some performers to do flips and bounce in the air. The was also pyro, speed boats and kites! If you have never see this show I really recommend checking it out in YouTube.
Of course the last weeks leading to the final performance many guests came to enjoy the show for one last time. Some guests even started camping out two nights before braving the heat and a thunderstorm and rain on the night before. The day of the final performance had rain early in the day but it let up in time for the show. The final show performed to a packed Mediterranean Harbor. the final performance and show effect was absolutely on point. Guests stayed and applauded not just the end if the show but the the supporting technical and guest control cast as well. As the last dancers were leaving giving high fives the the guests as they departed for the last time some were tearing up a bit.
Personally I was happy to have been able to make it to the last show. The show has a special place in our heart because it was released the year our son was born so we have watched him grow up with it and have so many fond memories of watching him enjoy it from when he was a toddler into his primary school years. Thank you to all the cast from the show designers to the dancers and characters and to those working behind the scenes!
New! Construction Begins on “Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: As the park undergoes the largest expansion in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, construction continues on a number of enhancements and additions to park offerings, including a new nighttime spectacular called “Rivers of Light.”
As part of this expansion, construction walls will be installed in Asia and additional walls will be installed around Discovery River throughout Asia and into DinoLand U.S.A.. As a result, the smoking location across from Expedition Everest will be removed as the wall is installed.
The construction wall in Asia also will impact the Wilderness Explorers Telescope Badge activity. Instead of taking part in the assigned activity (using a telescope to determine the height of the Forbidden Mountain Peak),Wilderness Explorers can identify the correct answer on a Himalayan Vista image that will appear on the construction wall and earn their badge.
Disney Food Truck Serving Breakfast at Disney’s All Star Music Resort: Breakfast options are available at the Disney Food Truck every day from 7-11:30 a.m. The food truck is parked near the Singing Spirits Pool Bar at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort. Menu includes: Egg, bacon and cheese breakfast croissant; Kielbasa and caramelized onion biscuit sliders with sausage gravy; Strawberry-covered waffles with fresh whipped cream; donut holes and more.
THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU COULD DO AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Ride segway
The Adventures tours may be booked for 8:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday through Saturday (not available Sunday or Monday) and last two hours. Tours can consist of up to 10 people and meet at Fort Wilderness Meadows Bike Barn in Fort Wilderness. The cost is $96 per person.
learn to surf
Surf lessons are offered on select days prior to park opening. Times may vary by season and are subject to change. The associated cost is $165 per person, including tax.
VIP tour
The cost of each Private Premium VIP Tour varies between $315 and $500 per hour, depending on the season.
Archery Lessons
Fort Wilderness was offering archery lessons as one of their recreational offerings.. You will need to make a reservation in advance, and it is only offered on select afternoons. You can contact 407-WDW-PLAY for more information.
Photo Sessions
Disney offers various levels of formal photo sessions in the parks and around the resorts.
These sessions offer some beautiful backdrops for all types of photos: engagement, wedding, graduation, children and families.
Different from the PhotoPass Photographers, Disney’s Fine Art Photography will schedule an individualize portrait session with you.
They are not inexpensive, but they are a great way for a Disney family or couple to commemorate a special occasion. You can see more on their website: http://disneyfineartphotography.com/
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We have a GREAT show for you this week as Tony and Krista interview Adam Berger who is the author of EVERY GUEST IS A HERO: Disney’s Theme Parks and the Magic of Mythic Storytelling.
Click HERE to buy the book Every Guest is a Hero from Amazon
Click HERE to buy the book Every Guest is a Hero at Barnes and noble
Check out Adam on Facebook
Click HERE to Visit Destination in Florida website and get a quote
Destinations in Florida Hotline 877-241-8663
Click HERE to get your stroller for your next WDW vacation
Click the photo below to check out MyFantasyBands.com and remember to use DPPodcast15 at checkout to save 15% off of your bands!!