Celebrations Disney Podcast

The end of summer can only mean one thing. Pumpkins. Autumn leaves. Jack-o'-lantern's a-plenty. OK, it means several things. But one thing it also means is the annual announcement of all the wonderful additions coming to Disney parks around the world, specifically those coming to Walt Disney World in Florida. There's lots to talk about… So sit back, relax, and join us as we recap the incredible announcements that Disney shared at D23!

Tonight, we're going to leave the familiar surroundings of Florida and make our way across the Atlantic, courtesy of the most magical cruise ever to take place on the Seven Seas. No, we're not talking about "it's a small world." Instead, our very own Rachel Comande will be sharing all her magical moments from her recent trip aboard the Disney Cruise Line! So sit back, relax and join us, as we set out on the open seas, Disney style.

One of the great things about riding a Disney attraction or watching a Disney film is the moment when we're surprised. Sometimes it's with an unexpected twist, or in a fun detail that we notice for the first time. And sometimes it's the appearance of a familiar face, from another time, or another place… So sit back, relax, and join us, as explore the cameos of Disney!

With Inside Out 2 grabbing all the well-deserved headlines these days, we thought we would take a trip back in time to the original film, and explore the parks with the help of five special friends who will help us experience Disney through all the highs and the lows and everything in between… So sit back, relax, and join us, as we take Riley's Emotions to Walt Disney World!

"Let's go upstairs" might not be the first phrase that comes to mind when you think about Disney, but surprisingly, there's quite a bit of magic to be found by taking the stairs, the escalator, or the elevator up to the next floor. But what will we find? Tonight, we're going to find out… So sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the second floors of Walt Disney World.

In our last episode, we began a journey of exploration, to discover those little sparks of imagination that can be found throughout the parks, inspired by Figment and Dreamfinder. Tonight, we carry on with part two of our imaginative adventure, beginning with the Performing Arts… So sit back, relax, and join us as we continue our tour of Walt Disney World, inspired by Journey Into Imagination.

We're always looking for that "One Little Spark," that one moment of inspiration that sets us on a path to discover something new, or to create that magical piece of art. But where do we find them? How do we tap into them? Thankfully, I know a pair who specialize in this sort of thing… So sit back, relax, and join us (and Dreamfinder and Figment!) as we take a tour around Walt Disney World, inspired by Journey Into Imagination.

One of the great things about Disney is that there is so much to do, it's nearly impossible to do everything in one trip, let alone a lifetime. Even after years and years of trips, it continually amazes us just how many things there are that we haven't done yet…for a variety of reasons which we'll explore tonight. So sit back, relax, and join us as we talk about: Walt Disney World Experiences That We Haven't Done

There are many components that go into bringing a land to life. It could be the background music, or larger-than-life props. It might be sounds, or colors, or architecture. But there's another special tool that Imagineers can use, one that can bring a refreshing sense of tranquility to an otherwise ordinary setting. So sit back, relax, and join us as we talk about: Our Favorite Water Features at Walt Disney World!

Walt Disney once said, "I love the nostalgic myself. I hope we never lose some of the things of the past." While it's always exciting to hear about the changes that are always coming to Disney, sometimes it's just as much fun to look back with a touch of nostalgia. To remember those special moments that made us fall in love with Disney in the first place. So sit back, relax, and join us, as we take a look back at some of our all-time favorite attractions at Walt Disney World!

How often has this happened to you? You're all set to take a leisurely journey through an exotic landscape, a scenic trip back through time, or a casual jaunt to a nearby alien world. Suddenly, the warning sirens blare, we come to a sudden halt, and we realize that those Imagineers have tricked us again. So sit back, relax, and join us as we get ready to share some good old Disney magic. What could possibly go wrong?

The month of April may be well-known for bringing us those Spring showers that lead to May flowers, but there is something else that it brings…that one day a year where we are allowed, nay encouraged, to make jokes, and to revel in the delights of just having some good, clean fun. So sit back, relax, and join us as we celebrate April Fool's Day – Disney style!

In our last episode, we began our 2024 March Madness Disney Tournament, in which we assembled a field of 64 classic films and put them head-to-head to see which one would emerge as the true champion. Now it's time to see what movies made it to our Final Four, and ultimately, which one would win. We also thought it would be fun to hold a second tournament…and for this one we decided to invite a special guest. We'll save that surprise for the second half of our show, but suffice it say it will involve Hidden Mickeys… So sit back, relax, and join us as we continue on with the second and final part of our March Madness Disney Tournament!

March means that the Flower & Garden Festival is underway, which also means that spring is just around the corner. But in the world of college sports, it also means March Madness, the tournament of 64 where a new champion is crowned. Well, we're going to bring your our very own Disney version of this tradition, So sit back, relax, and join us as we begin our two-part March Madness Disney Tournament!

A quick look at the calendar tells us that this is the year 2024, and those of you with a mathematical mind will notice that 2024 is divisible by four. Why is that so significant? That makes this year a leap year, which means we get an extra day of Disney Magic, which we will commemorate in our own, unusual way. So sit back, relax, and join us as we celebrate a Disney Leap Year!

There's no better way to come up with a question we've never been asked before then by leaving those questions up to chance. Inspired by a recent trip to Journey Into Imagination, and specifically Figment's slot machine in the Smell Lab, we've come up our own device that will determine the questions that we will answer tonight. But just how will we do? What will those mysterious questions be? It's time to find out…. So sit back, relax, and join us for a fun-filled spin on the Wheel of Disney Magic!

One of the most beloved attractions in all of Walt Disney World can be found in the heart of Adventureland, where unsuspecting Guests set sail through a dank and musty cave in search of gold doubloons, silver chalices, Aztec gold, and other assorted treasures. Are you ready for that horizon? Then sit back, relax, sing a chorus of "Yo Ho, Yo Ho" and join us as we talk about: Pirates of the Caribbean!

With this year's Festival of the Arts underway in EPCOT, we thought we would talk about that most basic of artistic concepts…color. Many of our favorite characters and attractions have strong associations with color, though often times we take that association for granted. But not tonight! So sit back, relax and join us as we talk about the Wonderful World of Disney color!

As we say goodbye to 2023 and begin the New Year, this is the time when we all make those New Year's Resolutions. We will do just that tonight, Disney style of course, but we also wanted to talk about beginnings, both old and new…again, with that magical Disney Twist. So sit back, relax, and join us as we talk about: Our Favorite Disney Beginnings!

The holiday season brings with it many beloved traditions. From family get-togethers and festive dinners to snowball fights and neighborhood caroling, there's lots to keep us busy until Santa arrives. But there's one tradition that we can all enjoy from the comfort of our living room chairs…Tonight we'll talk about our favorites, our surprise entries, and even our ideas for Christmas movies we think they should make, inspired by our favorite films or Disney attractions. Now I was just handed a report that Santa's sleigh was seen flying over Nova Scotia, so we'd better get started. So sit back, relax and join us as we talk about our Favorite Christmas Movies!!

Far from the nostalgic charm of Main Street U.S.A. and the futuristic landscapes of Tomorrowland, there lies a land filled with exotic destinations, mysterious jungles, and the sweet scent of pineapple wafting through the air. I can almost hear those distant drums beating now… So sit back, relax and join us as we take a magical tour through Adventureland!

With Halloween safely behind us and the promise of yuletide joy beckoning us just a few short weeks away, there's another holiday that we don't want to overlook, and that's Thanksgiving. No, there's no "Mickey's-Pass-the-Turkey-Thanksgiving-Party" to go to, but that doesn't mean we still can't celebrate this festive time of year in true Disney fashion. As we're all recovering from our turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, we thought we would extend the Thanksgiving festivities a little while longer by going around the podcast table and talking about the things that WE at Celebrations are most thankful for, with a Disney twist of course. So sit back, relax and join us as we celebrate a Disney Thanksgiving!

This is part three of our 100 Year Celebration series, during which we've travelled through time to explore the significant moments and magical milestones of Disney's first century. In our last episode we talked about the opening of Walt Disney World, which now leads us into the 1980s and a new park… So sit back, relax and join us as we wrap up our Disney 100 celebration!

We're going to take a slight detour from our 100 Year Celebration series for a Very Special (and Spooky!) Halloween episode. When you think of Halloween and Disney, naturally your thoughts go to two legendary and scary attractions. They are both frighteningly fantastic of course, but which is the true Halloween champ? Tonight we're going to try and find out… So sit back, relax (as best you can) and join us as we try to settle the score, the Haunted Mansion or the Tower of Terror!

In our previous episode, which was part one of our special 100th Anniversary celebration, we explored Disney's earliest years, beginning with the story of two brothers, a little girl named Alice, a rabbit of good fortune named Oswald, and, of course, a rather famous mouse. Tonight, we pick up our journey with the dawning of the 1950s, so sit back, relax, and join us as we continue our celebration of Disney's first 100 years!

This month marks Disney's 100th year of making magic. The celebrations are under way at Disney parks around the world, and in this special two-part episode, we're going to hop in our way back machines and take a look at all those milestones in Disney history, decade by decade, beginning with two brothers and a tiny cartoon studio. In Part One of this special episode, we'll being our journey in the 1920s, so sit back, relax, and join us as we celebrate "100 Years of Disney Magic!"

Our inspiration for this show comes from Disney's famous Fab Five: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. We thought it might be fun to take this idea and take it beyond the classic animated characters. There are plenty of other Disney categories that lend themselves to a "best of the best' type of list, and we thought we'd gather around the table and come up with a few. So sit back, relax, and join us as we come up with our Disney Fab Five Lists!

There are all sorts of fun activities you can do in the resorts and parks, from games and scavenger hunts to fun-filled interactive adventures. You can even enjoy that Disney gaming magic in the comfort of your own home. Tonight, we're going to talk about some of our favorites... So sit back, relax and join us as we talk about Fun and Games at Walt Disney World!

Every Disney resort, restaurant, and shop is themed to the max, from the Victorian splendor of the Grand Floridian to the Outer Rim trappings of Tatooine Traders. But did you ever stop to wonder if you could do better? Tonight, we're going to put on our interior decorating hats and talk about the ways in which WE would renovate, refurbish and redesign our favorite Disney attractions and resorts. So let's pull out those design dream boards, get out our tool boxes, and roll up our sleeves as we share our favorite Disney Makeover ideas!

When you head out for your Disney Day, there's lots of things you usually check. The weather. Those dining reservations. What time are my Lightning Lane passes? But as Edna Mode would tell is, the most important thing about planning our outing is that we need to look good! Tonight, we're going to explore the world of Disney fashion, from the costumes worn by our favorite characters to the whimsical outfits WE might wear as we head out for our day in the parks. So sit back, relax and join us as we talk about: Our Favorite Disney Fashions!

Over the course of our previous 92 shows, we've sometimes run out of time to answer all of our questions. But just like with Disney Imagineering, no good idea here gets discarded, it just gets set aside for future consideration. And that future, is tonight! As we continue to prepare for our upcoming two-part Disney100 anniversary shows in October, we thought we would take the opportunity to clean the slate of those unanswered questions, and see if can get them all answered in one fell swoop. So sit back, relax and join us as we round up 20 Questions about all things Disney!

It's so easy to talk about those favorite Disney attractions and restaurants, after all there's a seemingly endless list to choose from. But Walt Disney World is also filled with buried treasures…the ones that deserve just as much fanfare as their more famous counterparts. So sit back, relax and join us as we talk about our Favorite Under Appreciated Disney Experiences!

When we talk about Disney touring tips, one of our first topics is usually how to keep cool. But it occurs to us that this is Florida, and Florida does offer up lots of sunshine. With that in mind, tonight we're going to celebrate that shining globe of warmth and golden goodness…. So sit back, relax and join us as we talk about our Favorite Fun in the Sun Disney Moments!

Sometimes the best moments of a Walt Disney World trip are the ones you didn't plan for…those times when something unexpected happened. Whether it was a happenstance occurrence, or a deliberate "gotcha" moment planned by Disney's Imagineers, these are the moments that we'll never forget. So sit back, relax and join us as we talk about, our Favorite Disney Surprises!

In our last episode, we turned the tables and let YOU, the listener, ask us those burning Disney questions. We had so much fun, and had so many questions, that we ended up making a two-part episode. Tonight, we're going to pick things up where we left off… So sit back, relax, and join us for part two of our Listener Mail Bag!

We thought we would turn the tables tonight and let YOU, the listener, ask us the questions that you've been wanting to hear. Some of these have been sent in, some of these I've been asked in passing, and it's finally time to put our panelists on the spot to answer those burning questions. Some will be normal, some will be strange, but all of them will be filled with that unforgettable Disney magic. So sit back, relax and join us, as we open up our Listener Mail Bag!

With the recent openings of the TRON Lightcycle/Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the thrill factor at Walt Disney World has definitely kicked up a notch. But do either of those attractions take over the crown of the Florida King of Speed? We're going to find out tonight… So sit back, relax and join us, as we count down the Top Ten Fastest Attractions in Walt Disney World!

This episode marks the 25th Anniversary of Disney's Animal Kingdom, one of the most unique destinations in all of Walt Disney World. Tonight, we will celebrate our favorite attractions, fun facts, historical tidbits, and magical moments from this beautiful park. This is a park where nature not only comes to life, but surrounds you and welcomes you in in ways that no ordinary zoo could ever accomplish. Here you can explore the real-life worlds of Africa and Asia, travel back in time to the prehistoric world of the dinosaurs, and come face to face with exotic creatures from other worlds that live only in our imaginations. Just remember, it's not a zoo! So sit back, relax and join us, as we explore Disney's Animal Kingdom!

In the great pantheon of Disney animals, you of course have your mice, your ducks, and many lovable pups. But let's not forget those long-eared fluffy tailed friends that symbolize the arrival of spring, and baskets filled with delectable delights. I'm referring to bunnies of course…so sit back, relax and join us, as we talk about: the Rabbits of Disney!

Spring is in the air! The days are getting warmer, the sun is out a little longer, the birds are starting to chirp, and the flowers are starting to bloom! March Madness is in full swing across the country, and while we don't normally do sports here at Celebrations, we do obsess over all things Disney, so we're going to fill out our own "Field of 64 Walt Disney World Attractions" tournament bracket and see who comes out on top! So sit back, relax and join us, as we kick off our Disney March Madness Tournament!

In this episode, we're going to take a road trip to the City of Brotherly Love and the historic Franklin Institute, where our own Jamie Hecker attended the World Premier of Disney100: the Exhibition, celebrating all the wonders and highlights of Disney's first century. So sit back, relax, and join us as we take a virtual tour of the Disney100 exhibit in Philadelphia!

It's time once again for another Celebrations Trip Report! On this adventure, our own Rachel Comande took in the sights, sound, and tastes of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, in addition to whole host of other Walt Disney World experiences. So sit back, relax and join us, as Rachel Comande shares her memories of her latest Disney trip!

In our previous show, we talked about all our favorite Disney birds. We had such a wonderful time that we thought we'd continue the animal theme by sharing our thoughts about another frequently overlooked group of Disney animals, the loveable felines. Cats come in all shapes and sizes of course, but regardless of how big or small they are, the cats of Disney include some of the most beloved characters in Disney history. So sit back, relax and join us, as we visit: The Cats of Disney!

Disney animals come in all shapes and sizes, from fearsome fire-breathing dragons all the way down to the tiniest crickets. But an oft-overlooked group of animals that might not immediately come to mind when you think of Disney is a group of the feathered variety. Tonight, we're going to take to the skies (as it were) and talk about our favorite Disney birds, some famous, and some not so famous…but all extremely lovable. So sit back, relax and join us, as we visit: The Birds of Disney!

If you were to pick one thing that was at the heart of all the Disney magic that we've come to love, it would have to be imagination. It IS the first part of Imagineering after all! And of course there's a whimsical attraction which shows us the importance of setting our imagination free. So sit back, relax and join us, as we climb aboard the Journey Into Imagination with Figment!

As we usher in 2023, this is the time when we look forward to all the new things we'll experience in the coming year. There's lots of Disney excitement coming to the parks, and we thought it would be fun to go around the table and talk about the things we're looking forward to the most. But lest we get too far ahead of ourselves, New Year's Eve is also the time to make those resolutions. This year we thought we'd have some fun and talk about resolutions that we think our favorite Disney characters would (or should!) be making. So sit back, relax, and join us for our annual New Year's Celebration!

When you think of the Magic Kingdom, or Disney for that matter, one of the first images that probably comes to mind is Cinderella Castle. And why not? The Castle is the very symbol of Walt Disney World, and the Magic Kingdom's iconic structure. But Cinderella Castle is far from the only iconic structure in Walt Disney World. Each park has their own, as do many of the individual lands. Tonight, we're going to explore the details, history, fun facts, and magical moments of these icons, and we just might do a little bit of Imagineering along the way. So sit back, relax and join us, as we explore: the Icons of Walt Disney World!

It seems like only yesterday that we were having a frightfully magical time at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. But we're packing our bags again, this time for some holiday merriment, and it's time once again for a Celebrations trip report! So sit back, relax and join us, as we get ready to head out on our Very Merry Christmas Walt Disney World trip!

When you're mapping out your day in the parks, those plans typically revolve around those E-ticket attractions, everything from Rise of the Resistance to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. And for good reason! But there are plenty of other things to enjoy, and tonight we thought we would give some love to those smaller, yet just as enjoyable attractions. So sit back, relax and join us, as we go beyond those E-ticket attractions!

For many Disney fans, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a true hidden gem, and one of the most beloved attractions in all of Walt Disney World. When you run into another Disney fan and you tell them you love the TTA (all the while thinking you're the only one who feels that way) more often than not their eyes will twinkle with recognition as they hurriedly blurt out "me too"! So tonight, we're going to celebrate our love for this classic attraction, and give it the recognition that it so richly deserves. Next stop, the Retro Metro Historical Society!