Disney Parks Podcast
All posts in the Disney Parks Podcast category
Your Invitation to the Next Meetup!
Published September 29, 2014 by Disneyways.com
Let’s meet up at the new Pineapple Lanai at the Polynesian Resort! Buy a Dole Whip if you want, pull up a chair, and let’s visit! Goodie bags sponsored by Homes4uu.com! We hope to see you there!
The Disney Parks Podcast Interviews Stephen Wancha Director of Food and Beverage for Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Published September 8, 2014 by Disneyways.com
Recently, Tony and I were very honored to interview Stephen Wancha, Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Stephen has been one of my all-time favorite guests on the Disney Parks Podcast. He has a passion for his work at the Four Seasons that truly shines. Click the photo above to be taken directly to the podcast, or check it out on the YouTube Video below. As you listen, get ready to learn more about all the wonderful dining experiences you can enjoy in the brand new (stunning!) resort. If you just can’t get enough of food at the Four Seasons (I know I can’t!) click HERE to check out video and more from our first visit to Ravello! In Stephen’s own words, “Our food and beverage program is a true dining destination for Orlando locals and guests alike, where great food and innovative concepts meet passionate, attentive service.” I couldn’t agree more!
From the Four Seasons Website:
“In a relatively short period of time, Stephen Wancha has lived in 10 different major cities (returning to live in three of the cities twice), so it’s easy to see why he developed a propensity for travel, and in turn, for dining out. The affable Wancha, Director of Food and Beverage for Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, brings 10 years of Four Seasons experience with him to lead the Food and Beverage operations at the Resort, which includes five on-site restaurants and a large-scale banquet operations team.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be at this amazing property,” says Wancha. “Orlando is not well-known for its culinary scene – it’s definitely emerging. With the team we’ve together and the concepts we’re bringing to the market, we are giving our guests and Orlando locals a special dining experience.”
Prior to joining Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Wancha’s first Director of Food and Beverage position was at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. At the time, Wancha was 28 years of age, making him the youngest Director of Food and Beverage among all Four Seasons properties worldwide. This coup alone is a testament to the wealth of food and beverage knowledge Wancha brings.
The Resort’s star restaurant is Capa, the 17th floor rooftop Spanish-influenced steakhouse that offers a romantic setting above the treetops and a stunning view of the nightly Magic Kingdom Park® fireworks. Ravello is the Resort’s Italian concept; PB&G is the Southern rotisserie; and Plancha is a Cuban American grill. One of Wancha’s favuorites is Lickety Split, a grab-and-go on the lobby level, offering a variety of cappuccinos and lattes, smoothies, Italian donuts and pastries, gelato and more. Wancha, a coffee connoisseur, has set up the ultimate coffee bar.
When not fueling up on java, Wancha’s other beverage of choice is wine. An avid wine collector, Wancha is proud of his large private collection of mostly New World/Napa wines and Old World/Italian wines. He’s excited about the wine program at the Resort, with 400 labels and many available by the glass. Wancha’s own famous Sangria is on the menu at Capa.
Wancha loves to travel the globe for inspiration, often jet-setting to New York or San Francisco for weekend culinary expeditions. He dined at 27 different restaurants over two days in New York, and enjoyed 16 eateries over two days in Chicago. A true “foodie” who is fun to dine with, and fun to “talk shop,” Wancha is always in line with, and often a step ahead of, the culinary scene.”
For more on the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, check out our interview with Thomas Steinhauer; Regional Vice President and General Manager.
Disney News, Celebrity Interviews and More for YOU on the Disney Parks Podcast
Published June 7, 2014 by Disneyways.com
Disney news, information, hints, tips and secrets from the Disney Parks around the globe! Interviews with some of your favorite Disney celebrities AND correspondents! Prizes, contests and meetups! This podcast has got it all! Disneyways and Disney by the Numbers are adding some new avenues to bring you more Disney magic – and we hope you will come join in on the fun. Welcome to the Disney Parks Podcast!
Podcasts are multimedia digital files made available on the internet for downloading to a portable media player or directly on your computer. It’s like a radio show that you get to listen to whenever you want, such as when you are on a walk, at they gym, or driving to work. There are podcasts on just about any subject imaginable – and Disney is one of the best subjects out there. Thanks to my friend Tony Caselnova of DisneyByTheNumbers.com – I am extremely overjoyed and thankful to be a co-host on the Disney Parks Podcast.
In addition to co-hosting TWO SHOWS A WEEK on the air, I am having a blast helping to organize meetups with our listeners, assisting with social media, writing scripts, working on the Disney Parks Podcast website, and administering contests! There is so much to do – working together has been awesome – and the show has opened doors for Tony and I that we could have never opened on our own. We have enjoyed things like backstage tours of Walt Disney World, new relationships with stars in the Disney community (folks that we never dreamed we’d even get to meet!) and wonderful feedback from our listeners and friends. I am always in a good mood and feeling great during and after each podcast. I hope you will tune in and enjoy the same!
Incredible Disney celebrity interviews on the show have included Pat Carroll, the voice of Ursula…
And MANY more!
Tony and I are local to Orlando and consider our home Park to be Walt Disney World. What makes the Disney Parks Podcast different, is that we strive to give you news from the Disney Parks around the globe! This is why we TREASURE our featured on-scene correspondents. They are a crucial part of the show, and each one of them is a local to the Disney Park they represent – around the globe!
Laura, our Disneyland Paris correspondent made this awesome video when she first came on board, and we got such a thrill from it. Thank you Laura!
Podcasting has been on my list of things to do since I began blogging here at Disneyways, because it fits in to our mission and goal to bring you Disney magic where ever you are! I can’t begin to tell you how thankful I am for this wonderful opportunity. I truly love being a part of the many different facets in front of the mic, and behind the scenes. The show has been very successful and has a large audience, but if you aren’t yet listening in – we need YOU!
Here are some ways to tune in:
You can catch the latest episode by visiting DisneyParksPodcast.com directly from your computer and clicking “Listen Now!” on the Disney Parks Podcast site. From there, just choose your episode. Look for the small grey circle with the sideways white triangle inside. Click on that circle and make sure your speakers are on. The show will begin immediately.
You can also download the Stitcher Radio App here.
Find us on YouTube here.
Head over to iTunes and subscribe! This will give you access to each episode as soon as it is released. To learn more about how to subscribe to a podcast in iTunes click here.
If you like what you hear – please rate us with lots of gold stars. This makes it easier for new people to discover Disney Parks Podcast when they are searching to upload a new one to their collection.
Please head over and “like” our facebook page HERE and add us to your interests list! I will be posting there daily to help keep you up to date on the latest!
You can also follow us on Twitter and Pinterest!
Thank you so much for the support you have already shown me in this new endeavor. Disneyways readers and subscribers are AWESOME and I appreciate you all more than you will ever know.
Have a magical day!!
PS Do you want to be a part of The Disney Parks Podcast? We are looking for individuals and businesses who offer only the BEST in Disney related products and services! Please let us know if you (or someone you know!) is interested in sponsoring a future event, giveaways, or even future episodes. We do not accept coupons or any prizes that require action on the winner’s part. Just fill out this form for more information!
Magic Kingdom Hidden Gems and Disney Parks Podcast News
Published April 16, 2014 by Disneyways.com
This episode of the Disney Parks Podcast brings you the Disney news mixed in with some really interesting Magic Kingdom hidden gems!
- What question should you ask the “maids” at the Haunted Mansion?
- Where can you find a picture of Walt in the Carousel of Progress?
- Why can’t you buy gum at the Magic Kingdom?
- Why is the walkway at the Magic Kingdom red?
Get your answers to these questions and more on this episode! Look for the small grey circle with the sideways white triangle inside. Click on that circle and make sure your speakers are on. The show will begin immediately.
Leave us a message at 407-476-8898 with some of your favorite Magic Kingdom hidden gems. Your voice mail might be played on the show!
Last night I got some exciting news. During the month of April our number of downloads per show has more than tripled. That means that there are 3 times as many potential listeners than there were just last month. We want to thank everyone who is tuning in. We are working hard to keep bringing you 2 exciting shows every week. We have some amazing interviews that will be published in May. Thank you for telling your friends about us and for leaving all those great reviews in iTunes!
If you haven’t given us a try just yet, you can catch the latest episode by visiting DisneyParksPodcast.com directly from your computer and clicking “Listen Now!” on the Disney Parks Podcast site. From there, just choose your episode.
You can also download the Stitcher Radio App here.
Find us on YouTube here.
Head over to iTunes and subscribe! This will give you access to each episode as soon as it is released. To learn more about how to subscribe to a podcast in iTunes click here.
Have a magical day!
The Disney Parks Podcast Interviews Original Mouseketeer Lonnie Burr
Published April 9, 2014 by Disneyways.comWe are super excited to bring you The Disney Parks Podcast interview with Lonnie Burr – one of the original Mouseketeers from the Mickey Mouse Club TV show!
Photo Credit
DisneyByMark.com
Lonnie Burr has had an amazing career, and he is not done yet! In addition to Uncle Walt, and Annette Funicello (see Lonnie’s photo with them above) Lonnie has worked with Julia Roberts, Robin Williams (in Hook!), Ginger Rogers, and one my personal favorites – Elvis Presley himself. With years of acting, singing and dancing to Lonnie’s credit – it is very likely you have seen him in many of your favorite TV shows, movies or plays. It has been a tremendous honor for me to get to know Lonnie over email and we are delighted that he has been one of our very special guests on the podcast. Check out Lonnie’s website HERE.
Lonnie’s book “The Accidental Mouseketeer” is now available from Theme Park Press – and you can buy your copy HERE!
Want to win a FREE copy? Listen to Tony’s interview with Lonnie HERE – to hear the answer to this question:
During the podcast Lonnie mentioned a question Walt Disney asked him on one occasion, when they saw each other on the studio lot.
What was the question Walt asked Lonnie?
Hint: it is only 5 words.
Send us your answer to Disneyparkspodcast@gmail.com – by April 15th, 2014. We will draw one winner from all the correct answers to win a free printed copy of Lonnie’s new book! The winner will notified by email and will have 24 hours to respond before we pick another winner.
Video Bonuses!
Check out this awesome video of Lonnie that was created in tribute to him for his 70th birthday!
Here is another fun one from way back in 1975 featuring Lonnie and several other original Mouseketeers!
An Interview With Author Ridley Pearson on the Disney Parks Podcast
Published March 25, 2014 by Disneyways.com
Episode 107 of the Disney Parks Podcast is our very special interview with author Ridely Pierson. March 24, 2013 was a pretty big day for me. I got to have lunch at Epcot with my very sweet friend and because of timing – I was able to skype with Ridley and Tony for this interview from my super (not so) secret location inside Disney’s Beach Club Resort!
Ridley Pearson, is truly an amazing man with an amazing career. He has brought a lot of joy to thousands (and thousands!) of people. I think you can tell how nervous I was. Special thanks to my friend Beatrice Feeney for supplying us with a couple of great questions for Ridley.
You can catch this episode by visiting HERE. Look for the small grey circle with the sideways white triangle inside. Click on that circle and make sure your speakers are on. The show will begin immediately.
Check out Ridley’s blog and all of the wonderful books and products that he has available HERE.
Thanks for tuning in and have a magical day!
Inside Look! Disney Parks Podcast Festival of Fantasy Edition
Published March 14, 2014 by Disneyways.com
We are super excited about the latest episode of the Disney Parks Podcast! We had an exciting round table discussion with an esteemed panel of guests who were ALL present for it’s actual debut at Walt Disney World!! Spoiler Alert – if you want the parade to be a surprise – you will want to skip this episode. Thank you to our esteemed panel for participating in this discussion!
Bill Iadonisi is a writer and blogger for some websites like MickeyNews, DBTN, TheMagicInPixels and much more. His main love is the how’s and why’s of the attractions, and the secrets behind them.He is also a Disney History buff as well and we hope to tap into that knowledge tonight as well. @MickeyNews1
Ramon Rodriguez is with Theme Park Concierges.com and offers VIP Tours to Disney guests at affordable prices! Find more on Ramon at ThemeParkConcierges.com OR at Disneyways.com/Ramon. You can also follow him at facebook.com/RamonVIPConcierge
Jason Mayhew works as a paramedic here in the Orlando area but he also covers all of your Orlando theme parks and more at ChipandCompany.com Follow him on twitter and instagram @MedicMayhew to find out about monthly theme park meetups and so much more!
Finally a man who needs no introduction (because you’ll get it all in a prerecorded session at the end of the show) The man, the myth, the legend and the star of the Disney Parks Podcast….The terrific Tony Caselnova from DisneyByTheNumbers.com
CLICK HERE TO TUNE IN TO THIS VERY SPECIAL EPISODE!
Look for the grey circle with the white triangle inside. Click on that and make sure your speakers are on! The show will begin immediately!
Revealed! Festival of Fantasy Parade Floats Backstage and More
Published January 15, 2014 by Disneyways.comSpoiler alert! The nice folks at DisneyLifestylers, DisneyParksBlog, and InsideTheMagic.net have posted backstage photos of some of the magical floats that will debut this spring in the brand new Festival of Fantasy Parade. As a refresher: the new Magic Kingdom parade titled Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, will feature new parade floats, costumes and theme music. We are expecting floats that will include themes such as “Tangled” “The Little Mermaid,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio,” “Peter Pan,” “Brave,” and a Princess unit.
Over the past year The Disney Parks Blog has released concept art and photos of the floats that we know for sure are coming, so let’s start with those:
Check out the backstage photos that the DisneyLifestylers posted HERE.
InsideMagic.net has a couple of additional ones that you can check out HERE.
Despite no official date being announced by Disney, The Disney Parks Podcast team is betting on March 16th 2014 as the first day of the parade. In fact, we have built a meetup around it! We would love to have you join us, and you can get the details HERE. This is subject to change – so be sure to check our facebook page and website for all the latest on the meetup.
If you like this post, be sure to check out SOLVING THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING THE RAPUNZEL TOWER IN NEW FANTASYLAND… and A FIRST LOOK AT THE DISNEY COLLECTION BY VERA BRADLEY “WHERE’S MICKEY?” DESIGN
Disney Parks Podcast Show #85 – An Interview With Jim Korkis Part 1
Published December 11, 2013 by Disneyways.comI have listened to Jim Korkis speak on many of my favorite podcasts for years, and maybe you have too. I remember seeing Jim at an event at Disney – and just flipping out that I actually got to see him in person! Never in a million years did I dream I would one day be able to speak with him myself. Jim is someone that you can talk to for 5 minutes, and he makes you feel like you have been friends forever. When Jim and I first began communicating – I immediately began teasing and bragging to my friends that “Jim Korkis is my new BFF!”
I am nothing special though, I think he makes most everyone feel that way.
Many of us recognize Jim Korkis as an internationally respected Disney Historian who has written hundreds of articles about all things Disney for over three decades. He is also an award-winning teacher, a professional actor and magician, and the author of several books. For those interested in reading more about Jim Korkis’ “Vault of Walt: Volume 2”, including an excerpt from the book, please click HERE.
In the sequel to his best-selling Vault of Walt, Disney historian Jim Korkis returns to the Vault and brings back 28 more behind-the-scenes stories about Disney films, Disney parks, and Walt himself. We were VERY fortunate to get to interview Jim about his new book The Vault of Walt Volume 2! I have enjoyed this book so much and the podcast team and I wanted you to know more about why you need to buy this for your collection!! We are going to talk with Jim about Mickey Mouse’s birthday and some other fun stuff too. Jim is not afraid to give you the real story – and the whole story – so get ready for some GREAT information! Just a few of the of the highlights include:
- Jim reveals how luxurious our podcast studio really is — complete with milkshake machine and foot massages! (HA!!)
- What makes this volume of Vault of Walt different than the first
- How you can help insure there is a Vault of Walt 3
- What is Disneylandia?
- Where can you see a model built by Walt himself inside Disney World?
- How Walt’s housekeeper died a millionairess….
Here are some ways to tune in:
You can catch Jim’s episode by visiting DisneyParksPodcast.com directly from your computer. Look for the small grey circle with the sideways white triangle inside. Click on that circle and make sure your speakers are on. The show will begin immediately.
We are so very grateful to Jim for coming on the show! He was extremely generous with his time, and to our delight, this interview is only the first of two parts! Please head over to iTunes and subscribe so you can be one of the first people to hear Part 2!
Disneyways 