90s Disney

Join AJ, Mike, and Chris in this special bonus episode as they recount their recent adventures at Disney World and the unforgettable Epic Universe preview weekend. From thrilling rides to nostalgic moments, hear all about their experiences, favorite eats, and a surprising business announcement for Mike. Perfect for Disney enthusiasts and theme park lovers looking to live vicariously through their magical journey!

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

01:14 Disney World Trip Overview

01:55 Buc-ee’s First Impressions

03:01 Swan Hotel Experience

06:42 Epcot Adventures

12:36 Magic Kingdom Day

21:17 Animal Kingdom Day

30:50 Nostalgia for Dino Land

31:02 Harrison's First Rollercoaster

31:50 Waiting in Line for Flight of Passage

33:29 Dinner at Sana

34:57 Breakfast at 1900 Park Fair

40:31 Bippity Boppity Boutique Experience

44:52 Late Night at Magic Kingdom

53:49 Building Lightsabers at Galaxy's Edge

59:53 Farewell to Muppet Courtyard

01:02:39 Galaxy's Edge Adventures

01:02:52 Blue Milk Misadventures

01:03:08 Rise of the Resistance

01:04:08 Tower of Terror Thrills

01:05:03 A Much-Needed Break

01:06:00 Family Fun Continues

01:16:31 Evening at Disney Springs

01:18:40 Epcot Day Highlights

01:34:04 Reflecting on the New Park Areas

01:34:31 A Day of Rides and Encounters

01:35:11 Exploring the World Showcase

01:38:14 Epic Universe Preview Day

01:38:56 Navigating Super Nintendo World

01:41:49 Lunch at Toadstool Cafe

01:47:34 Donkey Kong Country Adventures

01:51:31 How to Train Your Dragon

01:57:12 Dark Universe and Monsters Unchained

02:01:42 Ministry of Magic and Final Thoughts

02:04:24 Recency Bias and Ride Comparisons

02:05:18 Pro Tips for Visiting Epic

02:05:37 Navigating the Park with Kids

02:07:20 Evening Adventures and Dining

02:11:16 Reflecting on the Park Experience

02:13:33 Final Day and Special Moments

02:22:06 Q&A Session

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On your marks, get set, go! In this episode of 90s Disney, AJ, Mike, and Chris are racing through the magical history of runDisney, Disney’s official long-distance running series. Chris takes the lead with a look back at how Disney’s first road races began in the 1980s with "Jog with Jiminy," evolved into the Disney Endurance Series, and finally transformed into the runDisney events we know today. From humble beginnings to marathons through the theme parks, we explore how these events reshaped the Disney calendar, filled hotel rooms in the off-season, and inspired thousands of costumed runners to race for the medals, the memories—and the merch.

Plus, we hear all about Chris’s firsthand experience running the Star Wars Half Marathon, complete with 4 AM start times, stormtrooper photo ops, and the joys and hazards of a 13.1-mile journey through Disney property. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a seasoned churro fan, this episode is your victory lap.

Topics Covered

• The origins of runDisney: Jog with Jiminy and the Disney Endurance Series
• The first Walt Disney World Marathon in 1994
• Why Disney World is uniquely suited for racing events
• Themed races: Princess, Star Wars, Castaway Cay, Dopey Challenge, and more
• The short-lived Disneyland Marathon and its infamous wrong turn
• runDisney today: massive scale, high demand, and big medals
• Chris’s personal Star Wars Half Marathon experience
• AJ and Mike’s aspirations (and hesitations) to get on the course
• Balloon ladies, cosplay runners, and surprise rides along the way

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In this bonus episode of 90s Disney, we’re going where no ranking has gone before—across the lands of both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure!

Join AJ, Mike, and Chris as they each bring their personal preferences, hot takes, and maybe a little bit of theme park chaos to the table. From nostalgia-soaked walkways to lands that are just “fine,” it’s time to figure out which parts of the Disneyland Resort reign supreme. One land must stand at the top… but getting there won’t be easy.

Is it the immersive theming? The snacks? The rides? The bathrooms? It’s all fair game.

Expect laughter, passionate debates, sibling rivalry, and maybe a few theme park truths you weren’t ready to hear.

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It’s Star Trek like you’ve never experienced it before… unless you were lucky enough to visit the Las Vegas Hilton in the late ’90s and early 2000s! This week, AJ, Mike, and Chris beam aboard Star Trek: The Experience, a one-of-a-kind immersive attraction that brought fans into the final frontier in the most Vegas way possible. From Klingon kidnappings to Quark’s Bar and even weddings on the bridge of the Enterprise, this was no ordinary theme park experience.

We dive into how Las Vegas rebranded itself as a family destination in the ’90s, the abandoned dream of a full-size Enterprise downtown, and the Hilton’s transformation into a Trekker’s paradise. Relive iconic moments from Klingon Encounter, brave the Borg Invasion 4D, and explore everything from the gift shops and museum to the walkaround characters and their surprisingly deep lore.

Plus, what killed this incredible attraction just before Trek’s 2009 comeback? And how did it influence the next generation of theme park storytelling?

Things We Talked About

• The failed $150 million Enterprise replica project for downtown Vegas
• The rise of family-focused attractions on the Strip, including MGM Grand Adventures and Luxor’s Sega arcade
• The Las Vegas Hilton’s surprising Star Trek connection
• Klingon Encounter and its groundbreaking transporter illusion
• Borg Invasion 4D and how Voyager influenced its creation
• Deep dive into the museum, Quark’s Bar (Warp Core Breach, anyone?), and character interactions
• The closure of the Experience and its legacy in themed entertainment

Watch and Read More

• Hollywood Reporter: The Star Trek Saga
• Musings of a Middle-Aged Geek
• Memory Alpha: Star Trek: The Experience
• StarTrek.com: Remembering Star Trek: The Experience
• YouTube: Walkthrough Video 1
• YouTube: Walkthrough Video 2

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It's time for an extra special bonus episode of 90s Disney! This time, we're heading to Universal as Mike gets an exclusive first look at Universal Epic Universe! Thanks to a friend, Mike got to attend an employee preview of the highly anticipated new theme park, months before its grand opening.

Mike walks AJ and Chris through the entire park, discussing his spoiler-free first impressions of Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and the Ministry of Magic. From groundbreaking ride technology to next-level theming and food, this episode is packed with early insights into the biggest new theme park in decades!

Topics Discussed

• How Epic Universe compares to other major theme parks
• Celestial Park – The grand entrance and hub of the park
• Super Nintendo World – Bigger, better, and featuring Donkey Kong!
• Dark Universe – Universal Monsters come to life with an incredible dark ride and immersive theming
• How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk – A sleeper hit with kinetic energy and breathtaking scenery
• Ministry of Magic – Even though the ride wasn’t open, Mike got a sneak peek at the queue (and it’s massive!)
• The best food and drinks across the park
• How Disney might respond to the competition

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Join the Conversation!

Have you been keeping up with Epic Universe? What are you most excited for? Let us know by leaving a comment on Spotify or emailing us at [email protected].

Thanks for listening! See you next time on 90s Disney!

All aboard! This week, we set sail on a deep dive into the history of the Disney Cruise Line. From its origins with the Big Red Boat to the launch of the Disney Magic in 1998, we explore how Disney transformed the cruise industry into a floating theme park experience.

In This Episode:

• The fan-requested topic that led us to cover Disney Cruise Line history
• What pop culture looked like on July 30, 1998 – the launch date of the Disney Magic
• The evolution of Disney’s cruise offerings from the Big Red Boat partnership to their own fleet
• How Michael Eisner saw an opportunity to bring Disney magic to the seas
• The unique design and innovations of the early Disney Cruise Line ships
• The creation of Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay
• Expanding the fleet: The transition from the Magic and Wonder to the Dream, Fantasy, and beyond
• Recent expansions, including the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and upcoming ships
• What makes a Disney Cruise different from other cruise lines
• Mike’s first-hand experience on the Disney Wish

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Welcome to a special bonus episode of 90s Disney! Inspired by an email from listener Manny, we embark on the ultimate challenge: ranking all the pavilions in EPCOT's World Showcase. Which country reigns supreme, and which one needs a little extra magic? From drinking strategies to pavilion expansions, we debate it all!

Topics Covered

• Preferred routes for drinking around the world (Mexico vs. Canada vs. International Gateway)
• Ranking all 11 pavilions in the World Showcase
• Which pavilions need an upgrade?
• The best snacks, restaurants, and drinks in each country
• Where does China really belong in the rankings?
• Why Germany’s caramel and beer keep it strong
• The impact of Ratatouille on France’s pavilion status
• What’s missing from the UK pavilion?
• How Morocco’s potential remains untapped
• Drinking Around the World Picks

Big thanks to Manny for inspiring this episode! Let us know how you would rank the World Showcase pavilions. Send us an email or drop a comment on Blue Sky!

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Welcome, explorers! This time on 90s Disney, we’re stepping into the jungle and exploring the history of Rainforest Cafe. From its ambitious start in the '90s as an immersive dining experience to its expansion across Disney properties and beyond, we break down how this animatronic-filled restaurant became a staple of themed dining!

In This Episode:

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In this special bonus episode, we take a musical journey through some of the most iconic and beloved songs from Disney attractions. Join us as we revisit the soundtracks that made our favorite rides unforgettable and discuss how these tunes elevate the park-going experience. Whether you’re humming along to One Little Spark or grooving to Nothing Can Stop Us Now, this episode will strike a nostalgic chord for any Disney fan.

Grab your hard hards and safety goggles. We've got some wrecking to do! In this episode, we delve into the fascinating and somewhat tragic story of Disney's Horizons. This groundbreaking EPCOT attraction captured imaginations with its vision of the future but eventually faded into history. We explore its conception, its importance in the broader context of Disney history, and its enduring legacy among Disney fans. Get ready for nostalgia, intrigue, and a deeper understanding of a beloved Disney gem.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

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