Dispodopolis - Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and everything in between

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss Ryan's latest cruise on the Disney ship, Wonder. He did something very impulsive a couple of months ago and booked a last-minute cruise out of Galveston on the Disney Wonder. Galveston is a port in Texas that is just south of Houston. Not only was it a last-minute cruise, but it was also the last of this season's Very Merrytime Cruises. Tonight, we talk about boarding the ship and how to prepare for your excursion. We also dive deep into the food choices and the good and bad about the sit-down dining. We start our conversation about the entertainment available on the Wonder. Before discussing Ryan's cruising excursion, we discuss our top three moments that Disney made us cry. I went for the nostalgic movies I remember as a kid. These types of movies make you self-aware of your emotions and attachments to those around you. Fiona focused on her recent deep dive into the family Halloween movie genre, which included the latest Muppets special centered on the Haunted Mansion. Ryan focused on some of the more recent Pixar and Disney releases that hit all the right sentiments for him. He has really enjoyed the covid releases that have been hitting Disney+. Recorded to release on February 20th, 2022.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the Muppets Haunted Mansion special on DisneyPlus. This special was a much-anticipated show for those that love anything and everything Haunted Mansion and Muppets. It came out with a bang, and those entrenched in the world of The Muppets and dad jokes were in love with this rendition. It was a much-needed family special that brought parents and their children together and gave us a mental break from the divide in media entertainment. Media today has rarely created a piece that works for small children and their parents, and the Muppets have always been about entertaining the whole family. This special also reconnected us to the great music that has filled the Muppet movies over the years. I don't know why I was taken back when they began to break into song. Of course, they did. This is the seventies Muppets I grew up with in my childhood. Before discussing the Muppets Haunted Mansion special, we discuss what easter egg we would like to see in the Haunted Mansion that is influenced by the Muppets Haunted Mansion special. We discuss which characters we would like to see as a cameo and what special effects we think would be fun to see in the Haunted Mansion. What easter egg would you like to see in the Haunted Mansion? Recorded to release on November 20th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the one and only Haunted Mansion. Fiona decided this October we needed to dive into the history and stories behind the Haunted Mansion. October is the best month to tackle this conversation. From the Haunted Mansion's initial concepts to its many variations, it culminated into a unique collaboration among the many artists chosen from Disney Animation into the new world of WED. From the beginning layouts of Disneyland, Walt Disney wanted to have an old house on the hill that overlooked a typical victorian main street, and it evolved into a haunted house. This evolution led it to be placed in one of Walt Disney's favorite Americana motifs, New Orleans Square. The tribute for the 60th anniversary shows the long-standing love and appreciation of the Haunted Mansion. Join us as we touch on the many people and elements that make the "Haunted Mansion" the pivotal creation that reimagined a carnival ride. Before discussing the "Haunted Mansion," we ask ourselves which Disney Legend we would like to see grace the halls of the "Haunted Mansion." We discuss the Disney Imagineers and Animators who worked on the attraction and those that influenced the company's visual direction. Which Disney Legend would you like to see in the Haunted Mansion? Recorded to release on October 12th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we reach back into the Disney archives and review the movie "Third Man on the Mountain." I didn't know this movie existed a couple of years ago and was super excited to see the film that inspired one of my favorite rides at Disneyland. In a word, Disney described the film "Third Man on the Mountain" as "Breathtaking." In a sentence, you can explain this movie as a boy attempting to realize his father's dream of climbing an alpine peak known as the Citadel or, as we have learned to call it, the Matterhorn. Before discussing the movie "Third Man on the Mountain," we ask ourselves what mountain we would like to climb in the Disney parks. That's right. We want to climb a mountain. Ever since Ryan and I watched members of the Sierra Club traverse the Matterhorn at Disneyland, we have had a craving for a mountain climbing adventure in the park. We, of course, would love to climb the Matterhorn, but there are so many more mountains to climb in the parks. Which mountain would you like to climb? Recorded to release on September 20th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss my recent trip to the Bowers Museum to review the "Inside the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit." The exhibit was initially viewed at the D23 Expo Japan in 2018 before finding a temporary home at the Bowers Museum. The Bowers Museum is located in Santa Ana, California, 10 minutes South of Disneyland along the I-5 freeway. The Bowers Museum is a Spanish-influenced oasis in the middle of suburban Orange County. The Walt Disney Archives exhibit inhabited most of the bottom floor near the main entrance. At the main entrance, you turn left and head down the long hallway with trellis beams above and a flying Dumbo that looks like he is the moment of flight when you are about to descend and land. In the doorway hangs a well-known picture of Walt in his home's doorway with a shadow of Mickey Mouse on the wall. This photo was shot at Walt's home on Woking Way in Los Angeles. This home is where Sharon and Diane, Walt's daughters, grew up with a replica of Snow White's cottage in the backyard. I love this picture and the simplistic appeal of its imagery. This picture is the jumping point for you to experience close to one hundred years of the Walt Disney Studio's history. There is truly something for every film and theme park enthusiast. Recorded to release on August 30th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, Fiona and I finish our discussion about our latest trip to Florida during our Spring Break. As the policies are continually changing at Walt Disney World, this looks like we may be finally turning the corner to travel normalcy, and soon they will list these covid restrictions. As of today, you can walk outside without a mask at Walt Disney World and only need a mask inside or in line. As for our trip, we look back out the three other parks at Walt Disney World that we visited and how we navigated the changing rules and regulations. We start with Hollywood Studios, then on to Animal Kingdom, and we end with Epcot. It was a great experience that never disappoints because we always try to keep our expectations in check. Before discussing our closing conversation about our spring break excursion, we ask what Disney movie we want to watch to get excited about a new attraction to the states'? There are so many new experiences coming to the parks we can't wait to experience them. Epcot has the "Guardian of the Galaxy" and "Ratatouille" themed attractions coming. Magic Kingdom has a "Tron" experience being built. California Disney has an all-new land coming that centers on the Marvel Universe. What attraction are you excited about, and what movie do you want to re-experience to prepare yourself for this attraction? Recorded to release on May 20th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, Fiona and I discuss our latest trip to Florida during our Spring Break. It is once again the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, and it is beautiful. We are excited to talk about the ever-changing policies and choices for fun in the park. In this episode, we stayed at a hotel off property and visited the Magic Kingdom. We start the discussion of our trip with our excursion to the Atlantic Coast of Florida and our adventures in cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, and the Canaveral Nationa Seashore. There are many fun options, from day trips to a half-week visit to this beautiful coast. Before discussing our spring break excursions, we ask what Disney character would we like to bound as the next time we visit the parks? Disney bounding is the concept of dressing up as a Disney character without being in full costume. An example of this is to represent being Goofy by wearing an orange shirt, a yellow jacket, shawl, or vest along with blue bottoms, pants, shorts, or skirt. A green hat, headband, or scarf would top off the outfit. Fiona has a whole themed group of bounding ideas centered on the short-lived Disney Channel show "Gummy Bears." While Ryan and I each picked out one character that we think would be fun. Which character would you like to bound as when you visit the park? Recorded to be released on April 20, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we continue our discussion about the Disney+ release of "WandaVision." We can't get enough, and we love diving deep into these episodes. It has something for everyone, and everyone in my family is truly enjoying the journey. So come with us on this adventure as we talk through the next four episodes of this iconic new series that leaves us wanting more. We expose all the wonderful things we have learned about the Marvel Universe and how WandaVision ties into this ever-expanding world. Before discussing "WandaVision," we ask the question, inspired by "Flora and Ulysses," which animal would you like to see have a superpower and what superpower would you give them? We loved the fun and cute Disney+ family movie, "Flora and Ulysses." It isn't for everyone, but it is definitely for kids in elementary school that love animals and superheroes. Recorded to release on March 20th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the Disney+ release of "WandaVision." There is a lot of hype surrounding the first Marvel production created for Disney+. We were able to dive into the first two episodes on our latest podcast. We cover all the fun, jokes, and symbolism that flows through both episodes. We also talk about the theories that are flying around the internet. There are many, and we help explain how some may be correct, and some may be far fetched. Is it worth the hype? Let's find out. Before discussing "WandaVision," we talk about which attraction we would like to see changed to join the Marvel Universe. We are so excited for the addition of the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction in Epcot and the Marvel Campus opening at Disney California Adventure that we wonder how far this expansion will go in the parks. We talk about attractions that are currently in need of a makeover and those that have been retired. What current attraction or retired attraction would you like to see changed to join the Marvel Universe? Recorded to release on January 30th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we continue our discussion of Walt Disney World during the Covid changes. This time we look at some new experiences in the parks and distance learning at the parks. We talk about some of the foods from the Festival of the Holidays and some of the fun offerings at a couple of restaurants on the Walt Disney World campus. Once again, we talk about the Animation Experience at Rafiki's Planet Watch and present a new spontaneous show we saw at Liberty Square. We finish our discussion with a review of the attraction, Rise of the Resistance. Fiona ends her conversation with a little Walt Disney World therapy. Before we continue our discussion of the Walt Disney World changes, we discuss what foods we would like to try and enjoyed at the Festival of Holidays. We talk about the cookies in the Cookie Stroll, and the many savior items offered at the festival. We also discuss the fun and new discoveries inside the World Showcase Events Pavilion. There is really a lot to take in even with the covid restrictions placed on the event. What foods do you look forward to trying at the next Epcot festival? Recorded to release on January 20th, 2021.