In episode 51, we begin to chronicle our Feb 2015 trip to Disney World.  This is a live on the road trip report via the Roland R-15 recorder.

Join us as we experience Disney World day by day.  This first episode includes:

* The drive down the coast of the US from CT to Florida

* Many first time experiences

* Pop Century resort

* Quick Service meal plan

* Meet-up with friends Christie and Andrew for his birthday

* Paul McKenna Band

* Haircut at Magic Kingdom

* Talking Mickey Mouse Meet-up

* Kona dinner

* Beginning of DCP for Lindsay

* Unload at Lindsay’s apartment

* Magic Kingdom first day

* I’m “That Guy” at Laugh Floor

* Epcot entrance chat with Domina and Brenda from Seattle

* Riding Soarin’

* Test Track queue

* World Showcase trek to find a new DVC fleece.

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Thanks for going Geekin’ on WDW with us!

Intro: In our house, we have a saying “If Momma’s not happy, Nobody’s happy”.  No worries tonight because we know Momma’s happy place.  Find out in this very special episode number 50 as we go Geekin’ On Walt Disney World!

In episode 50, we chat with the real Momma and see what she says about some latest news, preview our upcoming Feb trip and do a top 5 favorite restaurants.

Momma Says:

Trader Sam’s Drink Menu

Disney Food Blog post “New Food I Want to Stuff My Face With at Disney World this Year”

Community

Puppettude Party – Thank Judy Ludwig

Pooh to Tigger finishing up this week

Disney Obsessed – Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat

“Magical Day” – Snob comment – Direct message on Twitter

PreTrip Report

Why we’re going?

Who’s going?

Where we’re staying?

Where we are eating?

Must Do’s?

Top 5 restaurants

High Fidelity top lists  John Cusack Jack Black

Momma

Crystal Palace

Flying Fish

Brown Derby

Boma

Grand Floridian Cafe

Lindsay

Flying Fish

Boma

Garden Grill

Kona

Sleepy Hollow

Curtis(Fun Factor)

O’Hana

Beaches & Cream

Prime Time

Germany

ESPN

You too can be a guest on our show. Do you have a trip report or a great idea for a top 5 topic to chat with us about?  Contact us via Twitter @GeekinOnWDW or email us at [email protected]
How you can support our show?
Retweet or share our Twitter/Facebook posts and let you friends know about our show.
A 5 star iTunes review is greatly appreciated.  We will call them out on our podcast when we read them.

Thanks for going Geekin’ on WDW with us!

 

In episode 49, we chat with friend Tom Duff aka Duffbert about our shared Lotusphere conference experiences around Swan/Dolphin/Boardwalk and a top 5 list of what makes us happy now at Walt Disney World.

What makes you HAPPY at Walt Disney World?

Lindsay

* Carousel Beauty and the Beast song

* Festival of the Lion King

* Journey Into Imagination With Figment

* Minnie graham cracker cookies

* Starry sidewalk at EPCOT entrance area

* Water smell at Splash, Pirates or Small World

* Lieutenant Dan yells at you on Mission Space

* Reflections of Earth

Tom

* Closing of the monorail doors

* World Showcase music transition between countries

* Jaminators in EPCOT

* Music at DisneyQuest

* Tropical Old Key West Entrance and Welcome Home

* Rome burning smell on Spaceship Earth and English Tea

Curtis

* Earport and Resort arrival

* Margarita’s in Mexico pavillion

* Magic Kingdom park opening

* Walk from Beach Club to EPCOT with background music or Bay Lake Tower to Magic Kingdom.

* Smell of Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower

* Stacey’s must do infomercials

You too can be a guest on our show. Do you have a trip report or a great idea for a top 5 topic to chat with us about?  Contact us via Twitter @GeekinOnWDW or email us at [email protected]
How you can support our show?
Retweet or share our Twitter/Facebook posts and let you friends know about our show.
A 5 star iTunes review is greatly appreciated.  We will call them out on our podcast when we read them.

Thanks for going Geekin’ on WDW with us!

Intro:

Who wants to wait in lines? Not me. If you do your research, you won’t wait in lines no more.   Put on your commando gear cousins cause we’re going Geekin’ On Walt Disney World.

In episode 48, we chat with Bob Sehlinger who’s the founder of the Unofficial Guides and we go deep into the science that goes into the touring plans that highlight the books and website.

Listen to the end because we have a giveaway.

Lindsay. We’re really going to get Geeky tonight.  After all, we are the Geekin’ On Walt Disney World podcast. We’ve always been commando when it comes to touring the Disney Parks.

Tonight, we have THE expert on the subject of the best ways to tour the parks to get the most out of your visit and cut down wait times.

The founder of the Unofficial Guides,  Bob Sehlinger.

We are big fans of the book and we used the book for our research of our first trip. We buy the book every year. We signed up for the website touringplans.com with the book purchase discount.  The book is the bible of Disney World and it could take a whole year to read cover to cover.

Questions:

Lindsay: What’s your history with Disney World?

Curtis: Do you still vacation at Disney World? How often do you go?

Lindsay: When was the first Unofficial Guide published?  How has it evolved and changed over the years?

Curtis: If you’ve never been to Disney World before, I believe most people want to see as much as they possibly can.

They may be disappointed in their experience if the spend too much time waiting in lines.

Where would you rank this issue as a factor for guests enjoying their trip?

Lindsay: What are some of the major factors that contribute to wait times in the parks?

Lindsay: Cover of book claims you can learn how to cut waits in line by 4 hours per day.  Can you share with us some strategies and how did you come up with the 4 hour number?

Curtis: How have you improved your model over the years?

Lindsay: A touring plan is a complex issue. For example, for just 3 attractions, there are 6 combinations.

If you add all attractions at Magic Kingdom,

How many possible touring plans are there for Magic Kingdom?

Curtis: Can you explain what the traveling-salesman problem?

Lindsay: What’s an algorithm?

Lindsay: What’s the research and what types of data go into the touring plan calculations? Who does the research?

Curtis: How good are the new touring plans in the Unofficial Guide?

Lindsay: How has the fast pass plus system impacted the touring plans?

Curtis: I’ve commented that the new Fantasyland addition to Magic Kingdom has greatly extended the time you need to spend in the park.  I think it adds a half day or four hours.

How has the edition of New Fantasyland impacted the Magic Kingdom touring plan?

Lindsay: Can you really see it all in a one week vacation?

Curtis: Is there a time when the parks are not crowded any more?

Lisa Green: How difficult is it to provide tips for all ages & life stages? That’s one of the things I appreciate most about the books (I have several editions).

Tony McDaniel: What is your opinion of the future of Animal Kingdom in regards to the plans to keep the park open later with the Rivers of Light show, “Avatar Land”, etc.? Will it be a well received or panned by fans and critics?

Review Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower comments from book page 153.

Conclude

You too can be a guest on our show. Do you have a trip report or a great idea for a top 5 topic to chat with us about?

In episode 47, Lindsay, Sarah Chapman and Curtis help Gail with her first time family trip planning to Walt Disney World.

Intro:

You’ve heard all about it from friends.  You’ve never been before.  You want to have a great time but you’ve got questions.

Have no fear. The Geekin’ On Walt Disney World gang is here. It’s episode 47 and time to help a friend plan their trip and go Geekin On Walt Disney World!

Intro Gail and topic – We’re going to help Gail with her plans for her upcoming trip and answer some questions for her.

Intro Sarah Chapman from LBAC Travel

New Country: New Zealand!

Pooh To Tigger Update: I’m back to pre-Christmas weight 241.

New iTunes reviews

Preview of Cinderella – January 17-March 21, 2015. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, ABC Sound Studio, 10:00am-30 minutes prior to closing

We were guests on The Disney Exchange – Episode comes out Sunday 01/18/2015. (My Birthday)

In episode 2, they gave me a shout out a couple times.

Momma says:

Poly DVC

Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake

New Meet and Greet Frozen Pavillion

Format for this episode is helping a friend plan their vacation

We Gail some starter questions.  We’ve been working on these for a few months.

Curt: Who’s going on the trip?

Curt: When did you start planning?

Curt: When are you going?  Why did you pick June?

Curt: I know you’ve booked your resort. What resort and why did you choose that resort?

Curt: is everybody’s must do for this trip? What do they want to experience on the trip?

Curt: What restaurants did you pick?  Why did you pick them?

Gail: Should I do dining plan or not?

Gail: How much of our day or days should I plan?

Gail: We’re not staying at a Disney Resort, why should I buy a magic band?

Gail: What are the must do FP attractions for their family? Review each park attractions to FP

Gail: Which night time attractions would you recommend in priority?

Gail: What shows are a priority?

Gail: We were going to skip EPCOT. Why would I not skip it for an eight year old?

Gail: Should I buy the memory maker or not?

Conclude
You too can be a guest on our show.  It’s easy. Send me an email at [email protected] to get started. Let’s have some fun brainstorming an interesting topic you can contribute to.
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We really appreciate 5 star iTunes reviews. Thanks for listening!

In episode 46, Lindsay and I review the new Disney musical movie, Into The Woods, and run down our list of 52 attractions you can involve yourself as part of “The Show”.

Rides & Attractions

Mission: SPACE & Advanced Training Lab

Haunted Mansion

Spaceship Earth

Star Tours

Test Track

Toys Story Midway Mania

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

You Control the Vehicle

Tomorrowland Speedway

Triceratop Spin

Mad Tea Party

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Astro Orbiter

Shows

Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor

Turtle Talk with Crush

Enchanted Tiki Room

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (kids)

Citizens of Hollywood / Mainstreet

Festival of the Lion King

Flights of Wonder

Gi-tar Dan

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Jedi Training Academy (kids)

Lights, Motors, Action! (kids)

Main Street Welcome

Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe

Sergio

Queues

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Haunted Mansion

The Many Adventures of Whinnie the Pooh

Peter Pan’s Flight (maybe!)

Space Mountain

Soarin’

Test Track

Under The Sea Journey Of the Little Mermaid

Other

The Boneyard

Casey Jr. Splash N Soak Station

Conservation Station

Phineas and Ferb Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

Frontierland Shootin Arcade

Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure

Imageworks What If Labs (Figment)

Innoventions East by Test Track(Storm Struck, Sum of all Thrills) & West by Soarin (Where’s the Fire?, The Great Piggy Bank Adventure)

Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post

Wilderness Explorers

Retired

Backlot Tour

Ziti Sisters

World Showcase Players

Did we miss any?

In episode 45, we have a fun conversation with friends Amanda and Angela about their Honeymoon trips to Walt Disney World.  This episode was an idea and suggestion from listener Heather Pitman.

Highlights:

Buttons, Mouse Ears and tshirts

Special treatment from guests and cast members

Port Orleans: French Quarter and Riverside

Honeymoon Registry

Romantic dinner places

Pinocchio Village Haus(What?), California Grill, Be Our Guest, O’Hana

Free fast passes, Great CM interaction, Pizzafari incident, Storm Trooper interaction, Dapper Dan’s, Married by Green Army Man

Tips:

Need a few days rest before trip after wedding.

Planned more down time

Add-on’s for Honeymooners

Spa treatment, Firework’s Cruise, Private Party for Two (Grand Floridian Balcony, Tower of Terror)

Disney World.com Top Tips for Honeymooners

* Ask resort for just married buttons

* Book a couples massage at a Disney Spa

* Book a deluxe resort

* Watch the Electric Water Pageant from Polynesian Beach

* Beaches and Cream

* Horse Drawn carriage ride at Port Orleans

* California Grill

* Boat ride from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney

* Go during Food and Wine

* DisneyFlorist.com to surprise your sweetie

* Go during Flower & Garden Festival in Spring or Food & Wine Festival in Fall

* Surprise your sweetie with a gift ordered in advance on http://www.disneyflorist.com.

* Practice your marriage communication: Before you arrive, be sure to discuss your top priorities for visiting the Disney Theme Parks so that you can experience each other’s favorite attractions.

* Margarita’s in Mexican Pavilion!

 

Links:

Disney Parks Flip Side Contest

Disney Honeymoon Registry

Honeymoon Tips

In episode 44, we chat with listener Jenn Galambos about her trip and stay at the Wilderness Lodge at Christmas Time is Disney World.

Momma says

Polynesian lobby. She likes it. Rock work on the wall. No more wood panels. Individual pod desks for checkin.  Big Tiki on top of fountain.

Trip report

Driving to WDW with young children

Concierge at Wilderness Lodge

First time at O’hana

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party

How to do rider swap with young children.

Conclude
Do you have a top 5 list or trip report? Contact us and come on the show to chat.
How you can support our show?
Retweet or share our Twitter/Facebook posts and let your friends know about our show
We love it when we get 5 star iTunes review. Thanks for listening!

In episode 43, we review Disneyland with Californian listener Lauren who lives 15 minutes from Disneyland and we do a Top 5 WDW restaurants we’ve not eaten at yet but want to.

Intro

Goodbye Muirsheen Durkin sure we’re sick and tired of working
No more we’ll dig the praties and no longer we’ll be fooled
As sure’s me name is Carney we’ll be off to California
Where instead of diggin’ praties we’ll be diggin’ lumps of gold

That’s right, It’s episode 43 and we’re Geekin On Walt Disney World in California.

Lauren from California – Twitter @laurafee

Pooh To Tigger Challenge

Tell everyone that my recorder has upside down buttons

Disneyland

How many days to you need to see it all?

Favorite resorts?

Favorite restaurants? Steakhouse 55

   Sit down?

   Counter Service?

Favorite foods?

Favorite Snacks?

Drinks?

Favorite attractions?

Favorite shows?

Night time shows? Fireworks?

Rides that are in FL and CA?

Difference between both resorts?

California Adventure

Top 5 restaurants we haven’t eaten at yet:

Lauren’s List:

Sleepy Hollow

Le Cellier

Be Our Guest

Spice Road Table

Trader Sam’s

Lindsay’s list

Jiko

Restaurant Marrakesh

Tusker House

Mama Melrose

Citricos

Curtis’s List:

Hoop De Doo Revue

Citricos

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Tusker House

Olivia’s Cafe

In episode 42, Lindsay and I critique a negative blog post about Disney World and finish with a collection of our bloopers from the past year.

Intro:

Prince Hans of the Southern Isles in Frozen was difficult to discover as a villain, but Disney Geeks know when they see a villain. We discovered a Disney villain and we respond in episode 42. Let’s defend the Disney World faithful and go Geekin’ On Walt Disney World!

Lindsay’s Christmas presents

Curtis Christmas presents including Walt book(How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life)

, AccScent HD, mp3/wave recorder, Mickey Mouse tshirt and Joffrey Coffees.

Do you get criticized for your love of Disney World? Do friends or family not get it?

Community:

Heather Pitman’s facebook post on our page.  Disney World Mooning

New Country: Brazil. 1 download

Where do the coins from WDW go?

http://attractionsmagazine.com/18000-coins-help-make-wishes-come-true-local-children/

Momma says:

2015 cover of Unofficial Guide is Everest again. Wrong!

Sunshine Tree Terrace will server Dole Whips

Blog post we critique: For the First Time in Forever… I Did Not Enjoy My Vacation to Disney World

Bloopers

Conclude
Remind people to come on show
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5 star iTunes review please