Neverland Navigation Radio

Ho-ho-ho boy, it’s hot outside! But even record-high temperatures can’t melt our holiday spirit. In this episode, Jake and Morgan celebrate Christmas in July by sharing some of their favorite ways to get into the swing of the Christmas season at Walt Disney World… even in the dead of summer! With this mix of festive food offerings, snowy shows and attractions, and joyfully jolly activities - you’ll be experiencing that “it’s snowing on Main Street” feeling in no time!

Thanks for listening along through 150 episodes filled with theme park history, reviews, and personal adventures. We’re so grateful that you’ve followed us down each research rabbit hole and Disney deep dive!

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The time is now, on a podcast episode very much like the one you have just discovered. Tonight's story on Neverland Navigation Radio is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction. This, as you may recognize, is a podcast episode about attraction history, still available, waiting for you. We invite you, if you dare, to step aboard, because, in tonight's episode, the Tower of Terror is the star. And this podcast travels directly to… The Twilight Zone.

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Disney World’s signature resort is a luxurious pinnacle of style and elegance. Many guests may not realize, however, that this classy Monorail mainstay has a long and fascinating history! On this week’s episode, tag along on a historical adventure spanning the development, opening, and eventual renovation of the Grand Floridian, its restaurants and spa, and the enchanting Wedding Pavilion.

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This unassuming Disney resort property located next door to Disney Springs has a surprising history you have to hear to believe. From its origins as an ambitious educational leisure concept to its transformation into an upscale vacation property, Saratoga Springs has a little-known history filled with fascinating twists and turns. Unique treehouse suites and modern remnants of the Disney Institute are just a few of the topics we delve into on this week’s resort history deep dive.

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Armchair Imagineering is back! In this episode, Jake and Morgan step into the role of Imagineers to create exciting seasonal experiences to spice up summertime at Walt Disney World. Jake conceptualizes a celebrity-centered “Superstar Summer” overlay for Hollywood Studios and Morgan pitches themed attraction overlays for each park!

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One of the signature attractions designed for Disney-MGM Studios has a history so fascinating that it could be the subject of a Hollywood blockbuster. In this episode, Morgan covers the Studio Backlot Tour’s scandalous origin story, multiple revisions, and eventual closure. Relive the excitement of the Catastrophe Canyon portion of the ride and take a nostalgic tour of the now-defunct Boneyard and Residential Street areas.

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As the curtain falls on Jim Henson’s theme park classic, we bid our final farewell to a madcap 3D marvel. In this episode, Jake recounts the conceptualization history of the various Muppets attractions that once existed at Disney MGM Studios and Morgan shares fond memories of the Muppets Courtyard area of the park.

From 1983 to 1999, EPCOT Center’s original philosophical concept had a living thesis statement. It was a futuristic dark ride called Horizons. In this episode, Jake and Morgan time travel back to the genesis of the Horizons concept, recount the ride experience, and discuss the causes and impact of its slow closure. Learn about the unlikely origins of the attraction’s iconic slogan: “If we can dream it, we can do it”, discover the story of the fans who regularly leapt from their Omnimovers mid-ride to document Horizons up close, and follow the twists and turns that led to the eventual demolition of this iconic EPCOT ride.

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The world’s newest theme park has opened, and we’re taking you inside each immersive land. In this episode, Jake shares his experience adventuring through the portals of a Universal Epic Universe preview day. Jake and Morgan will discuss everything you need to know about the new park, including themed dining options, interactive experiences, and cutting edge attractions.

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Though it may be difficult for current EPCOT visitors to imagine, there was a time when one the most innovative and immersive experiences at Walt Disney World was a trip into The Living Seas pavilion. In this episode, Morgan and Jake dive into the conceptual development, history, and eventual transformation of the pavilion now known as The Seas. Learn about the Sea Cab attraction’s original mythology-based concept, the long decline of the Hydrolator experience, and the pavilion’s multi-phase transformation into The Seas with Nemo & Friends.

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