Starport75 - A Disney Podcast

By Chris Grey & Glenn Welch

A podcast (mostly) about Disney, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland but honestly, we nerd out on anything--tech, photography, cars, books, music, etc. Have a listen.... more

5

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FAQs about Starport75 - A Disney Podcast:

How many episodes does Starport75 - A Disney Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.

Starport75 - A Disney Podcast episodes:

January 10, 2017Episode 015 - Listener questions and non sequitur episode
Recorded on 1/4/17

Listener questions

Question about Disney’s use of Eminent Domain

It might come into play regarding Crossroads Shopping Center as the plans for I-4 expansion are finalized

Has Disney run afoul of the Secret Service because of Disney Dollars?

Magic Bands can’t be used for purchases by Annual Passholders

What is the window for Fastpasses?

Charity pick

[American Heart Association](http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/)

Rogue One discussion

Picks of the week

Glenn: [The Anova Precision Cooker - Sous Vide Device For The Home‎](http://amzn.to/2ib3rRJ)

Chris: Disney Wooden Nickels from the Grand Floridian and [Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie](http://amzn.to/2iaXgwT)
...more
1h 20min
December 22, 2016Episode 014 - ...where nothing can "possa-bly" go wrong
Recorded on 12/20/16

Minecraft

Special guest: Megan

Explanation of what Minecraft is

MCMagic server

WDW is built within Minecraft

You can visit and walk around, ride rides

The detail is fairly amazing because it’s so accurate

Disney Emoji Blitz Corner

Christmas Emojis are out

It’s still frustrating

Guess the Downloads game

Between 1-5 million downloads on Google’s Play store

Need tron.fm emoji blitz

Chris Visits Disney Corner

Chris went to the MK on Friday with his family

Much better experience than last time

Arrived around 1 p.m. and it started to get crowded around 4 p.m.

Clearing the park of non-MVMCP guests

Got to see the Castle lighting before leaving at 7 p.m.

Ate at Columbia Harbour House while there (because it’s the best restaurant)

Discussion of Pinocchio’s Village Haus and Be Our Guest Restaurants

Alcohol at the Magic Kingdom

It doesn’t bother Glenn; Chris likes that there was a ban in place for such a long time and now it’s being lifted

Did Walt drink?

Photopass is part of the Annual Pass now, and it’s a great feature

Magic shots

Annual Passholder only entrance

Benefits of being a Passholder

Security is necessary, but it needs to be rethought so it flows better

Charity Pick

[stopbullying.gov](https://www.stopbullying.gov/)

Picks of the week

Glenn: [Bill Gates’ Reddit Secret Santa story](http://wgno.com/2016/12/19/lucky-woman-gets-bill-gates-as-her-secret-santa/)

Chris: [Walt Disney World - The First Decade](http://amzn.to/2ilbRGo)

The Simpsons - Itchy & Scratchy Land (1994-S06 E04)

Helicopter Pilot: We are now approaching our final destination, Itchy and Scratchy Land. The amusement park of the future where nothing can "possa-bly" go wrong. Uh, possibly go wrong. That's the first thing that's ever gone wrong.
...more
1h 33min
December 18, 2016Episode 013 - A snap and a clap
Recorded 12/14/16

Emoji Blitz Corner

Hi, Sean!

Availability of Christmas emoji

The majesty of the Christmas season

Advent calendars, including Lego Advent calendars

R2-D2 Advent calendar

Chris Visits Disney Corner

Chris visited the Magic Kingdom on 12/10/16

The signs were there that Chris should just turn around and go home

It was very crowded at the Magic Kingdom

Chris visits the Cabanas!

What did Glenn do last weekend?

Played handyman

Helped with computer problems

Listener email

Email from Sean

Question about quality of the parks and movies

We attempt an answer

Pick of the week

Chris - [The Trackr](https://www.thetrackr.com/)
...more
1h 25min
December 08, 2016Episode 012 - Candlelight Processional narrated by Roger Rabbit
Recorded December 6, 2016

Emoji Blitz Corner (not really)

Somehow, the conversation quickly devolves into Moana...

And what kind of VHS we had growing up...

And Glenn recording the resort channels at WDW…

And back to Moana (and Hawaii Five-O).

Come back for Chris’ Review Corner...

And Chris’ Reading Corner where he reads The Princess and the Frog [Little Golden Book](http://amzn.to/2gdGUHT)

Livestream of Spaceship Earth transforming into Death Star

Needed some practice for the livestream

The best part was the laser

Express bus transportation is being charged for

Candlelight Processional

Began in 1958 at Disneyland on Main Street

The living Christmas Tree was added in 1960 and was formed by the Western High School A’Capella Choir. The choir director retired in 1981 and in 1982 the Disney Employee Choir filled their place, and hold it to the present time

Celebrity narrators were added in 1961 and Dennis Morgan was the first narrator, and was the narrator through 1964. Dick Van Dyke was the narrator in 1965 (which would end up being the last that Walt attended), and it changed each year after that, with some repeats.

WDW has always had a celebrity narrator. Rock Hudson was the first WDW narrator in 1971.

It performed for two nights only in Disneyland and WDW.

In 1993, because of guest demand, WDW’s was moved to Epcot and ran two shows each night for 15 nights. It was so successful that in 1994, it was expanded to 30 nights with two performances each night.

The Disneyland Candlelight Procession and Ceremony moved to a new home at the Fantasyland Theater in 1998, returning to Main Street in 2003, and beginning in 2012 it was presented multiple nights.

It’s a presentation of the Christmas story in readings by a celebrity narrator and music by a Mass choir and 50-piece orchestra

It’s pure Christmas; the story of the birth of Christ

Current music set list for Epcot’s presentation:

Candlelight Carillon (Processional)

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Shout for Joy

O Come All Ye Faithful

Away in a Manger

O Holy Night

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Il Est Ne

Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy (Glenn’s favorite!)

What Child is This

Do You Hear What I Hear

Silent Night

Joy to the World

Hallelujah

The Wonderful World of Christmas (recessional)

We listen to the music during the Christmas season since we can’t be there, and we watched a livestream of a production last week with Neil Patrick Harris

Celebrity narrators

Special Guest to talk about the Candlelight Processional - Tammy! @missdiz

Had to practice at least 10 times to be in the choir

First year was 2000

Celebrity guests

couldn’t really meet them, but Gary Sinese shook everyone’s hand

Get ready behind the American Adventure

Procession - tree fills in first, then the school choirs

What it’s like when you’re standing on stage

We enjoying seeing it as a family when we go on vacation

Live Action/Animated films

Chris hates them with a white-hot passion

Chris doesn’t like Roger Rabbit or Mary Poppins

The Polar Express freaks Glenn out

Chris thinks the Rankin-Bass specials should be made so they’re more interesting to younger audiences

Charity Pick

[Wikipedia](https://donate.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:FundraiserLandingPage&country=US&uselang=en&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_source=donate&utm_campaign=C13_en.wikipedia.org)

Picks of the week

Glenn: [Designated Survivor](http://abc.go.com/shows/designated-survivor) on ABC

Chris: [Spacecraft Films](http://www.spacecraftfilms.com/blog/)
...more
1h 21min
December 04, 2016Episode 011 - Let's go to the Monorail's dining car
Recorded on 11/29/16

Follow Up

Glenn clarifies his stance on the [Cabanas](http://blogmickey.com/2016/11/photos-look-inside-650day-kingdom-cabanas-magic-kingdom/) at the Magic Kingdom…kinda.

Christmas Drones at Disney Springs

Minecraft

[MCMagic](https://youtu.be/fSv60gSxabg)

WDW built in Minecraft

[NintendoLand at Universal Theme Parks](http://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/nintendo-universal-parks/)

Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan

Universal is creating some great things

[Future of IP at Disney and Universal](http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201611/5357/)

Charity Spot

[ASPCA](https://www.aspca.org/)

[Highway in the Sky Dine-Around](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/11/new-highway-in-the-sky-dine-around-launches-dec-2-at-walt-disney-world-resort/)

Glenn thinks it’s an OK idea; Chris doesn’t

Tangent into Disney using Food & Beverage revenue instead of building new attractions/experiences

Chris wants dinner on the monorail

Snacks at WDW

Dole Whip, Citrus Swirl

Popcorn

Coke and Frozen Cokes

Turkey Legs - Chris likes, Glenn doesn't

[Handwiches](http://www.parkeology.com/2010/08/talk-to-hand.html) - old school

Chicken and Waffles at Backlot Express at DHS with Darth Vader waffles

Podcast topic idea: Weird food at Disney in the past

Ice cream; specifically ice cream cookie sandwiches

Pick of the week

Glenn - anti-pick: Newly released Prince CD [4Ever](http://amzn.to/2fYg8xO); don’t buy it if you’re already a Prince fan and have most of his music already. Instead, get [The Hits/The B-Sides](http://amzn.to/2gTHSbF)

Chris - [From the Earth to the Moon](http://amzn.to/2gTPZF0) DVD set and [A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts](http://amzn.to/2gOum6b) by Andrew Chaikin

Aftershow

Positivity!
...more
1h 20min
November 27, 2016Episode 010 - Bananas for Cabanas
Recorded on 11/22/16

Thanksgiving week

Emoji Blitz Corner

Psych! (Well, about a minute of discussion)

Waiting for the Christmas emojis to be released

Glenn is playing [Clash Royale](https://clashroyale.com/) again

Chris wants to get Glenn to play Tetris; Glenn will become obsessed with it if he starts playing it again

Future episodes: Retro video games and Walt Disney World Explorer

Chris’ visit to DHS and his review of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! - AKA "Chris Visits Disney" Corner

Star Tours

First ride on ST for Chris’ son

Great Movie Ride

Star Wars Launch Bay

Stormtrooper march

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

Chris enjoyed it

Gives it about an 8.5 out of 10

Prep and Landing is great

Other Christmas offerings that Chris is going to try to attend

Drones at Disney Springs

Maybe other things, but probably not

Chris’ Disney Adventure is the best segment

[Magic Bands 2](http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymagicplus/news/21nov2016-disney-unveils-the-magicband-2.htm)

Disney is trying to save expenses by not having to permanently have the RFID chip in every band

Will they pass the savings along to the guest?

Can put the pebble in other items

The data that comes from the Magic Bands must be incredible

Magic Band technology hasn’t made it to Disneyland yet

Why can’t Magic Bands for AP’ers be used for charging?

Pandora - The World of AVATAR

Opening Summer 2017

[Showed a clip of one of the AAs](https://d23.com/first-look-at-the-navi-river-journey-shaman/?share_token=f0fe172676)

Opinions:

Glenn couldn’t care less about Avatar; should have spent the money on original IP

Chris: theming is a waste of talent for the Imagineers; does not agree with using Avatar

Our opinions aside: the AA looks fantastic

It’s a shame that technology isn’t being used on something with Disney theming

[Cabanas in the Magic Kingdom](http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201611/5344/)

Glenn thinks it’s a huge money grab by the Walt Disney Company

Chris plays Devil’s Advocate and makes a case for it…and makes good points

It’s mainly the presentation of the current test of the cabanas in Tomorrowland that’s bugging Glenn

If they were themed and out of the way, it wouldn’t be bad

Charity Pick

[Goodwill](http://www.goodwill.org/)

[Epcot is the next park to be overhauled](http://thedisneyblog.com/2016/11/21/whats-going-epcot/)

Finally!

It could be really cool or really awful

More show material! Yay!

A new festival at Epcot

[Festival of the Arts](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/11/all-new-epcot-international-festival-of-the-arts-coming-to-walt-disney-world-in-january-2017/)

Extending the number of festivals at Epcot

A scrappy little company trying to make their way in the world

Picks of the week

Chris - [The Tetris Effect: The Game that Hypnotized the World by Dan Ackerman](http://amzn.to/2gL7VlD)

Glenn - [Walt Disney's Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow by Richard R. Beard](http://amzn.to/2gycIDZ)
...more
1h 21min
November 17, 2016Episode 009 - Attack of the Disney Christmas Drones
Recorded 11/15/16

First showing of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! was on 11/14

Coverage of new Disney events by the Disney blogging community

Usenet groups/forums - old school

[Tom Bricker’s](http://www.disneytouristblog.com/jingle-bell-jingle-bam-review-tips/) review

[The technology is pretty cool](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/11/video-the-making-of-jingle-bell-jingle-bam-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/)

Not a true replacement for the Osbourne lights

Chris will check it out

Disney’s Christmas preparations

We’re both OK with Christmas decorations going up before Thanksgiving

A long time ago, Disney put up Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving

Glenn is in full-on Christmas mood

[Disney Springs Starbright Holidays](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/11/hundreds-of-show-drones-light-up-the-skies-during-the-holidays-at-disney-springs-at-walt-disney-world-resort/)

[No-fly zone over WDW](http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_3634.html); but it doesn’t cover Disney Springs

[Disney received a waiver from the FAA](https://www.faa.gov/uas/request_waiver/waivers_granted/media/107W-2016-00964_Disney_CoW.pdf)

[Partnership with Intel](https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/16/intel-and-disney-paint-the-sky/)

Chris is going to see the show

It’s over the lagoon

Could this be the “replacement” for the Osbourne lights? Glenn thinks the bean counters at Disney think this is the replacement; Chris isn’t so sure

Charity Pick

[Salvation Army](https://salvationarmyusa.org)

[Kennedy Space Center](https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/)

[New attraction](http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-kennedy-heroes-legends-20161110-story.html) - Heros and Legends

Incorporates the US Astronaut Hall of Fame

KSC has become a great attraction

Includes the [Space Shuttle Atlantis](https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/shuttle-a-ship-like-no-other)

Need to try to incorporate into a Disney trip

Picks of the week

Chris - [Wink home automation](http://www.wink.com/)

Glenn - [Retro Disney World](http://www.retrodisneyworld.com/) podcast

Aftershow

[Hallmark Channel](http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/)

Christmas movies from early November until January 1

Glenn is getting sucked in thanks to his wife

All of the movies are the same!

Next podcast: Photography discussion!!!
...more
55min
November 03, 2016Episode 008 - President Lincoln and his bag of holding
Recorded 11/1/16

An election is coming up

Chris is voting early tomorrow

Chris is taking a field trip to the Crayola Experience in the Florida Mall on Election Day

Hall of Presidents

History

’64-’65 World’s Fair - Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln

Moved to Disneyland

When WDW was being designed, they didn’t want another New Orleans Square because of the proximity of NOLA to Orlando

Imagineers reviewed plans for Liberty Street from Disneyland and decided on Liberty Square

Created the Hall of Presidents for WDW

Starting with Bill Clinton, the sitting President gives a speech

With Barack Obama, the HoP was redone with the version that is there today

Opinions

Glenn has liked every version of the HoP

Chris hasn’t been in a while; he’s going to go before it changes

How much cooperation do they need from the President?

[Video from the White House](https://youtu.be/TdpAbHwoFq0)

The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History

The beauty of Liberty Square

It’s an underrated land

The Muppets are a good addition

We want to see it in person; we’ve watched a [video](http://www.themeparktrader.com/the-muppets-present-great-moments-in-american-history-review-and-video/) of it and it looks fun

Little gems of WDW

Charity Pick

How to find a charity

[Guidestar](https://www.guidestar.org/)

[Better Business Bureau](http://give.org/)

PizzeRizzo

Opens 11/18/16

Pizza Planet pizza was horrible

Not as good as [Lombardi’s](http://www.firstpizza.com/) in New York; America’s First Pizzeria!

Looking forward to this opening

Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

Glenn has never eaten there

Chris ate there with his friend Sean

Chris didn’t have a great meal there, although Sean really enjoys it

A little background on Sean - a future guest on the podcast

Construction at the Magic Kingdom for new security checkpoints

Report on [WDWMagic](http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/news/31oct2016-photos---construction-at-the-magic-kingdom-main-entrance-points-to-streamlined-security-checkpoints.htm)

Security for each separate type of transportation to try to speed up getting through security

There’s a need for security, but anything that can help will be welcome

Chris gets picked every time to go through the metal detector

The security checkpoints should be blended in better

Rumors of Guardians of the Galaxy attraction

Rumors of GotG replacing Universe of Energy have been squashed

New rumor: [GotG overlay at Tower of Terror in DHS](http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-terror-rific-spirited-13th-tot-fans-have-lots-to-fear.921460/)

It doesn’t fit the theme of Hollywood and Sunset Blvd

Glenn thinks the GotG overlay is OK in DCA, but not DHS

However, if Glenn had to choose between it going in Epcot or DHS, Glenn picks DHS

Pick of the week

Chris - [WaterField Designs](https://www.sfbags.com/) the [Bolt briefcase](https://www.sfbags.com/collections/briefcases/products/bolt-briefcase)

Glenn - [Peak Design](https://www.peakdesign.com/) the [Slide](https://www.peakdesign.com/product/straps/slide/) and the [Clutch](https://www.peakdesign.com/product/straps/clutch/) straps for cameras
...more
58min
October 27, 2016Episode 007 - Food and Whine Festival
Recorded 10/25/16

Chris’ visit to Epcot on Sunday

It was crowded, but no long waits for attractions or food

Sponsor message

CommuniCore discussion

SMRT-1

[Martin’s Video](https://youtu.be/mE8xwVW5TKY)

Possibilities for CommuniCore

[Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.org/)

[Maker Movement](http://makerfaire.com/)

Just another park

Future World needs help

Glenn goes crazy and defends Eisner

If we were in charge...

Charity spotlight

[United Way](https://www.unitedway.org/)

Pick of the week

Glenn - [Art of Atari](http://amzn.to/2fjoG6X)

Glenn - Follow up on last week’s pick - [Toshiba Canvio AeroCast 1TB Wireless Hard Drive](http://amzn.to/2dwLLxs)

Chris - [Raspberry Pi](http://amzn.to/2fjnCzI)

Aftershow

Listener question

Benefits of [iPhone 7 Plus](http://www.apple.com/iphone/)
...more
1h 13min
October 22, 2016Episode 006 - Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Recorded 10/19/16

Children are wonderful...but exhausting

The infamous [Disney Emoji Blitz](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disney-emoji-blitz/id1017551780?mt=8)

Glenn and Chris are done with the game

It’s so frustrating

We’re so sorry we’re talking about this. It’s so embarrassing. This is it though. Well, at least until the special Christmas emojis are released...

New Christmas offering at Disney Hollywood Studio

[Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/10/all-new-holiday-nighttime-spectacular-jingle-bell-jingle-bam-coming-to-disneys-hollywood-studios-at-walt-disney-world-resort/)

Glenn’s opinion: Good effort, but not a replacement for Osbourne Lights

Chris is looking forward to seeing it. It may be a new tradition for them.

Epcot should be the center of Disney’s Christmas effort. Decorate World Showcase with the Osbourne lights.

Annual Passes

Chris just renewed his. The “Disney Tax” in October

Should Glenn buy Annual Passes? There’s a [special deal](http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/10/14/questions-disneys-latest-annual-passholder-offer/) if you purchase before 1/3/17: get 13 months for the price of 12

Disney is turning the dials to try to increase attendance without diminishing the profit margin that they’ve been making

Parking is included, as is PhotoPass, and those are huge benefits

[Maps of the Disney Parks](http://amzn.to/2dI8qdt) book

Beautiful book

Chris’ unboxing of the book from Amazon

Covers all the theme parks

Glenn points out the two map posters he had on his wall when he was growing up

Charity spotlight

[St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital](https://www.stjude.org/)

[2017 Disney Parks Poster Calendar](https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/10/popular-disney-parks-and-resorts-attraction-poster-calendar-returns-for-2017/)

Glenn ordered his through the Shop Disney app

It’s a great calendar, and Glenn’s thrilled that they keep making them

Giveaway!!!

Glenn is giving away a 1979 Winter Disney News magazine

Send an email to [email protected], or follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/tron_fm), or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tronfm/), or leave a review on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/terrific-recordings-nothing/id1164752493?mt=2)

Deadline is midnight EDT on 10/31/16

Pick of the week

Glenn: [Toshiba Canvio AeroCast 1TB Wireless Hard Drive](http://amzn.to/2dwLLxs)

Chris: ["Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow?” by Brian Fies](http://amzn.to/2ermACF)
...more
1h 3min

FAQs about Starport75 - A Disney Podcast:

How many episodes does Starport75 - A Disney Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.