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

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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:

November 29, 2020Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover - WEDWay
Disney designed the Ford pavilion at the ’64 World’s Fair

Needed to propel a stream of vehicles along a track

It was achieved by vertically mounted rubber wheels spun by electric motors which pushed against a flat plate on the underside of the vehicles

That system was refined and used for Disneyland’s PeopleMover

Debuted in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland on July 2, 1967

PeopleMover was always planned and planned to go through Space Port, and the station would be inside Space Port

The track was originally planned to be much longer and go over the Grand Prix Raceway

The upper concourse path was built but left empty during the building of the Magic Kingdom for the 1971 opening

When Space Port became Space Mountain, it moved to outside the berm, so the track layout was scaled back and changed to the track today, and the station moved from Space Mountain to it’s own station in the middle of Tomorrowland and the StarJets would be placed on top, similar to Disneyland

Space Mountain holds the garaging track and a maintenance spur The Orlando version would use something different

Non moving, solid state linear induction motors, which have an unlimited life expectancy

There are 630 Linear Induction Motors on the track, 10 feet apart, ensuring that 4 motors are always under each 5 car train

Each motor has a proximity sensor to tell the motor when to power on and a speed sensor to indicate how much power the motor produces

When a train approaches the motor turns on and pulls the steel plate under the car towards it

To stop the cars, the magnetic field is reversed in the motor to push against the steel plate, and why a stopping car can go backwards

Up to 30 5-car trains can carry 3,600 guests per hour along 4,600 feet of track

Each car has minimal moving parts, so they are high reliability. There are four main wheels and 8 smaller guide wheels per car. Since all drive and braking propulsion is supplied by the linear motor, there is no traction requirement between the wheels and the track. Consequently, heat, dust, wind, and moisture have no effect on the system’s operation.

The system can have up to 50% LIM failure at random positions and still function

Speeds are between 1.8 to 6.8 mph

Progress City model

With the move of the Carousel of Progress to WDW, the model of Progress City would be moved to the PeopleMover track that was designed to hold a diorama

It would be cut down to fit the size of the diorama opening

Construction began in early 1973

The Grand Prix Raceway track was closed and modified to accommodate Space Mountain. During the closure, the PeopleMover track was built over the raceway

It cost $10 million to build

The Star Jets opened 11/28/74

The PeopleMover opened 7/1/75 and dedicated in April 1976

It opened as the WEDWay PeopleMover and was an “E” Ticket attraction, but was changed to a “D” Ticket in Fall 1976

It was originally sponsored by the Edison Electrical Institute

The original ride was narrated by Jack Wagner and ran from 1975 - 1985 and the Edison Electrical Institute sponsorship also ended

He is famous for the various announcements over the park PA, for parades, special events, etc. He also did voice work for the Walt Disney World Resort, and for the attractions themselves, including instructions, emergency precautions, and safety spiels. Because of the prevalence of his voice over the park, his nickname was "The Voice of Disneyland".

"Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas."

Jack Wagner co-arranged the updated soundtrack for the Main Street Electrical Parade, used in various iterations of the parade from 1977 to 2009.

Wagner was inducted as a Disney Legend posthumously in 2005.

The narration was changed in 1985 and ran until 1994

It was narrated by ORAC-1, the commuter computer

The narration was changed with the retheming of Tomorrowland in June 1994. It was narrated by Peter Renaday.

The name was changed to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and it was the MetroLiner Blue Line

The narration was changed once again in October 2, 2009 to the current spiel by Mike Brassell, which harkens back to the ORAC-1 spiel and tone

The lighting system was also changed to color changing LEDs

August 5, 2010, the name changed to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

In 2013, the Progress City model was refurbished, the first time since 1975

In February 1974, WED created the Community Transport Services division to promote the WedWay in real world situations

The first proposal was in 1976 for the then new WDW Village

A new enclosed car design would be able to travel inclines

It would offer on demand cars to a specified destination

The route would service the shopping village, the hotel plaza, and a proposed office park

A monorail from the Epcot area would meet an aerial station straddling Buena Vista Drive

The monorail would run down the central median with the WedWay crossing at a lower level

The multi level station would have escalator, elevator and stair access

From the station, the WedWay would form a continuous loop line around the WDW Village

Another change was this system had spur station tracks so moving cars could pass other cars parked at stops

The SunTrust Bank was the only part of the office plaza built and the project quietly died.

The original plans of Epcot had WedWay in 1975 and 1976

Communicore was built to take an elevated Wedway track; that’s why it’s two stories tall

In July 1979, the Houston Airport agreed to purchase a WedWay system to link the terminals and hotel

It opened in September, 1981

The Community Transport Services division was sold to Bombardier

Bombardier installed a WedWay system that links the US Capitol to the Dirksen and Hart buildings in 1993
...more
40min
October 15, 2020What Is Going On at Disney? Layoffs, Park Crowds, Disneyland Still Closed. Is It Still Fun?
Released 10/15/20

Contactless Security at the Disney Parks

PeopleMover refurbishment extended again

Disneyland is still closed

Disney has laid off 28,000 cast members

Chapek says that WDW parks capacity is at 25%

Construction continues at Epcot

Electric Umbrella stories

Wolfgang Puck Express closes permanently at Disney Springs

All four Disney Cruise Line ships are in the same port for the first time ever in France https://insidethemagic.net/2020/10/france-disney-cruise-line-fleet-rwb1/

Glenn’s Pick of the Week

"Boundless Realm: Deep Explorations Inside Disney's Haunted Mansion" by Foxx Nolte https://amzn.to/3j2GH5M

Passport to Dreams Old and New http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/
...more
1h 15min
October 04, 2020DizWiz's trip to WDW! Rise of the Resistance! Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway! Magic Kingdom! Bye, bye, Money!
Released on 10/4/20

Glenn’s Trip to WDW

DHS

Parking Toll booth

Rise of the Resistance boarding group

Lunch at Ronto Roasters ($12.95/roaster, $4/coke) $72

RotR

Mickey’s Runaway Railway

Blue milk vs green milk ($34)

Slinky Dog Dash

Also: Star Tours, RnRC, ToT

MK

Castle color

Cavalcades

Boo to you

Villains

Princesses

Nightmare Before Christmas

Cadaver Dans

SM, Buzz, HM, Splash, Tiki, Pecos Bills ($63), BTMRR, CBJ, Dole Whip ($22) Emporium, Peter Pan, Mad Tea, Carousel of Progress, SM

Cost:

Two day tickets with no park hopping: $1004

Hotel: $320 + $97 = $415 for three nights

Parking = $50

Souvenirs = $289

Disney meals = $191

Other Meals = $80

Trip total = $2029
...more
1h 36min
August 21, 2020The Episode of Magic
Released on 8/20/20

School is starting!

Cherry Coke Energy drink

Coke + Coffee drink coming out

Will Club Cool be replaced at Epcot?

Epcot

A new Monorail Mark X attraction in the new Play Pavilion???

New Monorail book is being released: "The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky" https://amzn.to/32cHvyl

Imaginerding’s review: http://www.imaginerding.com/2020/08/12/disney-monorail-book-preview/

Tom Bricker’s post: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-news-monorail-attraction-plummeting-numbers-dining-changes/

Installation of new Pylons at the Epcot main entrance!

Chris started watching “Hamilton”…and hasn’t finished watching it yet. He’s exhausted from watching Act I.

Show recommendations:

"High Score" on Netflix

“The Speed Cubers” also on Netflix

“Mr. Robot” - excellent show, but Glenn didn’t like the ending. Somebody please explain it to him...

Why does Disney keep the Pixar brand? Why not fold it into WD Animation?

Chris has a surprise history topic to cover…Magic Shops at Disney Parks!

Original Magic Shop

Disneyland opening day

Merlin’s Magic Shop in Fantasyland

Taylor & Hume

Merv Taylor worked with cutting edge materials and had an interest in Magic

Opened a shop in Hollywood

Merv Taylor was asked by Walt Disney

Steve Martin worked in the shop for 3 years

http://www.charactercentral.net/L996_DisneyCharacters_DisneylandResort_Disneyland_MainStreetMagicShop.aspx#

Moved to Main Street - Main Street Magic Shop

1957

Original stayed open until Merlin’s closed in 1983

Where the confectionary is at WDW.

Same cast member demonstrations.

The July 28, 1977 issue of the Disneyland Line employee newsletter described the “quaint, cozy specialty shop” where “Shelf upon mysterious shelf filled with such oddities as joy buzzers, garlic taffy, dribble glasses and rubber masks attract the wandering eyes of visitors to the shop

2009 takeover by Houdini’s Magic Shop (private operator)

Chain

Vegas

WDW - House of Magic

1971

As its Disneyland precursor had, the House of Magic sold cards, hand tricks, masks, puzzles, and “gags.” Cast members bantered as they performed various hand magic and demonstrated products for sale.

Closed 1995.

2017 returned to original facade.

Tokyo

Part of World Bazaar

Disneyland Paris

https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-us/shops/disneyland-park/merlin-l-enchanteur/?CMP=ILC-DPFY20Q1wo1107190053A

is Merlin l’Enchanteur

Tucked away in Sleeping Beauty Castle

Magic themed but not magic tricks.

Hong Kong

Similar to DLP

“Merlin’s Treasures”
...more
1h 6min
July 09, 2020Disney World is Reopening!
Released on 7/9/20

New Cinderella Castle color

Disney World started Cast Member previews on 7/7

Starting to see photos and videos of what it’s going to be like at the parks

Resuming 2020 ticket and resort sales on 7/9

Some changes: need reservation to enter park with ticket, no park hopping, no FastPass+, no dining plans

No more manual bag check; will be done by walking through a new AI security screening system https://blogmickey.com/2020/07/massive-changes-coming-to-disney-world-theme-park-bag-check-experience/

College Program has been suspended indefinitely

NBA and MLS will play remainder of seasons at Disney World

How will the other sports fare this fall? Baseball and Football

Auto racing is back!

Off Disney: talking about school for kids this fall

https://nyti.ms/3ggPKir

Thoughts about Disney World opening right now

Watch “Hamilton!” 🙂
...more
1h 7min
June 20, 2020Remembering Disney World's 25th Anniversary and the Castle Cake
Released on 6/20/20

A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow?

WDW’s 25th Anniversary

A little personal history from each of us related to the 1996-1997 timeline

25th Anniversary Celebration on 10/1/96

Including Michael Eisner, Roy E Disney, and First Lady Hillary Clinton

— Coke Corner interlude — Brought to you by Coke Energy…with caffeine, B-vitamins and the most guarana ever!

Castle cake

Disney Magazine Fall 1996 description

Remember the Magic parade

1st disney parade that stopped and had guests join the dancing

Illuminations 25

25th Anniversary Banners

Disney’s Music from the Park

Books

How the World Began

Imagineers

WDW Explorer CD

What will 50th Celebration be like?

Thoughts on the logo

Per Chris, MK was open until Midnight every night during the 25th Anniversary

Per the 1997 Official Guide to WDW, “The Magic Kingdom keeps later hours through the end of 1997 to honor Walt Disney World’s 25th anniversary.” - myth confirmed!

The poor paint jobs on Cinderella Castle

https://attractionsmagazine.com/cinderella-castle-rose-gold-update-nearly-complete-magic-kingdom/

Ticket price comparison between 1996 and today
...more
1h 29min
May 29, 2020Disney World is Opening in July! Too Early? Too Late? Time to Discuss...
Recorded on 5/27/20

Chris’ office organization

Coke Energy

WDW Opening

July 11 - MK and AK

July 15 - EP and DHS

I Hanker for a Hunka Cheese commercial https://youtu.be/4xRv9ZQOCPo

Chuck Wagon commercial https://youtu.be/TTx_fwP1-pw
...more
1h 20min
May 03, 2020When will Walt Disney World reopen? Special guest Casey Liss joins us to discuss
Recorded on 5/1/20

Special Guest Casey Liss

Co-host of Accidental Tech Podcast https://atp.fm/

Co-host of Analog(ue) https://www.relay.fm/analogue/

iOS App Developer of Vignette https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vignette-update-contact-pics/id1455924925

Website https://www.caseyliss.com/

Casey joins us to speculate about when Walt Disney World might open

Stories referenced during the discussion:

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/wdw-reopening-update-orange-county-defers-to-disney-florida-announces-phase-1/ - a good summary of the current situation

https://wdwnt.com/2020/04/orange-county-task-force-establishes-initial-guidelines-for-walt-disney-world-reopening-guest-spacing-wiping-vehicles-etc-mayor-believes-june-reopening-realistic/ - a little more detail of orange county's guidelines

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2020/04/28/southwest-airlines-ceo-travel-wont-resume-until-country-reopens/3038342001/ - comments from Southwest Airlines CEO

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-is-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-analyst-warns-parks-may-not-open-until-january-2020-04-20 - UBS analyst John Hodulik's prediction that the parks won't open until 2021

https://thedisneyblog.com/2020/04/30/new-opinion-poll-spells-trouble-for-disneys-business-model/?platform=hootsuite - poll on the public's willingness to get back out in public before a vaccine is available.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-world-disneyland-reopening-outlook-pandemic-trnd/index.html What will reopened parks look like?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-disney-focus/long-lines-lots-of-kids-and-plenty-to-touch-how-does-disney-reopen-its-parks-idUSKBN22D53X - more on the reopening projection

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/houston-billionaire-rockets-fertitta-coronavirus-15235646.php - Interview with Landry's Restaurants CEO about opening up with just a fraction of the customers.

https://people.com/health/air-conditioning-coronavirus-spreader-9-people-infected-at-restaurant/ - air conditioner spreading Coronavirus

Questions for Casey:

If you had an hour to spend in the park right now, what would you do?

Coke or Pepsi?

Casey’s questions for Glenn and Chris

What is the most overrated restaurant in WDW?

https://threekidsthreecatsandahusband.com/best-restaurants-disney-world/
...more
1h 32min
April 27, 2020I'd like to teach the world to sing...
Released on 4/26/20

Coke

Coke Energy

Photo of Chris as a kid dressed in Coke material

Questions

How much would you pay?

You’re allowed 1 hour in any Disney park you choose while it’s shut down. You can stand or sit in any specific location but no attractions or stores are open. Where would you pick and why.

VR as an option?
...more
36min
March 12, 2020Glenn's Extraordinary Disney Cruise Line Trip Report
Released 3/11/20

A review of Glenn’s trip on the Disney Wonder out of the Port of New Orleans with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico.

Photo Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizwiz/albums/72157713453718381

Bonus post-show photography discussion
...more
2h 7min

FAQs about Starport75 - A Disney Podcast:

How many episodes does Starport75 - A Disney Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.