Join Morgan and Jake on a merry marathon of Disney holiday history! In this episode, Morgan takes us on a spectacular sleigh ride back to 1971 and recaps the many years of holiday merriment spread at the Walt Disney World resort since its opening. Make some hot chocolate, turn those Christmas lights on, and join us as we ring in another holiday season full of Disney magic!
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Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square sits awkwardly in a corner of the park between Fantasyland and Frontierland. With audience tensions rising within the Hall of Presidents auditorium, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before Liberty Square is given a makeover… and by not putting the popularity of the Broadway show “Hamilton” to use, Disney may be throwing away their shot at revitalizing the land. In this episode, Jake and Morgan imagine a Hamilton-infused Liberty Square remix.
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The frightfully foreboding Tower of Terror looms eerily over Sunset Blvd. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Its ominous presence set Morgan and Jake’s imaginations in motion. Thus, the concept of Terror on Sunset: A Hollywood Studios Halloween Party was born! Join in on the seasonally appropriate, spooky fun of imagining a ghoulish takeover of this glamorous theme park!
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Long before Epic Universe opened with a land dedicated to bringing the worlds of Universal’s Classic Monster lineup to life, these iconic characters were the stars of their own strange and unusual attraction. In today’s episode, Jake and Morgan exhume the history of the show-stopping “Beetlejuice’s Rock ‘N Roll Graveyard Revue.” Relive the electrifying show experience, discover the production’s fascinating history, and join in mourning the eventual closure of this spooky musical spectacular.
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Spooky season is in full swing! To celebrate this frightfully fun time of year, Jake and Morgan have stitched together a list of spots at Walt Disney World that emanate macabre magic! From grabbing bewitching baked goods at Gideon’s Bakehouse to dropping by the iconic Tower of Terror, this episode rounds up all of the scream-worthy experiences Disney World has to offer!
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Morgan and Jake got about halfway through the history of Universal’s legendary JAWS boat ride before they decided that, if they wanted to tell the whole story, they were going to need a bigger episode. So, enjoy this final half of the JAWS saga. In this episode, Morgan covers the Florida attraction’s heartbreaking demise and the ways in which this iconic ride lives on in waters across the world.
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In 1975, Steven Spielberg’s JAWS shattered box office records and became what many consider to be the first summer blockbuster. When Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, the first full-scale JAWS ride was born. The only problem? It didn’t work. In this episode, Morgan takes a deep dive into the troubled (and thrilling) history of one of Universal’s most iconic attractions.
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Good news! A Universal Studios executive has stated (on the record) that there are plans to create new theme park attractions based on Wicked. In this episode, Jake and Morgan pitch their vision for how The Land of Oz might look, sound and feel — from Oz-mopolitan architecture to gravity-defying thrills.
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Walt Disney once permanently reserved a private box for an elaborately staged Frontierland show. He would take his personal guests to see the Western song and dance antics unfold on stage. Years after becoming the longest-running stage show in history, the legend of the Golden Horseshoe Revue and its longtime starring players has faded into relative obscurity. In today’s episode, Jake and Morgan uncover the fascinating history of one of Disneyland’s most historically significant stage productions.
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There’s too many exciting offerings at this year’s EPCOT Food and Wine Festival to fit into a single episode, so this week’s show will be dedicated to finishing out a round-up of exciting new menu items and returning favorites. Stick around for a discussion about this year’s particularly rockin’ Eat to the Beat lineup and a full overview of the new festival merch line!
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It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… the return of EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival! Join us for a tour of new menu items and past favorites returning to everyone’s favorite Disney foodie event. Cozy up for the festive fall vibes (and keep a snack nearby) as you enjoy this mouthwatering episode!
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Disney just revealed some exciting updates regarding two much anticipated projects: the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment and the Muppets re-theme of Rockin’ Rollercoaster! Find out which details from the newly released concept art have Jake and Morgan feeling (cautiously) optimistic about the big changes. Stick around until the end of the episode to learn about some exciting potential expansions to Epic Universe, including newly revealed information which hints at the properties Universal is planning to feature within the park.
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Few bygone attractions from Disney Parks history garner the fan adoration enjoyed by the spectacular attraction that once served as the cinematic centerpiece of Disney-MGM Studios. In this episode, we will go behind the movie magic and explore the conceptual origins, fascinating history, and tragic closure of The Great Movie Ride. Ready when you are, CB!
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It’s always a treat when ideas from Disney Parks history are reanimated in new and exciting ways. In this episode, Jake and Morgan share their thoughts on how the spellbinding new Disney Starlight parade draws inspiration from nighttime parades of the past in a subtle but satisfying fashion. Recent updates and announcements are also discussed, including the newest makeover of TestTrack and the return of a “behind the magic” animation experience to Hollywood Studios.
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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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