Dispodopolis - Disneyland, Walt Disney World, And Everything In Between

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss Ryan's latest cruise on the Disney ship, Wonder. He did something very impulsive a couple of months ago and booked a last-minute cruise out of Galveston on the Disney Wonder. Galveston is a port in Texas that is just south of Houston. Not only was it a last-minute cruise, but it was also the last of this season's Very Merrytime Cruises. Tonight, we talk about boarding the ship and how to prepare for your excursion. We also dive deep into the food choices and the good and bad about the sit-down dining. We start our conversation about the entertainment available on the Wonder. Before discussing Ryan's cruising excursion, we discuss our top three moments that Disney made us cry. I went for the nostalgic movies I remember as a kid. These types of movies make you self-aware of your emotions and attachments to those around you. Fiona focused on her recent deep dive into the family Halloween movie genre, which included the latest Muppets special centered on the Haunted Mansion.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the Muppets Haunted Mansion special on DisneyPlus. This special was a much-anticipated show for those that love anything and everything Haunted Mansion and Muppets. It came out with a bang, and those entrenched in the world of The Muppets and dad jokes were in love with this rendition. It was a much-needed family special that brought parents and their children together and gave us a mental break from the divide in media entertainment. Media today has rarely created a piece that works for small children and their parents, and the Muppets have always been about entertaining the whole family. This special also reconnected us to the great music that has filled the Muppet movies over the years. I don't know why I was taken back when they began to break into song. Of course, they did. This is the seventies Muppets I grew up with in my childhood. Before discussing the Muppets Haunted Mansion special, we discuss what easter egg we would like to see in the Haunted Mansion that is

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the one and only Haunted Mansion. Fiona decided this October we needed to dive into the history and stories behind the Haunted Mansion. October is the best month to tackle this conversation. From the Haunted Mansion's initial concepts to its many variations, it culminated into a unique collaboration among the many artists chosen from Disney Animation into the new world of WED. From the beginning layouts of Disneyland, Walt Disney wanted to have an old house on the hill that overlooked a typical victorian main street, and it evolved into a haunted house. This evolution led it to be placed in one of Walt Disney's favorite Americana motifs, New Orleans Square. The tribute for the 60th anniversary shows the long-standing love and appreciation of the Haunted Mansion. Join us as we touch on the many people and elements that make the "Haunted Mansion" the pivotal creation that reimagined a carnival ride. Before discussing the "Haunted Mansion," we ask ourselves which Disney Leg

This month on Dispodopolis, we reach back into the Disney archives and review the movie "Third Man on the Mountain." I didn't know this movie existed a couple of years ago and was super excited to see the film that inspired one of my favorite rides at Disneyland. In a word, Disney described the film "Third Man on the Mountain" as "Breathtaking." In a sentence, you can explain this movie as a boy attempting to realize his father's dream of climbing an alpine peak known as the Citadel or, as we have learned to call it, the Matterhorn. Before discussing the movie "Third Man on the Mountain," we ask ourselves what mountain we would like to climb in the Disney parks. That's right. We want to climb a mountain. Ever since Ryan and I watched members of the Sierra Club traverse the Matterhorn at Disneyland, we have had a craving for a mountain climbing adventure in the park. We, of course, would love to climb the Matterhorn, but there are so many more mountains to climb in the parks. Which mountain would you like to c

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss my recent trip to the Bowers Museum to review the "Inside the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit." The exhibit was initially viewed at the D23 Expo Japan in 2018 before finding a temporary home at the Bowers Museum. The Bowers Museum is located in Santa Ana, California, 10 minutes South of Disneyland along the I-5 freeway. The Bowers Museum is a Spanish-influenced oasis in the middle of suburban Orange County. The Walt Disney Archives exhibit inhabited most of the bottom floor near the main entrance. At the main entrance, you turn left and head down the long hallway with trellis beams above and a flying Dumbo that looks like he is the moment of flight when you are about to descend and land. In the doorway hangs a well-known picture of Walt in his home's doorway with a shadow of Mickey Mouse on the wall. This photo was shot at Walt's home on Woking Way in Los Angeles. This home is where Sharon and Diane, Walt's daughters, grew up with a replica of Snow White's cottage in the ba

This month on Dispodopolis, Fiona and I finish our discussion about our latest trip to Florida during our Spring Break. As the policies are continually changing at Walt Disney World, this looks like we may be finally turning the corner to travel normalcy, and soon they will list these covid restrictions. As of today, you can walk outside without a mask at Walt Disney World and only need a mask inside or in line. As for our trip, we look back out the three other parks at Walt Disney World that we visited and how we navigated the changing rules and regulations. We start with Hollywood Studios, then on to Animal Kingdom, and we end with Epcot. It was a great experience that never disappoints because we always try to keep our expectations in check. Before discussing our closing conversation about our spring break excursion, we ask what Disney movie we want to watch to get excited about a new attraction to the states'? There are so many new experiences coming to the parks we can't wait to experience them. Epcot ha

This month on Dispodopolis, Fiona and I discuss our latest trip to Florida during our Spring Break. It is once again the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, and it is beautiful. We are excited to talk about the ever-changing policies and choices for fun in the park. In this episode, we stayed at a hotel off property and visited the Magic Kingdom. We start the discussion of our trip with our excursion to the Atlantic Coast of Florida and our adventures in cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, and the Canaveral Nationa Seashore. There are many fun options, from day trips to a half-week visit to this beautiful coast. Before discussing our spring break excursions, we ask what Disney character would we like to bound as the next time we visit the parks? Disney bounding is the concept of dressing up as a Disney character without being in full costume. An example of this is to represent being Goofy by wearing an orange shirt, a yellow jacket, shawl, or vest along with blue bottoms, pants, shorts, or skirt. A green hat, head

This month on Dispodopolis, we continue our discussion about the Disney+ release of "WandaVision." We can't get enough, and we love diving deep into these episodes. It has something for everyone, and everyone in my family is truly enjoying the journey. So come with us on this adventure as we talk through the next four episodes of this iconic new series that leaves us wanting more. We expose all the wonderful things we have learned about the Marvel Universe and how WandaVision ties into this ever-expanding world. Before discussing "WandaVision," we ask the question, inspired by "Flora and Ulysses," which animal would you like to see have a superpower and what superpower would you give them? We loved the fun and cute Disney+ family movie, "Flora and Ulysses." It isn't for everyone, but it is definitely for kids in elementary school that love animals and superheroes. Recorded to release on March 20th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the Disney+ release of "WandaVision." There is a lot of hype surrounding the first Marvel production created for Disney+. We were able to dive into the first two episodes on our latest podcast. We cover all the fun, jokes, and symbolism that flows through both episodes. We also talk about the theories that are flying around the internet. There are many, and we help explain how some may be correct, and some may be far fetched. Is it worth the hype? Let's find out. Before discussing "WandaVision," we talk about which attraction we would like to see changed to join the Marvel Universe. We are so excited for the addition of the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction in Epcot and the Marvel Campus opening at Disney California Adventure that we wonder how far this expansion will go in the parks. We talk about attractions that are currently in need of a makeover and those that have been retired. What current attraction or retired attraction would you like to see changed to join the

This month on Dispodopolis, we continue our discussion of Walt Disney World during the Covid changes. This time we look at some new experiences in the parks and distance learning at the parks. We talk about some of the foods from the Festival of the Holidays and some of the fun offerings at a couple of restaurants on the Walt Disney World campus. Once again, we talk about the Animation Experience at Rafiki's Planet Watch and present a new spontaneous show we saw at Liberty Square. We finish our discussion with a review of the attraction, Rise of the Resistance. Fiona ends her conversation with a little Walt Disney World therapy. Before we continue our discussion of the Walt Disney World changes, we discuss what foods we would like to try and enjoyed at the Festival of Holidays. We talk about the cookies in the Cookie Stroll, and the many savior items offered at the festival. We also discuss the fun and new discoveries inside the World Showcase Events Pavilion. There is really a lot to take in even with the co

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the changes that have come to Walt Disney World brought about by the introduction of Covid. The most notable changes are social distancing and face masks that most areas have adopted. There is also a change to the schedule of attractions, entertainment, and restaurants. We also review the changes in the level of cleanliness and the hotel room changes. Lastly, we discuss a few new experiences that we can't wait to share and hope you will also enjoy. Overall it was a safe experience, but it may not be for everyone. Before we discuss the many changes that have occurred at Walt Disney World due to the outbreak of Covid, we will talk about what we are excited to return to the parks once the restrictions are lifted. We focus a lot on the closed attractions and experiences and the many entertainment options that are shuttered. What are you looking forward to returning to the parks? Recorded to release on January 5th, 2021.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the 1949 Disney classic animated feature "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad." In honor of Halloween, we are just covering the Washington Irving portion of the feature tonight. We tip our hat to one of the first American writers of one of the early American classics, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Tonight, we discuss the story of Washington Irving and a few reasons people believe he wrote this classic legend. We also talk about the production of the movie that stays relatively very close to the original story. Before we discuss the classic short film about Ichabod Crane, we discuss which head of a walk-around character at the Disney Parks we would like to have for the night. It can be a face character or a full mask worn by one of the cast members. We all pick from some of our favorite movies and ones we don't see much in the parks regularly or are only out for special occasions or parties. Recorded to release on November 20th, 2020.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the 1954 Academy award-winning movie, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This is one of Ryan's favorite films, and it is long overdue for us to review this film. Walt Disney made some fantastic movies, and this is one of his masterpieces. From a stunning cast to an amazing behind the scenes crew, Disney spent more money on this movie than on any preceding film. In 1954, this was well ahead of its time and spearheaded special effects into the 1980s. 20,000 Leagues surpassed movie sets of the day and used the technology developed for the parks in this movie. But first, we discuss the incredible literary works of Jules Verne. Before we discuss the feature film, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, we discuss the men living on the Nautilus's experimental diet. Fiona takes us on a journey to imagine a menu of shakes and beverages that could be created to represent the movie. We talk about how to express various sea creatures using their colors, textures, and visual representations. Recor

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss Disney on Broadway. This special subject was requested by Fiona. She wanted to dive into what shows Disney had experimented with and which had become incredible showstoppers. We have only seen a few of these in their traveling form and we haven't seen any of these on Broadway. As we traverse the vast landscape of Disney's trip into producing on Broadway, we see their were a lot more misses than home runs. Journey with us and find out if your favorite animation feature or live action film has made it onto Broadway. Before we have our discussion about Disney on Broadway, we discuss which animated feature or live action film we would like Disney to produce on Broadway. Recorded to release on August 20th, 2020.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the sixtieth anniversary of Pollyanna. It was the first movie that Haylee Mills appeared in for the Walt Disney Studios and Disney was coming into their golden era of live-action films. A talented cast surrounded Hayley Mills, and that cast had been working in Hollywood since silent films had graced the screens. We also discuss some of our favorite parts of this movie and how it affected our lives growing up and how it continues to change the way we see the world. Before we have our discussion about Pollyanna, we discuss a time when we were at a Disney park, we thought something would not go well, and it turned out to be a great moment. Recorded to release on July 10th, 2020.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the recently released movie from Pixar, Onward. It is a departure from the traditional fairy tale that is commonly represented in a Disney movie. It takes you on a journey where you rediscover the magic in a world that has walked away from the enchantment. Onward's primary purpose is opening up the conversation about losing a parent, and the struggle one feels when they have that void in their life. You often feel like nothing can fill that void. There can be so many unanswered questions when you lose someone you love. In Ian's case, he never was able to meet his father because he wasn't born yet. Before we have our discussion about Onward, we discuss which duo in a Disney production must closely relate to your own sibling experience. Recorded to release on June 5th, 2020.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss our experience at the 2020 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. It was the first time in four years we had been to Epcot this time of year. Springtime is a great time to experience the parks, and this trip was extra special because we would be able to sample the food offerings at the festival. This year was also a bittersweet visit because the parks would be closing the day we left, leaving many people unable to partake in this year's celebration. Before we have our discussion about the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, we discuss which topiary we would like to have in our gardens at home and which topiary we would like to see added to the parks for next year. Recorded to release on May 20th, 2020.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss Star Wars Land: Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire Outpost. We had been waiting anxiously until our trip this spring to finally experience the new land created for the world of Star Wars. I have waited 42 years to be able to walk into this environment. Ever since the creation of this galaxy appeared on screen in 1977, Generation X has been dreaming of a time when they could become apart of that world. This is probably not Fiona's favorite subject and she seems to be clinging to her latest obsession with the Muppets, but don't worry we have a great conversation about the Star Wars: Galaxy Edge as well as the Muppets. Before we talk about the new Star Wars Land, we decide which position on the new attraction Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run we like or want to try the most. You can choose from Pilot, Gunner, or Engineer. Recorded to release on April 30th, 2020.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway. The new attraction opened on Wednesday, March 4th, and we were able to experience it on Sunday, March 8th. It is the first of its kind attraction using all the technology and storytelling that Disney has developed over the last 65 years. We also discuss the theater venue next door that is running the new Mickey Mouse short, Vacation Time. Before we talk about the Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway, we discuss our favorite Disney inspired Easter project or our favorite Disney Easter memory. Recorded to release on April 20th, 2020.

This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. It has been about nine years since we have experienced Animal Kingdom Lodge, and that was Jambo House. This time we experienced the Kidani Village. We also focus on the two days we were able to spend at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Each was a fun and unique experience. Before we talk about the Animal Kingdom, we discuss the effects of COVID-19 on the parks and our lives. Recorded to release on March 20th, 2020.