Disney's Hollywood Studios turns 35 at Walt Disney World this May, opening as Disney-MGM Studios in 1989. Over its 35-year history, the park has undergone a large evolution, so extensive that its five opening day attractions (including the Great Movie Ride and Backlot Studio Tour) are all no longer a part of the park. Nevertheless, this is a park that Disney fans of all ages adore, and it's full of interesting history and incredible Imagineering details worth discussing.   In this episode,...

This listener question-and-answer (Q&A) episode tackles the following many Disney-related questions, including but not limited to: Do you think the Avengers E-Ticket at Disneyland could be a roller coaster instead of a dark ride? I’m going on a solo trip in October… any tips to not feeling weird about it? What’s one restaurant recommendation you would give for each park? Do you have a favorite Disney Vacation Club Resort? If so, which one? What are your predictions for this year's D23 The...

The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival blooms at Walt Disney World every spring, and this year's festival includes many fresh new offerings. With over 20 outdoor kitchens featuring hundreds of food and drink options, dozens of character topiaries and gardens, two scavenger hunts, limited-time merchandise, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series, there's a lot to discover at this annual festival.   In this two-part episode, I chat with AJ from Disney Food Blog about this year's...

Disneyland is not only the first Disney Park created around the world. It's also the only Disney Park that Walt Disney personally visited. Walt Disney helped to develop so many specific elements of Disneyland, many of which are still visible today, and there are countless stories that describe how Walt helped to create and transform "the happiest place on earth."   In this two-part episode, I chat with Kelly Washington of Slice of Disney and Philander Butler to share some of our favorite...

Disneyland is not only the first Disney Park created around the world. It's also the only Disney Park that Walt Disney personally visited. Walt Disney helped to develop so many specific elements of Disneyland, many of which are still visible today, and there are countless stories that describe how Walt helped to create and transform "the happiest place on earth."   In this two-part episode, I chat with Kelly Washington of Slice of Disney and Philander Butler to share some of our favorite...

Walt Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot was recently inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the first Imagineer and the second person at Disney to ever receive this distinction (the first was Walt Disney). With over 25 years as a Disney Research Fellow and Walt Disney Imagineer, Lanny Smoot has filed over 106 patents (74 for Disney), including the technology that makes it possible for Madame Leota's head to float in the Haunted Mansion seance room and the exciting new HoloTile...

Disney Cruise Line takes the magic of a Disney vacation out to sea, providing Disney fans with the opportunity to literally travel the world while being immersed in the worlds of Disney. Disney Cruise Line offers some incredible experiences not just in port but also out at sea. With rotational dining, entertainment, on-board activities, kids clubs, pools, spas, characters, and add-on experiences, a Disney Cruise Line vacation can be both relaxing and enjoyable for the whole family, and it's...

Disney Cruise Line takes the magic of a Disney vacation out to sea, providing Disney fans with the opportunity to literally travel the world while being immersed in the worlds of Disney. Unlike a Disney Parks vacation, a trip aboard Disney Cruise Line includes some additional steps in the planning process, but it can also be a more relaxing vacation overall. In this episode, we'll discuss everything you need to know about planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation, including what makes Disney...

Pixar's early years are defined by some iconic films, each telling a unique story in a way that made Disney-Pixar productions famous. The first 10 films in particular helped pave the way for Pixar's success and influenced Disney to acquire the studio. In addition to the stories, characters and animation that made these movies famous, the music helped amplify these films' popularity and created a distinct sound for Pixar.   In this two-part podcast episode, we dive into the music of the first...

Pixar's early years are defined by some iconic films, each telling a unique story in a way that made Disney-Pixar productions famous. The first 10 films in particular helped pave the way for Pixar's success and influenced Disney to acquire the studio. In addition to the stories, characters and animation that made these movies famous, the music helped amplify these films' popularity and created a distinct sound for Pixar.   In this two-part podcast episode, we dive into the music of the first...

Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland transforms the Haunted Mansion every Halloween and Christmas season into a Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Town wonderland. Complete with iconic characters from the 1993 Tim Burton film (Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie and more), memorable songs, and a unique narrative, Haunted Mansion Holiday brings the joy of the holiday season to Disneyland guests with a spooky twist reminiscent of the film its based on.   In this podcast episode, we dive...

Performing as Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Waldorf, Beauregard, and countless other Muppets for over 50 years, Dave Goelz has been working on this franchise since the beginning. He's one of two Muppet performers to have worked on all 8 Muppet theatrical releases, and his experience includes time with working other Muppets legends like Frank Oz and of course Jim Henson. Dave recently became an honorary Imagineer (recognized at Destination D23 2023) due to his years working on Disney...

Disney Jollywood Nights debuted November 11, 2023 at Walt Disney World, and I was there (on a paid ticket, not by invitation) to experience the event for myself. With two live stage show performances (Disney Holidays In Hollywood and What's This? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along), live street performances (Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club and Holiday Fiesta En La Calle), Jingle Bell Jingle BAM nighttime spectacular, Jazzy Lounge at the Hollywood Brown Derby, unique...

Perhaps the most iconic ride of all time, "it's a small world" opened at the 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York at the UNICEF pavilion sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and was later moved to Disneyland, opening there in May 1966. Imagineers Mary Blair, Rolly Crump, Blaine Gibson, Marc Davis, Alice Davis, Harriet Burns and Claude Coats worked closely alongside Walt Disney to bring this attraction to life, and the Sherman Brothers (Richard and Robert Sherman) wrote its iconic theme song. With so much...

In this episode, we recap our experience at Oogie Boogie Bash at the Disneyland Resort, which takes place in September and October at Disney California Adventure. We discuss the villain treat trails (especially Ernesto de la Cruz, Judge Doom, and Agatha Harkness), the character meet-and-greets, the parade, the crowds, dining options and beyond. Oogie Boogie Bash is a wonderful way to celebrate the Halloween season at Disneyland and offers some similarities and differences to Mickey's...

Answering questions from listeners, this episode covers a wide range of topics, including Disney Vacation Club strategy (how many points to purchase and deciding on a home resort), suggestions for a honeymoon to Disney, annual passes, Muppets, Disneyland attractions, and more. Be sure to participate in future Instagram Live Q&A sessions by following Imagination Skyway on the Instagram app.   What questions would you like to have answered on a future episode like this one? Tag me and...

Destination D23 took place at Walt Disney World September 8-10, 2023. At the event, we learned more information about what Disney fans can expect from the Disney Parks (announcements and updates were shared for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line), Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel, Star Wars, and beyond. We also learned about upcoming D23 events, including updates to the D23 Expo, which will...

Roundup Rodeo BBQ opened in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 23, 2023. This Walt Disney World restaurant combines casual bbq dining with Toy Story fun, turning guests into their very own cowboy toy set. While you dine, Cast Members and restaurant entertainment make you feel like a toy in Andy's room (you'll even have to watch out for Sid). It's fun for the whole family, and this two-part discussion offers a full review of this Walt Disney World restaurant... live on...

Roundup Rodeo BBQ opened in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 23, 2023. This Walt Disney World restaurant combines casual bbq dining with Toy Story fun, turning guests into their very own cowboy toy set. While you dine, Cast Members and restaurant entertainment make you feel like a toy in Andy's room (you'll even have to watch out for Sid). It's fun for the whole family, and this two-part discussion offers a full review of this Walt Disney World restaurant... live on...

Getting to play armchair Imagineer is one of my favorite pastimes. As a Disney fan, it's fun to imagine what could possibly one day come to the Disney Parks. Blue sky concepts from Walt Disney Imagineering are imaginative, inspiring, and downright exciting, teasing out what we might be able to expect at the Disney Parks one day. In this episode, we test our skills at coming up with ideas for potential Imagineering projects, and while the ideas are completely our own (none of these have been...

The Disneyland Resort in California is an amazing place for families of all ages, which includes toddlers and infants. With countless attractions for little ones to enjoy across two parks (Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure), character experiences, dining, and more, Disneyland is worth visiting with the whole family. In this episode, we chat about our most recent Disneyland vacation, which was our 18-month-old daughter's first time visiting the Disneyland Resort. We discuss when...

The Norway Pavilion at EPCOT (including Frozen Ever After and its predecessor, Maelstrom) is full of authentic details that speak to the culture, history, music and cuisine of Norway. Opening in 1988, the pavilion features a table-service restaurant (Akershus), a quick-service bakery (Kringla Bakeri Og Cafe), a main attraction (Frozen Ever After), a meet-and-greet (Anna and Elsa's Royal Sommerhus), and shopping. The pavilion has a rich history, and this episode is devoted to the Imagineering,...

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort opened at Walt Disney World in 1997 across from Disney's Blizzard Beach water park. Closely situated near Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, Coronado Springs includes 10 dining locations (Toledo, Maya Grill, Three Bridges, Rix Sports Bar, Barcelona Lounge, Dahlia Lounge and more) and an array of amenities, pools and recreation, and even the largest conference center at Walt Disney World. With outer buildings (casitas,...

Originally called Countdown to Extinction at Disney's Animal Kingdom, DINOSAUR has been thrilling guests at Walt Disney World since April 22, 1998. As an Enhanced Motion Vehicle (EMV), Walt Disney Imagineering used the same ride design and track layout as Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland. For DINOSAUR, the story instead revolves around the CTX Time Rover, capable of taking guests back to the cretaceous period to a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs. Searching for an iguanodon,...