WDW Radio: The Disney Podcast for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and More

837 · Walt Disney Imagineering Tour: Behind the Scenes Where Disney Magic Is MadeWhat if you could get a guided tour through the heart of Walt Disney Imagineering - the place where Disney dreams aren’t just imagined, but engineered, designed, and brought to life?I was honored with the rare opportunity to step inside the hallowed halls of Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California... and this week, I’m taking you with me.Join me for a personal, behind-the-scenes tour through the models, soundscapes, animatronics, and innovations shaping the future of the parks and carrying on the legacy of Walt Disney's enduring dream.

Zsolt Hormay, a Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering and renowned sculptor, shares his journey from Hungary to shaping iconic Disney environments like the Tree of Life and Galaxy's Edge. He discusses how rockwork transforms into storytelling and the cultural depth behind Disney's spaces. Hormay elaborates on the balance between artistry and technology in theme park design, the significance of handcrafted art, and the importance of collaboration. Listeners gain insight into the magical process that brings immersive experiences to life.

835 · "In or Out?" - Trilogies, Overlays, Lounges, Live-Action, Leadership & More!Are you In or Out? Is the Indiana Jones trilogy really Disney’s best? Should Tower of Terror get a Halloween overlay? And is Josh D’Amaro the future CEO of Disney?That is just the beginning! This week, we dive into bold opinions and big questions about the parks, movies, cruise line, lounges, and leadership. From the Country Bear update to adult-only experiences, EPCOT’s GEO 82, live-action remakes, the Grand Floridian’s new lobby bar and much more... nothing is off the table.You might agree. You might not. That’s the fun of it! So… are YOU in or out?🙋🏻‍♀️ Should Josh D’Amaro be the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company? If not him… then who?📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership.🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

834 · Ultimate Guide to Indiana Jones in the Disney ParksWhat if there was an Indiana Jones land so ambitious it could’ve changed the Disney Parks forever?Or that Indy once shared the stage with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Mark Hamill himself… for one night only?And what if Indiana Jones has a rich, decades-long history in the Disney Parks - with attractions, shows, and experiences around the world, each filled with hidden stories, wild trivia, and surprises you’ve probably never heard before?Join Lou Mongello and former Imagineer Jason Surrell for the ultimate deep dive into Indiana Jones in the Disney Parks. From The Great Movie Ride and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular to the Temple of the Forbidden Eye and beyond, this episode uncovers decades of storytelling, innovation, and adventure... including legendary events and unbuilt attractions that almost were.💬 What’s your favorite Indiana Jones moment in the Disney Parks - or one you wish you could experience?📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE 102 Things to Do at Disney book!- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership.🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

833 · The Boy Who Became Tom Sawyer – Disney Legend Tom Nabbe - From the ArchivesHe was just 12 years old when he pitched himself to Walt Disney to become Tom Sawyer… and Walt said, “I’ll think about it.”In this From the Archives episode of WDW Radio, I sit down with Disney Legend Tom Nabbe, the boy who went from selling newspapers outside Disneyland on opening day to becoming the real-life Tom Sawyer… and eventually helping open Walt Disney World, EPCOT, and even Disneyland Paris.With Tom Sawyer Island set to close forever on July 7, 2025, this conversation is more meaningful than ever.You’ll hear:What Walt Disney was really like in the parksHow Tom helped shape the original Tom Sawyer IslandHis journey from Cast Member to Disney Legend – with his own Main Street, USA windowStories from the opening of Disneyland, Disney World, and EPCOTAnd what it’s like seeing the parks now through the eyes of his granddaughterThis is a story about curiosity, courage, legacy… and the people who helped build the magic.👉 What’s YOUR favorite memory from Tom Sawyer Island – and how do you feel about this piece of Disney history being replaced? I’d love to hear your thoughts.📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDW Radio LIVE - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership.🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

832 · Adventures by Disney Japan Recap: Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Tokyo & Kintsugi - Part 2Every step through Japan tells a story - and this week, I want to share ours.From centuries-old villages to hidden antique shops, we went looking for adventure... and found something even more meaningful. Japan continues to unfold its magic in Part 2 of our Adventures by Disney to Japan recap, as we travel to the serene mountain town of Takayama, the timeless village of Shirakawa-go, and the vibrant heart of Tokyo.But beyond the destinations, it was the small, unexpected moments that truly defined the journey - the quiet ones, the funny ones, and the ones that took our breath away. From stumbling into a tucked-away backstreet antique shop, to mending broken pottery with gold, to the awkward bravery of stepping into your first onsen... this wasn’t just a trip. It was an experience that changed us.It’s about the connections we made, the lessons we learned, the memories we’ll never forget - and the Adventures by Disney difference.🙋🏻‍♀️ If you could visit one place in Japan, where would it be… and why?📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391✈️ Looking to visit Japan (and maybe Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea)? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you - visit MouseFanTravel.com📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:- WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and more- WDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewards- WDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nights- Events & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!- LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership.🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

831 · Disneyland at 70: Walt’s Vision, Origins, Secrets, and Stories from the Park - From the ArchivesCelebrate 70 years of Disneyland with a deep dive into hidden stories, surprising history, and unforgettable secrets from Walt’s original park.In this special WDW Radio Archive episode, I'm joined by the late, great Jim Korkis as we explore the surprising origins of Doritos and churros, the story of Walt's lost Holidayland, unusual Main Street shops, and hidden details in Tomorrowland mosaics (yes, really).From snoring bears and the Wizard of Bras to personal memories and overlooked moments, we peel back the layers of the Happiest Place on Earth. It’s a tribute to Disneyland at 70 - and to Jim’s incredible legacy of storytelling, research, and passion for preserving Disney history.🙋🏻‍♀️ Is Japan on your travel bucket list?📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391✈️ Looking to visit Japan and maybe Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you - visit MouseFanTravel.com📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!- Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn 🎧 Explore More:- WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and more- WDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewards- WDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nights- Events & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!- LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership.🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

Join Becky Mankin, a Disney vacation planning expert, along with Lisa Donato-Glassmer and Kenneth Johnson, seasoned travelers, as they recount their unforgettable Adventures by Disney trip to Japan. They share the beauty of Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Tokyo, highlighting delicious food, cultural immersion, and the warmth of Japanese hospitality. The trio reflects on the emotional connections they made and the surprising joys of travel, even discussing the quirks of advanced Japanese toilets. If Japan isn't on your bucket list yet, it definitely will be after listening!

829 · Celebrate Happy: A Complete Guide to Disneyland’s 70th AnniversarySomething special is happening at Disneyland… It’s turning 70, and the year-long Celebrate Happy party is packed with magic, surprises, returning favorites, and history in the making. Join me and theme park journalist Carlye Wisel as we unlock what’s new, what’s back, and why you need to visit - from "Paint the Night" and "World of Color Happiness" to Duffy’s return, MagicBand+ secrets, incredible merchandise, interactive activities (and free souvenirs!), more than 70 new food items, the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and much more!🙋🏻‍♀️ What part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary are YOU most excited about?📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391✈️ Looking to visit Disneyland for the 70th? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you - visit MouseFanTravel.com📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:- WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and more- WDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewards- WDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nights- Events & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!- LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership.🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

828 · Disney’s Abu Dhabi Theme Park: A Whole New World UnveiledDisney just announced a bold new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi – and it could change everything. In this episode, we explore the Disney Abu Dhabi theme park announcement from every angle – cultural, creative, and corporate. We also have a thoughtful conversation about some of the questions and concerns this move has raised. Discover why Disney chose Abu Dhabi, what the “authentically Disney, distinctly Emirati” vision means, and how this expansion could shape the future of Imagineering, Disney’s global parks, and Bob Iger’s legacy.🙋🏻‍♀️ How do you feel about Disney expanding to Abu Dhabi?📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park... or anywhere in the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you - visit MouseFanTravel.com📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:- WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and more- WDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewards- WDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nights- Events & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!- LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership.🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!