WDW Radio: Your Guide to the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise and More Disney Magic!

Hello my friends and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #116 for the week of April 26, 2009. Thank you for tuning in once again. With the 20th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios coming up on May 1, I am planning a number of segments looking back on its history, trivia, changes and hidden treasures, and this week, we’re going to start at the very beginning. I am pleased to be joined at the Studios by Disney Legend and former Walt Disney World press agent Charlie Ridgway, who recounts what it was like planning for the opening of a park whose original concept changed dramatically, and showcased the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood that was both real and imaged. He tells us about planning for the opening ceremonies, the many celebrities that visited and worked at the park and so much more. I’ll answer many of your listener emails and questions this week, including vacation planning and Walt Disney World history and trivia questions. Some topics include Disney honeymoons, Disney dining, World Showcase music, DVC versus a Deluxe Resort, the Empress Lilly and so much more. I’ll play some more of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello my friends and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #115 for the week of April 19, 2009. Thank you for tuning in again this week for some fun, family-friendly Disney magic. April showers may bring May flowers, and they also affect the vacations of Guests visiting Walt Disney World. And while many people look at the rain as something that will keep them stuck in their rooms, I look at it as a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the resorts and the parks, and maybe even a way to experience something that they never have before. This week, we’ll look at the Top Ten Things to Do In Walt Disney World When it Rains. I believe that each day, we are all motivated by our dreams, both big and small. For many people, dreaming to be a part of the magic that they enjoy today or even experienced and impacted them as a child fuels their passion. And for many people, that dream has or will come true. And for one of Disney’s most talented character artists, he believed in and followed his dream, and now he’s making magic for us as Guests. So I want to introduce you to Brian Blackmore, Character Artist for the Disney Design Group. He not only recounts his personal journey from childhood watching Uncle Walt, to working for the company he loves so much, to sharing advice and practical tips on how to possibly follow your own dream, and even work in a place that truly creates magic for others. I’ll have another Walt Disney World Trivia Contest this week, where I’ll test your knowledge of a classic Walt Disney World attraction… or two, before playing some of your voicemails at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello my friends and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #114 for the week of April 12, 2009 and I am your host, Lou Mongello. Thank you for tuning in again this week. We’ll start off with News from around Walt Disney World, and much of it involves some changes to as well as new dining opportunities, as well as new Guest experiences in Downtown Disney, and even a few rumors about what might be coming back to the Magic Kingdom. I’m proud this week to bring you an exclusive interview with an author who brings a new perspective to Walt Disney World in his series of books, where he takes you on a fictional adventure through the parks after all the Guests have left. He is New York Times bestselling author of both the Kingdom Keepers and Peter and the Starcatchers series, Ridley Pearson. We’ll discuss the first two books in the Kingdom Keepers series and how they came to be as well as what may be coming next in the series. We also discuss his work with Dave Barry on the Peter and the Starcatchers titles, which explores the world of Peter Pan before the J.M. Barrie novel and Disney animated film. I’ll play some of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello my friends and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host Lou Mongello, and this is show #113 for the week of April 5, 2009. Thank you for tuning in again this week. This week’s show will be the last one I am broadcasting from the WDW Radio headquarters in Scotch Plains, NJ – I’m taking the show on the road to sunny skies and warmer climates in Florida, but this week, I have something that I think you’ll enjoy. This weeks we’re going to don our explorer’s hat and magnifying glass and do another DSI: Disney Scene Investigation of one of EPCOT Center’s original and most important pavilions - The Land. We’ll explore Its beginnings, history and changes through the years, as well as its signature attractions. I’ll play some of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the ALL NEW web site at wdwradio.com and talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello my friends and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host Lou Mongello, and this is show #112 for the week of March 29, 2009. Thank you for tuning in again this week. We’ll start off with some news from Walt Disney World, including updates on a new attraction opening this week in Downtown Disney, things to do in Walt Disney World during the Easter holiday, and a way to experience a Disney attraction at home. With the recent buzz about D23, Disney’s new community for Disney fans, I thought about the “original” Disney fan club – the Mickey Mouse Club, and thought it would be fun to talk with someone who knew it well, as he was one of the original Mouseketeers. I’m pleased to welcome in Mouseketeer Lonnie Burr, who talks about his time on the Mickey Mouse Club, working with people like Annette Funicello and Walt Disney, and so much more. I’ll announce the winner of out last Walt Disney World Trivia Contest before giving you a few announcements, including an update on our Everest Adventurers Weekend and party at the Adventurers Club, and then play some of your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the ALL NEW web site at wdwradio.com and talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello my friends and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #111 for the week of March 22, 2009. I am your host Lou Mongello, and I want to thank you for tuning in again this week. This week, we’re going to take a ride in my Walt Disney World Wayback Machine and look at Disney’s Polynesian Resort through the years, and into the future. Steve Seifert and I will turn back the clock to a time before Walt Disney World was even a vision in Walt’s mind, and look at how his personal interests influenced what would become the model for themed resorts that would follow. We’ll look at the Polynesian Village through the years and explore some of its additions, changes and lost experiences. We’ll also talk about the resort today, and speculate as to what the future may hold. Stay tuned to the end of the show for some more announcements as well as some of your wonderful voicemails, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the ALL NEW web site at wdwradio.com and talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello my friends and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #110 for the week of March 15, 2009. I am your host Lou Mongello, and I want to thank you for tuning in again this week. This week was one that was filled with some exciting and important news coming from the Disney Company, so we’ll start of by taking a look at some of the notable events, including the naming of the two new ships of the Disney Cruise Line, enhanced environmental efforts Company-wide and in the parks, pirates that are breaking camp, and reports of a rat being spotted in one of Walt Disney World’s premier restaurants… much to the delight of Guests. We’ll take a quick visit to the Rumor Mill, and two possible changes and additions coming to dining and reservations. But the biggest news coming out of the Disney Company this week was the big reveal of the “Are You 23?” campaign, as Disney announced D23, the all-new official community for Disney enthusiasts. With so much to cover and discuss about this important new club and all of its offerings and benefits, I gathered other members of the online community to discuss it in a roundtable format. Ryan Wilson and Chuck Lionberger join me as we take an in-depth look at the club, its elements, content, future and much more. I’ll preface our discussion by playing clips from the press conference held by Steven Clark, head of D23, Dave Smith of the Walt Disney Archives and Marty Sklar of Walt Disney Imagineering. I’ll announce the winner and answers to last week’s Walt Disney World Trivia Contest, and test you with more questions and a bonus challenge with special prize as well. Stay tuned to the end of the show for some more announcements as well as some of your wonderful voicemails, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the ALL NEW web site at wdwradio.com and talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #109 for the week of March 8, 2009. I am your host Lou Mongello, bringing you the very best ways to enjoy and enhance your Walt Disney World vacation experience in a fun, family-friendly weekly show. We’ll start off this week’s show with news from Walt Disney World, including dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, changes coming to Downtown Disney, and opinion questions for you the listener. I often try and cover topics on the show which are meant to not only inform, educate and entertain you, but really try and help you get the most out of your Walt Disney World vacation, whether you travel alone, as a couple, with friends or family. This week, I am joined by Chuck Lionberger, as we want to explore Disney pin trading, not as the phenomenon that it is but as something you can do with your family, and the experience before, during and even after your trip to Walt Disney Word. Another way I really enjoy helping with your vacation planning experience is by directly answering your emails, and this week, Beci Mahnken joins me once again to talk about everything from taking babies to the parks, thrill rides that aren’t a literal pain in the neck, the Premium Pass, Disney books, theme park music, and many more topics. I’ll announce the winner and answers to last week’s Walt Disney World Trivia Contest, and test you with more questions and a different type of bonus challenge as well. Stay tuned to the end of the show for some more announcements as well as some of your wonderful voicemails, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the ALL NEW web site at wdwradio.com and talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #108 for the week of March 1, 2009. News from Walt Disney World starts off this week’s show, as we talk about how you can check in online before you arrive at your Disney resort, fun sporting events taking place this month, and a great way to spend an evening at the Flower Power Concert Series as part of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. I am happy to be joined this week on a roundtable discussion by some of the greatest moms around, for they are some of the members of the 2009 Disney Moms Panel. This group of real-world moms (and a dad) offer advice to Guests traveling to Walt Disney World through an interactive Q&A site at DisneyWorldMoms.com. The moms join me to talk about the experience, some tips, some interesting questions they’ve received and lots more. It’s a fun conversation with some people who share our passion and get to help others with their questions. I talk all the time about how Disney World is for everyone and how accommodating they are to so many people. What many don’t realize is that Disney also helps to recognize and help those people who serve the United States through military and uniformed service. Through a variety of programs, offerings and daily ceremonies, Disney makes it easy and affordable for military families to enjoy all that Walt Disney World has to offer. Staff Sergeant Mitch Brannen joins me to talk about the military’s private resort on property, discounts and benefits for the military and their families, as well as an often-overlooked, yet wonderful daily ceremony in the parks that every Guest should enjoy. I’ll announce the winner of last week’s Walt Disney World trivia contest and give you the answer to the questions, and give you another opportunity this week to test your knowledge for a chance to win a prize package. For some time now, I’ve been telling you that I’ve been working on a number of things for the show and site, and it’s time for me to let you in on what’s been going on backstage at WDW Radio, and what’s coming in the future. And just when you think I’ve told you everything, I’ve saved one of the biggest and special surprises for last. Stay tuned to the end of the show for some more announcements as well as some of your great voicemails, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the ALL NEW web site at wdwradio.com and talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week! You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the web site at wdwradio.com and talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #107 for the week of February 22, 2009. I’ll kick off this week’s show with some news from Walt Disney World, including a new attraction coming to Innoventions, information about ESPN – The Weekend, changes to Disney’s Magical Express service and a new restaurant opening soon. Now is the time, now is the best time for another Top 10 segment, and this week, “if something can't be done with X-S, then it shouldn't be done at all,” so Tim Foster and I will take a look at our Top 10 Things We Love About Tomorrowland. So here’s to the future and you! Last week marked the official grand opening of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but not before a star-studded world premiere event the night before. I had a chance to visit the blue carpet and meet and speak with many of the celebrities on hand, before viewing the very special show and concert. Glenn Whelan joins me to discuss the event, the attraction and what it means to the parks and its Guests. I’ll announce the winner of our last Walt Disney World Trivia Contest, as well as present yet another series of questions to challenge you this week. Get them all right and you’ll have the chance to win a prize package and a bonus prize as well. Stay tuned to the end of the show for some announcements including the date for our next Meet of the Month in Walt Disney World before I play back some of your voicemails, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171. Visit the web site at wdwradio.com Talk about the show by visiting and posting in the WDW Radio Show message forums at DisneyWorldTrivia.com. Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!