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 #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!

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #106 for the week of February 15, 2009, and as always, I am your host, Lou Mongello. We’ll start off this week’s show by looking at another of Walt Disney World’s Best of the Bests. And this time, it’s about one of the best ways to enjoy and relive your vacation even after you’ve returned home. Chuck Lionberger joins me to talk about Disney’s Photopass, and one of the very best ways to get the most out of it. I’ll answer more of your emails this week from the WDW Radio Inbox with the help of Beci Mahnken. In addition to vacation planning advice and tips, we’ll answer questions about Disney’s Magical Express, military discounts, vegetarian options, strollers and of course, questions about dining. Stay tuned to the end of the show for some announcements 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!

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #105 for the week of February 8, 2009, and as always, I am your host, Lou Mongello. We’ll kick off this week’s show with some news from Walt Disney World, before climbing aboard my Wayback Machine for another trip back in time and to the future, as we take a look at “The World Showcase That Never Was.” Ryan Wilson joins me to explore some pavilions in World Showcase that were closer to being built than you might think, other concepts that never made it off the drawing board, and even some additions to current pavilions that we never got to see. We’ll take a look at what might have been, and also peek ahead, and discuss what may be coming to the promenade in the future. At the end, I’ll ask you for your opinion on the future of World Showcase. I’ll open up the Inbox once again and answer many more of your emails this week with the help of Beci Mahnken. We’ll “Walk Around the World,” take a look at birthdays, music, romance, Animatronics, and so much more as we answer your questions and help you with some vacation planning advice and tips. I’ll announce last week’s Walt Disney World trivia contest winner before I give you a new set of challenges for this week’s contest where you can win a prize package and even a bonus prize as well. Stay tuned to the end of the show for some announcements 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!

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #104 for the week of February 1, 2009. It’s time for another Top 10 segment, and Tim Foster joins me once again as we take a look at our list of top ten things in Walt Disney World that are better at night. Experiencing the parks and resorts at night is completely different than during the day, and we’ll look at some things that you might just enjoy even more after the sun goes down. I often try to bring you some unique interviews with individuals whose names or faces you might not know, but whose work you might often enjoy and appreciate. This week, I welcome in just such a guest. He is Ronald Cohee, feature animator, artist, and currently a member of the Disney Design Group in Walt Disney World. A longtime park enthusiast, he shares his story of how he came to work for Disney, films and projects he’s worked on, insight into what his experience has been like, advice for others looking to join the Company, and even some hints as to a few things that may be coming next. I’ll answer more of your emails this week including questions about Millennium Village, Dive Quest, refillable mugs, and of course questions about food that cover opposite ends of the dining spectrum including dieting in Walt Disney World to where to find some special ice cream. Last week’s Walt Disney World trivia contest winner will be announced before I give you yet another set of questions and prizes in this week’s new contest. I’ll have some announcements and play back 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 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!

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #103 for the week of January 25, 2009. I’ll start off this week with some news from Walt Disney World, including some information about new interactive experiences coming to the parks, as well as the upcoming Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Walt Disney World is a place where anyone and everyone can feel like a kid again, make their dreams come true, and enjoy all of what makes it so truly magical. And when I say everyone, I mean just that, as Disney is one of the best, most accommodating vacation spots for people with special needs. In this week’s very special roundtable, I’m joined by a number of guests, some of whom are authors of books about traveling to and touring around Walt Disney World with special needs, while others have unique needs of their own. And if you think that this segment might not apply to you or someone you know, you might be very surprised about what you’ll hear. My next interview is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction. In response to a number of questions I received about this very topic, I’m going to talk about Walt Disney World, and its connection to the breakup of the Beatles. You might not know about how the two are linked, but I’m joined by May Pang, companion to John Lennon, who will talk about what took place at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, as well as John’s visits to Walt Disney World with his son. It’s an interesting look back at some of the private times of a celebrity in Walt Disney World, and the historic event that took place there. I’ll announce the winner of last week’s Walt Disney World trivia contest, and will challenge you once again this week with yet another contest! I’ll have some announcements and then play back 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 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! Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #100 for the week of January 4, 2009 To celebrate the 100th episode of the show, I thought it would be fun to gather some guests and friends of the show together to look back at the first 100 shows. We’ll talk about some of our favorite guests, memorable and funny moments, and so much more, as Glenn Whelan, Tim Foster, Lori Burke and George Taylor join me around the table to look back and forward on the show. Of course, no anniversary show would be complete without playing back some favorite and memorable clips, so sit back and listen as I tune the dial through some of the memorable moments of the first 100 shows. I’ll update you on out “100% for 100 Shows” fundraising drive with Pat Whitson before announcing the winner of last week’s contest. I’ll play your voicemails at the end of the show, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's 100th anniversary episode of the WDW Radio Show. You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 1-888-703-2171. 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!