Nighttime has descended on the original Magic Kingdom and the perfect time for two things: fireworks and treats! Listen along as we exit Disneyland while the "Remember . . . Dreams Come True" fireworks show goes on, picking up our respective nighttime treats on the way (ice cream for Annie, popcorn for me). Then we review the joys of our first day …

Night has fallen on the Disneyland Resort and we're in Tomorrowland. On a Friday night, that means the Tomorrowland bandstand is occupied by some local hard rock act, usually a cover band. Time to find some refuge . . . "How about under the sea?" we thought. Submarine Voyage (with Nemo and co.), here we come! Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage To downlo…

Disney California Adventure is in the midst of major changes and, in this episode, Annie and I wander through the park taking it all in. We start in Paradise Pier (with it's wonderful new "Main Street"-style music) in front of the Fun Wheel (formerly "Sun Wheel"), grab a refreshing new snack option and, along the way, spend some time in the Blue Sk…

Time for an old Tomorrowland favorite: Captain Eo! I have to admit, though, that this show was a bit before my (Disneyland) time. Annie, on the other hand, was over the moon that Captain Eo was brought back as she very fond memories of it from her childhood. So this was a not-to-miss show for the two of us and, we hope, you as well! Come along for …

Time to move from the east side (Fantasyland, Tomorrowland) to the west side (Frontierland, Adventureland, New Orleans Square) of Disneyland! Entering Frontierland, we find we've arrived just in time to catch one of the Laughing Stock shows in front of the (sadly) closed-for-refurbishment Golden Horseshoe Saloon. These shows are always good for a l…

We've finished with Fantasyland (for the time being) and head into Tomorrowland, trying to decide what the first Tomorrowland ride of our trip should be. Imagine our surprise when we see a line going into Star Tours, the day before AP previews (which we will be sharing in, thanks to our friend, Mike) begin! Naturally, we investigate further and boy…

It's our first full day in the parks and, naturally, we start in the mothership, Disneyland. Join us as we line up outside the turnstiles and take our first steps into Walt's original park for . . . well, it's been about 2 years! Our first destination? Fantasyland, of course! Disneyland Entry, Fantasyland To download, right-click and select "Save T…

The adventure begins! It's the evening of Friday, May 20th and we have just arrived at the Disneyland Resort. Our first recording begins in the esplanade as we head into the under re-construction Disney California Adventure (DCA) park for dinner at La Trattoria. Afterward, we head into the Hollywood Backlot area for a peak at ElecTRONica and then o…

*** SPOILER WARNING*** If, for any reason, you want to experience the new Star Tours for yourself and be completely surprised, do not listen to this! That being said . . . Here it is, as promised! This recording contains audio of our first trip through the new queue and all 6 (that's right, SIX!!) rides we took on the new and improved Star Tours! T…

Come along for a ride on a perennial favorite of mine: Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters! Yes, that is me in the picture below. Yes, that is my actual score. Yes, I am pretty good. No, I will not tell you my tricks. Enjoy the ride-through. Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters To download, right-click and select "Save Target As...". Or subscribe in iTunes! R…

Okay, so this entry isn't technically a "short". Clocking in at a half hour, the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon is anything but short. However that time always seems to fly past entirely too quickly. Well now you can relive the experience! This was recorded from the balcony at stage right with my father (on his f…

Number 2 in the series is a beautiful, clean ride-through of Pirates of the Caribbean. We enter as Fantasmic nears its climax on the Rivers of America and we find that Pirates is deserted! There's only 2 other people (other than cast members) in sight and, thankfully, they seemed to enjoy the solitude as much as we do - we didn't hear a peep out of…

In anticipation of my forthcoming trip to Disneyland, I'm starting a series of Disneyland short audio releases. Call them previews. Call them tasters. Call them what you like. They're short - they're fun - they capture just a bit of the Disneyland experience. This week, come along for a ride on Disneyland's Space Mountain! Disneyland Shorts 001 - S…

Here it is . . . the end. The final audio chapter of our Walt Disney World trip. But fear not, faithful listeners, there are more Disney adventures on the way! Magic Kingdom has been closed for nearly an hour and we walk out of the gates only to find that the monorail platform is closed and the only buses in sight are going to various hotels. Meanw…

Our final day comes closer to its finish . . . it's nighttime in Tomorrow Land and we take a ride on Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain. As it turns out, these are our final 2 rides before Magic Kingdom closes for the night. (sigh) Come along for the melancholy fun! Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain To download, right-click and select "Save Target As..…

It's a short one this time, folks. Come along for a ride on Winnie the Pooh. This episode was going to be significantly longer, but my dear wife didn't want anymore of her voice included in these podcasts. Oh well. Enjoy the ride! Winnie the Pooh To download, right-click and select "Save Target As...". Or subscribe in iTunes! Recorded May 8, 2010 -…

Tomorrowland time! Space Mountain is down (sniff) so we console ourselves with a visit to the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Afterwards, we discover an interesting secret about the FastPass distribution machines and go for a ride on the TTA, where we are treated to a rare sight: Space Mountain with the lights on! Come along for all the fun! Laugh Floor…

Lunch is over and it's time for the first ride of the day. What better way to let your food settle in Magic Kingdom than a cheesy afternoon ride on the Jungle Cruise? Okay, there may be better ways, but this is what we chose to do first. Join us, won't you? Jungle Cruise To download, right-click and select "Save Target As...". Or subscribe in iTune…

It's a new day! Yay! And the last day of our trip. (Sniff) We slept in this morning, after staying at Epcot past midnight the previous night, so we got a late start and arrived at the Magic Kingdom around noon feeling hungry. Time to collect some FastPasses for the day and look for some food. Do we have a chance at a second Crystal Palace buffett l…

After Illuminations finishes and most vistors start filing toward the exits, we (savoring the three "Extra Magic Hours" available to us) instead head for what was once know as the Motion Pavilion in Futureworld. That's right; we take one last ride, for this trip anyway, on Test Track. Join us, won't you? Test Track Magic To download, right-click an…

Come with us and enjoy Epcot's nighttime spectacular, Illuminations! For extra points, see if you can spot (1)when my camera's batteries die and I have to replace them, mid-show and (2)when I move to a new location to escape the noisy family who planted themsleves next to me just before the show started! Enjoy! Illuminations To download, right-clic…

Join us for a stroll through the eastern end of World Showcase. Things start as we leave lunch in the Italy pavilion, pass the America pavilion as the fife and drum corps perform and enter the Japan pavilion for a little shopping and exploration. While we're there, we have a chance use our meager Japanese and we take in a performance by the taiko d…

Come along with us on the most unintentionaly hilarious ride in Walt Disney World, the incomparable Maelstrom! One of only 2 rides in World Showcase (both boat rides; go figure!) and the only real attraction in the Norway pavilion, Maelstrom takes its bemused riders through the "mystery and adventure" of Norway, featuring non-threatening, stationar…