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Starport75 - A Disney Podcast

A podcast (mostly) about Disney, Walt Disney World, Disneyland and anything Mickey Mouse, news, history, tips, and we sometimes nerd out on anything--tech, photography, cars, books, music, etc. Join the fun!
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Starport75 - A Disney Podcast
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 27, 2018
Nov 9, 2018
  • Recorded - 11/7/18
  • Trip report from Chris - Disney Springs
    • World of Disney reopening
    • Chris’ mishap with a Coke bottle in WoD
  • Maleficent float is returning to the Festival of Fantasy Parade in the Magic Kingdom
  • Disney bought Lucasfilm six years ago today and has already recouped its $4 billion investment
  • New Entrance for Autos at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Opens Nov. 8
  • Gondolas discussion
  • Lyft billboards
  • Picks of the week:
Oct 30, 2018
  • Recorded on 10/17/18
  • Released on 10/29/18
  • Early Morning Magic program for Disney's Hollywood Studios
    • 90 minutes of access to Toy Story Land before the park opens
  • Annual Pass cost increase
  • Disney Video Games
Oct 17, 2018
  • Released on 10/17/18
  • Disney Cruise Line follow up
    • Glenn booked a cruise out of New Orleans!
  • Spaceship Earth Will Close for Over Two Years, Part of Massive Overhaul of Epcot’s Future World
  • Tomorrowland Speedway closing for 5 months to re-route track around Tron
  • Fountain & Bottled Drink, Popcorn, Pretzel, and Other Snack Item Prices Increased
Oct 8, 2018
  • Released on 10/8/18
  • Rumor Show!
    • Rumored opening dates for new attractions
    • Skyliner Gondolas will not have A/C
    • India Pavilion Coming to Epcot’s World Showcase with Massive Jungle Book Ride
    • Is PizzeRizzo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Getting Ready to Close?
    • 3rd Hotel to join Swan and Dolphin
    • Magic Kingdom’s Club 33 location (Captain's Quarters) is out from behind construction walls
Sep 28, 2018
  • Recorded 9/27/18
  • Released 9/28/18
  • Disney Cruise Line will sail out of New Orleans in February, 2020! During Mardi Gras!
Sep 27, 2018
  • Released 9/27/18
  • Chris is remembering his Cruise
    • Some feedback from disboards.com
    • Follow up: Captain Tom is now Commodore Tom
  • Disney News
    • 19 Magical New and Limited-Time Experiences Coming to Walt Disney World Resort in 2019
    • Disney Has Announced End Date and Replacement of IllumiNations at Epcot
    • Rafiki’s Planet Watch, including the Conservation Station, are closing to the public
    • Walt Disney World Switching to Date-Based Ticket Prices, Including Multi-Day Tickets
    • Park attendance showing softness going into Fall
  • Update on Chris’ visit to Epcot and the Food and Wine Festival
  • Disney News continued
    • New Candlelight Processional Narrators, Food & Merchandise Set for 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Sep 17, 2018
  • Released 9/17/18
  • Chris and family went on a Disney Cruise Line vacation
    • Fantasy ship
    • Western Caribbean cruise
  • DCL History
    • Disney Magic - The Launching of a Dream by John Heminway
  • Chris has been on nine DCL cruises
  • Halloween decorations were up on the ship as of the 9/1 sailing
  • DCL Innovations
    • Split bathrooms - like
    • Rotational dining - dislike
  • Make special requests the day you get on the ship
  • Tipping on the cruise
  • Water Slides on the ship
  • Excursions
  • The ship is spectacular and well maintained
  • Castaway Cay
    • Paradise on earth
  • Kids club
  • Chris’s photos from the trip
  • Thoughts about length of cruise
Sep 8, 2018
  • Released 9/7/18
  • Remember the Magic - Mission to Mars
    • Chris never experienced the attraction - it’s a regret
  • History
    • 1955: Rocket to the Moon at Disneyland
      • No space travel in 1955
      • Circular theater with three levels of seats: 162 seats total
      • Screen in the floor and ceiling in the middle of the theater
      • Seats had pneumatic controls and would raise and lower
      • Was a D-Ticket attraction
        • Discussion about ticket levels
      • Building was demolished in 1966
        • The TWA rocket was moved to the TWA Corporate Headquarters building in Kansas City, MO
      • Rebuilt within a year
    • 1967: Flight to the Moon at Disneyland and WDW (1971)
      • Introduced audio animatronics in the preshow, including Mr. Tom Morrow
    • 1975: Mission to Mars at Disneyland and WDW
      • Changed Mr. Tom Morrow to Mr. Johnson from Space Control and added female AAs
      • Sponsored by McDonnell-Douglas
      • Closed in 1992 in Disneyland and 1993 in WDW
    • 2003: Mission:Space at Epcot
      • The spiritual successor to MtM
  • Martin’s tribute video https://youtu.be/jPT3JoFFc1c
Aug 28, 2018
  • Released 8/27/18
  • Feedback on new formats
    • What Glenn had for dinner
    • Glenn visits Orlando to see Chris at least once a year; Chris has been to NOLA once since 2007
  • Disney News
    • Shop Disney Parks app
    • Because of the Tron Coaster construction, the WDW Railroad will be stopped
  • Chris Visits Disney
    • Magic Kingdom visit
    • Halloween decorations are up!
    • Scrims on Main Street USA
    • Jungle Cruise
      • Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats - Closed on 8/21/12
    • Family had no interest in seeing the Country Bear Jamboree
    • Ate at Casey’s Corner
      • Ketchup conundrum
    • No visit to Tomorrowland
    • Starbucks in the park
      • Outside vendors in the park ~50:00
  • Picks of the Week
Aug 16, 2018
  • Recorded 8/8/18
  • Remember the Magic - The Country Bear Jamboree
  • History
    • December 1965, Walt Disney was pressing forward with Mineral King, a ski resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains
    • As part of the evening entertainment, an animatronic show was being developed
    • The project was assigned to Marc Davis
      • One day Davis was working on drawings of the characters in his office. Walt Disney walked in and saw the drawings and laughed because he loved the characters. On Disney's way out he turned to Marc Davis and said good-bye, which he was known never to say. That was the last time Davis saw Disney, who died a few days later.
    • With ski resort progress slow, the show was refined and designed to be a unique attraction at the then still being planned Walt Disney World Resort
    • Frontierland would receive a much needed marquee attraction
    • A 15 minute dance hall style show was designed
    • Imagineer X Atencio (Yo-Ho & Grim Grinning Ghosts) and musical director George Bruns created songs for the bears to sing
    • 24 animatronic figures were built, plus another three for outside the theater
    • The show opened on October 1, 1971 and was a huge draw in an otherwise sparsely populated corner of the park
      • Shootin’ Arcade, Tom Sawyer Island, WDW Railroad
    • Shares a building with the Enchanted Tiki Room
    • Theater exits into the “Mile Long Bar’ instead of a gift shop, where three stars from the show would hold their own mini show
    • Pepsi and Frito Lay were the original sponsors from 1971 - 1981 (Pepsi was available at Pecos Bill’s until 1990)
    • It closed in August 2012 for a refurb; when it reopened in October 2012, it was shortened by 4 1/2 minutes.
      • Introduction was shortened, and some dialogue throughout the show was cut, along with two songs: "Pretty Little Devilish Mary" and "Fractured Folk Song"
    • In the MLB, Max, Melvin, and Buff animatronics were hanging and would talk and sing to the guests as they left the theater
    • From May 1986 through February 1992, the show was replaced by the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown
    • November 1984, the Country Bear Christmas Special was introduced for the holiday season and ran every year through 2005
      • Took 4-6 days to install and remove
      • Was the first attraction to change for the holidays
    • There was a CBJ in Disneyland From 1972-2001 (replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)
      • It was the first WDW attraction to be replicated at Disneyland
      • Because of the popularity of the show in Florida, two theaters were built at Disneyland
      • From 1986-2001, it was the CBVH
    • Tokyo Disneyland’s opened with the park and still operates. It’s the same as WDW’s version, except the animatronics are more modern and look more real, and like at Disneyland, was built with two theaters
      • Tokyo still has all three versions of the show at different times of the year
  • Attraction
    • Bears (18): Henry, Liver Lips McGrowl, Wendell, Teddi Berra, Ernest, Terrence, Trixie, Big Al, Sun Bonnet Trio (Bunny, Bubbles, Beulah), Gomer, The Five Bear Rugs (Zeke, Zeb, Ted, Fred, Tennessee), Baby Oscar
    • Show
      • The show is basically a continuous string of short country songs sung by the various bears. As each bear sings their song, a curtain opens to reveal them, except in the case of Wendell, Gomer, and the Sun Bonnet Trio (all of whom rise from the center stage), and Teddi Barra (who descends from the ceiling).
      • The show begins with Max, Buff, and Melvin telling Henry to get on with the show. Henry then asks Gomer to give him a "little intro", and the jamboree begins.
    • Songs
      • Current Disney World version:
      • "Pianjo" (Don Robertson) – Gomer and Henry
      • "Bear Band Serenade" (Lyrics: Xavier Atencio, Music: George Bruns) – The Five Bear Rugs, Gomer, and Henry
      • "If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl" (Tommy Collins) – Ernest and the Five Bear Rugs
      • "My Woman Ain't Pretty (But She Don't Swear None)" (Frankie Starr & Paul E. Miller) – Liver Lips McGrowl
      • "Mama, Don't Whip Little Buford" (Burns & Haynes) – Henry and Wendell
      • "Tears Will Be the Chaser For Your Wine" (Dale Davis & Leroy Goates) – Trixie
      • "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone" (Buck Owens) – Terrence
      • "All the Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down" (Plott & Powell) – The Sun Bonnet Trio
      • "Heart, We Did All That We Could" (Ned Miller) – Teddi Barra
      • "Blood on the Saddle" (Everett Cheetham) – Big Al
      • "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (Tom Blackburn and George Bruns) – Henry and Sammy
      • "Ole Slew Foot" (Howard Hausey) – Cast (minus Ernest and Trixie, who do not appear onstage, and Big Al, who reprises "Blood on the Saddle")
      • "Come Again" (Tom Adair & George Bruns) – Henry, Sammy, Max, Buff, and Melvin
  • Country Bear Vacation Hoedown
    • Show
      • This special variation of the classic show features the Country Bears celebrating the many joys of summer and the great outdoors. Its opening is different from the other shows because Max, Buff, and Melvin do not talk at the beginning Instead, the five Bear Rugs can be heard tuning up their instruments. Zeke calls for Rufus to turn on the lights, and then the show begins with "The Great Outdoors". In the Japanese version however, instead of hearing the five Bear Rugs tune up, Max, Buff & Melvin continue the trend of having the first bit of dialogue (although it's in Japanese)
    • Songs
      • "The Great Outdoors" - The 5 Bear Rugs and Henry
      • "Life's No Picnic Without You" - Trixie
      • "On the Road Again" - Wendell
      • "We Can Make It To the Top" - Liver Lips McGrowl
      • "California Bears" - The Sun Bonnets, Gomer, Max, Buff, and Melvin
      • "Two Different Worlds" - Terrence the Shaker (with Dolores the octopus)
      • "Rocky Top" - The 5 Bear Rugs
      • "Nature" - Ernest the Dude
      • "Singin' In the Rain" - Teddi Barra and Henry
      • "Ghost Riders In the Sky" - The 5 Bear Rugs
      • "On My Way To Your Heart" - Big Al
      • "Thank God I'm a Country Bear" - Cast
  • Christmas Show:
    • Show
      • The show includes many different traditional Christmas carols, more modern songs, along with some original Christmas "bear-ols" all sung by the bears in a country twang. The show begins as always with Melvin, Buff, and Max. As the three argued over who gets to sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", Henry appears onstage and starts the show.
    • Songs
      • "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" - Melvin
      • "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" - Henry and Gomer
      • "Tracks in the Snow" - The 5 Bear Rugs and Henry
      • "12 Days of Christmas (Oh What a Christmas)" - Wendell
      • "The Hibernating Blues" - Trixie
      • "Deck the Halls" - The 5 Bear Rugs
      • "Rock and Roll Santa" - Liver Lips McGrowl and Gomer
      • "Blue Christmas" - Terrence (with his penguin)
      • "Sleigh Ride" - The Sun Bonnets, Melvin, Buff, and Max
      • "Hungry as a Bear" - Ernest and The 5 Bear Rugs
      • "The Christmas Song" - Henry and Teddi Barra
      • "Another New Year" - Big Al
      • "Let It Snow/Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer/Winter Wonderland" - Cast
Aug 9, 2018
Jul 29, 2018
Jul 16, 2018
Jul 1, 2018
Jun 11, 2018
May 25, 2018
May 20, 2018
  • Recorded 5/16/18
  • Glenn’s Disney trip planning
    • FastPass+ Reservations
    • Was it better before FP, in the olden days?
  • ParkLeap update
    • Updates coming
    • Chris needs more feedback about the app to help continue to make it even better
  • Disney News and Chris’ Disney Adventures
  • Chris: Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet https://amzn.to/2rVSDO5
  • Chris’ tip: Notifications on iPhone - setting by app
May 3, 2018
Apr 21, 2018
  • Recorded 4/18/18
  • ParkLeap
  • News
    • FastPass+ for Toy Story Land Opens to Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests
    • All-New Play Disney Parks App Coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort This Summer
    • Funko Dorbz Ridez Series Released at Disney Parks
    • Merchandise for 20th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
    • New Starbucks ‘You Are Here’ Adventureland Mug Released at Disneyland
    • First Disney Skyliner tower now in place at Epcot
    • Crossroads Shopping Center by Disney World to Close for I-4 Right of Way
  • Rumors
    • New Monorail Fleet Has Been Ordered For Walt Disney World
    • Walt Disney World Bus Wait Times Coming to My Disney Experience App
    • Universal acquires more property for expansion
  • Picks of the Week
Apr 7, 2018
Mar 28, 2018
Mar 10, 2018
  • Recorded 3/7/18
  • We’re back!
    • Catchup discussion
  • Disney News
    • McDonald's reunites with Disney on Happy Meals after more than a decade apart
    • Explore 11 Areas in the Disney Parks with Google Maps Street View
    • Opening of Toy Story Land on June 30, 2018
    • Wait Times
  • Trip Report - Glenn’s trip to WDW
    • Where did Glenn stay?
    • What you miss out on by not staying on property
    • Animal Kingdom discussion
    • Daily schedule; no relaxing
    • Epcot International Festival of the Arts
      • Disney on Broadway
      • Lunch at the Garden Grill restaurant
    • Souvenirs
      • Autographs: to personalize or not?
    • Highlights and lowlights
  • Chris booked DCL vacation
    • Excitement of an upcoming vacation
    • Need to do a trip to LA/Disneyland with both families
    • Walt Disney Family Museum trip?
Feb 2, 2018
  • Recorded - 1/31/18
  • Minnie Van service
    • Expands to two new resorts
    • Offers rides for Disney Resort Club Level guests to airport for $150
  • Atlanta Braves are leaving WWOS after 2019 Spring Training
  • Rumors - http://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/disney-rumor-round-up-january-2018/
    • Talking Mickey will be replaced with non-talking Mickey at Town Square Theater
    • MNSSHP will start on August 24
    • Tomorrowland will receive updates for WDW’s 50th celebration
    • Site clearing for a Brazil pavilion will start this year and open in 2022
    • The UK pavilion will get a Mary Poppins attraction and open in 2021
    • Major remodel of Future World will be pushed back with a finish date in 2022
    • Change in entrance for Toy Story Mania
    • Skyliner will be open in 2019
    • Disney is meeting with companies to discuss building new monorail trains (thank goodness!)
    • Rename of Disney Hollywood Studios to Cinemagine
  • Festival of the Arts
  • Glenn’s upcoming trip to WDW
    • What planning is done for the trip?
  • Picks of the week
Jan 11, 2018
  • Recorded 1/9/18
  • Disney Conversation
    • Disney/Fox merger
    • Star Wars The Last Jedi
  • Disney News
    • Attraction closings
      • Circle of Life in the Land pavilion
      • Stitch’s Great Escape — but maybe not…
    • Epcot International Festival of the Arts starts this weekend
    • New restaurants opening at Disney Springs
      • Pizza Ponte, The Edison, Maria & Enzo's, and Enzo's Hideaway
    • Annual Passholder dining discount drops to 10% for 2018, but it’s expanding to all Walt Disney run table service restaurant
    • RUMOR: Club Level Walt Disney World Guests will be able to buy three additional FastPasses
    • Temporary store to open during a major update to World of Disney at Disney Springs
    • Door on Monorail Red opens during trip from TTC to Epcot
    • Pixar’s Coco
  • Remember the Magic
    • EPCOT Center logos
  • Picks of the week
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