If you think Disney isn’t just for kids, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re a couple with a passion for all things Disney! Join us every Monday as we discuss different Disney topics from the best countries in EPCOT to the latest Disney news to the most overrated attractions at the theme parks. Plus, we frequently have guests, including Disney Legends, Imagineers, and former Animators and Directors to talk about their time with Disney and the role they played in shaping all of our childhoods. So help us to spread some pixie dust and subscribe today!
Episodes
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom was a big gamble for the Company. A theme park focused more on live animals and conversation than Disney IP was something Disney had not really tried before.
But with the growing success of Disney World as a vacation destination, the time seemed right to build a 4th park.
Luckily for us, Disney’s Animal Kingdom (as it would come to be known) was placed in the hands of legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde, who traveled the globe to make sure the park was authentic as possible.
But that didn’t mean it was all smooth sailing.
As is common with Disney, the park went over budget, lands were cut and when it opened there weren’t many attractions for guests to enjoy.
So join us this week as we take a look back at one of our favorite Disney parks, to see what it was like on opening day.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome
01:44 Listener Questions
10:40 Animal Kingdom Stats
13:57 Animal Kingdom’s Impact on Other Zoos
16:20 The Parks Ties to Walt
16:46 The Origins of Wild Animal Kingdom
20:29 Of Course There’s a Universal Park Too
21:40 The Legend of Joe Rohde
27:03 The Original Idea for Animal Kingdom
32:08 Protests About the Park
35:40 Opening Day Attractions
50:18 Looking Back at Opening Day
55:40 See You Next Monday!
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
This week Disney announced some discounts for your next Disney World Vacation and they happen to conveniently coincide with the opening of an Epic new park.
At the beginning of 2020 we made some bold predictions for the Walt Disney Company over the next decade. It’s crazy to think that it has already been five years since that episode, but here we are.
It turns out we had some pretty good predictions, including the plot to the then unannounced Moana 2, and some pretty bad predictions, that although technically could still happen in the next five years, aren’t looking good.
So tune in to hear right we got right and not right (yet) and let us know your predictions for the rest of the decade.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamp
00:00 Welcome
03:02 Disney News
07:59 Looking Back at Our Predictions for the Decade
11:21 Will Disney Get the Theme Parks Rights to Marvel Back?
15:55 We Predicted Monsters Inc Land
17:57 Where’s the Inside Out Attraction?
21:05 Disney Buying a Private Island
24:57 Some Predictions That Weren’t Correct . . . Yet
27:12 How Did We Know the Plot of Moana 2?
32:59 Predictions for the International Parks
35:19 Could Disney Buy Netflix?
42:19 Movie Predictions
48:20 See You Next Monday!
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of another year already, but since we have we’ve decided to take a look back on the year that was 2024.
So while everyone is posting their Spotify Wrapped and favorite Instagram photos, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite episodes from the past year.
Plus we count down the top 10 episodes you all listened to the most this year!
As always, thank you again for listening. It was a great 2024 and here’s to an even better 2025!
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome!
02:12 Recapping 2024
03:16 Our Top Downloaded Episodes This Year
10:19 Our Favorite Episodes
29:35 What’s Your Favorite Episode?
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
We know Santa is a busy man this time of year, so we’re helping him out with sorting his Naughty or Nice list.
It’s been a year of highs and lows for Disney in 2024, but who deserves a gift and who is going to get a lump of coal?
So tune in to find out and let us know who you would put on the Naughty or Nice list.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome
00:56 The Disney Naughty List
26:24 Who’s on the Nice List?
38:35 Who’s on Your Naughty or Nice List?
38:48 See You Next Week!
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
This week, Disney released more details about all of the new shows and attractions coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland in 2025.
Do you have a Disney fan in your life that you don’t know what to get for the Holidays?
Or maybe you’re looking for some unique Disney merch for yourself?
Or maybe you co-host a podcast and wanted to drop some subtle hints on gift ideas to your spouse? OK that one probably’s a bit too specific.
But no matter what your reason, we have you covered this Holiday season with our 2024 Gift Guide.
And these aren’t your regular gift ideas, like Spirit Jerseys or LoungeFly bags. We found some of the best small shops creating some of the most original and creative Disney gifts we’ve ever seen.
Gift Links:
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Time Stamps
00:00 Welcome!
00:16 Disney News
06:00 Holiday Gift Guide
07:24 Book Ideas
10:47 Small Shop Seller Gift Ideas
19:41 Fish Extender Gift Ideas
23:10 See You Next Monday!
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
The Reflections DVC resort might not be dead after all, it’s just getting a new name. Plus the Disney Treasure had its official christening and we were hyped for the accompanying drone show.
This week, we are delighted to be joined once again by Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, to discuss his newest book, Ghost Dog.
The story combines Bob’s love of the Haunted Mansion and everyone’s love of dogs to answer the question, what if a ghost (dog) really did follow you home?
Plus, since we don’t know the next time we’ll have the chance to talk to an Imagineer, we ask some of our more obscure ride questions and Angela pitches her Escape from Elephant Graveyard attraction idea.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome Back!
01:38 Disney News
09:26 Welcome Back Bob Weis
09:54 The Inspiration for Ghost Dog
13:02 The Real History Behind the Story
18:11 Bringing the Haunted Mansion to Life
23:16 Plans for Future Stories
26:43 Inspiration for Pierre
31:06 Was There Any Part of the Story You Had to Cut?
35:42 Bob’s Take on the Industry & the Importance of the Fans
41:16 How Imagineers Decide Which Attractions to Update
47:53 New Tech at Theme Parks
51:00 What Happened to the Paperboy in Spaceship Earth
52:40 Angela Pitches Her Ride Idea
56:20 See You Next Week!
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
Disney finally announced where the new Monsters Inc. land will be going in Hollywood Studios and it’s going to be taking over Muppets Courtyard. But the Muppets will still have a presence in the park with a redo of Rockin Roller Coaster. We discuss some of the longer term impacts of these moves.
Should you stay on property or off property for your next Disney World Vacation?
That’s the question we aim to answer today and it’s a lot more complicated than you might think.
Sure there are a lot of benefits from staying on Disney property, but those benefits have changed throughout the years and the amount of money you could save from staying off property may make it worth it.
So before you book your next trip to Disney World, tune in and see if staying off property might be right for you.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome
02:14 Disney News
17:23 Benefits of Staying at a Disney Hotel
27:38 Advantages of Staying Off Property at Disney World
31:21 Transportation Options for Off Property Hotels
38:11 Price Difference of Staying On Property vs. Off Property
45:49 Is Staying Off Property Right for You?
47:00 See You Next Monday!
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
Disney Cruise Line announce that their newest ship, the Disney Adventure, will have not one, not two, but three attractions including their first ever roller coaster at sea. And if we weren’t excited before, we are now.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 5 years since the launch of Disney+.
Back then, it was seen as a great value in the world of streaming with access to the entire Disney vault for the low price of $6.99/month.
And while it launched to great fanfare (and the debut of the Mandalorian) it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride since.
So this week we take a look back at the history of Disney+ and the shifting strategies Disney has taken to try and make it profitable.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps:
Welcome 00:00
Disney News 01:55
The History of Disney+ 05:29
Is streaming making classic movies irrelevant 09:24
Why Disney wanted a streaming service 11:52
Initial launch of Disney+ 13:50
Disney had great timing 18:43
Best and worst original content 20:27
The struggles with Disney+ 27:04
Pixar and Premier Access 29:32
Content costs too much 35:25
Why the parks are so expensive 36:23
Fixing Disney+ 43:04
Tell us what you think? 53:50
See you next Monday! 54:13
Monday Nov 04, 2024
Monday Nov 04, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
Just as you can count on the leaves changing for Fall, you can count on Disney World to raise ticket prices. This week Disney World announced price increases for all levels of their annual pass.
But hey, at least they also announced Satu’li Canteen is going to start service breakfast. So we guess it isn’t all bad.
We’d all love to spend the whole day in the parks, but what if your time was limited?
Maybe you only have a few hours.
Well you’re in luck, because on today’s show we’re walking through our perfect day at each Disney World park if we only had 4 hours.
What are the must ride attractions? The shows we would prioritize? The food we would eat?
Plus, if you are feeling adventurous and want to try the 4 park challenge we offer our tips and tricks for making the most of the experience.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps:
Welcome 00:00
Disney News 1:55
What would you do with 4 hours in each Disney World Park?-05:53
Animal Kingdom Rides and Food - 06:29
Hollywood Studios Must Dos - 14:01
Our Picks for EPCOT - 21:00
Our Favorite Rides and Food at Magic Kingdom - 29:15
All 4 Parks in One Day 39:15
What Are Your Must Dos? 48:02
See You Next Monday! 48:17
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Hello and welcome to the Enchanted Ears Podcast, where we discuss anything and everything Disney.
We finally have a date for when parts of Dinoland will start closing for its conversion to Tropical Americas. Plus Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom is getting a year long overhaul and Brooks announced a major partnership with RunDisney.
Seeing as it’s Halloween this week, we are discussing the history of the holiday in the parks.
Plus, what sounded like a good idea at the time, we show up in costume.
While Halloween is big business at Disney now, it wasn’t always that way. In fact, most of what you know and love about Halloween time in the parks came around within the past 20 years.
Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.
Don’t forget to check us out on:
Missing the smell of the parks? Check out Magic Candle Company and use code Enchanted at checkout to save 15% off your next order.
Timestamps
Welcome 00:00
Disney News 02:09
Disney’s Early Attempts at Halloween Events in the Parks 08:29
When Did Halloween Become So Popular? 11:04
The First After Hours Event at Magic Kingdom was for Halloween 16:02
The Birth of the Modern Halloween Party 18:29
Halloween Overlays and Decorations 29:48
See You Next Week! 34:44