Dads of the Kingdom Podcast Terry Staggs Jr. and John E Murray III

Welcome to our introductory episode of Dads of the Kingdom

Terry and John share their first show with conversations about why they started the podcast, where they will go with the show, and some news around the parks. Journey from Disney's Animal Kingdom to the Flower and Garden Festival. Enjoy.

Terry and John share their conversations with a little news around the World, a little nostalgia, and a little time with the family. Enjoy.

Check out some of the Disney wallpaper Terry and John Talk about on the show: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/wallpapers/

Terry and John share their conversations with a little news around the World, a little nostalgia, and a little time with the family. Enjoy.

Our main topic for the week is Holiday Celebrations and experiences at Disney.

Main Topic: Celebrating the holidays at Disney with your family
• First trip to Disney during the holidays
Must try experiences:
• Visiting other resorts (Grand Floridian gingerbread house/BC gingerbread carousel)
• Holiday parades/shows
• Holiday foods

Dates for Disney holiday specials and parades:
Nov. 24th and 25th, Dec. 25th

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party - Mickey Mouse presides over the holiday festivities during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park. This enchanting after-hours party showcases special entertainment, including “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” and a holiday edition of the fireworks spectacular “Wishes,” as well as meet-and-greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters in holiday attire.

Here are the 21 festive nights where guests can find one of our favorite events in Magic Kingdom Park.
November – 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29
December – 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
New Snacks at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:
• Hot Chocolate and Snickerdoodle cookie, Tortuga Tavern, Adventureland
• Eggnog and Gingersnap Molasses Cookie, Heritage House in Liberty Square
• Snow Cone and Snowman Sugar Cookie, Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland
• Spiced Apple Cider and Snowman Sugar Cookie, Pete’s Silly Sideshow Storybook Circus in Fantasyland
• Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Bark Cookie, The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland
News:
“Once Upon a Time,” will debut at Magic Kingdom Park on November 4.
• In this new show, Mrs. Potts from “Beauty and the Beast” shares bedtime stories with Chip, taking them (and all of us) on a magical trip through the most adventurous scenes from favorite Disney films like “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.”
• Scenes that are expected to be guest-favorites include a flight with Peter Pan from London to Never Land and a daring duel between Gaston and Beast. Mrs. Potts and Chip end their bedtime story with a grand finale that includes appearances by characters from even more Disney films.

Drones at Disney Springs

Travel Tips:
Reserve a refrigerator before you arrive to a Disney resort

Around the Web:
Enjoy videos on Disney Parks on Youtube before and after your trip
Finding Dory now on video

Experiencing Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure

Terry and John share their conversations about Disney with a little news around the World, a little nostalgia, and a little time with family. Enjoy.

Main Topic: Experiencing Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure
* Comparing Land to World
* Size/flow/rides/dinning/characters
* Must try experiences
* Indiana Jones/Pirates of the Caribbean/The Animation
* Building/Mickey’s Toon Town
* Character interactions
* Met Anna/Elsa 5 times
* Disney Land specific foods/restaurants
* Cathay Circle/Napa Rose/White Water Snacks/Churros/

News: The end of Wishes! (5/11) The start of Happily Ever After (5/12), Opening of Pandora (5/27)

Travel tip of the week: Did you know that the Magic Kingdom is set up like a large wheel with Cinderella's Castle in the center surrounded by the many magical lands? Most people upon entering the park go down Main Street and head to the right toward Tomorrowland. On your next visit, especially if entering early in the day - go to the left and start in Adventureland. You may find the crowd levels to be lower and enjoy some extra rides and lower wait times.

Travel Tips: Navigating around or using extra magic hours.
Disney around the Web:
• 2017 Flower and Garden coming to an end – May 31st
• Free dining was offered…some dates still available in August; Fall break weeks gone (end of September/early October); room discounts are available and may be less expensive
• Not So Scary starts the last week of August - Aug. 25 & 29; Sept. 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26 & 29; Oct. 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 & 31; and Nov. 1 - Advance ticket prices starting at $74 for adults and $69 for children (3-9)
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held Nov. 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26 & 28; and Dec. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 & 22 - Advance ticket prices starting at $89 for adults and $84 for children (3-9)
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/05/tickets-now-available-for-mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-visits/

The Disney download: Digital/Blu Ray/DVD release of Bambi and Beauty and the Beast; watch for specials on Star Wars digital downloads on holidays and movie release dates – discounts were offered for 17% at Microsoft, Apple, and Google on May the 4th
Outro: Top 5 rides/attractions for fans of Disney history

Dads of the Kingdom Episode 00005 - 2017 D23 Announcements for WDW

Terry and John talk about the 2017 D23 announcements...excited about the new additions arriving at Walt Disney World over the next 1-5 years!

"Minnie Van" Service Starts at Walt Disney:
• The Minnie vehicles will take you everywhere you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort, and you’ll ride in Minnie’s classic style.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Ratatouille Coming to Epcot:
• “Guardians of the Galaxy”-inspired attraction will be added to Future World, adhering to the original vision of Epcot’s Future World as the place to experience the excitement and adventure offered by space travel. This new attraction will replace the current Universe of Energy attraction, closing 8/13/17.
• “Ratatouille”-inspired attraction will also be added to the France Pavilion in World Showcase. Similar to the 4-D attraction Ratatouille: The Adventure that opened at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris in 2014
• Both attractions to open by 2021 for Walt Disney Worlds’ 50th anniversary.
Disney Skyliner:
• Connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts and other locations with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot. And many of the gondolas with Disney Skyliner will feature favorite Disney characters.
Disney Vacation Club Announces Disney Riviera Resort:
• Rooftop restaurant that will offer unbelievable views of nighttime spectaculars at both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.”
• Estimated to open 2019.
• Connected to the new Skyliner transportation system.
Toy Story Land to open in summer 2018:
• Two new attractions; Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.
Disney Planning Three, Not Two, New Cruise Ships:
• All ships completed by 2023.
• New, immersive experience.
• Larger than current Disney cruise ships.
Tron Attraction Coming to Magic Kingdom:
• Tron – the highest-rated attraction at Shanghai Disneyland – is coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! The new Tron attraction will sit in an entirely new area right next to the Space Mountain attraction at Magic Kingdom Park. Opening 2021, Walt Disney Worlds’ 50th anniversary.
Space Restaurant Coming to Epcot:
• The restaurant will invite guests to travel into space for amazing dining experiences in the stars. “Windows” will display scenes from space.

Star Wars Land to open 2019:
• One attraction will make you feel like you’re on a Star Destroyer inside a hangar bay. It’s an attraction built on a scale we’ve never done before.
• The second attraction will give guests the opportunity to fly the Millennium Falcon, piloting the ship, shooting blasters or preparing for hyperspace – all while completing a critical mission.
• Immersive land with character interactions.
Star Wars Resort:
• The hotel will be a luxury hotel. Many are assuming that means it will be on par with Disney World’s deluxe category.
• The hotel is a large part of the experience, not just a place to stay. Guests will feel like they are stepping into a place in the Star Wars story, not just a Star Wars-themed hotel.
• To accomplish that feeling of immersion, each guest will be given a storyline that shapes his or her experience.
• Guests will wear Star Wars costumes during the experience.
• Hotel employees will play characters in the Star Wars story while performing their duties. That’s different from other Walt Disney World hotel staffs.
• This is advertised as a “multi-day adventure,” and it likely will be priced as such. Surveys given to guests visiting Walt Disney World indicated the price point could be $1,000 per person for three days and two nights. Disney has not announced an official price for the experience.
• The hotel will be a spaceship in the Star Wars fleet. As such, there won’t be windows looking out to Walt Disney World grounds. Instead, each window will show space scenes.