WDW Radio: Your Guide to the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise and More Disney Magic!

Lou Mongello - Disney Expert
  • 4.8 (3.2K)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

WDW Radio is the award-winning Disney podcast that brings the magic of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars to life. Since 2005, hosted by Lou Mongello – Disney expert, author, speaker, and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee – has been your trusted guide through the parks and beyond. Each week, tune in for Disney news, vacation planning tips, interviews, trivia, deep dives into Disney history, attraction and dining reviews, hidden park secrets, and more. From first-timer visitors to lifelong fans, this family-friendly podcast shares the tips, stories, secrets, and insights to help you plan smarter, experience more, and feel the magic like never before. Voted Best Travel Podcast 9 years in a row, WDW Radio also features a blog, videos, live shows, community meetups, group cruises, and special Disney fan events around the world. WDW Radio has welcomed legendary guests including Julie Andrews, Tony Baxter, Marty Sklar, Alan Menken, Richard Sherman, Paige O’Hara, Jodi Benson, Kevin Feige, Ashley Eckstein, and countless Imagineers, Cast Members, actors, producers, and creators who bring Disney magic to life. Explore Lou’s books (Walt Disney World Trivia, The Disney Interviews, 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World) and virtual Audio Tours at WDWRadio.com. Lou is also the founder of the Dream Team Project, which has raised more than $550,000 to grant wishes for children to visit Walt Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Start listening now to discover the stories, secrets, and magic that make the Disney Parks, Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars truly unforgettable. 🎙️ Learn more at WDWRadio.com ✨ Lou Mongello is an acclaimed keynote speaker and founder of Momentum – a transformative platform of events, coaching, courses, content, and community. He provides creators and entrepreneurs with practical guidance and inspiration to help turn passion into profession, build an audience with purpose, and grow a meaningful, sustainable business. As a speaker, Lou shares powerful business and leadership lessons from the Disney Parks and Walt Disney himself, helping organizations improve storytelling, customer experience, company culture, and innovation through unforgettable, actionable presentations. 🔗 Discover more at LouMongello.com

  1. 6d ago

    867 · Walt Disney World Just Got Major Upgrades - and This Summer Is the Best Time to Visit

    867 · Walt Disney World Just Got Major Upgrades - and This Summer Is the Best Time to Visit This might quietly be one of the biggest overall summer upgrades Walt Disney World has had in years. Not because of one giant new land - but because every park, every age group, and nearly every type of guest got meaningful, real enhancements at the exact same time. After being invited by Disney to their Summer Fun Fest media event, Lou Mongello goes far beyond the headlines in WDW Radio Episode 867. At one point during the event, he sat in a room with Disney leadership - park operations, Imagineering, and the facility asset management team (the most important team at Walt Disney World that most guests have never heard of) - for a candid conversation about how Disney actually makes decisions, processes guest feedback, and thinks about the future of the parks. That context changes everything that comes after it. Buzz Lightyear. Big Thunder Mountain. The Muppets. Mandalorian and Grogu. Bluey. Every park, something real - and a full conversation with a Walt Disney Imagineering Story Lead about how Disney decides what to change, what to keep, and why it all matters. Plus: why the connection between films, streaming, and parks is stronger than it has ever been. And why now - right now - is the best time to visit Walt Disney World in 2026. 📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391 ✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com 📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book! - Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership. 🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame. Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

    2h 3m

  2. May 18

    866 · The Best Food at Walt Disney World Isn't Where You Think It Is

    866 · The Best Food at Walt Disney World Isn't Where You Think It Is The best food at Walt Disney World isn't where you think it is. In WDW Radio # 866, Lou Mongello spends a full day eating his way through Disney's Animal Kingdom - stop by stop, bite by bite - and makes the case that this is Walt Disney World's most extraordinary culinary destination. Colombian arepas and globally inspired rice bowls. Viral desserts and hidden gems. Drinks in Pandora - The World of Avatar developed with James Cameron's team. Nomad Lounge. Tiffins at 10 years. And a full conversation with Chef Greg Hannon, Culinary Director of Disney's Animal Kingdom, about authenticity, storytelling through food, the future of Tropical Americas, and what his perfect food day in the park looks like. This is Disney's Animal Kingdom like you have never tasted it before. Plus, I'll have a very special announcement to share with you at the end of the show... but here's a not-so-subtle hint 📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391 ✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com 📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book! - Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership. 🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame. Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

    1h 34m

  3. May 11

    865 · When Wishes Assemble: The Story of Disney and Make-A-Wish

    865 · When Wishes Assemble: The Story of Disney and Make-A-Wish 45 years. 175,000 wishes. One out of every two Make-A-Wish wishes granted in America is a Disney wish. The Disney Make-A-Wish partnership is about far more than theme park vacations. Every single hour, somewhere in the world, Disney helps grant a wish for a child battling a critical illness - creating moments of hope, joy, strength, and healing for families who need it most. In this very personal episode, Lou shares the extraordinary history of Disney and Make-A-Wish, from the very first Disneyland wish in 1981 to the incredible “Wishes Assemble” event at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure, featuring Anthony Mackie, MrBeast, Mark Rober, Paul Bettany, and 40 remarkable children and their families. Along the way, he explores the emotional impact of wish granting, the medical research behind why wishes matter, and why this cause has become such an important part of the WDW Radio community for more than 20 years. You’ll hear stories about wish kids meeting their heroes, Disney Cast Members who once received wishes themselves, and how the WDW Radio Dream Team Project has helped raise more than $550,000 to help grant wishes for children and families through Make-A-Wish. If you’ve ever wondered what Disney magic truly means, this episode may change the way you see it forever. 📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391 ✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com 📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book! - Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership. 🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame. Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

    51 min

  4. May 4

    864 · What Does It Actually Take to Lead Disney? Chairman Thomas Mazloum - His First Interview

    864 · What Does It Actually Take to Lead Disney? Chairman Thomas Mazloum - His First Interview What does it really take to lead Disney at a global scale... while still making every single guest feel like they matter? In this episode, Lou Mongello sits down with Thomas Mazloum in his first interview since stepping into his new role as Chairman of Disney Experiences - overseeing 12 theme parks, 57 resort hotels, Disney Cruise Line, Imagineering, and more than 180,000 Cast Members around the world. Recorded live during a special Make-A-Wish event at Disneyland, this is a rare, candid, and deeply personal conversation about Disney leadership and guest experience... and why scale doesn’t change what matters most. Thomas shares his own Make-A-Wish story, the emotional impact of granting wishes, and the responsibility that comes with being chosen by families during some of the most important moments in their lives. He also reveals his three guiding pillars - trust, quality, and simplicity - and how they shape every decision across Disney parks, resorts, and experiences worldwide. From the future of Disney Cruise Line and global expansion, to the philosophy behind Disneyland Forward, to what Walt Disney still means to him every single day... this conversation goes far beyond strategy. It’s about people, purpose, and creating a “perfect Disney day” for every guest. This is a very real conversation with one of the most thoughtful, people-first leaders in the company’s history. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Disney leadership starts with trustHow guest experience drives every decisionThe role of Cast Members in creating magicWhy scale doesn’t change what truly mattersWhat’s next for Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line If you care about where Disney is going... and why... this episode is for you. 📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391 ✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com 📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book! - Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership. 🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame. Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

    42 min

  5. Apr 27

    863 · 10 Disney Adventure Cruise Surprises (What You Need to Know)

    863 · 10 Disney Adventure Cruise Surprises (What You Need to Know) What are the biggest Disney Adventure cruise surprises - and what should you know before you go? After sailing back-to-back voyages aboard the brand-new Disney Adventure from Singapore, I can tell you this… I thought I knew what to expect. I didn’t. Not even close. In this episode, we break down 10 things that genuinely surprised us - from the scale and design to the food, entertainment, cultural differences, and what makes this ship unlike anything Disney has ever built. We explore: Why this “cruise to nowhere” changes everythingWhat’s completely different from other Disney Cruise Line shipsWhat still feels comfortingly familiarThe cultural shifts that impact your experienceWhy you may need more than one sailing to do it allMy controversial hot take Whether you're planning a trip, dreaming about one, or just curious about what Disney has created halfway around the world, this episode will help you understand what makes this experience so unique. 📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391 ✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com 📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book! - Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership. 🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame. Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

    3h 17m

  6. Apr 5

    862 · The Happiest Factory on Earth: Disneyland, Automation, and the Future of Theme Parks

    862 · The Happiest Factory on Earth: Disneyland, Automation, and the Future of Theme Parks What if the magic of Disneyland isn't just what you see - but how it all works? In Episode 862, Lou Mongello sits down with Roland Betancourt - Guggenheim Fellow, UC Irvine Professor of Art History, and author of Disneyland and the Rise of Automation - for a conversation that might just completely change the way you experience every Disney attraction, every land, and every sound in the parks. They explore how a churro rolling through a conveyor belt oven became the thesis of an entire book on Disneyland history… how Walt Disney’s 1948 visit to the Ford River Rouge plant quietly helped shape the DNA of the park we know today… how the Enchanted Tiki Room’s birds were animated using magnetic tape technology also used in early missile systems… and why the tension between automation and human workers dominating headlines today was already playing out on Disneyland’s opening day in 1955. Whether you love Disney parks history, theme park technology, or want to experience Disneyland in a completely new way, you’ll learn exactly where to stand, what to listen for, and what to touch on your very next visit… and why you may never ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds the same way again. This is Disneyland like you've never heard it before. 📖 Get the book: https://amzn.to/4dwr32n 📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391 ✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com 📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book! - Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership. 🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame. Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

    1h 20m

  7. Mar 30

    861 · Daredevil Born Again Season 2: Spoiler-Free Review

    861 · Daredevil Born Again Season 2: Spoiler-Free Review Is this the Marvel show that changes everything? What stood out after watching Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 wasn’t what I expected - and having seen the full season early thanks to Marvel Studios screeners, I couldn’t wait to talk about it. In this spoiler-free Daredevil Born Again Season 2 review, I’m sharing what stayed with me most… and why this one feels different in a way that’s hard to ignore. This episode was recorded during this week’s WDW Radio LIVE show, where we opened it up to real-time conversation with the community - because the best way to talk about a show like this is together. We cover: - What immediately sets the tone in Episode 1, “The Northern Star” - The evolving dynamic between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk - and why it operates on so many levels at once - Why Season 2 feels more grounded, more restrained, and more character-driven - What makes Daredevil connect far beyond the action - Community reactions and first impressions from the WDW Radio LIVE audience If you loved the original Netflix series, this season is going to mean a lot to you. And if you're just looking for a show that pulls you in and keeps you thinking long after it's over... this might be the one. Subscribe to WDW Radio and join us live every Wednesday at approximately 7:30 PM Eastern on Facebook and YouTube. Find the full community at WDWRadio.com/Clubhouse.

    55 min

  8. Mar 23

    860 · Inside World of Frozen Disneyland Paris - Disney Adventure World

    860 · Inside World of Frozen Disneyland Paris - Disney Adventure World Disney Adventure World and World of Frozen may represent the biggest shift in Disney Parks design we’ve seen in years... and you can feel it from the very first step. Something felt different the moment we stepped onto Adventure Way. Before the gates even opened to the public, Lou Mongello was invited inside Disney Adventure World - the bold $2.3 billion transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris - for an exclusive preview of World of Frozen. And what he experienced may signal an entirely new era for Disney Parks. In this episode, we go deep on everything - from the sweeping scale of Arendelle to the emotional impact of the Cascade of Lights nighttime spectacular... a free-roaming Olaf animatronic powered by AI and built in months, not years... and a baby troll puppet named Mossie who might just be the breakout star of the entire land. You’ll hear honest impressions of the dining, the details hidden in plain sight, and why Frozen Ever After here feels different from its EPCOT counterpart... plus why Adventure Way, with its original Abbey Road orchestral score, may be the most intentional entry experience Disney has ever created. Key Takeaways:Why World of Frozen feels like stepping into the film itselfThe Olaf AI technology that made a crowd of Disney pros gaspHow Disney Adventure World has finally found its identity as a full-day destinationWhat Lion King land and the future of Adventure Bay mean for every Disney fan This is the episode that might just make you book your trip to Disneyland Paris! 📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391 ✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com 📬 Stay Connected:- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book! - Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube 🎧 Explore More:WDWRadio.com - Blog, archives, podcasts, and moreWDW Radio Nation - Support the show and unlock rewardsWDWRadioLIVE.com - Watch and chat LIVE Wednesday nightsEvents & Cruises - Join us for group trips and in-person meetups!LouMongello.com - Creator or solopreneur? Turn your passion into your profession with coaching, courses, and events, including our Momentum events in Walt Disney World. I am also a keynote speaker who shares how to leverage lessons from Disney on customer service, experience, and leadership. 🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame. Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!

    2h 9m
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
3,165 Ratings

About

WDW Radio is the award-winning Disney podcast that brings the magic of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars to life. Since 2005, hosted by Lou Mongello – Disney expert, author, speaker, and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee – has been your trusted guide through the parks and beyond. Each week, tune in for Disney news, vacation planning tips, interviews, trivia, deep dives into Disney history, attraction and dining reviews, hidden park secrets, and more. From first-timer visitors to lifelong fans, this family-friendly podcast shares the tips, stories, secrets, and insights to help you plan smarter, experience more, and feel the magic like never before. Voted Best Travel Podcast 9 years in a row, WDW Radio also features a blog, videos, live shows, community meetups, group cruises, and special Disney fan events around the world. WDW Radio has welcomed legendary guests including Julie Andrews, Tony Baxter, Marty Sklar, Alan Menken, Richard Sherman, Paige O’Hara, Jodi Benson, Kevin Feige, Ashley Eckstein, and countless Imagineers, Cast Members, actors, producers, and creators who bring Disney magic to life. Explore Lou’s books (Walt Disney World Trivia, The Disney Interviews, 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World) and virtual Audio Tours at WDWRadio.com. Lou is also the founder of the Dream Team Project, which has raised more than $550,000 to grant wishes for children to visit Walt Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Start listening now to discover the stories, secrets, and magic that make the Disney Parks, Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars truly unforgettable. 🎙️ Learn more at WDWRadio.com ✨ Lou Mongello is an acclaimed keynote speaker and founder of Momentum – a transformative platform of events, coaching, courses, content, and community. He provides creators and entrepreneurs with practical guidance and inspiration to help turn passion into profession, build an audience with purpose, and grow a meaningful, sustainable business. As a speaker, Lou shares powerful business and leadership lessons from the Disney Parks and Walt Disney himself, helping organizations improve storytelling, customer experience, company culture, and innovation through unforgettable, actionable presentations. 🔗 Discover more at LouMongello.com

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