Soarin' Around WDW

SoarinAroundWDW
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Join us, a Disney family who have been enchanted by Disney magic since childhood, as we share our stories and experiences from our countless visits to Disney parks. From our earliest memories of Mickey Mouse to our latest adventures riding the newest attractions, we bring you along on a nostalgic and exciting journey through the happiest place on Earth. In each episode, we'll delve into our favorite rides, review recent and upcoming EveryRide challenge attempts, explore hidden gems, and discuss the evolution of the parks over the years.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 111- From Sleeping Beauty to Shanghai: The History & Evolution of Disney Castles

    There’s one thing almost every Disney Park has in common: a castle! But have you ever wondered why each Disney castle looks so different, or how they’ve evolved over the years? This week, we’re taking a journey around the world to explore the history of Disney Parks castles, starting with the original Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland and making our way through Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and even Disney’s future castle concepts. We’re talking hidden details, fascinating construction stories, Imagineering decisions, castle transformations, dragons hiding underneath castles, and how Disney has turned these iconic structures from simple park landmarks into attractions and immersive storytelling experiences. And of course, because we can never just talk about something without ranking it, we’ll finish the episode by ranking our favorite Disney castles! Which one will come out on top? So sit back, Flight Crew, and join us for a little Disney castle history… because there’s a LOT more to these castles than meets the eye!  Give Kids the World Donation Page: https://give.gktw.org/SoarinAroundWDWPod

  2. Sep 9

    Episode 110- The Key to Riding Every Ride at Walt Disney World

    EveryRide is about so much more than simply checking every attraction off the list! In this episode of Soarin’ Around WDW, Reegan joins us to break down everything we’ve learned from taking on the EveryRide Challenge at Walt Disney World over the years. We’re talking about what has changed, what has stayed the same, and how our strategy has evolved as we’ve taken on the challenge again and again. We also dive into listener questions, including what you actually get for finishing EveryRide, whether we’d do it all over again, and how much physical training goes into preparing for the big day. But the biggest lesson? EveryRide is just as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Plans change, rides go down, crowds happen, and sometimes you have to throw Plan A out the window and be ready to pivot. So grab your park map and buckle up as we share our EveryRide strategy, lessons learned, and what it really takes to ride it all at Walt Disney World! We are also doing this in support of Give Kids the World Village! Use this link to help support our fundraising efforts: https://give.gktw.org/SoarinAroundWDWPod

  3. Sep 2

    Episode 109- Nostalgic Nights: Flubber

    Welcome back, Flight Crew, and welcome to our final Nostalgic Nights of the summer! 🎬 This time around, we’re talking about the movie YOU voted for… Flubber! And with 41% of the vote, Madi officially got his wish 😂 We’re diving into the history behind this 1997 Disney classic, including its connection to The Absent-Minded Professor, the surprising famous writer connection, the cast full of familiar faces, where the movie was filmed, its box office and critical reception, and plenty of fun facts and Disney connections you may have missed. But of course, we can’t just talk about Flubber without getting into everything that had us questioning this movie. From the absolutely wild mob storyline and some serious plot holes to Weebo’s tragic fate, the squirrel mascot, the basketball scenes that had us thinking about Space Jam, and the question of WHO exactly thought a 6:30 AM wedding was a good idea… we have thoughts.  And as always, Madi and I are up to our usual yapping, debating, and general antics throughout the episode. Plus, we’ve got a hot take from Amanda of Happily Everett After to wrap things up! Follow them and give them a listen @happilyeverettafter So grab some popcorn, revisit Flubber, and come yap with us about one of Disney’s weirdest ’90s movies. 💚 Thanks for listening, Flight Crew! ✈️

  4. Aug 26

    Episode 108- D23 2026: Big Announcements, Bigger Questions

    Hey Flight Crew! ✈️ D23 2026 has come and gone, and Disney gave us A LOT to talk about! This week, we’re sharing our thoughts on the biggest announcements from the ultimate Disney fan event. And, of course, asking the question: Did D23 actually live up to the hype? There were exciting announcements, surprising reveals, a few moments that left us scratching our heads, and one very consistent theme throughout the parks presentation: where are all the dates?! Disney gave us plenty to dream about, but did they give fans enough concrete information to actually get excited? We’re breaking down what caught our attention, what we loved, what we questioned, what we think Disney got wrong, and what we were hoping to hear but didn’t. Plus, we’re talking about whether Disney is balancing nostalgia and innovation, or moving too far in one direction. And of course, we couldn’t let D23 go by without hearing a hot take from our friend Virginia! 🔥 https://whereilongtobepodcast.com/ Instagram @whereilongtobepodcast

  5. Aug 19

    Episode 107- Treasured Attractions: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Part 2

    In Part 2 of our Big Thunder Mountain Treasured Attractions series, we’re going behind the scenes to uncover what makes this attraction so much more than a roller coaster. We’re talking Imagineering tricks, hidden storytelling, sound design, forced perspective, ride mechanics, block zones, lift hills, braking systems, and all the engineering that makes this “runaway” mine train feel completely out of control while actually being incredibly controlled. Then we’re comparing Big Thunder Mountains from around the world, diving into some surprising facts and statistics, and looking at how this iconic attraction has made its way into movies, television, video games, comics, and even potential future adaptations. Plus, we share some of our favorite Big Thunder memories, and debate where it ranks among Disney’s mountain attractions.  So grab your bandana and cowboy hat and climb aboard because we’re wrapping up our Treasured Attractions deep dive into one of Disney’s most beloved attractions! 🎙️ Listen & Subscribe: wherever you listen to podcasts! 📸 Follow us: Instagram, YouTube & more through our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/soarinaroundwdwpod 💙 Support the show: Join our Patreon and become a Passenger, Flight Attendant, or Co-Pilot! http://patreon.com/soarinaroundwdwpodcast And don’t forget to share this episode with another Disney fan who loves getting way too nerdy about how the rides actually work!

  6. Aug 12

    Episode 106- Treasured Attractions: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

    Welcome back to another episode of Treasured Attractions! This time, we're climbing aboard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to uncover the incredible story behind one of Disney's most beloved attractions. Long before the runaway mine trains raced through Frontierland, the story began with Walt Disney's lifelong love of trains, the original Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, and a canceled Frontierland project that almost changed Disney history forever. Join us as we trace the attraction's evolution from Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland to Tony Baxter's groundbreaking vision that forever changed the way Disney designed roller coasters. Whether Big Thunder is your favorite Disney coaster or you've never stopped to think about its history, this episode is packed with Imagineering stories, fascinating facts, and the creative decisions that turned a simple concept into a timeless Disney classic. Keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the train at all times… and enjoy the wildest flight in the wilderness!

  7. Aug 5

    Episode 105- Nostalgic Nights: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

    This week on Nostalgic Nights, we're heading back to 1989 to revisit one of Disney's most creative live-action adventures: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! 🐜🔬 For me, it's a childhood favorite, but for Madi, it's his very first time seeing this Disney classic. We discuss whether the movie still holds up, our favorite moments, the incredible practical effects that brought the oversized backyard to life, and the emotional scene that still gets audiences decades later. We also dive into behind-the-scenes facts, casting stories, the sequels that followed, and the Disney Parks attractions inspired by the film, including the legendary Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! Whether you grew up watching Wayne Szalinski's inventions go hilariously wrong or you're discovering this movie for the first time, join us as we decide if this Disney classic deserves its nostalgic reputation. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kybpvavj0ss

  8. Jul 29

    Episode 104- Parks of the Future: Dream Disney Behind-the-Scenes Tours

    Ever wondered what it would be like to step inside the Haunted Mansion after the lights come on or watch Fantasmic! come to life from backstage? In this installment of our Parks of the Future series, we're each dreaming up the ultimate Disney behind-the-scenes tours we'd love to see become reality. From attraction-specific experiences and nighttime spectaculars to operational tours that reveal the incredible logistics behind the magic, we're sharing our ideas for immersive experiences designed for Disney's biggest fans. Whether it's exploring ride maintenance bays, visiting Imagineering-inspired spaces, or getting an exclusive look at how the parks operate day after day, no idea is off limits. Join us as we imagine the next generation of Disney behind-the-scenes tours and let us know, which one would you book first? Featuring our friend, Kim @disney.sme - go give her a follow and show her some love!!

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About

Join us, a Disney family who have been enchanted by Disney magic since childhood, as we share our stories and experiences from our countless visits to Disney parks. From our earliest memories of Mickey Mouse to our latest adventures riding the newest attractions, we bring you along on a nostalgic and exciting journey through the happiest place on Earth. In each episode, we'll delve into our favorite rides, review recent and upcoming EveryRide challenge attempts, explore hidden gems, and discuss the evolution of the parks over the years.

Information

  • Creator
    SoarinAroundWDW
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SoarinAroundWDW
  • Show Website
    Soarin' Around WDW

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