The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station Lou Mongello - Disney Expert, Host, Author, and Speaker

With Walt Disney World’s anniversary coming up on October 1… and this incredible sense of nostalgia and sentiment I have been feeling lately… it prompted my idea for this week’s visit to the Archives, and this past week’s LIVE show. Thank you for tuning in and being part of our WDW Radio LIVE show on Wed Sept. 20 where we boarded the Wayback Machine and took a trip down Walt Disney World’s Memory Lane! We dove into some Disney nostalgia as we share memories of days gone by in Walt Disney World, and I shared a number of vintage photos from the parks… and me back in the 70’s… and we all shared attractions, shows, resorts, and of course food that we remember and miss. You can watch the replay and be part of the community and conversation by going to WDWRadio.com/Video).

And that got me to thinking about the origins of Walt Disney World… and inspirations. So this week, we’re going back to Show # 179 from early 2010, because Walt Disney World traces much of its roots to the original Disneyland in California, and with Walt Disney World’s anniversary coming up, it’s only appropriate that we take a look at how some of Disneyland’s origins have impacted Walt Disney World. Jim Korkis joined me to share some of the true stories behind the stories, as we start in Fantasyland with Cinderella Castle and look back at exactly how and where Disneyland began. And Jim shared not just stories that have never been told before, but Walt’s own words that served as the proposal for what would be come Disneyland, and includes many amazing ideas that carried forward to become what we see today in Walt Disney World.

I sit down with former Walt Disney Imagineer Nick DeSomov as we dive into the world of groundbreaking design and technology as Nick takes us behind the scenes of creating immersive experiences at the theme parks. From his work on the Magic Telescope concept to his role in digitizing Disney characters and designing rock structures, Nick helps us explore the fascinating blend of artistry and innovation that goes into crafting the magic of Disney.

Destination D23 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort was a weekend full of not only looking back on Disney Parks and Studios history, but a peek at what’s ahead as well. This week, we’ll debrief the event, recap what was announced, and reflect on what’s to come… and what may not be.

We’ll unlock the the secrets of the Disney Treasure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, as we discuss what we know so far, what we still have to learn, our predictions for what’s yet to be announced, and our wish lists.

Former Imagineer, writer, and Jungle Cruise Skipper Kevin Lively joins me again this week to share the secrets behind creating unforgettable experiences in the Disney Parks, as he shares fascinating stories and insights as he answers my 10 questions about attractions, backstories, history, and nostalgia, technology, and what’s next for the Disney theme park experience.

Virtually graze through EPCOT with us as we taste, rate, and review the best of the best of what’s new at the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. We discover some of the best the Festival has to offer, including some surprising, can’t-miss marketplaces and items!