Mouse House Weekly: Recent Episodes
Golden Spiral Media
Mouse House Weekly is your one stop destination for all things Disney. We not only cover Disney World and Disneyland, but we cover Disney Cruise Line, Disney food, Disney movies, and Disney Plus. Your hosts are a large group of Magical Vacation Planners, Disney Annual Pass holders, movie critics, and Disney enthusiasts just like you. If you crave all things Disney like we do, welcome, you're among friends.
We created a lot of great Disney memories in 2023 and as alwyas, choosing our favorites is no easy task. This year our hosts had Disney expeirences in Hawaii, Anaheim, Orlando, the Caribbean, as well as movie theaters and their living rooms. Regardless of the location Disney gave us a lot to enjoy. This episode not only serves as our annual time of reflection, but it also will be our final episode for Mouse House Weekly. It has been our honor and pleasure to bring you Disney content over the last four years. We'd love to stay connected with you via social media, keep sharing our Disney moments with you, and see what kind of Disney magic is happening in your life!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Goodbyes and endings are so difficult sometimes, but Disney is known for creating some of the most beloved and memorable endings ever put to film. Whether it's a storybook ending where they all lived "Happily Ever After" or an ending that brings the whole story full circle, Disney knows how to end a movie gracefully. But what are the best movie endings? As the penultimate episode of Mouse House Weekly, Bryce and Darrell will talk their favorite Disney goodbyes also known as Disney movie endings. Do our favorite Disney movie endings match yours? Join us this week on Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Disney animation has a rich history of creating memorable characters and stories, and many of these characters belong to various "families" within the Disney universe. These families often serve as the central focus of the narratives, providing themes of love, friendship, and adventure. Disney continues to create new and diverse families in their animated films, each with its unique dynamics and adventures. The theme of family is a recurring and important element in many Disney stories, emphasizing the values of love, loyalty, and the journey of self-discovery. With so many examples of great Disney families, the question is which family is the best? Is there a family you connect with? This is a question that Rachel and Jeremiah tackle in this week's episode. Joining them are their daughters Elizabeth and Kristen. Together they compare a group of Disney families using a 16-group bracket. Come listen in and hear which family they liked the best. Be sure to download the bracket below and play along.
Links for this episode:
- Download the Best Disney Family bracket
- Join the STL Pin Fans Facebook group
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Star Wars is a franchise near and dear to both Blake and JJ’s hearts, and is one of the subjects discussed the most in their episodes. Recently, much like Marvel, Star Wars seems to be in a slump, and not nearly as popular as they were around their peak era between 2015 and 2021. In their last episode on the show, both Blake and JJ are discussing why they feel that Star Wars has been on a decline as of late. They discuss where they are lacking, where there are areas of opportunity, and what Disney could do to bring Star Wars back to the level of hype and popularity it had in the past. They also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, with Blake talking about a reconsideration of his thoughts on the Loki series, and a couple of other shows he’s been watching. JJ also brings up an update on his invitation to Club 33, and his recent amusement park visits. For the last time on the show, tune in and listen to Blake and JJ discuss some Star Wars.
What did you think of our reasoning for why Star Wars has fallen off? Are there any ideas you have that could get more people back into feeling the Star Wars hype? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
In May of this year the final installment of the original Star Wars Trilogy, Return of the Jedi, turned 40 years old. We've previously taken a look at A New Hope when it turned 45 and The Empire Strikes Back when it turned 40. So it's only proper that we complete our trilogy on this beloved trilogy. We talk about our first memories, the legacy of the film, favorite moments, the use of music, special effects, and so much more! Where does this film rank for us among the original trilogy? Hit that play button and find out!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Dave Filoni Named Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer
- How to watch Star Wars in order - even the shows
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Disney Princess is a media franchise and line of fictional characters created by The Walt Disney Company. These characters, known as Disney Princesses, are featured in animated films and other Disney media. The franchise began with the release of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937, and it has since grown to include a diverse group of princess characters from various films. Over the years, numerous talented actresses have provided the voices for these beloved Disney Princesses. These actresses have not only lent their voices but also contributed to the characterization and emotional depth of the Disney Princesses, making them memorable and cherished by audiences of all ages. But what do we know about the amazing women who have brought to life these beloved characters? In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Jeremiah discuss the life and careers of these very talented women. They give you a full perspective about who they are, where they came from, and how they became a Disney Princess. Hopefully we can all learn a little bit more about these fantastic individuals. Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
The Disney parks are arguably the most popular and successful theme parks in the world, but the question is, why? What makes these parks stand out among the others to make them so popular? In this episode, both Blake and JJ are discussing their reasoning for why they believe Disney parks stand out amongst other theme parks similar to them. They discuss cleanliness, Disney’s properties, their technology, and some more specific reasons. They also what they’ve done Disney lately, with Blake talking about his visit to Halloween Horror Nights and mentioning a show he’s been watching, and JJ talking about his biggest and most eventful Disney thing that’s happened in a very long time, something that’s been in the works for 12 years or so. So give this episode a listen, if you’re curious to discover the strengths of Disney’s parks!
What did you think of our reasonings? Are there any reasons we may have missed, that you think help the Disney Parks to stand out? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Do you love fan theories as much as we do? If so, this episode is for YOU! The internet is full of fan theories about Disney films, so we decided to choose a few of them and share whether or not we think they could be true. Is Boo from Monsters, Inc. the witch from Brave? Do all the Pixar movies take place within the same universe? Did Nemo and Moana actually die near the beginning of their respective movies? Does Magara become Mother Gothel? Is Jaffar the true hero of Aladdin? We tackle these theories and MORE in this week's episode!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Disney has been remaking their cinematic classics for many years now. These remakes have gained popularity in recent years and are part of Disney's strategy to capitalize on their extensive catalog. Disney remakes serve several purposes. They allow Disney to introduce classic stories to a new generation of audiences, often with updated visuals and contemporary themes. They also provide an opportunity to monetize existing intellectual property and expand the Disney brand.
Many of these remakes come from the company's large catalog of full-featured films like, The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, Herbie, and The Absent-Minded Professor. Recently we have seen an increase in the remaking of many animated classics into live-action adaptations, like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. But the remakes have faced criticism for being overly reliant on nostalgia and not offering much that is new or innovative. But are there movies that Disney would not remake?
In this episode, Rachel and Jeremiah are going to tackle this exact question. They go over 10 classic Disney films that they believe the company will not try to remake. Hear their thoughts about each picture and why they think a remake is not going to happen.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
One of Disney fans’ favorite parts of the Halloween overhaul at Disneyland is the Nightmare Before Christmas retheme for Haunted Mansion. There have been a few other attraction rethemes, but what if there were more across the parks? In this episode, both Blake and JJ are discussing potential rethemes for different attractions across Disneyland and California Adventure, including classics such as Pirates of the Caribbean, or some newer rides such as WEB Slingers. They also discuss what Disney could also do more with in terms of their Halloween events they put on every year. Before discussing their ideas, they talk about what they’ve done Disney lately, which is very little, but includes some Disney+ access drama and a recent crossover in a video game.
What did you think of our ideas? What are some Halloween retheme ideas you have? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Halloween season is here and it's time to watch some Disney Halloween movies! Tim Burton first offered up the story of "Frankenweenie" as a live action short-film in 1984. However, in today's episode, we're covering the longer stop-motion animation version from 2012. Last year around this time, Disney Plus premiered "Werewolf by Night" directed by Michael Giacchino. Not only are both of these films in black and white, but each of them draw upon classic horror films from the 50s - 80s, filling their stories with easter eggs and homages to those beloved classics.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
David is back from another trip to WDW as well as a great relaxing time on the new Disney Wish. David gives us the highlights from Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which he was a first time visitor to. David's journey on the Wish will give you the overall experience of cruising with an infant. Bryce and David also cover a huge announcement about what Disney will do in the next ten years in their theme parks.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
In their final episode for MHW, Ben and Erica look back at how their magical adventure began, what it was like to be part of the show, some of their favorite podcast episodes and Disney memories during this time, and how they like to say "See You Real Soon" at the end of a Disney vacation. Plus, they discuss their favorite announcements from D23. Ben and Erica want to thank Darrell, all the MHW hosts, and the listeners for making their MHW journey one full of joy, magic, and memories that they will cherish for years to come!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
During Disneyland’s construction, Walt grew tired of making the long commute between Burbank and Anaheim and decided he would build himself an apartment right inside Disneyland. The second story above the Main Street Fire Station right near Disneyland’s entrance seemed like the perfect place. Through the windows he could oversee construction, and once Disneyland was open to the public he could watch the happy guests streaming through the gates in the morning.
Walt Disney passed away in 1966 during the planning of his second theme park, Walt Disney World. Disneyland was the only Disney Park Walt visited, and is the only Disney Park where Walt lived. Today, a guest can take a unique tour and visit this iconic apartment. A dedicated tour guide leads guests up and down Main Street USA, telling stories about Main Street USA when it first opened in 1955, and pointing out fun decorations and surprises guest may not normally notice.
The tour ends with a visit to Walt’s private apartment, located above the Main Street Fire Station in Town Square. The apartment is typically closed to the public, and your only chance to see inside is to either know the right people, or buy your way in. But is this tour worth spending your time and money on?
In this episode of Mouse House Weekly Rachel and Jeremiah discuss their recent visit to Disneyland when they decided to take this very special event. They go into detail about what they experienced, and then they close the show with some insights on some of the other walking tours the park provides. Come listen and join in on the conversion.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Pixar used to be a studio that could bring in some huge profit for Disney, but ever since the pandemic, with some of Pixar’s films going directly to Disney+, and with Pixar’s recent films debuted in theaters being a massive disappointment, Pixar has been a larger discussion recently. With Pixar being big in Blake’s mind, he’s gone ahead and created a list of Pixar’s filmography, for Blake and JJ to battle it out for the best Pixar film draft! Blake and JJ will take turns picking Pixar movies to add to their draft, with them finding the IMDB scores for each film, adding them out, and see who’s draft has the best films according to IMDB! Before battling it out, they also discuss some new devices Blake has bought for film viewing and game playing for upcoming Disney projects, and JJ breaks a new record in the What We’ve Done Disney Lately segment. Now come on and listen in—you'd be surprised at the results of this draft!
What did you think of the draft? Were you able to participate, and if so, how’d you do? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Since it was released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp has been one of Disney's most beloved classics. So we cooked up a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, watched Lady and the Tramp, and sat down to give you a review of our experience. How does the movie hold up today? What about the warning Disney issues to viewers before the movie, where can you find Lady and the Tramp in the parks, and most importantly, how were the meatballs?
Articles mentioned in this episode:
- Haunted Mansion expansion at Disneyland
- Fun facts about Lady and the Tramp from Mental Floss
- Where to find Lady and the Tramp in the parks from Couponing to Disney
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
After 9 long months it is finally Football Season! The Walt Disney Company over the years has crossed over to the world of sports many times. The number one thought is probably coming to you in the form of ESPN, the Disney owned sports media company. But what about all the other links? From football movies, television, and even the occasional Disney World reference, Bryce and Bryan discuss some of their favorite Disney Football moments.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
With record breaking heat in Orlando this summer, Walt Disney World has been HOT! The temperature isn't the only thing heating up though, so are the opinions of park goers. This week Ben and Erica breakdown an article by Mark Wilson titled, "Disney World is Hell." We follow the article and discuss The Heat, The Digital Platform and The Cast. What can Disney do to mitigate such hot times of year? Do cast members still have magic to share with guests? Should Genie+ be banished to the realm of Song of the South, forgotten and never to be spoken of again, or is it actually a valuable tool? Is the WDW experience really that hellish, or is this one person's opinion? Join us as we have a frank discussion, taking the temperature of WDW.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
For years people have discussed the many fantastic food options offered inside the Disney theme parks, but the food is not the only thing they do well. There are many well-crafted drinks found throughout the parks. Disney parks offer a wide variety of drinks that cater to all tastes and preferences; from refreshing classics to unique concoctions, there are many great options available.
Not only are these drinks well-crafted, many of them are themed perfectly with the area in which they’re being served. In Galaxy’s Edge, you have drinks like Green Milk or Jedi Juice, New Orleans Square offers the New Orleans Mint Julep, you can try the world-famous Dole Whip Float in Adventureland, or enjoy a Frozen Apple Pie drink at World Showplace Pavilion in EPCOT.
These are just a few examples of the many drinks you can enjoy within the magical world of Disney theme parks. Whether you're seeking classic favorites or adventurous concoctions, there's something for everyone to sip and savor as you create unforgettable memories during your visit.
But can you make these drinks at home? Many cookbooks offer up recipes for individuals to try. One of those books is The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book which was given to Jeremiah and Rachel for Christmas. Naturally, they knew that they needed to try making some.
In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Jeremiah are joined by their very good friend Albert. Together they tackle many of these delicious drinks. Come listen in as they try making the drinks and then discuss what they thought about the recipe.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
As some of you may know, Blake really likes movies. And, more than that, he likes researching and learning more facts about those films. So Blake has put together a fun movie-guessing game, using some knowledge that Blake has gathered for some of these movies. Unfortunately, JJ’s gonna be occupied this week with some sort of “incoming baby” scenario, so Blake reached out to fellow Mouse House Weekly host Darrell to help co-host this episode!
For this movie-guessing game, Blake will be giving Darrell 5 types of hints for the movie he’s trying to get him to guess, hopefully getting Darrell closer and closer to guessing the film. These hints range from basic fun facts about the film, to the marketed tagline of the film, or how much representation this film franchise has in the parks. Before getting to the game, Blake and Darrell also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, which include some rewatches of some Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and the new MCU show Secret Invasion. So tune in to hear a “self-proclaimed” film critic offer obscure film trivia to someone who is famously known for “not watching a lot of movies.” What’s the worst that could happen?
What did you think of the game? Were you able to guess any of the films based off of the clues given? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Today we’re going to be your non-ghost hosts and take you on a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of The Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland and The Magic Kingdom, so you can more deeply enjoy and appreciate all they goodies they’ve packed into the new Haunted Mansion movie. We haven’t seen the movie yet so there won’t be any spoilers, but we will be discussing the trailer for the movie later in the episode. So if you consider that type of conversation spoilery, we’ll give you a warning before that part.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Disney has released a movie centered on the Haunted Mansion. Twenty years ago they released The Haunted Mansion starring Eddie Murphy, and 2 years ago they released Muppets Haunted Mansion starring Will Arnett and Taraji P. Henson. Both of these movies are available on Disney Plus. Eddie Murphy’s version is not widely favored and has a 5.1 out of 10 on IMDB, while the Muppets version has a slightly higher score of 6.3 out of 10. If you’re looking for all the Haunted Mansion goodness available on film, we also recommend Behind the Attraction episode 2: Haunted Mansion, also available on Disney Plus.
Videos and websites we used for researching this episode:
- Differences between Disney’s Haunted Mansion
- Wikipedia article on The Haunted Mansion
- Mickey Wiki on The Haunted Mansion
- Haunted Mansion Wiki
- Theme Park History of the Haunted Mansion
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
It's the middle of a great theme park day at Disney World and you really need some "chill time." Bryce welcomes Bryan to the show as they talk about the best places at Disney to rest your legs, sit in the A/C, or even take a full on nap. Beat the heat this week on Mouse House Weekly.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Ben and Erica share their favorite things to do at Walt Disney World that are off the beaten path. There is so much to explore beyond the attractions, shows, and food. Each host shares an off the beaten path activity at each of the four parks, and they even throw in some bonus items as they wrap up the episode!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
After a very, very long time of waiting, the fifth and true finale to the Indiana Jones franchise has finally been released to theaters. With JJ continuously being hyped for this movie for years on end, we had to do an episode focused on the new film and our thoughts on it, from a diehard Indy fan, and from a more casual viewer of the films. JJ and Blake both discuss the final entry in the franchise, talking about what they enjoyed and thought they did well, what they think could’ve been improved, and how well this movie acted as a conclusion to the films. Before getting to the main discussion, they also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, which include some Spider-Man, Cars, and some new releases from Disney and 20th Century Fox. If you have seen the new Indiana Jones, or maybe if you want to be convinced to go see it, or maybe you just want to hear us talk, tune in and I’m sure you’ll get something out of today’s episode.
What did you think of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny? Did you enjoy it, or did it maybe not meet your expectations? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Walt Disney Company is one of the most renowned entertainment companies in the world. Disney has created numerous beloved animated films, theme parks, and iconic characters that have captured the hearts of people of all ages. With such a rich collection of work, Disney-related topics make for great trivia.
Let’s face it, nearly everybody loves Disney! Disney trivia can be a lot of fun. Like, what year did Mickey Mouse make his debut? In Finding Nemo, what's the name of Nemo's mother? Or In "Toy Story", what color is Andy's cowboy hat? But, how much do you know about Disney?
In this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly Rachel and Jeremiah are joined once again by their daughter Kristen. She came on the podcast to bring the heat by testing Rachel and Jeremiah on their knowledge of Disney animation. Who will do better? Listen to this fun episode and play along!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
A first trip to Disney World is always an epic event. Bryce returns from Disney World after a great trip with his two boys Jack (10) and Ellis (6). Not only do Jack and Ellis give some very honest feedback about the trip, but Bryce also gives an in depth look into traveling to WDW with young boys. The discussion is full of tips and tricks to manage a first time (or any time) Disney World vacation!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
It's party game time! In this "Would Your Rather" meets "Mad Libs" style game, Colby and Darrell take turns pulling random questions from a hat and then choosing either random Disney movies or Disney characters. They then have to make a decision based on the random things they've drawn from the hats!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
The Little Mermaid was released in 1989. It is a captivating animated musical that continues to enchant audiences of all ages. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, this Disney masterpiece marked the renaissance of the studio's animated films, ushering in a new era of storytelling and unforgettable characters.
The film takes us on a magical underwater journey to the depths of the ocean, where we meet Ariel, a curious and spirited young mermaid with an insatiable longing for life on land. Voiced by the talented Jodi Benson, Ariel's character embodies innocence, independence, and a yearning for adventure that resonates with viewers even today.
The storyline is based on the timeless fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and successfully infuses it with Disney's signature charm and whimsy. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between lightheartedness and emotional depth, exploring themes of sacrifice, self-discovery, and the power of true love. It captivates the audience from the opening scene and holds their attention until the very end.
Plans for a remake of 1989's The Little Mermaid were confirmed in May 2016. In December 2017, Disney announced Marshall was being courted to direct the film. Bailey, Tremblay, Awkwafina, and the rest of the cast signed on between July to November 2019. After a delay by the COVID-19 pandemic, the filming ultimately took place primarily at Pinewood Studios in England and on the island of Sardinia, Italy, from January to July 2021. Composer Alan Menken, who worked on the original film's soundtrack, returned to compose the score and write new songs alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, who serves as a producer with Platt, John DeLuca and Marshall. The film was released in the United States on May 26. Critics praised the performances of the cast and the musical sequences but criticized the visual effects and character designs.
But which one is the best? This is the subject that Rachel and Jeremiah tackle on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly. They compare plots, characters and music, giving each subject a score. At the end they tally up and find out which film is best.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Ben is back from his first sailing aboard a Royal Caribbean ship. It may be impossible to compare the fleets of Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, but in this episode Ben does his best to share how the Radiance of the Seas compares to the Disney Magic. These two ships come from a similar era, and are very comparable in size and capacity. Erica comes along for the ride and the two talk everything from dining to entertainment to service and more. Is it truly an apples to apples comparison, or is one of these experiences more of a poisoned apple? Plus, a long time ago in a Disney park far, far, away, Ben went to Star Wars Nite and Erica claims he did it all wrong. Is she right? Come along for an episode filled with late night flights, and royal sailings!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
The long anticipated third season of the Mandalorian has concluded. Since its conclusion, fans have seemed a bit split on their thoughts on the season, so Blake, JJ, and recurring guest and fellow Mouse House Weekly host Jeremiah are here to discuss everything about it! The trio of big Star Wars fans discuss each episode in order, discussing their praises and issues, as well as quick summaries for what happened to refresh any memories of the show. They talk about their thoughts on how the arcs evolve over the course of the season, and some questions about what the future of the show may look like. Before getting to the main discussion, they also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, which include some Disney merch, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Man. If you’re maybe unsure of your thoughts on the newest season of Mando, fly on in and see if we can help piece that together for you!
What did you think of the latest season of the Mandalorian? Did you enjoy it, or did it maybe not meet your expectations? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Arg, mateys, it's time to set sail on a new and tasty adventure! Nestled in one of Disneyland's most beloved lands, New Orleans Square, Pirates of the Caribbean ride and The Blue Bayou restaurant go hand-in-hand. If you're lucky enough to get a reservation at The Blue Bayou restaurant, then you get to see the boats from the ride drift by while you enjoy your meal. As a rider on Pirates, we find the opening scene drifting through the bayou to be very charming.
So this week we're cooking up the world famous Monte Cristo with Pommes Frites, and enjoying the first movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, Curse of the Black Pearl. Here are the recipes we used.
- Official Disneyland Monte Cristo recipe
- Copycat Disneyland Pommes Frites recipe
- NEWS: Major updates to Disney World reservations and dining plan!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
-
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Disney has just rolled out their new Disney100 marketing campaign to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Disney Studios. Part of this campaign includes a traveling exhibition that David had the privilege of touring just last month. David gives us a non spoiler and then very detailed look at the exhibit that celebrates the studio that started it all.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
We love people and we love Disney, so helping everyone experience the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation is near and dear to our hearts. This week Erica shares why helping families with Autism and Cognitive Disabilities visit Disney World is something she is so passionate about. There are so many great ways to help prepare starting at home, and Erica has some especially creative tips. Plus, Ben and Erica discuss what to consider when picking a resort, how to navigate the parks using Disney's DAS program, and what to do about food. Even if you don't have a family member or friend with these special needs, this episode is full of great tips for anyone planning their next WDW vacation!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Staying in a Disney hotel is often described as a magical experience, with many guests praising the theming, attention to detail, and overall atmosphere of the hotels. From the moment guests check-in, they are immersed in the Disney magic, with characters often present to greet them and themed decor throughout the hotel.
Guests also appreciate the convenience of staying in a Disney hotel, with easy access to the parks, early admission to select attractions, and the ability to make dining reservations before non-hotel guests. Many hotels offer amenities like themed swimming pools, fitness centers, and spas, which can add to the overall experience.
In addition, many guests find the customer service at Disney hotels to be exceptional, with friendly and helpful staff members who go out of their way to ensure a magical stay. Overall, staying in a Disney hotel can be a memorable and enjoyable experience, with guests often feeling like they're part of the magic of the parks even when they're not inside them. Disneyland offers three fantastic options for guests to experience.
However, some guests have noted that the prices of a Disney hotel can be higher than other nearby hotels. With this in mind you may be asking yourself is it worth spending more money to stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels? In this episode Rachel and Jeremiah review all three Disneyland® Resort Hotels and discuss which one they feel is worth visiting when staying at the happiest place on earth! Listen and join in on this informative podcast.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Over the last several weeks theme park enthusiasts have been treated to two new lands on the west coast. Disneyland unveiled the newly reimagined Mickey's Toontown on March 19th, and Universal Studios Hollywood opened Super Nintendo World on February 17th. Rachel and Jeremiah shared their Toontown opening day experience in episode 164. This week, Darrell and his daughter, Addi, visit southern California to give their experience with Super Nintendo World and Mickey's Toontown. They also discuss the newly refurbished Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, their first experience with Soarin' Over California, getting trapped on Incredicoaster (twice!), and other first-time Disney experiences!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Disney has always been a big name in the media industry, but public perception of Disney has changed in recent years. Some argue their stories lack heart, or they’re getting lazy making remakes, and focusing more on franchise films than original films. In this week’s episode of Mouse House Weekly, Blake and JJ compare Disney’s recent animated and live-action projects (roughly 2020-2023), to previous films in the previous years (roughly 2017-2019), and their recent Disney park additions when compared to previous years as well. They talk about some of the recent Disney live-action remakes, how successful some of them have been, their quality, and if their perception of a “good” live-action Disney movie is actually successful. They talk about some of the animated movies, both the franchise films and the original films, and compare those to each other as well. Towards the end of their conversation, they discuss the parks, and if the parks are doing better than they have before, or if they’re falling off, like some people may say. They also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, which include some Star Wars, documentaries, and future trips, and give a Star-Wars-centric tip of the week. If you wanna know if Disney has “lost its magic”, tune in and find out!
What do you think? Has Disney lost its magic? Would you be interested in more discussion on this topic? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Bryce is joined by guest host Bryan Ripper to discuss the most recent shareholder meeting for the Walt Disney Company. Shareholder meetings may sound dull, but Disney CEO Bob Iger dropped some major Disney news for the future of the Walt Disney Company and their theme parks. Listen in and join in the discussion about the exciting future for our favorite company.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Experiencing the most magical theme park attractions in the land isn't always as easy as just standing in line. Since Disney added virtual queues, boarding groups, Genie+, and Lighting Lanes, it's easy to get confused about how to ride. This is especially true when a new ride like TRON Lightcycle Run is launched. This week Erica and Ben help guide you through the quantity of qualifiers for queues at Walt Disney World, and talk about the impact Tron has on Tomorrowland. Plus, Ben has new Disney plans that might make Darrell jealous. Check it all out on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Mickey's Toontown opened in Disneyland on January 24, 1993. The area was inspired by Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and resembled a set from a Max Fleischer cartoon. The buildings were, and still are, stylized and colorful. There are several attractions involving classic cartoon characters, such as the houses of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
The fictional backstory given for Mickey's Toontown is that it was a hidden Toon suburb that Mickey Mouse had moved to in 1930 to keep in touch with his humble Midwestern roots, with his friends following soon after. When Walt Disney was looking for a location to build Disneyland, Mickey pointed him towards a large orange grove nearby for him to build his park. After the park opened, Mickey and his friends would travel between their Toontown homes and Disneyland to meet the countless guests that visited the park, before eventually deciding to open their hometown to the public later in the 90s, digging a tunnel through the berm.
On November 15, 2021, it was announced Mickey’s Toontown would be closed until 2023 as part of an "ambitious reimagining project”. The new Toontown would include the exciting new ride Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. Additionally, the long-closed Chip and Dale's Treehouse was removed, and a new park space, CenTOONial Park, was created adjacent to Goofy's Playhouse near the land's entrance. CenTOONial is now home to a new fountain of Mickey and Minnie and a Dreaming Tree inspired by the one Walt Disney sat under as a child in Marceline, Missouri. Other play areas in the reimagined land include Goofy's "How to Play" Yard surrounding Goofy's Playhouse and the Donald's Duck Pond splash pad at Donald's Boat.
This new and exciting Mickey’s Toontown opened on March 19th, 2023 and Rachel and Jeremiah were there to take in the new imagined themed area. In this podcast they review the new and improved family friendly area. They share details of their experience exploring an area of the park that they normally do not spend time in. This informative podcast should be very welcoming to anyone coming to visit.
Star Wars is a very action-packed and fantastical series, so it was about time Disney produced an anime series with stories that take place in the Star Wars universe. Blake and JJ, in light of the second volume of Star Wars: Visions coming out this year, are here to discuss the first volume of the anthology series, discussing each episode individually, and discussing the series as a whole and its quality. They’ve also ranked each individual episode, talking about each episode based off of their placement in the rankings. Blake and JJ discuss their experience and opinion on anime in the past, the art styles and their different varieties, and the stories and characters in each episode, and how memorable and well-written they are. They also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, which include the Oscars and the most recent MCU movie. If you love Star Wars, anime, or even both, this is the show for you, so tune in and hear their thoughts!
Have you seen the first volume of Star Wars: Visions? What are your thoughts on it, and do you think it deserves more volumes? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Toy Story 5 is now in production, and that announcement got us thinking...which Toy Story toy is the best? Put differently, if we found ourselves at a garage sale at Andy's house and all of the Toy Story toys were in a box, which toy would we choose? It is March madness season, so that means we had to settle this question with a bracket! Who will come out victorious? We're quite certain it's not who you think! Grab your travel buddy, fill out your own bracket via the link below, and let's find out which toy reigns supreme! (Is that a Zurg hint???)
Download your bracket here. Watch the Haunted Mansion trailer here. Watch the Peter Pan and Wendy trailer here. Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Quantumania brings the Quantum Realm to the big screen to blast off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Bryce is joined by Ben to discuss the latest film in the MCU. They look back at Phase 4 and discuss what they are looking most forward to in the future of Marvel films and tv shows. Ben and Bryce give their opinions which may or may not agree with the critics. Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
There are so many decisions to make when planning a Disney vacation, but choosing when to go may have the most impact on your trip. Ben and Erica are tackling the best month to visit the three major U.S. Disney destinations: Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line. Crowd levels, pricing, weather, offerings, and more are important factors in knowing which month makes the most sense for you and your family. Ben and Erica rarely agree on their Disney takes, but could that change on today's episode? Listen to find out and learn what month you need to consider whether you are traveling by land or sea next time you visit Disney! Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
We all love the many fantastic characters that Disney animation has created. Characters like Elsa, Woody, Simba, Maleficent, Gaston are all fun to watch and offer something special. But would you date one? It’s an interesting question. Sure Woody is an adorable doll, but his snarky attitude may be too much to handle on a first date. As we all celebrate Valentine’s Day during February Jeremiah and Rachel are here to tackle this fun topic. Just like the many online social media games, they have created their own version of Would you rather date this character? They put the names of many of these beloved characters into a hat, then pull two and discuss which one they would rather date. Come join in on this exciting discussion! Would they even entertain the idea of dating a villain or a grumpy dwarf? How would they handle a date with the king of the pride lands? This episode is packed with much love.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Indiana Jones Adventure is one of the most beloved Disney rides in any of the parks. A classic, memorable, and thrilling ride. However, over the years, some things have changed on the ride, and as some more changes are sure to approach with it going through some refurbishment until sometime in Spring, Blake and JJ are here in this week’s episode to discuss the state of the ride right now, and praising what they love about it, as well as some of the criticisms to some of its issues from before it going into refurbishment. After discussing what they had done Disney recently, they discuss a lot about the ride, including the story of the ride, as well as its backstory, what they enjoy about the ride and why it ranks among their highest rides, and its amazing queue. If you love the thrill and immersiveness of Indiana Jones Adventure, and also want to hear some insight into what has changed (and broken!) on the ride over the years, well, my friends, the moment is drawing near…for you to play the episode. Already I am envious of the wonders that await you!
- The HORRIBLE State of Indiana Jones Adventure by Chris with a K
- Dead Heat Star Wars fan film by Cinema Films Motion Pictures
Are you excited to see what comes of the ride’s refurbishment? What are your thoughts on Indiana Jones Adventure? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
All Aboard! Last month we set sail on the Disney Dream for our first EVER cruse! Darrell is very prone to motion sickness and Kari hates traveling, so how did the trip go? We opted for a cruise instead of a visit to the parks because we wanted a relaxing vacation where we could unwind and not have to worry about going from place to place. We've heard others talk about how great cruises are, but did it live up to the hype?
Shortly after returning home, we sat down and tried to cover EVERYTHING! We talk about the crazy weather we encountered, why we never to got to visit Castaway Cay, our visit to a chocolate factory in the Bahamas, and how we dealt with rough seas. We also talk about the cuisine, meeting characters, the Broadway-style shows, games we played, and, of course, we talk about our cabin!
There is a lot to cover, but we still take time to give you tips on how to speed up the process for getting off the ship and how to make sure you're prepared for check-in day!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
David just finished the Dopey Challenge at the 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend! He gives us the full recap of registration, training, carb-loading, and the overall race experience from this year's events. All this plus a splash of Disney news on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
The cries of Disney fans across the land have been heard! Disney released some big announcements, covering everything from Magic Key passes at Disneyland to the return of complimentary parking at WDW. Ben and Erica break down all the big news and then share what announcements they would like to hear next! Listen along and then let us know what you think of the Disney News!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Most theme park restaurants often offer a variety of food options, including quick-service meals, sit-down dinners, and snacks. Many of those restaurants are themed to match the overall themed area of the park, and may feature décor and atmosphere that is designed to immerse guests in the park's theme. Some theme park restaurants also offer special dining experiences, such as character meals or dinners with live entertainment. But for a long time the reputation of the food was poor. Over time, Disney has changed the way we look at theme park food. They offer varied and well-crafted options, with a range of dishes that are prepared with care and attention to detail. They put quality higher on the list than other parks, making the experience more pleasant. Most of the time a Disney restaurant will offer different dietary preferences and allergies. Those efforts have made Disney different from their competition. Both parks at Disneyland offer a lot of these kinds of options, so this can make it hard to decide which one is the best. In this episode Rachel and Jeremiah discuss which options work when you need a bite to eat but does not require a reservation. Those fast casual options can be critical in having a great experience. Come listen to what they feel is your best option when visiting Disneyland Resort. Our final top 6: Disneyland Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Rancho del Zocalo French Market Restaurant
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
With the new year finally beginning, we have a lot to look forward to from Disney, but Disney is constantly releasing new stuff, and a lot of it, so how can you be sure what noteworthy content is coming? Well, that’s exactly what this episode is for. This week, Blake & JJ tackle everything noteworthy coming from Disney in 2023, from anniversary celebrations and new park attractions, to new movies and shows. Blake & JJ will read through categorized lists, including Marvel projects, Star Wars, theme park specific projects, and more, and in the end will select what they are most looking for in 2023. With their main discussion, talking about what they’ve done Disney lately, and a Disney documentary-based tip of the week, there’s a lot of recommendations and new stuff to hear about, so jump on in, hit that play button, and start your year off strong!
Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery
Was there anything else you are excited for in 2023? What’s your most anticipated project? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
2022 gave all of us at Mouse House Weekly a lot of great moments and memories. As we close up the year, each of our hosts take a moment to reflect on the year and share their favorite Disney moments from 2022. From changes in Disney leadership, to the Disney parks, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Plus, we pretty much have all of Disney covered in our episode. Disney creates a lot of magic and ways for us to enjoy that magic! We hope you've had a magical 2022, and we hope you have an even more magical 2023!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Darrell has questions and we have answers! If you are a first-time cruiser or just want to know what to expect from Disney Cruise Line this episode is for you. Ben and Erica invite Darrell onto the podcast this week to discuss all of the unknowns as he prepares for his first sailing aboard the Disney Dream. Grab your pen and paper join us as we share our best tips for getting ready to set sail.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Dance may have been used as a tool of social interaction that promoted cooperation essential for survival among early humans. Dance has been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest human civilizations. Many dances of the early periods were performed as a ritual to the Gods who ancestors believed needed to be kept entertained for world peace. Dancing today is still used for many of those types of expressions.
Dance has been used many times in film, and Disney has produced tons of iconic dancing moments. You have the timeless dance between Bell and the Beast, to Wall-E showing his love for EVE by spinning around in space. These classic scenes have been in our lives for many years and will continue to bring us enjoyment over time.
In this episode of Mouse House Weekly Rachel and Jeremiah are joined once again by their daughter Elizabeth. During this podcast they will be comparing 16 of these dance sequences in a friendly bracket style competition. Which dance scene did they like? Join in on this fun conversation and be sure to download the bracket and play along.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
After many years of licensing and streaming rights, the 2008 cartoon series The Spectacular Spider-Man, is not only available to stream on Netflix, but also on Disney+. That finally gives Blake a reason to force JJ to watch it, and allow an hour episode of Mouse House Weekly to exist all about the series. So in this week’s episode, Blake and JJ are talking about the first season of arguably the best representation of Spider-Man ever.
After talking about what they’ve done Disney lately, they jump into the discussion. JJ, having not seen any standalone Spider-Man media (to the point that he doesn’t know Spider-Man’s origin story), JJ is coming in with nearly no knowledge as to the character of Spider-Man. So in the discussion, we talk about how the show represent Peter Parker’s personal and social life, Spider-Man’s heroics and villains, and some of the best episodes and moments throughout the show, hearing the perspectives from a Spider-Man fanatic, and someone who is completely unfamiliar with the character. In the end, we talk about whether or not we’d recommend the show, or if it deserves a continuation after its unexpected cancellation. So swing right on in, and check out this SPECTACULAR episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Did you watch Spectacular Spider-Man? Can you watch it? Please? What are your thoughts on the show? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Thanksgiving has some tasty movies to enjoy, especially if you have the Disney-owned streaming service, Hulu. This week Colby and Darrell set the table for you by doing mini reviews of 3 Thanksgiving films: Paul Blart Mall Cop, Son in Law, and You've Got Mail. They share some of their favorite moments of each film, fun behind the scenes facts, and whet your appetite so that you might just want to snack on one of them after your Thanksgiving Day feast!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Does Disney still hold the magic against Universal's updated parks? Bryce recounts his recent trip to Orlando where he spends one day at Disney and one day at Universal. How do the parks compare in the world or rising ticket prices and bigger and bigger rides? This discussion plus a huge drop of Disney news on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Throw out those pumpkins and hang those lights because Christmas time is here! No place has more spirit than Christmas in the Magic Kingdom. This week Ben and Erica jump in the podcasting sleigh and discuss two ways to experience Christmas in the Florida's original theme park. Bake some cookies, grab some hot cocoa, and cozy up to this week's episode!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Since the opening of Disneyland in 1955 every park has faced some scary and bizarre moments- things that not even Walt Disney himself could have foreseen. From Yippies shutting down the park, a guest that assaulted Tigger, loaded weapons on rides, or ashes being spread inside the Haunted Mansion, there are many notable things to discuss.
In this episode Rachel and Jeremiah spend some time exploring these wild stories. Many of them are sad and tragic, but some are just downright interesting. During the podcast they ask the question, could some of these things have been avoided? Did Disney handle it well?
Join in on this wild conversation about moments that shocked us and made us laugh. Was there a story that surprised you? Listen in and let us know what you thought about these crazy moments in Disney parks.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
29 years after the first Hocus Pocus was released, the long desired sequel has been released, exclusively to Disney+. After it originally flopped commercially, Hocus Pocus has become a much beloved cult classic, so was Disney able to keep the magic of the first film in its 2022 sequel? That’s what Blake and JJ are talking about this week, in celebration of Halloween coming in just a few days.
Blake and JJ talk about their memories attached to the original film, and talk about the good and bad of the new film, as well as talking about how it compares to the first. Then, to wrap things off, Blake offers another film to watch in the spirit of Halloween as the Disney Tip of the Week. So grab your Halloween candy and get your costume on, and listen to our recent episode before this year’s All Hallow’s Eve. Have a happy Halloween!
Check out the newest trailer for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania!
Have you checked out Hocus Pocus 2? Did you agree with our thoughts on it? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Colby is celebrating his 18th birthday, so he and Darrell are debating which Disney movie is the best from the year of his birth, 2004! As Bryce mentioned last week, 2004 wasn't a particularly strong year for Disney movies, BUT there are a few standouts! We've chosen The Incredibles and National Treasure to go head to head. Colby will argue for The Incredibles and against National Treasure, while Darrell will argue for National Treasure and against The Incredibles. Let us know who you think won the debate via any of the links below!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
All Disney parks require tickets to enter, however did you know that there are many special events that require a ticket to gain entrance? Halloween and Christmas events come to the front of your mind, but Disney holds special events all year. Bryce and David discuss their favorite special ticketed events they have attended as well as talk about all the events they would love to see in person. Join them for a special discussion about these events.....no ticket required.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
From treehouse villas to cabin sheik, this week's episode has the most unique rooms you can find at Walt Disney World. Ben and Erica breakdown their Top 10 unique rooms at WDW, complete with budget-friendly options to a room so exclusive you may not even know it exists! Don't miss a room as you listen all the way to #1.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Once again the Halloween season has approached. This means pumpkin spice, scary decorations, and spooky movies. A lot of people prefer to watch very gory slasher movies like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” or John Carpenter's 1978 classic “Halloween”. But as everyone knows, Disney is more family friendly. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or you’re in the mood to enjoy a spooky family flick with loved ones, Disney+ has much to offer.
To make things easier, Disney + has created an entire Halloween-themed section. This section on the channel is full of options for fans of the more scary variety. This area has everything like “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to the classic “Hocus Pocus”. It also categorized many separate television Halloween themed episodes like “The Simpsons” or “Blackish” for quick ease.
With so many options on the table to watch Rachel and Jeremiah plan to cover a few of their favorites in this fun, yet somewhat scary podcast episode. Both have created a top pick list of what they look forward to watching on this amazing streaming network. With any luck each listener will have a few options to watch during this creepy time of year.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
Once again the Halloween season has approached. This means pumpkin spice, scary decorations, and spooky movies. A lot of people prefer to watch very gory slasher movies like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” or John Carpenter's 1978 classic “Halloween”. But as everyone knows, Disney is more family friendly. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or you’re in the mood to enjoy a spooky family flick with loved ones, Disney+ has much to offer.
To make things easier, Disney + has created an entire Halloween-themed section. This section on the channel is full of options for fans of the more scary variety. This area has everything like “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to the classic “Hocus Pocus”. It also categorized many separate television Halloween themed episodes like “The Simpsons” or “Blackish” for quick ease.
With so many options on the table to watch Rachel and Jeremiah plan to cover a few of their favorites in this fun, yet somewhat scary podcast episode. Both have created a top pick list of what they look forward to watching on this amazing streaming network. With any luck each listener will have a few options to watch during this creepy time of year.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
The original trilogy of Star Wars movies are unanimously agreed to be the best of the three trilogies, but how do the prequels and sequels stand when put against each other? The prequels have gotten a lot of criticism for many years, with the prequels only recently being more praised than trashed, and the sequels have been a controversial discussion among the Star Wars fanbase since the release of the Force Awakens. This week, Blake and JJ are tackling this topic, talking about the pros and cons both trilogies have, from their plots and characters, to their memorable moments and musical score. There’s also discussion on how nostalgia plays a heavy part in people’s opinions on the films, the generation, and how external content (such as television shows and direct sequels) can affect different products of the franchise, both positively and negatively. They also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, and some Disney news, involving the potential cancellation of a much anticipated Star Wars project and the confirmed arrival of a much beloved cartoon series to Disney+, with much hope for a new season. Now jump on in and hit that play button, and see how these two trilogies compare to each other!
Disney News Links:
- Rogue Squadron canceled
- Spectacular Spider-Man coming to Disney+
Which trilogy do you prefer? Did you agree with our thoughts? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
The original trilogy of Star Wars movies are unanimously agreed to be the best of the three trilogies, but how do the prequels and sequels stand when put against each other? The prequels have gotten a lot of criticism for many years, with the prequels only recently being more praised than trashed, and the sequels have been a controversial discussion among the Star Wars fanbase since the release of the Force Awakens. This week, Blake and JJ are tackling this topic, talking about the pros and cons both trilogies have, from their plots and characters, to their memorable moments and musical score. There’s also discussion on how nostalgia plays a heavy part in people’s opinions on the films, the generation, and how external content (such as television shows and direct sequels) can affect different products of the franchise, both positively and negatively. They also discuss what they’ve done Disney lately, and some Disney news, involving the potential cancellation of a much anticipated Star Wars project and the confirmed arrival of a much beloved cartoon series to Disney+, with much hope for a new season. Now jump on in and hit that play button, and see how these two trilogies compare to each other!
Disney News Links:
- Rogue Squadron canceled
- Spectacular Spider-Man coming to Disney+
Which trilogy do you prefer? Did you agree with our thoughts? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Golden Spiral Media Feedback Page
D23 2022 took place last weekend and Disney gave us a lot to be excited about! They also gave us a lot to be confused, hopeful, optimistic, and disappointed about. Bryce joins Darrell and Colby to discuss many of the announcements about Disneyland, Disney World, Disney movies, and Disney +. We'll talk about Avengers Campus, Tiana's Palace, Wondrous Journey, Mickey's Toontown, Haunted Mansion, Tron Lightcycle Run, the return of Figment, Moana, Zootopia, Coco, Disney Villains, Encanto, and SOOOOO much more!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
D23 2022 took place last weekend and Disney gave us a lot to be excited about! They also gave us a lot to be confused, hopeful, optimistic, and disappointed about. Bryce joins Darrell and Colby to discuss many of the announcements about Disneyland, Disney World, Disney movies, and Disney +. We'll talk about Avengers Campus, Tiana's Palace, Wondrous Journey, Mickey's Toontown, Haunted Mansion, Tron Lightcycle Run, the return of Figment, Moana, Zootopia, Coco, Disney Villains, Encanto, and SOOOOO much more!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
David gives us some great new offerings at Disney World and Disneyland while adding some tips and tricks along the way. The every other year D23 convention draws thousands of attendees to the Anaheim Convention Center. Each convention holds many new announcements for parks, TV, and film from the Walt Disney Company. Bryce and David give their top three predictions about what announcements will be released at D23. You can watch live panels at D23 at this link: https://d23expo.com/Live
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
David gives us some great new offerings at Disney World and Disneyland while adding some tips and tricks along the way. The every other year D23 convention draws thousands of attendees to the Anaheim Convention Center. Each convention holds many new announcements for parks, TV, and film from the Walt Disney Company. Bryce and David give their top three predictions about what announcements will be released at D23. You can watch live panels at D23 at this link: https://d23expo.com/Live
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Disney's newest cruise ship has so many surprises that Ben and Erica need a second episode to cover everything! Set sail with us once again as we discuss the multi-level pool deck, new bars & lounges, and the exciting addition of a grown-up salon and barber shop. Plus, hear a little about Ben's recent voyage aboard the Disney Dream, and how the Wish has affected the rest of the fleet. Cruising with Disney keeps getting more and more interesting!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Over the decades Disney parks have been featured on film. Whether it is a full featured film like Saving Mr. Banks or an ABC sitcom like Full House, Disney has found a way to bring the excitement of the parks through this form of media.
This idea does a lot for the parks. It brings awareness to the public about all the exciting things that can be experienced at one of the theme parks. It is obviously a great tool for marketing the parks. You cannot help but want to go to a park after watching your favorite sitcom family experience the trip of a lifetime.
The television shows in particular do this really well. When you watch the Johnsons from Blackish go to Walt Disney World where the kids take full advantage of their VIP status makes you want to do the same. Even someone who is never happy like Roseanne can find that happiness when visiting Walt Disney World.
In this episode Rachel and Jeremiah talk about the best and worst of these. They go over some of their favorite moments on film that feature both Disney World and DIsneyland. What worked for them and what was a failure? Come join them in this fun conversation about Disney parks on film.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Blake and JJ are bringing something quite new to the table in this week’s episode: a tier list. They've created a tier list of a majority of the most popular shows on Disney+, which include the Emmy-award winning Mandalorian to the most recent MCU show, Ms. Marvel. After talking about some of what they’ve done Disney lately, they jump into a quick explanation of a tier list, and get to work ranking the Disney+ shows on the tier list. Tier lists are really easy to use, and we’d highly recommend you trying it yourself on the link provided below, and sharing it on Facebook! We love to see other people’s rankings and opinions, and how they differ from each other. So go ahead and grab that tier list, and fill it out while you listen!
Here’s the tier list if you’d like to join along!
What did your tier list look like? How did it compare with ours? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
The taste and sounds of New Orleans fill our bellies and ears this week! The Princess and the Frog is one of our favorite Disney animated movies. Is there a better way to talk about the music, characters, and story that we love than with a hot bowl of gumbo, a mouth watering beignet, or a thirst quenching mint julep? No? We didn't think so either. This episode was an absolute joy to "research" and we hope that it inspires you to watch the movie and enjoy some New Orleans cuisine!
Here are the recipes we used:
- Friends on the Other Side Gumbo (Disney Villains: Devilishly Delicious Cookbook)
- Tiana's Beignets (Feast of Fiction YouTube)
- Disneyland's Mint Julep Recipe (Disney Food Blog)
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Remember that first trip to Disney World when you were a kid? What if your first trip happens in your 30s??? Join Bryce as he interviews his wife Lauren who just took her first trip to Disney World as an adult. They discuss the highs and lows of traveling to Disney as an adult for the first time. Stick around as they talk their favorite drinks at EPCOT while drinking around the world. See the world (Disney World) from a fresh set of eyes on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Disney's newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish, has set sail and Ben and Erica can't contain their excitement! Come along as we talk about the new and unique offerings aboard this unbelievably beautiful ship. The new experiences span everything from staterooms with different character touches, to new restaurants, and even a new grand hall. Warning! By the end of the episode you will be wishing upon a Disney cruise!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Over time there have been many leading male characters in Disney animation. Sometimes they play the role of the dashing Prince that saves the day, and other times they serve the role of taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
As time has blossomed the male role has changed. In beauty and the beast the beast himself needed Bell to save him. Robin Hood spent most of his time in the story trying to make the world better, and Peter Pan helped keep everyone young. But what makes a good leading male character?
In this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly Jeremiah and Rachel go back to the brackets to determine who they think is the best male character in Disney animation. Follow along as they go through the task of deciding who they like the best. Be sure to download the bracket and follow along in the fun.
Download a copy of the bracket here.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Hello There. With the recent conclusion of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+, it only made sense to dedicate some time to discussing the show. Blake and JJ share their raw, untamed thoughts on the show as a whole. They look over every part of the series and explain what the show did well, and what it could have done better.
Do you agree with their thoughts? Do you think they were too critical? What do you think the show did well?
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Nighttime festivities are back in full swing and Disneyland feels completely magical again! Darrell and Colby visited Disneyland and California Adventure earlier this month and experienced The Main Street Electrical Parade, Fantasmic!, Disneyland Forever, and World of Color. Each of these shows are truly spectacular and reminded us of what was missing from our last few Disneyland visits.
While we visited the parks, we also tried a few new experiences like Web Slingers, Frontierland Shootin' Exposition, Hyperspace Mountain, and the Blue Bayou restaurant. Despite the large crowds, we had a wonderful experience, and used Genie + to strategically plan out a great trip!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022 unloaded a massive amount of Lucasfilm news and updates on our favorite Jedi, Sith, and droids. Bryce is joined by Blake this week as they recap all the major announcements of games, books and most importantly tv shows and movies coming out of the Lucasfilm Studio. From Willow to Darth Vader and Andor to Indiana Jones, the announcements were exciting and surprising. Star Wars fans unite on Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Continuing the discussion on best practices in planning your Walt Disney World vacation in 2022, Ben and Erica begin to outline the nuts and bolts associated with traveling to Disney in today’s climate. With so many changes you won’t want to miss the integral components like Park Pass Reservations, utilizing the My Disney Experience App and more. Have you heard of Disney’s Magic Mobile? Can you still use your old Magic Bands? When can you make those illusive dining reservations anyway? Get out your notepads and Mickey pens and get ready, we’re diving into all the best practices for planning your next magical vacation!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Easter eggs are all over Disney movies and parks, and there are so many to uncover! Even if you are a big Disney fan, I bet there are still some hidden secrets you might not know.
In this episode, Jeremiah and Rachel have a very special guest who loves Disney and all of its hidden treasures. Kristen (Jeremiah and Rachel’s daughter) joined to discuss some of the Easter eggs she uncovered in a few of the animated movies and wanted to share her findings.
Kristen has been researching these for some time now, and was excited to provide some for the listeners. You will definitely hear her passion for this come through in this episode! And maybe you will hear ones you had not been previously aware of.
If there are hidden Disney items our listeners would like to share, we’d love to hear them! Kristen has an entire notebook of what she’s found, so we will likely do this subject again in the future.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Disney Parks have always been about renovating and updating their parks and lands to make sure they fit with the modern times and interests of pop culture. But what if Disney scrapped everything in each land, and rethemed and redesigned everything?! This week, JJ and Blake are putting themselves in the place of Disney to determine what new attractions and restaurants they’d replace with the original attractions in Tomorrowland. They go through what they’d change about the whole land’s theming, what they’d change some of the most popular rides in all of Disney to become, and some changes that they think would overall benefit the land. And some ideas that they, admittedly, don’t think are very good alternatives. So if you wanna hear what different versions of the thrilling Space Mountain or the unimpressive Autopia rides Blake and JJ come up with? Press that play button and find out! What are your ideas for rebooting Tomorrowland? Did you like any of our ideas? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
When George Lucas released Star Wars on May 25, 1977, he nor anyone else imagined it would impact the world in such a monumental and profound way. Now 45 years later, we enjoy a world with 10 follow-up live action movies, and over a dozen TV series inspired by the universe revealed in this first movie.
But how well does the original hold up? What is its legacy? How has the music and special effects impacted the movie industry? Joined by Bradley Netherton, Darrell and Colby explore these questions and more in this week's episode!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Contribute Listener Feedback
Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, while others skip it altogether. Walt Disney World has incredible options for breakfast from character meals to quick bites in the parks. Bryce and David run through their favorite breakfast spots around all four parks and the WDW resorts. Will your favorite breakfast or brunch location make their list or do you skip breakfast and head straight to the rides? Don't listen on an empty stomach to this discussion of the best breakfasts at WDW.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Planning a trip to WDW in 2022 is confusing at best! Things have changed dramatically in the past couple of years. When should you start planning? How long should you stay? How will you get to/from WDW property? What type of tickets do you need? Join Ben and Erica as they begin a deep dive into the planning do's and don'ts in the new era of WDW vacations. A Disney vacation can still be highly enjoyable if you know where to begin!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
After the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Walt Disney sought out other stories to adapt into feature films, with Beauty and the Beast being among the stories he considered. Attempts to develop the Beauty and the Beast story into a film were made in the 1930s and 1950s, but were ultimately given up because it "proved to be a challenge" for the story team.
Decades later under the watchful eye of then CEO Michael Eisner, Beauty and the Beast was eventually created in 1991. The film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, the first animated film to ever win that category. It also became the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 64th Academy Awards, where it won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for its title song and received additional nominations for Best Original Song and Best Sound.
By April 2014, Walt Disney Pictures had already begun developing a new live-action version of Beauty and the Beast after making other live-action fantasy films such as Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book. The live-action Beauty and the Beast premiered at Spencer House in London on February 23, 2017. Just like the animated 1991 version it was a huge success. It grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing live-action musical film, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2017.
But which one is the best? This is the subject that Rachel, Jeremiah and special guest Elizbeth tackle on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly. They compare plots, characters and music, giving each subject a score. At the end they tally up and find out which film is best. They close the show with some discussion about their latest trip to Disneyland during the 2022 Food and Wine festival.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Now, look: Blake and JJ have recently been doing a lot of reviews and bracket battles, which are great, but, it's about time they changed it up a bit by talking about something new. They’re taking a shot at something far more different and new: Disney-themed Would You Rather! This week, JJ has come prepared with 20 Would You Rather questions, all based around Disney. These questions are based on Disney films, Star Wars, the Disneyland parks, and Disney food! We also discuss some of what we’ve done Disney lately, before jumping into the questions, which involve some Star Wars and Moon Knight. Now, here’s a warm-up for you: would you rather continue reading these show notes, or press that play button and jump into some Disney-filled fun!
What would you rather do? Do you think we had some unfair answers or reasoning? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
If you would like to see the full list of questions, we got them available to you right here!
Movies:
Visit Wonderland or Neverland?
Go sailing with Captain Jack Sparrow or watch the floating lights with Rapunzel?
Fly the Millennium Falcon or Slave I?
Be trained a Sith or a Jedi?
Ride in a podrace on Tatooine or ride a speeder bike on Endor?
Watch the Star Wars prequels or sequels?
Han Solo or Indiana Jones?
Have Tow Mater as your best friend or Mike Wazowski?
Parks:
Front of line pass all day at Disneyland or dinner reservations for 6 at Club 33?
Visit every Disney park or be featured as an extra in a Disney film?
Go to Disneyland during Halloween or Christmas time?
Spend a day at Disneyland in the pouring rain or 100-degree heat?
Get stuck on It’s a Small World for 30 minutes with the song on loop or stuck on Mr. Toad’s Wild ride in the hell room for 20 minutes?
Travel back in time to 1955 and visit Disneyland on opening day or travel forward in time to 2055 and see what Disneyland will be like then?
Ride Splash Mountain front seat on a cold day or stand in the Autopia line for an hour on a 100-degree day?
Be a cat or a duck at Disneyland?
Tower of Terror or Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout?
Food:
Dole Whip or Churro?
Dine at Carthay Circle or the Blue Bayou Lagoon?
Hot Starbucks on a cold day or ice cream cone on a hot day?
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
What's better than dinner and a movie?! Using recipes from Disney Villains Devilishly Delicious Cookbook, Colby and Darrell make some tasty dishes inspired by Captain Hook, and enjoy an after dinner discussion of the classic Disney movie, "Peter Pan."
From the Disney Villains cookbook they make two recipes inspired by "Peter Pan." First up is is the Jolly Roger Brisket with mashed potatoes. We combined this with Codfish and Chips with hushpuppies to create a surf and turf meal. For dessert we pulled a Key Lime Parfait recipe from Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook.
After dinner we enjoyed the Disney animated classic from 1953, "Peter Pan." We enjoyed the scenes with Captain Hook most, and wish one of the deleted scenes featured on Disney Plus had been included in the movie.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Character Meet and Greets are BACK in the parks! Bryce and David discuss how COVID19 directly impacted character meet and greets. They list out their favorite all time interactions with characters and discuss what meet and greets they would like to see in the future. Who are your favorite characters to meet in the parks? What characters do you think Disney should add as meet and greets? From Launchpad McQuack to the talking Mickey Mouse, Bryce and David talk about them all and give great side tales of their favorite encounters. Get ready for a warm hug from your favorite Disney character this week on Mouse House weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Dole Whip Habanero Lime Nachos, Key Lime Easter Cupcakes, and Easter Minnie Bunny Pinatas are just a few of the new bites available this Spring at Walt Disney World! Join Ben and Erica as they share these and many more new bites that are making their debut across the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Plus, if you like warm hugs or trash pandas then you don't want to miss this week's Disney News segment! Join us for that and a mouthwatering episode as we explore the latest culinary creations at WDW. Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Sports have a way of drawing us in, compelling us to pick sides, assemble friends, and yell encouragement at people we've never met. Sport-themed movies stir up many of these same emotions, and even have a way of filling us with nostalgia. Disney has created some wonderful sport movies throughout the years, but which of them reigns supreme?
Rachel and Jeremiah have assembled 16 of Disney's top sports movies into a bracket this week, and they will slug it out to determine which movie is the ultimate victor! Will it be "The Mighty Ducks," "The Sandlot," "Secretariat," "The Rookie," "Remember the Titans," or "Miracle?" Or will be be a Cinderella contender that takes the crown? Download your copy of the bracket below, and see how you compare to our hosts!
Download your bracket
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disney has released many, many movies in the many years it’s been around, with some of their films being some of the most favored and beloved movies of all time. This week, Blake and JJ pick out the Disney-owned films in IMDB’s best films of all time list, and put them into a, you guessed it, bracket for them to go through and pick out their favorites in another bracket battle.
Blake and JJ make some difficult decisions as they push through the brackets, determining their favorites among Disney animation, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar and 20th Century Fox films to determine their ultimate favorite Disney film. Download the bracket below and fill it out yourself!
Download your bracket here!
Any thoughts on our picks? What did your brackets turn out like? Let us know by connecting with us on our socials!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disney has been making magical movies with magical songs for decades. But which Disney song is the most sing alongable? To tackle this question in under an hour, we had to first establish some ground rules. For our battle this week, we only considered Disney animated movies, and only one song per movie was allowed in the competition. We then narrowed the field down to 16, and those 16 made up our bracket for this episode. Download your copy of the bracket below and see how your choices compare to ours! Let us know which song reigned supreme for you!
DOWNLOAD YOUR BRACKET
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
When the Galactic Starcruiser was announced, the world couldn't wait to see what Disney would do with a fully immersive Star Wars experience. Last week the world got to see what Disney created to mixed reviews. Bryce and Blake discuss their reactions to the announcement and media reviews of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. They then take the hotel into their own hands and play "Armchair Imagineer" by giving their ideas on how they would build a Star Wars immersive experience. Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
The time to Rediscover Epcot is upon us! This week Ben and Erica talk about riding Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, eating at La Creparie, Harmonious, Space 220, the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, and more. Plus Ben offers the worst tip of the day in MHW history!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
It’s February and love is in the air! Disney is known for telling great stories combined with great songs. Of course, that means Disney has created some of the best romantic moments in cinema. Which romantic moments jump to your mind first? How do you rank them? Jeremiah and Rachel talk about their favorite romantic moments from Disney and Pixar animated movies, and share their top 10 romantic Disney moments.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disney+ has just wrapped up its newest exclusive television show based in the Star Wars universe, focusing on the popular character, Boba Fett. Book of Boba Fett, regardless of your feelings on the show, brings up a lot to discuss. And that’s what brings about Blake and JJ’s episode this week. Once we get past what we’ve done Disney recently, we jump right into discussing the show, episode-by-episode. We talk about our personal thoughts on each episode, diving into the characters and story. We discussed the elements we liked and appreciated, and some elements we didn’t like and felt like should’ve been improved. Tune in to see if you agree with our thoughts, or massively disagree. Have you watched Book of Boba Fett yet? What were your thoughts on it? Did you like the direction they went in? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Wintertime at Disneyland brings a different experience than other times of the year and with it, advantages and disadvantages. If you're looking for cooler weather, smaller crowds, shorter wait times, and the celebration of Lunar New Year, then visiting Disneyland in January or February is something you should consider. However, you'll also need to be aware that the park hours are much shorter, some rides are closed for yearly maintenance, and you'll need to bring layers of clothing as the temperatures can vary quite a bit throughout the day. Darrell and his daughter, Addi, just returned from a trip to Disneyland, and they'll share their experience with these pros and cons, as well as their take on Disney Genie +, Lightning Lane, the Lunar New Year experience, and their stay at the Howard Johnson in Anaheim. The bottom line for them is late January is a great time to visit with the pros outweighing the cons by a wide margin.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Bryce returns from a week-long vacation with 5 adults and 4 kids under the age of 6 at Disney World. He recaps the highs and inevitable lows of traveling with a multi-family unit during the holiday season. David returns from running the 2022 Walt Disney World Half Marathon and spending 7 days at Disney! Bryce and David talk about the ins and outs of two very different trips at Disney World. They also bring this week's Disney News and a few great tips for traveling at WDW.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Walt Disney World is just for kids, right? Wrong! There is so much for more to experience than characters and rides. Erica and Ben are here to tell you about All Things Adult at WDW. From classy resorts, to romantic restaurants, to special tours and after hours events, there are so many things to discover on an adults only vacation. Join us as we share why you may want to leave the kids at home for your next Disney vacation!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Which Herbie movie is the best? Is it the 1968 original The Love Bug or the 2005 Herbie: Fully Loaded? This is a question that Jeremiah and Rachel will be exploring in this podcast. They compare characters, music and script. Which one will drive away with the checkered flag? Press play and find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
When Raiders of the Lost Ark came out in 1981, it redefined the action/adventure genre in the film industry, and spawned the popular franchise we come to know and love today: Indiana Jones. Many people have watched the existing four films in the series, and generally enjoyed them very very much. However, the self-proclaimed “film fanatic” Blake, has never watched the series in its entirety. In this week’s episode, after watching all four Indiana Jones movies in under 36 hours, Blake discusses the films with JJ, talking about their enjoyment of each film, what they liked, and what they didn’t like. And, as always, they rank them in the end and Blake gives his overall thoughts on his first viewing of the Indiana Jones films. Buckle up tightly now—some hot Indiana Jones takes may be appearing in this episode.
Have you watched the Indiana Jones films? What were your thoughts on them? Did you maybe, perhaps, disagree with one of our takes? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Movie sequels aren't typically known for being better than their predecessor. In fact, many would say that sequels aren't typically very good. Fortunately, there are many movie sequels that are quite enjoyable and even a few that are better than their predecessor. But which movie sequel is the best?
This week we take a look at movie sequels all across the Disney catalog in an effort to crown one of them the king of sequels. In creating our list of contenders, we had four criteria:
- Only the second movie in a series was eligible
- Both Colby and Darrell must have seen the original AND the sequel
- The movie must be available on Disney Plus in the US
- The movie must have been a theatrical release
Download a copy of the bracket and choose your own winner!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
As we reach the end of 2021 and anticipate new Disney adventures in 2022, we want to stop and reflect on some of the best Disney experiences we had in 2021. With the reopening of Disneyland, Walt Disney World celebrating its 50th anniversary, and a plethora of new content released on Disney+, there was plenty of opportunity for great moments with Disney this year. Join us this week as each host of Mouse House Weekly shares his or her favorite Disney moment of 2021.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
This Christmas Rachel and Jeremiah visited many of the popular theme parks in Southern California in effort to find out how other parks compare to Disneyland. Obviously Christmas at Disney is special and other parks attempt to match that kind of magic, but is it worth spending your money to visit those other parks? This and many other questions will be tackled in this fun Holiday filled episode.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Ben is back from his DCL sailing aboard the Disney Magic, and it's time to talk cruise ship size! With two different classes of ships, and a third on the way in the Disney Wish, knowing what size ship floats your boat is so important. Join Ben and Erica as they break down the different areas of the ship, discuss which class gets the edge in each category, and ultimately what ship they are picking for their next Disney cruise!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
With Spider-Man: No Way Home just around the corner, you may be unprepared for what may unfold when the movie arrives in theaters December 17th. So, Blake is hosting this week’s episode to tell you what you need to know, and which movies you should check out in preparation for what could possibly be the biggest Spider-Man movie of all time. After a bit of discussion on what he’s done Disney this week, Blake shares which movies you should prioritize if you’re not very familiar with what’s to come in No Way Home, as well as some rumors that may or may not be true. He talks about the movies you need to watch, the ones that you should watch, and the ones you could watch. And if you don’t have time to watch them, don’t worry! Blake lets you in on what you might need to know if you can’t watch all of these movies listed here before heading to see No Way Home. Some of these movies include Spider-Man Far From Home, the Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, the Amazing Spider-Man films, and…the Daredevil Netflix show? Tune in to find out the best way to prepare for this year’s biggest Marvel film!
Spider-Man Lotus trailer
Have you watched any of the films on this list? What were your thoughts on them? Any other films or shows that should be watched to prepare for No Way Home? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
What makes a good coaster? How much does the thrill factor into the equation? Does the theming or queue area make a difference? For us, all of these things play a role in the overall experience of the ride, and therefore factor into how good the coaster is.
This week Darrell and Colby give a brief history and statistical breakdown of every coaster at Disney World and Disneyland, before tossing them into a bracket to determine which coaster reigns supreme at the USA Disney parks. Do you agree with our picks? We'd love to hear how you'd rank them.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Erica claims a Disney Cruise Line vacation is the best Disney trip you can take right now! This week we put the Disneyland vs. WDW debate on hold to discuss why DCL might be better than both. Laura Beth and Erica share details from their recent sailings aboard the Disney Dream, and Ben asks lots of questions as he prepares for his own upcoming cruise. Join us as we share what Disney is getting right on the high seas!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
November 12th, 2021 marked the first ever Disney+ Day! Disney announced a plethora of projects for the major streaming platform Disney+ that day including announcements from Lucasfilm, Pixar, and Marvel. Bryce is joined by Blake to analyze and discuss all the new projects coming out in 2021, 22 and beyond. For more on the announcements see this link: https://www.androidauthority.com/disney-plus-day-2021-3058149/
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Should you buy the new Disneyland Magic Key passes? After multiple trips to Disneyland using their new Magic Keys passes, Rachel and Jeremiah are going to discuss what they like and dislike about the new program. Hopefully you can make a better informed decision after hearing their thoughts about the new system.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
“What If?” was the MCU’s most recent television show, and it happens to be the MCU’s first attempt at animation. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, the show tackles important moments in the MCU’s Infinity Saga, but puts a twist on various of the choices made in the original films, changing the entire course of the universe. In this week’s episode of Mouse House Weekly, Blake and JJ are discussing the series in its entirety, as well as its quality and whether or not people should watch it. After the usual discussion of what they’ve done Disney lately, JJ and Blake first give their spoiler-free thoughts on the show, and if they could recommend it to people. Beyond that, it's all spoilers, and talking about each episode, and its strengths and weaknesses. If you’re thinking about watching “What If?”, tune in to hear if it's worth your while, and if you already have seen it, hear our thoughts and see if you agree!
Have you had the pleasure of watching “What If?” Did you enjoy it? Let us know, and connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disneyland is known as the happiest place on earth, but some would say Walt Disney World is the happiest place. Four months ago Darrell, Colby, and their family took their first family vacation to WDW. Now they've just returned from their first family vacation to Disneyland.
The four of them sat down the day after they returned to talk about their experience at Disneyland and California Adventure. Which rides were their favorites? Is Cars Land really as good as it's hyped? Did they have a good experience with food allergies? Did Colby finally get to taste his first churro? How did they discover the benches aren't bolted down? Most importantly, which park deserves the title of happiest place on earth? Hit the play button and find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disney World celebrated 50 years of operation on Oct. 1, 2021, but just how did the vacation kingdom come to pass? Bryce and David recount the history of Walt Disney World from the idea of buying land in central Florida to the expansion of the parks and resorts. David then discusses what it was like to be in Walt Disney World on the 50th and if going to Walt Disney World for a park anniversary is worth it.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth have all 3 been on Disney vacations recently! While they set out to give your a trio of trip reports, Ben has a lot to say about Disneyland! Listen to hear his take on Disneyland, and find out if Erica and Laura Beth have time to talk about their Disney cruises. Plus, there is breaking news about Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lanes! With so much going on these days at Disney you don't want to miss this week at Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Over the years there have been many Cinderella movies to follow Disney’s 1950 animated original. This September another Cinderella comes out on Amazon, so in this episode Rachel and Jeremiah are joined by their daughter Elizabeth and they will discuss which movies they consider to be the best. They will all reveal their personal top 5 must see versions. Which list will provide the right fitting glass slipper? Join in and find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disney+ has quite the selection of original films and series that are exclusive to the service. In this week’s episode of Mouse House Weekly, Blake has chosen the Disney+ original, “Magic Camp,” for JJ to watch and discuss, and in turn, JJ has given Blake “Behind the Attraction” to watch. After talking about what they have both done Disney lately (including meeting up at Disneyland together), they talk about Disney+ Day, a day celebrating Disney+’s debut from 2 years ago. Once getting to talking about the main subject of the episode, both JJ and Blake tackle their Disney+ originals, talking about their positives, negatives, and whether they are worth taking time to watch. If you’re thinking of watching “Magic Camp” and/or “Behind the Attraction,” go no further than this episode to find out if they are worth your time!
Have you seen "Behind the Attraction" and/or "Magic Camp?" If so, what were your thoughts on them? Connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Food allergies can be fatal, so being able to travel to the Disney (and Universal) parks and safely eat is a major concern for families with food allergies. This reality is known all too well for Colby, who has allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and peas.
This week Colby sits down with his dad, Darrell, and mom, Kari, talk about how they discovered Colby had severe food allergies, and what their food experience has been over the last 16 years. The first half of the episode serves as an educational breakdown of food allergies so those who have never experienced it, might better understand the importance of being aware of food allergies.
In the second half of the episode, the family shares their experiences at Disneyland, California Adventure, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Orlando. In short, their first experience at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood was excellent and proved that both parks care deeply about their guests, and have trained their staff well to make sure guests are safe. Subsequent visits to the park have proven the first experiences were not a fluke.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Jungle Cruise starring The Rock and Emily Blunt that released in July is the latest in Disney films that are based on original theme park attractions. Bryce and David talk through the history of Ride to Film adaptions, the good, the bad, and the ugly (Haunted Mansion 2003?). Do you know all the movies based on Disney attractions? The guys also play armchair directors as they decide what will be the next great Disney film based on an original attraction.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Fastpass is no more and the Genie will soon be out of the bottle. This week Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth welcome guest host Rachel Panhorst to help make sense of Genie+. How will this new system work, what are Lightning Lanes, and will Disney listen to the feedback about their new paid program? Join us as we dive into one of the biggest changes to the domestic Disney Parks in over a decade!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Rachel and Jeremiah are once again doing another fun bracket. This time they are tackling Disney animated music. Joining them is their daughter Kristen who loves Disney music. 16 amazing soundtracks are put up against one another. Together the Mouse House hosts will determine which Disney soundtrack they believe is the best.
Download a copy of the bracket here.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Okay, yes, so MAYBE Blake and JJ are doing another bracket battle. They swear, this’ll be the last one from them for a while. However, in this week’s episode, they’re tackling a bracket battle of all of the MCU projects (movies and shows), breaking them all down to find their favorite MCU movie/show. After talking about what they have done recently, which heavily involve the parks, they get into breaking down the massive bracket of 27 MCU projects, which they tackle two at a time, talking quickly (or not so quickly) about what they find more appealing in both items, and choose one to move along in the bracket. You know, like in a bracket battle. You probably know how the rest goes. You wanna try out the bracket yourself? Download your bracket here!
Want to get angry at us for our Marvel movie opinions? What did your bracket end up looking like? Connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Visiting Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure are popular destinations for many who are in the area visiting Walt Disney World. Colby and Darrell made their first visit to Universal Orlando in June, so this week they share what that experience was like. Was the Velocicoaster as good as the hype? Is the Express Pass worth the cost? Is it possible to visit both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Orlando in the same day? Hit the play button and find out these answers and much more!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Bryce and David just returned from a full week at Walt Disney World so naturally they have plenty to share! Restaurant reviews galore as they cover meals at Ohana, California Grill, and the Boathouse to name a few. They also discuss two once in a lifetime opportunities to take a VIP tour and visit Club 33 at Magic Kingdom. The parks are getting busier but fireworks are back too. Bryce and David discuss all the offerings as the summer is coming to a close at Walt Disney World!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Beginning in October, Disney World will begin an 18 month celebration of its 50th anniversary! Guests can expect to see many exciting things at each of the WDW parks, including EARidescent costumes and themes, makeovers to Cinderella's Castle, Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, and the Tree of Life, and more. New experiences with Ratatouille and Epcot Play Pavilion, Space 220 restaurant at Epcot, and nighttime spectaculars are also coming. Laura Beth and Erica share all the details of what we currently know about the upcoming anniversary celebration to help you make the most of the festivities!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Over the last 50 years, Disney television shows and movies have been responsible for launching countless stars. Some Disney stars remain in the public eye, while others fade away. In this episode Jeremiah and Rachel take a close look at individuals whose careers were made big because of Disney. They discuss each person's beginnings and what they are doing now. Join in the fun conversation, you will be surprised who is on the list.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
It’s another episode with some great Mouse House Weekly content, and today Blake and JJ are going on a very unique and out-of-the-ordinary route and doing a bracket battle. This time, they’re joined by the fantastic and far superior member of the Mouse House, Jeremiah, to fill out the bracket that JJ has created, featuring the most nostalgic sounds in the Disneyland Park. After getting past what they’ve all done Disney in the last few weeks, we move into filling out the bracket. If you haven’t heard any of the sounds before, or can’t quite recall them, don’t worry! We play them in the beginning. It's a really fun and difficult challenge, and you can join in on it by filling out your own bracket here!
Want to discuss the crazy decisions we may have made or talk about what you’re end result was? Connect with us at Mouse House Weekly, we’d love to discuss with you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
We just returned from our very first trip to Disney World! Darrell and Colby sit down with the other two members of their family (Kari and Addi) to talk about their recent family vacation to WDW and Universal Studios.
Each member of the family shares their highlights of each park, as well as what they liked about their time at Disney's Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort, and Universal's Hard Rock Hotel. We discuss what exceeded our expectations, favorite rides, what we would do differently next time, and more!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Planning your first Disney family vacation is no simple task. That's why Magical Vacation Planners like Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth are available to help families get the most out of their Disney vacation and avoid rookie mistakes. This week these MVPs welcome Darrell to their episode, and talk to him about the lessons he learned from planning his family's first WDW vacation.
Focusing mostly on their time at Disney's Riviera Resort and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, Darrell shares why his family chose these resorts and how well the resorts met their needs. They'll also talk about mistakes they made despite all their planning, and Darrell will share several things that planning helped them get right.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Walt Disney was a known patriot and that love of America reverberated in Disneyland. From Main Street USA to Liberty Square, the heartbeat of America lives at Disney Parks. Celebrate the Fourth of July with the best Patriotic moments and attractions at Disney Parks. Bryce and David recount their favorite moments and attractions at the parks that spark that spirit of America!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
When Disney bought FOX, Anastasia became a Disney princess in the same way Princess Leia did. The 1997 FOX animation film staring Meg Ryan, John Cusak, Kelsey Grammar, Bernadette Peters, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Lloyd, Hank Azaria, Liz Callaway and, Jim Cummings.
Based on the real-life story of Anastasia, the Rachel and Jeremiah talk about how the movie compares to the actual events, and the mystery of Anna Anderson, who claimed to be the real Anastasia.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has moved into a whole new corner of media: our televisions. This year, we’ve seen the release of the MCU’s first (canon) television series debut on Disney+, WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In this week’s episode, Blake and JJ are here, discussing both of these shows, talking about their pros and cons, and giving our own personal praises and critiques. Then we will talk about the upcoming MCU television shows, and what they can bring to the table in the future.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
We're going to Disney World! Okay maybe that's not as big of a deal for some of the other hosts here on Mouse House Weekly, but for Darrell and Colby, it's the first time our family has traveled to the parks. If you're a first timer to WDW, you're probably feeling as overwhelmed as we are.
This week we share tips on how we prepared for our fist Disney trip that we think you'll find helpful, AND we even have a bonus tip for all of you planning to visit Universal Studios.
Links Mentioned:
- Disney Food Blog- https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/
- Undercover Tourist- https://www.undercovertourist.com/
- Magic Guides- https://magicguides.com/packing-list/
- Touring Plans- https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
It's getting HOT down in Florida (well it always is). Bryce and David review their top treats and snacks to help you stay cool while you are touring the parks! They also have an update on Disney news for the week!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Have you heard about the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line?! The Disney Wish was recently unveiled, and our traveling trio of Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth are here to tell you all about it! Listen as we discuss the brand new World Class Dining options, Kid's Clubs, Adult Exclusive Options, and more. This is an episode that will have you ready to set sail and see all your wishes come true aboard Disney Cruise Line!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
After returning to Disney World for the first time since 2006, Rachel and Jeremiah share a few things that they noticed that are different between the original Disneyland and Florida’s Magic Kingdom. They also talk a little about their trip back to Walt Disney World, and mention some of the nice things a trip to Disneyland can offer.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disneyland will never be a finished park; it’ll always be expanding and improving. So in this week’s episode, Blake and JJ are looking at the Disneyland Park, and looking for ways that could possibly improve the park. We’re going through the park, land by land, and looking at the attractions and other highlights of the lands and considering what could be changed, and what could be added that could possibly add some more magic to the Disney experience. For our tip of the week, Blake shares a good family movie that can be watched on Netflix to give you a feel for what kind of content is coming soon on Disney Plus.
Do you have any other ideas on how to improve the Disneyland Park? Or do you think the ideas we gave were horrible ideas? Reach out and let us know! We’d love to hear from you.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Mary Poppins is one of the most beloved movies of all time and this week we're talking all things Mary Poppins! Colby and Darrell take a look at the original Mary Poppins movie, along with Saving Mr. Banks and Mary Poppins Returns. Our tip of the week shares every way (we know of) to experience Mary Poppins in the parks, AND a couple of bonus ways you can experience Mary Poppins on Disney Plus! Is this episode supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Hit that play button and find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
This week David and Bryce discuss Disney news from the week! During the main segment, David and Bryce answer a pivotal question: What is the first attraction you would take a first time Disney guest on from each park around the globe? A classic ride? A dark ride? A thrill ride? Some of the answers may surprise you!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Ready for a travel agent trip report?! This week Ben asks Erica and Laura Beth about their recent trip to Walt Disney World. Listen to hear what happens at a travel agent conference, what travel agents really think about different resorts, and what's new in the theme parks. Plus, there is really big news out of Disney that any cruise fan won't want to miss! Connect with Mouse House Weekly: * Facebook community * Twitter * Instagram * Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
To prepare for the reopening of Disneyland, Rachel and Jeremiah will talk about some of those delightedly treats that they have been missing while the parks have been closed. Join them and learn what they can not wait to eat again.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
In celebration of Disneyland opening up soon, and with March Madness recently concluding, Blake and JJ have decided to do a draft day of Disneyland attractions and restaurants! Blake and JJ will take turns choosing 20 of the best Disneyland attractions and restaurants that must be visited in our ideal best trip to Disneyland. When an attraction or restaurant has already been chosen, it cannot be selected by the other host. Listen as they fight for the best attractions, talk about the best parts of the attractions and why we chose them, and of course, just missing Disneyland as a whole.
With our completed drafts, we’ve organized them into a “schedule” of sorts; when we would go to each attraction in the day; we’ve posted these in our Facebook group, where you can determine which list is better!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars have created some of the best heroes and villains of all time. Every hero and villain needs a sidekick, so that means some of the best sidekicks of all time all reside within the house of mouse. We narrowed our list down to the top 16 non-humanoid sidekicks, and then put them into a March Madness style bracket. Who will win? Hit that play button and find out.
Want to fill out your own bracket? Download it here.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
David is BACK from WDW and what is new? He will give us trip highlights and we will cover all Disney news from around the world.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Do you love to eat, but hate having to make reservations 60 days in advance? Like to wait until the savory smell of a Mickey pretzel wafts into your nose? Well, sit back and relax, because today we are telling you our favorite places to eat in WDW without a reservation. Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth take a tour around all four theme parks and Disney Springs to educate you on the best places to stop for a quick bite. Will your favorite make our lists? Listen now to find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Is it even possible to rank the Disney princesses? In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Jeremiah will be trying to answer the question, who is the greatest animated Disney Princess? To help determine who really is the fairest of them all, they do a tournament style bracket putting 16 of the top Princess against each other.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Get ready listeners, for this episode is not for the faint of heart. Blake and JJ decided to rank every Star Wars movie this week, and we did nothave the same results. We rank the Star Wars movies from beginning from the bottom at 11 and going all the way up to our number 1, while discussing why we placed the movie where we did, using a Google Sheet we used that ranks the movies for us by taking into account the plot, character development, music, memorable scenes, and where it is on our personal favorites list. It was very difficult to put together our rankings, and more difficult hearing each other’s rankings. Check out this very controversial Star Wars episode, and see who’s ranking you agree most with, or if you don’t agree with them at all!
Here’s the Google Sheetthat we used that you can make a copy of so you can try it out and see how the movies are ranked according to your scores. Or, you can always go the classic route and rank it by your own personal preference!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
After Soul came out on Christmas Day 2020, and we loved it so much, we got to thinking...where does Soul rank among the rest of Pixar films. Of course, that led us to wondering how we'd even rank all the Pixar films. So we set out to refamiliarize ourselves with each Pixar movie, and become familiar with any of them we hadn't yet seen. After that, we each assembled our own lists ranking each Pixar movie from 1 to 23. WOW! That was a VERY tough exercise, and it was a lot fun comparing our lists. Check it out in this week's episode.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
With a MASSIVE winter storm hitting the south, Bryce takes the opportunity to look at the best Cold Scenes and experiences at Disney Parks. Grab a warm drink and listen in to this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
This week Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth are giving you an overview of Disney’s Riviera Resort! Darrell and Colby will be calling this their home away from home later this summer, so we wanted to give them a sneak peek. Come along as we cover the resort’s theme, rooms, dining and transportation. This could be the perfect spot for your next Disney vacation!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
We all agree that visiting Disney parks is like no other theme park experience. This week Jeremiah and Rachel are joined by special guest Dan Heaton from The Tomorrow Society Podcast. Together they discuss what makes Disney’s many theme parks so unique. They discuss the secret behind the Disney magic, including rides and overall atmosphere that makes the parks so special.
Check Out Dans Podcast!
The Tomorrow Society Podcast
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Mandalorian Season 2 is arguably one of the best things to have come out of 2020. In this week’s episode, Blake and JJ are joined by fellow Mouse Houser Jeremiah to discuss the latest season from the Mandalorian. After talking a little bit about the latest news regarding the Disneyland annual passes, we get into talking about our favorite moments from the season, which episodes we loved and which episodes were more “forgettable” or “filler”. Then, they talk about the future of the Mandalorian and the Boba Fett spinoff series. Tune in to this episode to hear our thoughts and predictions!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
It's time to break out Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook and see what delicious Disney delicacies we can dish up! This time Darrell and Colby try two of Walt Disney's personal recipes: chili, and roast beef hash. We also try out Hawaiian Chocolate Brownies, cranberry chutney, and fried camembert cheese.
For the most part, each dish came out tasty, but we're really not convinced we actually made the chili that Walt loved so much.
Search Disney recipes and menus
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Even more changes are coming to Disney World! This week Bryce is joined by David and they discuss a grab bag of Disney World topics. Disney's Magical Express just announced it will be ending complimentary service to Disney World from Orlando MCO. What does that mean for travelers and will the new high speed rail have a play? Disney also announced a big change in Extra Magic Hours. What would you do with 30 minutes before park opening in each of the theme parks. Plus our picks on Disney+ for this week!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
2021 is here and with it some changes at Walt Disney World. Join Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth as they discuss what’s coming, what’s going, and everything in between. On this episode they discuss Magic Bands, a new ride at Epcot, the return of Disney’s Blizzard Beach, and more!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Who are the best Disney Holiday Movie Characters? This is a question that Jeremiah and Rachel tackle in this episode. They both composed their own list in secret and reveal it for the first time during this lively discussion!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Happy holidays! JJ and Blake join together for this episode to talk about the recently released LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special. We discuss our favorite and most notable scenes, what and what doesn’t this movie accomplish as a holiday special, and if we’d add this movie to our annual holiday traditions. We also discuss the new Snow White’s Enchanted Wish ride being worked on in Disneyland, the new Book of Boba Fett series coming soon, Soul coming to Disney+ this Christmas Day, and what we’ve done Disney recently (most notably JJ’s first viewing of the Mandalorian).
- First look at Snow White’s Enchanted Wish at Disneyland
- The Book of Boba Fett series coming to Disney+ December 2021
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Is The Muppet Christmas Carol the best version of the Dickens' classic ever brought to film? Many believe it is and we tend to agree. Joined by fellow Mouse Houser Bryce, Darrell and Colby share their thoughts on this holiday classic.
Along the way we discuss our favorite songs, share some fun facts about muppets, compare this version to other versions we've seen, and sit by in wonder as Bryce drops muppet knowledge bomb after muppet knowledge bomb.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Bryce and Carly offer their favorite ideas for gifts to give that special Disney fan in your life. Whether it be official Disney merchandise or a cool independently designed gift from an online small shop, tune in for some great stocking stuffer ideas!
Disney Fan Holiday Gift Guide 2020
- Disney World Transportation Vehicle Poster
- EPCOT Illuminations Torch Candle Holder
- Beach Club Lobby Candle (Green Clover and Aloe)
- Made to Thrill Shirts and Pins (Progress City)
- Vista BLVD
- Park Candy Face Masks
Larger Retailers
- Hallmark Ornaments
- Mandalorian shop on Shop Disney
- Cinderella Castle LEGO Playset
- Disney Parks Mugs
- Disney Parks Puzzle
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
We love bracket challenges at Mouse House Weekly and this week we are tackling 64 WDW attractions! Join Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth as they ride their way through all 4 theme parks and end up with the Best Ride at Walt Disney World. Think you know the top ride? Listen now to play along and see if you agree!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Which Freaky Friday movie is the best: the 1976 version with Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris, or the 2003 version with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis? This is a question that Jeremiah and Rachel will be exploring in this episode. They take a look at the characters and the actors who played them, the music, the script, how the swap was introduced, and the ending of the movie. Each category receives a point and the final winner is determined by the high score. Which do you think will win? Hit that play button and find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Blake has just recently returned from his first visit to Walt Disney World! In this week’s episode, JJ asks Blake a variety of questions about his experience at the parks. Blake talks about where they stayed, how the experience was in comparison with his prior expectations, what the parks are like during COVID-19, rankings of the parks, and favorite and least favorite attractions. They also talk about some recent news involving Disney World expanding its capacity, Disney’s financial position as a company, and a new Darkwing Duck show coming to Disney+.
Have you visited Walt Disney World recently? Did you have a similar experience? Did Blake judge a ride too unfairly? Connect with us, and let us know!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disney Plus turns one year old today! This last year has brought us a lot of enjoyment as we've spent time enjoying the wide variety of entertainment found on Disney Plus. And as we've been unable to attend the Disney parks over the last several months, Disney Plus has been our primary source of getting that Disney fix we crave.
So this week Colby and Darrell sit down and share some of their favorite gems on Disney Plus. These are things that are good to enjoy alone, with your significant other, or with family during the upcoming holiday break.
Colby's list:
- The Owl House
- The Mandalorian
- Gravity Falls
- Star vs the Forces of Evil
- Amphibia and/or Big City Greens
Darrell's list:
- Frank and Ollie
- Prop Culture
- Car SOS
- Nostalgic Movies Section
- Fantasia
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Bryce is joined by his good friend David to discuss their favorite holiday offerings on Disney+. David and Bryce give their top 5 Halloween and Christmas films, tv shows, and specials on Disney+!
Will your favorite Halloween and Christmas specials and shows make it on the list? Tune in to find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Follow Bryce and David on Instagram
Bryce at yelverto
David at disneywithdavid
Christmas at WDW is a magical time of year, but it will look a little different in 2020. Join Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth as they help you plan a special holiday trip this winter. On this episode they walk you through each of the four theme parks and Disney Springs. Some of the traditional holiday favorites are taking the winter off, but with character cavalcades, seasonal dining, and appearances by Santa, there is so much to be excited about this Christmas at WDW!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Let's get ready to rumblllllllllleeeeee!!! It's Frozen vs Tangled time at last! Rachel and Jeremiah are joined by their daughter Elizabeth to make the case for each movie. Together they plan to answer the great debate in the family: which is better Tangled or Frozen? They examine which movie has the better princess, prince, villain, songs, side characters and one-liners. Then it’s up to YOU to decide who is right. Which one is the champ for you?
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Connect with Elizabeth:
- Instagram @LizNitt23
Twitter @LizNitt
With many years of Marvel content, the world has been introduced to a variety of different heroes and how powerful they can prove to be in combat. In this week’s episode, JJ and Blake are bringing in another bracket battle, but this time focusing on answering the question: who’s the most powerful Marvel superhero? In this bracket battle, they’ll look at different one-on-one battle’s between the world’s most beloved heroes. War Machine vs. Winter Soldier? Drax vs. Black Widow? The Wasp vs. Captain America? Tune in to hear their takes on who’s the most powerful Marvel superhero!
Do you agree with our selections? Is there a superhero that should’ve made it further? Who reigns supreme in your bracket? Connect with us, and let us know!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
The Mandalorian quickly became a fan favorite when the first season launched alongside Disney Plus in 2019. As we eagerly anticipate the release of season 2 later this month, you may be wondering what happened in the first season. We've brought in the hired guns (blasters?) for this week's episode as we're joined by fellow Mouse Houser Blake, and from The MandaLore Podcast, we have Martin joining us as well.
The team recaps each episode of season 1, highlights important things to remember, shares their favorite moments of the season, and toss out some hopes/predictions for season 2.
Be sure to subscribe to The MandaLore Podcast for in-depth conversations about The Mandalorian.
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Bryce and Carly recount their 2014 Southern California Adventures By Disney trip. In this episode they cover the second half of the trip including Walt Disney Imagineering and behind the scenes tours of both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Fall and Halloween festivities are now in full swing in each of the parks at Walt Disney World. Ben, Laura Beth, and Erica take a look at each of the parks and Disney Springs to bring you a look at what you can experience during this special time of year. Disney has special food, events, clothing, decorations, and MORE! As you plan your next trip to Disney, this episode is a must!
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Disneyland and California Adventure are each constantly evolving and have many rides to suit the preferences of all visitors. So determining the best rides in each park is a conversation that can bring a lot of diversity and discussion. In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Jeremiah talk about their top 5 favorite rides in both Disneyland and California Adventure. They both came armed with separate lists, will they agree? Find out on this week's episode of the podcast. Chime in on social media and let us know what your favorite rides are!
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Imagineers are who create the rides at Disney parks and they might be the most important workers at the parks. In this episode, Blake and JJ are pitching some ideas they would like to see become reality in the parks. These ideas are concepts for rides that they’d try to create in the parks (specifically Disneyland) if they were Imagineers.
What rides or attractions would you create if you were an Imagineer? Would you like to see what we pitched? Connect with Mouse House Weekly, and let us know!
- Facebook community
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
What is the best vehicle from any Disney show or movie? To arrive at an answer, we first had to ask ourselves what defines a vehicle. We decided that a vehicle is anything designed to transport some THING to some PLACE. So Mary Poppins' umbrella, the Millennium Falcon, Aladdin's carpet, and the roller coaster from Phineas and Ferb are all options. But that's just scratching the surface.
So which vehicles made our list of top 16? Which vehicles didn't make the cut? Which vehicle did Coby choose as the best? Which vehicle did Darrell choose? Did they agree? Tune in and find out!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Carly and Bryce relive their 2014 Adventures by Disney trip to Southern California! They give their review of Adventures by Disney as well as give background on why an Adventures by Disney trip would be perfect for you and your family.
Carly and Bryce give a spoiler free overview of the trip and then give a very detailed SPOILER day by day breakdown of how the Adventures by Disney Southern California Trip shows you behind the scenes of some of Disney’s best kept secrets.
Find more information about the Adventures by Disney Southern California Trip here: https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/north-america/hollywood-disneyland-tour/ Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Erica is back from her first trip to WDW post shut down! Ben and Laura Beth ask Erica all about her trip, including what's open, what's different, and what planning a trip will look like for the remainder of 2020.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Rachel and Jeremiah reach out to former Disneyland cast members and tell some stories that give an inside scoop on what it is like to work for Disney.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
The soundtracks and scores play a big part in most of Disney’s films, and in this week’s episode, Blake and JJ discuss some of the best of them! They discuss their favorite soundtracks, and the most overrated and underrated soundtracks, for both animated and live-action Disney films. (Look out, unpopular opinions included!) They also discuss what they have done Disney lately, and some Disney news involving Marvel Comics creating some new Alien and Predator comics.
If you want to learn more about our item for Disney news, click here!
What are your favorite Disney soundtracks? Do you agree with the selections? Connect with Mouse House Weekly, and let us know!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Is food one of your favorite things about visiting a Disney park? Us too! We had a strong hankering for some Disney food, but visiting the parks is totally out of the question right now. So we decided if we can't go get Disney food, we'll bring Disney food to us! Darrell and Colby picked up a copy of Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook and tried three recipes: Polynesian Luau Chicken, Beef Stew with Biscuit, and Gourmet Chocolate Chunk Cookies. The results were mostly good and definitely gave us a new family favorite!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
The dog days of summer are upon us and WDW just reopened! Bryce and Carly discuss their favorite tips for beating the heat while traveling around the four parks (and water parks) at Walt Disney World. Sit back, relax, and take a sip out of your favorite frozen drink on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth each pick 1 Table Service Restaurant, 1 Place to Shop, and 1 Place to Grab a Snack, thus describing their personal spectacular day at Disney Springs.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Today Rachel and Jeremiah review the 1954 Disney cinematic classic, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." This beloved take on Jules Vern’s 1870 novel has captured the hearts of many Disney fans, so Rachel and Jeremiah decided it would be fun to watch the movie and talk about it. They mention things they like and disliked, plus talk about some fun facts about making the picture and what they would do on a remake.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Splash Mountain is getting a retheme! In this week’s episode, Blake and JJ are joined by fellow Mouse House Weekly member Bryce, to discuss the recent news of Splash Mountain being rethemed as Princess and the Frog at both Disneyland and Disney World parks. They discuss the history of both the ride and the controversial film it is based on, thoughts on the retheme, any ideas for the ride, and even other rides that have had to change in the past and some that may need some change. Before getting to the main topic, they also discuss some other Disney news, like Disney Channels being shut down in the UK and Disneyland’s reopening being delayed. You can find Disneyland cast member Frederick Chamber’s ideas for the retheme here.
Wanna share your thoughts on the new retheme? Do you think that there are any other Disney attractions that should be changed or rethemed? Let us know by reaching out to us!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
A long time ago in this galaxy, one of the greatest movie sequels of all time was released. With it, our world was introduced to new characters like Yoda and Lando Calrissian that we would come to know and love as much as Han, Leia, and Luke. It also brought with it the iconic Imperial March and that much often misquoted scene revealing the identity of Luke's father.
Joined by Bradley Netherton, Colby and Darrell talk about what this movie means to them, how The Empire Strikes Back has influenced their lives, what makes the movie so great, how it influenced other Star Wars films, and how this movie holds up over the passing of 40 years.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Bryce and Carly discuss their trip to Disneyland Paris in 2015 along with some history of how the park came about and some tips for traveling to Disneyland Paris for international travelers. They also discuss differences in ride offerings, food offerings and how to navigate the park from an international traveler's point of view.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Planning a trip to Disney World and wondering how the new safety rules and crowd limitations will impact your visit? This week Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth talk about making the most of your Disney Coronacaction. With new social distancing measures in place some rides are trending up and some are trending down. Listen to this week’s episode to find out where you should head in each park this summer!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Who is the greatest Disney Animated Villain? That is a very challenging question to answer! To help determine who really is the nastiest of them all, Rachel and Jeremiah do a tournament-style bracket putting 16 top villains against each other.
Download a copy of their bracket and play along as you listen!
Disney Tip of the Week:
Disney Themed Drinks
Cold Front
Elsa’s cocktail, the Cold Front, is a gorgeous, milky-white and blue concoction that includes
- 1 part White Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 part Peppermint Schnapps
- 2 parts Milk
- 1 part Malibu
Seeing Spots
Seeing Spots, in honor of Cruella DeVille, I thought it was perfect
- 1 part Raspberry Vodka
- 1 part Chocolate Liqueur
- 2 parts Cream
More Disney inspired cocktails
Can a ride surpass the greatness of a Disney movie? In this episode, Blake and JJ discuss which rides from Disneyland and California Adventure they enjoy more than its corresponding movie. All the movie selections in this episode are available to stream on Disney+, if you want to have an opinion of your own. Before getting into the main discussion, they discuss the recent news of Disney parks opening and the limitations that will be taken, the NBA having games at Disney World, and Hamilton’s exclusive release on Disney+.
Did you disagree with the selections? Do you have a ride you enjoy better than its movie? Let us know, by reaching out to our Twitter, Instagram, Facebook group, or voice feedback line!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278
Magic Mirror on the wall, who's the best trivia nerd of all? Get ready to find out in this week's episode! Combining the game styles of Jeopardy, America Says, Name that Tune (sorta), and general trivia, we go all out in this trivia battle royale. Which hosting team do you think will come out victorious? Which single host will prove that they know more Disney trivia than any other Mouse Houser? Hit that play button to play along and find out.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
Bryce and Carly travel through all four theme parks at Walt Disney World and share their favorite all-time snacks to eat in each park. They also discuss some great snack options at the resorts and Disney Springs. Have a taste of Disney Magic on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
There are so many wonderful shows at Disney World, it's impossible to see them all in one trip. So which shows should you choose? This week Ben, Laura Beth, and Erica play a game of Love It or Leave It to help you decide which shows are the best fits for your family.
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Leave Voice Feedback: (304) 837-2278
Get Help Planning your Next Disney Vacation:
- E-mail Laura Beth or call (757) 513-0263, Facebook
- E-mail Erica or call (309) 648-4043, social media “Disney With Erica”
- E-mail Ben or call (210) 587-9695, Facebook
With the recent change in CEO at Disney from Bob Iger to Bob Chapek, it seemed like an excellent time to explore the lineage of Disney CEOs. In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Jeremiah will be paying tribute to former CEO Bob Iger and discussing the history of every Disney CEO from Roy Disney through Bob Iger.
With everyone in the world being quarantined inside their homes, Blake and JJ decided to watch a couple new movies from Disney+. Blake has JJ watch Pixar’s most recent movie, Onward, and JJ has Blake watch the nostalgic Bedknobs & Broomsticks. They come together in this week’s episode to discuss both of their thoughts on each movie. They discuss their favorite characters, their expectations before going into the movie, and whether those expectations were met. We also discuss the news of several Disney films’ releases being delayed.
Released in 1994, The Lion King became an instant box office success and spawned countless merchandise, video games, multiple television series', two sequels, and a broadway musical. The soundtrack and songs are beloved by millions, and many consider The Lion King to be the best Disney movie of all time.
So when Disney released a new photo-realistic version of The Lion King in 2019, it was obvious from the beginning that the new version had big paws to fill. The updated version also became a box office success and further solidified The Lion King as one of Disney's most beloved stories.
But which version is better? To us, the answer is both and in this week's episode Colby and Darrell take a look at places where each version stands above the other. Of course, we still have to choose a favorite version and choose which version is the king of The Lion King and which version bows to the other.
Quick service meals are a great way to grab a tasty meal when you don't have the time for a full-service restaurant. However, just because these meals are quick does not mean they are absent of nutrition and flavor. This week Bryce and Carly share their favorite quick service meals from each of the Walt Disney World parks!
Magic Kingdom
- Pecos Bill’s Menu - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/pecos-bill-tall-tale-inn-and-cafe/menus/
- Casey’s Corner Menu - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/caseys-corner/menus/
EPCOT
- Sunshine Seasons Menu - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/sunshine-seasons/menus/
- La Cantina de San Angel Menu - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/cantina-de-san-angel/menus/
Hollywood Studios
- ABC Commissary Menu - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/abc-commissary/menus/
- Sunset Ranch Market
- Catalina Eddie’s - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/catalina-eddies/menus/
- Rosie’s All-American Café – https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/rosies-all-american-cafe/menus/
Animal Kingdom
- Flame Tree BBQ Menu - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/flame-tree-barbecue/menus/
- Satu’li Canteen Menu - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/satuli-canteen/menus/
The Disney parks are currently shut down, but Erica happened to be at Disney World the day they closed. This week Ben and Laura Beth ask Erica about her recent trip to Walt Disney World. Erica talks about being in the parks right before they closed down, all the great NEW experiences she enjoyed, and why there is a lot to look forward to when they reopen. There truly is a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow shining at the end of every day!
Get Help Planning your Next Disney Vacation:
- E-mail Laura Beth or call (757) 513-0263, Facebook
- E-mail Erica or call (309) 648-4043, social media “Disney With Erica”
- E-mail Ben or call (210) 587-9695, Facebook
Connect with Mouse House Weekly:
- Facebook community
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Leave Voice Feedback: (304) 837-2278
We recently spent time at the 2020 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. This week we'll share be covering the event by sharing general info, history of the festival, and our thoughts about some of the things we tried.
General info:
2020 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
The festival includes a number of themed kiosks, each featuring food and beverages from a particular aspect of California cuisine. Other offerings include wine and beer tastings, seminars, and cooking demonstrations.
Valid Park Admission Required
February 28 - April 21, 2020
Food info:
Each kiosk’s menu is inspired by fresh, California-grown ingredients like avocados, berries, citrus, peppers and artisanal cheeses. Plus, you can also enjoy a variety of wines and locally brewed craft beers from across the Golden State.
Festival Marketplaces
Avocado Time – Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of this fleshy fruit.
Berry Patch – Say “yes” to berries in a big new way!
California Craft Brews – Quench that thirst with craft beer and appetizing bites.
Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo – Sink your teeth into finger-lickin’ bliss!
Garlic Kissed – All hail the stinking rose!
Golden Dreams – Please palates with well-seasoned eats.
I Heart Artichokes – Feast on cuisine featuring this thorny thistle!
LA Style – Gobble up some of the southland’s food-truck faves.
Nuts About Cheese – Celebrate California’s bounty with taste bud-teasing cuisine.
Off the Cob – Refuel with flavorful medleys that make your mouth sing!
One in a Melon – Nosh on nature’s super-juicy treat!
Peppers Cali-ente – Snack on hot ‘n’ spicy fare with a California twist.
Uncork California – Discover the Golden State’s wine-making artistry!
History - link
This event was inspired by the similar but much larger Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This festival was held annually from 2006 through 2010, and was cancelled in 2011 when Disney California Adventure began a period of major construction. The event returned in the spring of 2016.
The inaugural event featured two food service kiosks with 12 food offerings, each offering wine pairings and beer samples as well. The Golden Vine Winery patio hosted culinary demonstrations, wine, beer, and spirits seminars, guest sommelier education, a wine shop, and event merchandise shop.
Tips:
Sip and Savor Pass
Embark on an amazing epicurean adventure with the Sip and Savor Pass! Each pass consists of a commemorative credential, lanyard and 8 coupons redeemable for select food and beverage offerings (excluding alcohol) at participating locations during the Festival.
Each Sip and Savor Pass is $56, including tax. In addition to a special price, Annual Passholders will also receive a souvenir lanyard. To receive the Passholder price and keepsake, a valid Annual Passport and photo ID must be shown upon purchase.
The Sip and Savor Pass is available for sale at the Sip and Savor Cart, Seaside Souvenirs, Elias & Co., Kingswell Camera Shop, Rushin’ River Outfitters, Studio Store and each Festival Marketplace.
Sip and Savor offerings at these locations are tasting-size portions only, not full entrées.
Cappuccino Cart
Festival Food and Beverage Cart
Hollywood Land Churro Cart
Paradise Garden Grill
Don't tear off tab until you order:
Get the printed map
Food talk:
- Talk about what we tried
- What was our favorite?
- What did we not like?
- Anything we would change?
Disney Tip of the week:
Cool Disney Themed locations
The Tam O’ Shanter in Los Angeles, California was a popular dining spot for Walt Disney, his animators, and Imagineers. This restaurant is a must-do in Los Angeles not for its cuisine (although the food is above average), but for its rich history. In this post, we’ll take a tour of the Tam O ‘Shanter, and offer some thoughts on the food.
Walt Disney’s Los Feliz home
In 1932 Walt and Lillian had their Los Feliz home built at 4053 Woking Way, Los Angeles, CA. This is where they raised their children and became a family. The Disneys lived here from 1932 until 1950 when they moved to their Carolwood home.
Briar Rose Winery
Hyperion Studios
This is the Walt Disney Studios buildings as they appeared in the spring of 1931. The lot is located at 2701 Hyperion Ave. in Los Angeles. Today, there’s a Gelson’s Market (2725 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027) where the studio once stood and all that remains is a plaque by the city that reads:
Next time on MHW:
Ben, Laura Beth and Erica will be discussing the WDW Ticket Options.
Next time for us….Disney CEO history, tribute to Bob Iger
Follow us on Social Media
MouseHouseGSM on Twitter and Instagram
Facebook.com/groups/mousehouseGSM
Voice Mail 304-837-2278 or goldenspiralmedia.com/feedback
Disney+ has been out for a few months now, so Blake and JJ are here this week to discuss the future and ideas for Disney+! After a small discussion on a special attraction that has recently opened and a new Disney+ exclusive series in the works, your hosts discuss the content that hasn't yet appeared on Disney+ that has been personally noted by them, and what should be added to the service eventually. There is talk of how to expand on content already added to Disney+, concepts for future projects, and more discussed on this episode of Mouse House Weekly.
I know what we're going to do today! Let's get dangerous! If you're like us, a smile just appeared on your face as nostalgia flooded your brain with fond memories of "Phineas and Ferb" and "Darkwing Duck." This week Darrell and Colby take a look back at these two Disney classics and discuss what made them so great, why they are our favorite childhood Disney cartoons. We also need your help to settle the debate on which one of these shows had the better theme song. You can cast your vote on the Mouse House Weekly Facebook page.
Taking an infant or toddler to a Disney park is a debated issue. This week on Mouse House Weekly, Bryce and Carly discuss this issue and offer helpful tips on taking an infant and/or toddler to Walt Disney World. How old should your child be before you take them to Disney World? What's the best resort to stay at? What do you bring in the park with you? Where are the best places to change a diaper or breastfeed in the parks? What do you do about nap time? All these answers and more on this week's episode of Mouse House Weekly!
Helpful Links: * Grocery Delivery service * Baby Care Center Locations * First Haircut
Our Disney Travel Planners can’t stop talking Disney Resorts! Choose your favorite list as Ben, Erica, and Laura Beth each give their Fab 5 WDW Resorts. Wondering where to stay on your next WDW vacation? This is the episode for you! We break down what makes each of these a fabulous choice for budget, transportation, food, and more. Check out the podcast for all the magical details!
Get Help Planning your Next Disney Vacation:
- E-mail Laura Beth or call (757) 513-0263, Facebook
- E-mail Erica or call (309) 648-4043, social media “Disney With Erica”
- E-mail Ben or call (210) 587-9695, Facebook
Disney has given us two fantastic versions of The Parent Trap, each with great moments and unique elements. But which one is better? Jeremiah and Rachel love to make lists and rank movies, and this shoot out will be a close one! Which one do you like better, the 1961 version, or the 1998 version?
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the conclusion to the Skywalker Saga, was released in theaters just a couple of months ago. Does this mean Disney is done with Star Wars? You’d probably guess no, and you’d be correct in saying that. But what new Star Wars content do we have to look forward to? Luckily for you, this episode exists to answer that question! In this episode, your hosts Blake & JJ give you what you can expect from Star Wars in the coming years. We discuss any continuation of Star Wars in the Disney parks, the future of the Star Wars comics and books, the exciting potential of the content coming exclusively to Disney+, and speculate the possibilities of future Star Wars movies! If you thought Star Wars was over, expect to be surprised with the incredible amount of content coming to Star Wars fans.
Disneyland may be smaller than Disney World, but there are still a TON of fun things to be found. Considering all the rides, shows, attractions, and food at Disneyland and California Adventure, there’s more than can be experienced in one or even two days. So how do you make the most of your trip? We think these six tips (and one bonus tip) will help you get the most enjoyment out of your trip to Disneyland. Check out the podcast for even more details on each tip.
Tip #1: Choose a hotel CLOSE to the parks.
Tip #2: Create a list of which rides and attractions you most want to experience.
Tip #3: Invest in MAXPass.
Tip #4: Leave wiggle room in your schedule.
Tip #5: Watch the fireworks from Star Wars Land.
Tip #6: Arrive in time for rope drop.
Bonus Tip: Learn from the experts!
Who are we and why are we here? We are a group of eleven Disney enthusiasts! This week we share insights into our favorite rides, favorite Disney movies, our favorite Disney moment, and how we came to love Disney so much. We share a tip about the Disney Fast Pass system, a bit of info about each of us, and give you a little taste of what you can expect in each episode of Mouse House Weekly.