Into The Disneyverse:: Recent Episodes
Into the Disneyverse
Join our historians as they cover everything form iconic park rides to amazing restaurants, glamorous resorts, and so much more. You never know what you learn when you step inside the Disneyverse.
We want to wish Isabella a happy 10th birthday by posting a special bonus episode of Into the Disneyverse. In this episode, we sit down with Isabella to talk about her favorite Disney things across the parks, and what she'd like to do the next time we go.
Show Notes:
- Pin trading is the number one thing to do at Disney, hands down!
- There should be a pretzel badge for those who have devoured a pretzel in every park
- Flight of Passage is the best ride at Animal Kingdom (sorry gorillas)
- The Tiana Bayou ride better have that 50 ft drop, or we riot. just kidding. We'll still ride it.
Overall thoughts:
Disney is pretty amazing and Bob Igor should hire Tandy and Jess to do some fun in-the-parks shows for them. They are available.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
In this bonus episode, we discuss our Top 5 favorite Disney Springs things and our wishlist for Season 2.
Show notes:
- Disneyland is in Orange County, not LA County, so Tandy meant Anaheim, not Los Angeles.
- There are 4 Splitsville locations and you can find everything about them here.
- Buy tickets for Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life, here.
- Here is a Disney Springs walkthrough, in case you're going on your first trip, and want to get your bearings before you go.
- We mentioned "Things overheard at Disney," well now you can enjoy them like us by watching it here.
- You can visit the official Disney Springs website for info on all the restaurants, stores, and more, here.
Overall thoughts:
Disney Springs has something for everyone, including bowling at Splitsville lanes, shopping at the world's largest Disney store, licking the best Dole Whip at Swirls on the Water, drinking at Wine Bar George, smelling your favorite ride in the shape of a candle at Bowes Signature Candles, eating some delicious Gluten-Free fried fish at Raglan Road, and making your very own Build-a-Dino at T-Rex Restaurant.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Thanks for sticking with us through Season 1. We'll take a break after this, and be back in late 2023 with all new episodes of Into the Disneyverse. Thanks for listening, and catch you next time!
Join us as we trek through the jungles of Africa to come face to face with one of the most graceful apes on Earth, the Gorilla. Today, we're exploring Animal Kingdom's Gorilla Falls Exploration Trails.
Show notes:
- When we say experiments, we mean observation and research.
- When Tandy said more seating, we realized this conflicted with Jess's thoughts on the good amount of seating along the trails. Tandy meant she wished there was more seating specifically by the Gorillas to sit and watch them...for hours.
- Here is a YouTube video about Gino.
- More information about the Disney Conservation Fund, can be found here.
Overall thoughts:
This is a great walkthrough to stretch your legs, gain some knowledge, escape thrill rides (if you're not into that kind of thing), and experience animals rare to most zoo's in America, Gorillas. Kids will love the ride. Parents will love drinking coffee and taking a seat to enjoy the ambiance of the forest.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. Additional sound effects by felix.blume and Fedor_Ogon, also from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Join us as we sit under the stars and watch sci-fi movies and cartoons from the comfort of our 1950s car. We're dining at Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant in Hollywood Studios. Grab a shake and some fries as we discuss the history, food, and pro-tips on one of our favorite themed restaurants.
Show Notes:
- You will need a reservation to eat at this restaurant. You can book up to 60 days in advance on the My Disney Experience App.
- Pro-tip: Instead of a meal, try getting a reservation for a special snack time. Order an appetizer or a shake as you rest in the A/C, and spend your bigger meal elsewhere.
- Bring a sweater, it can get chilly in this restaurant.
- We forgot to mention our resources, so here they are:
- Enter
Our thoughts on Sci-Fi Dine-In:
We really loved this restaurant. It has a special place in Jess's heart, who grew up coming to this place as a kid. While disappointed that the children didn't prefer it, it's still a one-of-a-kind themed restaurant that we recommend giving a chance the next time you're at Hollywood Studios.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Welcome to the Cosmos, a universe of good and evil. Join Jess, Tandy, and a rag-tag space crew led by the infamous Captain EO, as they explore this 3D spectacular, complete with lasers, fog, and crotch gyrations.
Show Notes:
- The movie is about a small ragtag space crew led by Michael Jackson’s, Captain EO, as they set out to bring the Supreme Leader, played by Angelica Huston, the gift of song to bring light back to her world. If you've never seen Captain EO, you're in for a treat. Pop some popcorn, park it on the couch, and watch it here.
- Everyone and their brother-in-law worked on this production, and if you'd like to see just how this film was made, you can watch it here.
- For a time, this movie was the most costly movie made at $1-2 million dollars per minute.
- Jess said Steven Speilberg won an Oscar for The Color Purple. While the film was nominated, it lost to Out of Africa.
Our thoughts on Captain EO:
We loved this growing up as children, and were sad to see it turn into Honey I Shrunk the Audience. While Tandy got to see it in EPCOT during the Captain EO Tribute, Jess has had to rewatch on Youtube. Disney should consider merchandising for the die-hard fans.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex. Additional music by rhodesmas. Both can be found on Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Journey into Your Imagination. Journey into Imagination. Journey into Imagination with Figment. Whatever version of this ride you may have experienced, join Jess & Tandy as they take a trip down memory lane at the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) and talk Figment.
Show Notes:
- Honey I Shrunk the Kids was Disney property
- Here is the ride from 1991. Here is the ride from 1998. Here is the ride in 2015. Here is the ride from 2022. Now you're just as confused as the rest of us.
- We do a call out to Bob Chapek in this episode. At the time of recording, Disney had not done the Bob shuffle yet, which is why we call out Chapek and not Igor. That said, Mr. Igor we are always available to join the Imagineers.
- The Data:
- Ride length:
- Average wait time:
Our thoughts on Figment:
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Join us on today's episode as we explore this defunct Disney ride based on the classic novel by Jules Verne and the 1954 adaptation starring Kirk Douglas. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage is one of Jess & Tandy’s favorite rides, which they each rode as kids on separate coasts.
Show Notes:
- Disney Tokyo Sea has a version of the ride. Tandy says it won’t give you the nostalgia fix, but it’s still a cool ride nonetheless.
- The rapper referenced who dressed as Princess Kida from Atlantis: The Lost Empire, was Doja Cat.
- This ride was definitely an Emotional Rope Drop Decision (#ERDD) when it was in existence. While popular, the ride was rarely busy and expensive to maintenance, which led to its ultimate demise.
- Youtube of the ride at Disneyland can be found here. Video of the ride at Magic Kingdom can be found here.
Our thoughts on Submarine Voyage:
This fun ride had something for everyone. While we don't remember waiting in super long lines, there was A/C, mermaids, sea creatures, and the thrill of taking a ride on a submarine. It was also a ride Jess and her older brother could actually agree on. While we wouldn’t rate it a 10/10, it was a fun and enjoyable ride.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Your room is ready! Join Jess & Tandy as they discuss one of Jess's favorite rides at Hollywood Studios--The Tower of Terror. Twilight Zone inspired with technology that would inspire any Science Fiction novel, this Disney ride is sure to please any thrill seeker.
Show Notes:
- We're not good at explaining the science, so hear it from people better than us here.
- Watch a commercial from 1994 for Tower of Terror here. And if you're really looking to watch the Tower of Terror movie starring Steve Gutenberg and Kirsten Dunst, you can find it here.
- Remember, whenever you see 13 minutes on the wait time for this ride, it means there is no wait.
- We mentioned Paris' Tower of Terror in this episode as being under refurbishment. The ride has since reopened and has three new Tower of Terror storylines, including The Malevolent Machine, The Shaft Creatures, and the 5th Dimension.
- The data:
- Ride length: 3-5 minutes
- Average wait time: 45 - 63 minutes
Our thoughts on Tower of Terror:
This continues to be a ride favorite. We rode this on our recent trip to Disney in December 2022. We were spotting all the details from our research. Shout out to the greatest cast member at Tower of Terror, TJ, whose elevator we had the pleasure of falling on.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex. Additional music by koryc. Both can be found on Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Grab your Pepsi, keep all arms and legs inside the boat, and remember to thank Joan Crawford when you disembark. In today's episode, we talk about It's a Small World. A favorite ride for many (mostly our parents) thanks to the sitting and the A/C. A loathed ride for some thanks to that beloved Sherman Brother's song.
Show Notes:
- The It's a Small World cartoon referenced in the episode can be found here. Also, if you want to hear the famous Sherman Brothers song in a minor key, click here.
- One of the oldest rides at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, this ride was one of the most popular rides at the New York World's Fair in 1964.
- Ride Data:
- Ride Length: 15 minutes
- Average wait time: 24 minutes
- Beware! People have been known to get stuck on this ride for hours, but don't attempt to get off. If you fall into the water you may end up part of the collection.
- Attractions that Disney contributed to the 1964 World’s Fair:
- Pepsi-Cola Presents Walt Disney's “It’s a Small World”
- General Electric Presents "Progressland", which would become Carousel of Progress at Disney World
- Ford Motor Company presents "Ford's Magic Skyway", which would become the People Mover in Disney World and the Disney Railroad at Disneyland
- “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” at the Illinois pavilion, which exists in Disneyland today
- Obviously, we do not consider this a #RRDD. For us, it is not a #ERDD, but we acknowledge it is for some. But seriously, who is rope dropping this one?
Our thoughts on It's a Small World:
While not our favorite ride, this ride is a must for anyone visiting Disney for the first time. It's design bore a new type of ride system that gave us rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Na'vi River Journey.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Join us on a tour through the only haunted house Jess will ever enter: The Haunted Mansion.
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Show notes:
- Here is the link to the 1965 episode of Disney’s Wonderful World of Color that we mention in the episode
- Ride facts (these are for Disney World only via Thrilldata.com):
- Ride length: 10 minutes
- Average wait time: 38 minutes
- This ride is an Emotional Rope Drop Decision (ERDD) Ride. Jess can’t bring herself to make an ERDD ever so she would still choose to rope drop Jungle Cruise or Peter Pan and then hightail it over to Haunted Mansion. #RRDD
- Jess mentioned that Paul Frees sang “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch.” This is not accurate, it is Thurl Ravenscroft who sang Grim Grinning Ghosts on the ride. That said, for those interested, Paul Frees DID voice the Jolly Green Giant in the Green Giant vegetable commercials and also did a lot of voice work in Rankin/Bass animation.
- The men in the Haunted Mansion are referred to as “Butlers.”
- Also the game in Wreck it Ralph was called Fix It Felix Jr.
Our thoughts on Haunted Mansion:
This is a must do for us, a 10/10 rated ride. Come for the scares, stay for the laughs, enjoy your time in the incredible queue, take in the amazing ambience.
And do not leave loved one’s ashes at the Haunted Mansion or WDW, period. That’ll get you banned for life, my friend. Or stuck in Disney Jail.
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex. Haunted sound effects provided by 2887679652. Both can be found on Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Grab your rum, strike yer colors, and set sail with us on a swashbuckling voyage to a time when Pirates ruled the seas as Tandy walks us through her favorite ride.
Show Notes:
- Here is the link to the 1968 episode of Disney's Wonderful World of Color that we mention in the episode
- Tandy asked for a candle and while Disney is still not selling them (HUGE mistake), we were able to find a Pirate's candle here for those of you interested (Tandy does not endorse this candle as it is not made by Disney).
- The “Boring Stuff” that Jess makes Tandy include (Disney World only via Thrill-data.com):
- Ride Length: 8.5 Minutes
- Average Wait Time: 32 Minutes
- This ride is an Emotional Rope Drop Decision (ERDD) Ride, and Tandy would totally make an ERDD on it.
- Tandy referred to the system used in Pirates as the Bateux, but that is the boat. The system is the Flume System.
Our thoughts on Pirates of the Caribbean:
This is a top ride at any park and is a 10/10 in our book. That said, we would not use Genie+ on this and certainly not purchase Genie+ for this ride. Bottom line: Go on this ride, enjoy the queue, smell all of the wonderful smells and enjoy!
Music from this episode was created by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Join us at the happiest, most magical place on earth as our historians Jess & Tandy explore their beginnings at Disney World and Disneyland. In this episode, we talk about all of our favorite Disney Park things and why we rate this as one of our favorite places on this planet. Listen to Jess wax nostalgic about road trips to Disney World in the 80’s and 90’s (where are my fellow Horizons lovers at???) and why Tandy will always be an Emotional Rope Drop Rider. #ERDD.
Show notes
- We’re all shocked that Jess & her brothers survived all of those road trips to Disney World
- C’mon guys, let’s make “E-Ticket” a thing again!
- Do not ride Kali River Rapids before going to Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom unless you have spare clothes. They love their A/C in Florida.
- We say one of the roles you can have on Smuggler’s Run is “Electrician”... we meant Engineer. Shame on us.
- Everyone should go watch (and rewatch) the Pirates of the Caribbean movies
- T-Rex is grossly underrated and a top tier restaurant
- It was mentioned that Captain EO did not have seats--the waiting area had no seats, but the theaters definitely had seats.
The music in this episode was brought to you by Sclolex from Freesound.org. All Disney property belongs to Disney. We are merely appreciative fans.
Welcome to our podcast, Into the Disneyverse. Join our historians, Jess & Tandy, as they cover everything from iconic park rides to amazing restaurants, glamorous resorts, and so much more. You never know what you might learn when you step inside the Disneyverse.