Podcast Episode 85: Mickey Mouse Revue

We take you back to an attraction and for our fans that wanted us to go way back, we are going way back. The Mickey Mouse Revue which opened October 1, 1971 last about nine years closing in the fall of 1980. How is leading us this month which only means one thing: we are going super deep into this topic. He begins by going over the homophone of Revue vs. Review and also how little…Read More...

Restored films: Early Magic Kingdom

This restored film starts off with the Riverboat floating past a very empty Frontierland. There is also a great shot of the railroad, and some nice, slow pans of the Tomorrowland entrance. Of course there is footage of the parade, and a shot down a very busy Main Street USA!   Our second film, from 1972, is silent but has some cool shots of the Treehouse and Adventureland. There is also footage of a great look...Read More...

Video tour of the Magic Kingdom and Mickey’s Starland

Our first video today is a leisurely stroll through the Magic Kingdom in 1993. Starting on Main Street USA, the video continues through Adventureland, then Frontierland and Liberty Square. There is a brief detour through the Haunted Mansion exit as well as the Columbia Harbor House. In Fantasyland, the video captures the Skyway running, as well as the queues for 20k Leagues under the Sea as well as Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. The tour wraps up...Read More...

Podcast Episode 76: The Spirit of America

This month, we take you through the glorious two-hour special that is The Walt Disney World Fourth of July Spectacular from 1988. This is a commentary on the entire special, which is on YouTube currently on many different channels. Here is the link we used: Click Here. As we go through this discussion, we look at each section, analyzing how things have changed and also how the special seems just a bit off.Read More...

RetroMagic 50 Video Release – Part 4 – Geoffrey Snider

The Swan Boat returns to Disney property! Well…sort of. In this fourth segment from RetroMagic 50, Todd speaks to Geoffrey Snider who brought his beautifully restored Swan Boat swan to our event. This was an amazing part of the weekend and we were so excited Geoffrey was able to share this with us. We hope you enjoy this interview conducted by Todd, as he goes into what made all of this possible. Enjoy!Read More...

Antique Music and Arcade Games at Walt Disney World

The following is a list of equipment bought from Paul Eakin’s Gay ’90s Village in Sikeston, MO, and sold to Disney in August 1977: Belgian Band Organ34 Whistle Steam Calliope – experimental model made by the Tos. J. NicholsSeeburg Style “H” – The largest Orchestrion made by SeeburgEncore Automatic Banjo – made in the 1890sBeale Street SpecialMr Sam – Large Wurlitzer Orchestrion from MemphisBig Bertha – Limonaire Fair Organ with 3 hand carved figuresBig Nelly –...Read More...

Restored films from Walt Disney World in 1971-1973

We are happy to share a group of videos from the first few years of operation at Walt Disney World. Many of the films we receive contain some common shots – a parade, the jungle cruise, and usually some skyway footage. These are no exception but we’ll point out a few highlights along the way In this film, we start in the car ride to the Contemporary with a nice shot of the monorail running alongside...Read More...

Video: An Evening in the Vacation Kingdom of the World

Spend a beautiful evening in the vacation kingdom of the world in this souvenir film. After seeing the entertainment on Main Street USA, there are some scenes from the Mickey Mouse Revue show. Then the film takes us to Tomorrowland for a bit of the Carousel of Progress and a live performance from the Tomorrowland Terrace. There are also some scenes from the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion. As any good evening does, the...Read More...

Films: A Trip Back to 1971

As Walt Disney World continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary, we are pleased to share two restored videos from its earliest days of operation. The first video explores Main Street USA, and the park-like setting of the early Magic Kingdom. There are some great shots of the parade, as well.   The second video is a bit longer, and is from December when the Magic Kingdom is well-decorated for Christmas. There are a few shots from...Read More...

Podcast Episode 73: Happy New Year!

Welcome to Episode 73 of the RetroWDW Podcast: Happy New Year!– We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows from over the years. We have visited multiple parks, resorts, and just about everything else in between. We are back with a full episode and our first release of 2022.  Listener Mail The mailbag is back for 2022 and we are...Read More...