Podcast

Podcast Episode 92: Meet the Japan Pavilion

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Join us in this captivating episode of the RetroWDW Podcast as we explore the rich history of the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT. From its stunning architecture to the immersive cultural experiences it offers, we delve into the origins and evolution of this beloved destination. Discover how the pavilion has celebrated Japanese traditions, cuisine, and artistry over the years, while also examining its significance within the broader context of EPCOT's mission to promote international understanding.Read More...

LBVHS

LBVHistory Announces 2024 Holiday Ornament: Fort Wilderness Pine

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The team at The Lake Buena Vista Historical Society has been hard at work creating a special holiday ornament or decor adornment, whatever you fancy, for 2024! We present The Fort Wilderness Pine! Donate to Reserve your Fort Wilderness Pine! Did you know the original Fort Wilderness sign replicated a cut pine tree? Now Lake Buena Vista Historical Society has replicated this in an ornament so you can hang a pine on your pine! This ornament...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 91: Contests at Walt Disney World

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For our main topic this month, we decided to dig into the always-present and always-sought-after contest connecting to Walt Disney World. If we all think back, I am sure you all have seen, heard of, or attempted to win some sort of contest either at Walt Disney World or at home trying to win a trip to WDW. JT takes the lead on this one and begins with the group telling us about a contest they…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 90: Computers at Walt Disney World

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Brian takes this lead for this episode and we are super excited to get into all of the areas where computers innovated and impacted the first couple decades at Walt Disney World. After awhile, computers became common all over, but through the 70s & 80s, these innovative pieces of tech helped WDW in many ways. We start off with some pre-opening documentation, which is on DisneyDocs. RCA had a huge plan for the communication system of…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 89.5: A Chat With Foxx Nolte

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Welcome back to another episode and this time, we have a special guest for this 'half episode', Foxx Nolte. Foxx has been in the Disney community for years and has been a trailblazer in all things Disney history. For this episode, we are excited to have the 'Queen of Lake Buena Vista' joining us to talk all about her latest book, Hidden History of Walt Disney World. This book is filled with a treasure trove of…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 89: Pleasure Island Part IV

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Welcome to Episode 89 of the RetroWDW Podcast: Pleasure Island Part IV – 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. Listener Mail We open the mailbag monthly and are ready to hear from you. Be sure to reach out with questions, stories,...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 88: Back to the Future – The Ride

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Welcome to Episode 88 of the RetroWDW Podcast: Back to the Future – The Ride – 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. Listener Mail We open the mailbag monthly and are ready to hear from you. Be sure to reach out...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 87.5: Interview With Jim “Mr. Christmas” Heffelfinger

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This mini-episode is a compliment to our 2022 holiday episode.  We promised we’d eventually track down the fellow responsible for bringing the Lights of Winter to EPCOT Center.  Brian and Todd talk to Jim Heffelfinger whose 20 year career with Walt Disney World began as stage manager at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review at Pioneer Hall (where he met and shares a great story about our friend Billy Flanigan). Over the next two decades he...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 87: Hungry For Hollywood

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Welcome to Episode 87 of the RetroWDW Podcast: Hungry For Hollywood – 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. Listener Mail We open the mailbag monthly and are ready to hear from you. Be sure to reach out with questions, stories, memories,...Read More...

LBVHS

LBVHistory Announces 2023 Holiday Ornament: Horizons Butler Robot

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The team at The Lake Buena Vista Historical Society has been hard at work creating a special holiday ornament or decor adornment, whatever you fancy, for 2023! We present The Horizons Butler Robot! Donate to Reserve your Horizon Butler Robot! EPCOT Center’s legendary Horizons attraction looked back at how people in the past imagined the future – complete with their own robot butler. While Neiman Marcus and Hammacher Schlemmer may not be selling robot butlers yet,...Read More...