Episode 83: The Disney Institute

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In this episode, we head back to the mid-1980s when Michael Eisner took a vacation at The Chautauqua Institution and decided to bring its blend of enrichment, entertainment, and fun back to Florida, adding a "uniquely Disney" touch. Originally conceived to be part of the Disney Development Corporation's "Celebration" project, The Disney Institute opened in February of 1996 on the site of the former Lake Buena Vista Townhouses/The Disney Village Resort, offering "Discovery Vacations" where guests…Read More...

Antique Music and Arcade Games at Walt Disney World

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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...

Podcast Episode 59.5 – Haunted Mansion with Kat Cressida

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Kat Cressida is a renowned voice actress and respected Disney historian whose connection with Disney began with her father’s work with WED and Disneyland in the 1970s. She is known not only for bringing characters to life in Disney Parks (“Little Girl Lost” in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story’s Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl in shows and attractions worldwide and Constance Hatchaway, the ‘Black Widow Bride’ in The Haunted Mansion) but also for top...Read More...

Relive EPCOT Center’s World of Motion in 3D sound

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Test Track may be thrilling, but the attraction which preceded it, World of Motion, was the unadulterated spirit of Disney through and through. Although solely attributed to Ward Kimball, the attraction contains many humorous scenes designed by Marc Davis using his trademark style of show scenes punctuated by audioanimatronic figures making subtle movements. It's the robotic equivalent of today's Cinemagraph photography.Read More...

Listen to Vincent Price host Disney-MGM’s Sorcery In The Sky fireworks show

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Long before the giant Mickey sorcerer's hat sat in front of Disney's Hollywood Studio's reproduction of the Chinese Theater, a giant inflatable sorcerer Mickey once rose above the building nightly. The park's nighttime fireworks spectacular, "Sorcery In The Sky," ran from 1990 to 1997, but this version, narrated by Vincent Price, was only used until the horror film icon's death in 1993.Read More...