Is Magic Kingdom still Magical?

With the Liberty Square Riverboat gone and construction walls taking over, many fans are asking – does the Magic Kingdom still feel magical in 2025? 🏰Join us as we dive into:• The impact of refurbishments and construction walls• Whether the missing Riverboat changes the atmosphere• How crowd levels and updates affect the “magic”• Your stories and experiences in the chat.

Enjoy the show!

Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Welcome friends across the world, it's good to be back and
do we have a Wednesday show for you?
As always we'll try to be positive and obviously very
British in our views. However, the burning question
we're posing for everyone, is Magic Kingdom still magical?
Join the live chat, share your own views as it certainly does

(00:25):
promise to be the wildest ride in the wilderness.
Although I must say, at least we're open for business and
that's not welcome to the great British Mickey Waffle Live.

(01:02):
Welcome everyone, and thanks forjoining us either live right now
or on the catch up on YouTube D on the podcast version of the
show, which drops into your podcast playlist on a Friday
morning. I'm joined by Ben and Becca, who
know that they'll have their hands full to avoid me having a
rat from the outsets and I'm I'mdefinitely not going to have a
rat. I'm going to be positive it's

(01:25):
I'm going to do that. How are you guys anyway?
Yeah, yeah, we're good. It's I was just going to let you
around to be fair. Because I could get it out of
the way now. Well, some people have tuned in
a few minutes time while some notifications come back on
YouTube or. Just it'll.
Be over podcast. But.
No, no, we're going to be positive.
Yes, we're going. To try.
Yeah, I think we have to. I've got the right beverage for

(01:48):
tonight just in case on the sideon SO.
That was a start, you know, is tell how long the week has been.
It depends on what you decide touse for the, for the show on the
Wednesday night. I'm on the side too as well.
I think it's, it's been a long, it's been a long week.

(02:10):
You know when you're, you know when you're away and like time
completely flies and yet you come home, you're back at work
and it's just like every week islike, it's just, it gets worse.
Anyway, I won't start that one because it's only two.
It's just far too depressing. I know where it's rather big, so
I. Think we'll, I think I post for
some on our Instagram page and anyone's not following us, but

(02:31):
that TV came up on all the socials.
But I remember on Sunday postingjust a picture of Eccrot, I
think it was, or just some and just I know I'd rather be there
than yeah in the UK. Yeah, I think that sums it up
perfectly. It really does.
I'll tell you what we'll do. And before we go totally into

(02:53):
the the show mode and things like that, I'm going to, we're
going to pick up on little little bits because the past
couple of weeks, once we come back from holiday, we've missed
a little bit of Disney news and stuff like that.
And I quite enjoy starting the show with that because it gets
us up to date and up to speed with what's happening.
But you have both got a little bit of a, a challenge ahead in
the next couple of weeks as well, haven't, haven't you?

(03:14):
So we'll do, we'll do a little bit, we'll do a bit of plugging
and then we'll do a bit of news and then we'll go for, then
we'll go for the ransom. I'll loosen myself up a bit, you
know. So tell us what you've got.
Yes, I come up on the 27th of September.
We are going to be in London walking 20 kilometers raising
money for the Multiple SclerosisSociety.

(03:36):
Superb. Hopefully we're going to have
some British English weather andwe won't need the umbrellas.
Fingers crossed. As long as it doesn't rain, I
don't care what the weather's doing.
Yeah, yeah. It's a course that's quite close
to us and we did it last year and we've set a personal best,
so never wanted to see if we canbeat it this year.

(03:57):
Oh, that. 'D be great, but.
What I'll do I'll put the just giving link in the chat that'd.
Be great because actually. It's so on our show.
Notes. And then we'll put in one.
Donate, feel free. Yeah, we appreciate.
That it actually is such a good cause.
And I think for you guys especially, it's it's something
close to your heart. So yeah.

(04:18):
No, I haven't. That's if anyone's wondering.
And, and the sneezes and and, and the tiredness that hits you,
which you can't actually stop whatsoever.
So yeah, I think it's, I think it's really important that
people, you know, know that you're actually doing this.
And I think that's that's such abrilliant thing that people can

(04:39):
actually support and things likethat.
So. If for those who've got a pen
and paper handy, the the links on the screen, but I'll put it
in the show notes as well so that people can click on it.
And if you want to donate, even if you share it out, that that
means a lot to us. Yeah, no, brilliant.
Second blatant plug in just waiting because massive

(05:02):
aircrafts just overhead them. We're not on our flight path
that sounds. That's a wizard.
That's. That's really, yeah.
I might check if we go quiet. I'm on flight radar at the
moment. So on Monday, where our latest
podcast was out and it's a Waffle Junior production.
And I've got to say what an engaging and actually inspiring

(05:24):
listen it was, helped by always by nice guy Zac Brown providing
his cultural attache advice in abundance.
But Josh and Marg, really, they give you a completely different
perspective. And actually they're already
planning their next show, which is really good because actually,
you know, this one, this one wasI've got, I've got to say,

(05:44):
normally I listen to podcasts and I'll fall asleep halfway
through and then I listen to thenext.
I actually couldn't stop listening.
It was so good. And they take us to the bass pro
shops. They go to the Waffle House,
which is always well worth a listen.
And, and what was really nice was the fact that the response

(06:04):
to the show notes that Josh had put up and then some of the
posts that morgues put up as well on Facebook and also under
Waffle's arms. The interaction has been so, so
brilliant. It really has.
And I really, I take my hat off to the two of them because in
some ways I think, I think we'retrying to work out they'd
probably be on about 5 or 6 shows over six years, but

(06:28):
they're absolutely naturals. And so I was more taken by the
fact that they make it seem completely effortless.
And I remember editing it beforeand we went on holiday and I
remember listening to them and this is a really good show.
And then it was like, I just reminded when it went live on
Monday that I'm going to listen to this again.
It's like it's made me think that we need to have a visit to

(06:49):
the bass pro shops. Not too sure on Waffle House,
but. I wasn't even sure what the Bass
Pro Shops was. Yeah, Oh dear.
I think, I think there's plans afoot between Josh and Mark to
get Claire in there as well. So that'll be fun.
But The funny thing is they actually touch upon something

(07:12):
that I know will come up in the next podcast as well.
So, you know, when you think of things and you're like, you're
talking about them and this was like this, this happens kind of
completely by accident. So I'll keep everyone waiting.
But the good people who went to Garden Go mentioned twice in two
podcasts, which is which is quite something and completely

(07:33):
accidental. Although maybe maybe you should
say we did on purpose because actually, you know, we were
thinking that for. Organized.
Yeah, it's. All.
Part of the plan. Some plan.
Might not be our plan. Exactly right.
So that's the podcast and we've been a little bit out of sync in

(07:54):
the past two shows. I only missed many people in the
chat last week because actually I know that people have caught
up on things about our trip and also about Epic, but we actually
knew last week there would be quite a lot of spoilers for
many. So we do apologise for that.
Be assured there will be no spoilers in this one.
You can be, you can be glad to hear, but we're going to start,

(08:17):
we're going to start with some Disney news because we haven't
done the news for a while and there's been so much news.
So shall we play the news? Well, I'll come in, run Burgundy
mode when we come. Back, I'm ready to play the
video. That video works so badly for

(08:43):
those listening to the podcast on a Friday.
Absolutely. It just wakes it wakes them up.
That's what it is. Or if you're at the gym, it's
like, oh, the news is on upset. I'll just I'll put your music
on. Anyway, I'm going to start with
some sad news and actually news that came today from Animal
Kingdom. They announced the passing of
Gino, the 44 year old western lowland gorilla.

(09:07):
And I've got to say, I was really saddened by this because
not just because it was always one of the great things to
actually go watch on the trails.And I know that those people who
have worked in conservation, Animal Kingdom, they spoke so
highly of Gino and just so passionately about them as a as

(09:28):
a gorilla. And again, if you're ever, if
you've got Disney Plus, go back and watch.
I can't remember what the name of the series was.
Magic of animal Kingdom. So on.
And he gets a shout all of his own.
But some of those cast members were absolutely incredible, so.
A huge part of the park I just. Every time we bought through
Gorilla Films, yeah. Well, I'm assuming I don't know

(09:52):
for certain, but I'm assuming he's been there since opening.
Yeah, he has been there 30 years.
So. Again, just and games.
He was an opening day attraction.
Yeah, yeah. And I think that that again,
makes it a little bit more sad as well.
And yeah, yeah, I know, I know. Again, I know we've said this in
the past that some people might not even know that there's

(10:14):
animals that actually still reside there.
Yeah. But to be honest, he actually,
yeah, he's out. He's lived a fine life.
He's. I think he's he's fathered 14
offsprings. Yeah.
I think that's. Three of which I think are still
living at Animal Kingdom. Yes.
And that's again, that's where you you move that whole thing on

(10:36):
and you can actually see what what they're trying to do with
actually the whole conservation bit.
Don't shoot me down. I know some people don't like
animals being kept in places, but we'll move on from that very
quickly. But yeah, I'll start with the
sad news and then we're going to, we're going to hit it with
the absolutely incredible news. Let's.
Just stick with animal Kingdom though, definitely.
Stick with Animal Kingdom and we'll go.

(10:59):
Yeah, because friend and friend of the show and she was so
thrilled with this. She was, she actually had sent
me a little video about two weeks ago, but actually unboxing
this thing. And she just didn't know how to
react and respond properly untilthis week, which is which is

(11:19):
really, really interesting because, you know, I know we'll
get Katie on the on the show again.
She wants to come back. But she just like she's become a
real a true friend for all of us.
And actually, we were so thrilled, just the news that
she'd been given the legacy aboard and that one on top of.
And we'll probably come back andtalk about Grayson later in the

(11:40):
show. Now, Grayson, he plays piano at
Casey's Corner, also had this award, but he put his stuff
straight onto socials. So people had known for about a
week about Grayson, and yet Katie had sat and just just
held, held a time. And then when it came out, it
was just on my word. It was just so it was such a

(12:02):
brilliant thing. So two people.
And that the Legacy award itselfis actually, I think it's
something that I think any cast member when you, when you've
worked for a few years, it's that you get a different name
badge. It's a blue badge, which is
shiny big new blue, blue badge. And it's it's got legacy award

(12:24):
on it. And I just think for both.
And it's the three words. It's to dream, create and
inspire. Yeah.
And it's, I remember also someone else that got the Legacy
award earlier in the year and was a photographer from
Hollywood studios. Yes.
And I cannot remember. But when I saw that and and just

(12:49):
looked more into what the blue legacy sort of meant and then
like understanding from a cast member perspective.
And then obviously with like theofficer morgue last year, being
working for the Disney company and being cast members for a few
months. And it's just that that's the
dedication and and what they do.And there's not a time that we
go to Magic Kingdom that I'm notlooking for grace.
And then the same with Animal Kingdom that hoping we can see

(13:11):
Finding Nemo and see Katie. Yeah.
It's just something now with thewith the with the blue tag,
you're going to notice. Yeah, I think that's the thing
with Katie though, it's because she's actually in costume.
You'll never see, you'll never see the name badge, but it means
so much to her. And whereas we never see her
with the name tag on. And this is this is a bizarre

(13:33):
thing because you actually assume that this is the only
role. She actually has a job.
She works three separate jobs only doing Finding Nemo and as
Dory. But she actually works for the
educational part of Disney, which is a lot of which is
backstage and involves training cast members, dealing with

(13:55):
people who are coming in either on basic from schools and
colleges, etcetera and universities.
We're actually trying to relay to them the values of Disney as
well. And I think quite a lot of the
part with her will come from that.
And then the third job she has is a completely, completely
separate job, but it's on them more, more of a more of a

(14:19):
management kind of thing, but not for Disney and actually
works freelance. And I don't know she has time I.
Was going to say it sounds like she's.
Very warranty lady. Well, we sat down with her and
said, look, I really want you tocome back on the show.
I said, well, I kind of said, but just, and that was after
saying, where do you want to go for?
We went for drinks, we went to Nomad Lounge and but she gave me

(14:44):
a list of about 8 different places and in truly styly, I
just turned around and I you choose, I'm totally, completely
indecisive, which I knew she'd hate because she's not very
decisive either. So it became it became a
starting point for the conversation.
But oh, goodness, it was just, yeah.

(15:04):
And yeah, just a lovely person. Such an amazing accolade.
And yeah, a sense of pride for both of them.
And I'm going to move us on because I could talk about Katie
and stuff, like all all night, but I won't give that away.
We'll get we will get her back on the show.
And now in the past few days we've seen Tron turning from

(15:28):
blue to red, which for anyone who's listening and watching in
the Liverpool area, but the Derby game this weekend, that
would that would maybe cause a little bit of a problem in that
city with regarding football teams.
So. I think it's a really good thing
for Dizzy to do something different.
Yeah, I do. When they announced, it was
really unexpected. I hadn't thought that it would

(15:50):
be something they do. Oh, the lights are there, though
they won't change them. It'll be as it is.
The promotion for their new promfilm?
Yeah. Yeah, which which is out.
They can. They might as well.
So. Do you think moving forward and
that could be something in it, you could kind of you could
change it night by night. Yes, I think you should get it,

(16:10):
yeah. Give them tames.
That's an interesting thing, what they could do.
I've just got this vision of like Disney sort of capitalizing
like advertising revenue and you're going to get just like as
you go on Tron, just on just different companies sort of
promoting. Yeah, there you go.
And give them ideas. Yeah.
Well, yeah, Yeah, we're just. We're still good red and blue.

(16:33):
Let's trademark that just now. And yeah, if it doesn't happen,
we'll us we'll just go for the 10%.
Ben, That's all right. If it does happen, let's have
the GBMW logo and maybe our maybe our theme tune as well.
Hey, that'll be good. I think I was there.
That leaves us. That leaves us perfectly into
the next bit of news, because onthe 21st of September, because

(16:54):
of the lyrics within the song, September Guardians will play
only one song. The Best Song.
No, I hate September, I really do.
We've had September. We have a September but we've
not had it since. Really.
Actually, I keep getting it. I I think it's, it's having

(17:15):
revenge on me for having to go. Home we need we need to go back
and. Yeah, we still need to get 2.
Songs, yeah. Yeah.
We'll get there eventually. Yeah, exactly.
I think that's that's the only other one, but definitely.
Won't go on the 21st of September because I've already
gone. That's one.
Yeah, I'm, yeah, I just, I thought they could have been a
bit more original. Yeah, but that's another show.

(17:38):
I'll make a note of that music, that songs that we should have
on Guardians. Yeah, well, I could make a whole
show, but we wouldn't. Play with other attractions as
well. What songs should they put on
the new Muppets right of case through Hollywood studios?
Oh. Yeah.
Yeah, there we go there you go that's a planning meeting for
this month Dun and dusty. Yeah there you go Don't tell
Robin and Simon and upset we're sorting for next month and gun

(18:02):
of rooms on Disney YouTube. They're showing the 2nd and the
Imagineer that series with Tom-tom Morrow 2.0 investigating
how do Imagineers make mountainsAnd I've got to say when I saw
this just it just pinged up on my phone, I thought, oh, what
great idea for a show that is, it's brilliant.

(18:24):
So again, and this is only the second in the series of
Imagineer that, but it's absolutely brilliant to go and
have it once we've finished. Don't go now we.
Obviously say I haven't had a chance to watch this series yet.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then they've had one
recently about cast. Yeah.

(18:46):
So, yeah, well worth a watch. Anyway, I've lasted about 20
minutes when I go in there. So I'm going, I'm going to go
from mountains. It leads us seamlessly into the
mountains of stuff in Magic Kingdom.
So is Magic Kingdom still magical?
Answers on a postcard. If you're in the chat, join in

(19:07):
the fun because I'm going to delve delve in to the question
that I kind of I've been wantingto share since we came back
because actually it's it's just at the moment, visually, Magic
Kingdom is just a place where it'll break your heart.

(19:28):
Just looking at the rivers of America and just the plywood
boards that just sort of line somuch of the park and you just
think who's who who actually signed this off And also they're
not really done an awful lot. So let's, let's look at the
logistics of this. Could they not have done more of

(19:49):
the backstage stuff and actuallyeven just kept that area, you
know, with a given the fact it'ssummer.
So you've got a little bit more air and you've got a queue line
for Haunted Mansion, which when we first turned up was
absolutely like a it was like a sauna.
And it was, no, it was awful. No, there you go.

(20:12):
That's a nice nice photo as well.
That was the picture we took on our first time magic.
It was awful. It was.
And. What I don't understand is why
they've boarded up half of it and left half of it open for
everyone to see. What's the point?
Yeah. What the irony is, though, last
week there was a picture shared I think in on blogmickey.com.
And because of typical Florida weather, and that had been

(20:36):
recently drained, it started to fill itself back up and the
pumps were covered in water thatwas supposed to be taking all
the water out. So maybe Mother Nature's way of
going like, no, we're keeping the water where it's supposed to
be. I can't be a difficult
challenge. But also begs the question, and
this is this is where the engineering side of this comes

(20:58):
in. That actual piece of Magic
Kingdom actually drained away anawful lot of surface water from
the park itself. So you know, if if you actually
look at where it is, it's actually taking a lot of that
rainwater and the and the stormwater when it drains from

(21:20):
basically from that whole side of the park.
Because even when even when you look towards Peter Pan and small
world, there is a slight, there's a slope as you're going
up towards them. So again, all that rainwater
heads to the lowest point and yeah, this is a bit of
frustrates me because you reallyfeel that there should have been

(21:43):
a lot more thought before they even started, sort of.
I think it's probably not the point where they need to start
it and it's probably going to bea long process.
And this is a bit that's annoying because actually you
look at how universal go about it, you know, it closed

(22:03):
something two days later. Evidence didn't get knocked out.
In the case of RIP Ride Rocket, it was basically being
dismantled and they were doing the groundwork.
So what's going in next? Before it had been shot.
We were there a couple of days before it closed and then we saw
the next time we were there and a few days later, I'm not sure
the track had already been removed.
Yeah, it was ever moving really quickly.

(22:24):
And I know we didn't mention this in the news, but the lost
continent in Islands of Adventure and has got filings
for demolition and for stuff to be sort of worked on.
And just today all of the isn't boarded off already.
So it's something that Disney isprobably quite methodical and
and just very patient with how things are taking because when

(22:48):
we looked at Animal Kingdom and you've seen how much of Dinoland
has been boarded off for work onthe Tropical of Americas and
it's board a dock. You can't see it unless you're
tall enough, you're going to look over it.
The thing is with this, we walked around, we walked around,
we saw, we went on to Tiana's didn't wasn't focused on

(23:10):
looking. We were enjoying the ride.
But then we walked around to BigThunder Mountain, which it was
open as we always do. That's not open until next year.
And then The Walking background,we thought let's walk along and
just, yeah, just where and riverboat was.
And it was like, oh, it's open. Why is it part blocks off and

(23:33):
not? It just seems really, really
weird. Unless it is some sort of
accessibility that from from a construction point of view it
wouldn't, it wouldn't make sensenot to just block it all off so
no one can see it. Yeah.
It goes beyond that though, and I think as well, I think apart

(23:53):
from the visual bit, apart from the fact that when they first
drained it, it stank, it absolutely stank.
It was, it was actually, it actually was very difficult to
be in the park in that particular area because
obviously, you know, there's there's years and years worth of
goodness knows what, I'll put itthat way.

(24:14):
And probably, probably got umpteen Turkey legs and things
like that they've got in there. Just over 50 years.
It's yeah, it's interesting. And that's probably more.
It's so difficult for us to think about such a huge change
in the park. Yeah, it is.
And actually, and I think if youif you go on that and the fact

(24:37):
that Big Thunder isn't open thisyear and you've got no Buzz
Lightyear on the other side of the path, there's no full circle
tour of the Magic Kingdom from the railroad.
And I still have problems with Tiana.
I really. Is it more like it's positioning
where it is because it doesn't feel like it fits in

(24:58):
Frontierland? There's that, but it's not
Splash Mountain and it's not it hasn't got that fun side to it.
I went and I deliberately went with a completely open mind
again this year because I got into trouble with a couple of
people last year, he said. Oh, you just you were just too
much of them single minded mind about it be not being splashed

(25:21):
mountain. So I thought and and they did
explain to me there are things within the queue line that
explain a bit more about the story and things that it still
left me. It left me completely cold,
Although I will, I will admit, Iwill admit whoever is who works
for Disney, who maybe listens tothe show and knew that I was

(25:44):
going on and put me in the frontrow where I got absolutely to
this in on, I think. And we and we went on it three,
I think three times again to tryto make it click visually and
mentally with me. And it didn't it.
I still came off and I still waswishing myself a zippity Doo dah
daylight, you know? What a good film Princess and

(26:07):
the Frog is. It's frustrating the and
Hannah's just mentioned in his comment.
It would have been better for Doctor Facilier the Ready having
the song ready for the draw. It would just make so much more
sense. But it wouldn't fit with the
story that they're telling on the ride.
The ride is set after the film, but he's been defeated.

(26:29):
But then in that wouldn't make any sense.
He's one of those things the most saving him for villains
land and hopeful of. That I mean, I don't think the
story is any more confusing or complicated than what a Splash
Mountain story was. I think it's more accessible for
the younger generation who wouldn't have even heard of some

(26:51):
off the South, let alone seen the film when they would have
been And no Tiana's and Tiana and the practice and the.
I think, as with a lot of, there's always a reason for
things to change. No, I think like what?
This is more of a hope than a thing, but I hope that when
Piston Peak is finally finished,the greenery from that will fit

(27:16):
in make Tiana fit in slightly more.
Yeah, a long term built process.So actually the sideline.
I don't think so. Better.
It's not I don't. I don't think someone's that
clever. I really don't.
I wish they were. I honestly do wish they were.
But I actually, I, I think that the actual makeover of the

(27:38):
mountain itself, it, it just strikes me as being done, really
being done on the cheek. And actually, yeah, it looks
pretty when it's lit up at night, but it's still.
Not Splash Mountain. It's I tell you what is really
interesting is riding that and then also having the chance this

(27:59):
year to ride it in Disneyland where it's like in Critter
Country in a sense. Where is I like I think it's
more suited for Disneyland than it is for Disney World.
I just think it was all we're doing 2 at the same time.
Let's do them on both coasts. I much would rather than kept
Splash Mountain, because I have to admit the new sort of log

(28:23):
flume riders in distant Paris looked exactly like Splash
Mountain. That's going to be lighting
isn't? It just and actually that would
that would be a great fit withinMagic Kingdom because actually
it would then widen out the the IP and and this is a bit that
and I can't you know, the one thing, the one another reason
for wanting to go on Tianas thisyear was again, to have that

(28:46):
extra look as you go, as you come in.
Yeah, you get a really nice viewacross the Tom Sawyer Island.
I really do find that, but I'm abit geeky like that.
I really do find that you know, if I'm going to get a different,
different view. I I Jill, I've just read Mark's

(29:07):
comment here. Totally understand that people
feel underwhelmed Magic Kingdom because of the 15 year
rebuilding phase, but it has to be done.
It's a good time to support the Disney parks worldwide.
Actually, there are plenty of and when you think how much
stuff is happening at Magic Kingdom that has been announced
by bit. Yeah, yeah.
And this is, again, this, this is a bit and I think, Mark,

(29:29):
you've tapped into exactly wheremy mind's at at the moment with
Magic Kingdom. And I think we've seen how long
it took for them to build Trump.And the excuses for that were
given were because of COVID. Financial.
And then because of the impact, but also about getting materials

(29:51):
and then about labour, this is actually going to take, I think,
way longer. But they've got so much on the
cards at the moment. So again, they're trying to do
Big Thunder, they put the boardsup to do this project.
They've got Buzz Lightyear to finish, They've got the railroad
to, obviously. Return back to where it is.

(30:12):
Yeah, yeah. So that's, that's only, that's
only just then we've got Carousel of Progress once they
go into manipulating the the start scene and, and that so
that's just within that part. We've still got building work in
animal Kingdom, which again, is going such a slow pace.

(30:32):
And you're thinking, hang on, are they actually, are they
actually biting off too much? And I know the probability is
they think that the maybe maybe the crowds will be down because
of the epic effect. So let's, let's get all the bad,
bad stuff out the way. Let's get ourselves refreshed so
that when people are bored with Epic, we can get people back in.

(30:52):
I, I, I, I really, I struggle with that at the moment.
I really think there's no, there's no real thought for
those people that were going forthe very first time.
And and you know, you, you, you could lose somebody.
Yeah, it's a bit like, as we mentioned last week about
someone's first impression of going to Epic Universe, and then

(31:15):
actually if things are down, then you're more limited in what
you're going to do and then that's the impact you get.
I think the same thing feels like a Magic Kingdom.
It was. We did Magic Kingdom quite a few
times this trip, and there was times we went in there, we've
gone like, oh, actually we can'tgo and buzz.
We can't do what we would normally do because Big

(31:36):
Thunder's closed. But what what really shocked me
was the atmosphere I felt when we were in Frontierland and near
Tianas and just I didn't hear the riverboat, didn't hear
screams from Big Thunder Mountain and.
There wasn't much. Yeah, it felt really, really
odd, so I'm looking forward it. Was kind of flat as well, yeah.

(31:59):
Atmosphere we're going to get from Piston Peak in Villains
Land. I think villains land will be a
very atmospheric. Yeah.
Yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I don't think.
We've only had concepts on it's.Going to.
Be difficult and it's difficult to look at when we look back the
last five years from Disney's sort of track record of building

(32:22):
when you look compared to Universal who built a whole
bark. Imagine if they hadn't funded
Tron or Guardians but actually decided that we're going to
focus and we're going to have a brand new theme park instead of
building all these extra hotels.Yes, some of them are
incredible, but actually what ifthey did a fifth gate that could

(32:44):
have had piston peak you could have had but they've gone down
that route of we're focusing on expanding the current land on
the current lands and refreshingand changing.
But eventually they're going to get to a point where they need
more capacity in these parks. That's a great call, I think as
well and going back to where we talked about talking about in

(33:07):
the in the news section about legacy.
But what what's been ripped out in Magic Kingdom is walks legacy
and that's and that's a bit thathurts me more than knows the
fact that, you know, it's one ofWalt's big, big things It was
about and the the whole Disney principle with the, you know,
it's about show at the moment. The show part of that is

(33:28):
absolutely diabolical. And secondly, that whole bit
about Walt's kind of innocence and and naivety.
You know, let's face it, you know, he would put a riverboat
in a Tom Soyer island in a themepark.
But actually it made a visual statement and made a statement

(33:51):
of, you know, natural beauty still has a place within the
modern world. Irrespective of how you want to
look, You want to look forward into Tomorrowland, you want to
look backward into Frontierland,that natural beauty still
exists. And I think I feel that's that
for me was the bit I missed mostof all.

(34:12):
It was that that sense of space within Magic Kingdom, that sense
of just the bit, you know, it's difficult to describe because it
probably doesn't have the same for other people.
But as you, as you come out of like all the presidents and
you're looking across to where the Steamboat used to be, and in

(34:33):
a way your shoulders kind of just drop and and your whole
body just sort of has that that moment where you just like, I'm
at, I'm at peace. It's not just about the castle,
it's about everything that's there and you just have this
space where you're lost within the sight and the sound.

(34:54):
You just think that is the like,OK, no matter what's going on in
the world can bother you becauseI'm here, I'm soaking in this
atmosphere, everything. So if if you're home, you feel
right just and it is interestingand I think Magic Kingdom hasn't
had this much sort of investmentand focus on development.

(35:17):
This is the first time and it's probably well overdue, like Mark
said, and it's in a it is challenging for Disney to
actually go like we are going totackle this park.
This needs it's overdue. One of the surprising things
come out from the D23 event was Carousel of Progress.

(35:40):
Yeah. And I am so glad to see that
because they could easily have gone like, oh, this is another
attraction that when you look atthe spreadsheet just goes, no,
it's, it doesn't get the footfall.
People are using it. Just have a nap.
And is it something that we should keep?
But actually, no, they're investing.
They are hopefully improving on the animatronic that they use in

(36:01):
Disneyland. And it's going to be a different
sort of waltz in its time. Yeah, I also feel that, I've got
to say that was for me, that wasone of the positives of the
whole summer. And actually, I think because
people were very aware that I, I, I felt this over the past few

(36:22):
years when you've gone there, people are making an effort to
go and sit in the carousel just purely out of the fact that they
better not touch this. They better not do it.
And actually if they do a bad job of it, you know that again,
it would be such a kick in the teeth towards legacy of what he
left behind and what he actuallywas involved in.
The actual original designer andyou can't get it wrong.

(36:45):
You really can't. It's just, it's one part of the
part that you're just thinking, just don't mess this up, you
know, Please just don't mess it up, but don't make it so PC that
it becomes completely ridiculously.
Claire's comment when we spoke about Epic last week, there was
a lot of concrete, being a brandnew park, not as many trees, and

(37:06):
Magic King doesn't have that, but maybe the removal of the
space with everything there and we're now going to add concrete
to it as long as we've got thesespaces that we can go.
In theory, Houston Peak is supposed to be a National Park,
so in theory that means there will be.
With the cows. Trees and.

(37:27):
As long as it's better than what's in Disneyland Paris.
That's all there'll be, you know, trees and landmarks, and
it's not going to be just concrete.
I think as well, and I think I think we did mention this last
week and you know, the epic itself for all the concrete,
they've got the fountains and they've got bigger and better

(37:49):
fountains that Epcot should havehad had they actually decided
that they were going to they were going to retain the
semblance of what was there as well.
So again, I know the little Bitly, I know we say this each
week, but you know, universally just laughing and they're just
thinking there's so there's there's so much being tried to

(38:10):
be to be being done within each of the Disney parks right now
that rather than just focusing on Magic Kingdom or animal
Kingdom, they're just trying to do an awful lot without making
significant progress visually right now.
And I think that's a that's a real danger sign for me because

(38:31):
actually you're at the wrong time.
What I was going to say before is it going back to someone on
their very first trip, It doesn't matter how old they are.
You could be talking about a young child who goes into Magic
Kingdom for the first time, or you could be looking like
somebody who's a little bit older going into Magic Kingdom,
not having that feeling of beingcompletely and utterly blown

(38:54):
away by it. That pulls you back.
And you know, it happened to me.You know, I wasn't you know, I
openly admit I was never ever going to be a big Disney fan
ever. I was because I was too cynical
and I just thought, no, not for me.
I walked in there one day and itwould just absolutely bloom it
pieces and that was and that youknow, that's going back years

(39:17):
now. It's cost me an awful lot of
money ever since, However it goes from that that first
occasion and from the you build.I know Neil's not in the change.
Probably what he's probably watching Liverpool sometime and
he I think his travel agency port with travel use that making

(39:37):
turning magic magic into into memories.
And that's what magic Kingdom used to be able to do.
And it's it's going to have to get an awful lot better to
actually be able to grab back those people that they've lost
over, you know, we're only talking about matter of months,
but this has actually happened. And I think really, you know,

(40:00):
something has to move quite quickly, you know.
Yeah, I think this is this is another another thing as well.
Yeah, I think it's something we're going to have to get used
to. And it's really interesting.
Just over the years that we've been visiting Disney World, I
remember there was always this laugh of them using go away
green paint on this, that thingswouldn't be in view.

(40:25):
That was what looked weird at Magic Kingdom.
Those panels weren't in good waygreat.
Like, oh, look at me. And then when you walked around
like they were missing half of them.
But maybe just it was the timing.
We were there. But you said, John, it was only
sort of on that day that you went up into mansion and they
hadn't had the fans put in. And it was all of that change.

(40:48):
But I have to admit, we went to Magic Kingdom this year and I
absolutely loved the park. Yeah.
How much you've mind about aboutwhat's currently happening?
I absolutely had one of the besttimes.
Mark Sheffield, because actuallysome of the Mark's comments in
the chat now this this is and this is probably I'll read it

(41:10):
out with because if you listen to the podcast, it's actually
it's actually nailed about carousel progress.
And I think this is a bit where our our enjoyment and Magic
Kingdom this summer came from. I think you alluded to this as
well, but as come from differentplaces.
We have always looked Carousel of Progress.

(41:32):
Even before the D23 event, I didn't know what was going to be
announced. However, I still went and I
still each and every time we go into Magic Kingdom, I have to go
and ride this. But Mark's actually shared with
some really, really interesting facts.
And actually, it's about the fact it doesn't actually appear
as if it's a very busy kind of attraction.

(41:53):
However, it's hourly capacity. That 3600 people an hour is the
highest attraction capacity in the park.
And every time the carousel rotates in 4 minutes and 40
seconds, over 200 people have the opportunity to disappear
from Tomorrowland. Now, in theme park terms, that

(42:14):
is an awful lot of Yeah movement, isn't it?
And. Imagine if that had when that
when that does close, where are those people going to go during
Never Fun? Going to make Yeah been busy.
Yeah, yeah. But hopefully it won't take them
long to. I wonder.
Close it and install them. Yeah, I also, I also wonder why

(42:35):
the Buzz Light year will open and then Carousel Progress will
close, because that's somewhere in Tomorrowland that you can get
quite a lot of people on. Yeah, I think it'll take take a
bit of time. Mark, can I just say thank you
so much for that information because actually, and that's
that's really where the chat becomes part of the show.
And you know, I really do enjoy that part of it as well.

(42:58):
I actually feel that I think we could actually do a whole thing
about redesigning the whole of Tomorrowland in some respects.
Because actually I know we mentioned it in the show about
six months ago about this may bean issue as regarding that the
concrete and the type of concrete that's used within the
stitch, the old stitch show and things like that.
You might as well just reopen that and just be done with it

(43:19):
and make the make the most of it.
Yeah, that's true if. We're still in there.
But what I am going to say, and this is this is taking us into
the magic part of it. And I think this, this really
for me is you got the sense fromcast members, irrespective of
what attraction they were on or whatever the remit within the

(43:42):
park was, they knew that they had to work extra hard this
summer. And they did.
And they and irrespective of where they were and cast
members, I know, but I think we talked about them in in the
start of October show, but they really went to the NTH degree.
Jungle Cruise untaunted mansion cast members.

(44:02):
I know Josh and Mogg's, Josh andMogg's flatmate spotted us the
very first time we were in MagicKingdom.
And we don't, we don't even remember twice or something last
year. But he was standing there,
spotted us and we ended up having a 20 minute conversation.

(44:23):
But you remembered so much aboutJosh and Morgue.
And, yeah, when you just like, hang on a minute, this is this
is like 12 months down the line,You don't really need to be
talking to wolves about, you know, and he was genuinely
wanting to know, genuinely pleased to see us.
And I'm thinking that is, you know, that really does sort of

(44:43):
take it's, it's a real sense of pride in the park.
And, and to be honest, we haven't expected to to see him.
We thought he'd be well out of Magic Kingdom by now.
Yeah. But he stayed on.
And similarly with Jungle Cruisecast members, the cast members
are the people who make this park what it is.

(45:05):
And that became much more apparent this year because they
still have that absolute pride in being on the rides and being
in the places in the park that they just love.
And, you know, I know we chattedabout this a couple of weeks
ago, Ben. But even for the two of us to be
stood watching Grayson at exactly the same moment in time

(45:27):
and not really being aware of each other's presence, but being
more taken by the music. For me, this trip in Magic
Kingdom was all about live entertainment.
So it was looking on the app, knowing when there'll be someone
playing the piano. So Grayson.
Then we were watching, I remember in the in the August

(45:48):
heat, just watching the Main St.Philharmonic and then Dapper
Dan's. And then just have an
opportunity to sort of redo a lot of these later in the trip
and just to get a different experience.
And just every time we go and watch Grayson, there's always a
it's always a different show. It is so incredible what what he

(46:10):
does. I remember the first time when
we were there that Mary Poppins and Burke walked by.
So Grayson changed the music he was playing and it was lovely.
It really was. And that's the thing that made
Magic Kingdom one of my favoriteparks trip.
Because going into it, I remember I said a few shows
before we went that I wasn't sure with everything closing,

(46:32):
with lots of change in the park,was it going to live up to sort
of what I wanted. And I have to admit it did.
And but I had to go and look forwhere these things were and the
times. It wasn't an attraction, it
wasn't space I was looking for. It was knowing when this live
entertainment was happening. And we still mentioned and we
still do not know why the quality show is still not in

(46:53):
magic. Absolutely.
Yeah. Hear, hear.
Anyone from Disney's listening? They need to be next on the
list. Yeah, as well.
I think this again, I know we'vegot people from America who
absolutely long standing viewersand listeners to this show.
I actually ended up watching theand and by accident more than

(47:14):
anything else. I was just in the right place at
the right time. But for flag retreat, and I know
I've mentioned this before, I just love the whole ceremony of
it, but it just I videoed at once.
I couldn't, I couldn't bring myself to video about the three,
three times I saw it purely fromthe fact I just don't I, I turn

(47:36):
into like a blubbering rat and I'm like, I shouldn't, I'm
British and I shouldn't have that level of connection with,
with what is a beautiful part ofthe day within Magic Kingdom.
And and again, if people have missed it, go and seek it out at
5:00 PM might be earlier as the clocks change and things like

(47:57):
that. It's just beautiful.
Absolutely. I've got a whole video.
I might keep it and we'll share it as a a shared Wednesday as we
just do flag retreat and I. Remember when we were in
Disneyland earlier and we, we took the time to just, and it
was at 5:00 PM. It was just standing there and,
and just something that you don't think about.

(48:18):
And when you look at the times guide, you go, oh, what's that?
It's not something that you normally decide for if you if if
you're there, you might catch it, but just if you do get a
chance to see it, definitely spend the time.
Yeah, I'm just going to pick up a pic, a couple of people in the
chat. Samantha, I'm told you Magic

(48:38):
Kingdom will always have a heartand I'm probably me wallet as
well while it's at it. But I'll go with also what
Hannah's saying at the moment and that the attention, the
detail is slipping. And I think that's that is what
makes Disney or has made Disney what they are.
And if they lose, lose sight of that, that's when they that's

(49:02):
when the magic will be lost forever.
If if there was like it's a financial impact, so it's
something someone looking like, oh, this isn't making.
We can save a little bit here byhaving this and the Poly show,
for example, or like Hannah saidabout the train show, going at
the bulk show, how that changed from being on the train, how

(49:24):
that changed then moving to the castle.
Think that have more to do with health and safety in space?
Possibly, but there was a there's a reasons for these
things to happen and we don't want to lose the magic.
And I think that's the focus that you need to try and do
while managing all these multiple projects.
I can't imagine that anyone being a project manager of

(49:47):
things that they've had to do over the past sort of year or
couple of years. When you think of what they're
doing now, it's there's there's so much thing that when they
were doing test track, which I know we talked about, which will
be out in a future podcast wherewe shared our thoughts new.

(50:08):
But also all these things take up cops.
There's a lot of costs. There's lots of people involved.
So it's going to be interesting to see what Magic Kingdom or the
future Magic Kingdom looks like.Is we've we've been going to the
park since 2013. We have our ideal Magic Kingdom
and one thing this year that came back was the night time

(50:30):
parade. Yes, right.
I think generally people are scared of change and I think
once the change is here. I think bad.
Some people won't like it anyway.
Because I think bad change resistant is what we're
resistant to. It's yeah, it's that, it's that
it's. Experience, if you've had a bad
change like John, like you said about going from Splash Mountain

(50:52):
to Tiana's doesn't sit right foryou, but.
Apparently not a bad change. No.
It is when you didn't want it changed in the 3rd place.
I think that's. Different nostalgia versus, yes,
progress. Yeah.
And you can't keep something stuck in the 1950s just because

(51:16):
you liked what it was. Especially if people aren't
using the space. What's the point of having
something there that no one's using and no one?
'S I think we can all agree to Tom Sawyers Island needed to go.
And unfortunately, to get rid ofTom Sawyers Island, it meant you
had to get rid of the riverboat.And the river.

(51:36):
And the river. So.
It's an unfortunate side effect.But sometimes things come back
around. Remember when we spoke about the
hat? Like Hollywood studios?
Yeah, yeah. That's now coming back.
The problem with studios. Isn't it?
Yeah, I really, I really look. Like it might be a lot very
fine. They can put all of piston peak

(51:57):
on that space where somewhere island is, and then they can put
the rim back on the. Rim not what I thought you were
going to say. Or like put all of Piston Peak
on the river boat. I'd sail it down the river.
That would be. It can move along.
I just want to say a quick helloto wondering Andy.
I'm just welcome. Hello.

(52:18):
Oh welcome, And I do. Agree that they're now need to
put a lot more focus on the detail on cruise ships in the
parks. And I have to admit, when you
think of the Disney adventure that's out next year, you've got
the treasure, the destiny that'srecently had the wish.
They're so the the ships look incredible.

(52:39):
I can't wait to see them put that same effort maybe in the
parks. And maybe that's what we're
starting to see when maybe Disney paused the parks so they
could focus on the cruise ships.Because actually come the other
way, yeah. Not sure they can repurpose the
riverboat for a cruise ship. No, but as long as you repurpose

(52:59):
it for something, that would be.Yeah, put it in Disney Springs.
Just. There's a very big like in
Disney Springs. They could just put it on, yeah.
Put it there. Just just be wary of the scuba
diver, yeah? I'll listen to the restaurants
and give me money. They'll be.
Yeah, left about the news, I thought, I thought it was going
to be a little bit too negative if I mentioned.

(53:21):
I'm sorry it was mate the Baldwin already yesterday I
really did. So if anyone wanted to know the
paddle fish had, was it $20,000 stolen?
Yeah. By by a scuba diver, right?
He was. He was described as wearing a
beanie hat and he just all doesn't.
Fit I. Mean my son was eaten by an

(53:44):
alligator. Yeah, yes, that was the other
bit. As well, all I'm thinking is
that security might be an updating at Saratoga Springs
possibly. Yeah, yeah.
Can I just come back to Mark as well?
I I just for someone who is sucha a wonderful poster on, on

(54:05):
Facebook, there's so many different, you know, and again,
just uplifts your day. If you see any amounts posts and
things like that. It's just the fact that you
spend so much time in the park. Your information tonight, Mark,
I really, really appreciate you joining us.
I really appreciate just just that positivity you've got and
actually that ability to actually highlight the fact that

(54:26):
it really is that whole fact that this is a long term rebuild
that we're actually we're on thecusp of we're not even you know,
this is going to be years worth of great British Mickey waffle
having having a good complaint about Kingdom.
Yeah. But Mark, I'll definitely I will
keep up with that next time we're in Walt Disney World.

(54:47):
I'll definitely meet up with youand we'll we'll, I'll share.
I'll share a chat because actually I do.
I love the stuff that you post. And it is always that bit where
you just sort of I always have to click on, I would have to
like it and I always have to go.Yeah, I know where I've been.
Everyone who's been in the chat today, but I'm loving Heather's

(55:08):
comment about the scuba diver robbery.
It's like something, yeah. And Heather was first in the
chat as always tonight as well, I think.
I think we've been remiss of people in the chat over the past
few weeks because we've had so much that we wanted to say,
well, I think we also missed wasit, is it Robert?

(55:30):
Robert Sprite from he looks likehe comes from Canada and I'm
just trying to scroll through. And Wendy's Wendy joined us
earlier as well. I'm not sure if he's still.
Yeah, some some people can only just dip in or either, although
I'm just the way that the boss comes in.
Yeah, when you middle mid mid afternoon in America and you're

(55:51):
like you're ninja watching and ninja listening whilst
pretending to work on the keyboard and stuff like that.
So there you go. But yeah, just a massive thank
you because actually for us having the sharing the
conversation and you actually joining the chat just makes just
makes it for us because actuallythat's that's the fun of what

(56:13):
why we do this on Wednesday and it kind of changes our week.
If we're having a bad week, we come and do this.
And actually this is you go to work on a Thursday and you feel
this will see me through Friday.Anyway, we've got we've got
nearly an hour in, right? I was, I was going to try and

(56:34):
run to time, right. So I'm not mentioned, and we
really should because we haven'tmentioned it in any show that
we've done so far, and we were fortunate enough to see it.
And so go on, take it away, guys.
Tell us what you think of the new nighttime parade.
Oh. I loved it.
It was incredible. It really was.

(56:55):
And we got charged off when he due to going in August.
It took us several attempts to. I remember the first time we
were there, we were we were ready.
We moved, got up at Starlight Popcorn.
Popcorn. And then I'll announcement due
to inclement weather, the Starlight parade is cancelled.

(57:16):
And that didn't help. So but when we eventually got a
chance to, we did see the Samantha who's in the chat
tonight there. And it was incredible.
It I was blown away by it. And it's been such a long time
since there's been a night time parade of all this above half of
obviously the booty parade that's in the Halloween party
and the Christmas one. But I think it was incredible

(57:38):
and there was just so many nods to previous parades and I've
seen a lot of chat online about it and a lot of it was who've
been to Disneyland say Paint theNight is better.
But without being able to see Paint the Night this time, So
it's been in was incredible. John, I want you to say what

(58:03):
your thoughts are on it because I know every time we mention a
nighttime parade and Spectra magic.
Yeah, Yeah, It wasn't Spectra. I'll put it out there.
You know, I'll get that. I'll get that out the way.
First and foremost, what got me and, and this is this is where,
this is where both my view and Claire's view kind of kind of

(58:24):
differ. Claire didn't like it and I
think Claire thought it was. Claire actually thought it was.
It was just lazily done. I can and I can, I can see that,
but I actually see there's there's I think there's room for
improvement. I'll put it that way.
However, I on the first couple of viewings, it brought back

(58:47):
something into Magic Kingdom that has been long time missing.
And that is a bit where you gather prior to the parade.
Now, if you're at a Halloween party, that's fine.
You get, you get that to some extent, but this is actually,
it's different when you know, it's an everyday sort of parade

(59:08):
and you've got that whole night time, night time, just that
change in the park where people are gathering.
You then know it's fireworks. You then know you may be going
or like we did, we did the fireworks and then we went to
parade. But it's getting to talk to
people and it's getting to share.

(59:29):
And this is the bit that this isthe bit that really does sum up
why Magic Kingdom such as a special place.
It's it's not a place where people are going just for the
drinks. They're not going for the
alcohol option. They're going purely from the
magic. And I think obviously the
opening of the the Pirates themed bar.

(59:52):
Bacon barrel. Yeah.
Is is actually, I think is it isto the detriment in in in that
respect. However, if I can go for a beer
inside Magic Kingdom, I'll I'll take that.
I just feel that it brings back something because when you go
for the fireworks, it like it ornot, if you certainly head to

(01:00:13):
the hub. I know Claire is not the
greatest fan of going into the hub to watch fireworks because
it just gets too busy. But it becomes very competitive
as to who's standing in which space and who's having this.
And the elbows come out and it'sa bit of A and then someone puts
a child up on the shoulders and you know, it's not pleasant.
The parade is different and it always has been.

(01:00:35):
You meet people, you get a chat with people you meant get to
know where they're from. You get a little bit of a back,
a bit of their Disney back story.
You're not finding everyone's trying to find that perfect spot
or that perfect when you're looking forward, when you're in
the Hub, when you're looking at the castle, when you're in Main

(01:00:55):
Street, everyone's sort of like trying to work out where am I
going to be on to get the best view of the fireworks and the
projections. With the parade, it's coming
past you. And what I noticed on this
parade was how interactive some of the performers were between
the floats. But the only downside was there

(01:01:16):
wasn't enough. Yes, they're needed to be more.
I think I think that's my, that's my, that's my biggest
thing. I think.
I think that's where the room for improvement comes.
But I think they desperately needed something before it's
before everyone was just like, we're paying so much for a day
at Magic Kingdom. You've put all these these
boards up, you're destroying Rivers of America.

(01:01:39):
You've got nothing new. It's let's get something new in.
Let's get let's get something and and again, change that
mantra from being 1 of negativity into being one where,
OK, we've got something back. And I think that's that's where
we're at. I still you know, I actually

(01:02:01):
think that I actually felt that the the later parade was a
better option, but always it always has been inland Spectro
run as two times the second parade you just had miles more
space. And actually, after fireworks,
people still make that option of, you know, if you've been
there for a long time in the day, it is it is your signal to

(01:02:24):
get your kids out. Interesting was we we were at
the Polynesian, so we got acrossthe Magic Kingdom and while the
first parade was going on. Yeah.
And once we got the turnstiles, lots of people were leaving.
And after, I was really impressed how the cast members

(01:02:45):
for the crowd management was working the how they were
getting people out of the park and people would want to stay
around or go in for the fireworks and like, great, we're
in. And we were just separate.
It was it was done really well. So I felt like actually when we
went into confectionery, got some snacks before and we got
our spot full of fireworks, it felt like we had more space.

(01:03:06):
It didn't feel like as crowded as with there wasn't a parade on
how busy it would be with everyone waiting for those 10:00
fireworks. I asked a good call, Ben,
because I think having been out of practice with the with there
not being a nighttime parade, mymy biggest fear was the fact
that, you know, the space would be limited to the extent that

(01:03:27):
they'll just turn around and say, or is it this isn't a
parade, It's not for Magic Kingdom anymore.
It's just like when it gets to night time, it's just we should
be wrong. No, but they would try and palm
me off if that was an excuse. But I do like the fact that, you
know, you can turn up at any point during the day and
irrespective, even if you feel that you're going against the

(01:03:49):
tide of people leaving the park,you know that there's always
going to be a way through. And that was always good to know
that that's been well managed aswell.
Do you think it's something that's going to stick around for
a while? Because I know.
I think it has to. I don't think I don't there's
any choice I want. I'd love to see it being added
to. I'd love to see more floats.

(01:04:10):
I'd love to. I'd love to maybe see them just
play about with the music a little bit.
But that's just me being selfish.
I just feel that it just adds something different.
It doesn't quite have the wow factor.
It just adds a feeling back to Magic Kingdom.
That's the list quite well. And with all the change that are
happening, I know we where we were started, Lipsy Bell, we had

(01:04:33):
all the construction, all the walls behind us.
We didn't see any of that. We'll just focus on the parade
and it was just nice to see. I think, yeah.
And I think as well, I think nowwe've got it back.
Now it's something that again, step in the right direction.
Again this week, the Adventure Land sign has actually come back
after refurbishment. That wasn't even announced.

(01:04:55):
That just disappeared overnight.And it was just like, yeah, I
mean, you just think, what are they going to do now?
Yeah. And it's, I think they go back
to that, that there needs to be more trust.
You need to go to Disney should just be able to do these things
and we just go, yeah, oh, I think yeah, it's fine.
They have something's updating something.

(01:05:16):
They're giving. It every time instead of just
going I don't know what are theydoing now what what's this and
Claire's comment about the firstand last float reminds me a
little bit of what I we all feela lot of us feel of luminous in
Epcot. The beginning of is great, the
end is great. The bit where it just dulls down

(01:05:36):
the middle isn't as good. So maybe just dizzy need?
To work on the middle part. Maybe.
Whoever's job it is for the middle parts of these shows has
got some something to work on. Yeah, must try harder, yeah.
I just, yeah, I think as well, Ithink we've got to understand,

(01:05:58):
you know, the Main Street Electrical parade saw numerous
different versions of that parade as it evolved over the
years. Similarly, Spectromagic evolved
over time as well. I just feel it's it's just such
a wonderful ad back into Magic Kingdom and and a real most

(01:06:19):
mostly missed one. Ever since, like I said, it's
just a small of a cohesive. Yeah, story I can see.
That I need. To watch it again, yeah.
See the story because I don't remember.
What I also think needs updating, we can see it, it's
trip press off the fantasy, right?
Yeah. It's over 10 years old because

(01:06:42):
they need him. Is.
It time for an update. Yeah.
As long as I think you're rid ofMaleficent.
I think, I think as well, if yougo back to that, I don't think
the budget is there for them to start thinking about that.
But you know, let's let's try and get the budget sorted for
what's not there. Yeah.
To bring back some magic. At least that's a parade that

(01:07:04):
actually at. Least it's still there.
It's still there, yeah. Yeah.
And it still has its own little nice little steampunk references
back to the old Epcot parade. So that we're never, we're never
going to see them come back. Goodness, no.
Have we ever got them in the first place?
I still, I still wonder. But yeah, that's a whole, that's
a whole different show, which I think we've done previously.

(01:07:28):
I'm trying to think. I don't think there's an awful
lot else apart from the fact that Speedway is still there,
given that glorious smell which I know you you guys, I.
Don't mind, I love. It I just don't understand the
petrol, yeah, or diesel or whatever it is they use.
Yeah, it probably goes back to my childhood when there was 4
star and you used to wind down the the window in the backseat

(01:07:49):
of the car as a kid just to smell the the vapor fumes of.
The local petrol station, Yeah. Do you know what, Mark?
I completely forgot? Next year is the 55th
anniversary of Walt Disney World.
We're not going next year. Oops.
Yeah. Oh, you never know, we have a

(01:08:10):
cruise. Cruise.
Perk who? Can't come home cruise.
Yeah. We've got I, I have a feeling we
will return next August, I really do.
I, I don't think yeah, we won't.We won't.
We're not sleeping easy at the moment, not having a countdown.
But also I think other members of the family are not sleeping

(01:08:31):
easy at the moment because they.Missed out this.
They missed out this year. Yes, and also Mog Morg and Josh
are already making plans of how to hop on to not just our trip
for next August, but also ClaireClaire and dance trip.
He's like, Oh yeah, we could come to and it's just like there
you go. That'll see see where that all

(01:08:53):
all takers and things like. Well, the way I'm thinking it if
the way Disney do anniversaries,sometimes they go on for longer
than 12 months if it doesn't start so next October.
Even if it starts next October and lasts a year, that means
we'll still get saved up in May,yeah?
I'm with Wendy. Wendy.
I can't. I now believe it's five years
since it was. It was the 50th as well.

(01:09:15):
I I just thought. That's scary because I remember
doing that three hour long show,that live show.
Yeah, bizarre isn't. It.
Absolutely bizarre. Yeah, that's, that's incredible.
That's scary. Sure one.
Guys, yeah, it does. And I actually think it's
probably a real good time to wrap up what we've been
discussing because actually the one thing as I was, I was trying

(01:09:38):
to put some some form of cohesive argument together
without. And I think I've done well.
I'll put my hand up and say I think I've done well tonight
because actually I haven't had an out and out run, which is
unusual. I've been trying to be sort of a
little bit deeper thought about it.
But I'm going to answer the question and the best way that I

(01:10:00):
can actually I could think of it.
And is the magic is, is the Magic Kingdom still magic or I
think the magic is still, I think at the moment you have to
look a lot deeper and a lot harder and a lot wider to
actually find it right now. And and that's that, you know,
again, it comes back to that first time visitor.

(01:10:21):
Is it going to blow them away? I would like to think it
probably would. I think once you've been a few
times, I think you get a little bit a little bit picky and you
want it to be like the first time and like you remember it
the first time. But the magic is the magic will
always still be there. And yeah, I go back to the first

(01:10:41):
time I returned last last year. And just a look in my eyes, I'm
like when I played the video, I couldn't quite believe myself as
to that whole moment as you walk.
And then you guys, when you guysdid that live show for us and
just that walk underneath the railway tracks and then suddenly

(01:11:01):
you're in town square and you'vegot the castle in front of you.
You've got the sounds and the smells and you're in a place
where you just, it has so many memories for for all of us, for
everyone who's listening and watching this, you'll all have
your own special memories of different times in your life and

(01:11:24):
that can never, ever be taken away.
And as you walk up Main St. And it doesn't matter what that
whole experience has. Never.
It doesn't. Matter no it's cake or white or
or a birthday cake. Yeah, or a birthday cake.
Maybe not that one, but it neverleaves you.
And I think that's the bit that it will always set Magic Kingdom

(01:11:46):
apart. And I think as we've found in
the chat as well tonight, we need to think longer term about
the next, not the first 55 years, but the next 55 are
actually making the park accessible and ready for the
challenges that that are succumbbecause of doubtedly the bar has

(01:12:09):
been raised by Universal and that actually will be raised
when Universal build their themepark in the UK.
Because I would imagine that will detract a lot of UK
visitors either from going to Paris or of even having forbid
people actually going across to the United States to be.
One of those things actually, ifyou can get to 1, slightly

(01:12:31):
closer to home, that's offering the same sort of thrills, but
also Halloween Horror Nights, Yeah.
Are people going to spend as much as going over to the
Universal Forward? Yes, the worth of better.
Yeah. Yeah, but you never know, it
might impact. And then I think it's everyone's
choice to decide to change to Orlando every other year if you

(01:12:53):
know there's something in the UKthat you can spend and do the
same as well. Yeah, definitely.
I know Matt Whiting's just just just snook in the chat.
Last minute. It was really nice.
Thanks for joining Mark as well.This is and this is what makes a
Wednesday so special. And I just like I know we said
earlier, but thank you all so much for being in the chat.

(01:13:14):
Thank you for being part of the show.
And if you're coming across us for the first time, I know that
there's lots of people joining us for the first time.
We have got a really nice and a friendly Facebook community
called the Wafflers Arms. Go and check us out in there.
You can carry on the conversation if you want or

(01:13:35):
join, join in the conversation because actually that's what we
like to do and just share your own views.
If you are one of those first time watchers, make sure you
like and subscribe. And then if you're on YouTube,
like I got tonight when we went live tonight, because I'm
subscribed, my phone sent me a little reminder that the great

(01:13:55):
British Mitty Waffle are live. It's Wednesday night.
And so it pinged up on me phone.So subscribe and you actually
get that reminder as well. And also subscribe on the
podcast in your podcast place ofyour preference.
And so you basically we're all on the one podcast stream.

(01:14:16):
And I think that really is one thing that has really ignited
this show going out on that podcast because actually we're
getting a lot more listeners as well.
So again, if you're one of those, please come in, come,
come and join us and watch us out.
And then you contribute yourself.
Mark Sheffield's going to finishthe show for me, some fun fact,
I shouldn't even glasses this. Always remember some things like

(01:14:36):
construction can affect other parts and other attractions in
the show for a few years temporarily.
That's exactly it, man. It's all temporary because
actually what will we still comeback to is a theme park with a
big castle and the Main Street and then you go and just enjoy.
I'm very much entitled to go as I start going from the Carousel

(01:14:59):
of Progress and because there's always a great Be beautiful
tomorrow. And I think that's a beautiful
way to finish. So thank you guys for seeing me
through and actually keep me on the straight and narrow.
You've done a really good job there, so I appreciate.
It great show it has love that magic Kingdom and I I'm looking
forward to seeing what we're going to speak about next time.

(01:15:21):
So if anyone's got any ideas in the chat of what you want us to
talk about and let us know and send us Adm on any of our social
SAT GB Mickey waffle or drop it in the waffle his arms.
But can't wait till next time, yeah?
And we'll see you soon. See you real.

(01:16:11):
I.