Once Upon a Castle Podcast

Gini begins a four-part Frontierland series on Once Upon a Castle, explaining Frontierland’s 1955 opening-day origins as both Walt Disney’s frontier-era nostalgia and a marketing boost tied to ABC’s Davy Crockett miniseries, while noting critiques that the land romanticizes westward expansion and Native history. She briefly traces major land changes from 1955 through the loss of Big Thunder Ranch for Galaxy’s Edge. Part 1 tours early Frontierland locations: the former Davy Crockett Arcade and short-lived Davy Crockett Museum with wax figures, plus Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen’s cultural impact; the opening-day Pendleton Woolen Mills “Dry Goods Emporium” that became Bonanza Outfitters in 1990; lesser-listed Silver Spur Supplies and Crockett & Russell Hat Company honoring Parker; the Frontierland Shooting Gallery’s shift from lead pellets to infrared in 1985; and the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia, including their historical inspirations and construction details, ending with plans to continue in Part 2 with Tom Sawyer Island and Big Thunder Mountain. Social Media Handles: Instagram and TikTok: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Magic   Email:  [email protected]   Plan your next magical adventure! https://onceuponacastletravel.com     

Gini introduces part one of a two-part crossover with Steph from Magic Key Adventures, previewing that part two (Sept. 1) will cover the D23 convention floor and the Honda Center Horizons showcase. She shares a listener review, then recounts her solo Disneyland day before D23: traveling from Colorado, staying at the close-but-dated Desert Inn & Suites, browsing shops, eating at Refreshment Corner, watching Main Street entertainment, riding the Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Pirates (and discussing the new animatronic), and Big Thunder, then taking a hotel break before returning for a Tomorrowland dance party, Casey Jr., Galaxy’s Edge cold brew, and meeting Steph that night. With Steph, she recaps D23 Day at Disneyland: early start, Fantasyland rope drop, Toontown and Runaway Railway, lunch at Tiana’s Palace, Pirates, the Legends Cavalcade (highlighting Susan Egan, Imagineers, and Walt’s family), meeting friends, Mark Twain with mint juleps, Galaxy’s Edge character interactions including Luke Skywalker and spotting Joe Rohde, PhotoPass castle photos, and ending with the Star Wars projection show.   Instagram and TikTok: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Magic Email: [email protected] Learn more about Disney travel: https://dearanddarlingtravel.com/agents/gini-west/  Magic Key Adventures Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magic-key-adventures-podcast/id1688830469   

In the final Bayou Country episode of Once Upon a Castle, Gini has a personal conversation with her close friend Joee Benson, who grew up visiting Disneyland frequently in Southern California and has deep nostalgia for Bear/Critter/Bayou Country and the former Country Bear Jamboree. Joee shares favorite foods (churros, Mickey pretzel with cheese, and the Critter Country pickle), favorite land and attraction (New Orleans Square and Pirates of the Caribbean), and her view that updates like the new Pirates animatronic reflect Disney innovation. They discuss why guests still miss Country Bear Jamboree, how Disneyland has shifted from place-based lands to IP-driven experiences, and why Disneyland feels like home for Joee, recommending first-timers stay for the parade and fireworks. Gini announces an upcoming D23 crossover episode and reveals she is now a certified Disney travel planner with Dear and Darling Travel.   Instagram and TikTok: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Magic Email: [email protected]  

The episode of Once Upon a Castle traces the dining history of Disneyland’s Bayou Country, arguing that food is a key part of themed storytelling. It begins with the Golden Bear Lodge (opened September 24, 1972), a rustic quick-service riverside restaurant integrated with the Mike Fink Keelboats loading dock, then covers its 1977 retheme into the Hungry Bear Restaurant and its long run until closing July 8, 2024 for refurbishment during the Critter Country/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure construction. The host details the current Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree’s Country Bear character theming and barbecue-focused menu. The script also recounts the Mile Long Bar (1972–1989), its 1989 renaming to Brer Bar with Splash Mountain-era theming, and its eventual absorption into Pooh’s Corner, now a Winnie the Pooh–themed candy kitchen and shop offering handmade confections like the honey pot apple. Instagram: Once_Upon_a_Castle_Podcast_ TikTok: @giniwest Email: [email protected]   

Gini continues a Bayou Country series by focusing on entertainment history in the land’s footprint, while also announcing she’ll attend D23 with friend Steph Sanchez and noting the episode releases on Disneyland’s 71st birthday (July 17), which is also her friend Anna’s birthday. The episode traces the area from Disneyland’s 1955–1971 Indian Village, discussing its performers, rotating tribal representations, demonstrations, notable figures, and aspects that have not aged well, before covering Teddy Barra’s Swingin’ Arcade (1972–2002/03) and its remembered lemonade stand. It then reviews Br’er Bear, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Rabbit meet-and-greets (1989–2020) and finally details the origins, technology, layout, songs, sponsorship, and 2001 closure of Disneyland’s Country Bear Jamboree, plus surviving versions and musical nods, ending with how Winnie the Pooh meet-and-greets and theming came to anchor the area.