On the Road with Mickey

Episode 325 – How Walt Disney’s Original Ideas Still Shape the Parks! How Walt Disney’s Original Ideas Still Shape the Parks! Hey everyone, I’m Mike, she’s Sophie, and he’s Grogu, and We’re On the Road with Mickey! Brenda is out this week on vacation, and today we’re joined once again by our good friend Lee! This is episode 325, and our feature topic is the How Walt Disney’s Original Ideas Still Shape the Parks! In this week’s episode, we are talking about how the ideas of Walt still play out in the parks today! Here’s what we talked about: Cheddar from the Big Cheese: The 2026 EPCOT Candlelight Processional narrator lineup has been released! Some notable names: Gary Sinise on November 29-December 1; Neil Patrick Harris from December 10-12, Lauren Daigle December 15-16, and Jodi Benson on December 24-25. Congratulations to Disney Legend Lea Salonga, the voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in the movie Mulan, for becoming the first Filipina ever to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Glimmering Greenhouses are returning to Epcot for the holidays. In addition to seeing them in the Living with the Land ride, you can also experience them up close with the Behind the Seeds Tour. The Greenhouses will be lit for tours November 27-December 30. Connect with us! Here’s how:  Facebook: https://facebook.ontheroadwithmickey.com Facebook Group: https://facebookgroup.ontheroadwithmickey.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OntheRoadwithMickey Instagram: On the Road with Mickey Email: [email protected] Website: ontheroadwithmickey.com Question of the Week Feedback: What are some of your incredible Disney Memories? Sheila: “Our trips with the Ellis family over the years.” Brenda: “Each and every one of them” Chandler: “When you take your 3yo kiddo for his first trip and he’s not too sure about the characters at Crystal Palace.” Chandler: “When you take your kiddo and he gets to meet the love of his 3yo life.” Chandler: “When your 18yo kiddo asks his dad to ride Aladdin and not his mom.” Chandler: “That time I rode Everest with the kiddo and didn’t know what to expect.” Pam: “Being at Animal Kingdom soft opening” Debbie: “They have all been incredible but one that stands out was December 2001. My Mom and I went down to celebrate Life…Not knowing at the time we both had cancer. The crowds at the parks were very light. We did the Legacy Picture at Epcot and had an unbelievable time…just the two of us.We lost her to cancer in October 2004 and I’m now a 23 year cancer survivor. It was our last Disney trip together.I bring the Mickey Mouse Snowman every year as my special memory. She bought it for me on that last trip.. Robin: “There were these people and two little girls!” Feature Topic: How Walt Disney’s Original Ideas Still Shape the Parks! Keep Moving Forward – the parks will never be completed, things will always be changing Original sketches of Disneyland dating back to 1932. Family atmosphere, the reimagining of areas, not tear down. Frontierland forestry vibe. Epcot – how Walt’s vision for a community of tomorrow became a park, and by extension, communities by Storyliving by Disney How Disney pops up in social media and how the company is incorporated in everyday living. Carousel of Progress – Updating the Decades and incorporating Walt into the show Trashcans and Desired Paths – tiny details that are used to make the parks cleaner When you have a good idea, you stick with it. Example: The Candlelight Processional began, not at Epcot, but at Disneyland in 1955. Sophie’s Question of the Week: There are a lot of little pieces of trivia in the parks. What is a little piece of trivia (or Easter Egg) that you really enjoy? Sophie: The Walt Portrait in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Sophie: The Roy & Minnie Statue along with the Walt & Mickey Statue Mike: The Disneyland & Walt Disney Firehouses, and the way the light from Walt’s Apartment over the Disneyland firehouse that never turns off in memory of Walt. Lee: Trader Sams, The Polynesian Resort, at the very top, if you look at the ceiling, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride Keys are hanging from the ceiling because he had too many Mai Tais! This Day in Disney History for 9/14: 1928: Walt Disney writes a letter to his brother Roy and Ub Iwerks about the recording session for Steamboat Willie. The Weekly Disney Windows Joyce Carlson – Emporium (Magic Kingdom)- Dolls by Miss Joyce – Dollmaker for the World – Shops in New York, California, Florida, Japan, & Paris – Owner & Founder Joyce Carlson. – 2000 A little bit of Walt “The important thing is the family.” – Walt Disney Coming next week: Best Resort Lobbies at Walt Disney World

Episode 324 – Incredible Disney Memories with Special Guests Alisha & Lee! Incredible Disney Memories with Special Guests Alisha & Lee! Hey everyone, I’m Mike, she’s Sophie, and he’s Grogu, and We’re On the Road with Mickey! Brenda is out this week on vacation, and today we’re bringing on our special guests Alisha & Lee to join us on the show! This is episode 324, and our feature topic is the Incredible Disney Memories with Special Guests Alisha & Lee! In this week’s episode, we are sharing our favorite memories! Here’s what we talked about: Cheddar from the Big Cheese: We talked a while back about the changes that Walt Disney World has made regarding the transportation around the resort. Brenda is at Walt Disney World, and she reported back to us on some of those changes. Here’s what she had to say: Leaving Disney Springs: “All we had to do leaving Disney Springs last night was scan our MagicBand.” Taking a Lyft to the Poly: “Lyft driver just said drop off and they let us through.” Lastly, the Grand Floridian Cafe has announced that they will re-open from their long refurbishment on November 2, 2026 Connect with us! Here’s how:  Facebook: https://facebook.ontheroadwithmickey.com Facebook Group: https://facebookgroup.ontheroadwithmickey.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OntheRoadwithMickey Instagram: On the Road with Mickey Email: [email protected] Website: ontheroadwithmickey.com Question of the Week Feedback: What is one of your favorite Disney comfort foods? Hannah: “Casey’s corn dog nuggets” PJ: “Popcorn” Chandler: “Disneyland Churro.” PJ: “Dole whips!” Robin: “Mickey waffles!” Pam: “Polynesian Bread Pudding” Deb: “Dole Whips and the Corn Dog at Sleepy Hollow.” Kim: “Hot salted pretzel with cheese” Alisha: “Jumbo Turkey Leg” Lee: “Belgium Waffle Ice Cream Cone at Disney Springs” Sophie: “Cookies and Cream Cookie” at Gideons Sophie: “Beignets” at Port Orleans French Quarter Feature Topic: Incredible Disney Memories with Special Guests Alisha & Lee! Alisha Alisha’s daughter’s first roller coaster – DL Space Mountain w/ a 5yo. Walt Disney World 21st B-Day Planning Daughter’s 21st B-Day trip(?) Lee Going to Disney for the first time (as a teenager) Animal Kingdom Drum sets Photos of the kids growing through the years Coming up: Finding all the Fishing Spots on Disney Property! Soccer golf, pickleball Mike Tiny Sophie’s first ride on Splash Mountain Barnstormer First Trip 47 years ago (age 11) Daddy and Mommy’s trip to Disney while pregnant with Sophie Sophie’s 21st birthday trip Sophie Sophie’s Solo Trip June 2025 Florida Reunion 2019 Disney Cruising Sophie’s Question of the Week: What are some of your incredible Disney Memories? This Day in Disney History for 9/7: 1911: The Birth of Disney Legend and Master Animator Freddie Moore The Weekly Disney Windows Meg Crofton – Disney Clothiers (Magic Kingdom) – Center for Leadership Development & Mentoring – Meg Gilbert Crofton, Founder – “We start leaders on their journeys” – 2015 A little bit of Walt “If you can dream it, you can do it. Remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.” – Walt Disney Coming next week: How Walt Disney’s Original Ideas Still Shape the Parks

Episode 323 – Best Disney Comfort Foods! Best Disney Comfort Foods! Hey everyone, I’m Mike, she’s Sophie, that’s Brenda, and he’s Grogu, and We’re On the Road with Mickey! This is episode 323, and our feature topic is the Best Disney Comfort Foods! In this week’s episode, we are sharing our favorite comfort classics! Here’s what we talked about: Cheddar from the Big Cheese: Brenda: As we reported a couple of months ago in our Limburger Cheese rumor, the Disney Cruise Lines is returning to New York City for the Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 sailing season! The Disney Wish will have cruises there to Bermuda, as well as to New England and Canada! Sophie: Disney’s newest resort, Lakeshore Lodge, will be opening on July 1, 2027! This incredible looking resort on the shores of Bay Lake will feature A-Frame lodges overlooking the water, themed after the movie Brother Bear, that will sleep 5 to 8 people, as well as Studios that will be themed after the movie Encanto! Mike: The Disney/Pixar movie Toy Story 5 will begin streaming on Disney+ exclusively on September 23rd, so if you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it in the comfort of your home then! Connect with us! Here’s how:  Facebook: https://facebook.ontheroadwithmickey.com Facebook Group: https://facebookgroup.ontheroadwithmickey.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OntheRoadwithMickey Instagram: On the Road with Mickey Email: [email protected] Website: ontheroadwithmickey.com Question of the Week Feedback: Are there any places we missed for relaxation from our list? Chandler: “There is a hidden little pavilion behind Drinkwallah, near the water’s edge. I enjoyed a nice lunch from the Yak & Yeti counter service one afternoon. A slight breeze and a gentle hum of the fans dampened the hustle and bustle that was happening on the main walkway above.” Robin: “The ride it’s a small world!” Feature Topic: Best Disney Comfort Foods! Ger’s Bread and Butter Pudding at Raglan Road 50s Prime Time Cafe – Grandpa Gene’s Chicken Pot Pie and Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken Pot Roast at Liberty Tree Tavern Carrot Cake Cookie at the Trolley Car Cafe Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie – Tarte aux Fraises Cousin Megan’s Traditional Meatloaf ‘Ohana Potstickers and Noodles Regal Eagle Macaroni and Cheese Akershus Traditional Kjøttkaker: Norwegian Meatballs with Lingonberry Jam Macaroni and Cheese with Pulled Pork at Eight Spoons – Snack Credit! Bounty Platter with Mickey Waffles Rotisserie-roasted Turkey at The Garden Grill Restaurant Nutella Waffle at Sleepy Hollow Primo Piatto Blueberry Lemon Pancakes Chicken Fried Rice at Yak & Yeti Quick Service Quattro Formaggi Pizza at Via Napoli Iced Water – Anywhere <3 Biergarten Buffet Sophie’s Question of the Week: What is one of your favorite Disney comfort foods? This Day in Disney History for 8/31: 1964: The Dapper Dans sing at the groundbreaking ceremony for Anaheim Stadium! The Weekly Disney Windows Jack Rorex – Market House (Disneyland) – “Buena Vista Construction Co \ Jack Rorex \ Ivan Martin \ Cash Shockey” – 1955 A little bit of Walt “It’s a mistake not to give people a chance to learn to depend on themselves while they are young.” – Walt Disney Coming next week: Incredible Disney Memories with Special Guests Alisha & Lee!

Episode 322 – The Most Relaxing Spots in Each Park! The Most Relaxing Spots in Each Park! Hey everyone, I’m Mike, she’s Sophie, that’s Brenda, and he’s Grogu, and We’re On the Road with Mickey! This is episode 322, and our feature topic is The Most Relaxing Spots in Each Park! In this week’s episode, we are highlighting our locations in each park where you can just relax. Here’s what we talked about: Cheddar from the Big Cheese: D23 News Cheddar! Mike: Disney is making two changes to attractions at Epcot! The first is that the Dreamfinder will be returning to the Journey Into Imagination with Figment attraction! Secondly, Spaceship Earth is going to be undergoing a major update for the first time in nearly 20 years! Stay tuned for more details. Brenda: Coming to VIllains Land  will be a roller coaster centered around Maleficent! Also, coming back to Expedition Everest: The Yeti is coming back to life inside the attraction! Sophie: Coming to Piston Peak in the Magic Kingdom, two new attractions – Cars Ridge Run Rally, which is a racing attraction and is billed as a quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness”. Also coming to Piston Peak, Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along. Miss Fritter is inspired by the Diva of Demolition from Cars 3. Connect with us! Here’s how:  Facebook: https://facebook.ontheroadwithmickey.com Facebook Group: https://facebookgroup.ontheroadwithmickey.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OntheRoadwithMickey Instagram: On the Road with Mickey Email: [email protected] Website: ontheroadwithmickey.com Question of the Week Feedback: What Disney animated movie would you like to see made into a live action remake? Chandler: “I think Up could be done. I know there’s an AI video out there showing some actors doing scenes, but I doubt all those particular actors would be up for it (no pun intended). I think Up would make an excellent live action.” Chrissy: “No more remakes” Robin: “Bambi?” Brenda: “The Princess and the Frog and Anastasia.” Cindy: “Pochantas and Brave” Kelly: “Sword and the Stone” Sherry: “Atlantis!” Jennifer: “None” Paula: “I think Brave would be fun” Kim: “Sleeping Beauty” Feature Topic: The Most Relaxing Spots in Each Park! Magic Kingdom: The Plaza Inn greenhouse section of the restaurant Riding the TTA Front Porch at Tony’s Town Square A Ride on the WDW Railroad Carousel of Progress Country Bear Jamboree The Garden Hub in front of the Castle (when not busy) Columbia Harbour House Hall of Presidents and Mickey’s PhilharMagic, especially for a break from the weather. Epcot: Walt the Dreamer section The Odyssey Building Canada Pavilion by the waterfall World Showcase at night Japan Pavilion by the Koi pond The American Adventure Pavilion The Miniature train setup at Germany Biergarten Restaurant on the dance floor Living with the Land Aquarium area of The Seas with Nemo and Friends The seating area around Sunshine Seasons Playground area around Guardians of the Galaxy and also inside Mission: SPACE Hollywood Studios: Stage Shows Walt Disney Presents inside One Man’s Dream Animation Courtyard Star Tours Near Pixar Place Trolley Car Cafe Sunset Blvd on the way to Tower of Terror The area after Tower of Terror The area at night by Grauman’s Chinese Theater ABC Commissary where they have tables PizzaRizzo upstairs seating The Friendship boat rides between Hollywood Studios and Epcot, and also the Skyliner Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safaris Flametree BBQ seating area Back area between Africa and Pandora Pandora at night Maharaja Jungle Trek Petting Zoo area Asia the table area by the water Finding Nemo: The Musical The front of the park before you enter the park Satuli Canteen Rafiki’s Planet Watch Tree of Life Sophie’s Question of the Week: Are there any places we missed for relaxation from our list? This Day in Disney History for 8/24: 2006: Two white rhinos take their first steps in Africa after being released into the wild from Animal Kingdom 2011: A male African Elephant is born at Animal Kingdom. The Weekly Disney Windows Robert A. Iger – Emporium (Disneyland) – New Century Builders – Robert A. Iger, Chief Architect – “Looking forward to your tomorrow!” – Courageous, Confidence, Excellence, Innovation, Curiosity, Optimism. A little bit of Walt “Dreams, ideas, and plans not only are an escape, they give me purpose, a reason to hang on.” – Walt Disney Coming next week: Best Disney comfort foods

Episode 321 – Our Top 3 Disney Live-Action Movie Remakes! Our Top 3 Disney Live-Action Movie Remakes! Hey everyone, I’m Mike, she’s Sophie, that’s Brenda, and he’s Grogu, and We’re On the Road with Mickey! This is episode 321, and our feature topic is Our Top 3 Disney Live-Action Movie Remakes! In this week’s episode, we each talked about our favorite live-action movie remakes that Disney has been producing. Here’s what we talked about: Cheddar from the Big Cheese: Lactose Intolerance Awareness Week Connect with us! Here’s how:  Facebook: https://facebook.ontheroadwithmickey.com Facebook Group: https://facebookgroup.ontheroadwithmickey.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OntheRoadwithMickey Instagram: On the Road with Mickey Email: [email protected] Website: ontheroadwithmickey.com Question of the Week Feedback: What is one piece of advice you would give to a first time Disney-goer? Paula: “I’d say get the Photo Pass. The ride photos are so cool to have and the Disney photographers are truly amazing with creating memorable moments” Sherry: “Plans are great but write them in pencil and don’t let a messed up plan ruin your trip! Especially if traveling with kids because they may blow your plan to pieces. Leave time in your day for breaks. Whether that’s at the hotel, finding a comfy spot to sit for parades or a show, or sit down meals for late lunches! Your feet will love you! Do NOT wear new shoes to the parks and even with comfy worn in shoes pack blister band aids just in case. Drink lots of water and always hit the potty before long ride lines (even if no one has to go lol)” Chandler: “Don’t spend all your time behind your phone. Sure, get a photo, take a video, but not every. Single. Second.” Pam: “At least 6 months in advance, start a walking program that you can build up to 15,000 steps a day. Get good walking shoes to break in BEFORE you go to WDW.Know that you can’t do it all.Grab a celebration button from check in.If you love interacting with the characters, breakfast character dining is less expensive than L/D. Cuts down on standing in lines to meet them.Definitely plan the table service restaurants you want to try but keep flexibility in your day for surprises you weren’t expecting.If you have the days, make a few low energy days.Above all else, ENJOY THE TIME.” Sheila: “Make sure you have a Disney Vacation Planner, Have that planner make all your dinner reservations and lightening lanes. Ask your family their must do’s and make a plan.” Laurie: “Bring duct tapeDumbo or dieThat was from a 1990s travel book.Make the plans. Don’t keep going but stop for street shows, grab a nosh, or pop into a ride that has a short line.I took a man to Disneyland. Had to look at kids then Cruella. Half an hour to buy a hat. At least 4 snack breaks. I knew the weather was gonna turn wet. We had to go home. He had the best day ever while my wee autistic brain curled up and melted away. We could have done more rides but half an hour for a baseball cap was too much.So my advice is to have plans and options. Know the food so you can stop now for yummy food then stick to a schedule and try to wait as your stomach says FEED ME NOW.” Feature Topic: Our Top 3 Disney Live-Action Movie Remakes! Sophie: 3) The Little Mermaid (2023) 2) Aladdin (2019) 1) Cinderella (2015) HM) Beauty and the Beast (2017) Brenda: 3) Lilo & Stitch (2025) 2) Cinderella (2015) 1) Beauty and the Beast (2017) HM) Mulan (2020) Mike: 3) Cinderella (2015) 2) Beauty and the Beast (2017) 1) Moana (2026) HM) Aladdin (2019) Sophie’s Question of the Week: What Disney animated movie would you like to see made into a live action remake? This Day in Disney History for 8/17: 1786: The Birth of Davy Crockett! The Weekly Disney Windows Richard Irvine – Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (Magic Kingdom) – Walter E. Disney – Graduate School of Design & Master Planning \ Headmaster – Richard Irvine | Dean of Design – John Hench \ Instructors – Howard Brummitt, Marvin Davis, Fred Hope | Instructors – Vic Greene, Bill Martin, Chuck Myall \ We specialize in Imagineering A little bit of Walt “We have always tried to be guided by the basic idea that, in the discovery of knowledge, there is great entertainment—as, conversely, in all good entertainment, there is always some grain of wisdom, humanity or enlightenment to be gained.” – Walt Disney Coming next week: The Most Relaxing Spots in Each Park