Click here to download the PDF.

Click here to download the PDF.

Walt Disney’s vision of American pride and innovation is a key influence behind both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. “America On Parade” was conceived as a tribute to the United States during its Bicentennial, celebrating the country’s achievements, lifestyle, and cultural milestones. Designed as a grand spectacle, the parade showcases iconic moments and inventions in American history with a distinct Disney flair. The accompanying booklet offers a visual and narrative look at the production, highlighting the connection between Walt Disney’s ideals and this celebration of “Americanism.”

To prepare for such an ambitious parade, extensive research went into portraying the lighter and more joyous sides of American history. Rather than focusing on wars or political events, the creative team chose to highlight relatable and nostalgic moments like school days, Thanksgiving, and popular inventions. Disney’s artists and designers worked to conceptualize a whimsical, immersive experience through large-scale musical stages instead of traditional floats, bringing America’s stories to life in stylized and theatrical ways. Careful consideration was given to the practical logistics of moving massive structures through theme park streets.

Central to the visual identity of America On Parade were over 300 original characters known as the “People of America.” These larger-than-life figures, reminiscent of the style used in “It’s a Small World,” were crafted with exaggerated features to create a childlike, whimsical atmosphere. Equally important were the historically accurate and visually striking costumes, which required intensive research and fabrication. Costumes had to be durable and eye-catching, designed for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions of the parade, emphasizing entertainment value and authenticity.

Music played a crucial role in immersing guests in the patriotic spirit of the parade. The soundtrack, built around a restored 1890s band organ named “Sadie Mae,” featured classic American tunes presented in a unique, mechanical style. The parade introduced a novel audio system where each float broadcast its own music via FM signals to speakers embedded within the stages, allowing for a seamless and dynamic sound experience that matched each scene and performance.

The execution of America On Parade relied heavily on a massive team of performers and behind-the-scenes crew. Thousands of students, dancers, and marching bands from across the U.S. participated, often as part of work-study programs. Meticulous training, costume management, sound engineering, and logistics were handled by dedicated staff, all contributing to a 15-month run that celebrated not just American history, but the collective effort of individuals coming together—embodying the very spirit the parade set out to honor.

Click here to download the PDF.

Join Chris and Glenn as we discuss Chris’ cruise on Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Wish—plus an aftershow discussing photography

• Released 10/26/22
• Chris and family sailed on the Disney Wish last week
• Background and history of cruising
• Booking and planning
• Itinerary
• Terminal and Embarkation
  • Dining changes
  • Safety (Muster) Drill
• Stateroom and location
• Theming and decor
• Ship layout
  • Adult areas
• Dining and restaurants
  • Breakfast Buffet – Marceline Market
  • Main Dining
  • Palo v Enchante
  • Casual options
    • Festival of Food
    • Ice Cream
• Kids clubs
  • Special needs
  • Bands
• Information, Communication, Tech
  • An app…of course.
  • Room outlets
  • Internet
• Entertainment
  • Shows
  • AquaMouse
  • Hero Zone
    • Incredicourse
      • Socks
  • Funnel Vision
• Ports of Call
  • Nassau
  • Castaway Cay
    • Weather
    • Last day
    • Towels and Drinks
• Shopping and Merchandise
• After show: Photography Talk

Join Chris and Glenn as we discuss Chris’ trip to the Magic Kingdom and his experience with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes

• Released 4/10/22
• Bananas for Cabanas
• Animal Kingdom
  • Mobile dining
• Park Reservations
• Magic Kingdom visit
  • Want to ride rides
  • Genie Plus
    • In the technology all the time
    • Horrible User Experience
    • Peter Pan LL
    • Buzz Lightyear LL
    • Dumbo LL – didn’t use
    • Fantasyland first
    • On average, guests can enter 2 to 3 attractions or experiences per day using the Lightning Lane entrance if the first selection is made early in the day.
    • https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/genie/
  • Double gangway for ferry
  • Lunch at Columbia Harbor House

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Join Chris and Glenn and special guest Casey Liss on our “changes” episode! We recap the changes since pre-pandemic times and peer into what the future holds.

• Recorded on 12/2/21; Released 12/5/21
• Special Guest: Casey Liss
  • Co-host of Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP) and Analog(ue)
  • Creator of the Peek-a-View iPhone app which is a read-only photo browser which was inspired by a trip to Disney World
• Disney’s FastPass: A Complicated History
• Recap of the changes since pre-pandemic times; the “changes” episode
• What’s different now than before the pandemic shutdown?
  • Disney’s Magical Express
  • Face coverings indoors
  • No parades yet; will return in 2022; have cavalcades instead
    • Dragon float catches on fire during Disney World parade
  • No dining plans
  • No parking lot trams to date; announced on 12/2/21 that the trams will return this month
  • Limited character meet-and-greets
  • Resort guests get 30-minute early entry to any Walt Disney World theme park, every day; no more early or evening magic hours, and not all the attractions are open
  • Fireworks restarted in July
  • Annual Passholder discussion
  • Park reservations
    • Park hopping is limited to after 2 pm; you must go to the park where you have the reservation before park hopping
  • Technology
    • Mobile order for dining
    • Dining reservations and check in
    • online check in at resorts; use magic band or app to open your door
    • Theme park entry; use magic band or app (including Apple watch) to enter
    • Genie
      • Genie
        • Free, offers “personalized itinerary”
      • Genie+
        • Ride reservations and line-skipping via the Lightning Lane
        • $15 per person, per day
        • Can make first reservation starting at 7 am
        • After you use your Genie+ reservation or after two hours, you can make another reservation
      • Individual Lightning Lane purchases
        • Prices start at $7 per person, per attraction
        • Variable. Can go up to $15 depending on day
        • Can buy at 2 different attractions each day
        • Resort guests can start purchasing at 7 am/ day guests can start at park opening
        • Magic Kingdom
          • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
          • Space Mountain
        • Epcot
          • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
          • Frozen Ever After
        • Hollywood Studios
          • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
          • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
        • Animal Kingdom
          • Avatar Flight of Passage
          • Expedition Everest

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Join Chris and Glenn on our 100th episode magical celebration! There are no pink castles, but we have two (!) trip reports, including a combined report from the Magic Kingdom! Don’t miss it!

• Released on 8/15/21
• Chris’ trip
• Glenn’s trip
  • First times
    • Kali River Rapids
    • Skyliner
    • Oga’s Cantina
    • Rose and Crown
    • Gideons
    • Everglaze
    • Blaze Pizza
• Chris’ next big adventure

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Join Chris and Glenn as we get a trip report from Chris’ visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Father’s Day. We also discuss Glenn’s upcoming trip to WDW.

• Released on 6/26/21
• News
  • Contemporary redecorating
  • https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/06/first-look-inside-a-reimagined-guest-room-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/
  • https://blogmickey.com/2021/03/incredibles-room-retheme-confirmed-for-disneys-contemporary-resort/
• Chris’ trip report for DHS visit
  • Park Reservations
  • Virtual Queue system
  • The day didn’t start off great even if it did start early
  • Ah….weather and crowds
  • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Train (isn’t it Goofy’s runaway train?!)
    • Reflections on GMR
    • Thoughts on MMRT
    • OH: “How come they have fastpasses and we don’t!?”
  • Galaxy’s Edge
    • Nothing to do but I love it.
    • Should be 3x
    • Smuggler’s Run broken too (60m)
  • Why is it so difficult to get to Pixarland?
    • Alien Saucers (30m)
    • Midway Mania (40m…really 30)
    • Woody’s Lunchbox
  • The Disney App – Do people like it?
  • And finally…. $2.50 for a single banana?!?
  • Given all that my score for the day (out of 10) was…….
  • What does it mean for our trips in July

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Join Chris and Glenn as we discuss planning a trip to WDW with the Park Reservation system and the adventure of trying to get dining reservations. We also get a trip report from Chris!

• Released on 6/5/21
• Coke Corner is no more
• Things are changing in the world thanks to the Covid vaccine
  • Eliminated the 6-foot distancing rule
  • Remove mask mandate outdoors; still required inside
• Rabbit Holes:
  • Color of sidewalks in Disney Parks. What’s myth and what’s fact?
  • Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – the moving stage
• Glenn has a WDW trip panned for July
  • Making dining reservations
  • Challenges getting a park reservation
    • Via Napoli in Italy
• Chris’ Disney Adventures
  • Magic Kingdom visit on Mother’s Day
  • PhotoPass challenges
  • FastPass+
  • Dole Whips
  • Stayed around 3-4 hours
  • Lines are long, but they move fast
• Annual Passes back on sale on August 16???
• PSA about hats in the parks
• When will the WDW Railroad open?
• Chris is pro-no fly zones over WDW

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Join Chris and Glenn as get a recap of Chris’ trip to Animal Kingdom. Is it now Chris’ favorite park? Listen to find out!

• Released on 3/26/21
• Chris visits Animal Kingdom
  • Three hours
  • Entrance
  • Asia
    • Animal encounter
  • Tea – Joffrey’s
  • Kid adventure passport
  • Africa – Harambe
    • Gorilla Falls
  • Didn’t get to see Pandora
  • Exit
• Beastly Kingdom