Hello Tourists! On this adventure of Disney Conversations, we take a look at the differences and similarities of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as compared to Walt's original park Disneyland! For this discussion, Magical Matthew is joined by Tour Guides Janette Pellegrini and Mindy Muir! If you are planning a trip to one of these parks, and you have never been, we hope you find this information useful. Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park in Anaheim are two of the most popular theme parks in the world. While they share some similarities, they also have some significant differences. Here are some key comparisons between the two: 1.    Size and Layout: Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is significantly larger than Disneyland Park in terms of overall size and number of attractions. The Magic Kingdom covers an area of 107 acres and has 47 rides and attractions. Disneyland Park, on the other hand, covers only 85 acres and has 40 attractions. The layout of the two parks is also different, with the Magic Kingdom arranged in a circular pattern around the iconic Cinderella Castle, while Disneyland Park is more linear in design, with its entrance on one end and Sleeping Beauty Castle on the other. 2.    Unique Attractions: While both parks share some attractions, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World, there are also many unique attractions to each park. Magic Kingdom has several attractions not found at Disneyland, including the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, and the classic Carousel of Progress. Meanwhile, Disneyland Park has its own exclusive attractions, such as the Indiana Jones Adventure, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. 3.    Dining Options: Both parks offer a variety of dining options, ranging from quick-service snack stands to sit-down restaurants. However, Disneyland Park has a slightly larger variety of dining options, with unique restaurants such as the Blue Bayou, located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and the Cafe Orleans, which serves New Orleans-inspired cuisine. 4.    Atmosphere: The overall atmosphere of each park is also different. Magic Kingdom has a more grand, regal feel with its ornate castle and spacious Main Street, USA. Disneyland Park, on the other hand, has a more whimsical and nostalgic feel, with attractions like the original It's a Small World and classic characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

It's time to CELEBRATE! We made it to Tour number 100! And, how do we do that? By doing what we do...talk! Have you ever had a few extra days in your schedule and decided to take a short trip to Walt Disney World? We had a listener who was contemplating this very thing. As a result, Tour Guides Mindy Muir and Diane Whiting join Magical Matthew to discuss our most likely ideas for our own short trips to that magical place. We talk about how we would get there, where we would stay, and how we would plan our time. Some plans are packed bell to bell, but some ideas allow for some relaxation, as well. What would be YOUR ideal three to four day Walt Disney World adventure? Share with us at the Disney Conversations Facebook page or email us at [email protected]. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

On Tour 99, Magical Matthew and Tour Guide Diane Whiting compare Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort with Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. And, while there are many similarities, there are also some significant differences to consider. 1.    Theme: The Wilderness Lodge is inspired by the National Park lodges of the Pacific Northwest, while the Animal Kingdom Lodge is inspired by African wildlife preserves. 2.    Location: The Wilderness Lodge is situated in the Magic Kingdom area, while the Animal Kingdom Lodge is located near the Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. 3.    Room Views: While both resorts offer beautiful views, the Animal Kingdom Lodge has savannah-facing rooms where guests can observe grazing wildlife. The Wilderness Lodge, on the other hand, offers views of the resort's natural surroundings, such as the Copper Creek Springs Pool or the forests of the Pacific Northwest. 4.    Dining options: The Animal Kingdom Lodge has more dining options with its signature restaurant, Jiko - The Cooking Place, offering African-inspired cuisine, as well as Boma - Flavors of Africa, and Sanaa. The Wilderness Lodge has fewer dining options with its signature restaurant, Artist Point, offering Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine. 5.    Amenities: Both resorts offer numerous amenities, including pools, fitness centers, and complimentary transportation to the Disney parks. However, the Animal Kingdom Lodge also has cultural activities such as drum circles, and animal programs including the Wildlife Discovery Excursion, while the Wilderness Lodge offers outdoor activities such as fishing, bike rentals, and campfires --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

On Tour 98, I am joined by Tour Guides Diane Whiting and Mindy Muir and together we compare the Port Orleans Resorts (Riverside and French Quarter) to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.  We all have favorites and that comes through during the discussion.  Our goal is to give you as much information as possible to help you plan your next visit to the Walt Disney World area.  Disney's Port Orleans Resorts and Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort are both moderate-level resorts at Walt Disney World, but they offer different themes and amenities. Disney's Port Orleans Resorts consists of two separate but adjacent resorts: Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter. These resorts are themed after the historic French Quarter and the antebellum South, respectively. The resort features lush landscaping, waterways, and cobblestone streets. The rooms are spacious, and some offer views of the Sassagoula River. Both resorts have multiple pools, and there is a scenic boat ride that connects the two. On the other hand, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is themed after the colorful islands of the Caribbean, with each island represented by a different section of the resort. The resort features white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and a tropical village atmosphere. The rooms are bright and colorful, and some offer water views. The resort has multiple pools, including a large main pool with a pirate-themed water play area. In terms of amenities, both resorts offer similar dining options, including quick-service and table-service restaurants. However, Port Orleans Resorts has a more extensive selection of recreational activities, including fishing, bike rentals, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Caribbean Beach Resort, on the other hand, has a more extensive selection of transportation options, including the Disney Skyliner, which offers convenient access to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. In summary, both Port Orleans Resorts and Caribbean Beach Resort offer unique theming and amenities, and the choice between the two may come down to personal preferences. Port Orleans Resorts offers a more serene, Southern-style atmosphere with more recreational activities, while Caribbean Beach Resort offers a vibrant, tropical atmosphere with more convenient transportation options. For more information or booking assistance, contact me directly at [email protected] and we can begin planning your next visit to Walt Disney World. Until next we meet...TTFN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

Hello Tourists! We are beginning to look at various resorts at Walt Disney World by comparing them to each other. We consider party sizes, personalities, even noise levels in our look at these places to stay for our vacations. On this week's show, we compare the Family Suites at Art of Animation to the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. And, while they both can fit larger families or parties up to 6 people, they are completely different accommodation types. We will dive deep into looking at both options during this adventure, as Magical Matthew and Tour Guide Diane Whiting discuss all these resorts have to offer. We talk about the rooms, food options, transportation, and much more. For a video walkabout of the Art of Animation, check out my video HERE. Next time, we will compare three of the moderate offerings at Walt Disney World. Until then...TTFN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

Welcome back, Tourists! On this week's Disney Conversations we are joined by Tour Guide Mindy Muir who shares her thoughts on the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebrations. She also talks about what she has seen so far of the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company at Disneyland. She gives us a lot of information, as well as her opinions, on what she has seen along the way. We invite you to chime in on our discussions! Drop by our Disney Conversations Facebook page or send us an email at [email protected] and tell us what you have on your mind as it relates to anything Disney! Until next we meet, Tourists... TTFN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

What do you think? Did the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration measure up to the hype? Matthew, Diane, and Janette discuss this very topic on this week's edition of the Disney Conversations podcast. Everything from the nighttime offerings to desserts to merchandise is a part of the conversation. We each express our likes and dislikes of this 18 month event. Want to add your thoughts to the discussion? Chime in on the Disney Conversations Facebook page or email us a [email protected] and let's talk! Until next time, tourists! TTFN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is a challenge for many.  Our hope here at Disney Conversations, is that we have been helpful in making it a little less of a challenge.  And that is where this week's show comes in to play. When it comes to packing for a vacation to Walt Disney World, there are some items that you may not consider when packing for other trips.  On this tour, Magical Matthew is joined by tour guides Janette Pelligrini and Diane Whiting to sort through what needs to go into your suitcase and carry-on to save you time, and potentially money, while visiting WDW.   There is also discussion about what to put in your park bags to take in with you so you can be comfortable and safe. Join the discussion on our Facebook page or write us at [email protected]! See you next week... TTFN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

Diane and I spend time discussing the many options you have for getting to and around the Walt Disney World property.  Some of our ideas are good for both Orlando International and Sanford airports!  We talk about Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer specifically, as well as Uber, Lyft, Car Rentals, and Taxis.  We also mention a few private car services if that is your preference. We then move on to Grocery Delivery services.  This is a way to save a significant amount of money when at WDW by bringing some food items to your room.  Especially if you are aiming for Early Entry or Rope Drop before the food courts are opening.  Here are all of the websites for these services: For Mears Connect: www.mearsconnect.com For Sunshine Flyer: www.sunshineflyer.com For Garden Grocer: www.gardengrocer.com For Vacation Delivery Service: www.vacationgrocerydeliveryfl.com Have a great week, tourists and we will see you next time! TTFN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message

Partnered with Diane Whiting, we continue our discussion to help in planning your next Walt Disney World Vacation.  There is a lot to remember, and we hope by taking the time to put this series together we can make some of your decisions easier to make.  Feel free to contact us if you have questions, comments, or concerns.  We would be happy to assist in any way we can.  Write us at [email protected] or through our Disney Conversations Facebook Page. Until next we meet, tourists... TTFN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-wallace9/message