Retro Disney World Podcast

Summer is a great time for a vacation, so for a change of pace JT, How, Brian, and Todd talk about where they went on vacation this summer and what they experienced. JT visited the Wilderness Lodge when the air conditioning was out, How goes to Space Camp and Knoxville to visit the remnants of the 1982 World's Fair, Brian travels to New York to take in modern art and shop for sardines, and Todd opts for the European Gold Key package in France and Italy.

Listen in on a lively discussion about Walt Disney attractions that have reused ride tracks three or more times, including Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur/Indiana Jones, If You Had Wings/Dreamflight/Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Mission to Mars/Alien Encounter/Stitch Encounter, World of Motion/Test Track 1, 2, & 3, and some runner-ups like Carousel of Progress and Sunset Showcase. PLUS: Todd goes on vacation and adopts a dog!

Find out all about the Orange Bird, the former mascot of the Florida Citrus Growers who once appeared on merchandise everywhere around Florida and at the Sunshine Tree Pavilion at Walt Disney World. We'll talk about his origins, his work promoting citrus, and his eventual disappearance and later new lease on life at Disney's parks, first in Tokyo, and finally Walt Disney World.

Take a walk around Downtown Disney West Side as it was on opening day in 1997.

The Virgin Megastore dominated the corner block, but there were fun smaller stores too like Magnetron and Starbillias. West Side was a ‘90s diners‘ paradise with themed restaurants like Bongos, Forty Thirst Street and Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe. We go into detail about each location, including when they closed, what they became, and where they were in relation to today's West Side.

We also discuss the state of retail shopping in the 1990s and 2000s, the demographics that made Disney shopping boom, and how West Side's strategy of having tenants instead of Disney-run stores set up what Disney Springs would become.

Step back with us to Walt Disney World during America’s 1976 birthday celebration, when the parks were dressed to the nines for the United States Bicentennial. We relive the sights and sounds of the era—patriotic parades and float details, nighttime fireworks, and the red-white-and-blue bunting and decorations that transformed Main Street and beyond. Expect lots of vivid nostalgia, deep-cut observations, and the little design choices that made the Bicentennial feel uniquely Disney.

This month How leads a discussion about the selection process that brought Walt Disney World to Orlando, the different sites in the area that were considered for purchase, and some of the alternate locations that were considered. He also talks about when Walt Disney World almost helped build a city of the future and theme park in Palm Beach Gardens in 1959!

This episode of the RetroWDW Podcast is somewhat unique and calls for a different type of introduction. Our team has been hard at work planning for RetroMagic, which will take place from September 26th to September 28th, 2025.  For this show, we thought we would give you a little behind-the-scenes update, some sneak peeks of upcoming panels, and even some new things that have not been announced yet. This is going to be our biggest event yet and we look forward to seeing all of you again very soon.  All the information is in the 35 minute episode, but as you listen, be sure to check out the following, as we have a few places you can look for information:

www.RetroMagic.net – Main source for information & tickets
RetroWDW Info Page – Has some extra tidbits about the event
LBVHS Donations – Support our mission and get some amazing gifts
TeePublic Store – Grab some gear for the upcoming event
RetroMagic on YouTube – Relive some of our past events and see how fun they are for attendees

This one has been in the works for quite some time, and we are excited to bring it to you. Years ago, Disney was just a different type of place to vacation, and we all have our memories of things we have lost over the years, the little touches we remember, and more. While we are going to be cautious to not turn this into a gripe session/complaint episode, we are going to hit on some things that are both dissapointly gone and other things that maybe nobody misses. Either way, we hope you enjoy this look back at things that no longer exist. 

As you listen to this episode, we invite you to take a stroll down memory lane with us. Jot down anything we mention that sparks a forgotten moment or brings back a wave of Disney nostalgia. Maybe it’s something we overlooked—an old perk, a beloved resort amenity, or a little detail that meant the world to you. Whatever it is, we want to hear about it. Share with us the one feature, service, or special touch from the past that you miss the most. These stories are what keep the magic alive, and we’d love to include your memories in future episodes or discussions. Let’s keep the conversation—and the memories—flowing.