WDW Radio: Your Guide to the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise and More Disney Magic!
Travel
WDW Radio is the award-winning Disney podcast that brings the magic of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars to life. Since 2005, hosted by Lou Mongello – Disney expert, author, speaker, and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee – has been your trusted guide through the parks and beyond. Each week, tune in for Disney news, vacation planning tips, interviews, trivia, deep dives into Disney history, attraction and dining reviews, hidden park secrets, and more. From first-timer visitors to lifelong fans, this family-friendly podcast shares the tips, stories, secrets, and insights to help you plan smarter, experience more, and feel the magic like never before. Voted Best Travel Podcast 9 years in a row, WDW Radio also features a blog, videos, live shows, community meetups, group cruises, and special Disney fan events around the world. WDW Radio has welcomed legendary guests including Julie Andrews, Tony Baxter, Marty Sklar, Alan Menken, Richard Sherman, Paige O’Hara, Jodi Benson, Kevin Feige, Ashley Eckstein, and countless Imagineers, Cast Members, actors, producers, and creators who bring Disney magic to life. Explore Lou’s books (Walt Disney World Trivia, The Disney Interviews, 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World) and virtual Audio Tours at WDWRadio.com. Lou is also the founder of the Dream Team Project, which has raised more than $550,000 to grant wishes for children to visit Walt Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Start listening now to discover the stories, secrets, and magic that make the Disney Parks, Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars truly unforgettable. 🎙️ Learn more at WDWRadio.com ✨ Lou Mongello is an acclaimed keynote speaker and founder of Momentum – a transformative platform of events, coaching, courses, content, and community. He provides creators and entrepreneurs with practical guidance and inspiration to help turn passion into profession, build an audience with purpose, and grow a meaningful, sustainable business. As a speaker, Lou shares powerful business and leadership lessons from the Disney Parks and Walt Disney himself, helping organizations improve storytelling, customer experience, company culture, and innovation through unforgettable, actionable presentations. 🔗 Discover more at LouMongello.com
Location:
Orlando, FL
Description:
WDW Radio is the award-winning Disney podcast that brings the magic of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars to life. Since 2005, hosted by Lou Mongello – Disney expert, author, speaker, and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee – has been your trusted guide through the parks and beyond. Each week, tune in for Disney news, vacation planning tips, interviews, trivia, deep dives into Disney history, attraction and dining reviews, hidden park secrets, and more. From first-timer visitors to lifelong fans, this family-friendly podcast shares the tips, stories, secrets, and insights to help you plan smarter, experience more, and feel the magic like never before. Voted Best Travel Podcast 9 years in a row, WDW Radio also features a blog, videos, live shows, community meetups, group cruises, and special Disney fan events around the world. WDW Radio has welcomed legendary guests including Julie Andrews, Tony Baxter, Marty Sklar, Alan Menken, Richard Sherman, Paige O’Hara, Jodi Benson, Kevin Feige, Ashley Eckstein, and countless Imagineers, Cast Members, actors, producers, and creators who bring Disney magic to life. Explore Lou’s books (Walt Disney World Trivia, The Disney Interviews, 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World) and virtual Audio Tours at WDWRadio.com. Lou is also the founder of the Dream Team Project, which has raised more than $550,000 to grant wishes for children to visit Walt Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Start listening now to discover the stories, secrets, and magic that make the Disney Parks, Cruise Line, Marvel, and Star Wars truly unforgettable. 🎙️ Learn more at WDWRadio.com ✨ Lou Mongello is an acclaimed keynote speaker and founder of Momentum – a transformative platform of events, coaching, courses, content, and community. He provides creators and entrepreneurs with practical guidance and inspiration to help turn passion into profession, build an audience with purpose, and grow a meaningful, sustainable business. As a speaker, Lou shares powerful business and leadership lessons from the Disney Parks and Walt Disney himself, helping organizations improve storytelling, customer experience, company culture, and innovation through unforgettable, actionable presentations. 🔗 Discover more at LouMongello.com
Twitter:
@loumongello
Language:
English
Contact:
Walt Disney World Resort PO Box 10000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 888-703-2171
Website:
http://www.wdwradio.com
Episodes
862 · The Happiest Factory on Earth: Disneyland, Automation, and the Future of Theme Parks
4/5/2026
862 · The Happiest Factory on Earth: Disneyland, Automation, and the Future of Theme Parks
What if the magic of Disneyland isn't just what you see - but how it all works?
In Episode 862, Lou Mongello sits down with Roland Betancourt - Guggenheim Fellow, UC Irvine Professor of Art History, and author of Disneyland and the Rise of Automation - for a conversation that might just completely change the way you experience every Disney attraction, every land, and every sound in the parks.
They explore how a churro rolling through a conveyor belt oven became the thesis of an entire book on Disneyland history… how Walt Disney’s 1948 visit to the Ford River Rouge plant quietly helped shape the DNA of the park we know today… how the Enchanted Tiki Room’s birds were animated using magnetic tape technology also used in early missile systems… and why the tension between automation and human workers dominating headlines today was already playing out on Disneyland’s opening day in 1955.
Whether you love Disney parks history, theme park technology, or want to experience Disneyland in a completely new way, you’ll learn exactly where to stand, what to listen for, and what to touch on your very next visit… and why you may never ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds the same way again.
This is Disneyland like you've never heard it before.
📖 Get the book: https://amzn.to/4dwr32n
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
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🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:20:09
861 · Daredevil Born Again Season 2: Spoiler-Free Review
3/30/2026
861 · Daredevil Born Again Season 2: Spoiler-Free Review
Is this the Marvel show that changes everything?
What stood out after watching Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 wasn’t what I expected - and having seen the full season early thanks to Marvel Studios screeners, I couldn’t wait to talk about it.
In this spoiler-free Daredevil Born Again Season 2 review, I’m sharing what stayed with me most… and why this one feels different in a way that’s hard to ignore.
This episode was recorded during this week’s WDW Radio LIVE show, where we opened it up to real-time conversation with the community - because the best way to talk about a show like this is together.
We cover:
- What immediately sets the tone in Episode 1, “The Northern Star”
- The evolving dynamic between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk - and why it operates on so many levels at once
- Why Season 2 feels more grounded, more restrained, and more character-driven
- What makes Daredevil connect far beyond the action
- Community reactions and first impressions from the WDW Radio LIVE audience
If you loved the original Netflix series, this season is going to mean a lot to you. And if you're just looking for a show that pulls you in and keeps you thinking long after it's over... this might be the one.
Subscribe to WDW Radio and join us live every Wednesday at approximately 7:30 PM Eastern on Facebook and YouTube. Find the full community at WDWRadio.com/Clubhouse.
Duration:00:55:26
860 · Inside World of Frozen Disneyland Paris - Disney Adventure World
3/23/2026
860 · Inside World of Frozen Disneyland Paris - Disney Adventure World
Disney Adventure World and World of Frozen may represent the biggest shift in Disney Parks design we’ve seen in years... and you can feel it from the very first step.
Something felt different the moment we stepped onto Adventure Way.
Before the gates even opened to the public, Lou Mongello was invited inside Disney Adventure World - the bold $2.3 billion transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris - for an exclusive preview of World of Frozen.
And what he experienced may signal an entirely new era for Disney Parks.
In this episode, we go deep on everything - from the sweeping scale of Arendelle to the emotional impact of the Cascade of Lights nighttime spectacular... a free-roaming Olaf animatronic powered by AI and built in months, not years... and a baby troll puppet named Mossie who might just be the breakout star of the entire land.
You’ll hear honest impressions of the dining, the details hidden in plain sight, and why Frozen Ever After here feels different from its EPCOT counterpart... plus why Adventure Way, with its original Abbey Road orchestral score, may be the most intentional entry experience Disney has ever created.
Key Takeaways:
This is the episode that might just make you book your trip to Disneyland Paris!
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:02:08:38
859 · EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Sweet 16 Bracket-Style Tournament
3/9/2026
859 · EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Sweet 16 Bracket-Style Tournament
What happens when you take the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Sweet 16 desserts, and put them into a bracket-style tournament, recorded LIVE at the Festival?
You get delicious chaos.
After the success of last year’s Savory 16, we’re doing it again. But this time we’re diving into the sweetest side of EPCOT’s most beautiful festival. From nostalgic cereal milk shakes to fruit sushi, funnel cakes, frozen cobblers, and unexpected surprises, 16 desserts go head-to-head across World Showcase to determine one champion.
I am joined by two fellow foodies (who joined me for our Savory 16 tournament last year), as we walk the promenade, taste every contender, debate favorites, and crown the Best Sweet Treat of the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
Along the way we talk festival strategy, surprising standouts, value picks, and the dishes you absolutely should not miss.
If you love EPCOT festivals, Disney food, or just playing along with your own bracket in the parks, this one is for you.
Subscribe for more Disney insights, reviews, and conversations, and join the community in the WDW Radio Clubhouse.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:47:30
857 · 50+ Disney Cruise Line Insider Hacks | The Ultimate Guide
3/2/2026
857 · 50+ Disney Cruise Line Insider Hacks | The Ultimate Guide
What if your next Disney cruise already had upgrades built right in... and you just did not know where to look?
Recorded LIVE aboard the Disney Magic, Lou Mongello is joined by cruise expert and Mouse Fan Travel’s Beci Mahnken to reveal 50+ Disney Cruise Line insider hacks that experienced cruisers use to sail smarter, avoid crowds, and unlock hidden experiences most guests never discover.
Together, they break down the ultimate insider playbook.
We cover:
These are real insider moves, little-known tips, secret snacks (yes, they exist), and pro strategies that turn a great voyage into an unforgettable one.
Whether you are planning your first sailing or your fiftieth, you are going to hear at least one thing that makes you say... “Wait... you can DO that?!”
Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and come share your own best Disney Cruise Line insider hacks in the WDW Radio Clubhouse.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:43:23
857 · Top Ten Extinct Walt Disney World Experiences We'd Bring Back
2/23/2026
857 · Top Ten Extinct Walt Disney World Experiences We'd Bring Back
Some of the most powerful memories you have from Walt Disney World probably aren’t tied to a single attraction.
They’re tied to something else.
This week, in Episode 857, we’re counting down our Top Ten Extinct Walt Disney World Experiences We’d Bring Back. No rides allowed. No $2 ticket books. Just the details, the atmosphere, the in-between moments that quietly changed how the parks felt.
These weren’t headliners.
They weren’t rope drop priorities.
But somehow… they became part of our story.
From the unexpected to the emotional to the “Oh wow, I forgot about that,” this list is going to spark memories... and maybe a little debate.
And as you listen, I want you building your own list.
Because I guarantee at least one of yours won’t be on mine.
Join the conversation, share what you’d bring back, and be part of the community at WDWRadio.com.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:23:04
856 · I Just Got Off a Call With Disney’s New CEO, Josh D’Amaro
2/9/2026
856 · I Just Got Off a Call With Disney’s New CEO, Josh D’Amaro...
Disney just named only its ninth CEO in more than 100 years, and days later, I found myself on a video call with Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro.
In this episode, I share what that on-the-record conversation revealed about Josh’s leadership style, his Josh D’Amaro Disney CEO leadership vision, and his commitment to remaining accessible to fans and Cast Members even as his role expands. We talk about why so many people feel a personal connection to Josh, and how that authenticity shapes the way he leads.
We also explore why the pairing of Josh as CEO and Dana Walden as President and Chief Creative Officer may be one of the most important structural decisions Disney has made since the Bob Iger era - and why this leadership design matters more than the title change itself.
We discuss what this moment means for Disney Parks, storytelling, technology, Cast Members, and the Disney fan community, and why this doesn’t feel like a simple succession, but the beginning of a more unified Disney.
This is an honest, thoughtful look at the Josh D’Amaro Disney CEO leadership vision and why it could redefine how Disney shows up as one company, everywhere we experience it.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as...
Duration:01:23:31
855 · Tony Baxter, Figment, and the Art of Imagination at Disney
1/26/2026
855 · Tony Baxter, Figment, and the Art of Imagination at Disney
How did Figment become one of the most beloved and enduring symbols in Disney Parks history?
Disney Legend Tony Baxter reflects on Figment, imagination, and creative legacy in a rare conversation recorded at EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts. Joined by Michael Young, CEO of Disney Fine Art, this episode explores how Disney art and storytelling connect generations of fans.
Tony Baxter is one of the most influential creative leaders in Disney theme park history. Over his decades at Walt Disney Imagineering, he helped shape iconic experiences including Journey Into Imagination, Figment, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, Splash Mountain, and the creative vision behind Disneyland Paris.
In this episode, Tony looks back on imagination as the emotional heart of EPCOT, the mentors who shaped his creative philosophy, and the personal artwork he created years before many of his most famous Disney projects ever existed. He also shares what he hopes fans feel when they live with a piece of Disney art in their home.
Lou is also joined by Michael Young, who offers insight into Disney Fine Art’s role in preserving artistic legacy, curating storytellers across generations, and why Disney art is about far more than what hangs on a wall.
This is a conversation about imagination, mentorship, legacy, and the enduring emotional connection Disney fans have with art and storytelling.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
Duration:00:50:55
854 · Disney In or Out - Pick a Side on These Disney Debates
1/21/2026
What if there was no right or wrong answer…only where you stand?
854 · Disney In or Out - Pick a Side on These Disney Debates
In this episode of Disney In or Out, we have a fast-paced, passionate conversation about the Disney topics fans love to debate.
From Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Magic Kingdom attractions to Marvel after Avengers Endgame, we explore the Disney debates fans care about most and why they strike such an emotional chord.
This is Disney In or Out at its best - thoughtful, fun, nostalgic, and unapologetically opinionated.
I'm joined by Lisa Dinoto Glassner and Matthew Woolley, and our conversation also takes a thoughtful turn into Disney leadership, as we explore what comes after Bob Iger and whether Disney’s future might depend on rethinking how the CEO role itself is structured.
It's not about being right… it’s about why we as Disney fans care so deeply, and what our opinions reveal about nostalgia, storytelling, and the future of Disney.
And the best part is that you can play along, pick your side, and share your take in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or on the voicemail.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:16:42
853 · Disneyland Handcrafted Review and Interview with Leslie Iwerks
1/12/2026
853 · Disneyland Handcrafted Review and Interview with Leslie Iwerks
Disneyland has been analyzed and celebrated for decades. But Disneyland Handcrafted shows us something far more rare. How the park was actually built.
This week, I sit down with Academy Award nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks for a deep conversation about her new documentary, Disneyland Handcrafted, followed by my review and thoughtful discussion with Adam Bankhurst from IGN after attending the world premiere on the Walt Disney Studios lot.
We talk about unseen archival footage, Walt, the pressure of building Disneyland in less than a year, and the craftsmen and builders whose hands shaped the park we know today.
This is not nostalgia. It’s history, risk, and belief in motion.
🎧 What you’ll hear:
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of...
Duration:01:15:09
852 · The State of the Disney Parks: What 2025 Changed and Why 2026 Matters
1/4/2026
852 · The State of the Disney Parks: What 2025 Changed and Why 2026 Matters
If you had to describe Disney in 2025 and what it means for 2026, what word would you choose?
2025 wasn’t a year defined by massive new attractions. Instead, it was a year of movement, transition, and emotional goodbyes. Lands closed. Atmospheres shifted. Comfort gave way to construction. And for many fans, it felt like Disney was asking us to trust what comes next.
This is not simply another 2025 Disney year in revue and look ahead to or predictions for 2026.
This week, we have a very honest, thoughtful conversation about Disney in 2025 and what it means for 2026. We look at what closed, what opened, what surprised us emotionally, and why this year may end up being one of the most important setup years in Disney history. We also explore what Disney needs to deliver in 2026 to make all of this feel worth it.
Join the conversation, share your memories, and be part of the WDW Radio community.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:52:00
851 · D23 and the Future of Disney Fandom with Michael Vargo
12/15/2025
851 · D23 and the Future of Disney Fandom with Michael Vargo
What is D23 today - and what will it become in the years ahead?
This week, Lou Mongello is joined by Michael Vargo, Head of Disney’s D23, for an in-depth conversation about the evolution of D23, the future of Disney fandom, and what fans can expect in 2026 and beyond. From the return of the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim to expanded global experiences, digital storytelling, milestone celebrations, and unprecedented access behind the scenes, this episode explores how D23 continues to bring Disney fans closer to the magic - and to each other.
Join me and the WDW Radio family for the 19th Annual Morgan & Morgan Walk for Wishes on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Lake Eola Park in Orlando. One easy mile for Make-A-Wish, with food, entertainment, and more! Learn more and register at WDWRadio.com/WalkForWishes.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:00:55:48
850 · Disney Q&A: Hidden Magic & Helpful Advice
12/8/2025
850 · Disney Q&A: Hidden Magic & Helpful Advice
What Disney question have you always wanted answered?
This week, we try something brand new as we answer a wide variety of your Disney listener questions and tips in a fresh, fun, and faster format.
We talk about the choices you face when planning your next Disney adventure. We look at Disney Cruise Line decisions like the Destiny vs. the classic ships, the things we wish Disney would bring back, the experiences we think are underrated, our favorite dining rooms at sea, the best souvenirs we have ever taken home, and the tiny details in the parks that bring us joy.
More than that, we talk about why these questions matter and how your stories and messages continue to shape the heart of the WDW Radio community.
If you love learning, exploring, planning, laughing, and discovering something new each time you visit a park or a ship, this is for you. And if you have your own thoughts or questions, I would love to hear from you.
📣 Comment in the WDW Radio Clubhouse or 📞 Call the Voicemail: 407-900-9391
✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
📬 Stay Connected:
- Subscribe for email updates + get my FREE Disney book!
- Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
🎧 Explore More:
WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:00:14
849 · My Five Hidden Dining Gems at Walt Disney World
11/30/2025
849 · My Five Hidden Dining Gems at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is packed with incredible food, but some of the very best meals hide in the places guests walk right past. This week, we’re digging into My Five Overlooked Dining Locations at Walt Disney World, including tucked away lounges, lakeside escapes, and resort restaurants that deliver amazing food without the rush or the reservation scramble.
You’ll hear why these five locations stood out, what makes them special, and how they bring value, atmosphere, and some surprisingly bold flavors. We’ll head from Disney Springs to the resorts and even inside the parks to uncover spots offering everything from global street food flavors to waterfront comfort dishes.
Whether you’ve been visiting for years or planning your very first Disney vacation, these overlooked gems might help you discover a new favorite meal.
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Duration:00:41:45
848 · How to Walk Smarter and Feel Better at Walt Disney World
11/24/2025
848 · How to Walk Smarter and Feel Better at Walt Disney World
Long days in the Disney parks are magical… but they’re also full of walking, standing, heat, excitement, and unexpected moments that can leave you feeling drained before the fireworks even start.
This week, I’m joined by a doctor of physical therapy to talk about practical tips to help you feel better all day at Walt Disney World.
We explore simple, science-based habits you can use before, during, and even after your trip to help you feel more comfortable, confident, and energized throughout the day. From footwear and hydration to stretching, pacing, mindset, and even daily habits, these are easy ways to help every member of your family enjoy more of the magic.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with kids, grandparents, first-timers, or tackling a full rope-drop-to-fireworks adventure, these insights can help you feel your best.
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Duration:00:55:06
847 · Top Ten Reasons You Need to Cruise on Disney Destiny
11/19/2025
847 · Top Ten Reasons You Need to Cruise on Disney Destiny
Join me this week for the ultimate Disney Destiny review, as we share our Top Ten Reasons Why You Need to Cruise on the Disney Destiny.
We take you inside Disney Cruise Line’s newest Wish-class ship and reveal everything we discovered on board. From the heroes and villains theme to the immersive storytelling, characters, dining, and unexpected surprises, the Destiny delivered new experiences that may even be paving the way for what comes next for Disney Cruise Line.
If you want real insights, helpful tips, and honest reactions before planning your Disney Destiny cruise, this episode will help you decide if this ship is the right choice for your next vacation.
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✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
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Duration:02:16:45
846 · Mary Poppins: Untold Stories and the Making of a Disney Classic
11/8/2025
846 · Mary Poppins: Untold Stories and the Making of a Disney Classic
Mary Poppins is practically perfect, but the process behind it was emotional, unpredictable, and filled with incredible stories that most fans have never been told.
There are very few "perfect" movies in this world: Jaws... The Shawshank Redemption... The Shining... Back to the Future... and from Disney, there is only one on this list - Mary Poppins. This week, I’m joined by author and Disney historian Todd James Pierce, whose new book Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film uncovers the deeper, more emotional, and often surprising history behind the film. Together, we explore the Sherman Brothers’ remarkable journey, Walt Disney’s creative vision, and the behind-the-scenes breakthroughs that shaped one of Disney’s most beloved classics.
My friend… these stories will change the way you watch Mary Poppins forever.
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Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:38:54
845 · Cotino – What It’s Really Like Inside Disney’s First Storyliving Community
11/2/2025
845 · Cotino – What It’s Really Like Inside Disney’s First Storyliving Community
What if Disney built a place you could actually live?
This week, I take you inside Cotino, Disney’s first Storyliving by Disney community... and share what I discovered as one of the first people invited to explore it.
I didn’t know what to expect… but what Cotino revealed about Storyliving truly surprised me. In this episode, we’ll look at what makes this place so much more than homes in the desert, how it honors Walt’s revolutionary ideas and dream for a living, breathing community, how it reimagines that vision for today, and why it might mark the next great chapter and evolution in Disney’s own story.
🎧 Listen and discover how Disney is once again changing not just how we experience stories... but how we live them.
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✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
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Duration:02:18:24
844 · My Five Spooky Disney Halloween Ideas for Walt Disney World
10/27/2025
👻 What if Disney made Halloween at Walt Disney World even spookier?
This week, Lou Mongello shares his five original, story-driven Disney Halloween ideas that could transform the parks with new attractions, experiences, and eerie overlays - all filled with that perfect mix of nostalgia, storytelling, and Disney magic.
From haunted celebrations of extinct attractions to imaginative new Halloween experiences, Lou dreams up what could make the Walt Disney World Halloween season even more magical - with creative concepts that celebrate Disney’s history, innovation, and a few friendly frights along the way.
🎃 Whether you love the Haunted Mansion, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, or just the fall vibes in the parks, you’ll love these spooky “what if” ideas inspired by Disney’s unique blend of fun and fantasy.
💬 Which idea is your favorite, or what kind of Halloween experience would you love to see at Walt Disney World?
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Duration:00:32:44
843 · In or Out? - Agree, Disagree, and Defend Your Disney Picks
10/6/2025
Is EPCOT the best full-day Walt Disney World park? Should Genie+ be eliminated? Who is the greatest Disney villain of all time?
This week on WDW Radio, Lou Mongello hosts another round of In or Out. It is the fun, fast-paced Disney fan debate segment where we tackle the big and small questions about Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disney movies, and beyond. From replacing Pirate Night on Disney Cruise Line, to where is the best storytelling, Disney villains, the future of Disney Parks experiences, and much more... every topic is up for debate!
So think about your own answer as you listen and let me know… are you in, or are you out?
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✈️ Looking to visit a Disney Park, Disney Cruise Line, or any vacation destination around the world? Let our friends at Mouse Fan Travel help you with expert planning at no cost to you! - visit MouseFanTravel.com
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WDWRadio.comWDW Radio NationWDWRadioLIVE.comEvents & CruisesLouMongello.comMomentumkeynote speaker
🙏 Thank you for listening, being part of the WDW Radio family, and helping the show be recognized as the Best Travel Podcast for nine consecutive years - and for the incredible honor of being inducted into the ⭐️ Podcast Hall of Fame.
Please subscribe, tell a friend, and join me again next week... and as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of the WDW Radio Show!
Duration:01:11:46