Ep 202. The One with the Travel Bucket List

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In the 202nd episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn and Dave are celebrating National Bucket List Day! 

This leads to a discussion about the things, mostly travel related, that are on both their bucket lists... places they'd like to visit, cruises they'd like to take, ground they'd like to set their feet upon, and theme parks to fly to.

First though, Jenn is getting ready for a huge travel summer, while Dave is putting a Cap on his wall. Then, a little news -- Epcot's Food & Wine Festival dates have been released, and we speculate on why the festival time period is shorter... and if it has to do anything with the upcoming CommuniCore opening.. and of course, speculation of what we might see in there.

Then, Disney filed permits for work on the Imagination Pavilion, so we also make some wildly off base yet fully educated guesses as to what Disney might be doing next in this area. And, is Figment so popular that he still needs his own attraction? 

Hollywood Studios has a 35th anniversary coming up... Smellephant is brand new in Magic Kingdom... new experiences require pre-payment (and why Mace Windu's lightsaber is purple)... and Jenn's joy that her favorite restaurant just got one huge award. 

Then onto the Bucket List chat, which really just devolves into a travel discussion about places we want to go, but it's always entertaining. 

Ep 201. The One with the Freedom of the Seas

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In the 201st episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave have returned from their group trip aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise liner Freedom of the Seas!

First, Dave gets some new movies while Jenn preps for Tiana's Bayou Adventure, then they take a look at the upcoming Disneyland Forward - what it is, where it is, and what we might see coming soon.

Then, Dave first gives a rundown of Royal Caribbean, with the early ships to the most recent behemoth Icon of the Seas, then they recap their full weekend where the Freedom of the Seas cruised down to Perfect Day at CocoCay and then over to Nassau - first, d$'s madcap night arriving to the port, while Jenn discusses her previous experience on Royal ships. 

They review the ship itself - the pros and cons to the cabins, what there is to do, the extremely cool promenade, and the lacking quality of the food. 

Finally, Dave gives a quick review on his experience aboard the Brightline train from Miami to Orlando, in a great episode of new and returning experiences.

Ep 200. The One with the Attraction Bracket

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In the 200th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave celebrate and high-fave making it almost four years and covering a milestone in the podcast.

To help commemorate the occasion, they welcome in the Quasi-Producer of the Show, The Moana Mom, aka Heather, and Past and Future Guest of the Show Derek Frank! 

Thanks to Derek's handiwork, the team of four look at an attraction bracket - 16 rides, shows and otherwise from each park, pitted one on one, and everybody has to pick the winners - just like March Madness, they keep going until the Best Attraction in Walt Disney World is finally declared... and we even get a little help from mostly third co-host Kyla.

Plus... the Tiffany vs Debbie debate finally hits the podcast.

Ep 199. The One with Disney DAS Strategy

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In the 199th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave get back together again on the show, with Jenn getting ready to travel in a week or so, and Dave having just got back from his annual WDW Spring Break adventure!

Right off the top, they dive into more updates on Tiana's Bayou Adventure, then spend a little time on Universal's Epic Universe big release last week, the Isle of Berk. And Dave spends time explaining to Jenn what that exactly is. 

Finally, Dave shares some of his experience with the Disability Access Service (DAS) that his family used over the last week, and some strategy behind it - what do you do after you get it set up and now are looking for an attraction. 

Ep 198. The One with the Girls (NOT) Rope Dropping

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In the 198th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave become Jenn & Heather for a week, as d$ is currently running around Magic Kingdom (at the time of this recording) and Animal Kingdom (at the time of this episode release)! 

So Quasi Producer Heather, aka The Moana Mom fills in the gaps, as she and Jenn talk this week's Disney News, D23, and some bold predictions for the future.

They also cover how to navigate the parks if you choose not to rope drop, and which situations that works best for! This and other magical chatter is up for grabs in this week's episode!

Ep 197. The One with Another Magical Roundup

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In the 197th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are just here to chit-chat Disney adventures, upcoming events, and a little news.

Jenn just returned from her magical stay - and possibly betraying her beloved Grand Floridian - while Dave makes a city-wide search for Encanto, with good reason. Jenn also gives her take on Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Hollywood Studios.

We explain what happens with "stacking" Lightning Lane reservations, then give an update on the "other park" down the road -- and how fast Universal's Epic Universe is coming along.  Disney filing for work permits around Animal Kingdom fuels the speculation and Dave laments Disneyland getting the good stuff... again.

Plus, a way, way too early preview of this summer's D23 fan event, and the Disney Legend announcements, with a short list of some names who should be Disney Legends by now... and yeah, one name will shock you. 

 

Ep 196. The One with Disney Lunches & Lounges

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In the 196th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave extend their foodie conversation from last week, this time to cover a handful of brunches and lunches and lounges (oh my)

First up, #KylaKylaKyla returns to the show for a 2nd week in a row, as Jenn gives a super quick recap on her adventure on Virgin Voyages last week... Dave is excited to be back into the world of pin trading (while his wife Stephanie is headed to Africa)... and Kyla is panicked over park reservations. Which are stupid. Digress...

Then, Disney has released a new ticket promotion, which Kyla has taken advantage of for an upcoming trip, while they explain the differences in all of them.

Finally, a look at the places frequented by the hosts, the team, and significant others a few weeks ago, including Summerhouse at the Lake... Baseline Taphouse... The Hydraulics Food Stand... Tune-In Lounge... Nomad Lounge... Satu'li... Enchanted Rose... La Cava... Le Creperie... and even more. 

If you need some ideas on where to grab a drink, or grab a Coke glazed cinnamon roll, this is your ep! 

Ep 195. The One with Disney Dining Reviews

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In the 195th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are hoping you came to the show hungry today... because it's all about dinner at Disney.

To properly review and discuss as the great dining that was had in the recent agency trip, 3rd co-host #KylaKylaKyla joins to show -- first to give her tips on adults enjoying Disney Jr Live on Stage, and to comment on Animal Kingdom and what is removable. 

Then a rundown of meals shared together, either with Jenn, Dave, and Kyla all taking part, with just Dave and Kyla and significant others, or Dave and Lovely Steph.  Included in this episode is a review of The Yachtsman Steakhouse... Rose & Crown... Raglan Road... Mama Melrose... Shiki Sai in Epcot... The Hollywood Brown Derby... and a quick look at Topolino's atop the Riviera Resort. 

And along the way, lots of laughs and some nonsense, as does happen when the three get together.  

194. The One with the Park Challenges

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It's hitting the universe a day late, but the latest episode is straight from the past weekend when the Upon a Star team met up in WDW, and participated in a large team scavenger hunt that put 29,000 steps on d$'s step counter, and put the teams all over the parks. 

First, Jenn is continuing to catch up from being gone over the weekend, and Dave is proud of wearing the right shirt for his anniversary dinner.  And big congrats to Quasi-Producer Heather, aka the Moana Mom, for running the 5K and 10K

Next, they discuss 2025 pricing being released so early in the year (and speculate as to why), then take a look at not only the Team Challenge that Jenn created, but also give ideas for other park challenges YOU may want to do.

If you are going to the parks for the first time, definitely do your parks touring plan... but if you've been several time and are looking for a different way to experience the parks, we have some ideas!  Food challenges and ride challenges and scavenger hunts and much more! 

And let us know what YOUR fave park challenges are!  Drop us an email at TheMSEPodcast@gmail.com! 

193. The One with Park Untouchables (and Removables!)

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In the 193rd episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are preparing for a long weekend down in WDW.  Jenn, as the owner of Upon a Star Travel, is getting ready to lead the team in a great competition thru the parks, while Dave is just happy to make through the upcoming 5K.  Plus, snacks and more.

We also say farewell to a fellow podcast who is ending their run after many years.

Then, we look at the parks and decide which attractions are truly "Untouchable". Which rides will be a part of Walt Disney World 10, 30, 50, maybe 100 years from now?  Haunted Mansion? Everest? Tower of Terror? Figment?  

And which attractions are okay to go... which ones would we not fuss over were they gone from the parks in the near future?  Certainly Jenn loves the chance to lash out at It's Tough to Be a Bug again. 

Let us know what you think!  Were we right or wrong? And which attractions would you deem "You Can never Take this ride out, no discussion full stop"?

Ep 192. The One with the Universal Disability Access... and Epic Universe Too!

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In the 192nd episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave takes a little stroll down the street to the other park, Universal Studios, to talk about the Epic announcements, how special guests are accommodated, and we might have a new least fave, beating out Fast & Furious.

First, making her debut on the show, from The Main Street Moms, Sarah Blackmon is on the episode!  She, Jenn, and Dave first chat up Tiana's new Bayou Adventure, and it's new opening time.

Then, our attention does shift down the road to the other park, where Sarah walks through using the Disability Access service - the pre-trip work to be done, getting to Guest Relations, what to do when it's impossible, avoiding a massive Gringott's meltdown, what do to if the system isn't cooperation, and more!

Then, Jenn, Dave, and Sarah look ahead to Epic Universe, chat up the info we know and don't know, and what might be in each land.

Ep 191. The One with the Latest Disney Updates

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In the 191st episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave have already had long weeks, and it's only the middle of the week! 

It's a quick ep tonight, first recapping the craziness of Jenn's week, then Dave giving a quick review of his trip to Dauphin Island on the very southern tip of Alabama with his kid (on a school field trip!) 

Then, hitting some news, with a Universal roller coaster not working... Taylor soon to be streaming... a new take on an old Disneyland hotel... a whole list of upcoming Disney films and release dates... Jenn's take on Deadpool... and what Pixar should do to introduce Toy Story 5.

And finally, a quick conversation on the habit of queue jumping... when it might be acceptable... and mostly when to avoid trying it. 
 

Ep 190. The One with Disney-fied Star Wars

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In the 190th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave borrow a concept from one of our favorite shows - Living with the Landspeeder, where a Disney Attraction is turned into a Star Wars Attraction... "Star Warsifying" it. 

This time, we reverse the concept and "Disneyfy" the three Star Wars attractions in WDW - Smuggler's Run, Rise of the Resistance, and the O.G., Star Tours. And what better way to retheme a ride than to invite on the guys who did it better - Catron, Chris, Ryan, and Derek Frank, hosts of
the IAmGeek show and Living with the Landspeeder.

Six new attractions are presented, two for each of the existing Star Wars rides, with ideas from Atlantis to Aladdin to Toy Story... plus Coco gets a ride (finally), we talk more about The Black Hole than any show in recent memory, and even Walt appears at the end of an attraction.

Ep 189. The One with the YouTube Show

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In the 189th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave do things just a bit differently this week. Because of out of whack schedules... or schedules that are not quite... N*Sync... today's ep is the audio version of the YouTube sensation that is sweeping the travel nation... sort of.

Upon a Star Travel features "Travel with the
Stars", a weekly show on the UAS YouTube channel, and we decided to give you a little taste of that show this time.

With Jenn hosting, and Dave joining in, Quasi-Producer Heather, aka The Moana Mom, also joins as well as Frequent Show Contributor and sort of 3rd co-host KylaKylaKyla to talk about all Epcot's Festival of the Arts, or "F'Arts", as it's known.

The food, the drink, the performances, and of course, the artistry both on stage and on canvas, and even some on the sidewalk are all covered here, as well as lamenting how short the festival is, and the prizes you can receive through various F'Arts passports.

Make sure to check out the actual show Travel with the Stars, but until then, enjoy this audio version! 

Also make sure to check out some of the other shows as mentioned in this episode:

The Travel With the Stars Ep you hear on this podcast ep

Divas Dish Diz on Apple Podcasts

The Deucecast Movie Show website

IAmGeek Show on Instagram

Living with the Landspeeder on Instagram

The ImagineEars Podcast on LinkTree

The Food for Thoughtcast website

My Kid's Got the Autism episode page

Ep 188. The One with Our Favorite Disney Theater Shows

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In the 188th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are braving the cold from their homes, drinking from Disney mugs and replacing Disney jewelry, and trying to stay warm - and give a few hints on dealing with a cold snap in WDW.

In the news, the Flower & Garden opening dates have been revealed, as well as the Country Bears closing dates. The Disney Treasure will feature Moana as part of their Broadway style show. And Kali River Rapids' reopening date, which leads to Jenn's mini-rant against the attraction, and which rides she'd chunk out of each park.

Then, they look at both past and present theater shows to determine their favorites - any attraction which features the guest sitting in a theater chair or bench, staring at the stage or screen.  From current - like loving the Tumble Monkeys or Frozen narrators - to past, like Drew Carey's previous park presence or Nemo, old and new.  

And finally, thoughts on updating Carousel of Progress.

Ep 187. The One with 2023 in Review

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In the 187 episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are back for the first show of the new year!  And as per tradition, it's time to take one more look back at the year we just completed, with all of it's highs and lows.  And also per usual, to do that, we bring in our own Quasi-Producer, the Moana Mom herself, aka Heather Kondas!

First, a New Year's celebration wrap up -- where was everyone, how was the party in Epcot (for Jenn), how was seeing the fireworks from the back porch (for Heather) and how was enjoying the New Year's from the comfort of his own couch (d$)

Then, Heather is solving the Disney World's problems, with the parking debacle at Disney Springs on New Year's Eve, and a closer look at the big day that was January 9th, brining back the Disney Dining Plan, and dropping the Park Pass Reservations (and what APs are dealing with)

And next, a look back, starting in January 2023, with the closing of Splash Mountain, to the end of December, with the new Summer House on the Lake -- and all in between, including new meet'n greets... Disney and Pixar's latest flicks... Tron and Journey of Water both opening... the Starcruiser closing... the chaos around Annual Passes returning... the Hatbox Ghost... Bears in the Kingdom... and that guy who jumped into the Lagoon.  Don't do that. 

Plus, a little emotion over Disney's best animated short in years.

 

Ep 186. The One with the Candlelight Processional... with Friends

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In the 186th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave close the year with what is now a tradition -- with the Candlelight Processional! 

In year's past, both Jenn and Dave have taken turns reading the narration, pulled directly from the long standing classic annual production at Epcot, with the music from the show interspersed, but this year, they've asked a few Friends of the Show to pitch in and lend their voices to the narrations.

Matt & Susie from The ImagineEars Podcast... Catron, Ryan, and Chris from IAmGeek... Derek Frank from Living with the Landspeeder... Melissa Reagan from The Food for Thoughtcast... and show faves Quasi Producer Heather and #KylaKylaKyla all assist, with Dave and Jenn of course. 

What you'll hear in this show is nearly the exact show you'd hear if you attended the CLP over the holiday season at Epcot. So we hope you enjoy our presentation of The Candlelight Processional.

All rights of music go to the writers, composers, and producers of the musical works themselves, as well as the script of the narration to those who adapted it for the show. 

Matt & Susie on IG @the_imagineears , @travelmationappleby , @susie487

Ryan, Catron, Chris on IG @Iamgeekshow , @catron_iamgeek,  @cstreet81, 

Derek Frank on IG @thederekfrank and @livingwiththelandspeeder

Melissa Reagan on IG @thefoodforthoughtcast

Heather on IG @Themoanamom

Kyla on IG @disneygeek27 

Ep 185. The One with Christmas Chatter

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In the 185th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are holly and jolly, with only a few days until Christmas Day!

Jenn is getting ready for her annual Christmas Week trip to WDW, while Dave is excited that dining went super well, and both are (almost) ready for Christmas to arrive... and then onto 2024!

News brings info about Castaway Club changes on the Disney Cruise line... a new Mermaid show in Hollywood Studios... Rock n Roller Coaster closing for a refurbishment... and SeaWorld finally opening up their own hotel!

Then, a look back at our show over 2023... some of the guests who joined us, who's joined the show the most, and what eps rank as the most popular, most downloaded MSEPod eps of the year? 

Finally, a look ahead and a few predictions for 2024 -- including possible new lands... possible re-openings... and even a new park date for Universal!

And of course, here's hoping that YOU and YOURS have a wonderful holiday week!  

Ep 184. The One with Disney Resorts at Christmas

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In the 184th episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are ready for Christmas!  Both are getting their own homes ready for the holiday week, and also thinking of Disney resorts in this season.  And joining the show is frequent guest and almost third co-host #KylaKylaKyla - Kyla Melberg.

Jenn, Dave, and Kyla chat up the Christmas season at Disney World, and give their take on the five best resorts to stay in and visit while at WDW.  From the Boardwalk area to the monorail resorts, to Disney Springs, and even a value resort tossed in.

Plus, Dave explains to Kyla what it means to be a Hallmark movie.  

Ep 183. The One with Walt's Luminous Magic

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In the 183rd episode of The Main Street Electrical Podcast, Jenn & Dave are pumped about the Epcot walls coming down and all the new things opening up. And to give the full scoop, Quasi-Producer Heather, aka The Moana Mom, stops by.

In the news, a little about the new resorts coming to Universal Orlando... after hours events at Disneyland... Pixar films coming to theaters... and an update on the Hatbox Ghost.

Then Heather gives her first hand account on visiting Walt the Dreamer statue... the new pathway lights at Epcot's entrance... a review of the new nighttime spectacular, Luminous: The Story of Us... and looking at what's coming.