Mike Ellis

On the Road with Mickey #13 – The Perfect Disney Meal

March 30, 2020 by Mike Ellis

The Perfect Disney Meal

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and together, we are On the Road with Mickey! This is Episode #13 for March 30, 2020, and for today, we are going to talk about our perfect Disney meals. When we posed the question in our Facebook group, On the Road with Mickey Group, we had a lot of great comments. So here’s the question. If you could pick an appetizer, entree, dessert, and drink from any restaurant (each one could be from a different location), what would you choose? Come along for the ride and see what we came up with!

Here’s the rundown of what we talked about.

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- On the Road with Mickey giveaway!
  - Darth Vader Scentsy Warmer with wax
  - $25 Disney Gift Card
  - Contest runs from May 1-31, winner announced June 1st.
- Saturday, March 21st Animal Kingdom welcomed a new baby — a Hartmann’s Zebra was born to first time mother Heidi, a baby girl.
- Also, on February 25th, Animal Kingdom welcomed a new baby porcupine, also known as a porcupette. The baby girl was born to Peri, her mother, who was featured on the Disney+ documentary One Day at Disney
- Over on the Disney fan site Chip & Co, they have a whole collection of posts up. It’s their Virtual Day at Disney series, and they have one for each of the Walt Disney World parks, and have now posted a virtual day at Disneyland. I expect they will also post a virtual day at California Adventure Park as well.
Feature Topic: The Perfect Disney Meal
- Sophie’s favorite Disney Meal
  - What did Sophie choose?
- Mike’s favorite Disney Meal
  - What did Mike choose?
This Day in Disney History for March 30
Disney Who’s Who Character
Walt Disney Quote
Sponsored by Pixie Vacations by Mike Ellis and Tech Solutions NC
- On the Road with Mickey is sponsored by Pixie Vacations by Mike Ellis and Tech Solutions NC. If you have any computing or travel needs, reach out to them! Tech Solutions is found at techsolutionsnc.com or on Facebook, and you can reach Mike for travel needs at mike@pixievacations.com or on Facebook at Pixie Vacations by Mike Ellis

As always, thank you for listening. We are having a lot of fun talking Disney, and I’m glad you are enjoying it as well! Remember, you can reach us in many ways — first, by email to info@ontheroadwithmickey.com. Second, you can leave us a voicemail at our voicemail box 919-799-8390. You can also talk to us on our Facebook Page, On the Road with Mickey or in our On the Road with Mickey Group. Feel free to join us! Have a great week, and we’ll be back to talk with you again next week!

On the Road with Mickey #12 – Things to do at Disney outside of the Parks

March 23, 2020 by Mike Ellis

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Things to do at Disney outside of the Parks

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and together we are On the Road with Mickey! Before we get started with this week’s episode, we wanted to share a PSA from our friends at Blubrry regarding ways to stay safe in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak.

COVID-19, better known as Coronavirus has spread throughout the world. Information about children with this disease is limited but they are known to have mild symptoms. Many organizations are responding accordingly depending on their area.
It is best to stay home and away from others, especially when sick, and continue following healthy washing hands guidelines, covering mouth and nose, and not touching your face or high-touch surfaces.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces. For more information please visit the CDC website. Thank you.
PSA courtesy of Blubrry

This is episode #12, and our feature topic for today is on things to do at Disney outside of the parks. Sophie and I found a lot of things to do, but we barely scratched the surface of all there is to do. We want to hear from you, so feel free to join us and give us your list as well! Here’s the rundown for today’s show:

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- Walt Disney Archives Founder Dave Smith will be honored with a window at Disneyland.
  - He started working at Disney on June 22, 1970 — this is the 50th anniversary of his hiring. Mr. Smith passed away in 2019.
  - The book “The Quotable Walt Disney” where I get my Walt Disney quotes from was compiled by Dave Smith.
- On the Road with Mickey giveaway!
  - Darth Vader Scentsy Warmer with wax
  - $25 Disney Gift Card
  - Contest runs from May 1-31, winner announced June 1st.
Feature Topic — Things to do at Disney outside of the Parks
- Disney Springs
- Resort Hopping
- Swimming at your resort pool
- Boardwalk
This Day in Disney History, March 23, 2020
Disney Who’s Who Character
Walt Disney Quote

On the Road with Mickey Episode #11 – When Disney Plans Change

March 17, 2020 by Mike Ellis

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When Walt Disney World closes, the world takes notice.

When Disney Plans Change

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and together, We’re on the road with Mickey! As you know from listening to the show, this week we were scheduled to be broadcasting from Walt Disney World; but with the coronavirus concerns and Covid-19, our plans had to change. So this week, we’re talking about what we do when Disney plans change.

Mostly, we’re watching some Disney+, and listening to Disney music, and talking about what Disney attractions we would be on, things like that. So, this week’s show is shorter than normal, but don’t worry, we’ll be back in force next week with a regular show. Next week’s topic is Disney things to do outside of the parks, and I think you’re really going to enjoy it!

On the Road with Mickey #10 – The Power of Disney Music

March 9, 2020 by Mike Ellis

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The Power of Disney Music

We’re On the Road with Mickey, and for today’s episode #10, we are focusing on the Power of Disney Music. For Sophie and I, Disney music is our way of being at the parks when we can’t be there; there’s just something to the music that really connects with us. Perhaps it does with you also? Of course, we have more than that one topic to discuss, here’s what we’ve got on tap for this week!

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- Finding Dory’s Friends Scavenger Hunt — a self-led scavenger hunt through The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion.
- The Regal Eagle has allergy-friendly menu options for those that need them. My friend Sarah from GlutenFreeDairyFreeWDW.com has a large assortment of reviews and discussion regarding allergy friendly food options at Walt Disney World. Check out her site for more details.
- Excitement reigns supreme for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway! It opened on March 4 and all of the feedback has been great so far!
- According to an interview in Total Food, Space 220 at Epcot looks to be opening in April! No official word from Disney yet, nor anything regarding their menu or when advanced dining reservations will be able to be made.
- Refurbishment Schedule:
  - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed from May 4 – 22
  - Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse will be closed from April 27 – May 4
  - Disney Movie Magic at Hollywood Studios is scheduled to re-open on March 13, 2020. We’ll keep an eye out and let you know if it’s open.
- In bigger news than a refurbishment, the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom has been closed temporarily all week. Word is that they are having track issues with the doom-buggies. ~~No word on when it will re-open, hopefully it will be soon!~~ Checking My Disney Experience, The Haunted Mansion was back up and running this weekend! Great news, everyone!
Segment 2: https://facebook.com/groups/ontheroadwithmickey
- After the trip — get ready for what we think is a great giveaway!
Segment 3: The Power of Disney Music
- Facebook group poll. Can access at our On the Road with Mickey Group, it never ends.
- Mike’s Favorite Disney Music
  - From Movies:
    - Frozen: Do you want to build a snowman?
    - Frozen: Let it Go
    - Mary Poppins: Feed the Birds
    - Mary Poppins: Let’s Go Fly a Kite
    - Brave: Touch the Sky
  - From the Parks:
    - It’s a small world
    - Grim Grinning Ghosts
    - Whistle While You Work
    - Zip a Dee Doo Dah
- Sophie’s favorite disney music:
  - From Movies:
    - Winnie the Pooh: the Intro
    - Tangled: I see the Light
    - Frozen 2: All is Found
    - Frozen 2: Show Yourself
    - Aladdin: Arabian Nights
  - From the Parks:
    - Soarin’
    - Fantasmic
    - Mickey’s Philharmagic!
    - World of Color
Segment 4: This Day in Disney History for March 9
Segment 5: Disney Who’s Who Character and Walt Disney Quote

On the Road with Mickey #9 – Favorite Disney Snacks

March 2, 2020 by Mike Ellis

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Favorite Disney Snacks

She’s Sophie, and I’m Mike, and together, we’re On the Road with Mickey! Today is episode #9 for March 2, 2020, and our feature topic of the week is our Favorite Disney Snacks! We’ve got a big show for you today! We’ve got a bit of Cheddar from the Big Cheese, as well as a discussion about our new Facebook Group, our topic of the week, this day in Disney history, and our Who’s Who character and Walt Disney quote.

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- Rumors that The Story of Coco is returning to Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival, March 4 – June 1, 2020
- Kenny the Pirate reports that you can enable Chewy Mode on Millenium Falcon Smugglers Run, so instead of hearing Lando Calrission’s voice, you can hear Chewy’s!
- New Disney Dining Plan Option: Disney Dining Plan Plus – 2 meal credits per night — can be table service, quick service, or character dining (in any combination). Also includes 2 snacks per night, the usual Disney refillable drink mug. Reported in effect for packages starting on February 27, no word on pricing yet.
  - UPDATE: The pricing for the new Disney Dining Plus works out to about $94.60 per adult per night, and about $35.00 per child per night. There is some very slight rounding so that’s not perfectly exact but it’s close.
- Cinderella Castle is getting a Royal Makeover! Some park guests are concerned that it will ruin their trip; as a regular Disney park-goer, I think it will be perfectly okay. What do you think?
- We have two INCREDIBLE bits of Jungle Cruise cheddar for you! First, in June, 2020, Ravensburger is releasing the Jungle Cruise Adventure Game! From 2 – 4 players, it takes you around collecting supplies and passengers on your own riverboat. Then, on July 24, 2020, Disney’s The Jungle Cruise hits theaters!
- Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party went on sale Tuesday, February 25. Prices vary of course, depending on day of week, how close to Halloween it is, and things like that. An example, though, if you went to the September 4 party, which is on a Friday, and had 2 adults and 1 child (age 3-9), the tickets would cost you $279.04 total. That’s $89 per person for the tickets for age 10+, and $84 per person for the child, plus tax.
- Spaceship Earth is closing effective May 26 for refurbishment anywhere from 18 – 30 months.
Segment 2: https://facebook.com/groups/ontheroadwithmickey
- After the trip — get ready for what we think is a great giveaway!
Segment 3: Favorite Disney Snacks
- Facebook group poll. Can access at our On the Road with Mickey Group, it never ends.
Segment 4: This Day in Disney History for March 2
Segment 5: Disney Who’s Who Character and Walt Disney Quote
- Bolt
- Audio-Animatronics®

As always, thank you for listening and encouraging us through the podcast! We are having fun with it, and hope you are too!