Walt Disney Quote

On the Road with Mickey #48 – Night of a Million Lights

December 14, 2020 by Mike Ellis Leave a Comment

Night of a Million Lights

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and We’re on the Road with Mickey! This is episode #48 for December 14, 2020, and our feature topic today is Night of a Million Lights! Today we are talking about our visit to the Give Kids the World Village to take in their event Night of a Million Lights. Grab a drink, relax, and join us as we talk about all the great things that we enjoyed on our trip! Here’s our rundown of what we talked about:

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- Mike: If you remember back to our Attraction Refresh podcast from a few weeks back, you may remember hearing my ideas for DinoLand, U.S.A. Well, the ride vehicles from Primeval Whirl were seen heading away from Animal Kingdom a couple of days ago.
- Sophie: Coming to Disney+ — a prequel series to Beauty and the Beast! Starring Luke Evans and Josh Gad, the name of the series hasn’t officially been named, but a rumor is that it will be called “The Little Town”
- Sophie: Over on the big screen, Harrison Ford has been tapped to play Indiana Jones in the 5th and last installment of the Indiana Jones movie series!
- Mike: Scheduled to come in 2021: Non-stop flights on Hawaiian Airlines from Orlando, Florida to Honolulu, Hawaii! Now you can have your WDW cake and top it off with an Aulani visit as well!
Connect with us! Here’s how:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnTheRoadwithMickey
- YouTube: On the Road with Mickey
- Instagram: On the Road with Mickey
- Email: info@ontheroadwithmickey.com
- Phone Voicemail: 919-799-8390
Feature Topic: Night of a Million Lights
- What is it all about?
  - Location: Give Kids the World Village, Kissimmee, FL
  - Runs until January 3, 2021
  - All proceeds benefit the Give Kids the World Village.
  - Give Kids The World Village closed to wish families in mid-March due to the global pandemic, delaying more than 6,000 wishes. Night of a Million Lights is designed to raise funds to ensure that the wishes of critically ill children can return bigger and better than ever before once the time is right to reopen.
  - Ticket Costs: Peak Dates: $35/Adult, $18/Kid; Holiday Dates: $40/Adult, $20/Kid
  - Over 3 million lights, donated by Walt Disney World. Individual cottages are sponsored by local businesses.
This Day in Disney History for December 14
Disney Who’s Who Character
Walt Disney Quote
Charity Spotlight – Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue
- From now until the end of the year, we are going to focus on a special charity to talk about. The charity we have selected is the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (https://goldenrescuenc.org/) – This charity works to help abandoned Golden Retrievers find their forever home. We have used them twice now, once with our boy Regan and the second time with our boy River, and they are wonderful to work with. If you are interested in donating to their organization, the place to do so is at https://goldenrescuenc.org/support-nrgrr
Sponsorship
- 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 #47 – WDW Recap – Our Favorite Five

December 7, 2020 by Mike Ellis Leave a Comment

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WDW Recap: Our Favorite Five

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and We’re on the Road with Mickey! This is episode #47 for December 7, 2020, and our feature topic today is Our Favorite Five things we liked on our recent WDW trip! Grab a drink, relax, and join us as we talk about all the great things that we enjoyed on our trip! Here’s our rundown of what we talked about:

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- Mike: If you have tickets for Disneyland for this year, do not worry. Normally those single day tickets would expire at the end of the month; however, with the park closed, the expiration date for the tickets has been pushed to December 16, 2021, so you have next year to use your tickets.
- Sophie: Coming soon to select Disney resorts: Characters! From Disney: While you’re visiting one of these magical places, you may just spot a favorite Disney pal taking in the sights, as well. We don’t know which characters or resorts they may be at, but it would be neat to see them!
- Sophie: Over at Epcot, work continues on the Guardian of the Galaxy ride that will open next year! Recently, ride vehicles for the attraction were spotted on their way to Epcot for installation!
- Mike: Also over at Disneyland, another store has joined the list of stores that have opened on Buena Vista Street at Disney’s California Adventure Park. Off the Page has reopened, and will be open from Noon until 8PM.
- Sophie: One last bit of information, not cheddar necessarily but interesting. Did you know that Walt Disney World is one of the 1st bus fleets in the US to run on R50 fuel, a 50% renewable diesel made from non-consumable food waste? All WDW buses are powered by renewable diesel, helping conserve natural resources.
Connect with us! Here’s how:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnTheRoadwithMickey
- YouTube: On the Road with Mickey
- Instagram: On the Road with Mickey
- Email: info@ontheroadwithmickey.com
- Phone Voicemail: 919-799-8390
Feature Topic: WDW Recap: Our Favorite Five
- Sophie’s Favorite Five
  - 5) Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Game
  - 4) Seeing the Castle lit up for Christmas
  - 3) Being there for the last day of the Food and Wine Festival (Plus Apple Fritters that’ll knock your socks off)
  - 2) The Riviera Resort’s tasty treats (The Hazelnut-Caramel Profiteroles)
  - 1) Seeing Jagan again
- Mike’s Favorite Five
  - 5) The Christmas Decorations throughout the resort
  - 4) Topollino’s Terrace and celebrating Jagan’s Birthday!
  - 3) The Fireworks and Castle Light Display
  - 2) Rise of the Resistance!
  - 1) Drumroll, please…….
This Day in Disney History for December 7
Disney Who’s Who Character
Walt Disney Quote
Charity Spotlight – Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue
- From now until the end of the year, we are going to focus on a special charity to talk about. The charity we have selected is the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (https://goldenrescuenc.org/) – This charity works to help abandoned Golden Retrievers find their forever home. We have used them twice now, once with our boy Regan and the second time with our boy River, and they are wonderful to work with. If you are interested in donating to their organization, the place to do so is at https://goldenrescuenc.org/support-nrgrr
Sponsorship
- 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

On the Road with Mickey #46 – Attraction Refresh: Which One, How, and Why?

November 16, 2020 by Mike Ellis

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Attraction Refresh: Which One, How, and Why?

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and We’re on the Road with Mickey! This is episode #46 for November 16, 2020, and our feature topic today is Attraction Refresh: Which One, How, and Why? Grab a drink, relax, and join us as we talk about all the great things that we just can’t wait to reopen! Here’s our rundown of what we talked about:

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- Mike: Tonight after park closes, the Magic Kingdom will be testing fireworks! Yay!
- Sophie: Are you going to attend the 2021 Epcot International Festival of the Arts? If you are great news! Voices of Liberty will be returning and performing a brand new showcase called “The Disney Songbook” at the American Gardens Theatre!
- Sophie: We already talked about how Cinderella Castle has the new holiday overlays on the Castle after dark. Well, over at Hollywood Studios, the same is happening at the Hollywood Tower Hotel — site of the Tower of Terror. You can see these overlays over on Instagram. I can’t wait to see them myself! https://www.instagram.com/p/CHY8RwZFBPK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
- Mike: Disney is going to be updating the disneygiftcard.com website, which you can use to store your Disney Gift Cards on. The key, though, is with the update, ALL of the accounts already on the site will be wiped out, so if you have an account with some balances on cards, you need to make sure you have those cards on hand. That will all be happening on January 19, 2021, so make plans now if this applies to you!
Connect with us! Here’s how:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnTheRoadwithMickey
- YouTube: On the Road with Mickey
- Instagram: On the Road with Mickey
- Email: info@ontheroadwithmickey.com
- Phone Voicemail: 919-799-8390
Feature Topic: Attraction Refresh: Which One, How, and Why?
- Sophie’s Choice
  - The Flying Carpets of Aladdin becomes a part of a new land in the Magic Kingdom
  - We get a new land that looks a lot like Agrabah, an extension of Adventureland into a desert biome.
  - The flying carpets become a virtual reality ride, like soarin or flight of passage.
  - There’s a roller coaster in there somewhere, like riding through the cave of wonders
  - And of course there are meet and greets with Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Genie
  - And in place of the flying carpets of Aladdin, there could be something else. Maybe a nice fountain, or a place for performers to hold little shows. (and a tiny lamp)
- Mike’s Choice
  - Dinoland, U.S.A. becomes Russell and Carl’s Adventure Land
    - Paradise Falls Flyers – Triceratops Spin
    - Escape from the Ravine – Primeval Whirl
    - Wilderness Explorers – Dig Site
    - Carl and Ellie’s Restaurant – table service
    - Kevin’s Treats – little kiosk
    - Journey to Paradise Falls – Dinosaur ride
    - Russell’s Outfitters – shopping
- Listener’s Choices
  - Courtney’s choice: Peter Pan
  - Cathy: it’s a small world
  - Cindy: Journey into Imagination
  - Jeff: Tomorrowland Speedway
  - Monica: Animatronics for Little Mermaid
This Day in Disney History for November 16
Disney Who’s Who Character
Walt Disney Quote
Charity Spotlight – Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue
- From now until the end of the year, we are going to focus on a special charity to talk about. The charity we have selected is the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (https://goldenrescuenc.org/) – This charity works to help abandoned Golden Retrievers find their forever home. We have used them twice now, once with our boy Regan and the second time with our boy River, and they are wonderful to work with. If you are interested in donating to their organization, the place to do so is at https://goldenrescuenc.org/support-nrgrr
Sponsorship
- 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

On the Road with Mickey #45 – At Least Ten Things at WDW We can’t wait to reopen

November 9, 2020 by Mike Ellis

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At Least Ten Things at WDW We can’t wait to reopen

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and We’re on the Road with Mickey! This is episode #45 for November 9, 2020, and our feature topic today is At Least Ten Things at WDW We can’t wait to reopen. Grab a drink, relax, and join us as we talk about all the great things that we just can’t wait to reopen! Here’s our rundown of what we talked about:

Cheddar from the Big Cheese
- Mike: Practically overnight, the Walt Disney World resort went from halloween/fall decorations to Christmas decorations! All parks have decorations up; officially, they will all be in place as of last Friday, November 6th.
- Sophie: The Disney Parks Blog has introduced a special section called “Everything Holidays” to celebrate the Disney Magic of the season. It’s basically a collection of posts all having to do with the holidays this year. We’ll post the link to it in the show notes: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/topics/holidays-at-disney/
- Sophie: Over at Disneyland, Buena Vista Street at California Adventure Park is slated to open on November 19th; that will provide an extension of the Downtown Disney district. Several eateries will be open, including the Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining, which is brand new and is part of the Carthay Circle Restaurant. Additionally, there will be shopping, with such stores as Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, Kingswell Camera Shop and Trolley Treats. Lastly, starting on the 19th, there will be a $10 fee per car for parking at the Simba Lot for the Downtown Disney District. Also, keep in mind that the number of guests allowed to visit will be limited to promote physical distancing. The mobile waitlist system will be in force for Buena Vista Street like it is for the District already.
- Mike: Lastly, over at Universal we had a couple of announcements regarding hotels. First, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel will reopen on December 1st. They were closed due to the Pandemic and hadn’t reopened in June like other Universal hotels had. Secondly, the Endless Summer — Dockside Inn and Suites hotel, which was supposed to open in March, I think, but didn’t because of the Pandemic, has been slated to have their grand opening on December 15th. The Endless Summer hotels are Value hotels that have a lot of suites for larger families and incredible prices. Let me know if you want to look at staying there for your next Universal vacation.
Connect with us! Here’s how:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnTheRoadwithMickey
- YouTube: On the Road with Mickey
- Instagram: On the Road with Mickey
- Email: info@ontheroadwithmickey.com
- Phone Voicemail: 919-799-8390
Feature Topic: At Least Ten Things at WDW We can’t wait to reopen
- Peoplemover
- WDW Railroad
- Crystal Palace
- Fireworks Shows
- Parades
- Gingerbread House
- Columbia Harbour House
- Festival of the Lion King
- Character Meet and Greets
- Resort Hopping
- Epcot Candlelight Processional
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- Visiting without requiring a mask
This Day in Disney History for November 9
Disney Who’s Who Character
Walt Disney Quote
Charity Spotlight – Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue
- From now until the end of the year, we are going to focus on a special charity to talk about. The charity we have selected is the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (https://goldenrescuenc.org/) – This charity works to help abandoned Golden Retrievers find their forever home. We have used them twice now, once with our boy Regan and the second time with our boy River, and they are wonderful to work with. If you are interested in donating to their organization, the place to do so is at https://goldenrescuenc.org/support-nrgrr
Sponsorship
- 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

On the Road with Mickey #44 – Nighttime Experiences at Disney

November 2, 2020 by Mike Ellis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Nighttime Experiences at Disney

Hey everyone, I’m Mike, and she’s Sophie, and We’re on the Road with Mickey! This is episode #44 for November 2, 2020, and our feature topic today is the Nighttime Experiences at Disney. Grab a drink, relax, and join us as we talk about all the great things you can do at Disney after the sun goes down! Here’s our rundown of what we talked about:

Cheddar from the Big Cheese

Mike: Sadly, the layoffs at Disney continue. We heard that practically all of the Cast Members, if not all of them, that work on the stage shows and things like that — for example, Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Musical — have been laid off. The list is long and sad, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Cast Members affected and their families. If you wish to help them out, the Cast Member Pantry is accepting donations. To leave a donation, send some money via VENMO to @castmemberpantry.
Mike: In other COVID news, the government in France has implemented a mandatory lockdown due to a spike in cases in Europe. As a result, Disneyland Paris is having to close. They closed effective October 30, 2020.
Sophie: Over at Disney Springs, the Lego Store has put up a model of The Child made entirely of Legos. You can see it over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CG0bJOTHoxW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sophie: Lastly, there is at least some short-term good news. Disney has called back about 200 Cast Members to work in the shopping and dining facilities over on Buena Vista Street at California Adventure Park.
Connect with us! Here’s how:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnTheRoadwithMickey
- YouTube: On the Road with Mickey
- Instagram: On the Road with Mickey
- Email: info@ontheroadwithmickey.com
- Phone Voicemail: 919-799-8390

Feature Topic: Nighttime Experiences at Disney
- During normal years, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the fall.
- Evening Extra Magic Hours, especially at Magic Kingdom and Epcot
- Back in the day, Animal Kingdom Block Party at DinoLand, U.S.A.
- Dueling Piano Bar at Jellyrolls at Disney’s Boardwalk
- Tomorrowland at Night! Especially Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Night!
- People Watching while sitting on a bench eating popcorn.
- Fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
- Fantasmic!
- Riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train during the fireworks!
- Back in the day, Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom
- World of Color
This Day in Disney History for November 2
Disney Who’s Who Character
Walt Disney Quote
Charity Spotlight – Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue
- From now until the end of the year, we are going to focus on a special charity to talk about. The charity we have selected is the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (https://goldenrescuenc.org/) – This charity works to help abandoned Golden Retrievers find their forever home. We have used them twice now, once with our boy Regan and the second time with our boy River, and they are wonderful to work with. If you are interested in donating to their organization, the place to do so is at https://goldenrescuenc.org/support-nrgrr
Sponsorship
- 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

Walt Disney Quote

Night of a Million Lights

WDW Recap: Our Favorite Five

Attraction Refresh: Which One, How, and Why?

At Least Ten Things at WDW We can’t wait to reopen

Nighttime Experiences at Disney

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