Unlocking The Magic: Talking all things Disney Parks, Universal and Cruising

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic Join Bruce and Connie for a first-look deep dive into Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, Epic Universe. From exclusive VIP access to empty-park rides and all-you-can-eat tastings, they share honest reactions, immersive experiences, food reviews, and what Universal got right—and what needs work. Whether you're a lifelong theme park lover or planning your first trip, this is your ultimate guide to Epic Universe!

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic Welcome to episode 503 of Unlocking the Magic! In this special "Crush It or Flush It" edition, we’re breaking down ALL the eats from our Adventures by Disney trip—what delighted us, what disappointed us, and what made us question everything we knew about Disneyland food. Whether you're a foodie or just planning your next Disney vacation, this episode is packed with laughs, honest reviews, and unexpected twists.

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Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic T-Shirts: https://bruce-shop.fourthwall.com Bruce and Connie bring the Disney love with a mega session of Would You Rather—covering everything from your favorite coasters to hanging with Walt during Disneyland’s construction! Tune in for nostalgia, laughter, and magical debates.

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic We brought the whole crew—Connie, Bruce, and their daughter Gianna—for a celebration full of laughs, nostalgia, and heated Disney debates. From rides and movies to character encounters, we’re comparing Disney's past and present to decide once and for all: Did Disney get better or worse? 👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and vote in the comments: Old Disney or New Disney? ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 - Welcome to Episode 500 🎉 00:45 - Meet Our Special Guest: Gianna Joins the Show 01:12 - Today’s Topic: Old vs. New Disney 03:18 - RIDE DEBATE BEGINS: Maelstrom vs. Frozen Ever After 07:44 - Ellen’s Energy Adventure vs. Guardians of the Galaxy 12:00 - ReliefBand Sponsor Message 🙌 13:00 - Mr. Toad vs. Winnie the Pooh 17:14 - Snow White’s Scary Adventures vs. Princess Hall 22:09 - Great Movie Ride vs. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 25:23 - Galaxy’s Edge vs. Backlot Tour + Honey I Shrunk the Kids 28:09 - Stitches Great Escape: Missed Opportunity? 30:03 - LIVE ACTION SHOWDOWN: Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast, Lion King 35:21 - Why We Still Love the Originals 38:11 - Movie Theaters vs. Streaming at Home 39:16 - BONUS: Jaws vs. Diagon Alley 41:38 - Simpsons vs. Back to the Future Ride 44:40 - Wrapping Up: Which Disney Era Wins?

Join us: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic In episode 499 of Unlocking The Magic, Bruce and Connie dive into something different: the best things to do around Orlando besides the theme parks! From beach days at Cocoa Beach to gliding through the swamps on airboats, this episode is full of fresh ideas for your off-park itinerary. Plus, get a sneak peek at their thoughts on Discovery Cove, Kennedy Space Center, and quirky stops like Ripley's Believe It or Not. Chapters: 00:00 – Podcast Intro & Episode 499 Celebration 01:26 – Listener Shoutouts & Real ID Jokes 04:30 – Podcast Memory Problems & Social Media Chaos 08:01 – Topic Reveal: Orlando Beyond the Parks 09:00 – Cocoa Beach: Our Favorite Day Trip 13:20 – Why You Need to Visit Kennedy Space Center 18:10 – Airboat Rides & Wild Florida Adventures 21:40 – Natural Springs & Off-the-Beaten-Path Nature 23:00 – Discovery Cove: Worth the Price? 29:00 – Boston Honesty, Reviews, and Keeping it Real 33:08 – Ripley’s Believe It or Not & Weird Museum Fun 36:55 – Paranormal Florida: Haunted Investigations? 38:39 – Real Estate Ghost Stories + House Whisperer Chat 40:00 – Final Recap of Attractions & Vacation Tips 42:50 – UTM Club, Episode 500 Ideas & Mousercise Madness

Welcome to episode 498 of Unlocking the Magic! Connie and Bruce dive deep into this week’s most important travel updates and theme park news. From Disney's first full park opening since 2019 to Universal's highly anticipated Epic Universe — and even why that $500 Express Pass might not be worth it — this is a must-listen for every Disney or Universal traveler. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro & Episode 498 Hype01:06 - Should We Skip Episode 500?02:30 - Travel News Overview: Disney, Universal & Real ID04:45 - Thank You to the Listeners & Travel Clients06:25 - What Is Real ID? Do You Really Need One?10:00 - Disney’s April Fool’s Water Park Surprise12:20 - Why Typhoon Lagoon Converted Connie into a Water Park Believer14:45 - New Disney Luggage Transfer Pilot with Southwest17:50 - The Risks of Letting Disney Handle Your Bags20:30 - The Little Mermaid Returns to Hollywood Studios22:30 - Is Hollywood Studios Really a Half-Day Park?25:10 - Meet & Greets vs. Walk & Wave (New Trend?)29:55 - Disney Cruise Update: Mickey & Minnie Take the Stern33:00 - Universal’s Epic Universe: Express Passes, Early Entry & $$$35:00 - Why Volcano Bay Actually Sells Out36:45 - Final Thoughts, Cruise Dreams & Thanks to Our Community Join Club UTM : This episode is brought to you by Unlocking The Magic Travel. https://www.UnlockingTheMagicTravel.com Join Team Tonga: https://bit.ly/2YVC0nV​ Join Team Talks: https://www.bit.ly/3dxyUvC​ Check out our latest design: https://bit.ly/2YVC0nV​ Our Favorite Books How to be like Walt: https://amzn.to/31qyFxx​ Walt Disney An American Original: https://amzn.to/31r2XjD​ One Little Spark : https://amzn.to/3jfVASr​ Dream It Do It: https://amzn.to/31qs5Hd​ https://www.clubutm.co

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic Welcome to Unlocking the Magic! In episode 497, we're diving fork-first into theme park food with our signature Crush It or Flush It style. We're breaking down all the must-try snacks, overpriced slices, and hidden gems across Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. From tots and tacos to falafel wraps and freaky food names, we’re serving our honest takes (with a sprinkle of sass). Did Universal finally outdo Disney on food? Is the $18 slice really that bad? Let’s find out together. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with your foodie friends heading to the parks! 👇 Let us know YOUR “crush it” and “flush it” in the comments! Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Crush It or Flush It: Theme Park Food Edition00:44 – Universal’s New Food Buzz at Epic Universe02:00 – Preview Food Hype vs. Reality04:15 – Disney Pizza vs. Universal Pizza: Who Wins?06:10 – Real Talk: “Epic Low Expectations” and Honest Reviews09:00 – Green Eggs & Ham Tots Breakdown10:29 – Pizza Tots & Buffalo Chicken: Yay or Nay?12:25 – Waffle Bowls at Disney’s Fairfax Fair13:45 – Better Than Universal? Buffalo Chicken + Mashed Potatoes Combo15:45 – Magical Drinks: Cup of Enchantment Review18:20 – Fire Eater’s Grill Hidden Gem: Greek Food at Universal20:25 – Falafel, Gyros, and Honey Puffs: Worth the Hype?24:55 – Marvel Cafe Pizza: $12 Slice Worth It?26:00 – More Theme Park Pasta and Meatball Talk28:14 – Back to Mel’s Drive-In: Nostalgia Vibes & Chicken Fingers32:20 – Should You Still Eat Salads at Theme Parks?34:45 – Prime Time Café Chaos: Funny Cast Member Moments38:00 – Dessert Time: Chocolate Cake & Shakes40:00 – Wrap Up and How to Send Us Your Food Recs!

Join us: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic 🎙️ Ever wondered who voices the chilling narration in Disney’s Tower of Terror? Meet Mark Silverman, the voice actor who brings Rod Serling’s iconic Twilight Zone intro to life. In this exclusive interview, we dive into his love for Disney, his journey to Imagineering, and his incredible voice-matching talent. 🔔 Subscribe for more Disney magic and behind-the-scenes stories! 📌 Join Club UTM on Patreon: Get exclusive content & support the show → https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic ⏳ CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Please Stand Clear of the Doors...00:20 – Welcome to Unlocking the Magic!01:00 – Meet Mark Silverman: The Voice of Tower of Terror02:34 – How Mark Got Started in Voice Acting04:30 – Re-Voicing Al Pacino for TV – A Wild Job!06:55 – Perfecting Rod Serling’s Voice for Disney08:12 – The Audition Process for Tower of Terror12:40 – Stepping into Imagineering for the First Time18:20 – Experiencing Tower of Terror for the First Time21:00 – Mark’s Favorite Disney Attractions & Memories26:34 – Other Disney Projects Mark Has Voiced30:29 – Mark’s Fun Elevator Prank34:39 – Does He Still Watch Twilight Zone? (Yes!)37:22 – How Mark Dials in the Rod Serling Voice40:53 – Best Time to Ride Tower of Terror45:00 – Advice for Aspiring Voice Actors49:56 – Where to Follow Mark Silverman! 📢 Connect with Mark Silverman: 🔗 Website: MarkSilvermanVoice.com 📷 Instagram: @MarkSilverman 🎭 IMDb: Mark Silverman on IMDb

Ever wondered what it’s like to be treated like a Disney VIP? We took the Disneyland VIP Tour, and we’re breaking down everything—the cost, perks, hidden gems, and whether it’s truly worth it! From skipping lines to insider stories, here’s what you need to know before booking. 👕 Grab some fun Disney-inspired merch here: UnlockingTheMagic.com/merch 🎉 Join our Patreon for exclusive content: Patreon.com/UnlockingTheMagic 🔽 Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome & Our Excitement for the VIP Tour00:23 - What Exactly is the Disneyland VIP Tour?01:21 - How We Saved Up for This Pricey Experience03:12 - What to Expect: Disneyland vs. Disney World VIP Tours05:00 - A Brief History of Disney’s VIP Tours07:35 - Meeting Our VIP Guide & First Impressions10:49 - The Planning Process—How They Customize Your Tour12:55 - Skip the Lines! How Fast You Really Get On Rides18:51 - Hidden Disney Secrets We Learned from Our Guide22:30 - The Best and Worst Parts of the VIP Experience32:12 - Is It Worth It? Our Final Verdict37:10 - Pro Tips for Booking Your Own VIP Tour Did you enjoy this review? LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more Disney tips and experiences! 🏰✨

Join. Club UTM: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic Welcome back to Unlocking the Magic! In this episode, we’re diving into your burning Disney questions—everything from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the parks to our all-time favorite Disney experiences! Plus, we spill the details on an expensive Disney tour and whether it’s worth the price. Join us as we share tips, personal stories, and, of course, a little Disney magic. 📌 Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to the Podcast! 🚪00:45 – Spring is Almost Here! 🌷01:07 – Unlocking the Mailbox: Your Disney Questions ✉️03:05 – The Secret to Getting Your Question Answered First! 🏆04:21 – How Disney Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day 🍀09:14 – If You Could Visit Any Disney Park in Any Time Period… ⏳14:20 – Is Disney’s Wild Africa Trek Worth $220? 🦁21:11 – Best Time of Year to Visit Disney! 📅24:23 – Overcoming the Fear of Tower of Terror 🎢26:59 – Favorite Disney Animated & Live-Action Movies 🎥33:46 – Which Disney Resort Would You LIVE in? 🏨38:42 – Our Disney Bucket List—Short & Long-Term! ✅45:29 – Wrapping Up & Where to Find Us! 🎉 💬 Have a Disney question? Drop it in the comments and we might answer it in the next Q&A! 📍 Follow Us:Instagram: @UnlockingTheMagicPodcastPatreon: Unlocking the Magic Unlocking the Magic Travel: Let us help you book your next Disney adventure!

Unlocking the Magic: The Biggest Disneyland Mistakes to Avoid! Heading to Disneyland soon? Don’t make these common mistakes! We’re breaking down the biggest errors guests make—and how YOU can avoid them to have the best trip ever. From food budgeting to rope drop strategy, we’ve got you covered. 👉 Support the Show & Grab Exclusive Merch! 🔗 UnlockingTheMagic.com 🔻 CHAPTERS 🔻 00:00 - Welcome & Intro 01:35 - Why Disneyland Takes Time to Master 04:50 - The Importance of Knowing Disney History 08:12 - Rope Drop: Is It Worth It? 11:01 - The Secret to Riding Indiana Jones Without Issues 13:30 - Why You Need a Disneyland Food Budget 16:40 - Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway—A MUST-DO! 19:30 - Avoiding Ride Closures & Refurbishment Disappointments 22:20 - California Weather: What You Need to Know 24:50 - The Importance of Taking a Midday Break 27:45 - Must-See Disneyland Shows & Parades 30:50 - Single Rider Hacks to Skip the Lines 33:40 - The Best & Worst Disneyland Merch Splurges 37:26 - Final Thoughts & See You Next Week! 🔔 Subscribe for More Disney Tips & Fun! 👍 Like this video if you found these tips helpful!

Join us: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic CRUSH OR FLUSH IS BACK! Thanks for all your feedback- we have so much fun doing these episodes. Today, we’re diving fork-first into EPCOT’s world of snacks in a battle of taste buds we like to call… Crush It or Flush It! From ice cream snacks to questionable creations around World Showcase, we’re putting EPCOT’s most talked-about bites to the ultimate test. Will they be a must-have or a never-again?

We all have those Disney experiences we think we won’t like… and then we try them and realize we were SO wrong! 😲 In this episode, we break down 10 Disney and Universal adventures we almost skipped—but ended up loving. From rides we feared to underrated restaurants and hidden gems, this list will change how you plan your next theme park trip! 👇 What’s something you didn’t think you’d like at Disney or Universal but ended up LOVING? Let us know in the comments! 🛒 Check out our merch:https://unlockingthemagic.com/merch 💬 Join Club UTM:Patreon.com/UTM 📺 Subscribe for More:YouTube.com/UnlockingTheMagic

Join us: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic Merch: http://unlockingthemagic.com/merch Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingTheMagic Are these Disney Park snacks worth the hype, or should you skip them? We're putting the most popular Disney treats to the test in our "Crush It or Flush It" challenge! From popcorn buckets to Dole Whip, we're ranking the best and worst snacks at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Let us know which ones YOU would crush or flush in the comments! 🍽️✨ Contact Us: P.O. Box 82 Swampscott MA 01907 Website: http://www.unlockingthemagic.com/ Itunes: http://www.unlockingthemagic.com/itunes​ Facebook: http://www.unlockingthemagic.com/facebook Twitter: http://www.unlockingthemagic.com/twitter​

Join ClubUTM: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic Need travel help: https://unlockingthemagictravel.com/ What You Need to Know About Disney and Universal Parks Welcome to another exciting episode of Unlocking the Magic! Today, we’re diving into the latest news, tips, and insider scoops on your favorite parks, including Disney and Universal. Whether you're a theme park pro or just planning your next visit, we've got something for everyone. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Highlights 00:20 - Welcome to Episode 489 00:46 - Winter Location Guessing Game Winners 02:22 - Disneyland Hotel Updates and Refurbishments 05:12 - Universal Orlando’s New Stella Nova Resort Review 14:15 - Universal Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and Holiday Events 18:20 - Epic Universe Updates and Ticket Info 22:18 - Space Mountain's 50th Anniversary and Fun Facts 26:06 - The Newly Reimagined Haunted Mansion Bride at Disneyland 33:33 - Lunar New Year Celebrations at Disney California Adventure 37:15 - Listener Shoutout and Giveaway Winners 39:15 - Closing Thoughts Don't forget to: ✅ Subscribe for more theme park updates 🎧 Listen to our podcast for even more tips 🌟 Leave a 5-star review on your favorite platform 📩 Join our Club on Patreon for exclusive content!

Unlocking the Magic Podcast - Episode 488 Welcome to another magical episode! In this week’s podcast, Connie and Bruce dive into fan questions, Disney park experiences, and more. Stay tuned until the end for a special contest winner announcement and our new trivia challenge! Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/unlockingthemagic Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unlockingthemagicpodcast/ 📖 Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Welcome to Episode 488! 00:12 - Previous Contest Recap: Reviewing last week’s trivia challenge. 01:34 - Part 2 Q&A: Unlocking the mailbox and answering fan questions. 02:59 - Theme Park Evolution: Why Disney keeps us on our toes. 05:22 - Tips for Parents with Babies: Navigating Magic Kingdom with little ones. 10:49 - Epcot Mocktails Favorites: Our top picks from the World Showcase. 15:27 - Polynesian Resort and Monorail Tips: Easy access to Magic Kingdom. 21:22 - Space 220 Debate: Is it worth it? 26:12 - Disney Cruises: Fantasy vs. Wonder – which is better? 30:00 - Fun Community Highlights: Listener stories and feedback. 36:07 - Contest Winner Announced: Congrats to Becky Miller! 37:17 - This Week’s Trivia: Where are we recording from? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! 🌟

Support the team https://www.patreon.com/home This episode is brought to you by Unlocking The Magic Travel. https://www.UnlockingTheMagicTravel.com Join Team Tonga: https://bit.ly/2YVC0nV​ Join Team Talks: https://www.bit.ly/3dxyUvC​ Check out our latest design: https://bit.ly/2YVC0nV​ Our Favorite Books How to be like Walt: https://amzn.to/31qyFxx​ Walt Disney An American Original: https://amzn.to/31r2XjD​ One Little Spark : https://amzn.to/3jfVASr​ Dream It Do It: https://amzn.to/31qs5Hd​

Welcome, everyone, to today’s magical episode of Unlocking the Magic Podcast! Today we are diving into a fan-favorite topic: the Best of Disney Parks 2024! You all voted on social media or sent us an email, we researched, and today, we’re counting down your top picks across attractions, dining, theming, and experiences from Disney parks worldwide. Let’s see how your favorites stack up!